When Darkness Calls

Chapter 9- New recruit

When I woke the pain was intense and immediate. I sucked in a big breath of air and my ribs felt ablaze. I made to take shorter breaths to lessen the pain and I opened my eyes surprised to be back in my room staring up at the paint flaked ceiling. I slowly rolled on my side and sat on the edge of the bed waiting for the nausea to pass. The door suddenly flew open and I felt instantly sick again as my eyes connected with the black pits. Snape closed the door behind him and sat on a chair in front of me with him hands in his lap with a blank expression on his face.

'Can I help you snake?' My voice was weak, my mouth dry and I hated that I sounded broken in front of this disgusting man.

'Can I get you anything?' His voice was impassive not a hint of concern in his voice and he eventually looked up and met my gaze.

'You make me sick. What happened in the dungeons,' I blushed recalling the memory and but took a breath and continued on,' you were disgusted and angry you made me feel ashamed yet here you are sat watching, enjoying while a grown man tortures a school girl and does nothing.' I had hit the mark he looked and I saw him screw his eyes tight as if to remove the memory before he composed himself and met my questioning eyes again.

'It's not something you can understand Miss Blake.' I hated when he called me that and my anger rose quickly.

'I understand it perfectly Professor. Why do you teach? It's pretty obvious that you hate your job is it just a way of supplying your master with fresh blood to torture?' He swallowed hard but his face remained impassive.

'Lord Voldemort has not brought you here to torture you he means to recruit you, to teach you.' Snape's voice was softer and matter of fact I had no reason not to believe what he said was true.

'Voldemort?' I repeated to myself this was the first time I had heard him called this.

'If you do as he asks it will be easier for you.' Why Snape was telling me this I didn't know I hated him more than I hated Voldemort right now. At least he didn't pretend to be someone different.

'I have no master now if that's all you wanted Professor I'd like to be alone.' I was suddenly aware of my pain again and I winced slightly as I shifted my weight.

'Can I get you anything before I leave?' Snape said clearing his throat.

'Oh well now you ask I'd love a nice cup of tea, a good book and a nice hot bath.' I said sarcastically I just wanted him gone he made my skin crawl.

'I can't assist with the first two but I think a bath would help with the pain.' Snape rose and went over to the far wall opposite the bed. He grabbed at what looked to be a corner of wall paper and pulled it back like a curtain to reveal a bathroom that was only slightly smaller than the bedroom. The room was bottle-green tiled on the floor, wall and ceiling with a bright white toilet and sink with a large domed mirror above and a free standing bath with brass clawed feet. The wall had looked completely solid I would never have known there was a bathroom back there.

'Enchanted curtain,' Snape said nonchalantly noting my confused expression.

He flicked his wand and the taps turned quickly filling the bath. I saw Snape reach into his cloak and remove a vial of which contents he poured into the bath and as I stood I noticed the water change from clear to deep blue. I stood next to my bed waiting for my head to stop spinning I screwed my eyes tight trying to supress the vomit I could feel rising. Snape came over and gestured his hand to help me to the bath. I batted his hand away immediately.

'Don't touch me go away and leave me alone I'm fine.' I said not even convincing myself. He looked at me for a few moments and seeing the anger rise in me he took the hint and left.