the snake, the soul and the lovers

The Lovers

Voldemort touched Harry's shoulder with a firm hand, keeping him in place even when he knew the younger wizard wanted nothing more than run ahead, with his fiery temper moving his muscles before his head could take control again. Nagini stirred around their feet. He lowered himself just the tad to murmur in his ear a soft: "Don't do anything harsh." but equally curious for what was yet to come. In front of them, Snape was kneeling with as much defiance in his eyes he could muster without being crucioed by his Lord.

"Repeat that again," asked Harry, a much more collected tone than what Voldemort would have expected from him. He could still feel his anger puring down their connection like molasses, thick and burning, and he knew Harry was grasping his wand under the black robe he wore. Ready to act, as always, but grounded by his lover's grasp.

Snape, dark eyes looking hollow as ever behind impenetrable shields, swallowed. The only visible sign that seeing Harry's rage was having an effect.

"Dumbledore wants to find a replacement for you, and is currently training young Longbottom to take your place as the prophecy child. He's convinced that... despite everything that has happened, there is still a chance for it to come true. He's currently getting the Order back together."

Another wave of rage rushed from the connection, like the tide rising against a cliff, and Voldemort had to put more force in his hold of his shoulder, feeling Harry tremble underneath his fingers. The Dark Lord couldn't hope to understand why such rage at the mention of the Longbottom child, but if Harry was furious then he would do his best to feed his rage and give him whatever he needed to get revenge.

"So the old man has completely lost his mind?!" Harry said, while Snape didn't know how to react to him. Years of hatred weren't so easy to forget, for the both of them. Harry kept going: "He must know we are together, me and Sirius and the others. He must suspect we're working for him." said, gesturing to Voldemort with his free hand, the one not grabbing his wand. "And yet, after two years , after the wizarding world has all but forgotten us, he decided to still follow down the path to destruction? And he wants to sacrifice Neville to his madness, because if one boy who lived has failed, why not make another, am I right?"

Ah, now Voldemort understood. Harry saw himself in young Longbottom, since both had the chance at being chosen by him, that fateful night of October. And now that Harry was finally free from the Headmaster's plans, knowing his friend was put into danger because of him was making him mad.

Snape grimaced, his mouth torn between a sneer and disgust.

"That appears to be the case, yes."

"And he wants to use the Weasleys, Remus and all the others in spite of him knowing their sons and friends work for the opposite side. He wants to make Ron fight his own brothers!"

While the Weasleys knew that Ronald was safe, and probably suspected where he was, the family was not brought into the secret - to keep them safe. Or at least that had been the idea. Same with Remus Lupin, since the werewolf was blinded by his own grief and kept under the steady thumb of Dumbledore because of his condition. In their long talks at night, Harry had confessed time and time again his hopes for the "Order" - wishing that after two years of silence and no confirmation of Voldemort's return, they would disband and be free to walk away from the conflict. Not all of them, after all, had abandoned Harry in his time of need. But Dumbledore would never let his precious pawns free to decide and think for themselves. In that, he and Tom were pretty similar.

"I can't believe the old fool." concluded Harry with a final sigh, and then he relaxed his shoulders, taking the hand off his wand. Voldemort let him go, but never lifted his eyes off of him.

"Rise, Severus. Thank you for your report, keep us informed of the Order next moves. If you must refer anything to Dumbledore, tell him some Death Eaters seem to be talking to eachother and you suspect secret meetings taking place. We will start spreading the voices, so our plan can finally start."