Delusion (A Severus Snape love story/Harry Potter fanfiction)

Chapter Thirty-One - Forest Floor

Chapter Thirty-One

Severus Snape pinched the bridge of his nose, turning abruptly and hurrying in the opposite direction down the corridor as a flicker of red caught his eye - He really wasn't in the mood for a confrontation. Itching the burning, smouldering mark etched onto his forearm he decided that he was going to have to take the long route to the Forest.

He sighed, listening as the pattern of his footsteps changed when he broke into a run, free from the boundaries of the castle and out into the refreshing, crisp night air. His black cloak caught the breeze, ripping loudly through the torrenting night as the castle became smaller and smaller, limestone walls bathed in dripping moonlight.

The Professor was plunged suddenly into darkness as he escaped into the welcoming shadow of the trees. His feet pounded relentlessly against the pine needles as his breath condensed in the strangely cool, early spring environment.

His ragged, shallow breaths filled his ears along with his throbbing heartbeat as he came to a sudden stop, ducking out of sight behind the mangled corpse of a lightning struck tree as he tried to relax. With sweating palms he lifted the hood upon his head, coming low over his eyes as he swallowed loudly, prepared to step out into the clearing just visible in the distance.

The first thing he noticed was the sudden lack of atmosphere, the thickness almost suffocating as he felt his throat constrict. The man standing in the clearing lifted his head as he approached, slanted red eyes fixed on his as he tried to keep eye contact, knowing that breaking for just one second would have serious consequences.

"You came, Severus, Earlier than expected."

"Yes, My Lord." Voldemort smiled a disturbingly crooked, twisted smile before gesturing with abnormally long, spindly fingers for Snape to stand beside him.

"Come, let us walk." He said in his silky, airy voice reminiscent of snake hissing. Snape nodded silently, falling into step beside his master as he fingered his wand inside his pocket. "I have a lead as to where the boy might be."

"I see."

"It would seem that I cannot... extract this information without your help, Severus. Do I have your word?"

"Of course, My Lord!" Snape exclaimed, eyes trained solely on the path infront of him to avoid Voldemort's frightening gaze. He could sense his smirk, shuddering when he uttered a small, gleeful laugh.

"As I expected, Severus, Always eager to please." Snape said nothing. "Now, this matter needs a delicate hand. The... source, shall we say, will need some avid persuasion."

"How can I be of service, My Lord?"

"The girl knows, Severus. I need you to get it out of her." Snape went rigid, an icy chill sweeping his body as he managed to choke out,

"What girl?"

"Don't be so ignorant, Severus. That... whore, you've been seeing. She knows."

"What do you want me to do?" Snape asked in a forced voice and the Dark Lord chuckled darkly.

"Do as you see fit, Severus."

"I do not want to hurt her-"

"You will do as I say!" He hissed. "Torture her, kill the stupid bitch, I don't care, just do it and get the information or you shall recieve her punishment instead."

"But, My Lord-"

"ENOUGH!" Voldemort stopped walking, hand slipping inside his robes as Snape's eyes widened.

"My Lord, Please, I beg you-"

"You dare disobey me, Severus? Do you not think that I am right? Are you still loyal to me, your master, or am I going to have to make an example of you-"