Let Me In

Chapter One

"Forgive me, my Lord, but I'm afraid I do not know". Severus Snape sank to his knees at his masters' feet; his head to the floor. Shame was written across his face.

"You don't know?" Voldemort hissed. Clearly disappointed with this answer "explain, Severus." He demanded.

"My Lord, Dumbledore is secretive, he tells no one his plans for Harry Potter. He believes they're safer that way". Snape pleaded.

"Or, perhaps the trouble lies with you, Severus".

"My Lord?"

"Were you the great spy you claimed to be, the information I so desperately seek would be mine already. It seems you are not as useful as I predicted. But, no matter, you are so easily disposable". Voldemort's red eyes gleamed with malice and he grinned but this grin showed no sign of real delight. No. Snape knew that grin and it meant nothing but pain.

"My Lord, please, give me more time. I can find the information you need. I am sure of it". Snape begged, Voldemort chuckled.

"You walk a very thin line, Severus. You have proved yourself useful in the past, yes, but do not for one second think that guarantees your rank amongst my followers, my need for you is fading Severus, it would do you well to remember that. Did you, at least, discover why Albus employed that stuttering old fool, Slughorn, to teach Potions this year? Why, after so many years of being denied the position, suddenly you were appointed the post of Defence Against The Dark Arts?" Severus' head dropped lower. His long, hooked nose almost reaching the floor.

"I'm sorry, my Lord, Dumbledore will not tell anyone. He claims it is of importance, but that is the only information he will share at this time". Snape knew his master was angry now, truly angry, he was facing the floor, eyes clenched tightly shut, but he felt the air shift. He could feel his masters' anger rolling off of him in waves and he knew, all too well, what was coming next: punishment.

"You mean to tell me, I call you here, almost two months after the start of term and you come to me with nothing of use? You are a disgrace Severus! Next time I summon you, I will have the information I asked for, or you will be killed. But for now, you are to be punished. Crucio! Crucio! Crucio!" Voldemort bellowed, with anger and force unlike any other Snape had seen. Snape was screaming, thrashing, yelling, sobbing, and cursing. He'd taken punishments before, and he'd handled them like a man, he'd clenched his teeth, let out the occasional whimper or groan, and returned to Hogwarts. Never showing the true pain he felt until he was in the safety and privacy of his own chambers. This time was different. This was unlike any other punishment he'd endured. This was pure rage rolling off his master, through the core of his wand and beaming directly into Severus' soul. He felt every flick of his masters' wand as he repeated the incantation over and over again, releasing his anger onto the only living thing in sight that could scream: Snape.

Whether the punishment lasted minutes, hours, days or weeks; Snape wasn't sure. It could have lasted forever. His muscles and growing headache were sure it did last forever. The next time he heard his masters' voice, he was creating a portkey, Voldemort dropped the old tin can onto Severus' chest and watched as the portkey activated and in a whirl he was gone, travelling back to the gates of Hogwarts.

Snape hit the ground with a thud and groaned loudly before rolling over and throwing up. This was bad, this was very bad. What was he going to tell Albus? 'Sorry but I'm going to have to reveal all your secrets to the Dark Lord next time I'm summoned otherwise it's quite likely I'll come back dead'. He tried rolling over to gather his surroundings but found he couldn't, all of his muscles seemed to fight against him and he relaxed them in defeat and sighed. He figured he was probably at the gates of Hogwarts, which was where he was always sent back to after a punishment, but usually he was able to stand up and, at the very least, drag his way to the front door. This time, however, he was stuck. He focused all of his energy and removed his wand from his robe, he cast a patronus, after four attempts, and gave it a message to deliver to Albus, informing him of his situation, he then threw up once more and fell unconscious.