Unwanted pet (Snupin) *Complete*

Part 73: The sixth letter

Disclaimer: This is a work of fan fiction using characters from the Harry Potter world, which is trademarked by J. K. Rowling. This story is purely for entertainment purposes, no money is being made from it.

A/N: From now on I have to give special thanks to my dear Jess, without her and her knowledge of chess last few chapters wouldn't be possible.

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He was sitting in his room in Malfoy Manor, pacing like a caged animal, on the floor beneath him Dark Lord was punishing a group of lower ranked Death Eater that displeased him. He was safe, finally, safe from punishments, safe from pain, but at what price. He nearly jumped when elf popped up.

"Professor Snape, they are saying bad things about you."

"Dobby, shhh. Be quiet, you are going to get us both killed. What are you doing here?"

"I brought you a letter, sir. Letter from Mr Lupin." Peeped the elf giving him an envelope. "Owl delivered it at Hogwarts."

"Thank you Dobby, now go. Go and stay away until I call for you."

"Yes, Professor Snape. Dobby will go. But, who will take care of you? You look so thin and tired, sir."

"I will be fine Dobby, go now." He urged the elf who disappeared with a pop.

He opened the letter wondering, in all honesty, does he want to know. Part of him was telling him to toss unopened letter into the fire, but part of him wanted to know.

"You betrayed ... me ... us. Next time we meet, you are a dead man.

P.S.: Watch after friend, friend be safe. Knight to D4 (your knight gone)."

Lupin was obviously having a dual opinion about recent developments, at least Wolf still believed in him. That is one and probably the only one who does. He hid the letter and buried the memory of it deep in the hidden parts of his mind.

A loud knock echoed through the room, a muffled voice called.

"Sir, our Lord wants to talk to you."

He sighed, pulled the mask of indifference on his face and opened the door. Following nameless lower ranking Death Eater. Near the entrance of the main hall, on the ground trembling bodies were piled up, the punishment was over. In the main dining room, behind a long dining table, a number of high-ranking Death Eaters was sitting. Voldemort was standing next to the window, looking outside.

"My Lord." He bowed deeply in front of Voldemort waiting to get permission to sit in his place at the table.

"Severus! Come walk with me. I can't stand these useless leeches." Called him Dark Lord, standing straight he approached to his right side and stayed step or two behind. Dark Lord was pacing slowly around the room. "I am very pleased with you Severus. You made me proud."

"My Lord."

"Come now, no need for false humility. I was told that he begged you."

"Yes, he did my Lord."

"Let me see." The disfigured face of Dark Lord turned to him.

He kneeled in front of him, opening parts of his mind for the intrusion. The pain hit him, blinding his sight. He played Albus's death for Voldemort, showing him well-selected parts about present Death Eaters. Dark Lord pulled from his mind none too gently, leaving him with a massive headache. He weakly pulled on his feet, Voldemort was grinning.

"You made me truly proud Severus. Unlike some, like you Bella."

Before Bellatrix was able to say anything Voldemort send a curse at her, she shrieked contorting under the Cruciatus. He was watching with idle indifference, gloating internally.

"You wanted to take what is mine, Bella. I cannot let that go unpunished." Hissed Dark Lord. "You are the only one I can truly trust Severus."

"I am unworthy of that honour my Lord."

"You deserve it." Purred Voldemort, releasing Bellatrix from the curse. "That is why I'm going to reward you. You are going to be next Headmaster Severus."

"My Lord!"

"Draco thinks that you should have been Headmaster long time ago. We lost our spy in the Order but no matter, no matter."

"My Lord," He started dosing insecure reluctant tremor in his voice. "Maybe there is a small chance that we still get information from the Order."

"There is?"

"As you know my Lord, a few years back, old man forced me to spend some time and research with the werewolf."

"Yes, most unfortunate event. You got your revenge, Severus."

"I did my Lord. But Lupin, werewolf started considering me his friend. He is now mad at me, but I believe that maybe I can persuade him that I am still on their side. I cannot promise that he will believe me, but I can try."

"Good thinking Severus, it is a small chance, but the chance nevertheless. How do you plan to proceed?"

"I will send him a letter, well-written letter. If there is a chance that he might consider me his friend, I will get a reply from him. He is not careful, he is overly trustful, he will betray their plans to me if he falls into the trap. We played a game of chess through the letters. Even if he only answers me with a chess move, there is a chance that he will continue to talk to me."

"Very well, write him a letter."

"Yes, my Lord."

"Go now; write him as soon as you can. The sooner your letter reaches him, the more it will appear that you repent or your deed."

"Yes, my Lord." He bowed again and started to move towards the door.

"Severus!" called him Voldemort

"Yes, my Lord."

"Be sure to show me his reply."

"Yes, my lord." He bowed slightly and left the room. Pacing fast toward his room and composing a letter in his head. He was playing a dangerous game, but at this point, he had nothing to lose.