Senses

Chapter 3

Severus lowered his head down to the amber liquid held in his palm. He'd never been one to seek comfort in spirits but today had been unlike any other. Her writhing body had cemented itself in his inner eye, despite having turned away when he'd understood what had happened. Too many thoughts clouded his mind, forcing him to seek refuge in the liquid he held now.

He needed answers, solutions, to problems he had no idea where to begin solving. The shackles would be an easy fix-if she made it through the night. He had no idea on where to begin on the dragon's head nor what other things the magical stone would do. It would be dangerous now to attempt anything further, he would have to wait until he was able to locate a book on the cursed object.

Her eyes would be another problem. He was sure he'd seen that spell before, a sort of cross between a slicing hex and a fire conjuring curse. It had been a favorite of Voldemort during the first war; which meant one of the rogue snatchers was a veteran. There was no counter-curse but the effects could be dealt with. He was sure he had his notes in his personal library somewhere, though he wasn't sure it would do anything to see to the restoration of her sight.

Her hearing was another problem, his diagnostic spell showed damage to the inner ear, only made worse by her prolonged absence of treatment. That too would need to be researched.

The last piece of the puzzle was her throat. The small bones surrounding her voice box had been crushed, damaging the fragile muscle. He wasn't even sure she could swallow let alone eat anything of substinence. He could reset the bones, mend them but he'd need a muscle restoration draught to repair the muscles behind. Problem was, he'd have to get her to swallow it. He wasn't sure what they had been using to keep her alive thus far, though he could carefully assume that whatever it had been had lacked in any true nutrients.

There was so much to do. So little time. What was the proper course for any of this? Would he be able to get her to one of the Order members? Or would he be left alone to shoulder the burden?

His inner thoughts ground to a halt when his arm seared to life. A snarl covered his face as he came to his feet. Thankfully, he'd only taken three drinks of fire whiskey. His mind always needing to be sharp should his 'master' call. His wand came into his hand and he was gone.

oOo

Screams echoed through the cave the Dark Lord had summoned him to. A favorite of his, overlooking the magical town. The large spires of Hogwarts castle just barely seen in the distance. He schooled his face into a mask of indifference stepping around the dismembered body of one of the snatchers they caught at the camp. Severus hid his pleasure at the horrific look of pain permanently etched into the severed man's head before he raised his eyes up to the man standing tall against the bright firelight.

Wormtail writhed in pain as another curse struck his bloated frame, his cries echoing through the cave. Severus waited patiently for the curse to lift before stepping out of the shadows to reveal his presence.

"Severus...How good of you to join us...Do come closer."

Voldemort's voice dripped heavily with barely contained rage, and Severus could almost taste the danger in the air.

"You wished to see me, My Lord?" Severus respectfully inclined his head keeping his hands still at his sides. His occumency walls hard and strong.

"Yes...I have acquired a small bit of interesting information... something to which I seek your counsel..." Voldemort stepped slowly around the simpering man, coming to stand at his full height before the man in black. His red snake-like eyes piercing none to gently into the man's mind, without warning or permission.