Disclaimer: I do not own any of the people or places that belong to the wonderful world of Harry Potter, as they belong to J.K. Rowling. The OC (Katherine) is entirely my own.
Severus apparated before the front gates of Malfoy Manor. Two large cracks sounded behind him, causing him to spin on his heels with wand drawn.
"Easy Snape. It's just us," growled Mulciber, as he and Avery trudged past Severus and headed off towards the manor.
"Actually surprised to see you being summoned tonight," Avery said, as the three entered the house. The manor was dark and quiet, except for the sounds of their shoes hitting the marble flooring as they made their way towards the meeting room.
"I actually wasn't summoned," Severus told the others. "I have an urgent message for the Dark Lord." As Mulciber, Avery and Severus enter the room, they found the Dark Lord and Bellatrix waiting for them. The three bowed before their master, and kissed the hem of his robe.
"Severus?" the Dark Lord hissed. "I don't believe I called you here tonight."
"I realize that my Lord," Severus said. "But I have an urgent message for you, my Lord."
"We will discuss this in private then," Voldemort said, as he rose from his throne-like chair and proceeded towards the back room, with Severus close behind. Severus closed the door behind them, as the Dark Lord stood before the marble fireplace. "What is your message, Severus?"
"My Lord, it is about Katherine," Severus said, staring into the fire. "She returned to the castle last Friday barely alive."
"WHAT!" the Dark Lord screamed, as he closed the distance between his and Severus' form. "She was fine when she left here. Then she must have been attacked on the way back to the school. Legilimens!" The Dark Lord's red eyes bore into Severus' black.
Severus brought forth the memories of Katherine's battered body. Then the Dark Lord sharply withdrew from Severus' mind, his red eyes were ablaze with fury. Voldemort turned and began pacing.
"My Lord," Severus hesitated. "Perhaps one of the other followers saw her leave the manor?"
"Perhaps," the Dark Lord muttered, apparently lost in thought. "Send in Bella." He demanded to Severus. The black-clad wizard nodded in reply, before opening the door.
"Bellatrix," Severus said. "Our Lord wishes to see you." Bellatrix smirked as she made her way into the private room.
"My Lord," Bella gushed, as she knelt and kissed the hem of his robe. "What may I do for you, my Lord?" Severus turned to leave, but the Dark Lord's voice stopped him.
"Severus. Stay." the Dark Lord demanded, before turned his attention to the woman before him. "Bella. Last Friday morning, after I dismissed you and Katherine from your return, do you know where Katherine went?"
"No, my Lord," Bella smirked.
"Really? Legilimens!" the Dark Lord hissed as he violently bore into the dark witch's eyes. Severus watched as the Dark Lord pulled out of Bellatrix's mind, with fire in his eyes. "CRUCIO!" Voldemort bellowed, as he pointed his wand at Bella's form. Bellatrix fell to the floor, withering in pain, as the Dark Lord continued his reign of torture.
"Get out of my sight, Bellatrix," the Dark Lord bellowed, after he stopped the curse. Bella gingerly rose from the floor, and kissed the hem of his robes again. Then she fled the room as fast as she could. "Severus, what did you tell her uncle?"
"I told him that she was ill with the flu, my Lord," Severus told him. "I believe that he believes what I have told him, for he has not even checked in on her."
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The Potion Mistress & the Half-Blood Prince
Художественная прозаSeverus finally gets the position he has always wanted, but it means dealing with a new Potions professor and a woman from his past. Takes place during the HBP, DH and beyond. AU. Rated M for later chapters.
