After All This Time - Book 2

Thirty Two

Hey guys! It's been a while since I have written Snape's POV so I decided to do that for 32! This chapter is going a little more in depth as to what happened in the last part of 31 and why Snape is acting the way that he is. Please continue to comment/vote/share!! Enjoy :)

~

Snape's POV

I quickly closed the door, leaving a stunned and confused Annalise standing out in the corridor. It was extremely hasty and out of character, yes, but that didn't matter at the moment. I waited until I heard her walk away before slowly opening the door and slipping out into the corridor. I quickly made my way down the corridor, giving any student in my way a nasty look as I went. I was halfway to the gates of Hogwarts when I decided that I was far enough. Glancing back at the castle one last time to check for any lingering students I pulled up the bottom of my cloak and flew into the sky.

~

The dark dining room of Malfoy Manor was as welcoming as ever. I was the last to arrive, Voldemort having gotten there even before I did. I bid my apologies to the snake before taking my seat, the first one on his left. Why he insisted on gathering us in the middle of a weekday was beyond me. No advancements had been made that I was aware of. Unless...

"I assume you are wondering why I have called you here today. It is a matter concerning our dear Annalise and Draco" he nearly hissed out. "Severus" he said, turning his attention towards me. "I request their presence at the manor this Saturday. It is a matter of dire importance."

"Of course, My Lord" I said, slightly bowing my head to Voldemort. At the moment I was not too concerned about the meeting. If Voldemort had wanted them to duel or perform another task he would have already given me instructions to prepare them. I spent the rest of the meeting sitting there, reeling my mind for every possible reason as to why Voldemort would request their presence among the rest of the ranks. The only thought that kept coming to my mind was that he was finally going to give them the mark. Either that, or he was going to torture them into submission again as part of their obedience training. The meeting soon ended and one by one the Death Eaters began disapparating from Malfoy Manor. I waited until most of the others were gone before going to Voldemort.

"My Lord" I said, bowing deeply to Voldemort as I approached him. "If I may make a request of you, concerning Miss Potter."

A nasty smile spread across his face as he shooed Lucius away from the two of us. Lucius gave me a questioning look as he walked slowly from the room. Voldemort waited until he had closed the door behind him, leaving the two of us alone in the dining room, before proceeding.

"Severus, any request that you make of me will require its payment."

"I understand, My Lord. It is something I am willing to make payment for."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed on me, the smile never once leaving his face. "And your request?"

"My Lord, I ask that Miss Potter is not tortured at your hand, or anyone else's hand anymore. You know as well as I do that she is a very valuable asset to you. I have read up on her abilities and I am afraid that if she endures too much, she will begin to lose them. I will continue to instill in her blind obedience to you My Lord, of course, but I ask that from now on it is done without harm to her."

"Severus, my most loyal servant. You realize what you are asking of me?"

"I do, My Lord."

"And of your payment?"

"Yes."

Voldemort nodded slowly as he raised his wand towards me.

"It will be done."