Silver Lining • Harry Potter X Blaise Zabini •

Chapter 8: Reality Rears its Ugly Head

While Harry was dealing with emotionally scaring issues, Lord Voldemort was seated comfortably on a tall, black thrown. Wrapped around his person was a large snake, the species wasn't known as it was magical creature, influenced strongly by the black magic that Voldemort wielded. The snake's head was resting contently on the man's shoulder, her head positioned closely to his ear as the two conversed in the nearly lost talent of parseltongue, discussing something secretly while in the presence of the self-proclaimed Dark Lord's minions, better known to the rest of the Wizarding World as Death Eaters.

Shifting uncomfortably, Severus glanced around at his masked companions, though he kept his emotions off of his face to be on the safe side. It had been months since the Dark Lord had called a meeting and Severus was at a loss for why he had called one now and so suddenly. It had been perhaps an hour ago he had responded to the burning in his left forearm, he had left Silver with Blaise and flooed immediately to Albus' office and apperated from there. Thankfully the headmaster had the ability to dispel the anti-apperation wards around his office, making it much easier for Severus to apperate to wherever the Dark Lord was summoning them too.
Ever since he had arrived along with the other members if the Inner Circle as well as a few members of the lower orders, Voldemort had been speaking with Nagini. It was typical for Voldemort to put on a show like this, however he didn't generally speak for an hour, making them stand there and listen to the eerie hissing noises seeping from Voldemort's non-existent lips.

Caught in his musings, it took a moment for Severus to realize that Voldemort had finally stopped talking to the snake and was now rising from his chair. Shifting, Severus adopted the appropriate form of fear and reverence, along with the others.
"My Death Eaters" The deranged man purred as he began to walk amongst them, his long, pale fingers curled around his wand. "It has come to my realization that Harry Potter is missing from Hogwarts" He snapped his snake-like eyes to Severus, a twisted smirk curling on his face as the Potions' Master winced slightly.
"I want to know where Harry Potter is" Voldemort hissed out resuming his stalking, Nagini trailing in the wake of his billowing robes.
"My Lord" Lucius Malfoy spoke up, despite the mask supposedly hiding his identity the blonde hair was a trademark.
"Yes Lucius?" The Dark Lord said pausing in front of the aristocratic blonde.
"My son, Draco, has reported to me that Dumbledore announced at the beginning of the year that Potter was being sent to a private training facility in the United States" The Malfoy patriarch reported. "Though none of us have been able to locate this facility. Fudge has placed Dolores Umbridge in Hogwarts in order to get more information on the location of the Potter boy. Though she was initially placed there to spy on Potter and Dumbledore"
Voldemort nodded, twirling his wand lightly as he contemplated this news.
"Severus?" He asked, turning quickly to look at the Potions' Master.
"Yes My Lord?" Severus murmured, rising his eyes for a second to meet the eyes of the insane man.
"Why did you not tell me this news? You are, after all, within Dumbledore's order as well as school" Voldemort murmured, his tone deceptively calm.
"My Lord, Dumbledore has not told any of us the location of Harry Potter. Even the boy's dogfather and werewolf are completely in the dark" Severus hastened to explained, immediately strengthening his occlumency shields to protect against any mind probing the Dark Lord may attempt.
Narrowing his eyes, Voldemort probed Severus' mind, though he only found the planted memories of Dumbledore informing the order of Harry's departure to the United States, along with the appropriate reactions of one Sirius Black. Seemingly satisfied the Dark Lord slipped free of Severus' mind and looked appraisingly at the man.
"I see" He mused, "You have no knowledge of where Harry Potter was sent" The Dark Lord agreed, "However you should have informed me immediately, not Lucius' son" He added, smirking sadistically at Severus as he pointed his wand at the man, "Crucio" He said, watching Severus fall to the ground screaming.

HP/SS

Meanwhile back in Slytherin Common Room, Blaise was trying to do his homework, though it was proving difficult thanks to the silver kitten trying to attack the pages of his Transfiguration textbook.
"Silver" Blaise muttered in an aggravated yet affectionate tone.
The kitten glanced up at the Italian, his green eyes sparkling in amusement as he rolled onto his back in the middle of the text. Sighing softly, Blaise gave into the begging and scooped up the kitten, plopping him into his lap and closing the book.
"You win brat" He growled, rubbing Silver's lightly-coloured stomach gently. If Silver could talk (in this form) he would have been gloating. Squirming free of Blaise's hands and lap, the kitten jumped onto the floor, beginning to walk across the Common Room towards the small gathering of students sitting by the fire. Pausing to check if Blaise was following him -which he was- the kitten threw himself into the center of the group, landing contently on Draco's stomach as the blonde was sprawled inelegantly in front of the fire.
"Oof" Draco gasped, opening his eyes and glancing around quickly before looking down into the innocent emerald eyes of Silver. "Brat" Draco growled, though he was smiling lightly as Silver rubbed his face against his chin.
"He seems rather playful tonight" Blaise said with a soft grin as Draco scooped up the kitten and set him on the floor in order to sit up.
"I wonder why, he was so exhausted earlier" Pansy mused, sharing a secret look with Blaise.
"He's a kitten, they're like puppies" Blaise said with a shrug, "Sleep for hours and then suddenly their bundles of energy" Draco nodded in agreement, watching the kitten attack the quill Theo was swishing for him.