Forever A Marauder

Thirty-Three: Severus

SEVERUS   

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~*Two Years Ago*~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Lines created deep etches in his skin, clustering around his mouth and forehead. His eyes had dark circles under them that made Severus look ten times older than his actual seventeen. Rain poured down on the Daelynn's large manor.

"Remember our objective. No one touches the girl besides myself unless she tries to escape." The Dark Lord's voice seemed permanently strained, like his vocal cords were dried out. Severus adjusted the hood of his cloak identical to the ones all around him. A soft shudder sounded near by. Leena Daelynn. The ex-head of the Department of Foreign Magic and Exchanges; Calysta's mum. Forced Death Eater, among a few.

"Yes, my Lord." A few said back. Lestrange, Crabbe, Malfoy...a few other big names as far as Death Eaters went. Severus glanced again at the older woman and her greying black hair. The resemblance to Calysta was almost unrecognizable.

They proceeded on. With the raising of Voldemort's wand, every Death Eater present aimed their wands for a single, powerful spell to destroy the wards placed upon the house. The Dark Lord turned the locks of the French doors at the front of the house with a simple Alohomora charm once the original spell was broken. Everything was silent. Not a house elf even residing in the mansion. Strange, Severus thought, a pure-blood family with no house elves in sight. He'd heard rumors soon after he joined the Death Eaters. Leena's husband set them all free after the 'Christmas incident'--they had called it--a year previous. Severus heard stories, admittedly wondering how Calysta survived the surprise attack.

"Your husband, Daelynn, we need him taken care of." Voldemort hissed, making Leena begin up one set of two curving stair cases. Silent as mice, seven other Death Eaters climbed after. A frightening grace carried the Dark Lord in front of them all, chilling Severus with deeper strength than the wind and rain ever could. They soon came across a large, spacious room.

"Severus, you know what needs doing." With a nod, Severus Snape drew his wand and dispersed from the group, feeling a particular pair of eyes on his back. Suddenly, an unwelcome wave of guilt threatened Severus to halt. He wondered if the woman knew he poisoned her daughter only a year before.

"Petrificus Totalus." Severus whispered, watching a man with a resemblance to Calysta measuring greater than her mother's become bounded stiff in his sleep. He ventured to rejoin the group. He stepped past Leena Daelynn and was simultaneously grabbed around the shoulder.

"You know my daughter," She said, her voice choked. Severus nodded once with hesitation. Her lips quivered. "Please, if you have any ounce of mercy...Please help her." Leena sighed. Severus stared at the hand, then roughly brushed it away.

"I have a job to do, Mrs. Daelynn." He said harshly, earning a defeated, quiet sob on he could hear as he continued on his path into a rather pleasant-smelling room. It was smaller than the first, white carpet stretched along the whole room. A great, high-standing canopy bed took the room with it's grey sheets and down cover. Pillows were strewn along the surface, a tangle of arms covering two or three. Calysta was so vulnerable right now, and Severus was itching to avenge himself of the horrid things done to him by the girl's boyfriend. But he had a job, and he wasn't about to risk his life for a good hex on her.

"Wake her." The Dark Lord demanded, waving Severus forward. Deciding to not be gentle, Severus shoved the girl awake. Her arms shot in the air as he had pushed her a little too hard, Calysta landed on the ground with a thud; he didn't feel much regret. Leena rushed around the other side of the bed and held her up by the arms. Voldemort's triumphant smile sent another shiver down Severus' spine. Calysta' eyes made contact with Severus', but her lack of reaction told him she couldn't see him under his hood.