Harry Potter and the Four Horsemen

Chapter 16: The new regime

Lucius walked down the long dark hall towards the office his Lord was waiting in. He glanced sideways at Severus, who seemed uncharacteristically nervous. Before he could ask what was wrong, they arrived, and Wormtail opened the mahogany door, to reveal a cosy and well furnished room. There was a dark wood desk littered with quills, ink, books and papers; the leather chair behind it was overshadowed by the large oak bookcase that seemed to have an entire library jammed in. A beautiful chaise lounge stretched the side of the wall, and opposite the room was a large impressive carved fireplace. In front of the roaring flames was a coffee table and three black wing backed chairs. One of these was occupied, by the young man that His Lord had become. Lucius couldn't help but compare this setting to before the war, the cold, dark stone meeting room, with harsh wooden chairs. It had been scary and lifeless, whilst this office, whilst intimidating to be sure, was still charming and used. It was so human and Lucius could only hope that was reflected in the Dark Lord. They stood, waiting to be addressed. "Oh there is no need to be so formal, do take a seat. You're my most trusted, you do not need permission to simply sit." Relieved, he did just that, though Severus hesitated and for some reason seemed even more nervous than before. "Do you fear me Severus?" Immediately the Potions Master retrieved his blank masks, looking at the powerful wizard that had addressed him. "Of course My Lord, you are the most feared wizard in this world, the most powerful." Snape stopped speaking when Voldemort shook his head, looking away and into the flames. "No. No I am not, that is not what I wish anymore." Lucius glanced at Severus, unsure as to what was happening. Perhaps this was a trap?

Tom couldn't help but be amused by how uncomfortable Severus and Lucius seemed to be. "This is no trick. Why would I lie to my second and third?" Surprise covered their faces, unhidden by cold and uncaring masks. They looked to each other with confused side glances, as unsubtle as their shock. "My Lord, what of Bellatrix, she was-" He cut them off, once again wondering how far his insanity had taken him, to make such a stupid decision. "Bellatrix lost her mind as I did, I believe she cannot retrieve a sanity she was born without. She will be left in Azkaban where she belongs. Whilst she may be more loyal than the two of you, she would never agree with my new plans. Severus' face went blank at his accusation whilst Lucius' eyes widened, confirming what he'd thought. Secrets were being kept from him, and it was time to reveal all. "I believe you have something to tell me."

Snape wasn't sure what Lucius had been hiding. He didn't know anyone more brought in and dedicated to the Dark Lord than the Malfoys, but it was all too clear that their Master knew what he had done. Severus only needed to look at Voldemort once to know he could not lie any longer. Whilst his beliefs lay in line with his master, his loyalties had changed. "Severus?" He gulped, sending a quick prayer to whichever cruel god's did this to him and looked Voldemort in the eye, ready for death. "I believe you are aware that for the last fourteen years I have been spying for the light." He heard a slight gasp from Lucius, but His Lord did not react, simply watching him. "All I asked my Lord was that you spare Lily. When you did not, I felt you had truly fallen to madness, and I left in hope that I could find a place with the light." Silence followed and he couldn't look at the Dark Lord any longer, instead staring down at his potion stained hands. "Was it truly worth it Severus?" He glanced up quickly, the question catching him off guard. "My Lord?"  The man shook his head, leaning back into the chair and watching the flames as they danced in the hearth, whispering. "Did you find solace with the light?" Knowing the answer Severus simply shook his head. No matter what he did, nothing had ever felt right. Not until the newspaper. "Very well Severus." He tensed, waiting for the bright green light that would surely spell his end, and jumped when instead a hand touched his shoulder. Opening his eyes, he saw the man looking at him. "Your beliefs lie with us Severus. This is where you belong, and I am sorry my madness and cruelty drove you from that path. You will always have a place here with us." He simply looked in in shock, His Lord was showing mercy? Was the man ill? Or had he truly regained sanity, as he claimed. If things could go back to how they had once been..... "Thank you My Lord. I would be honoured to serve once again." The man simply nodded, and sat back down, glancing slightly at a very pale Lucius. "Is there anything more you have to share Severus?" He knew what he meant. Severus was to spy, just once more.

Lucius sat quietly and tensed as Severus informed the Dark Lord of the Four Horsemen and Potter's return. He watched His Lord's features carefully throughout, wondering if he would be as obsessed with the boy as he had before. Their Lord had forgiven Severus for spying, but Lucius was quite literally sleeping with the enemy!  Eventually Severus stopped speaking and Lucius began to tremble when they turned to him. "That's very interesting. It would appear that Potter is more than we bargained for.... It is of no matter, we have our goal now, and if it comes to it I will fight gods for our freedom. Though hopefully it will not come to that." Lucius sighed, perhaps they wouldn't be asking- "So Lucius, why is it you are still cloaked in fear?" He swallowed the lump in his throat and looked back at his master. "I have a confession to make my Lord." He did not reply and Lucius wondered how to explain even as the words tumbled out of his mouth. Before he knew it, both Severus and the Dark Lord knew what he had done. Severus had gone rather pale and had a nautious look on his face, whilst Voldemort was silent, fingers steepled together in front of an expression of deep concentration. "This could be just what we need...." Both Severus and Lucius turned to the man, confused. "My Lord?" He nodded and stood, pacing the room with an excited look in his eye. He had never seen His Lord so animated and human before. It was relieving. "Yes, you can liaise between the dark and the Horsemen, arrange for meetings and perhaps persuade them to our side. Inform them of our new plans!" Lucius couldn't help but be swept up in the excitement, he wasn't going to die! Their Lord had truly returned, as he once was when they were just teenagers. He ignored Severus and walked over to His Lord. "You are not angry?" The man laughed, sitting at his desk and furiously writing something down on parchment. "Your strange dalliances are your own Lucius, it just so happens that this aids our cause." He paused, rolling up the parchment and sealing it with wax before handing it to the blonde. "Give this to the Horsemen, I will meet with them soon. You may both go." Immediately Severus stood from his chair and scrabbled to the door as if he could not leave fast enough. Lucius bowed deeply, despite his Lords annoyed click if the tongue and dismissive wave of his hand. He left the room, releasing the deep breath he'd been holding since they'd walked in.