When All is Lost, One is Found
Author: Rinoaebastel
Chapter 29: The Visit
Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter and gain no profit from this fanfiction other than writing practice. Harry Potter is owned by JK Rowling.
AN: This story may contain scenes taken from the Harry Potter movies and books, but it's not exact dialogue, just rewording of dialogue or omission. It is not marked.
August 1996
August. The heat of the sun was brutal and the wind was nonexistent. His white shirt stuck to his torso, and his hair was sticking to his face with sweat. No matter how many cooling charms he put around the house, the burning rays from the sun always turned it into an inferno. He couldn't wait to be back at Hogwarts in a week. Even if he had to go to boring meetings about the classes for the next semester, at least castle was colder.
He needed another shower.
"Severus."
He looked towards the room's entrance. The Dark Lord was there.
"My Lord." He bowed. "What do I owe the pleasure of your presence in my home?"
The Dark Lord moved around, studying his surroundings as he traveled. He stopped to caress some covers of the dark art books on the shelves.
"You and I are so similar. We even share a disgusting muggle father." The man hissed and dropped his hand. He turned to him. "I came here to inform you of your task. The one we talked about in July. It's one of the most important things we will accomplish. If the boy has the ability to carry it out that is. If not, Severus, I trust you will know what to do."
Severus looked at him and nodded. "I will not fail you, my lord."
"We will see, Severus." The Dark Lord smiled at him, but his eyes were still cruel. "Draco is going to help us attack Hogwarts, and he will kill Albus Dumbledore."
"My Lord?" This was crazy. Even if he weren't on Dumbledore's side, he thought it foolish to entrust something like that to Draco. He didn't know exactly what thought process the Dark Lord was using, but it was a poor one. It made sense that he wasn't confident of the boy at least.
"You will aid him. Your position at Hogwarts is valuable and advantageous for this. That's why you're the one that will ensure this plan won't fail."
He made sure his shoulders didn't tense at the thought of what was going to happen. If this was successful, if they manage to dispose of Albus... He would've shuddered at the thought if the Dark Lord weren't staring at him.
"My Lord, if I have to take charge of the matter, my cover will be discovered. I won't be useful for you anymore as a spy."
"Perhaps not as a spy, but you have plenty of uses. You sell yourself short, modest as always, Severus. If Dumbledore falls, you will get Hogwarts to control. You are a skilled wizard, Severus."
Apparently, the Dark Lord had his life planned already and he could only agree. At one time, that praise would've thrilled him. "I'm honored to be of value in many ways, my lord."
His voice lowered into a menacing tone. "If you fail, you will pay along with Draco. Keep that in mind."
"Of course, master." He bowed, accepting his fate.
"Oh, and knowing you will need some aid there, I will give you Wormtail as a reward for your information with Bones."
"There is no need to, my lord," he replied softly, not wanting a cowardly spy at his home. He knew he was still being tested. "I have to return to Hogwarts soon, and this month I have plenty of meetings before the school starts."
"Then he will come at least until you start your work, Severus. He will be your servant." The way he spoke left no room for argument.
"Then you have my gratitude, my lord."
He had to comply. That meant sleepless nights and no relaxing in the slightest. He'd have to be on guard all the time.
"We have some other information regarding one of your students, Severus. Potter's mudblood friend. I'm wondering if we should dispose of her."
No. Merlin, not her again.
"It would be beneficial? Perhaps that would only make Potter's crusade against you more brutal." He replied softly, trying to remove the idea. "You'd give them something to unite over."
"It is possible," he said as if contemplating what he'd said. "But, it's come to my knowledge that she's alone now. Apparently, she's not staying with her friends and the order is not protecting her. If she wasn't a mudblood, she'd be worth trying to recruit."
He almost threw up right there. Not only at the thought of her being one of them, but also at how irresponsible she was being. She knew how risky it was to be alone nowadays with everything going on, especially considering her close ties to Potter. This would have to be fixed.
"Maybe it's a trap I'm not aware of, my lord. The order isn't likely to give up watching her considering her ties. She is not a pureblood, but as much as it disgusts me to say it, she is not an idiot like other mudbloods. She's not stupid enough to let herself out in the open suddenly when she was extremely careful before."
The Dark Lord made a low hum. "Yet, another reason you are valuable, Severus. It does indeed look suspicious. We will not risk it. After all, she will die sooner or later. By the time we are done, no mudblood will be breathing."
He was relieved that the Dark Lord was cunning and not impulsive.
"I will be going now. I will send Wormtail soon, and I will contact you as our mission progresses.
"I will be waiting, my lord."
"And remember, be discreet. This operation should not be discovered, not even by your fellow Death Eaters."
"As you command."
Voldemort looked at him and nodded before disappearing.
AN: Mmmm pressures, pressures. Let me know what you think and until next week!