McKay (scribbulus_ink) wrote in time_of_storms, @ 2006-11-21 17:25:00 |
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Entry tags: | chronological, snape |
31 October 1997
Original poster: black_cauldron
Music: Mars, Bringer of War, by Gustav Holst
Not many things in the world could make a man like Severus Snape recoil in revulsion, but the filthy young man before him nearly did.
It wasn't his physical condition - certainly Severus had seen Remus in nearly such a state, clothes tattered, skin filthy, nails ragged and caked with dirt as though he had been using them to dig in the earth. No, it was the news he brought, and the look in his eye as he reported on Greyback's death - avid, hungry, greedy for reward. Even though Severus was glad the loathsome werewolf was destroyed at last, he wanted to scream in frustration at the circumstances surrounding it. Were it not for the presence of Lucius and Bellatrix standing not far away, Severus would have used the Killing Curse to cover this up, to erase the echo of his lover's name from the beast's lips; as it was, he merely needed to twist it as much as possible in order to protect Remus.
"You have done well to bring me this information," Severus said smoothly, managing to twist his lips into something that vaguely resembled a smile. "Go now; I will report to the Dark Lord."
"What about a reward? You owe me for this. Greyback said there'd be money. If you won't give me somethin', maybe I should just report to his Lordship myself!" Miles said sullenly, crossing his arms and refusing to take Severus' dismissal. It was sheer bravado, however, and that was one thing Severus could not and would not tolerate.
"For the moment, your reward is being allowed to leave with your life," Severus said, the smile slipping and his eyes growing cold. "The Dark Lord does not care for bad news. In fact, he has often been known to kill the bearer of it, if no more appealing a target is at hand. Perhaps I should let you report it, though, instead of taking the risk myself. Maybe he'll just Crucio you. You remember that spell, don't you? You saw me use it. I assure you that as good as I am at it, the Dark Lord is even better."
Greed was finally overcome by fear, and the young werewolf shook his head, stepping back and bringing his hands up defensively. Severus could see in his eyes that he certainly did remember, and Severus was glad that at least some tiny use came out of that horrific incident. He couldn't protect Remus then, but he could bloody well do it now. Even if it meant killing this little piece of garbage and risking Voldemort's retribution to do it.
"No, no..." Miles denied, and then turned and dashed back off into the forest. Severus watched him go with relief.
Just in time, too, for a stir at the other end of the clearing signalled Voldemort's arrival. Stealing himself against what was to come - after all, he hadn't lied to the whelp about the Dark Lord's possible reaction - Severus made his way into the circle of Death Eaters. They had stopped bothering with the masks somewhere along the line, and Severus looked about into the faces of his "comrades", seeing trepidation on more than one.
"Trouble with your little pets, Severus?" Bellatrix asked in a sickeningly sweet voice, but Severus ignored her, focusing instead on the Dark Lord as he settled himself into the seat which had been prepared, Nagini twining over the back and Wormtail standing by his side. The red eyes took in his followers, and Severus noticed more than one small cringe when that ruby gaze went past.
For his own part, Severus stood impassively until Voldemort looked at him directly, and then he stepped forward and dropped to one knee.
"My Lord, I regret having to bring you unpleasant news," Severus said, keeping his eyes raised so that he could see whatever punishment might be forthcoming.
Voldemort frowned, hand automatically clenching on his wand. "Unpleasant?"
"Yes, My Lord." There was no use beating about the bush, and Severus knew that hesitated or delay would only make the consequences worse. "The werewolf pack has refused your orders to help attack the Weasley family. More than that, Greyback and the pack Alpha engaged in a dominance battle. The Alpha was killed, but Greyback was severely injured, and the rest of the pack fell on him and ripped him apart. The pack has turned on us, My Lord, all but a few, and those were cast out."
Severus made no mention of Remus' part in Greyback's death. It was a calculated risk, but mentioning that a wizard had been among the werewolves would lead to all kinds of questions Severus had no desire to answer.
Voldemort's eyes burned with fury, and he rose from his chair, stepping toward Severus with his wand outstretched. "When did this happen?" he demanded.
"I only learned of it within the past hour, My Lord," Severus replied. "I sent the three stragglers back to try to follow the pack before the trail grows cold." Another lie, but if he were in for a knut, he'd might as well be in for a galleon. He'd just have to track down those stragglers and kill them himself before anyone could learn the truth. Assuming, of course, that he weren't already dead himself. Either way Remus would be safe, and to Severus, that was the only thing that mattered.
The Dark Lord quivered in outrage, the point of his wand vibrating. Severus faced him stoically, waiting for the pain to begin, for the burst of red from that wand, wringing agony from every cell in his body. He'd been through it before, and no doubt he would go through it again, and again, and he knew from long, long experience that resistance only made it harder. Unless it was the green this time. Clearing his mind, he focused on an image of Remus, naked and flushed with arousal. If he were to die, he wanted his last thought to be of something good. Something worthwhile.
He wondered afterward whether the lack of fear in his eyes was what saved him from a Crucio. Or worse.
"Lucius. Bellatrix," Voldemort snapped, and for a sick moment Severus wondered if he were going to be turned over to the two instead of Voldemort punishing him himself. But the Dark Lord continued. "The two of you go deal with Ted Tonks, and his wife, and his daughter, too! If we can't send a message one way, we'll send it another - the Weasleys will keep for the next time. Go at once; I want blood spilled this night, and I want it now!"
"Yes, My Lord! At once!" Bellatrix spoke up, throwing Severus a triumphant look before sweeping out of the group with the air of a queen. Lucius said nothing, only bowing, but he, too, gave Severus a nasty smile before following in Bellatrix's wake.
"As for you..." Severus returned his gaze to Voldemort. "I am not at all pleased with having my plans upset like this, but I have more important concerns at the moment. Track down those damned werewolves, Severus. Every one of them. I want heads; I'll make an example of them, and they won't dare defy me again!"
"Yes, My Lord," Severus replied. His face was as calm as ever, but inside he was gnashing his teeth. Voldemort wanted heads, and heads Severus was going to have to provide. One way or another, blood would be spilled; either the werewolves, or Severus'.
"Go now!" Voldemort commanded, and Severus rose to his feet, bowing deeply before turning away, striding out of the circle of Death Eaters and off into the forest. It worried him that Voldemort said he had more important concerns - what could be more important than the attack they had been planning for weeks? Voldemort had some other plan afoot, one to which Severus wasn't privy, and that was extremely worrisome. He needed more information, but he didn't dare refuse his order, or even tarry overlong. He was walking on very thin ice, and one misstep could prove fatal.
The woods closed in around him, and Severus pulled his wand, casting a tracking spell and following the informer's trail into the forest. He should contact Remus, he knew, but it would have to wait. Remus couldn't save Ted Tonks and his family, and he was probably busy running for his life. Best to leave him to it, while Severus went about doing what the Dark Lord had ordered.
A small, nasty smile touched Severus' lips. The Dark Lord said to punish the werewolves. He didn't say it had to be the ones who had actually killed Greyback that had to die, and there were three not far away who were, in Severus' opinion, quite deserving of death. The fact that it would protect Remus, too, was just icing on the cake.