A Twisted Web We Weave

CHAPTER 25

Steeling himself Severus paused outside the doors to the chamber within. From here he could already hear the voices of death eaters within, along with the wheezing snake like sound that their master made. With his face set in its usual expressionless mask and his mind firmly closed he pushed open the large doors and swept into the room. Instantly the party inside fell silent as Severus swept with all intents and purpose towards the thrown at the front of the hall where Voldemort sat, Pettigrew on one side and a far too smug Lucius on the other. At his feet lay an unconscious Potter his body covered in blood and stripped bare accept for the thick silver chain that hung from the silver collar still around his neck.

“Ah my alchemist returns at last, Lucius here was adamant you would not come back but I assured him your resilience in all situations is beyond comparison.” Severus came to a stop beside the unconscious form of Potter, a meter or so in front of Voldemort who was smiling at him wickedly from beneath the shroud he often used to disguise his hideous face when in the company of his minions. “Is your brother dead?”

“Yes and his son.” Severus whispered watching as the dark lords eyes lit up with unhidden delight.

“Indeed I thought that would please you my alchemist, a little surprise you hadn’t counted on. Be assured it’s no great loss his mother was a filthy muggle and he was completely devoid of magic, although I believe your brother tried to teach him how to use a wand anyway, wishful thinking.” Severus let the wash of the man’s evil laughter roll from his body like water, resisting the urge to shudder in abhorrence as he felt the man’s delight warm the mark on Severus arm. “But that is trivial, you have delivered what I asked and will be rewarded…” From Voldemort’s side Lucius sprang up from his chair, clearly in shock over what Voldemort had just said. Before Lucius could complain however the dark lord had flicked his hand at the blonde man and within an instant Lucius was rolling on the ground in agony the Cruciatus curse racking his body. “You should learn not to steal from others Lucius it isn’t becoming.” With another flick of his hand the curse on Malfoy ended leaving the blonde shaking and backing slowly away from the throne. Severus was unmoved by the display and remained firmly staring at the dark lord who reached across to a jar that Pettigrew was sitting with. “It was difficult finding a reward for you my alchemist but I believe this will suffice.” Severus watched as Voldemort unscrewed the lid of the jar and promptly upended it onto the floor at his feet. At first Severus had thought it was just a jar of blood but as the mess splattered to the ground he saw a familiar shaped muscle slap onto the stone. “The heart of the one who betrayed you.” Voldemort swept his hand across the chamber and Severus glanced from the pool of bloodied mess over to the wall. There hanging by her hands, her chest torn open was Bellatrix Lestrange. While the sick part of Severus managed to get his lips to quirk in a half smile Severus pushed the feeling down again and turned his expressionless face back to Voldemort.

Severus caught movement at the lord’s feet and watched, as Harry seemed to come around. The boy was clearly disorientated and in pain, although no sooner had he woken then he was attached to Severus feet the pull of the potion still thrumming through his veins. At the movement Voldemort laughed and cruelly yanked on the chain practically wrenching Harry away from Severus, who bit the inside of his mouth trying not to lose his temper. He had a plan or a theory at least. A theory he’d been working on with Albus for almost 25 years. A theory that today was going to be tested with hopefully good results.

“The boy it seems is attached to you Severus, is it because he thinks you are his only hope?” Severus felt the prodding at his mind but determinedly left it shut off.

“No my lord, the potion my brother has been feeding him has made him dependant on the Snape family magical signature rather than solely on my brother, an oversight my brother failed to acknowledge when he forced the boy to drink it.” Voldemort chuckled and nodded his head nastily, a smile twisting his scaly features. “If you don’t allow him to come to me he will become violent my lord, I should not wish for you to be injured unnecessarily.” Severus watched carefully as Voldemort considered this prospect before the man’s hand fell away from the chain allowing Harry to scurry over to Severus where he latched on again to Snape’s legs hugging them for dear life. Bending down Severus grabbed hold of Harry’s arm and dragged him up to his feet. The boy came willingly his blood shot, and bruised eyes meeting Severus’s in fear. “Trust me.” Severus whispered as he spun Harry around and pulled him back against his chest, his wand appearing in his right hand and pressed against Harry’s lightening scar on his temple.

“What are you doing my alchemist?” Voldemort’s voice had dropped an entire octave to hiss dangerously from his chest as he watched Severus take several steps backward the boy in his arms.

“I’m about to test a theory my lord, if I kill Potter then you’ll die too.” Voldemort laughed evilly, shaking his hideous head in amusement until the shroud fell away leaving the grotesque festering face of the lord unveiled for everyone to see.

“Go ahead it will save me the effort but I assure you my alchemist you have grossly underestimated your theory, I give you the world and this is how you repay me?” Severus ignored the hissing creature who had now slithered off the thrown and was slowly sliding along the floor towards where he and Harry were still backing away.

“No, it is you who underestimate me my lord. Harry Potter is merely the vehicle through which your death must pass, any squib can cast the curse.” Harry froze rigid as he heard Snape whisper softly “Legilimens”. Harry knew better than to fight it as he felt Snape invading his mind, the man’s presence like a ball of light searching his memories looking for something. When Snape found it Harry’s temple exploded in pain making the boy cry out in agony. There was too much pain for Harry to realise what memory or link Snape had found but in the mist of the blinding pain Harry heard the words from Snape’s lips. “Avada Kedavra, Inesptio Avrada Lenitis.” The burn of the memory was nothing compared to the strike of Snape’s wand against his forehead or the scorching heat that ripped from the end of Snape’s wand through Harry’s scar. Harry heard a scream but it wasn’t his own as Snape spoke the words again. “Avada Kedavra, Inespito Avrada Lentis.” Another scream this time from somewhere to his left. Harry could feel heat coming from somewhere close by, like a fire had started right in front of him. Still stricken by pain and rigid with Snape’s occlumency Harry could only listen to the world beyond his closed eyes. The pull of unconsciousness was strong but Snape’s presence in his mind refused to oblige him the darkness he wished would swallow him whole and take away the pain. Again Severus voice speaking that phrase, this time more determined as Harry felt a trickle of blood dripping onto his face where Snape’s wand arm was bleeding all over him, not that he wasn’t already covered in his own blood anyway. “Avada Kedavra, Inespito Avrada Lentis!” Harry felt a sudden burst of cold air against his body and the sharp intake of air as Severus breathed in hastily behind him.

For a moment it felt like Harry was flying through the air and then as quickly as the sensation engulfed him it was gone, as was Severus presence in his mind. Like a rag doll Harry collapsed barely registering the smell and feel of the soft dewy grass that caught his fall. Without Severus’ strong presence in his mind holding the darkness at bay, unconsciousness quickly enveloped the boy taking him from the new world he now lay in, naked and curled up just like the day he was born.
TBC>>>>>>>>>>>>>>


A/N NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! I can\'t believe I just did that, *Shakes head in shame* sometimes I really do fuck with my own mind.... I know you\'re probably confused right now but I assure you, as our dear Harry becomes educated so shall you. Remember review if you can, it\'s really appreciated and I love hearing what you think. Amayla, T-Chan I love you guys so much if I had the time I\'d write you a little story all of your own...*winks*