The World of Snape

After their third round of sex, and three bottles of Firewhiskey between them, Voldemort and Severus were both starving hungry, not to mention drunk. It always affected Severus much more than the Dark Lord, but even tonight Voldemort was showing it hard. After a long, sloppy kiss on the sofa, they decided to go downstairs and get as much food as they could. They left their private chambers, and walked down the steps of Riddle Manor, arms around each other and laughing loudly at nothing in particular. It was pitch black apart from dim candles lit around the edges of every hallway.


There was a loud thud, and then stifled laughter as Severus tripped down the last step. “Don't laugh!” Severus hissed indignantly, standing up, trying to stand straight but found he couldn't.


“It's funny,” Voldemort replied, still laughing hard. “You fell over!”


Grudgingly, Severus let Voldemort put his arm back around his lovers shoulders and led him on towards the kitchen. They weren't alone. Two figures came towards them from the other direction, swaying haphazardly, and laughing just the same, and hushing each other loudly. “Where have you been?” Voldemort called at the pair, his better eyesight seeing that is was Draco and Ginny before Severus did. Somewhere outside, a clock chimed three.


“Out like you said I could,” Ginny replied, slurring her words slightly. “I am so wrecked I can hardly stand straight,” she continued, and Severus could suddenly see two of her. He blinked, before hastily leaning against Voldemort so he wouldn't fall over again.


“I second that,” Severus replied, and he couldn't hear what he was saying properly. “Can we have something bad to eat, darling?” he asked Voldemort, who nodded and opened the door to the kitchen. It was empty and quiet with no House Elves pottering around, cooking and chattering.


“You can have whatever you want, Sevvy,” Voldemort replied with a smile, before he opened the fridge. “Look! Cream cakes!” He pulled a tray out from the cupboard, and placed it on the table. Severus, Voldemort, Ginny and Draco all staggered forwards and began eating, the room was silent apart from the licking of lips and fingers, and in Severus's case, licking the Dark Lord's lips for him.


“Are you too drunk to apparate, Gin?” Draco asked her slowly, as if he was trying to work out how to speak properly.


“I'm too drunk to walk properly,” Ginny responded, and burst into laughter. “But fuck Hogwarts! It's nicer here.”


“You can get into bed with us, if you like,” Voldemort said smiling at Ginny, before putting an arm around her. “But first...”


“We need to wash this down with a drink,” Severus announced, taking Voldemort's hand. “Let us finish the whiskey so that we can't ever do this again!” They headed back up the stairs, and before they knew it, they had returned to doing their shots of firewhiskey. Draco was the first to fall asleep, and Ginny stood up, and sat down on the sofa between Voldemort and Severus. A few more shots later, Ginny was laid in Voldemort's arms, giggling and licking the inside of her empty glass. The whiskey was gone.


“That is my man!” Severus said, suddenly noticing that Ginny was cuddling Voldemort, not Severus.


“He is my bestest friend ever,” Ginny replied. “And so are you too, Sev'rus, but you would curse me if I hugged you.”


Severus tilted his head, thinking, before he nodded. “Alright. You may sleep on him. Voldemort, tell Ginny that she's allowed.”


Voldemort didn't reply because he was asleep.


Ginny giggled. “Just me and you now, Severus,” she said, wiggling slightly to get comfortable. “Do you think Master will be in a bad mood tomorrow?”


“Yes,” Severus replied without delay. “He will be grouchy and hung over. And we have a nice meeting.”


Ginny grinned. “Glad I'm in class all day. I can avoid him.”


Severus laughed softly. “He wants you at all the meetings, you know.” He paused. “I see you're the new Slytherin Princess. I hope you are being cautious around those girls that call themselves your friends.”


“I know who my friends are.” Ginny chuckled darkly. “Those girls just want the Dark Lord to show an interest. They only want to be close to me because they think he's hot.”


Severus sighed. “Always him...” he murmured.


“Sev, most of them think that you're incredibly sexy. I must say,” she smiled cheekily. “I agree with that. Your hair is just...” She shrugged. “Gorgeous.”


“You should be careful saying that. Voldemort can be a jealous man.”


Ginny laughed softly. “He knows that I think you're sexy. But he also knows that I see both of you as my parental figures. I have a lot of respect for both of you, though maybe I don't show that.”


“You don't,” Severus confirmed. He paused for a moment, before continuing. “Do you think about your family a lot?”


“Every day,” she replied calmly. “But my feelings for them never change. They didn't understand. Each of them could have been great if they had let it happen. Harry would have been great if he had joined this side. Even though I loved him then, I could see... See that he was never going to survive.” She looked down, and suddenly she seemed quite sober.


“You have nothing to fear,” Severus said softly, leaning forwards and kissing her forehead. “We'll always care for you. As will that boy over there,” he nodded towards Draco.


Ginny grinned. “Now, Draco Malfoy is still the same git that he always used to be, an amazing shag and gorgeous-”


“-And head over heels in love with you,” Severus added on with a smile.


“No, he's not,” Ginny replied, shaking her head. “Not at all. He comes from one of the greatest Pureblood families the Wizarding World has ever known. I don't. We don't match and I know that soon he'll move on.” Severus stared at her in disbelief.


“Ginny...” Words failed him for a moment, before he took her hand in his own. “Ginny, your blood is as pure as his is, and he knows this. He couldn't find a better partner. Voldemort and I are waiting for the day he proposes to you with baited breath-”


“No!” Ginny replied, a little too loudly. Voldemort stirred slightly, but didn't wake up. “No,” she repeated slightly quieter. “I am seventeen, he is eighteen, too young...”


“Ginny, answer me honestly,” Severus said, squeezing her hand. “Do you love him?”


She paused for a moment, looking over at the sleeping figure of her boyfriend. “Yes,” she replied, softly.


“Can you imagine being with him for the rest of your life?”


The pause was longer this time, but she eventually replied. “Yes,” in a tiny whisper.


Severus smiled. “You belong together. Keep going, Ginny. He loves you too, even if he doesn't show it. He is afraid. And trust me, he needs you more than ever at the moment.” Severus cast a glance at Voldemort, knowing that the Dark Lord was the reason why Draco needed some comfort. But nothing would make him say that aloud. At the end of the day, Voldemort was the man he was loyal too, and nothing would change that.


x--x

Severus awoke with a jump, thinking that he was going to be late to teach his class, before he realised he didn't have any classes to teach any more. Suddenly his head felt like it was going to explode, and he hastily shut his eyes, groaning, trying to shut out the light.


“Sev...” Voldemort's voice.


“Yeh..?” Severus managed to reply. His throat felt like it had been attacked by sand paper.


“Open your eyes.”


“No...” Severus responded quietly.


“Sev!” Voldemort chided. Severus slowly opened one eye too look at his husband. Ginny was peacefully asleep in his arms, her head nestled under his armpit. He smiled.


“You look so maternal.” He shut his eyes again, but opened them when he felt a toe jab his thigh painfully. “Gods, what do you want?” Severus groaned, opening his eyes once more.


“Hang over Potion. Four of them.”


Severus glared at Voldemort. “You get them. In the bathroom.”


“I am not waking Ginny up to move. I have you to do that for me.” Voldemort smiled, and suddenly his wand was in his hand. “I think a Jelly Legs will do fine...” he continued, knowing how Severus hated that spell more than anything. Severus hastily stood up, his head spinning as he did so. He walked towards the bathroom, and took four vials of potion, quickly swallowing one himself. Instantly, he felt better, and he knew it would be better for the entire world to get one to the Dark Lord as soon as possible. When he returned to the room, Draco was awake, but only just. Severus handed a potion to each of them, keeping Ginny's on himself for when she awoke.


“Thank you, love,” Voldemort said softly to Severus.


Draco stood up after downing the potion. “I have to be off, my Lord” he said softly. “Father is expecting me at home.” He bowed a little stiffly to Voldemort, nodded to Severus and glanced hesitantly down at Ginny. “Would you tell Miss Weasley I shall be awaiting her after her lessons in the Entrance Hall.”


“Of course,” Voldemort replied, sitting up slightly. “There is a meeting tonight, you will bring Ginny with you when your mark burns.”


“I will, my Lord,” Draco replied, as he swiftly left the room. A few moments later, Ginny's eyes fluttered open and she gave a quiet moan of pain. Severus wordlessly handed her the vial, which she took and swallowed without even looking at it.


“You're a good man, Severus,” she said quietly, grinning at him. Severus smiled back. Ginny turned and looked over her shoulder at Voldemort. “Morning,” she said cheerily, and Voldemort pushed her off of him.


“Disgusting, happy woman,” he muttered. “You have no right to be cheerful this early in the morning after a nights drinking.”


Ginny glanced up at the clock, and sat back against the Dark Lord. “Oh shit, I'm very late. I've already missed an entire lesson and half of another.”


“Start lessons after lunch, go and sort yourself out first.” Voldemort pushed her off of him again.


“Carrow will kill me,” she muttered.


“No he won't,” Voldemort replied. “They wouldn't dare touch you. Now bugger off.”


Ginny rolled her eyes and stood up. “Did Draco leave a message?” she asked softly a moment later.


“He says he will meet you after your lessons this afternoon in the Entrance Hall,” Severus replied. “But go back to your rooms before you meet him. There will be something there you will be needing.” He winked at her, and Ginny smiled, before leaving the room.


“What will she need?” Voldemort asked when she'd gone.


“If she's going to the meeting tonight, she can't go in her school uniform.”


Voldemort shrugged. “You're so gay, Severus,” he replied, sitting up.


“Thank you,” Severus replied quietly, picking up the whiskey bottles and vanishing them into thin air. “So a new dress is perhaps in order?”


“You can go,” Voldemort replied carelessly. “I have to prepare for the meeting tonight.”


Severus nodded, and after a hasty shower, he left for Knockturn Alley. It was turning into winter already, it was windy and cold and Severus was glad for his thick cloak. He could feel several eyes on him where ever he went along the alley, and knew that these were people that were interested in joining the Dark Order, but didn't have the courage. He also knew that they were probably Death Eaters, watching and waiting for their chance to be promoted, or to get into the Dark Lord's high favour. Severus knew, in that respect, his friendship was often used for that advantage. He entered the dress shop quickly when it began to rain, knowing that he was about to spend a fortune on a dress. Still, he wasn't going to let Ginny feel insignificant against all of the Death Eaters. Few women made it in the ranks, and he was determined at Ginny was going to do better than any – Even Bellatrix.


The dress he chose was simple, and elegant, and he knew she was going to look stunning in it. As he left the shop, he noticed that the boy he and Voldemort had seen the day they went to Borgin and Burke's together was standing across the street, watching him. He'd become a Death Eater after the Battle of Hogwarts, and was proving himself to be a good choice. Severus beckoned him to his side, almost carelessly, as the Dark Lord would do. Every movement the Dark Lord made seemed to be lazy and pointless, the way he walked showed high power and grace, and was pulled off effortlessly. His eyes were normally blank, or cold, never anything else. Severus could always see past though, and he always understood what mood the Dark Lord was in from just his body language. Suddenly, Severus realised that he had been doing just the same for quite a while now, he was just as cold and aloof as the Dark Lord was in front of anyone else.


“You are well, Cecil?” Severus asked coolly as they walked together back up the street.


“Yes, sir,” Cecil replied, and there was a hint of nerves in his voice. When Severus turned to look at the boy, he noticed how he was staring intently at Severus, and how he coloured slightly when he realised he'd been caught doing so.


“You are working well. The Dark Lord is impressed with you,” Severus murmured, looking around him carefully for anyone who was too close to them, and could be listening. “You have done your House and I proud.”


“I could not have done it without your tutoring, sir” Cecil replied, smiling now. “You taught Slytherin's how to be the best we could be. All of us owe our lot to you.”


Severus smirked. “You are kind to say such things,” he responded. “Well-” He turned to face Cecil, and noticed how once more the boys eye's were hard on him. “It will not be long. Prepare yourself. Tonight.”


Cecil bowed his head slightly, before flashing Severus a charming smile. “I look forward to being in your presence again, sir,” he said quietly. Severus nodded, and disapparated, with a strange feeling that Cecil liked him, in a way that Voldemort certainly wouldn't like.


x--x

The meeting was held in the smaller chamber, though the table was pushed to one side of the room. Voldemort didn't want his followers to feel comfortable tonight, he wanted them on their feet and thinking. Even though it would be the vast majority of his followers summoned, the room would be big enough to hold them all, with the added bonus of them all being close together, and unable to hide a thing. It also meant that the members would be afraid. Voldemort's seat was set out at the front of the room, and Severus had insisted that he should have one too, as he wasn't a Death Eater, and that they were now of joint status. Voldemort had stared pityingly at him, but had also, to Severus's surprise, allowed it, even if the chair was placed further back in the room to the Dark Lord's. Nagini had wound herself around the back of the Dark Lord's chair, the room was dim with light coming only from the fireplace and small candles that were lit around the room.


Once they had been summoned, the Death Eaters all began to arrive quickly. Their eyes darting around in fear, each knelt and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes, while Voldemort looked down, smiling with strange cruelty as they did so. Severus knew how much Voldemort enjoyed it when they did that, it made him feel alive with power. Severus wondered if one day, they would be doing that to him. When he had immortality and extreme power, like the Dark Lord did, maybe then he would earn it. It was his wish to earn it, not to be simply given the power just because he was married to the first man of the Wizarding World.

When Lucius entered, the Dark Lord didn't remove his gaze from the man until he had done his bowing and taken his place in the circle, and Lucius did a spectacular job of keeping his gaze down, low and modest. Severus was impressed. Bellatrix entered with her husband, her low cut dress made from a thick, heavily jewelled black material, a long skirt swishing under her thick cloak. Her mask covered her face, apart from her red, smirking lips and dark, glittering eyes, and her hood covered her hair. Voldemort was watching her with some interest, as she swept a deep curtsey before kneeling, bowing her head like she was about to take confession under a priest, and kissing merely the side of his shoe. She stepped back as if she were the Dark Lord's wife, her eyes avoiding Severus at all costs.


“She disgusts me,” Severus told Voldemort through their connection. Voldemort turned and looked at Severus briefly, his bright blue eyes glowing with laughing from under his hood, before he turned back. Draco was entering now with Ginny, he stepped forwards and took his bow and place before Ginny. The dress Severus had bought her fitted like a glove, it was a long, cotton skirt with a loose top part with long, tight black sleeves. She was wearing her flowing cloak down her back, and the mask that Severus had also put on her bed after he had returned from Knockturn Alley. Her eyes were dark, and she looked nervous. Slowly, she stepped forwards and knelt, and after she had kissed Voldemort's robes, he held out his hand, which she slowly took and kissed. Bellatrix looked devastated. A few more people had yet to arrive, and one of the last was Cecil. He kissed the Dark Lord's robes first, before bowing slightly to Severus with a wide, charming smile, who responded with a slight inclination of his head. Throughout the waiting period for the meeting to begin, Severus could feel the boy's eyes on him increasingly, but he didn't dare look in case Voldemort noticed, though that wasn't likely as he was hissing softly to Nagini. Severus often wished that he could talk to snakes as well as the Dark Lord, and wondered if it was possible to learn. That was something he would certainly have to ask.


The meeting finally began when Voldemort began to speak. “My friends,” he spoke, in a low hiss, and the members of the circle finally managed to keep their gazes firmly on the Dark Lord. “We are succeeding... The Wizarding World is finally, truly in my grasp... Yet we have much work to complete before we may relax into this... Enjoy it... And know that we are safe from Muggle's infiltrating into our society, and rebellion and uprising from my people... And it is this that has been brought to my attention. I have a need to know every detail of what is going on in my country, a way that is fail proof, inconspicuous and intelligent.” He paused, and stood, walking slowly around the circle, surveying each member. Severus noticed how Ginny's eyes remained downcast, and she was shaking slightly. When he reached her, Voldemort lightly brushed his fingers against Ginny's, and she looked up, seemingly comforted by such a simple gesture. He completely ignored Lucius, and looked straight to Bellatrix who was stood next to him, a smile reaching his lips there.


“If I may, my Lord-” Yaxley had stepped forwards. Voldemort turned to face him sharply, before crossing the room and standing straight in front of the man.


“You may,” he responded coolly.


“I believe that the solution to this, my Lord, is sending out a select group of Animangus – They are perfect, inconspicuous and able to report back to you instantly.” Yaxley bowed, and stepped back. Voldemort nodded slightly, and Severus had to give Yaxley credit for being brilliant at thinking up ideas like those.


“An excellent idea,” Voldemort replied, and looked as if he was about to continue, when Lucius's voice cut in.


“Snakes.” He sounded as if he had just blurted it out as he had thought about it without fully thinking it through.


Voldemort turned around, and Severus knew that under that hood, he would have that sarcastic questioning expression under his face. “What about them?” Voldemort asked, his voice now icy cold.


“My Lord-” Lucius stepped forwards, his voice smooth and confident but Severus knew he wasn't. “-Animangus are human therefore easily corrupted with superficial items. As far as I know, you are the last descendant from the noble House of Slytherin, and the only person able to speak Parseltongue.” As Lucius spoke, Voldemort turned, and slowly sat back down, as if deep in thought. “Those loyal to your Lordship would be pleased to call that fail proof, and that is just what I will call it.” He bowed, and stepped back, and Severus felt a note of surprise crossing the bond.

“If he's got it in for you, then I doubt that he would have come up with that,” Severus said mentally to Voldemort.


“Shut up, Severus,” Voldemort replied, before he stood up. “Thank you, Lucius,” he said, his voice bordering on coolness. “A fine idea. With a little more refining, it will work.” Slowly, he made his way down into the middle of the circle, and made his rounds again. “I have not forgotten the subject of Thicknesse's death being made public.” He paused, before removing his hood, and staring around. Severus noticed how one person in particular was shifting uncomfortably as he stood, shaking, his eyes flicking nervously in all directions. He continued to watch, unblinkingly as Voldemort continued. “I know who it was.” His gaze was avoiding Lucius's.


“Look at Argyle,” Severus said through the connection, his eyes narrowed. Voldemort tilted his head to look at Severus, narrowing his own eyes back, before he turned and noticed the way the man was behaving.


“Argyle,” Voldemort called, and the man froze, completely terrified. He knew he was going to die. “You have something you wish to tell me?” Severus glanced momentarily at Lucius, who's impassive face showed a great deal of accidental smugness.


“You...” He paused, and looked as if he was searching in vein to find the courage to say whatever it was he wanted to. “Y- You... You...” He took a deep breath, before ripping off his mask. “I hate you!” he shouted loudly at Voldemort. “I want you to fail in everything you do!”


Voldemort tilted his head to one side, sneering. “Oh really?” he said, amusing showing in his voice. “If that is the case, why have you not confronted me sooner?” Bellatrix was dancing from side to side in excitement, and Ginny was staring nervously at Argyle.


Argyle was backing hastily against the wall, and Voldemort slowly walked towards him, smiling in amusement now. “But you would not have, as you are a coward,” he said, emphasizing each word carefully. “And you, and your family shall pay for this.”


There was a loud crack as Argyle tried to disapparate away, and then bright white sparks. Voldemort laughed softly. “I decide when you may leave the presence of Lord Voldemort.” He continued to laugh quietly, before he waved his hand in Argyle's direction. There was a blood curdling scream as Severus forced himself to look away. Bit by bit, the man's skin was being eaten by invisible parasites. Voldemort watched in satisfaction for a moment, before he sat back down. “Lucius, see that the rest of his family are arrested and put into Azkaban. They are to be tried for treason. I have no room for traitors.”


Severus looked back. There was only a mangled carcass of Argyle left. Ginny was watching coldly, she didn't seem bothered by the blood and gore at all, she merely looked angry.


“I will, my Lord,” Lucius bowed.


“You will be rewarded,” Voldemort continued softly, his gaze not quite as icy on Lucius as it had been for the past couple of weeks.


“You are too kind,” Lucius responded softly. Severus raised an eyebrow, knowing full well that Lucius was playing the game that even he had to play to begin with. As Voldemort turned away, Lucius glanced to Severus, and Severus caught his gaze, and sent him a tiny smile and a nod, as if telling his friend that he was in the clear. Lucius's chest heaved as he sighed in relief.


“Traitorous bastard, aren't you, Severus?” Voldemort connected them mentally.


Voldemort had caught his husband's scene with Lucius after all.


“Not really. I have your best interests at heart, my love.”


The Dark Lord smiled as he sat down. “You are dismissed.” Severus raised his wand, and vanished the corpse on the ground. Draco gave Ginny a hasty kiss before he disapparated, and Ginny turned towards the Dark Lord and Severus.


“Are you alright?” Severus asked her, quickly walking towards her and placing a hand on her shoulder.


She nodded, her face was white. “Yes.”


“Leave her alone, Severus, she isn't a child,” Voldemort called, getting up himself.


“She isn't used to this sort of thing,” Severus replied, not bothering to turn around. “I am sure neither of us enjoy such things, not everyone is like you and Bellatrix,” he continued. Voldemort was suddenly next to him, his gaze cold.


“It was necessary,” Ginny cut in, not wanting to be in the centre of an argument between the two men. “I didn't enjoy it, but it didn't upset me.” She took a step back. “However, I do have an early start tomorrow, so I would like to return to Hogwarts now.”


“You can stay in your rooms here if it is more convenient,” Voldemort replied, putting one arm around her, and the other around Severus, kissing Severus briefly on the lips.


Ginny smiled, and rested her head against Voldemort's arm. “Thank you,” she mumbled, and Severus guessed she was probably a little bit emotional after her first full Death Eater meeting. They accompanied Ginny to her rooms, before going to their own, and quickly getting into bed. Severus nuzzled into Voldemort's chest, sighing comfortably, resting one leg over Voldemort's.


The Dark Lord gently kissed his hair, before tilting Severus's chin up and kissing him passionately for a few moments, until they were both breathless and sleepy. Too tired for sex, they cuddled up even closer together, and fell into a deep, well earned sleep.

x--x


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