8,718Disclaimer: I am absolutely not J.K. Rowling - so if you recognize it, it's not mine.
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Bound to Him
Chapter 2
Ten low chimes reverberated against stone walls as the clock struck the new hour.
Severus Snape sat in his leather armchair, reading a fraying tome by the firelight and hoping not to be summoned again. Voldemort had already demanded his audience twice that week. Upset with Lucius Malfoy's failed attempt to obtain the prophecy at the Ministry, the Dark Lord sought to ensure his next maneuvers were nothing short of successful. He had called on the spy to reveal everything Dumbledore had done or planned over the summer.
Since the Dark Lord had yet to divulge any strategy with him, Severus had nothing of value to share with the Hogwarts headmaster. While Dumbledore appeared understanding, Severus could sense his disappointment.
What else is new? Severus sighed as he flipped a page nearly transparent with age.
Though anxious to uncover pertinent information that could finally bring an end to his service, he was mentally and physically exhausted. On the evenings he had not attended the Dark Lord's gatherings, he had helped Dumbledore and the other Heads of House prepare the school for the new year.
As his eyelids grew heavy, he let the book flip closed in his lap. Breathing deeply, he leaned his head against the back of the chair and closed his eyes. Waves of sleep were about to crash over him when he felt the burning sensation in his arm.
"Fucking hell," he snarled at the Dark Mark . "Can you not entertain yourself?"
Severus Flooed the Headmaster to inform him, then strode angrily out of his quarters to answer his summons.
XxxxxxxxXxxxxxxxX
He was the last to arrive at the abandoned farmstead. As per usual.
The other Death Eaters hardly ever bothered to hide their disapproval of his perpetual tardiness, but he had managed to avoid extra punishment after reminding the Dark Lord of the Apparition ban whilst on Hogwarts grounds. Voldemort was understanding of this limitation, though only after performing Legilimency and witnessing it for himself, of course.
"Ah, Severus!" Voldemort threw his hands in the air as a sign of welcome and moved through the crowd gathered at the edge of an unkempt field.
"Kind of you to finally join us," Corban Yaxley murmured beside him. "Better late than never, eh?"
Severus curled his lip. "I apologize for my lateness, my Lord. Dumbledore was color-coordinating his sock drawer when I checked in with him after supper."
"Not another word about the old fool tonight," Voldemort declared with a grin. He clamped a cold, pale hand down on Snape's shoulder. "You have always been loyal to me, haven't you, Severus?"
The spy kept his shields firmly in place. "I have, my Lord."
The snakelike man patted his shoulder. "I have much in store for you, my faithful servant."
Oh, what the fuck now? Snape raised his eyebrows. "My Lord?"
Voldemort rarely acknowledged his followers' successes in front of the large assembly of Death Eaters – public humiliation for failure was much more common. The personal attention was worrisome.
Either he expects a great amount of service, or he suspects something.
"Everyone, please make our honored brother feel welcome," Voldemort instructed the crowd, then spoke over his shoulder. "Severus, accompany me to the altar."
Ugh, gods. Severus pondered the terrible fate awaiting him as he followed behind the dark wizard. The full moon was weeks away, and he could not think of any ancient holiday demanding a sacrifice. Of course, blood magic did not always adhere to a schedule.
The intense scrutiny he found himself under as he passed by his colleagues revealed nothing as to whether he was to play perpetrator or victim. The maniacal cackle Bellatrix Lestrange emitted made his head pound. If he survived this, he was seriously going to hate himself in the morning.
While Severus attempted not to scowl more than ordinary, Voldemort suddenly faced him again. "Since you are the wizard of the hour, so to speak, I have the most delightful of surprises for you."
The serpentine tyrant stepped aside and gestured to the stone altar that had been erected in the middle of the field. Atop the altar was a lumpy mass covered by a black satin sheet.
Perpetrator, then. His heart fluttered disconcertedly, but Severus kept his face impassive. He knew whatever was under there was something he did not wish to see, let alone possess.
"My Lord?"
With an evil smile, Voldemort motioned him forward.
Fighting the urge to vomit, Severus cautiously crept forward. Think positive. It could still be a pile of vipers poised to take you out of your misery.
"Get on with it, Sevvy!" Bellatrix raised her wand, ready to remove the covering for herself.
"SILENCE!" Voldemort bellowed.
Though annoyed, Bellatrix lowered her wand and curtsied.
Please don't be a child. Snape grabbed a corner of the black satin and tugged. The sheet slipped to the ground, exposing pale flesh that glowed in the moonlight. He stifled his revulsion at the young woman's naked body presented before him. Her face was turned away, but not knowing her identity did nothing to relieve the churning of his stomach.
Dumbledore knows not what he asks of me. Snape bit back his anger. He had an idea of what performance the Dark Lord was expecting, and he was far from eager to complete it. Frankly, he would have preferred to find the vipers.
Remembering he still had a role to assume and reputation to protect, the spy glanced back. "May I, my Lord?".
At the dark wizard's nod, Severus feigned interest in the offering by lazily tracing his fingers along the girl's ivory leg. Though she remained deathly still at his touch, he sensed blood pulsing through her vessels.
She's alive. For now.
"Does the gift disappoint?"
Severus slowly found his voice, purposefully letting his eyes linger on her form a bit longer than he would have ever wanted. "Not in the least. You are most gracious, my Lord."
Agreeing, Voldemort whirled back to address his followers, "Well then, she must be claimed!"
As excitement rippled through the crowd, Voldemort artfully flicked his wand in the altar's direction. "Rennervate!"
As her body reanimated, the girl coughed and wheezed at the oxygen refilling her lungs.
Snape froze as she turned her head; he was staring into the deeply terrified eyes of Hermione Granger.
A/N: This chapter was revised 06/23 to improve concision and better capture Snape's thoughts.