Watching

Watching

Chapter 10

I sent with my father weekly reports to the Dark Lord on the progress of my mission. After eight weeks, I received a letter from my Master telling me the time and place of delivery: tomorrow, Honeydukes, noon.

But I can't do it. I can't kill my brother. My mother may have been able to kill her second husband and son, but I can't kill my brother. I'm going to Dumbledore, though I couldn't be more frightened.

My heart raced as I walked up the stone spiral staircase. The blood thundered in my ears as I knocked on the heavy oak door. I was shaking, about to turn my back on the most frighteningly beautiful creature I've ever seen. Harry, save me.

The door opened and I entered. I was trying my hardest to keep walking forward and not turning to flee. I sat down in a chair directly in front of him. His crystal blue eyes seemed to see right through me.

Please, Gods, don't fail me now....

"How may I help you, Mrs. Snape?"

"Malfoy, sir. I'm a Malfoy now."

"Ahh, yes. My mistake. Please, continue."

I swallowed, praying he wouldn't throw me into Azkaban. "I need your help," I said standing. I couldn't look into those penetrating blue eyes much longer. I walked to the window and looked out. "I'm a Death Eater, sir," I rolled up my sleeve and showed him the Dark Mark. "I'm sorry, sir," I said with a shaking voice. "I'm afraid that if I don't come to you, people will die tomorrow. You see, sir, I'm on a mission. The Dark Lord has asked me--well, told me, he doesn't really ask--to deliver my brother. He's going to be at Honeydukes at noon tomorrow."

I was starting to cry now. Shaking uncontrollably. I sat down again, crying harder. "I-I'm so sorry sir," I sobbed. "Help me, please?"

"Not yet. With the information that you are a Death Eater, I will need you to take Veritaserum. Will you?"

"Yes sir."

Dumbledore wrote a note and gave it to the phoenix I hadn't even realized was there, and it disappeared. Minuets later my father walked through the door. I was horrified.

My father looked from me to my father and then back to me. "Headmaster," he asked, "may I ask what my daughter and Veritaserum are doing in the same meeting?"

"Your daughter has just confessed to being a Death Eater, Severus," he said. I was horrified. Now my father knew I was a traitor. Shit. "I swear, the girl becomes more like you everyday."

My father raised an eyebrow. "You've just revealed yourself?" he asked me. I was ready for the beating of my life when this was over. "I am impressed, Athena. Don't worry, you'll be safe."

I was shocked. What was my father going on about? Why wasn't he yelling at me or telling me to meet him in his office later, or anything like that?

"I don't understand," I whispered. "What's going on?"

"Take the Veritaserum and I will explain. Severus, you may stay if you wish, or you may leave. The choice is yours."

Dumbledore took the potion from my father and conjured up three cups of tea. He put three drops in one and handed it to me. Then he took one and gave the other to my father. I drank the scalding tea quickly, wanting to get this over with.

After a few minuets, Dumbledore asked his first question: Are you coming to me on Voldemort's orders?

"No," I replied.

"Are you still working for Voldemort?"

"I don't want to."

"Do you intend to go to Voldemort with the information you will hear today?"

"No."

"Very good. Severus, would you like to explain to your daughter what your roll in this war is?" My father nodded.

"Athena, listen and listen closely, you know I am a spy, but what you don't know is that I am not a spy for Voldemort, I am a spy for Professor Dumbledore. Do you understand?"

"Yes."

"Good. You have a choice here. You can go into hiding and not work for either side, or you can switch sides, like I did. I've been working for the headmaster since your mother left. In fact, that is the reason I switched sides."

"What is your decision?" Dumbledore asked. "Hiding, or working for me?"

"I cannot sit idly by while a war is fought in which my entire family is involved in. I will work for you, sir, if you will have me."

Dumbledore nodded. "That would be both of your children working for me, Severus. What a family you have." My father nodded again.

I was confused. My father only had one child. Didn't he? Unless Draco is the other "child" Dumbledore is talking about. But then that means....

"What about Draco?" I asked.

"Mr. Malfoy is also working for me," Dumbledore replied. "He has been for quite some time."

"Athena," my father asked, "why are you doing this? Why now?"

"Because Harry is my brother and he has been betrayed by too many. I will not be added to that list. Not now that I know him. Before I could have, but not know. He's family."

"Do not reveal yourself as a spy, Athena," Dumbledore ordered. "Continue as you were as though this meeting has never taken place. Go to Honeydukes tomorrow as planned. You will appear alone, but you will not be alone. Understand?"

I nodded.