Silver Snake

Silver Snake

*

Chapter 1:

Revealo

*

Severus Snape was truly worried as he arrived to the Death Eater meeting. Lupin had been missing for three days, and Voldemort had spread news that he'd accomplished something truly great, something that would push their cause forward a lot. Therefore, it took him a moment to notice anything odd.

However, as soon as he actually paid attention to the scene in front of him, he noticed a lot of changes. At first, Pettigrew wasn't standing right next to their Lord like he always used to. Instead, he stood in the corner of the room as far away from the Dark Lord's "throne" as possible, recognizable only by his tiny form and the glint of a lonely ray of light on his silver hand. On his previous place there was a figure Severus had not seen before. The figure was that of a man, yet he wasn't wearing black robes or the Death Eaters' white mask, and who else would be attending to the meeting? Furthermore, whoever outside of them would be not only alive, but residing at the place of Voldemort's favourite - the greatest award to anyone in his ranks? As if this hadn't been enough, he wasn't standing, like all the Death Eaters in the meeting. No, he was sitting on a chair next to their Master's - something that nobody had before been allowed to do. The stranger was hooded, and Severus couldn't quite make out the features from the shadows of the hood.

However, these weren't what shocked him most. No, that thing was the fact that Voldemort had... changed. Quite a lot, actually.

He didn't have his white skin, red eyes, and skeletal form anymore. Instead, he was back to his better days - Tom Riddle, around Severus's own age. Shiny, black hair, piercing blue eyes, a charming, yet cool smile. Irresistible by his own time. And, seemingly, the times had not changed that much - he still held quite a lot of charm to himself.

This change was not given a word in Voldemort's short speech. It was, however, quite obvious that the change was the very point of this meeting. Every Death Eater stared at their Master, obviously amazed by the change in him. Of course. This would convince them all about Voldemort's accomplishments in regaining his powers. Severus couldn't help but wonder how it had happened, even though his practical mind was all the time listening to the Dark Lord and filing away all possibly interesting pieces of information.

His change to find out seemed to happen. As they were dismissed and he was about to Disapparate along with the other Death Eaters, he heard Voldemort's voice, "Stay, Severus." So, he froze, waiting for everyone else to go away. Only as there were only he, Voldemort, and the mysterious figure, did he turn to face his Master.

"Severus," Voldemort said nastily. "I take it you have noticed certain... changes... in my appearance."

Severus, of course, nodded. How could he have missed the previous snake-faced man turning into the charming Tom Riddle?

"This is all because of my new... companion," Voldemort continued, gesturing towards the hooded figure on his side. He then turned towards the figure and said, "Would you come here?"

The hooded man obediently stood and walked nearer. He then raised his hands and slowly let down his hood.

Severus gasped in shock. He simply stared at the man, his mouth hanging open and his eyes wide.

"I see you have recognized me," Lupin said dryly. His amber eyes were shining in the dim light, and there was an odd glow in them Severus had never seen before.

"As you know, he requires Wolfsbane Potion monthly," Voldemort said coolly. "I expect you to supply the potion."

"Very well, my Lord," Severus replied, struggling to keep back from attacking either of the men. In fact, the major reason preventing him was that he didn't know whether he should be mad at Lupin for betraying them or at Voldemort for forcing the werewolf to his twisted ways.

The question being, had Lupin truly been forced to it?

The odd glow in the werewolf's eyes could have been a hint of Imperiatus. But then again, werewolves in general had a certain level of resistance against the curse.

"I'm going now," Voldemort said. "I take it you wanted to talk with him?" he asked from Lupin.

The werewolf nodded. "I'll follow shortly," he said, and the Dark Lord returned the nod, then Disapparated with a soft *CRACK*.

As soon as he was gone, Lupin's calm mask dropped, revealing his worry and desperation. "You have to help me," the werewolf hissed through clenched teeth. His hands took a firm, almost painful grip on Severus's shoulders.

"Help you with what?" Severus asked, slightly surprised. "You seem to be doing greatly regarding the situation."

"But I'm not," Lupin shot back. His face adopted a pleading expression. "I can't leave," he explained quietly. "He's somehow managed to create a bond between us. Should I leave his side, I wouldn't live a day."

"I see," the Slytherin replied, and sighed inwardly with relief. So Lupin was not in this voluntarily. For some reason it made him feel a lot better. "But what could I do for you? I cannot break the bond."

Lupin sighed, and his grasp on Severus's shoulders loosened as he let his arms to fall to his sides. "I know that," the werewolf said, "but at least you could inform the others. Tell them - tell them I'm not a traitor." He saw as Severus flinched at this, and a saddened glint entered his eyes. He'd realized what Severus had been thinking. "Also, I need a potion."

"What kind of a potion?" Severus asked, finally fighting down his distress.

"Something that helps me keep control over my mind and body," the brunet man replied. "The bond is affecting my mind already. I simply can't hate him, not for all he's done." There was no doubt who was the "he" in question. Voldemort, obviously.

Lupin's eyes wandered past him to staring somewhere in the distance. "I - I don't want to lose control," he whispered franticly. "I don't want to sleep with him!"

'Oh, Merlin,' Severus thought to himself. Suddenly his own worries seemed almost inexistent. Aloud he said, with an almost apologetical tone, "I'm afraid you have little but no say in the matter. If he wants to sleep with you, he won't hesitate for a moment to rape you."

"He can't do that," Lupin replied. "The bond prevents him. He can't force himself on me, not unless I go to him willingly at first."

Severus nodded slowly. In a way it made sense. "I'll see what I can do," he said. "But I can't give you any promises."

"I'm not asking you to do more," Lupin replied, sounding relieved. "Just tell the others it wasn't my choice, will you?"

"Of course," the black-haired man replied immediately.

Lupin nodded and smiled slightly. Then, with a *CRACK*, he was away as well.