Redemption

Returning had been even more terrifying than leaving.

In one terrible moment, Snape found himself on the inside of the Death Eater circle. . . as the target, the victim . . . the prey.

No longer the predator, Snape only then realized how horrifying it was to be the interrogated. The eyes of the circle were encompassing, dark and light alike, but always with the same glint of rank and treacherous evil.

For the briefest of moments, Snape cursed himself and Dumbledore for putting him in such a situation.

But even as he cursed himself, Snape knew it was his one chance for redemption - to gain and give something in return to the side he had tortured and murdered. As well as to keep his own life.

The Dark Lord’s service was not easily cast aside and Snape knew the moment his arm had begun to burn, that his life would hang in the balance of the meeting.

The eyes continued to pierce through the darkness and into the cold shell that Snape had felt himself become. The cold words alighted on the wind of every Death Eater’s thoughts, chilling Snape’s very soul.

Traitor.

Pathetic.

Pitiful.

Deserter.

Weakling.

Above all of it though, flowed a very steady wave of hatred.

They knew he had gone to Dumbledore. They were positive he had defected. And every Death Eater present seemed certain he would die.

And then Lord Voldemort had appeared.

Never in his life had such fear flowed through Snape’s veins. It was fear and terror beyond comprehension. But drawing from the last reserves of energy and strength he had left, Snape remained steady.

The lifeless eyes stared at him for moments from beneath the shroud of the hooded cloak. And when Snape knew he could look into the eyes of the Dark Lord no longer, Voldemort turned his back.

"Crucio."

So this is how it ends? Begging for death from Lord Voldemort before the night is over? What did you expect Severus?

He wasn’t even aware of his own voice screaming towards the high heavens, knowing that soon he would join the constellations in the sky. But it only took a second of agony for Snape to remember that men like him went the other way, to the fiery pits of Hell where souls like Voldemort’s were born. Blackness began to cloud his vision as his throat went raw. Snape tasted blood. It wouldn’t be long now.

Night air. He could breath again.

Feeling the wet grass beneath his hands, Snape realized his body had stopped thrashing. It had stopped.

"Why didn’t you complete your task?"

Answer Severus. Answer the scraping voice of the Dark Lord. Do it. Do it now!

"I felt that my new task had priority."

"Crucio," was his only response. But within another few seconds the rasping voice returned. "You dare to presume you know what is best for your Dark Lord? You assume you possess the knowledge to create plans for yourself?"

Snape remained staring at the sky. He saw Orion. Be strong for once Severus. You must be the hunter, not the hunted.

"I hoped the new infiltration would please your Lordship."

Snape coughed, tasting blood once again.

The circle of Death Eaters were as silent as the graves around them.

"Explain."

Snape took a ragged breath. "Dumbledore believes I have defected. He will now willingly provide me with information."

There was a lingering pause and Snape knew his words may have won his life. Lord Voldemort was not stupid, and undoubtedly saw what Snape was doing - the position he had adopted. But his greed and desire for power was stronger - strong enough to prevent his belief that Snape had defected. A Death Eater at Albus Dumbledore’s side was beyond imaginable. It was . . . Voldemort’s key to conquering.

Snape knew it.

Voldemort knew it.

It was that knowledge which saved Snape’s life and position as Death Eater.

The Dark Lord was nearing the edge of the circle, preparing to leave. Stupidly, Snape realized the meeting had been called specifically for him. When Voldemort reached the empty space that had been Snape’s he paused.

"Your role warrants a small amount of security. It is not something you may test again. Our next meeting will require proof of what you have said, or I shall dispose of you."

The all-consuming fear Voldemort induced in Snape, that had once been utter devotion, nearly stopped his next words.

"Yes my Lord."

With their Dark Lord’s leave, the circle of Death Eaters left one by one until Snape was left on the ground, staring at the stars once more.