The child
AU / Same world as all of my previous stories.
The world and the characters in it belongs to J.K. Rowling
AN: This story will be a multi-chapter one, I don t know how long or how frequently will I update but I will try not to finish on a cliffhanger. If you got any constructive criticism feel free to share it.
.
.
The grandeur of Malfoy Manor loomed over Severus Snape as he stood in the chamber, flanked by the imposing figures of Tom Riddle and Lucius Malfoy. The air crackled with tension as Snape prepared to weave
the web of deception that would shape the fate of both the wizarding world and his own destiny. His only hope is that Albus knows what He is doing.
"Master," Snape began, his voice a low, sibilant whisper that reverberated off the stone walls, "I come bearing news of great import." Voldemort's crimson eyes gleamed with a dangerous intensity as Snape recounted
the prophecy that had been whispered in the headmaster s office about the child. The Dark Lord's lips curled into a cruel smile as he absorbed the implications of the prophecy.
"Find out who this child is," Voldemort commanded, his voice a chilling echo in the chamber. "Lucius, you will see to it personally. Spare no effort."
Lucius nodded curtly, his silver eyes glinting with a mixture of determination and apprehension. He understood the gravity of the task that lay before him, for failure was not an option in the eyes of the Dark Lord.
He bowed and left the chamber in a hurry.
But Riddle's orders did not end there. Turning his gaze from the leaving man to Snape, he revealed another layer to his dark machinations.
"Severus," Voldemort intoned, his voice dripping with malice, "I have a task of utmost importance for you. One that requires a subtle touch. One you just proven to be owner of and what quality you brethren lacks to my disdain."
Snape arched an eyebrow, his mind racing as he braced himself for the revelation that was to come. "What would you have me do, my Lord?"
A twisted smile played upon Voldemort's lips as he revealed his plan. "You will return to Hogwarts as the Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. You will spy on Albus Dumbledore, gathering information for me from within his very ranks.
" Snape felt a cold knot form in the pit of his stomach at the magnitude of Voldemort's request. Being already the spy of Dumbledore, he knew that this task will be daunting. Playing a double agent whilst being an informant for Albus would be hard.
"But how, my Lord?" Snape asked, his voice a mere whisper in the shadows. "How can I gain Dumbledore's trust? He knows my loyalties lie with you."-Tried Severus...maybe there is a small chance Tom will change his mind.
Voldemort's eyes gleamed with a cruel light as he outlined his plan. "You will denounce me, Severus. You will feign loyalty to Dumbledore, infiltrating his inner circle and gaining his trust. And when the time is right, you will strike,
delivering him into my hands."
"But...But my lord I ca "- Tried Severus again.
Enough Severus, I know how hard it is to deny your love for me my child but It must be done for the sake of our cause. Severus at this moment knew that this order was final and He can get out of Ii. He doesn't want to anger the dark lord.
I understand, Master it will be done. Replied Snape. You can go now Severus. But don t forget I expect great things of you. . Severus bowed to Tom Riddle and left the chamber.
.
.
In chamber of Dumbledore's office, the flickering light of the candles danced upon the aged faces of Severus Snape and Albus Dumbledore. The air was heavy with the weight of secrets, and Severus could feel the tension coiling within him as he prepared to divulge his latest mission for the Dark Lord.
"Severus," Dumbledore's voice broke the silence, his eyes sharp yet gentle, "what news do you bring?"
Severus drew a deep breath, steeling himself for the words he was about to speak. "I have delivered the news of the prophecy to Voldemort, just as you asked," he began, his tone betraying none of the turmoil raging within him. He ordered Lucius to find out who it is about,
Dumbledore's expression remained inscrutable, though there was a flicker of acknowledgment in his eyes. "Thank you, Severus, keep your eyes and ears on Malfoy, We must know what he finds" he murmured, his voice tinged with weary gratitude. Severus nodded.
With a heavy heart, he continued, "There is more, Headmaster. Voldemort wishes for me to return to Hogwarts as a Professor now." Dumbledore's eyebrows rose in mild surprise. "And for what purpose does he seek to do that?"
"He desires me to take up the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor," Severus revealed, the words leaving a bitter taste in his mouth. "He believes that it will provide me with ample opportunity to gain your trust and spy on you and the Order."
A shadow passed over Dumbledore's features, though he remained outwardly composed. "I'm afraid that won't be possible, Severus," he replied, his voice firm. "I already have a person for that role in my mind." Severus felt a surge of relief at Dumbledore's words. A small hop he may can get out off Riddle s job Then shall I return to him, with the news that the DADA position is filled? "Perhaps he will settle for another position," Albus suggested tentatively. "The potion professor and the head of Slytherin position is available since Horace Slughorn is stepping down. He may be satisfied with that." At this moment that small hope in Snape died out.
Severus considered Dumbledore's proposal for a moment It would certainly provide me with a suitable cover." Severus nodded in agreement, though his mind was already racing with the implications of such a role. To be entrenched within the very heart of Slytherin House, to have unfettered access to the Dark Lord's most fervent supporters... it was a dangerous gambit, but one that he knew he must undertake so He can save as many student from the life he had earned for himself.
.
Severus Snape's footsteps echoed through the opulent corridors of Malfoy Manor, his mind consumed by the weight of his recent conversation with Albus Dumbledore. The memory of their meeting lingered like a shadow, a constant reminder of the tangled web of loyalties and betrayals that bound him.
As he neared the main room where Voldemort awaited, Severus's thoughts were abruptly interrupted by the appearance of Lucius Malfoy, his sleek blond hair immaculately styled and his silver eyes glinting with calculation.
"Severus," Lucius greeted him with a nod, his voice low and smooth. "A pleasure to see you again." Severus inclined his head in return, his expression guarded.
"Lucius," he replied evenly. "I trust all is well?"
Lucius's lips curled into a faint smile, though there was a hint of tension beneath the facade of civility. "As well as can be expected," he murmured cryptically. "But I believe there are matters of greater importance that require your attention." Severus arched an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "And what might those be?"
Lucius leaned in closer, his voice barely above a whisper. "I have discovered the identity of the child in the prophecy. Voldemort ordered me to investigate, and I learned that there were two boys that met the requirements." Severus's blood ran cold at the mention of the prophecy, the weight of its implications pressing down upon him like a leaden shroud. "Go on," he urged, his voice barely above a whisper.
"One of the two children... Is the offspring of your old flame, Lily Potter," Lucius revealed, his voice laced with a hint of emphaty. "She is carrying James Potter's child, due to be born in July."
Severus felt as though the ground had dropped out from beneath him. Lily's child... The child of the woman he had loved, the woman he had betrayed in his quest for power and redemption.
A maelstrom of conflicting emotions surged within him - guilt, regret, and a fierce protectiveness for the unborn child who now found themselves ensnared in the machinations of the wizarding world's darkest forces.
"Thank you, Lucius. But why would you tell me now, before the dark lord?" Severus's mind raced as he processed Lucius's revelation. The news struck him with a force he hadn't anticipated, stirring up a whirlwind of emotions he had long buried beneath layers of carefully constructed indifference.
"Why would you tell me now, before the Dark Lord?" Severus repeated, his voice tight with a mixture of suspicion and curiosity.
Lucius's eyes flickered with something akin to remorse before he replied, his tone measured yet tinged with urgency, "Because I know what it means to be torn between loyalty and conscience, Severus. And I know that you, of all people, understand the gravity of this situation."
Severus's gaze bore into Lucius's, searching for any sign of deception. But there was none; only a weary resignation that mirrored his own inner turmoil."You seek to protect Lily's child," Severus surmised with great deal of surprise, his voice barely more than a whisper.
Lucius nodded solemnly. "As do you, I suspect. Severus I soon to be a father. I had to reconsider a great deals of my past doing. I want to help you too. If we play our card right at the end we can survive with our life s intact no matter which side wins."
Severus's jaw clenched as he wrestled with conflicting impulses. Part of him wanted to reject Lucius's offer outright, to cling to the safety of his allegiance to Albus and the order. But another part, buried deep within the recesses of his soul, yearned for a chance to right the wrongs of Lucius s past, if only in some small measure. After all the man helped him when even his best friend Lily left.
"Very well," Severus finally conceded, his voice heavy with resignation. "But know this, Lucius if you betray me, if you betray Lily's child, there will be no mercy." Lucius met his gaze with a solemn nod, understanding passing between them like an unspoken vow.
"Agreed," he murmured. "We are bound by more than just our allegiances now, Severus. We are bound by the fate of an innocent child." With that, the two men exchanged a curt nod before parting ways, each burdened by the weight of their shared secret and the uncertain path that lay ahead.