Elysia Riddle [A Harry Potter Fan Fiction]

Prologue

~Severus Snape POV~

My servants, as you all know, Severus has informed me of the Prophecy concerning the Potter boy. With these new threats, I have generated a plan for an unlikely weapon. Tonight, I will need a vial of every death eater's blood. We will gather.

I shivered as his voice rung through my head. The word "Potter" provoked visions of James and his friends' ridiculous taunting and mischief, sending a wave of sickening rage through my anaemic body. An unsettling feeling had remained hovering over me since the day I knew of the dark Lord's plans to kill... her... Lily.

My heart lurched violently at even the internal mention of her name. Scarlet hair, emerald green eyes and a pure heart. I had never deserved her... but not a soul on Earth could possibly deserve her love. If the angels existed, then surely she would be one.

I breathed deep and awaited Dumbledore's arrival. Traitor that I was, I had never felt more honourable than at these meetings with Dumbledore. Though I knew that he did not forgive me, his trust was enough to satisfy my conscience. And one deal had kept me loyal to Dumbledore, the protection of the Potters, the protection of Lily.

For though it pained me to even think of the shaggy haired man holding my beloved, I wished her nothing but happiness, even if it meant the destruction of my own. I knew that she had forgotten me, for it had been so long, but I would never, ever forget Lily.

"Severus, what is the news?" questioned Dumbledore, his resonating voice sending a sharp sting through my body, reviving me from my thoughts.

"He has asked us, the Death Eaters, for a vial of blood." I replied, raising my eyebrows to show my own confusion.

"Than it is as I thought." he sighed, his blue eyes emanating a crestfallen emotion.

"What is it?" I questioned, consciously verging on rude.

"He has learnt of a very old magic, which he will no doubt use for evil." said Dumbledore, his eyes looking into the distance.

"This magic can produce a human," continued Dumbledore, his eyes reconnecting with mine before continuing, "It is a dark magic is has been proven to be extremely difficult. It involves a potion which is very nearly impossible to brew and can take years to have it prepared, years that he has had."

"A human? A child, you must mean?" I said, trying to clear up my confusion.

"Indeed, an infant. An infant who can be trained." uttered Dumbledore; his eye's growing fierce.

"A son. He could make himself a son, a legacy to uphold." I said, more to myself than any other.

"Severus, I suspect that he shall choose you. In this case, take my blood instead of your own. We must try to balance the child..." He said, his voice trailing off.

Later that day.

"My entrusted servants, as you well know, I have asked for something from each of you." hissed Voldemort, skipping the stupidity of greetings.

I found myself drawn to his power and command; he knew all, it seemed. The damp graveyard surrounding us only helped to accentuate his screeching words. His voice croaked over that of the murmuring Death Eaters as he continued,

"I will be making a weapon like no other before me. A weapon that nobody, not even the great Dumbledore will be able to defeat."

I showed no emotion as he said those words, and I utilised my skills in occlumency to avoid detection from Voldemort. Steeling my mind. A rush of pride slipped through my internal mask, Dumbledore and I had deceived the most powerful wizard alive.

"Loyal servants, I need only one vial. The vial that I desire belongs to..." he paused; allowing those of us gathered enough time to glance nervously amongst ourselves.

"Severus, my most loyal servant. Join me, Severus." announced the Dark Lord, his eyes welling with a mix of disdain and pride.

Most loyal?

Stepping forward, I tried not to shiver as I stood close to his cold body. The man before me was planning to murder the woman I loved, and yet I stood before him as a loyal servant. Some part of me thought, however, that that woman had abandoned me for my archenemy... All while those that I was standing with had been reliable allies since my school years.

His skeletal fingers outstretched, expecting the vial to fall within his clutches without delay. I froze for a moment. I wondered. What if? Placing the glass tube within, I bowed and stepped backwards and into the large group of Death Eater's. A high-pitched cackle erupted from the Dark Lord's throat, soon to be joined by the rest of the gathering.

I forced a low chuckle out of my lungs and watched him as he poured the red liquid into the large, brewing pot.

"Dragon's blood, for strength... My own blood, for power... Severus's blood, for intelligence and servitude... A thestrals hair, for an alliance with death... And lastly, unicorns blood, for life." he chanted, staring lovingly within the cauldron.

Dumbledore explained the complexity of the potion, and it was evident that this concoction had been brewing for many years. There was no doubt that many other dark, enchanted objects had provided the other ingredients needed for the dark magic.

"Leave now, my followers." sighed the Dark Lord, seemingly bored with our company.

Pivoting on my heel, I began to walk away swiftly, my black robes billowing behind me.

"Wait, Severus," he droned, his eyes still absorbed within the potion.

"This potion has never failed me, but I have had a thief take a child before this." hissed Voldemort, his eye's narrowing in rage.

"My lord?" I replied, questioning his reasons for mentioning this failure.

"I entrusted the child wrongly, and it was taken. I must have a trustworthy man take care of this child, that man is you, Severus." he finished, his crimson eyes meeting mine.

Trustworthy... that seemed laughable. The latter, however, was very different. A child? I did not have time to ponder.

"I will take the child." I replied, humbly nodding.

"Excellent." growled Voldemort, his eye's once again returning to the now wildly bubbling potion.

~

Update 2022: I understand the frustration felt by many about the missing 'sister' novel, Viperous. That was a joint project that myself and a very old friend took on in our early teens, when this was written. In the years since, Chloe decided to delete her novels and I have left mine untouched. Sort of a time capsule. It is lovely to see people still reading this to this day! Thank you, always.