Disclaimer:

I do not own the characters of Harry Potter, these belong to that wonderful author JK Rowling and the various publishing companies used to publish her works. I am however borrowing them, no not to make money but for fun and fun only.

Summary:

Ever wonder just how Voldemort believed Severus was on his side? He didn't, but he had a good reason to not kill him. He wanted him on his side. This is a realistic take on Voldemort, as Severus is like him the son of a pureblood witch and muggle father, Voldemort would see much of himself in Severus.

I wanted a story that was more psychological, more mind games and the like. Voldemort goes off the handle a lot, but he can be cunning. With someone like Severus I doubt he would fall for lies from him, and Severus, well the story will show just what he will do to get back in the inner circle.

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Severus Snape new it was time and he was more than ready. He knew this could be his last night on earth and he was fine with that. He was scared, who in their right mind would not be, but he was not going to go out any other way than his own terms. He left Hogwarts and headed out, touching his mark he apparated to where his master was. He did not come in death eater robes, Voldemort would not be amused as Severus knew full well Voldemort knew his true loyalties. He was no fool, Voldemort may be evil and insane but he was clever and cunning and he would see right through Severus and any lie, he did not need to look into his mind for that.

A cool early summer wind whipped the black robes Severus wore around his tall thin frame as he walked through the graveyard, empty of anyone, though Severus knew the dark lord was nearby. He drew out a pack of cigarettes and lit one, oh he knew these were just as bad for his health as any muggle (magical humans could and did get cancer, they would call it by other things, curses, hexes or poisoning) but he did not care. He was going to enjoy one last vice before he ended up dead, for he knew that is how things could end up. He took a drag and blew out the smoke not turning as Voldemort came up behind him wand out watching him with his red eyes.

"Those are not good for your health." Voldemort said, "cancer is a painful way to die."

"So is by your hand." Severus said coolly turning to face the hairless nose-less creature before him, "I liked your old look better."

"So brave for one about to die." Voldemort said.

"Yes, you could kill me, should after all I do hate you." Severus said calmly brushing a lock of his black hair from his face, "you broke your word to me."

"You went to Dumbledore." Voldemort countered.

"He knew I was at the pub, self preservation, that was all that was." Severus replied, "can you blame me, after I did what I had to survive, I thought you would not be defeated."

"I see, do you not fear my wrath even now?" Voldemort said, "I can kill you, torture you and make you beg for death."

"I don't care what you do." Severus replied, "then again I hate you."

Voldemort looked at him in shock, surprised that any would speak to him like this. Yet Severus had never held back, had never groveled before him, he had his pride and the one time he had tortured him, Severus had spat in his face. Lucky they were alone or Voldemort would have killed him for that. He let him live for he liked him, and wanted him on his side, someone he could trust, someone who he knew would be truthful with him, or as much as he could. Voldemort did not want Severus dead like so many others, and he knew he could not humble him. He smiled and laughed and stepped back, Severus just dropped his cigarette and put it out with the heel of his boot.

"Oh Severus, you amuse me and have a right to hate me. I never wanted her dead, she would have been a perfect dark lady for you." Voldemort said, "I hate all these purebloods, so weak, and the world must be cleansed before true greatness can begin."

"Why should I agree to work with you? Kill me now, would that not be better?" Severus countered all pretense gone of spying.

"No." Voldemort said.

"No." Severus repeated. "So you will torture me and have one of your loyal followers kill me?"

"No, I do not intend to kill you at all." Voldemort replied, "in fact you are free to go."

"And have your snake attack me when I turn to leave." Severus shot back, "I am not stupid you know."

"I know, but I mean what I say, you are free to go, in fact you leave now I will not come after you." Voldemort said. "Nor will my followers, today."

Severus looked at the dark lord, he wondered what the game was the evil dark lord was playing at. What did he want? Severus knew all about games within games and lies wrapped up in truths wrapped up in lies. He knew that Voldemort was playing games with him, had to be, and he was not going to play along, or was he? They were alone, very much so and Severus wondered why that was, what games were afoot now?

"What do you want?" Severus asked.

"Nothing, in fact you are free to do as you wish, go to Dumbledore, tell him of my plans, have my followers captured imprisoned and killed. They deserve it, do all this and I will not stop you."

"Why, what is your game?" Severus said coldly, "I do not take kindly to being toyed with."

"I betrayed your trust, hurt you." Voldemort said coming very close to Severus and running a finger down his face, "I killed the one thing you cherished and treated you very badly by doing that. True you did go to Dumbledore but he never told you the truth about anything, I have never lied to you and I would never do so, I consider you my right hand man, and care nothing for the rest of the world."

"So you want me to rule under you is that it?" Severus said a gleam in his dark eyes, "I could destroy your whole world and you would still let me rule?"

"Yes, we both hate this dreary world, but enough, you are free to go, but if I call you will come and we will talk." Voldemort replied, "you can tell that old fool all about this talk of ours too. In the end you will have to chose who you will serve. I will never lie to you or mislead you, I do care about you unlike any of my other followers."

"Very well, I will think on it." Severus said, "I just may kill you, you killed Lily the only decent thing I ever had!.

"Yes you could try, my shadow but then all the power you would give up." Voldemort said, "think on that, you are free to go."

"I still hate you, and I cannot forgive you for what you did." Severus said coldly.

"I know, I would not deserve your forgiveness, yet but I would like to make it up to you, which is why you are free to go, now." Voldemort said softly, "I want you on my side, I need you on my side, you are so powerful under me you will become more powerful than any other aside from me."

"I will think on it." Severus said.

"Good, now leave, go back to that old fool." Voldemort said.

Severus was confused, this was not how this was suppose to go. He was supposed to be tortured, to be hurt and stagger back bleeding and dying yet that was not the case. He knew the dark lord was trying to lead him to a trap, he had to be, yet his words were powerful. Severus walked away, half expecting a dark curse to his back and yet none came. He Apparated away leaving an amused dark lord in his wake. Voldemort may have been insane and evil but he was hardly a fool and he wanted to hurt Dumbledore and badly and he would win over Severus he knew he would win him back, it was only a matter of time.

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I see this treatment of Severus as far more realistic, I think Voldemort would know how Severus felt. He would know the truth, but he would not want to kill Severus, no, he wants him on his side as he is so much like himself! He did state he regretted killing him in the last book and I think he did, he wanted Severus to rule under him so this treatment I see as realistic. Severus is not weak like most of the purebloods and Voldemort would like that, and would want to keep him around.

Do review to let me know what you think!