THE MOST EVIL PLAN
Chapter 1 Meeting of the minds
HP Summer after 5th Year (OTP).
SUMMARY: Voldemort has a plan to destroy Harry, he is positive it will succeed (what else is new?). What is it? Will it succeed? How does it affect Harry & Severus? (Pseudo) Severitus
"Tell me, Snape, how is Mr. Potter?"
"Distraught," Snape replied, as he recalled seeing how Potter was acting yesterday as he was leaving Hogwarts, "Broken over the death of his mutt."
"What a pity," Voldemort mocked.
"Apparently he was quite taken with the mongrel," Severus continued, "though for the life of me, I cannot figure why."
"Why? It's quite simple my dear Severus. He finally thought he had the one thing he wanted his entire life."
Voldemort ignored the puzzled looks of his Death Eaters, hoping that one of them would be stupid enough to ask.
"What was that?"
Ah, Wormtail, Voldemort thought, should have known that the traitor to the Potters would be the one to ask. "Crucio!"
"A father figure," Voldemort answered after lifting the curse, smiling viciously. "I really must do something about taking that away from him," he whispered to himself as he dismissed his servants.
"Snape," Voldemort called.
"Yes, my lord," Snape answered as he kneeled on the floor before the Dark Lord.
"Tell me, what do you know about Potter?"
"Potter?" Severus repeated, that was not a question he expected. Quickly Severus searched his mind, looking for an answer that would not betray Albus Dumbledore. "He is an arrogant, undisciplined brat who-"
"Snape!" Voldemort shouted, causing Severus to fall quiet and many other Death Eaters to jump in surprise. "I did not ask how you felt or what you think about the boy, I asked what you knew."
Voldemort twirled away, indicating to Snape that he lost his chance and would be punished for his inaccurate answer.
"That's the problem, nobody knows Potter.
"My spy," Voldemort said, glancing at Snape, "while loyal and dedicated to me, has made no secret of his contempt for the boy-who-lived. Because of his lack of information, some might question his loyalty.
"That is why I am devising a plan that will not only prove the loyalty of my servant, but will also allow me to learn what I need to know to defeat the one born to parents that had thrice defied me as the seventh month died."
"He has a plan to defeat Potter," Severus informed Albus.
"What is it?"
"That I do not know. In fact, at this point in time, I would have to say neither does the Dark Lord," Severus said in a rare moment of humor.
Dumbledore looked thoughtful as he thought about Severus's words.
"I will, of course, do what I can to thwart his plans."
"Thank you, Severus. I know that I can count on you. I do ask that you be careful. Do not give Voldemort any reason to suspect you nor to punish you."
"Of course, headmaster," Severus answered. Like Voldemort needed a reason to hurt someone.
"Snape, how would you rate your potion skills?"
Severus swallowed before answering. Did the Dark Lord want an honest answer or did he want his own ego stroked?
Playing it safe, Severus answered, "Perhaps slightly better than average, my Lord."
"Crucio!" Voldemort cried, aiming his want at Snape. "Do you think that I would have 'slightly' better than average wizards in my service?"
Severus hung his head in a picture of shame as Voldemort lifted the curse, while inwardly he hid a laugh at the thought of the Senior Crabbe and Goyle. No one could call them 'slightly' better than the average wizard.
"I apologize, my Lord."
"Now, Severus, how would you rate your skills, and be honest. I would hate to have to punish you again for lying."
"One of the best in the country," Snape reluctantly admitted, bracing himself for what he knows is to come.
"Crucio.
"I said honest, not boastful." Voldemort stated after lifting the curse. "Now Severus, what can you do with potions?"
"Anything my lord desires."
"I see we are learning.
"Is it possible to alter the results one might get on certain potions?"
Now there's a vague question, Severus thought, and difficult to answer without knowing which potion or what results were required. However, Severus knew better than to ask for more information.
"On certain potions, yes," Severus answered.
"Good. Now next time I call you, you will bring your class syllabus."
"Yes, my lord," Severus answered before departing. Why would the Dark Lord be interested in the class syllabus for a bunch of dunderheads, Severus thought as he made his way to Hogwarts to make his report with the headmaster.
"For the last time, no," Severus reiterated. "You're as thick as your Gryffindors," he scoffed.
"Severus," Minerva pleaded, "What can it hurt to let him into your class?"
"The way that Potter brews potions," Severus mocked. "Plenty, trust me. Now, let me pass, I need to see the headmaster."
"Severus, I promised Mr. Potter I would do whatever it takes to see that he becomes an auror. That includes admittance to your class."
"And that isn't going to happen. He didn't receive the required results on his OWLS, so he will not be setting foot in my dungeons come September. Nothing can change my mind about that."
"Severus," Minerva began.
"No, Minerva. The spoiled brat has enough people making exceptions made for him. I refuse to be added to that list," Severus concluded as they reached the headmaster's office.
"Now what is all the hullabaloo about?" Albus asked as his office door opened.
"He refuses to allow Mr. Potter admittance into NEWT Potions. You know he needs it if he is to become an auror."
Severus braced himself as he prepared his speech for Albus, ready to cite reasons why the boy-who-lived shouldn't, correction, won't be in his class.
"Ah, yes, Mr. Potter. I fear he's in for the most difficult summer of his young life. To lose the only father figure he's ever known. Such trying times."
"Albus," Minerva reminded, "NEWT Potions?"
"Forgive my digression," Albus apologized. "Minerva, as you know, each professor sets the requirements for admittance to their class. If Mr. Potter did not obtain the necessary marks for Severus's class, I fear there is nothing I can do."
Severus opened his mouth to argue before he realized that the headmaster had sided with him, and against his precious Gryffindors. He quickly twisted his facial expression from one of surprise to that of a satisfied smirk.
"But Albus, as headmas-"
"My dear Minerva," Albus interrupted, "This is something you will have to work out with Severus. I will not interfere in this matter.
"Now Severus, what did you wish to see me about?"
"I was called again last night," Severus began.
"Again?" Albus inquired. "That makes it three times since school let out."
"Four," Severus corrected, "if you include the time he had me brew him some potions."
"Four times in less than three weeks," Albus pondered before asking, "Are you okay? Do you need to see Madam Pomfrey?"
"I'm fine, headmaster," Severus stated. "Now about his plan to get Potter,"
"What plan? Is Mr. Potter in danger?"
"Minerva, calm down, I'm sure Severus will let us know if
"If I can," Severus replied, "I still do not know the exact details of the plan, but I'm sure that I'm involved since he has been asking me about potions."
"I trust that you brought the information I requested?"
"Yes, my lord," Severus responded, holding out the sheets of parchment.
"I want to see the syllabus for Potter's class." The Dark Lord held out his hand as he waited for Severus to pass on the appropriate parchment.
"Potter?" Snape repeated stupidly. "Here is the syllabus for the sixth years, however, Potter will not be in my class."
"Do not contradict me. Crucio!"
Merlin, Severus thought, as he writhed in pain, the Dark Lord passes out crucios like Albus does lemon drops.
"And why won't he be in your class?"
"I'm sorry my lord, but he did not get the appropriate grade on his owl to be admitted into my class."
"You are the professor, are you not?" Voldemort asked in a tone that clearly stated, 'do not argue with me'.
"Yes, my lord."
"Thus you have control over who is and is not accepted into your class, correct?"
"Yes, my lord."
"Then he will be in that class, or you will have me to answer to," Voldemort commanded. "My plan depends on it, and you don't want my plan to fail, do you Severus?"
"No, my Lord. Potter will be in my class."
"Good. Dismissed."
At least Minerva will be happy with the results of this meeting, Severus thought as he left the presence of the Dark Lord. She had been after him for weeks to admit Potter into the NEWT potion class.
"You'll be pleased," Severus greeted Albus as he entered the headmaster's office,
"Lemon drop?"
Better than crucios, Severus thought as he took the offered sweet.
"And what would have me so happy?" Dumbledore asked. "Other than a nice pair of socks?"
"The Dark Lord's plan includes Potter's admission into my NEWT potions class."
"Minerva will be pleased," the headmaster corrected, eyes twinkling, "I believe that I said I was staying out of that discussion."
"Hmmp," was all Severus gave as a response. The headmaster might not have interfered, but Severus knew he wanted Potter in that class as much as Minerva.
"Either way, that is good news. At least we know that you will be on hand to assist Mr. Potter when the plan unfolds."
"Of course, headmaster," Severus stated, as he tried to think how a NEWT potions class could help the Dark Lord defeat Potter.
"I'm sure Mr. Potter will be pleased as well."
"Oh joy," Severus sarcastically exclaimed.
"Interesting changes to your curriculum this year," stated Albus after he perused the documents the potion master had handed him.
"Hmm," Severus agreed, "The changes were recommended by a colleague, and I thought I would try it for a year."
"I see," Albus stated as he handed the syllabus back to the professor. "Do you know why he recommended these changes?"
"As of yet, he hasn't divulged his secrets to anyone. I can only wait and hope it won't be too late."
"Understood. We are all in the dark here. Be sure to inform me when more information comes to light."
END CHAPTER 1
A Severitus (or pseudo-Severitus) fiction where Harry is not even in the first chapter…imagine that…
Should the entire story be in Severus's point of view or should it be a little bit of both?
7/12/05