Disclaimer: I have, once again, messed up my word count to inform the public that I do not own Harry Potter. (The sacrifices I make for legalism...)

"My Lord?" said Snape with a bow.

"Yes, Severus?" came Lord Voldemort's icy voice.

"As the new Headmaster of Hogwarts," said Snape, "I feel I must ask: when were you planning to remove the curse on the Defence against the Dark Arts position?"

Voldemort cocked his head. "Remove it?" he said, with an air of puzzlement. "Why should I remove it?"

Snape blinked. "Well, I thought – now that you have installed one of your own servants…"

A sinister grin enfolded Voldemort's face. "There has been some curious misunderstanding, Severus," he said. "Are you under the impression that I like Amycus?"