Author's Note: This is my fourth chapter for 'To Not Show Weakness'. For all those reading pretty please review my story! I really appreciate your thoughtfulness when you review. Reviews make me feel more confident about my story and make me want to continue writing it. I have modified this story in that it is not entirely based on Dumbledore and Harry but part of the plot line will involve Snape and Voldemort, etc.

I'd like to thank: kittyrunner, Spiorad, Aimael, ChocolateIsMyDrug, Rosaleen and Emma-girl especially for their reviews, it meant a lot to me!

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, Albus Dumbledore, Lord Voldemort, Severus Snape, Sirius Black or any of the other minor characters that feature throughout this story. Those characters are entirely the property of J.K. Rowling. I am not intending to make any financial profit from this story.

Lord Voldemort's Triumph

The last thing he remembered was that he was in Dumbledore's arms, struggling to contain his grief for the loss of his beloved Sirius. Then, he watched the world spin around him and allowed the waves of
darkness to engulf him.

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Lord Voldemort was very pleased with his Death Eaters. He had finally uncovered the last bit of information relating to blood wards, with their assistance. He had given each of his most trusted followers a specific task concerning the wards to research and now that all the information was collated, he could not have been more satisfied.

Now it was time to begin Plan B. The Light side was made up of a bunch of imbeciles, he decided. They honestly thought they had won after the episode at the Department of Mysteries. They had no way of knowing that he, Lord Voldemort had been fully aware of the chances of Plan A failing and had formulated Plan B, knowing that an even better fall-back plan was required, one that was inscrutable and indestructible.

Indeed, he nodded around approvingly at the group of Death Eaters crowded around the long, oblong wooden table. They were a fearsome bunch, tall and muscular, wearing black robes and masks. His red, laser-like eyes penetrated through each Death Eater's mask, silently acknowledging who was present and more importantly, who was not.

He frowned; Severus Snape was mysteriously absent. It was unusual for him to be away from a meeting. He was becoming a problem. Maybe he knew that he was suspected of treachery. Maybe he no longer wanted to be a part of the plan anymore. In that case, it was necessary for him to leave this world. Voldemort did not like unexpected interruptions to his plans.

Still, to be sure. 'Remove your masks,' he whispered dangerously.

With flourish, the Death Eaters ripped off their masks and stood with their heads slightly bowed in front of their master.

Lord Voldemort eyed them keenly. He then allowed his expression turn to anger. He was satisfied when a shudder rippled through the circle of Death Eaters. Control was necessary to the plan.

He dropped his gaze at that precise moment, and then chose to examine his long, thin fingers under the dim lighting. Each and every one of the Death Eaters knew he was suddenly exceedingly displeased, and each one could only pray that it was not because of him.

Finally, he stared around again, this time frostily at his followers. 'Where is Severus Snape?' he asked, his voice a dangerous whisper.

There was silence among them. Voldemort watched his followers for a minute. 'I see,' he observed.

'M-M-My Lord,' stuttered Crabbe. Voldemort turned his head so that he was staring directly at him. Crabbe gave an observable, involuntary shiver as the serpent-like eyes pierced through his very soul. 'We have no idea where Snape is, we have not heard from him since the fiasco at the Ministry of Magic three days ago-'

'Silence!' snarled Voldemort. 'Do you know where he is, Goyle?'

Goyle shook his head in terror. 'No, my Lord,' he whispered.

'Snape is a traitor!' yelled Bellatrix and cackled loudly, her laughter reverberating through the cold room, rippling through the silence.

'Fools!' Voldemort spat in disgust. 'I will not let him go unpunished. He must suffer the consequences for alerting the Aurors and thwarting me in my attempt to attain the Prophecy,' he continued viciously. The Death Eaters stiffened at his unnerving tone.

'Search for him and bring him to me,' he ordered.

'Yes, my Lord,' murmured the Death Eaters solemnly.

At that moment, the door to the room swung open and strode in none other than Severus Snape.

Ignoring the looks of contempt and jeers from the watching Death Eaters, Snape strode down the room to Voldemort where he bent down on his knees and kissed the hem of his master's robes. 'My Lord,' he murmured.

'You betrayed me, Snape,' Voldemort said softly, his voice dripping with exaggerated disappointment. 'You sent the Aurors, who prevented me from obtaining the Prophecy and the Potter brat escaped.'

Snape was expecting this from Voldemort and had a fully prepared explanation for his actions that evening.

'Come now, my Lord,' he said silkily. 'You know that I would never do such a thing. I am the most loyal of your followers-' he waved off the noises of protest made by the other followers 'and I request you to give me a chance to explain my actions.'

Voldemort eyed him coldly. 'Proceed with your explanation, then,' he commanded, pointing his wand directly at Snape.

Snape cleared his throat. 'As you very well know, Dumbledore was not at Hogwarts, which left me in a rather difficult position. In order to not jeopardize my position at Hogwarts I had to act in the safest manner possible. I did not have much choice. I had to send the Aurors, but when I did so was entirely up to me. I sent the message much later than intended. This gave the Death Eaters at the Ministry adequate time to disarm the teenagers and obtain the Prophecy-'

'Don't you dare blame them, Snape, you weren't there-' snarled Narcissa Malfoy.

Snape sneered. 'Missing Lucius are we?' he asked snidely.

Narcissa tried to glare fiercely at him, but her eyes glimmered with tears.

'Do you really mean to tell me that our Death Eaters are not a match for a group of children?' Snape asked coolly, raising his eyebrows. 'No, I think not. I think they were reckless and careless with the time they had-'

'Another word, Snape, I'm warning you-' hissed Narcissa.

'Oh, be quiet Cissy,' murmured Bellatrix. 'How would Snape know anything, he was too much of a coward, didn't even turn up to watch, did you Snape-'

'DON'T CALL ME A COWARD-' yelled Snape suddenly beside himself.

'Silence!' snapped Voldemort, who until now seemed to have been enjoying the obvious discord and lack of harmony and unity between the Death Eaters and Snape. Snape had worn out his welcome, it seemed.

'Continue, Snape.'

'That's all there is, my Lord. I was put in a precarious position, where there was only one possible course of action. The timing of when that action was executed, however, rested with me and I used this to our advantage. I hope you are satisfied with my explanation, my Lord. There was nothing else I could do.' Snape finished softly, restraining himself from looking away from the Dark Lord. That would never do.

He could feel the Dark Lord attempting to enter his mind. He enabled him access and skillfully buried those memories which he did not wish to share with the Dark Lord at the back of his mind, in the deepest, darkest corner. His mental defenses were fully in place and there was no possibility that the Dark Lord could see any more than what he was shown.

Apparently convinced, Voldemort nodded his head. 'Very well, Snape.' He said softly. 'But, you were still late. Crucio!' he murmured.

Snape dropped to the ground where he squirmed with the pain. He twitched horribly and gritted his teeth to contain the screams threatening to burst out of him. When the spell was finally released, he lay shivering violently on the cold floor and then got to his feet, still shaking badly. He could hear the other Death Eaters laughing wildly in the background, some applauding their master for his latest delivery of punishment.

Lord Voldemort smiled cruelly as Snape struggled to stay upright, gasping for breath.

'It's not over yet,' he whispered, the venomous smile still plastered on his thin lips.

***

When Severus Snape entered Dumbledore's office around midnight that night to relate to him the details of the meeting with the Dark Lord, he was astounded to see several of Dumbledore's most prized possessions lying smashed on the floor. It did not take him very long to determine the reason for the wreckage present in the office.

'Headmaster Dumbledore' greeted Snape, trying to school his features into a non-sneering expression. A difficult task, naturally.

'Severus,' nodded Dumbledore, getting to his feet slowly. 'Would you care for a sweet?' he asked, extending out a box of Bertie Bott's every flavour beans. He looked preoccupied and worried, and more tired than usual. Lines of worry were etched into every crease on his worn, ancient face. Snape was suddenly left with a feeling of pity for him.

'Potter's work, I presume.' Snape commented, staring down at the irreparable parts scattered throughout the office with revulsion and ignoring the box of sweets offered to him. He did not like sweets; sweets did not bode well with him.

Dumbledore sighed. 'He's not well, Severus. He is dealing very poorly with the death of Sirius, I am afraid. I am worried about him,'

Snape scowled. He hated talking about Potter in his visits to Dumbledore. He strode to the chair in front of Dumbledore's desk which had been vacated by Harry two days earlier and rubbed his temples tiredly.

'How did the meeting with Tom go, Severus?'

Snape rolled his eyes at the use of the Dark Lord's childhood name. Just because Dumbledore did not fear the Dark Lord at all...

'Not well. He suspects me, as I was responsible for sending the Aurors to the Department of Mysteries. He thinks that is why he failed to obtain the Prophecy and-'

'Failed to kill Harry,' finished Dumbledore for him.

'Precisely,' said Snape.

'Did he punish you?'

'Not more than usually. I noticed he seemed jubilant during the rest of the meeting.'

'Jubilant?' repeated Dumbledore thoughtfully, stroking his beard.

Snape shuddered. The Dark Lord had seemed exceedingly happy. He was never one to display his emotions so publicly.

'I do not know if he deliberately feigned happiness in order to make us think he was happy or if he really has achieved something and is exhilarated as a result.'

Dumbledore said nothing, but still looked thoughtful.

That is all. I will depart,' said Snape stiffly. He rose a little too hastily. He wanted to be out of this office before Potter featured next in this discussion. He did not want to be lectured on how it was necessary for him to treat the boy with kindness now that he had lost his godfather.

Dumbledore seemed to have sensed his hurry in escaping his office, for he gave him a piercing look.

'I hate it when you do that!' muttered Snape.

'Please sit down, Severus,' requested Dumbledore.

Snape sat, not looking too happy. 'Is this about Potter?' he spat.

Dumbledore nodded hesitantly. 'Yes, I am afraid it is.'

Snape scowled furiously. 'I do not see the point in wasting my valuable time on that brat' he snarled.

'Please be compassionate, Severus. He has now lost the only parental figure in his life-'

'Compassionate?' exploded Snape. 'He was not acting compassionately when he poked his nose-'

'Enough,' said Dumbledore coolly. 'You punished him more than adequately for his mistake.'

Snape said nothing, but he shifted uneasily in his seat. It was true, after all. Perhaps Potter would not have gone after Black had he learnt to occlude his mind properly. If he, Snape had continued teaching him.

'He broke down in my office two days ago. He has been unconscious since,' continued Dumbledore morosely. 'I could not console the boy, Severus. I had encouraged him to express his emotions, but I was not prepared for the extent of his emotional breakdown. I am not entirely certain if he will recover from this ordeal any time too soon-'

'Have you called Madame Pomfrey?' Snape asked curtly.

'Yes, I have. She was unable to determine the extent of the damage, both physically and emotionally.'

Snape stayed silent, but he knew what the Headmaster wanted him to do. Let him ask, he thought savagely.

'I ask of you a favour, Severus. Will you look after him?' asked Dumbledore resignedly.

'What?!' exploded Snape again. He had not been expecting that at all. Brewing a potion, yes. But looking after him? 'I absolutely refuse to coddle that brat.'

Dumbledore sighed. 'All I meant was if you would be kind enough to check over his progress and brew some potions to help him recover-'

'It seems as though you have given me little choice,' spat Snape resentfully.

'For now, would you be able to brew me a potion to revive him from his unconscious state?' asked Dumbledore.

Snape restrained from rolling his eyes. He couldn't see why Dumbledore was so anxious for Potter to snap out of it. He personally would have enjoyed a week's rest without the boy.

'Fine.' He said, trying to be as gracious as possible, but unfortunately could not keep the sneer from his lips. 'I will administer it to Potter early tomorrow morning. It will take time to brew it if I do not have some ready.'

'Very well, Severus. Thank you,'

Snape rose. He looked weak and tired. He walked to the door and paused for a moment then turned around. 'Potter ought to be punished for destroying your most precious possessions,' he commented. 'I will gladly do so if you are unwilling to do so yourself,' he sneered.

He was agitated by Dumbledore's reply.

'No, Severus that will not be necessary. I deserved it and much worse.'

Dumbledore winced as the door of his office slammed shut with a resounding impact.

A/N: How was it? Please review and let me know! Your reviews mean A LOT to me :)