Wow, so glad someone is still reading it. Thanks for reviewing... Still don't own anything.

CHAPTER 25

Getting into the Department of Mysteries, was ridiculously easy. A part of Harry hated himself for sticking as close to Snape as he was, but he could not help but believe that for once, they shared a common goal. It took them mere minutes to get to a shelf stacked with crystal vials and Harry's eyes widened when he noticed his name on one.

"Is this it?"

Snape nodded and Harry reached for it. The second his fingers touched the crystal, the smoky figure of a woman appeared before him. It took him a while to register that it was Professor Trelawny and he shuddered at the sound of her raspy voice. He was too shocked to pay attention to her words, until a part caught his attention.

"... will mark him as his equal. Neither can live, while the other survives..."

Harry looked at Snape, who was ghostly pale.

"Neither can live... that means either of us are going to have to kill the other, right?"

Snape nodded and a glimmer of sympathy for Potter rose within him. He was only a boy, and having the responsibility of ridding the world from evil was a burden no child should carry. Harry glanced down at the potion before thrusting it into Snape's hands quickly.

"Take it."

He apparated wordlessly and Severus took a shaky breath before turning on the spot, apparating to Malfoy manor. He could hear insane cackling coming from the cellar, and his heart turned to stone.

Bellatrix.

The thought of her wand torturing Prue was nearly enough to make him run down to the cellar and murder her, however he forced himself to push his finger to his dark mark, summoning his Lord.

Voldemort appeared in front of Severus in a blaze of smoke and black eyes met red ones in a silent battle of wills. Greed won over when Voldemort spotted the vial in Severus' hands and he laughed gleefully.

"The prophecy?"

Severus nodded and Voldemort stretched his hands out to it. It was no or never. Severus' hands shook as he held out the prophecy, but he managed to keep the tremble out of his voice.

"I know that you are a merciful master. You reward your most loyal..."

Voldemort's hand froze mid-air and he looked at Severus with barely concealed interest.

"What is it that you want, Severus?"

"I ask only that you give me the witch as a reward, my Lord."

Voldemort's eyes flashed with something akin to surprize as he looked at Severus.

"The witch? Why?"

This was it - the make or break moment. His only chance of convincing Voldemort that he did not care for Prue's safety. He feigned embarrassment and looked away coyly.

"Master, I am not as you are. I am not above human desires and needs... I am just a man, master, and I desire her body."

Voldemort's face turned into something he guessed was a smile and he bowed his head.

"You wish to make the witch your whore?"

"Yes, master."

"Fine. She is yours. I do expect you to take her tonight - here."

This was something he had not expected and his heartbeat sped up. Luckily, Voldemort seemed to take it as excitement and let out a shrill laugh.

"You will have her, Severus, or she will die. There is no need for anxiety - she has no choice."

"Thank you, my Lord!"

Voldemort nodded, and indicated for Severus to follow him. The men made their way to the cellar, where Prue hung from the ceiling, blood dripping from her face. Bellatrix stood in front of her tauntingly, eyes ablaze with madness.

"Bella..."

Bellatrix froze when she heard Voldemort's voice and turned towards him, her eyes widened.

"My Lord..."

He nodded at her stiffly.

"You have pleased me, Bellatrix. However, Severus and I need to be alone with the prisoner."

As he spoke, Severus carefully avoided looking at Bellatrix, for fear of showing her the murderous intent in his eyes. He despised her more now than he ever had - this woman who had taken what he held dearest to him and attempted to break it. Bellatrix leaved in a huff, leaving Severus and Voldemort alone with the bruised woman. Voldemort seemed to be enjoying himself, and he looked at Severus as though he was an excited child.

"Do you want to tell her, Severus? Or should I?"

Severus hesitated. Prue's reaction in this moment was crucial, and he gestured for his master to tell her, keeping his dark eyes on her carefully.

"Look at me, witch."

Prue showed no fear when she looked into the red eyes and Voldemort uttered a gleeful sound.

"Severus has earned a reward from me. You will be that reward."

Her reaction was exactly what Severus had hoped it to be - even though he could not deny that it hurt a little.

"Excuse me?"

She was defiant and beautiful, and it tore through him.

"What do you mean I will be his reward?"

Voldemort stroked a long finger along her cheek, grazing the soft skin with his too sharp nail.

"Severus seems to desire you. He may have you."

Prue struggled against the chains angrily.

"Like hell, he will!"

A wand suddenly pointed to her cheek and she tried edging away from it. Voldemort's face was so close to her, she could feel his warm breath on her face.

"He will have you, witch. Or you will die."

"I'd rather die."

Her vehement words shocked Severus, who look as though he had physically been slapped. He gathered himself quickly, however, and moved towards Prue. His wand was out too and he trailed it across her neck.

"My Lord... I am rather certain that I would be able to persuade the witch, given the chance."

Voldemort nodded, and with a flick of his wand, the chains around Prue's wrists disappeared and she fell to the ground in a miserable heap. She pushed and pulled when he gathered her in his arms, but he carried her as though she weighed nothing. Voldemort seemed to be deriving some sick joy from the situation and the tears forming in her eyes were real. If Severus noticed this, he did not show it and he walked out of the cellar, to the chambers Voldemort had given to him.

Once they reached the chamber, he lay her down on the bed gently and sat down next to her. Her lips still moved to thank him, when her eyes closed and she fell into a deep slumber. Severus looked at her tenderly and rested his palm against her cheek. It was not over - he still had to get her out of the mansion, but he was more than halfway there. Before the night was over, she'd be safe.