Chapter 376: Chapter 376: The Dark Lord
Disclaimer:
Harry Potter and all of its characters belong to J.K Rowling.
I own nothing but the original characters I make.
"Dialogue"
'Thoughts'
-Author notes-
Chapter 376: The Dark Lord
Snape would like to say he was surprised to see that his godson had become a vampire, but knowing the boy's personality… he wasn't.
"What's wrong, Professor? Don't be scared. I won't bite you," Draco chuckled.
Snape chose to remain silent. Draco likely thought he was more intimidating than he actually was.
"Draco, that's enough. Severus has always been a family friend," Narcissa told him.
"You shut up! I have another family now. A better one," Draco huffed. He was still angry with his mother for refusing the dark gift and choosing to remain a "useless" human.
"Master Draco, we mustn't delay this meeting. The Lord must not be kept waiting," Trisha reminded him politely, as the young vampire had proven to have a short temper, much like his aunt.
"Right… then what are you waiting for? Open the doors." Draco calmed down. Even he knew better than to keep the Dark Lord waiting.
Trisha opened the doors without hesitation and then moved to the side, allowing Snape to walk in.
"Oh…" He had expected to see others inside the hall, but there were far more than he'd imagined.
On each side of the hall stood dozens of individuals watching him.
Not only humans, but vampires and even giants were present.
They were all standing there, waiting for something.
Between them was a long red carpet that led to a throne at the end. On this throne, a large figure covered in a black tunic was resting comfortably.
The figure, who could only be Lord Voldemort, raised one hand.
Everyone inside the hall immediately knelt down, even the giants.
Snape noted that behind him, Draco, Narcissa, and Trisha Zabini were also kneeling.
He was the only one left standing and felt increasingly worried by the situation.
'Should I kneel too?' Snape wondered. But he decided that he had to first address the person in question. "My Lord, I—"
"Come closer…"
The voice of the Dark Lord seemed to pierce through everything else.
But the first thing Snape noticed was that he sounded very different.
It had been over ten years, but he would never forget Voldemort's voice.
The Dark Lord had always been intimidating, but his voice had been sweet and charming, even when he was threatening. It created a contrast that one would never forget.
But now, it was deep and husky… and there was something inhuman about it.
As Snape got closer, he glanced to the sides, scanning the crowd.
He recognized a few of the men kneeling.
Near the end, he saw the Carrow twins, Macnair, Yaxley, and even the inseparable duo of Crabbe and Goyle Sr.
These had all been loyal Death Eaters in the past, but none of those used to be part of the Inner Circle.
Close to the throne, he spotted a pudgy, ugly man he was very familiar with.
'Peter Pettigrew is still alive?...' Snape was surprised to see him here.
Everyone had assumed he was dead. He was responsible for the deaths of many members of the old Order of the Phoenix near the end of the last war, including Sirius Black and the Longbottom family.
A man and a woman stood on either side of the Dark Lord's throne.
When Snape was close enough, they were the only ones who stood to look at him.
Rodolphus and Bellatrix Lestrange looked even younger than the last time he had seen them, well over a decade ago.
'Did they all become vampires too?' Snape immediately recognized what they were, with their pale skin and yellow eyes.
Bellatrix was grinning at him, but it was hard to tell what she was thinking.
Rodolphus, on the other hand, didn't bother to hide his anger. Not even a bit.
He had always been an emotional man, and it appeared becoming undead hadn't changed that.
Snape stopped a good distance away from the throne and glanced at the Lord.
It was impossible to see his face under the black hood, likely due to a powerful concealment spell.
The only thing he could clearly see was a pair of bright red eyes.
"Severus Snape…" Voldemort finally spoke.
"My Lord." Snape did his best to show respect with a polite bow.
"You've taken your time returning to my side."
"My Lord, I was merel—"
"I know what you were doing," Voldemort interrupted. "I haven't forgotten the conversation with my puppet, nor have I forgotten your excuses."
He gestured with his hand, and everyone in the hall stood up at the same time.
"Tonight, I've gathered my Inner Circle to help me decide your fate," the Dark Lord spoke.
Voldemort lifted his hand from the throne, this time moving it forward, as if reaching for something. Snape watched in horror as a skeletal hand emerged from Voldemort's robes.
A large wooden staff materialized into existence, and he gripped it firmly.
Voldemort's red eyes turned to Snape, followed by a loud chuckle.
"Surprised?"
A few laughs filled the hall briefly before silence returned.
"Yes… My Lord…" Snape said, trying his best to stay calm.
"I suppose it's to be expected. It has been a long time since you last saw me, and I've changed a bit." His left hand moved to the top of his hood, and he began to pull it back. "I'll allow you to see me, then…"
Snape had to cover his mouth to keep from screaming when he saw the Dark Lord's face.
Because he had none.
His current head was devoid of skin or muscles. It was a pearly white skull, though it didn't even look like a human skull.
It had pointed protrusions everywhere, and at the top, they seemed to form something resembling a crown.
His red eyes grew brighter as he leaned closer.
"Tell me, Severus… what do you think of the new me?"
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