Chapter 2: Spinner's End


Many miles away the chilly mist that had pressed against the Prime

Minister's windows drifted over a dirty river that wound between

overgrown, rubbish-strewn banks. An immense chimney, relic of a disused

mill, reared up, shadowy and ominous. There was no sound apart from the

whisper of the black water and no sign of life apart from a scrawny fox that

had slunk down the bank to nose hopefully at some old fish-and-chip

wrappings in the tall grass.


But then, with a very faint pop, a slim, hooded figure appeared out of thin

air on the edge of the river. The fox froze, wary eyes fixed upon this strange

new phenomenon. The figure seemed to take its bearings for a few moments,

then set off with light, quick strides, its long cloak rustling over the grass.


With a second and louder pop, another hooded figure materialized.


"Wait!"


The harsh cry startled the fox, now crouching almost flat in the

undergrowth. It leapt from its hiding place and up the bank. There was a

flash of green light, a yelp, and the fox fell back to the ground, dead.


The second figure turned over the animal with its toe.


"Just a fox," said a woman's voice dismissively from under the hood. "I

thought perhaps an Auror--Cissy, wait!"

But her quarry, who had paused and looked back at the flash of light, was

already scrambling up the bank the fox had just fallen down.


"Cissy--Narcissa--listen to me--"


The second woman caught the first and seized her arm, but the other

wrenched it away.


"Go back, Bella!"


"You must listen to me!"


"I've listened already. I've made my decision. Leave me alone!"


The woman named Narcissa gained the top of the bank, where a line of

old railings separated the river from a narrow, cobbled street. The other

woman, Bella, followed at once. Side by side they stood looking across the

road at the rows and rows of dilapidated brick houses, their windows dull

and blind in the darkness.


"He lives here?" asked Bella in a voice of contempt. "Here? In this

Muggle dunghill? We must be the first of our kind ever to set foot--"


But Narcissa was not listening; she had slipped through a gap in the rusty

railings and was already hurrying across the road.

"Cissy, waitl"


Bella followed, her cloak streaming behind, and saw Narcissa darting

through an alley between the houses into a second, almost identical street.

Some of the streetlamps were broken; the two women were running between

patches of light and deep darkness. The pursuer caught up with her prey just

as she turned another corner, this time succeeding in catching hold of her

arm and swinging her around so that they faced each other.


"Cissy, you must not do this, you can't trust him--"


"The Dark Lord trusts him, doesn't he?"


"The Dark Lord is... I believe... mistaken," Bella panted, and her eyes

gleamed momentarily under her hood as she looked around to check that

they were indeed alone. "In any case, we were told not to speak of the plan

to anyone. This is a betrayal of the Dark Lord's--"


"Let go, Bella!" snarled Narcissa, and she drew a wand from beneath her

cloak, holding it threateningly in the other's face. Bella merely laughed.


"Cissy, your own sister? You wouldn't--"


"There is nothing I wouldn't do anymore!" Narcissa breathed, a note of

hysteria in her voice, and as she brought down the wand like a knife, there

was another flash of light. Bella let go of her sister's arm as though burned.

"Narcissa!"


But Narcissa had rushed ahead. Rubbing her hand, her pursuer followed

again, keeping her distance now, as they moved deeper into the deserted

labyrinth of brick houses. At last, Narcissa hurried up a street named

Spinner's End, over which the towering mill chimney seemed to hover like a

giant admonitory finger. Her footsteps echoed on the cobbles as she passed

boarded and broken windows, until she reached the very last house, where a

dim light glimmered through the curtains in a downstairs room.


She had knocked on the door before Bella, cursing under her breath, had

caught up. Together they stood waiting, panting slightly, breathing in the

smell of the dirty river that was carried to them on the night breeze. After a

few seconds, they heard movement behind the door and it opened a crack. A

sliver of a man could be seen looking out at them, a man with long black

hair parted in curtains around a sallow face and black eyes.


Narcissa threw back her hood. She was so pale that she seemed to shine in

the darkness; the long blonde hair streaming down her back gave her the

look of a drowned person.


"Narcissa!" said the man, opening the door a little wider, so that the light

fell upon her and her sister too. "What a pleasant surprise!


"Severus," she said in a strained whisper. "May I speak to you? It's

urgent."

"But of course."


He stood back to allow her to pass him into the house. Her still-hooded

sister followed without invitation.


"Snape," she said curtly as she passed him.


"Bellatrix," he replied, his thin mouth curling into a slightly mocking

smile as he closed the door with a snap behind them.


They had stepped directly into a tiny sitting room, which had the feeling

of a dark, padded cell. The walls were completely covered in books, most of

them bound in old black or brown leather; a threadbare sofa, an old

armchair, and a rickety table stood grouped together in a pool of dim light

cast by a candle-filled lamp hung from the ceiling. The place had an air of

neglect, as though it was not usually inhabited.


Snape gestured Narcissa to the sofa. She threw off her cloak, cast it aside,

and sat down, staring at her white and trembling hands clasped in her lap.

Bellatrix lowered her hood more slowly. Dark as her sister was fair, with

heavily lidded eyes and a strong jaw, she did not take her gaze from Snape

as she moved to stand behind Narcissa.


"So, what can I do for you?" Snape asked, settling himself in the armchair

opposite the two sisters.


"We... we are alone, aren't we?" Narcissa asked quietly.

'Yes, of course. Well, Wormtail's here, but we're not counting vermin, are

we?"


He pointed his wand at the wall of books behind him and with a bang, a

hidden door flew open, revealing a narrow staircase upon which a small man

stood frozen.


"As you have clearly realized, Wormtail, we have guests," said Snape

lazily.


The man crept, hunchbacked, down the last few steps and moved into the

room. He had small, watery eyes, a pointed nose, and wore an unpleasant

simper. His left hand was caressing his right, which looked as though it was

encased in a bright silver glove.


"Narcissa!" he said, in a squeaky voice. "And Bellatrix! How charming--"


"Wormtail will get us drinks, if you'd like them," said Snape. "And then

he will return to his bedroom."


Wormtail winced as though Snape had thrown something at him.


"I am not your servant!" he squeaked, avoiding Snape's eye.


"Really? I was under the impression that the Dark Lord placed you here to

assist me."

"To assist, yes--but not to make you drinks and--and clean your house!"


"I had no idea, Wormtail, that you were craving more dangerous

assignments," said Snape silkily. "This can be easily arranged: I shall speak

to the Dark Lord--"


"I can speak to him myself if I want to!"


"Of course you can," said Snape, sneering. "But in the meantime, bring us

drinks. Some of the elf-made wine will do."


Wormtail hesitated for a moment, looking as though he might argue, but

then turned and headed through a second hidden door. They heard banging

and a clinking of glasses. Within seconds he was back, bearing a dusty bottle

and three glasses upon a tray. He dropped these on the rickety table and

scurried from their presence, slamming the book-covered door behind him.


Snape poured out three glasses of bloodred wine and handed two of them

to the sisters. Narcissa murmured a word of thanks, whilst Bellatrix said

nothing, but continued to glower at Snape. This did not seem to discompose

him; on the contrary, he looked rather amused.


"The Dark Lord," he said, raising his glass and draining it.

The sisters copied him. Snape refilled their glasses. As Narcissa took her

second drink she said in a rush, "Severus, I'm sorry to come here like this,

but I had to see you. I think you are the only one who can help me--"


Snape held up a hand to stop her, then pointed his wand again at the

concealed staircase door. There was a loud bang and a squeal, followed by

the sound of Wormtail scurrying back up the stairs.


"My apologies," said Snape. "He has lately taken to listening at doors, I

don't know what he means by it... You were saying, Narcissa?"


She took a great, shuddering breath and started again.


"Severus, I know I ought not to be here, I have been told to say nothing to

anyone, but--"


"Then you ought to hold your tongue!" snarled Bellatrix. "Particularly in

present company!"


'"Present company'?" repeated Snape sardonically. "And what am I to

understand by that, Bellatrix?"


"That I don't trust you, Snape, as you very well know!"


Narcissa let out a noise that might have been a dry sob and covered her

face with her hands. Snape set his glass down upon the table and sat back

again, his hands upon the arms of his chair, smiling into Bellatrix's

glowering face.


"Narcissa, I think we ought to hear what Bellatrix is bursting to say; it will

save tedious interruptions. Well, continue, Bellatrix," said Snape. "Why is it

that you do not trust me?"


"A hundred reasons!" she said loudly, striding out from behind the sofa to

slam her glass upon the table. "Where to start! Where were you when the

Dark Lord fell? Why did you never make any attempt to find him when he

vanished? What have you been doing all these years that you've lived in

Dumbledore's pocket? Why did you stop the Dark Lord procuring the

Sorcerer's Stone? Why did you not return at once when the Dark Lord was

reborn? Where were you a few weeks ago when we battled to retrieve the

prophecy for the Dark Lord? And why, Snape, is Harry Potter still alive,

when you have had him at your mercy for five years?"


She paused, her chest rising and falling rapidly, the color high in her

cheeks. Behind her, Narcissa sat motionless, her face still hidden in her

hands.


Snape smiled.


"Before I answer you -- oh yes, Bellatrix, I am going to answer! You can

carry my words back to the others who whisper behind my back, and carry

false tales of my treachery to the Dark Lord! Before I answer you, I say, let

me ask a question in turn. Do you really think that the Dark Lord has not

asked me each and every one of those questions? And do you really think

that, had I not been able to give satisfactory answers, I would be sitting here

talking to you?"


She hesitated.


"I know he believes you, but..."


"You think he is mistaken? Or that I have somehow hoodwinked him?

Fooled the Dark Lord, the greatest wizard, the most accomplished

Legilimens the world has ever seen?"


Bellatrix said nothing, but looked, for the first time, a little discomfited.

Snape did not press the point. He picked up his drink again, sipped it, and

continued, "You ask where I was when the Dark Lord fell. I was where he

had ordered me to be, at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry,

because he wished me to spy upon Albus Dumbledore. You know, I

presume, that it was on the Dark Lord's orders that I took up the post?"


She nodded almost imperceptibly and then opened her mouth, but Snape

forestalled her.


"You ask why I did not attempt to find him when he vanished. For the

same reason that Avery, Yaxley, the Carrows, Greyback, Lucius" -- he

inclined his head slightly to Narcissa -- "and many others did not attempt to

find him. I believed him finished. I am not proud of it, I was wrong, but

there it is... If he had not forgiven we who lost faith at that time, he would

have very few followers left."


"He'd have me!" said Bellatrix passionately. "I, who spent many years in

Azkaban for him!"


"Yes, indeed, most admirable," said Snape in a bored voice. "Of i nurse,

you weren't a lot of use to him in prison, but the gesture was undoubtedly

fine --"


"Gesture!" she shrieked; in her fury she looked slightly mad. "While I

endured the dementors, you remained at Hogwarts, com-lortably playing

Dumbledore's pet!"


"Not quite," said Snape calmly. "He wouldn't give me the Defense

Against the Dark Arts job, you know. Seemed to think it might, ah, bring

about a relapse ,.. tempt me into my old ways."


"This was your sacrifice for the Dark Lord, not to teach your favorite

subject?" she jeered. "Why did you stay there all that time, Snape? Still

spying on Dumbledore for a master you believed dead?"


"Hardly," said Snape, "although the Dark Lord is pleased that I never

deserted my post: I had sixteen years of information on Dumbledore to give

him when he returned, a rather more useful welcome-back present than

endless reminiscences of how unpleasant Azkaban is..."

"But you stayed --"


"Yes, Bellatrix, I stayed," said Snape, betraying a hint of impatience for

the first time. "I had a comfortable job that I preferred to a stint in Azkaban.

They were rounding up the Death Eaters, you know. Dumbledore's

protection kept me out of jail; it was most convenient and I used it. I repeat:

The Dark Lord does not complain that I stayed, so I do not see why you do.


"I think you next wanted to know," he pressed on, ;i little more loudly, for

Bellatrix showed every sign of interrupting, "why I stood between the Dark

Lord and the Sorcerer's Stone. That is easily answered. He did not know

whether he could trust me. He thought, like you, that I had turned from

faithful Death Eater to Dumbledore's stooge. He was in a pitiable condition,

very weak, sharing the body of a mediocre wizard. He did not dare reveal

himself to a former ally if that ally might turn him over to Dumbledore or

the Ministry. I deeply regret that he did not trust me. He would have

returned to power three years sooner. As it was, I saw only greedy and

unworthy Quirrell attempting to steal the stone and, I admit, I did all I could

to thwart him."


Bellatrix's mouth twisted as though she had taken an unpleasant dose of

medicine.


"But you didn't return when he came back, you didn't fly back to him at

once when you felt the Dark Mark burn --"


"Correct. I returned two hours later. I returned on Dumbledore's orders."

"On Dumbledore's -- ?" she began, in tones of outrage.


"Think!" said Snape, impatient again. "Think! By waiting two hours, just

two hours, I ensured that I could remain at Hogwarts as a spy! By allowing

Dumbledore to think that I was only returning to the Dark Lord's side

because I was ordered to, I have been able to pass information on

Dumbledore and the Order of the Phoenix ever since! Consider, Bellatrix:

The Dark Mark had been growing stronger for months. I knew he must be

about to return, all the Death Eaters knew! I had plenty of time to think

about what I wanted to do, to plan my next move, to escape like Karkaroff,

didn't I?


"The Dark Lord's initial displeasure at my lateness vanished entirely, 1

assure you, when I explained that 1 remained faithful, although Dumbledore

thought I was his man. Yes, the Dark Lord thought that I had left him

forever, but he was wrong."


"But what use have you been?" sneered Bellatrix. "What useful

information have we had from you?"


"My information has been conveyed directly to the Dark Lord," said

Snape. "If he chooses not to share it with you --"


"He shares everything with me!" said Bellatrix, firing up at once. "He

calls me his most loyal, his most faithful --"

"Does he?" said Snape, his voice delicately inflected to suggest his

disbelief. "Does he still, after the fiasco at the Ministry?"


"That was not my fault!" said Bellatrix, flushing. "The Dark Lord has, in

the past, entrusted me with his most precious -- if Lucius hadn't --"


"Don't you dare -- don't you dare blame my husband!" said Narcissa, in a

low and deadly voice, looking up at her sister.


"There is no point apportioning blame," said Snape smoothly. "What is

done, is done."


"But not by you!" said Bellatrix furiously. "No, you were once again

absent while the rest of us ran dangers, were you not, Snape?"


"My orders were to remain behind," said Snape. "Perhaps you disagree

with the Dark Lord, perhaps you think that Dumbledore would not have

noticed if I had joined forces with the Death Eaters to fight the Order of the

Phoenix? And -- forgive me -- you speak of dangers... you were facing six

teenagers, were you not?"


"They were joined, as you very well know, by half of the Order before

long!" snarled Bellatrix. "And, while we are on the subject of the Order, you

still claim you cannot reveal the whereabouts of their headquarters, don't

you?"

"I am not the Secret-Keeper; I cannot speak the name of the place. You

understand how the enchantment works, I think? The Dark Lord is satisfied

with the information I have passed him on the Order. It led, as perhaps you

have guessed, to the recent capture and murder of Emmeline Vance, and it

certainly helped dispose of Sirius Black, though I give you full credit for

finishing him off."


He inclined his head and toasted her. Her expression did nor soften.


"You are avoiding my last question, Snape. Harry Potter. You could have

killed him at any point in the past five years. You have not done it. Why?"


"Have you discussed this matter with the Dark Lord?" asked Snape.


"He... lately, we... I am asking you, Snape!"


"If I had murdered Harry Potter, the Dark Lord could not have used his

blood to regenerate, making him invincible --"


"You claim you foresaw his use of the boy!" she jeered.


"I do not claim it; I had no idea of his plans; I have already confessed that

I thought the Dark Lord dead. I am merely trying to explain why the Dark

Lord is not sorry that Potter survived, at least until a year ago..."


"But why did you keep him alive?"

"Have you not understood me? It was only Dumbledore's protection that

was keeping me out of Azkaban! Do you disagree that murdering his

favorite student might have turned him against me? But there was more to it

than that. I should remind you that when Potter first arrived at Hogwarts

there were still many stories circulating about him, rumors that he himself

was a great Dark wizard, which was how he had survived the Dark Lord's

attack. Indeed, many of the Dark Lords old followers thought Potter might

be a standard around which we could all rally once more. I was curious, 1

admit it, and not at all inclined to murder him the moment he set fool in the

castle.


"Of course, it became apparent to me very quickly that he had no

extraordinary talent at all. He has fought his way out of a number of tight

corners by a simple combination of sheer luck and more talented friends. He

is mediocre to the last degree, though as obnoxious and self-satisfied as was

his father before him. I have done my utmost to have him thrown out of

Hogwarts, where I believe he scarcely belongs, but kill him, or allow him to

be killed in front of me? I would have been a fool to risk it with Dumbledore

close at hand."


"And through all this we are supposed to believe Dumbledore has never

suspected you?" asked Bellatrix. "He has no idea of your true allegiance, he

trusts you implicitly still?"


"I have played my part well," said Snape. "And you overlook

Dumbledore's greatest weakness: He has to believe the best of people. I spun

him a tale of deepest remorse when I joined his staff, fresh from my Death

Eater days, and he embraced me with open arms -- though, as I say, never

allowing me nearer the Dark Arts than he could help. Dumbledore has been

a great wizard -- oh yes, he has," (for Bellatrix had made a scathing noise),

"the Dark Lord acknowledges it. I am pleased to say, however, that

Dumbledore is growing old. The duel with the Dark Lord last month shook

him. He has since sustained a serious injury because his reactions are slower

than they once were. But through all these years, he has never stopped

trusting Severus Snape, and therein lies my great value to the Dark Lord."


Bellatrix still looked unhappy, though she appeared unsure how best to

attack Snape next. Taking advantage of her silence, Snape turned to her

sister.


"Now... you came to ask me for help, Narcissa?"


Narcissa looked up at him, her face eloquent with despair.


"Yes, Severus. I -- I think you are the only one who can help me, I have

nowhere else to turn. Lucius is in jail and..."


She closed her eyes and two large tears seeped from beneath her eyelids.


"The Dark Lord has forbidden me to speak of it," Narcissa continued, her

eyes still closed. "He wishes none to know of the plan. It is... very secret.

But --"

"If he has forbidden it, you ought not to speak," said Snape at once. "The

Dark Lord's word is law."


Narcissa gasped as though he had doused her with cold water. Bellatrix

looked satisfied for the first time since she had entered the house.


"There!" she said triumphantly to her sister. "Even Snape says so: You

were told not to talk, so hold your silence!"


But Snape had gotten to his feet and strode to the small window, peered

through the curtains at the deserted street, then closed them again with a

jerk. He turned around to face Narcissa, frowning.


"It so happens that I know of the plan," he said in a low voice. "I am one

of the few the Dark Lord has told. Nevertheless, had I not been in on the

secret, Narcissa, you would have been guilty of great treachery to the Dark

Lord."


"I thought you must know about it!" said Narcissa, breathing more freely.

"He trusts you so, Severus..."


"You know about the plan?" said Bellatrix, her fleeting expression of

satisfaction replaced by a look of outrage. "You know?"


"Certainly," said Snape. "But what help do you require, Nar-cissa? If you

are imagining I can persuade the Dark Lord to change his mind, I am afraid

there is no hope, none at all."

"Severus," she whispered, tears sliding down her pale cheeks. "My son...

my only son..."


"Draco should be proud," said Bellatrix indifferently. "The Dark I ,ord is

granting him a great honor. And I will say this for Draco: I Ic isn't shrinking

away from his duty, he seems glad of a chance to prove himself, excited at

the prospect --"


Narcissa began to cry in earnest, gazing beseechingly all the while at

Snape.


"That's because he is sixteen and has no idea what lies in store! Why,

Severus? Why my son? It is too dangerous! This is vengeance lor Lucius's

mistake, I know it!"


Snape said nothing. He looked away from the sight of her tears as though

they were indecent, but he could not pretend not to hear her.


"That's why he's chosen Draco, isn't it?" she persisted. "To punish

Lucius?"


"If Draco succeeds," said Snape, still looking away from her, "he will be

honored above all others."


"But he won't succeed!" sobbed Narcissa. "How can he, when the Dark

Lord himself-- ?"

Bellatrix gasped; Narcissa seemed to lose her nerve.


"I only meant... that nobody has yet succeeded... Severus... please... You

are, you have always been, Draco's favorite teacher... You are Lucius's old

friend... I beg you... You are the Dark Lord's favorite, his most trusted

advisor... Will you speak to him, persuade him -- ?"


"The Dark Lord will not be persuaded, and I am not stupid enough to

attempt it," said Snape flatly. "I cannot pretend that the Dark Lord is not

angry with Lucius. Lucius was supposed to be in charge. He got himself

captured, along with how many others, and failed to retrieve the prophecy

into the bargain. Yes, the Dark Lord is angry, Narcissa, very angry indeed."


"Then I am right, he has chosen Draco in revenge!" choked Narcissa. "He

does not mean him to succeed, he wants him to be killed trying!"


When Snape said nothing, Narcissa seemed to lose what little self-

restraint she still possessed. Standing up, she staggered to Snape and seized

the front of his robes. Her face close to his, her tears falling onto his chest,

she gasped, "You could do it. You could do it instead of Draco, Severus.

You would succeed, of course you would, and he would reward you beyond

all of us --"


Snape caught hold of her wrists and removed her clutching hands.

Looking down into her tearstained face, he said slowly, "He intends me to

do it in the end, I think. But he is determined that Draco should try first. You

see, in the unlikely event that Draco succeeds, I shall be able to remain at

Hogwarts a little longer, fulfilling my useful role as spy."


"In other words, it doesn't matter to him if Draco is killed!"


"The Dark Lord is very angry," repeated Snape quietly. "He failed to hear

the prophecy. You know as well as I do, Narcissa, that he does not forgive

easily."


She crumpled, falling at his feet, sobbing and moaning on the (loor.


"My only son... my only son..."


"You should be proud!" said Bellatrix ruthlessly. "If I had sons, I would

be glad to give them up to the service of the Dark Lord!"


Narcissa gave a little scream of despair and clutched at her long blonde

hair. Snape stooped, seized her by the arms, lifted her up, iind steered her

back onto the sofa. He then poured her more wine iind forced the glass into

her hand.


"Narcissa, that's enough. Drink this. Listen to me."


She quieted a little; slopping wine down herself, she took a shaky sip.


"It might be possible... for me to help Draco."

She sat up, her face paper-white, her eyes huge.


"Severus -- oh, Severus -- you would help him? Would you look after

him, see he comes to no harm?"


"I can try."


She flung away her glass; it skidded across the table as she slid off the

sofa into a kneeling position at Snape's feet, seized his hand in both of hers,

and pressed her lips to it.


"If you are there to protect him... Severus, will you swear it? Will you

make the Unbreakable Vow?"


"The Unbreakable Vow?"


Snape's expression was blank, unreadable. Bellatrix, however, let out a

cackle of triumphant laughter.


"Aren't you listening, Narcissa? Oh, he'll try, I'm sure... The usual empty

words, the usual slithering out of action... oh, on the Dark Lord's orders, of

course!"


Snape did not look at Bellatrix. His black eyes were fixed upon Narcissa's

tear-filled blue ones as she continued to clutch his hand.

"Certainly, Narcissa, I shall make the Unbreakable Vow," he said quietly.

"Perhaps your sister will consent to be our Bonder."


Bellatrix's mouth fell open. Snape lowered himself so that he was

kneeling opposite Narcissa. Beneath Bellatrix's astonished gaze, they

grasped right hands.


"You will need your wand, Bellatrix," said Snape coldly.


She drew it, still looking astonished.


"And you will need to move a little closer," he said.


She stepped forward so that she stood over them, and placed the tip of her

wand on their linked hands.


Narcissa spoke.


"Will you, Severus, watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts ta fulfill the

Dark Lord's wishes?"


"I will," said Snape.


A thin tongue of brilliant flame issued from the wand and wound its way

around their hands like a red-hot wire.


"And will you, to the best of your ability, protect him from harm?"

"I will," said Snape.


A second tongue of flame shot from the wand and interlinked with the

first, making a fine, glowing chain.


"And, should it prove necessary... if it seems Draco will fail..." whispered

Narcissa (Snape's hand twitched within hers, but he did not draw away),

"will you carry out the deed that the Dark Lord has ordered Draco to

perform?"


There was a moment's silence. Bellatrix watched, her wand upon their

clasped hands, her eyes wide.


"I will," said Snape.


Bellatrix's astounded face glowed red in the blaze of a third unique flame,

which shot from the wand, twisted with the others, and bound itself thickly

around their clasped hands, like a fiery snake.