Chapter 60: The Dark Lord Invents a Fairy Tale Part 1

The rest of June and all of July flew by in a blur of workdays, leaving little room for anything else. The only breaks in the routine came from my trips to Germany, where I was involved in a fascinating project: creating a magical golem. This golem took the shape of a large serpent, designed to fit almost entirely within the Lestrange safe. Initially, Schultz had wanted it to be made of hollow adamantium, but after assessing the strength of our likely enemies, we decided on solid adamantium instead, adding two eyes made from sizeable storage stones from the Horned Serpent.

The most challenging part was binding the serpent's soul to animate it. Nessie had given birth to seven beautiful offspring, each the size of a large anaconda. Our findings confirmed a rather harsh reality: Horned Serpent mothers show little concern for their young. I decided to keep four of these serpents to help restore their population in England, though that would be a long-term project. The seventh serpent, after being treated with potions and spells, was used to animate the snake golem. Unfortunately, two of the Horned Serpents fell victim to experiments and were set to be sent to the Cave of Infernals.

In today's world, there's a real shortage of magical ingredients, which has led to some questionable methods for speeding up the growth of certain magical creatures, albeit at the cost of their quality as ingredients. Merging them into a single entity, alongside a Horntail and the remains of wizards, proved to be a complex task. The details of this ritual reminded me of the healing process of Diana Crouch, but with a different aim: to create two beings that technically shouldn't exist, both still dormant. This ritual required Aberforth's blood and the flesh of living wizards to form the bodies.

The result was a grotesque amalgamation of a Horntail, a Horned Serpent, and several wizards, all intertwined through advanced necromancy. Grindelwald had dabbled in such things before. While these creatures were undeniably dangerous, they were not invincible. In normal circumstances, they would be easily detected, and could be neutralized with a barrage of explosive spells or engulfed in Hellfire. But they lacked any intelligence or loyalty to their creator, attacking anything living.

Yet, in the Cave of Infernals, they would remain hidden, unable to escape. Although their hunger would be an issue, they could survive for quite a while without food, given that they weren't fully alive. Their hunger would only make them angrier, which was a concern. I had one-upped Gellert in this regard; he hadn't used dragons or Horned Serpents for such rituals.

Once the ritual concluded, Albus would face not only the infernals and fortified traps but also two nearly indestructible creatures waiting for him in the Cave of Infernals. I saw two potential strategies for dealing with them: the first was to break the restraining spells in the cave and unleash them into the world—an issue for the Aurors to resolve. The second option was more intriguing.

The creatures were born from Blood Magic, and for added destructive capacity, Aberforth Dumbledore's blood was used. This ensured that no concealment charms would hide their presence, as they would carry Aberforth's scent regardless of any efforts to mask it. In theory, Dumbledore's own Blood Magic could easily destroy them, but if he tried, he would face an unpleasant surprise. I had once thought it impossible to keep two average sources (the Lestranges and Schultz) alongside the Dark Lord on the brink of magical exhaustion for an entire month. Yet, it was possible.

I worked with the Time Turner and drained energy from victims, feeling like a laborer in a brewery. Abellard shot me disapproving looks toward the end, and I understood his frustrations. He had asked me to melt a couple of liters of adamantium, and I went ahead and did it, not realizing he was joking about needing a specialized furnace for that task. If the Lord has a student like me, what does that say about him?

I rejuvenated Abellard with a ritual that exceeded the standard ten years, achieving a twenty-year result. A nice bonus, although the effectiveness of each subsequent ritual diminishes, yielding only half of the previous results after a certain point. I was pleased with the results of my collaboration with the German.

The creature Schultz and I created was nearly immune to magic and largely ignored magical shields. Testing showed that it bypassed 14 shields and destroyed five with a single strike. Abellard nearly turned gray when the dummy barely held out; two defenses survived the first hit, but the second turned it to mincemeat. Furthermore, the injuries inflicted by this golem were comparable to those caused by Dark Magic.

The real kicker was that this creature could actually use magic. You can't just create a golem that casts spells, but by using a magical Horned Serpent, the resulting entity could wield magic and be just as smart as a Horned Serpent. I devised a system that connected bundles of magically processed nerves from a real Horned Serpent to the eyes made from the stones of adult Horned Serpents. This creature wouldn't be able to cast magic indefinitely, relying only on the energy stored in the stones, which wouldn't recharge. Once that energy was depleted, it would only be able to bite and crush its enemies, but that would suffice for one battle.

Strictly speaking, this was not just a golem; it was a hybrid of a golem and the undead. If given the choice between battling this serpent and a basilisk, I would choose the basilisk without hesitation. Our creation has its downsides: it moves slowly, cannot attack beyond its line of sight, and emits Dark Magic that makes it hard to hide. But these drawbacks are minor; the dimensions are calculated so that the creature, along with the contents of the Lestrange safe, would fill the entire space, leaving only a cubic meter at the entrance.

I'm not sure how to fight in such conditions. The golem withstood an eight-second immersion in Hellfire with only minor soot damage, though it required a week to restore the magical protection. During that time, it should be able to kill Dumbledore. I can't imagine how to make our creation stronger—unless we turn it into a Horcrux. But I'm reluctant to sacrifice a piece of my soul, and using such a golem as a vessel for another's soul is a risky proposition. If Albus survives, a horde of very angry goblins will be waiting for him at the exit.

The story of how this golem made its way to Gringotts deserves its own tale. Because it was not susceptible to magic, it could not be moved via apparition, portals, or phoenixes; instead, it had to be packed into a container with space expansion, enhanced with collapsing charms, and hurriedly transported to the German branch of Gringotts. The challenge was heightened by the fact that we could not reduce the weight of this golem, and adamantium is denser than uranium. We were smart enough to inform the goblins ahead of time that we wanted to deposit 5.8 cubic meters of processed adamantium. Acquiring such a large amount discreetly was no easy feat, but the organization managed. Poor Lucius ended up in the red for about ten years. Edward Lestrange personally met me at the German branch of Gringotts.

However, complications arose. The goblins assumed we were bringing 5.8 liters of adamantium, not 5.8 cubic meters. I felt like a buyer of a used, battered, painted, burned, and radioactive car when they realized the truth. But that feeling didn't last. The goblins initially thought we were attempting a robbery. I managed to change my appearance just in time to save Edward from their suspicion. Goblin blades, capable of destroying a Horcrux, cut into our golem. But what good did that do when the metal melted instantly, and the "wounds" closed up?

Creating metal in a semi-liquid state was a complex undertaking. Fortunately, we avoided any bloodshed and quickly explained that this was not a bullion deposit but rather a unique item. Initially, the goblins were hesitant to engage with something that emitted such Dark Magic, especially when they discovered that the golem could explode. But Gringotts exists to store valuables, and this entity was far more valuable than its gold equivalent. The potential threat of an explosion could be managed by using several pockets with spatial expansion, ensuring that the explosion radius remained smaller than the last spatial pocket.

I am now sure the goblins are not just financiers; they need metals that fall under exceptions to transfiguration. They offered me money to name the master who created this golem, but I declined—collaboration with him is valuable to me. Amid all this, the small replica of the Hufflepuff cup went unnoticed. Thus, new "items" were sent to the Lestrange safe via Germany. When informed that Dumbledore would try to break into the safe, the goblins merely smirked. I had warned Edward not to keep all his money in Gringotts. I have no idea how Albus will react—if the goblins don't stop him, he'll find himself in the golem's mouth with no room to maneuver upon opening the safe.

So, I have completed the trap in Gringotts. I spent another week finalizing the rest of the traps. The Gaunt Hut is ready, as is Gringotts. The Cave of Infernals awaits its finishing touches. My monsters, thanks to Nessie and the long-dead Horntail, are nearly ready, maturing in huge flasks, destined to sleep for the rest of their existence in their new enclosures. The culmination of my efforts resulted in three traps (the Gaunt Hut, the Cave of Infernals, and Gringotts) that I cannot navigate myself, even if I know all their secrets. The only way to breach the Gaunt Hut and the Cave of Infernals would be to send ordinary wizards to their doom, supported by Inferi, to relieve some of the pressure on the traps.

But Albus is not that type, is he? This approach would be futile; entry requires a toll of magical energy, and without sufficient amounts, it will extract life energy, preventing ordinary wizards from even entering. If Albus somehow bypasses the "facial recognition" system, it will offer him little assistance, perhaps merely granting him additional time to flounder. If these three traps prove inadequate, I know how to establish another trap within Hogwarts. I'm also contemplating how to deal with Grimm—should I unleash him upon Albus? Timing would be crucial, perhaps during Albus's engagement with the Horcruxes.

For instance, if Albus were to vanquish the Infernal Lake, simplistically dubbed "dragon-snake-liches," disarm numerous curses, and consume a potion of despair laced with deadly poison, it would present an opportune moment for Grimm to strike. Such aspirations remain mere fantasies; orchestrating such intricacies is no simple task. Yet, if my understanding of magic holds true, Albus's only chance of survival lies in avoiding these traps. Thus, a compelling narrative is imperative, and that is precisely what I intend to construct.

Horace, you would be wise to join me. Following the conclusion of another Inner Circle meeting, I resolved to speak with Snape privately, taking extra precautions against eavesdropping. "How is your endeavor regarding Dumbledore's assassination progressing?" I inquired. "Not at all. He speaks of love and forgiveness, yet trusts no one. There is no method to curse him or administer poison. Upon learning of my vow to kill him, I lost hope of ever succeeding," he confessed. "I can only kill him if he lies down, resists nothing, and wishes to die. Forgive me, my Lord. I am prepared to accept any punishment."

"I have no need for your lifeless form; I require Dumbledore dead," I replied. "Fortunately, I comprehend the complexity of the situation and am willing to assist you. Listen closely. My previous plans have been shaky, akin to a structure without a foundation. However, there are numerous contingencies in play... If Dumbledore discerns my intentions, I will have wasted considerable time, effort, and gathered necromantic energy. Should my efforts fail, we will resort to Plan 'B'—Albus Dumbledore against a vast array of Antipatronuses and enhanced werewolves (though he would not willingly engage in a battle of a hundred to one).

Alternatively, Plan 'B' could involve Albus Dumbledore confronting applied demonology; however, this approach presents its own challenges—if something consumes Albus, what then? Unless I facilitate circumstances where the mad headmaster of Hogwarts becomes a meal for his new familiar... and the Auror commits suicide to protect Hogwarts. Such musings are merely dreams... "For refusing to cooperate, I will subject Horace Slughorn to prolonged and intensive torture," I began. "Then, due to the actions of our adversaries, I will be compelled to attend to urgent matters."

Horace must endure over four hours of torment, ensuring no one questions why I did not utilize the Time-Turner. "Before my departure, I will summon you so that you may torment Horace in my absence," I continued. "Once I leave, you will, having established protections against eavesdropping, present yourself as an agent of Dumbledore, confess your affection for the deceased Lily, and persuade him to divulge the memory Dumbledore seeks—one that may aid in the battle against the Dark Lord. I will assist you: he will eagerly grasp at any lifeline. Employ whatever tactics necessary: plead, persuade, coerce, seduce, or promise a swift death, but you must secure the memory."

"I understand you, my Lord. Once I attain my objective, shall I present the memory to you?" he questioned. "No. First, you will review this memory, ensure the original is well concealed, allowing Albus to believe you managed to smuggle it past me, then kill Horace with Avada. I will emerge from the ruins of one of the Death Eater bases, punish you extensively for executing a prisoner who still had potential for further interrogation. After recovering from the punishment, you will hasten to present Albus with the memory."

I had no intention of revealing the existence of the Horcruxes to Snape. Albus might discount the memory if its source was Snape's mind, so it was crucial to procure the original from Horace. However, Snape would inevitably view this memory. I preferred not to disclose the Horcruxes to Snape, but it was necessary. He would either learn from Horace or have Albus explain it to him. Should Snape harbor ulterior motives, he might attempt to seize one of my Horcruxes to threaten me or negotiate for safety for himself and the girl. If he remained loyal, he would prevent Albus from destroying the Horcruxes, which would raise suspicion. If Snape proved clever, the destruction of even one Horcrux would lead him to self-destruction, possibly even after harming Lily.

I acknowledged that a single trap for Albus may not suffice; Albus has consistently surpassed my expectations, and I require another spy. Hence, I must present the Horcruxes in a favorable light. "Look, this is the memory you must witness. Weaken your mental defenses and prepare to accept the images," I commanded. "Legilimens!" I unveiled the scene of my discussion about Horcruxes with Horace during our school days. Snape returned to reality as though he had won an elephant in a lottery yet lacked sustenance for it.

"My Lord, it is a tremendous honor... to comprehend the secret of your immortality... But is it wise to disclose this to Dumbledore?" he inquired. "Do not be foolish, Snape. Only a drunken pixie would create Horcruxes; they are traps for fools and a misguided endeavor of necromancy and soul magic. Should a fragment of your soul be destroyed, you are condemned to exist as an eternal cripple. What remains after seven divisions? Perhaps a child, or maybe an embryo."

At Hogwarts, I had laid a false trail for my enemies, ensuring they would pursue the fakes rather than the genuine article. I possess no Horcruxes, and the loss of any fakes would not be consequential. Your primary task is to convince Dumbledore of the authenticity of the memory and lead him to search for my Horcruxes in traps. Ideally, you should accompany him and eliminate him while he is preoccupied. "Should I specify what and where he should look?" he asked. "And how to destroy them?" "No. He knows how to destroy them himself. As for what and where to search... it would be highly suspicious, akin to laying a trail of lemon wedges from Hogwarts to a hiding place. Albus is not a fool; he will discover it. If he is foolish, I will provide him with what he seeks where he looks. However, if he allows you to orchestrate the operation or participate in the destruction of the Horcruxes, you will immediately inform me of everything. Naturally, if this does not jeopardize your cover."

Despite Snape's silence and my lack of any discernible suspicion in his thoughts, I could anticipate the thoughts swirling in his mind. "You will survive. The closer you get to the false Horcrux, the more formidable the traps will be. The return path is safe. Simply eliminate Dumbledore while he is distracted. Or ensure he meets his end through the traps and leave the scene. If possible, obliterate the body of the deceased Albus as much as you can, and procure his head. I need it to sift through his memories and possessions."

Admittedly, I hold no guarantees of Snape's survival. Indeed, if Albus brings him along, it is highly likely that Severus will perish. However, my intention is not to eliminate Snape; rather, I am uneasy around strong Occlumens. His survival hinges solely on his own decisions. "If I somehow manage to kill Dumbledore, will the Elder Wand transfer to me? Or will you eliminate me?" Snape queried.

An intriguing question. However, as far as I comprehend, simply obtaining it is sufficient; it is fortunate I can easily disguise myself as Lily. The Elder Wand brings nothing but complications—everyone will desire to kill me, even my own offspring. While I would not refuse the Elder Wand, I would relish the opportunity to explore its workings and extract from its memory all the spells utilized by its previous wielders. However, wielding it is perilous—a fact that has never brought happiness to any owner. Nevertheless, Gregorovich enjoyed a fortunate escape, as Albus reached him before I could.

"Severus... Keep the Elder Wand for yourself; I have no need for an instrument with its own consciousness dictating its wielder's fate. Alternatively, you may bring it to me for examination; I will return it within a week." This would provide him with an additional motive to eliminate Albus—attaining the Elder Wand and achieving the status of a Great Wizard. At present, Snape lacks greatness. Strong and clever, yes, but he is not great. I would describe him as a genius in Occlumency, with talent in potions and, to a lesser extent, Dark Magic. In transfiguration, he was inferior to Potter, and it is doubtful he could ever become an Animagus. Should I mention that even Pettigrew achieved Animagus status before passing the OWL, leaving Snape to grapple with an inferiority complex?

"Master... Will Albus recognize the fakes?" he queried. "Trust me; merely reaching a Horcrux is an accomplishment. It is impossible to extract it from there, nor can one conduct thorough research. The only option is to destroy it on the spot. Albus will not perceive the fakes; they are genuine Horcruxes, just not mine."

"Master?" he asked. "I am more than an ordinary wizard. For my enemies, simple death suffices. Should someone betray me, I will extract a portion of their soul and annihilate it, ensuring they endure eternal suffering. It would be amusing if Albus were to destroy several of these fragments," I remarked, my expression oscillating between that of the original Tom and Rosier. The art of metamorphism is remarkable—it enables one to adopt any facial expression and maintain it for life.

"Master! My loyalty to you..." "I am aware. Should you fail in this operation, you shall rest in the afterlife. Do not fret for Lily; if you fail, nothing shall happen to her. However, should you betray me, she will undoubtedly lose a part of her soul. If I reach you before your demise, you will share her fate."

An intriguing point: a Dementor cannot extract half the soul from the creator of a Horcrux unless they simultaneously kiss both the base wizard and the Horcrux. Moreover, Dementors can discern the soul's state by taste. Now, I am prepared to present evidence: a ghost, "imperialized" by the Resurrection Stone, a test subject I acquired who fashioned a Horcrux from the Slytherin Amulet. A Dementor's attempt to kiss him before Snape resulted in a failure. It appears he is nearly a normal wizard—he speaks and thinks, yet the Dementor could not consume his soul, stating that only a portion resided within him. However, an evaluation within an intricate rune circle revealed traces of exceedingly Dark Magic, indicating something amiss with the nourishing soul for the Dementor.

Oh, the look on Snape's face... pale as a sheet. I even caught a glimpse of his thoughts: as soon as he turned 17 and shed supervision, he ought to have imperiused Lily and fled to Antarctica. "Lord... If you possess such immense power, why engage in these games with Albus?" he inquired. What should I respond? The primary skill of poker is bluffing? I have complete control over myself and can lie without revealing any signs of deceit. "I lack direct evidence, but I suspect Albus possesses Horcruxes in addition to the Elder Wand and Hogwarts," I replied.

"I destroyed one—it was Fawkes. The whereabouts of the others remain unknown. During my time at Hogwarts, I assigned Regulus Black the task of uncovering something from Dumbledore's past. He died under mysterious circumstances. The lineage of Black began to dwindle thereafter. If desired, I can show you the remnants of Walpurga Black." With these words, I presented Snape with the genuine note from Regulus Black. All I needed to do was trim the heading "To the Dark Lord," obscuring the identity of the accuser regarding the Horcruxes.

"Is it possible? For Albus to engage with such Dark Magic?" he asked. "Easily. 'For the greater good,' 'the end justifies the means.' Darkness often lurks beneath the candle's flame—the benevolent director is the ideal façade. It's ironic that Dark Magic adversely affects the soul, and after creating Horcruxes, the soul remains unrepaired, compelling Albus to refrain from utilizing Dark Magic or killing anyone directly to avoid madness—eternity stretches on. This explains his outwardly virtuous demeanor."

"Master, I did not quite grasp your previous point..." "Let us conclude; I will instruct you on your tasks and then address your inquiries. I will provide evidence. We will measure your necromantic energy and then, after you eliminate someone, measure it again. After all, I promised to train you, did I not?"

"This is not precisely how I envisioned training..." "I am only granting you what you could not achieve without me. You will refine the rest yourself or when we have time after I deal with Dumbledore. Any further questions, on topic this time?"

"If Albus possesses a Horcrux, is he immortal?" he asked. "Very conditionally," I began to mislead him. "Destroy his body, and he becomes less than a ghost. He can be easily captured or may flee into obscurity. While he is gone, I will deal with his Horcruxes. Destroy them all, and he will perish. Should I fail to do so in time, Albus will not be able to return to life without external assistance. He could seize control of another's body through possession, but he would not exceed the capabilities of the host. If he tries to wield magic beyond the body's limits, he would simply burn out. Creating a new body in which he can fully exist is no simple feat; it requires a wizard well-versed in Dark Magic. Theoretically, within the Order of the Phoenix, three individuals could accomplish this: you, Robert Argobast, and Alastor Moody. You will not assist him, and I hope to eliminate the last two before Albus's demise."

It seemed I had considered everything. "But how can Albus perform Light Magic now if he possesses Horcruxes and secretly practices Dark Magic?" Snape queried. Why must he be so clever? What plausible explanation could I devise? "You can siphon another's Light. I suspect Albus's second Horcrux is a Deluminator." "It's merely a light switch!" Snape exclaimed. I regarded him as though he were a fool. "Why would he require a light switch? A mage of his caliber can extinguish light through wandless, nonverbal magic. He could extinguish the light a hundred times before reaching for the Deluminator." Silence filled the room.

"Do not fret, Snape. Despite my façade, I am of sound mind. I have simply neglected Dark Magic far more than anyone else has known," I claimed. A lie, of course. I would relish the opportunity to extract Gellert from Nurmengard and engage in a genuine discussion with him, assuming he could articulate anything of value. After clarifying the operational points and enlightening Snape, I sent him to stand guard outside.

I entered Horace Slughorn's cell and roused him from his stupor. He appeared in a dire state—gaunt and ashen. Observing him, I realized he would not survive four hours of torment. First, I would need to engage him in conversation... "I will reveal nothing, Tom," he muttered, his eyes barely open. My laughter served as his response. "You have already divulged everything. I have concocted a specialized truth potion for you," I declared.

"So kill me!" "Patience. First, I shall inform you of your neglect and what I intend to do." I became engrossed in my long-winded description of torture, describing Slytherin's legacy with such fervor that I almost convinced myself of my own words. Time to commence. Less than an hour remained, and most of that would be consumed by the ritual. Would he endure even ten minutes in this state? "You are as unyielding as the oak from which your wand is crafted. I suspect you share common roots with her," I jested.

Having magically immobilized Horace and drawn the rune figure, I commenced the ritual. The "Flesh Sculpture" rite guarantees a fatal outcome while allowing one to transform the victim into anything. I doubt anyone has ever invested so much energy into this ritual. I even sacrificed a couple of victims. I have witnessed all manner of transformation, but this was truly grotesque; externally, it resembled the processes involved in creating Horcruxes or homunculi. Horace Slughorn, once a rotund man, was morphing into a tree, his screams echoing through the chamber. This was not the correct tree, as a grotesque human face protruded from the trunk.

The sight of his skin transitioning into bark and splitting was repugnant. As if that were not enough, I opened several boxes I had brought, unleashing innocent magical bark beetles and woodworms upon him. Another scream pierced the air as blood flowed from the wounds inflicted by the ravenous insects. Through Legilimency, I accessed Horace's thoughts. The agony he experienced was profound; the Cruciatus Curse seemed a mere tickle by comparison. The unnatural hybrid of man and wood—a "dendromage"—could not survive and strived to perish, but my magic prevented such an outcome.

To heighten the horror, his legs transformed into roots, penetrating the stone floor and transmitting sensations as if they were stretched for hundreds of meters. He felt the leaves—his body morphed, yet the pain from the transformation persisted, as if leaves were being severed from his body, all while still attached to the branches. Emerging from his mind, I recognized that I had gone too far. He would not last ten minutes in this state... But I had underestimated him. Perhaps a strong Occlumency could mitigate the perception of such intense suffering.

Before long, I felt the summons on the mark. Then, a knock resounded at the door, and Snape entered, garbed in his mask and Death Eater attire. "Master, you are urgently summoned to..." he began. "Crucio!" I unleashed the Cruciatus at Snape. "Crucio!"—another Cruciatus struck Horace. "Ensure he regrets his folly; I will return shortly!" With those words, I exited the room.

**Severus Snape's Perspective**

Severus observed in silent horror as Horace Slughorn became a living tree, oozing blood... This was not the image of an Ent he had envisioned; Tolkien had erred. He had trusted Albus once—what had he gained in return? A multitude of oaths, perilous tasks, and the phrase "they trusted the wrong man." He believed Albus would assist him, but he did not. What had Voldemort done? He had vowed to safeguard Lily and abandoned her. He had even slightly exceeded his promise—Harry Potter was likely a gift from the Dark Lord.

Uncertain of whom to trust, Severus found himself firmly ensnared by the Lord's influence. He did not view himself as a coward, yet he felt an overwhelming sense of fear. A wave of regret washed over him, lamenting his involvement in the conflict between those far beyond his weight class... One could discuss freedom of choice endlessly, but he had long been deprived of that liberty. Once the Dark Lord departed, Snape cast new silencing charms upon the room, muffling the agonized cries of Horace. He then immobilized the bark beetles and woodworms to halt their rampage.

Severus approached Horace, removing his mask. "Horace, nod if you can hear me," Snape whispered softly. No response came. "You remember me and can hear me; I know this. I am Severus Snape, the one who excelled in creating the perfect potion of living death during your sixth-year class. I was hurt when you did not invite me into the Slug Club. Initially, I believed it to be due to my origins, but when I broached the subject, you cautioned me that an interest in Dark Magic at my age could lead to dire consequences. You were right. I became a Death Eater and found myself in good standing with the Lord," he began.

"I thought that serving the Dark Lord would grant me strength, power, wealth, and respect... I was mistaken—he is merely a butcher. That would not have deterred me, but he committed an unforgivable act against me... I have always loved one woman... Lily Evans, later Potter. He murdered her. Despite my pleas for him to spare her," Severus fell silent. "Since that moment, I resolved to seek revenge, but where am I, and where is he? Thus, I began to work for Albus Dumbledore, managing to deceive You-Know-Who through my Occlumency."

"Horace, the Lord has searched for you long and diligently, mentioning your name numerous times in meetings. If you possess any knowledge that could aid in the battle against You-Know-Who, please share it with me." Legilimency revealed to him that Horace was concealing something, though Severus could not ascertain its nature. Furthermore, as he caught only a fraction of Horace's pain, he nearly lost consciousness.

"We are securely separated from any tracking systems. Horace, I will now remove the Silencing Charm, and we shall converse." As he lifted the charm, another scream reverberated through the room. "You are not Snape! Snape is gone! Do you seek to torment me further!" Horace retorted. "I assure you, I am genuinely..." "Prove it! Kill me! Now!" Horace demanded. "You are in no position to make demands. I implore you..." "Kill me instantly!"

"First, provide me with information that will be valuable to Albus..." Snape began. "He could return at any moment! You have no idea how much pain this entails!" Horace cried. "Alright. The easy route has failed." Snape approached and snapped off a branch with his hand. Another scream erupted, followed by blood seeping from the splintered wood. "I regret not inviting you to the Slug Club! I am genuinely sorry! You are the most talented, brilliant potion maker! Compared to you, Merlin..."

"Silence," Snape commanded. "Share something of significance for Albus. If you do, I will end your suffering immediately. However, it must be worthwhile; I will verify its accuracy. Gossip about whom the Dark Lord consorted with during his school years holds no interest for me." Horace hesitated. "Reveal something that only you and You-Know-Who are privy to, for if I am You-Know-Who or have deceived you, your tale will pose no threat to anyone." No reaction from Horace.

"If you fail to comply, I shall restore the insects' freedom of movement right this moment and commence torturing you until the Lord returns. I will present my findings to him as mockery. What do you believe he will concoct for you? I have heard that certain plants reproduce by budding. Perhaps he will create a hollow for birds?" "Agreed!" shouted Horace. "I will remove the mental protection, and you shall witness everything. Then, bring the flask to my head, and I will share the memory with you. Only then may you kill me!"

Legilimency! Snape beheld the memory that the Lord had previously shown him. Soon, he brought the potion bottle to Horace's head. After verifying the memory, he confirmed its authenticity. He then concealed the small vial in his pocket, nestled within an expanded space bottle containing the Potion of Equilibrium. Pointing his wand at Horace, he uttered, "Avada Kedavra!" The green beam struck the human face protruding from the tree. Horace Slughorn, the plant-man, perished.

Severus Snape reflected on the events. His mother had warned him against entangling himself with Dark Magic. Yet, he had no desire to remain a nonentity, unlike his inebriated father. Now he understood Tobias Snape—a bottle is not the worst fate. A simple suicide, perhaps... Now, he must await the Dark Lord's return.