The Beauty of Blackmail ~ by Snape's Cat

The Beauty of Blackmail
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Severus stood in the circle of Death Eaters, waiting for the meeting to come to an end. The Dark Lord continued to punish a follower for failing a mission he had him do. Severus's dread grew as Voldemort continued to punish failed followers, hoping against hope that he would never find out about his disloyalty. The screaming of the failure's pain rang through his ears as Severus attempted to block it out by counting. Finally, after what seemed like an eternity, it ended.

"Amelia Thomas, you are now excused. I expect your devotion after this and if you slip, I shall personally have you destroyed," Voldemort hissed at the cloaked woman at his feet. She collected her breath and raised herself to her feet and bowed her head.

"Yes, milord. Of course," she mumbled.

"Reclaim your place," Voldemort ordered.

Amelia Thomas did just that and walked back to the empty gap between Severus and Lucius. Neither of them acknowledged her presence next to them. Lucius had always been stiff against those who failed the Dark Lord during meetings, but if he was alone with them afterwards nothing stopped him from gloating. Severus, on the other hand, avoided talking to anyone altogether.

"You have collected your information and you have collected your tasks and missions. You are now excused," Voldemort purred to them. With bows and mumbles of 'yes, milord.you are merciful, milord' they all departed.

Severus Disapparated and Apparated at his home. He wandered to his kitchen and served himself a cup of tea, grateful that he had come out unscathed. Perhaps a few moments had passed as he considered reading a book while sipping his steaming cup of tea when he heard a knock on his door. Sighing reluctantly, he set his tea down and sauntered to the door, wondering who would come at this time at night. He opened the door and the familiar face with green-blue eyes, full lips, high cheekbones, and thin, arched eyebrows of Amelia Thomas greeted him.

"Well, well, well. Miss I've-done-the-impossible-by-hinting-my-disloyalty-to-the-Dark-Lord-and-surviving has somehow found herself on my doorstep," he said lightly, being too tired to truly care what business she had.

"I know you're a spy," she stated.

"Ah, no reason to beat around the bush, is there? How very well planned out, I must say."

"May I come in?"

"Fine. Come in. Just get whatever you wish to discuss with me over with so I can continue my own plans," he said dryly. Amelia snorted.

"You have no plans," she said. Severus cursed her for knowing him too well. Somehow, being in Slytherin ensured that having a school friend once, you'd have them forever.

"What is it that you want, Amelia?" he inquired tiredly. Amelia sat down on his sofa.

"You are in need of a new couch, Severus. This is terribly uncomfortable," she said.

"Then I suggest you don't sit on it," he answered through gritted teeth. Amelia ignored him.

"I have reason to believe that you are not entirely loyal to our Dark Lord," she stated.

"This is coming from you, the person who just sat through at least two hours of the Crutacious Curse for practically declaring yourself doubtful of the Dark Lord's plans of complete Muggle wipe out."

"That is not important at the moment. I was at the Ministry of Magic, seeing how I work there, and I was looking through old court records to kill some time. I was particularly interested when I came across yours when you were accused as a Death Eater. My interest increased when I came across Dumbledore's statement of you being a spy for him."

"What is your point?" Severus snarled, his heart beating rapidly and the lump in his throat swelling.

"I need your help." There was a long silence. Severus was positively confused. He blinked slowly and squinted at Amelia.

".What?"

"I need your help. I no longer quite agree with the Dark Lord. I only came to his resurrection out of fear of losing my life. I only joined him last time because that was what you and Lucius and Bella and everyone was doing. Every killing I commit makes me sick and I simply cannot take it any longer," she said, her voice was beginning to crack slightly as if she were suppressing tears. Severus continued to stare at her in shock.

"I'm afraid I cannot do that, Amelia. I am loyal to the Dark Lord," he lied. He had suspicions that she may have been trying to prove herself loyal by turning him in. He could not take any risks.

"No you're not, Severus. I see it in your eyes whenever you're summoned."

He tried desperately to decide his next move. Should he further deny her or take her to Dumbledore? He was unsure what to do. He could not look into her eyes and find out her intentions because she too was an accomplished Legilimens and Occlumens. It would be impossible to figure her out without her figuring him out. He could tell her to leave, but that would raise any possible suspicions she may have had. He could also tell her that he had to think about it, but that would confirm any possible suspicions she may have had. Her green-blue eyes watched his every move as he tried to figure out what he should do. He had his hand wrapped tightly around his wand. He had decided to Obliviate her and send her off. As he pulled his wand out, she immediately called out Expelliarmus! Causing his wand to fly out of his hand.

"How long have we known each other, Severus?" she demanded. "I know you don't trust anyone you would vaguely consider your friend, but I beg you to trust me. Besides, if you don't, I will have to show some people certain pictures I happen to have."

Severus froze. No.she wouldn't.

She pulled out an envelope from her pocket with a demonic grin upon her face. She could read his fear like a book. She waved them tauntingly.

"Help me or I'll show these to everyone. I'll show Lucius, Bella, Rodolphus, Narcissa. I can give these to Lucius's boy and have him show the entirety of Hogwarts. I know the duplicating spell quite well."

"Give me those," he demanded.

"Nope, nope. Tell me you'll help me." He narrowed his eyes dangerously at her.

"Give them to me now." The low growl, lip curl, and glare that would make seventh years run the opposite direction screaming did nothing to Amelia. She merely opened the envelope and took out the pictures with an evil smirk.

"Look-ee here, ickle Sevvy-kins wearing his frilly pink cardigan his mummy sent him for his birthday. Awww, how old are you in this? Seventeen? And look at this.Ickle Sevvy-kins twirling about sending off golden sparks from his wand. Hm. I should remind Lucius to not give you Fire Whiskey for your birthday anymore, it tends to put you in rather embarrassing and shameless predicaments," she said teasingly, looking at the pictures. She then turned them around to show Severus what terrible scars she could give his reputation if he didn't agree to help her.

"You will destroy those or I will be forced to do so to you, and if it results in the Dark Lord himself punishing me for it, I will not care for it will be the most satisfying task I would have ever done for myself," Severus growled. This did nothing for Amelia. The smile continued to hang over her lips.

"Help me and you can have the pleasure of ripping these up yourself," she said. The offer was irresistible. Finally, grudgingly and reluctantly, Severus gave in.

"Fine," he grumbled.

"What was that? I'm afraid I don't speak Gobbledegook," she said. Severus glared one of flaming daggers at her.

"I said fine. I'll help you," he said. Amelia beamed. She stood up from the sofa, approached Severus and hugged him. Severus grumbled something about his acquaintances being worse than his enemies. Amelia stepped back and placed the envelope in his robe pocket.

"You're a good friend," she said, looking up at him with a grateful smile.

"No, I'm merely a man with acquaintances with very scarring blackmail," he corrected.

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