"The great Lord Voldemort is telling you his identity—remember it."
Lord Voldemort let out an arrogant laugh. "I am the King of the Wizarding World, the Dark Lord, one of the most powerful beings in existence."
"——Lord Voldemort."
He sneered, then raised his voice to summon the Death Eaters waiting outside. Severus stared in disbelief as the two who entered first revealed platinum-blonde hair peeking out from beneath their masks.
"Take her. We are returning to Death Eater Manor."
"Yes, my Lord."
The Dark Lord led the way, pulling Severus along. The Potions Master followed in a daze, only snapping back to reality when Abraxas Malfoy gave a light, cautionary cough.
As they walked, Lucius quietly bumped his arm against Severus’s. "Hey, you’re something else, Severus! The Dark Lord thinks so highly of you!"
Severus: ??!
Lucius gave him a grin. Severus felt as though he had gone blind; otherwise, how could he have heard his old friend say such a thing? Seeing Severus staring at him in disbelief, Lucius cleared his throat just as his father had done and whispered...
"Harry Potter."
Severus’s gaze turned sharp instantly. He scanned Lucius, who nodded calmly. But then, Lucius’s pupils constricted, and he looked behind him as if startled. Severus realized in a flash what was happening—behind him stood...
He turned his head and, sure enough, saw the Dark Lord with a darkened expression.
"Severus, it seems you and Lucius have a lot to talk about."
Lucius immediately lowered his head, not daring to utter a word in reply.
After Apparition, everyone returned to the gates of Death Eater Manor before being dismissed. Eileen followed Abraxas and Lucius, who had stayed behind, while Severus trailed after the Dark Lord. Abraxas, ever perceptive, led Eileen and Lucius away, leaving Severus alone with Lord Voldemort.
Voldemort held Severus in particularly high regard; perhaps it wouldn't be long before he would be attending Voldemort’s wedding feast.
...
As soon as Abraxas led the others away, Severus knelt silently before Lord Voldemort. A cool, large hand rested on top of Severus’s head, then slowly slid down to settle on the nape of his neck.
"Severus..."
What am I to do with you?
Lord Voldemort’s scarlet eyes stared into Severus’s dark, hollow pupils. He wondered if Severus realized that he had been drifting off and zoning out more and more lately. Sometimes, even the Dark Lord couldn't snap him out of it, and the look on his face when he finally came to was so... heartbreaking.
"Get to bed."
"Yes."
Lord Voldemort felt a sense of panic, though he wasn't sure why. Was it Severus who had a problem, or was it himself? He was the Eighth Horcrux of the main soul; he had once snuck away to wander around, and later spent a wonderful time in the Middle Kingdom—
I should have him check his pulse!
The Dark Lord pulled strings to smuggle himself into the Middle Kingdom, bringing Severus along. He had to see if there was something wrong with his Potions Master.
Well... he might as well bring Abraxas, Lucius, Narcissa, and Bellatrix... there were so many people, it might as well be a team-building trip.
Lord Voldemort had sent word down beforehand. The mysterious and ancient Middle Kingdom was the only place the Dark Lord hadn't touched yet; the Ministries of Magic surrounding it had been dealt with or brought into the fold, leaving only that great nation at the center untouched.
Once the affairs were arranged, Lord Voldemort returned to the bedroom and pushed open the door to find Severus kneeling respectfully on the floor.
He had stripped off his clothes and knelt with his head bowed, saying nothing. The Dark Lord was notoriously temperamental, and now that the Death Eaters’ power was at an unprecedented peak, sweeping across all of Europe and ruling almost as if they were sovereigns, Severus wasn't sure if he would still be granted mercy.
Potions Masters were rare, but not irreplaceable. The Dark Lord did not lack for spies.
"...Severus—?"
Severus felt his head swimming. He forced himself to stay alert, terrified of missing an order from the Dark Lord, but his vision kept fading to black. This wasn't the effect of any potion, nor did it feel like a curse meant to torture—
That was the last thought that crossed Severus’s mind before he collapsed. The last thing he saw was the flutter of robes and a fleeting shadow. He thought with some regret that if he were to be discarded and killed by the Dark Lord due to his failing health, Eileen would be so heartbroken...
She was still under the Dark Lord’s control...
And there was Lily. Lily would be safe as long as he was alive, but if he died, the Dark Lord might fly into a fit of rage... he didn't dare gamble on that.
Lord Voldemort was frantic and immediately summoned Abraxas.
"I cannot see what is wrong with him."
Abraxas sighed. "Try sending him to St. Mungo’s, or... find the person who was beside that Dark wizard years ago."
Lord Voldemort narrowed his eyes. "Who?"
"Hannibal. A key aide to Gelert Grindelwald, though he is also a cannibal."
Lord Voldemort couldn't help but turn to Abraxas and ask, "What could he possibly see?"
Abraxas spread his hands. "I only learned of him by chance. My father told me he is brilliant, a very strong wizard, skilled in Legilimency, Occlumency, and Muggle psychology. He is an official psychologist in the Muggle world."
"He also knows some Muggle doctors—doctors who are very well-hidden."
Lord Voldemort deliberated for a moment, then decided decisively: "Contact him!"
"As you wish, Voldy."
...
When Severus awoke, he saw an unfamiliar old man, though the room was still clearly within Voldemort Manor.
"He has encephalitis. He needs complete bed rest."
Severus listened in a haze. The person dressed in simple black robes seemed to loom over him like a giant shadow, yet he didn't feel stifled. Instead... he felt a strange sense of peace.
Whatever Severus was thinking, Lord Voldemort didn't know what encephalitis was. Hannibal said, "You may watch as I ask him. His brain has suffered significant damage. Existing potions cannot heal him, as this is a pathological condition, not anything else."
The Dark Lord watched in silence. Severus didn't understand what he meant, but under his gaze, he drew a Muggle clock.
Lord Voldemort looked at the severely distorted, twisted pattern and fell silent.
Hannibal had a pair of charming, clear blue eyes, and his black-and-white hair was groomed meticulously. In reality, he had been called out of his partner’s bed in the middle of the night by the Head of the Malfoy House. Had the elder Malfoy not claimed that their Lord might be able to save their "Mister," he never would have left his partner’s side.
"That is how it is. First, he must have total rest. Second, he must take his medication as prescribed. My partner, Will Graham, also had encephalitis; it is a potentially life-threatening illness."
Lord Voldemort finally nodded. "I have troubled you."
Hannibal bowed his head. "Just see that he takes his medicine and undergoes his check-ups on time. Don't force him, and don't do anything... depraved. Believe me, I know the scars on his body better than you do."
Abraxas fell into a slight silence. *You really do dare to say anything, senior!*