Harry Potter 06 - Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince

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 were 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 realised, 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 were 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 blood-red 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.