Predictably, the Dark Lord’s bloodlust had been sated by torturing a few of his followers, notably Severus himself, for failing to provide information about Potter’s whereabouts. This phase of his temper lasted a few days. But spilling a little blood and hearing a few screams was nowhere near as satisfying as tearing through a few minds and uncovering a few secrets. The more leverage he had over his followers, the more assured he felt; and in this regard, Severus was always his favourite target. Perhaps because he never fully trusted Severus, even at his most prideful. 