DISCLAIMER: ALL CHARACTERS IN THIS STORY ARE CREATIONS OF J.K ROWLING.

**SOME OF THE OTHER CHARACTERS MAY BE INTRODUCED PURELY OUT OF MY IMAGINATION IF NEEDED**

THE PROPHECY

Howling winds greeted Albus Dumbledore when he stepped out of the Hogwarts castle, he was running late for an appointment. His brother Aberforth have been able to secure a room at his pub The Hog's head. He was thankful about that since his brother rarely showed such compassion to him. He chuckled to himself as he proceeded towards the castle gates. He looked up at the stormy sky; it did look as if it was going to be pouring down heavily at some point of time. He casted an impervious charm upon himself just in case.

He was running late already he mused, he wondered about this interview he was about to conduct, he hoped that the great- great -granddaughter of Cassandra Trelawney, miss Sybill Trelawney have inherited some of her ancestor's talent. Anyways he was in need of a divination teacher. Minerva was skeptical about sybill, Albus mused, but Hogwarts was one of premiere wizarding institution in the world and it needed to offer divination as a subject to those who wanted to peruse it.

He entered the dingy bar and looked at his brother with a questioning look about his appointment. When he entered the room designated for the meeting, his first thought was "this is going to be interesting". After the first few minute, his found his attention wavering. Sybill was prattling about things that were beyond his understanding. He asked a few question regarding the science of the art of divination but the answers were not satisfactory, they seemed to be very vague. Albus was thinking of a way to politely refuse the eccentric witch the post. Finally, he asked her to make a prediction for him. A thunder clashed very loudly and lightning flashed like a violent aurora.

The sudden sound distracted Albus, he was startled then he heard the words that changed the course of the future of the wizarding world, she spoke in a hoarse voice as if it was a different person talking through her. The prophecy was

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches ... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies ... and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not ... and either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives ... the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies ..".

Albus sat still in shock, still reeling from the effect of a real prophecy. He was searching for something to say to Sybill, but she seemed to be unaware just what she has done. Before he could say anything there was a knock his brother dragged in what seemed to be a boy, just out of school. He squinted at the young man then turned a questioning gaze at his brother. His brother looked very mad, and his hold on the young man was not really polite, more like he held the young man in a strangle hold.

Aberforth said in a gruff voice "Albus this piece of shit was listening at the key hole , I apprehended him five minutes ago and when I was starting to question him he started to run. But the enchantments on the bar stopped him from leaving, shall I leave him here?"

Albus nodded his head then dismissed Sybill stating he will get in touch soon. He looked at this unexpected intrusion with a irritated glance. "forgive me young man but I cannot recall your name".

Severus gave a twisted smile and said "my name is Severus Snape headmaster, I graduated from the class of 1978".

Albus now recognized the lad. He got the highest marks in potions at both the NEWT and OWL examination. He asked "so will you enlighten me as to why were you eavesdropping at this meeting."

Severus stayed silent for sometimes and then said in a low voice that it was an accident. Albus thought there was something wrong with this man, then he noticed a kind of aura that clung to the man. He stiffened and stealthily got his wand out. Before Severus could react, he found himself petrified and bound to the chair he was sitting. "what the hell do you think you are doing headmaster ?".

Albus did not speak for sometime then flicked his wand , the sleeves of Severus's coat and shirt were torn and the dark mark on his arm was bared, Severus looked stricken, Albus then flicked his wand another time the sleeves repaired themselves.

Albus got up with a sigh filled a glass with firewhisky, gulped it down and sat back down and peered at his unwilling prisoner with a contemplating gaze. "how much did you hear Severus?"

Severus was at a lost, on one hand he has to return to the dark Lord with this revelation about a prophecy on the other hand he was thinking furiously about the situation he was in and how to get out of this mess.

He thought it best to stick with the story "I was passing through when I heard a noise a woman shrieking I thought to investigate sir. I didn't know you were inside conducting this meeting sir or else I wouldn't have done this deed sir . I apologize."

Albus's face was unreadable then he spoke "so you have decided to join Lord Voldemort Severus? Is it worth it?"

Severus said nothing. He continued to stare at his feet.

Albus sighed and stood up, Severus looked up in fear he thought Albus was going to call the aurors.

But instead Albus released Severus from his bonds and drew upto his height and said in what Severus felt was a power laden but sad voice "Severus I am very disappointed in you, but you have chosen your fate and where that would lead you is up to you, now I have only one other thing to say to you . If I ever catch you spying at me for Voldemort, the consequences will be dire. " with that, he turned and left the room.

Severus released a breath he didn't know he was holding. With one disaster averted, he smirked at Albus Dumbledore's foolishness. He left a death eater to report to Lord Voldemort and people actually thinks that Dumbledore will bring down Lord Voldemort.

Severus suppressed another smirk when he came out of the pub and headed towards the apparition point. The only thing he was worried about was the fact he was not able to hear the prophecy to its fullest , he spit in anger. That goat lover barman caught him after the first two lines of the prophecy was spoken.

Anyways he thought whatever information he was able to get was enough of importance to get the dark Lord's attention. He has some fantastic news to relay to his master. He apparated to the hideout in a near silent crack while the howling winds blew…..

To be continued.