Chapter One
Severus Snape was walking down the corridor, his trademark black robes billowing behind him. Just a few weeks earlier he overheard a group of third years discussing, if he enchanted his robes to always billow. He smirked for himself. Idiots. As if he needed to scare those prats by doing something so stupid. As if his looks and his reputation were not enough to get most of them hiding in the corner at the mere sight of him.
Oh yes, he knew precisely what kind of emotion he inspired in all students and most of the Hogwarts stuff. There were few who didn´t fear him and even fewer who didn´t hate him. But it was all right with him, to emite this aura of fear and hatred. He reciprocated. He hated them all in return. And most of all he hated himself.
He was a man with a single purpose: to avenge the death of the only love of his life. He contributed to that death and this knowledge has given him the strenght to overcome any obstacle, any difficulty in his path to achieving his goal. He cared about nothing else. He loathed his students, so young and naive and dumb (at least most of them were like that). He didn´t care about his colleagues. He knew they didn´t trust him and that feeling was mutual. He could trust nobody but himself. So he studied hard and became one of the most powerfull wizards of his time. Which gave him the feeling of superiority and although he didn´t boast about his powers he made the students feel futile. He lived a secluded life focusing fully on his task, which was to improve his abilities to a degree, which would enable him to face and defeat his nemesis, dark lord Voldemort, once the opportunity arises. And that moment was aproaching fast.
This summer Harry Potter faced Voldemort and reported on his return to full power during a Triwizard Tournament. Severus´s face tightened at the memory of Lilly´s boy coming out of that maze with dead body of Cedric Diggory. He hated that boy, he reminded him so much of James. But at the same time Harry was Lily´s son and Severus felt the strange urge to look after him, because he was sure Lilly would have wanted him to do it. His sweet Lilly, who always cared about every living creature, who saw goodness in everyone, even in Severus. His inclination to dark arts broke her heart and consequentionally was the reason for the damage of their friendship. Severus, in his arrogance, refused to acknowledge his mistakes and ill judgement, thus robbing himself of a chance of happiness forever. And now she was dead and he was still here, spitefull, cruel and most of all empty and lonely. But he wouldn´t admit this even to himself.
There was one person, who saw through his mask and believed, that somewhere behind it a better and kinder Severus Snape hides. This person was Albus Dumbledore, the headmaster of Hogwarts school of witchcraft and wizardry, the arch enemy of Lord Voldemort and since this summer the head of reinstalled Order of the Phoenix, secret association fighting Voldemort and his followers. Association of which Severus was a member, for which he spied. It was a risky position, often „rewarded" by pain and blood, but Severus´s hunger for vengeance was far greater than fear of pain or death. He was perfect for this job, he knew. His skill in occlumency a legillimency allowed him to return to Dark Lord this summer and pretend he was still a dedicated follower. His mastery of potion brewing enabled him to rise to one of the highest ranks amongst Death Eaters. And his dedication to his personal task of avenging Lilly let him withstand the pain of many crutiatus curses, that Dark Lord considered appropriate punishment for even the smallest mistakes.
Now, few days before the start of the term, Severus was back in school, tidying his ingredience cabinet. He expected Voldemort to call him back any time soon, but to his surprise he was summoned to headmaster´s office instead. He couldn´t imagine what would Dumbledore want from him as he already reported to him this morning, but he was in no position to refuse their meeting. So he climbed the spiral staircase, knocked on headmasters door and waited for an invitation. It came seconds later. As he entered he found Dumbledore standing at the window, looking slightly agitated. „Thanks for coming Severus," he spoke softly, narrowing his half-moon spectacles, „I hate to disturb you from your duties, but this is a matter of uttermost importance. A matter which needs to be solved fairly quickly and privately. Please, take a seat." The look on Dumledore face confused Severus. There was no usuall confidence nor any hint of buoyancy, so typical for him. Only concern and even a small hint of fear. Whatever Dumbledore was about to tell him, wasn´t a good news. Of that Severus was sure. He took a seat and looked expectantly at the older man.
„I think we can agree," Dumbledore started, „that for the last thirteen years the whole wizarding community believed, that the darkest wizard of our time was defeated. But alas, here we are, facing Voldemort again, and this time he is searching for a weapon he can defeat us with." „Yes, I think we have already agreed, that he will probably search for the prophecy and try to use it in his advantage," Snape retorted, his eyebrow raised. They have talked about this possibility with other order members just yesterday. Why did headmaster want to bring this up again? „Yes, Severus, I am well aware we have discussed this matter extensively," Dumbledore moved behind his desk and tapped on it with his fingers. „I don´t intend to test your patience by talking about it again. I called you here today to share a certain piece of information with you. Information, that must not leave these walls." Dumbledore´s piercing blue eyes locked with Snape´s dark orbs, questioning him silently. Snape held the gaze for a few seconds. Then, without averting his eyes, he nodded once.
„Now, Severus, you must understand, that although our priority in upcoming months should be protecting the prophecy and guiding Harry in his task of defeating Voldemort once and for good, there are other issues we should take into consideration. There are countless weapons we can use in this battle, that could help us achieve the ultimate goal. And even greater number of them, which would mark our downfall if used. The question is, how do we sort out and choose the appropriate... „Please, Albus," Snape interrupted old man´s monologue,"spare me your lesson of Machiavellian theories of war and get to the point. I have no time to waste. Voldemort can summon me any minute now." Dumledore looked quite unmoved by this statement. He simply moved his specs up his nose and continued. „I have no desire to put you in any danger, Severus. If you, at any time, feel the urge to leave my company I encourage you to do so without hesitation. All I´m asking now is your patience so I can describe our situation as accurately as possible. I hope you will then understand the sentiments that led me to the decision, which will, without doubt, change our lives." Dumbledore paused at this, as if reconsidering his options again, then he turned slowly, so that Snape couldn´t see his face.
„As I was searching the archives, I came across a rather curious prophecy..." Severus moaned loudly at this moment, effectively stopping Dumbledore´s speech. „Oh, don´t tell me that old hag Trelawney produced another one of those miraculous revelations and you actually believe her to such an extent, you are acting on it!" „Dear Severus," Dumbledore interrupted Snape´s jeremiad, „I am painfully aware you are not on the best terms with Sybill, although I fail to see any wrong-doing on her side, that would justify this hatred. I can assure you though, Sybill si in no way involved in a prophecy I mentioned. The authorship belongs to a nineteen-century oracle Pilosella McDawlish. Are you acquainted with her work?" Snape shook his head, sinking lower in his chair. He was sure he´s never heard the name before. „Not many people are," Dumbledore continued, „which is a shame, as her visions are in most cases very accurate. She predicted the rise of a powerfull dark wizard in this century and also mentioned a certain 'boy who survived' several times. Unfortunately, she was later proclaimed a lunatic and forced into hiding. Many of her predictions were lost. Few weeks ago I came across a rather bizzare book, which contained one of McDawlish long-forgotten prophecies. Somebody recently donated that book to our school library." „Who?" Snape inquired, once again interrupting headmaster´s monologue. „That is not the question you should be asking," Dumbledore sighed, turning his head in Snape´s direction. Severus knew better than to press the matter right now. „Ok, what does the prophecy say?"
Dumbledore shook his head slowly and then recited, his words echoing around the room:
„The greatest things you can expect
when the midnight petal blooms.
Unknown weapons will be forged
that will mark the dark one´s doom."
Snape restraind himself from snorting out loud. „Well, we can´t call her the greatest poet of all times, that´s for sure. I honestly cannot see why you think this peace of … work is important to our cause. Sure it mentions Dark lord and indicates there is an unknown way to defeat or at least weaken him, but how on earth are we supposed to know what that 'midnight petal' is? „Who," Dumbledore stated, his expresion remaining neutral. „I beg your pardon?" Snape felt positively taken aback by Albus´s comment. So much in fact, it took him several moments before the information sank in. „ You mean this... this prophecy speaks about... a person? But how do you know that? And even if it was a truth, how are we supposed to find him?"
Albus smiled inwardly at the younger man´s confusion. „Luckily for us, McDawlish had a few dedicated followers, who not only managed to preserve some of her writings, but affiliated some extra notes to them, explaining the meaning of the poems to uninitiated minds. Thanks to McDawlish students we know exactly who the 'midnight petal' is. And we can count ourselves twice lucky as she is presently a student of our school.
„She?" Severus´s curiousity was quickly picking up. „The prophecy speaks about a girl? Our student? Do I know her?" „Yes on all three counts," Dumbledore replied, poorly hidden amusement leaking from his voice. „Her name is Iris McDawlish. She is a descendant of the previously mentioned prophet. You have been meating her in potions class for the last six years."
Snape was bewildered by this statement. He was trying hard to recall the face of this Iris McDawlish. Or her voice. Or grades. Anything. But his mind reminded clouded. Was it possible he didn´t remember his own student? „Dear Severus," Dumbledore´s voice cut through the silence, „do not let yourself be concerned about what you might consider a lapse of memory. All gaps will be filled in a due time. For now let us concentrate on more pressing question of the girl´s safety. As I have already informed you, we gained all this knowledge thanks to the outside source. As much as I want to believe this source is trustworthy and won´t reveal the information to anybody else, i can´t count on it. I fear miss McDawlish is in grave danger. Our duty is to ensure no harm will be inflicted upon her. She needs to hide, to disappear. And that is the reason why I called you here today, Severus. I have a great favor to ask of you."
Snape thought he finally knew where this conversation was heading. He nodded his head once. „You wish to use me as a Secret-Keeper ." Dumbledore just stood there quietly for a few moments, towering over Snape, unreadable expression on his face. When he finally spoke, his voice shook slightly. „No, I wish you to marry the girl."