Darkness filled the night as it clung to everything. Not even the light from the moon could penetrate such a foreboding darkness. The Wizarding world was in for a shock tonight.
In a small, two bedroom house lived the Black family; Sirius Black, his wife, and daughter. Sirius had been having a gnawing feeling in the pit of his gut all day. He knew something bad was going to happen on this bleak night, but wasn't sure what exactly.
Even so he dared not leave until little Gemini was sound asleep in bed. Until then he would stay there with his wife, Amara, watching as their three year old played with the family cat. It was times like these that the two of them were thankful that their baby girl was too young to understand what was going on in the world around her.
Sitting in the small living room they were startled when they heard a loud knock at the door. Gemini hadn't heard it as she was still playing with the cat. Both parents had immediately tensed up at the sound of the knock glancing at each other warily.
Without a word Sirius slowly and carefully stood with his wand in hand walking to the door. At the same time Amara had picked up a now yawning Gemini as she stood on the other side of the room watching her husband. With a sharp wrench Sirius had yanked the door open with his wand pointing at their visitor.
"For Merlin's sake put that blasted thing away Black. I'm here to speak to Amara, not kill you." Standing in the doorway was none other than Severus Snape. The boy, no, man both Sirius and James had picked on relentlessly while at Hogwarts, and Amara's former best friend.
Saying nothing else Severus walked into the house receiving a deadly glare from Sirius who slammed the door quite harshly behind him. The other two adults paid him no mind as they were staring intently at each other. It was Amara whom had spoken though, after a long moment of silence.
"Severus, why are you here?" She was not at all pleased to see him, especially on this particular night. Not with everything that was happening.
"Come away with me." Amara's eyes grew wide while Sirius held himself back as best as he could. What was Severus thinking? Coming into his home and asking his wifeto run away with him. Sirius wanted nothing more than to kill the greasy haired man right on the spot, but he held himself back for the sake of Amara and his daughter.
"Severus you know I can't do that." As she spoke she absentmindedly began to sway from side to side since Gemini was beginning to nod off on her shoulder. It was evident by the frown that creased his brow that Severus wasn't pleased with her response.
"Why not? You can't expect to live if you stay here. Voldemort is out there right now recruiting followers. Do you really think he will let you live when you refuse him?" Severus was beyond frustrated now. Here he was offering her a chance to save herself, yet she was choosing to die. It just did not add up to Severus.
"I'd rather die a thousand painful deaths than abandon my family." Sirius now stood at his wife's side with his arm wrapped securely around her shoulders. Little Gemini was sound asleep in her mother's arms with her father next to her. Seeing the small family together now Severus knew that his cause was hopeless and there was no getting through to her. Sending her one last pitiful glance Severus turned and disappeared on the spot leaving the family in complete and utter silence.
This was only the beginning of a long, dreadful night to come.