Disclaimer: I do not own any Harry Potter characters. This fanfic has spoilers for all five Harry Potter books (although who hasn't read all five by now?).

Author's Note: Hey everyone I'm back! I'm doing great progress on this story. I've written five chapters so far and have the story in my head for at least half the story. (Still have to figure out the ending ) One note before I begin, this is NOT a sequel to my other HP story. Hope you all enjoy this one as much as many of you did at my last fanfiction.

Harry Potter and the Snake's Veil

Prologue Forced Rescue

..January..

The metal door squeaked slightly as it swung open. The torches burst into flame, illuminating the once dark room. A Death Eater walked in, followed by a large black dog. An icy winter chill seeped the room.

A lone figure huddled in the corner. It lay on the cold stone floor wearing nothing but thin worn pants. Scars ran up and down the body. Its left hand supported its right arm close to its body. Underneath the shaggy black hair was a small lightning bolt scar.

"Potter?" the Death Eater called, a thin mist rose from his breath. He stepped closer to the boy. He was in the right cell.

Without opening his eyes, Harry just curled up more hoping not to be bothered today. "Come here Sirius," he said, voice cracked. Panting, the dog walked over nuzzling the boy softly. "They haven't let you in for a while. I was scared."

Meanwhile, the Death Eater took a tentative step closer, much to Harry's fright. "Potter, I've come to rescue you." 'Whether you want to be or not,' the Death Eater thought.

"Please, just leave me alone . . . please, no more. . . no potions. . ."

A masked face peered around the door. "Hurry up Snape before someone notices," came the cool drawl of Lucius Malfoy. "Avery might come back."

Snape pulled off his mask and once more tried to talk to Harry. "Potter, time to go back to Hogwarts. You'll be all right there."

"He won't be happy with you," was the broken reply. "Traitor."

"Hurry up Snape!" Malfoy hissed.

"Stupefy!" Snape said stunning Harry. He pulled his mask back on and walked over to young wizard. Snape scooped the frail teenager in his arms and with the black dog following, left the small chamber.

"Was that really necessary?" Malfoy asked.

"Unless you wanted him to blow us up," Snape retorted. The spells Voldemort had cast. . .

Malfoy gave Snape a look and then led the way to a place where they could use a Port Key, his wand up. Meanwhile, Severus Snape, Potions Master for Hogwarts and the Dark Lord, thought back to when this had all started.

Five months ago Harry had gone missing. He never made it to King's Cross. Four months ago, Snape found out that Harry was a prisoner at Voldemort's mansion. Two weeks ago, Snape found his cell. Snape didn't even want to think of all the torture's Harry went through that he didn't hear about.

He touched the Port Key and, after a jerk, was at the Infirmary. Madam Pomprey began fretting over the young teen.

As Snape laid him on the bed, Harry's hold on his right arm slackened and the left arm slid off.

Snape looked at the inside of Harry's right arm. There, the tattoo of the Dark Mark blazed black.

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