Spinner's End was quiet and dark. What else were you to expect from a neighborhood (of you could call the street and dirty river that) at two in the morning? All of the shabby houses were dark, curtains drawn tight and the only sound that could be heard was the slightly unsteady flow of the river until…

'Pop!'

A tall, thin figure materialized out of thin air outside a gray looking house. The figure quickly made its way to the house, a wooden stick clutched in its hand. Its free hand was on the doorknob when- 'Pop!'

Another figure appeared not far from where the first one had. The figure, whom by the looks of it was a lanky teenage boy, scared out of his wits, ran after the other.

"Wait!" The taller figure turned around. A hooked nose, pale skin, and black eyes loomed before the teenager.

"Go home, Draco. What's done is done."

"I can't. I failed." His head was tilted down so that his platinum blonde hair hid his face.

"Yes you did but-" Draco's back was heaving up and down in fashion that heavily suggested that the boy was crying. Severus Snape went on, determined to ignore it. "But I did it for you. You're fine. Nothing's going to happen to you."

"Yeah. You did it. Not me. He's going to kill me." He sobbed. Severus watched, disgusted. He'd no idea what to do in a situation like this. He fiddled with the latch of the door, only wishing to go inside and to have this night over with.

"Draco," Severus looked as if he was about to tell him that everything would be fine, that because of the unbreakable vow that he'd made with Malfoy's mother, that everything would be okay. "Go home." He finished instead.

"I-I-I…can't." Draco actually began to sob now. And Severus found it incredibly hard to believe that the shaken and scared boy standing in front of him was related to two of the most sadistic and rash people he'd ever known. He could have kicked himself for asking what he did next, but he couldn't help himself.

"Why? Why can't you go home and leave me in peace?"

He wanted to rid himself of the boy. He didn't know how to deal with him in this situation.

"I just can't." Draco whimpered, sounding like a down dog that had been kicked in the ribs.

He'd killed Dumbledore for the boy under and hour ago and saved his hide from the Order and now, Severus was beginning to regret it all. It had been a long night and Snape only wanted to fall into bed before the Order came knocking. He knew that he wouldn't be staying for long in his house for he'd be 'wanted' now, tracked down.

"Draco." The boy looked at him and Severus felt that he couldn't fight with him anymore. Tiredness was setting in and he didn't intend to stay out here all night and argue with him. "You don't have to go home now; you can stay here, for a few hours."

Draco nodded gravely. At least he seemed to have stopped crying for now. His thin shoulders soon stopped shaking, though he wouldn't look fully up at his former teacher.

"Come on. I'll owl your mother." As Severus' hand readied to turn the latch to his house another set of 'pops' went up.

Severus grabbed Draco by the arm, pushing him behind him instinctively. He drew out his wand, pointing it at the surrounding darkness as the tip lighted up. The yellow-green light cast over two figures. He recognized one immediately. He'd have known the tall, slender form of Bellatrix Lestrange anywhere. The person standing beside her though, Severus couldn't quite make out. It was obviously a man, but was too short to be her husband, Rodolphus. Who else would accompany her at this late hour of the night? And why were Bellatrix and the unknown 'lackey' at his house before the crack of dawn?

"Put your wand away Severus. It's only us." Said the still unknown shadow. Severus recognized the voice as that of Rabastan Lestrange's and lowered his wand, though only slightly.

'Fine, if you insist on keeping it u, do as you may." The younger Lestrange sighed. Snape noted that there was something different about his voice. It was usually filled with mischief and a devilish smile was never far off, but now it sounded almost sad, remorseful, and as Rabastan stepped forwards he noticed that there was indeed no devilish smile. Lestrange's face was long and drawn and his eyes appeared to be watery as if he might burst out crying any minute.

Severus loosened, wand dropping back to his side as he stepped away from in front of Draco.

Bellatrix remained behind. Snape noticed that she didn't move forward and that her face was hidden by a hood.

"Can we come in?" Rabastan's voice was so timid to usual.

"Ah…yes." Severus said, eyebrows knitting together in confusion. He reached behind him, hand closing on the doorknob and turning it. Entering the house, he waved his wand and dim lights came on to illuminate a small sitting room with bookcases everywhere and a few couches and chair spread about in front of a fire that had long since died. Snape had been away at Hogwarts, so the house looked unkempt, but after the events of tonight, he knew he'd never be going back.

"So, Bellatrix." His voice was a slow drawl as he spun around, closing the door with another wave of the wand behind her and Rabastan. "Whatever kept you away from the battle at Hogwarts? I don't seem to recall seeing you there."

She glared at him from under her hood and Severus smirked, but the retort he wanted didn't come. He was, of course, picking at her. She never missed a chance to tear someone apart or to have them begging for death on their knees with there life in her hands. Severus had never seen her like this. She always came back with some witty comment, but this time, none came.

Something was obviously wrong with the two of them. He met her gaze for the first time, eyes barely visible underneath the hood. He noticed that something seemed to be missing. She looked broken almost, pupils twice the size they should be and pain evident under those heavy lids. She looked nearly as crushed as Rabastan. Snape saw that he would get no reply, so pushed on, eyes staying glued to the pair. "Why are the two of you here?"

Rabastan's jaw moved as if he were to speak but somehow got hung. It took him a number of dragged out seconds to begin.

"Ro-Rodolphus. He's…" Pain struck through his face, washing over it in waves. He looked so close to tears and Severus didn't think he could take it to see one more person cry this night. He wanted to know what had happened, but he didn't press Lestrange to continue. He just stood there in the long, heavy silence: waiting.

"He's…He is…." Rabastan looked like he'd crumble onto the floor.

"He's-

And with a cracking voice that sounded so full of pain, Bellatrix cut in. "Dead."