Footsteps loudly echoed off of the cobblestone streets caused by a woman and her two pursuers. Her fear was quite plain in her face and the way her breath was ragged and loud. The two men behind her snickered as they caught up to her and pulled her by the arm. In another instant, all three of them disappeared with a loud 'pop', causing a neighboring house to abruptly flick on a light in the upstairs apartment. A shadow of a person stood near a curtained window, a curious eye peaked through a hole in the fabric....

Miles upon miles away, the same three people apparated in front of a large mansion; a white peacock walking around the parameters gave a strange beauty to the Gothic looking building. The woman shrieked and struggled against her captors, but to no avail. She quickly tired and gave up, aware that her lifespan was quickly becoming shorter with each step that they took. She knew exactly where she was even though she had never been there before.

Malfoy Manor; and they were attending a dark Revel. The Death Eaters who had captured her believed her to be perfect for tonight's...entertainment. She trembled with fear and prayed for whatever was in store for her to be over soon.

This woman was young, no older that 20. She had graduated from Hogwarts two years previously with her Gryffindor class. She remembered Lily and James; how happy they were together; Sirius, whom she thought to be a cocky bastard. But she still enjoyed his company. She thought of Remus, who even though held a dark and mysterious secret, she had strong feelings for him. Then there was Peter, who was the short man on her right.

Her name was Adeline Berube. She had medium length blond hair and bright Grey eyes, that usually held a happy-go-lucky light in them. She had turned silent after her fit had been finished. She now quietly awaited whatever was going to become of her. She was accept-ant of this fact now. She had led a good life, she thought, she had no real family to worry about where she went. She had a few friends, but when you are in the Order it is to be expected that you are going to lose a few members. It is for a good cause after all. But Adeline still couldn't help but tremble with, what was now, anticipation.

She was going to look into his eyes when she died. Adeline promised herself that it would not be of fear, no; but of triumph for she knew what future lay ahead of him.

They had reached the door and the man who she did not know the name of pounded on the door to the manor. A small elf answered and he stepped aside, allowing the three guests to enter. He gave the woman accompanying them a sad look, as he disappeared from sight. The door to the hall where the party had begun opened and a bright array of colors and sound greeted them. A blond haired man smiled at the two men, and then at the frightened woman, and walked over.

"Good Evening Peter; Amycus. And...ah, Adeline. It's good to see you again...."Lucius Malfoy purred, taking her chin gently in his hands, forcing her to look at him.

She glared angrily. "I wish I could say the same about you, you twat."

The man only laughed. "Still the same girl, aren't you? No matter. Enjoy yourself while you can," he paused. "Let her go, both of you. If she tries to flee....well, Snape will take care of it."

Peter and the man named Amycus let her go immediately, gave her a smile and went on their way. They left Adeline there in the middle of the ballroom disheveled and alone. Her heart gave a pang of guilt and sadness. "So he really is one of them," she thought. "I wonder where he is...."

Her eyes searched the room, and met with Bellatrix's, Narcissa (who sent her a strange smile), Rodolphus....and some others she did not know. But, no Snape. The feeling in her gut only deepened. Regardless of what he is or what he would do if she were to run away, she still felt safe when he was around. He was the only level-headed Slytherin she knew well.

She jumped as the very man took her by the hand and led her into a different room. As they walked, he spoke quietly to her.

"The Dark Lord has requested your presence here tonight. I am sorry that Pettigrew and Carrow took you here by force. But we believed you to be..ah..unwilling to cooperate. Do you understand Adeline?"

"Why me, though, Severus?" he stopped short and whipped around.

"The Dark Lord was particularly interested in you, that is why. Come, you are to be changed into something more suitable for the occasion."

Adeline looked at him strangely. She felt thoroughly angered at his actions, yet odd by the look his eyes held. They held a deep anguish. They stopped out front of a bedroom, and he motioned for her to step inside. "Your attire is laid out for you on the bed. Please change quickly so we may be on our way."

The door clicked shut silently behind him. The clothes she saw were a pure white. "Fit for a sacrifice," she said to herself as she slipped out of her clothing. She had begun to feel unclean even though nothing yet had happened. Her anxiousness continued to deepen.

Opening the door, she walked back down the hallway with Snape, where she believes her end to be near.

"What could Voldemort want with someone like me?" she thought....