Authors Note 1
So, I know it's very odd for someone to write a prologue when they are already nearly 10 chapters in. However, it's something I didn't even consider at the time, and the events leading up to chapter 1 are slightly different in this universe. I figured it would be better to do it this way, opposed to having a bunch of flashbacks of pensive memories later on in the series.
Authors Note 2
Please review this chapter, I really do cherish every single review I get.
Authors Note 3
Thanks as always to JZuCuadra for his beta work on this chapter, and for the input he has provided in regards to this story
Prologue, The Boy-Who-Lived.
June 14th 1980.
"The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power The Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord will be born as the seventh month dies."
Albus Dumbledore stood with his back still to the woman, his jaw hung open and slack for the first time in years.
To say Albus Dumbledore was clever was like saying the sun was a bit bright. He was, considered by many to be the greatest wizard alive. And he was the leader of light in the war that was slowly bringing wizarding Britain to its knees.
Yes, Albus Dumbledore was clever, even those on the other side of the war, who believed that their master was the greatest wizard alive, even they did not fail to acknowledge the power and wisdom that the Hogwarts headmaster had at his command.
However, despite Albus's power, and Tom's unwillingness to confront him personally, they were still losing the war. There was no way around it, even if the rumours were true and Tom feared Albus, which personally, Albus thought was quite a large exaggeration of the truth. But even if that was true, at this rate it wouldn't matter. The ministry was in shambles. Mind you, the aurors had been more successful since Barty Crouch had taken control of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement, even if Dumbledore disapproved of the man's methods.
But even with this, the ministry stood no chance against Tom and his followers. It was hard for the ministry to make progress when there were obviously countless spies in their midst. Not that the Order was perfect.
For the ministry was not the only force opposing Tom. Dumbledore had realized quite early in the war that the ministry stood no chance. The proverbial nail in the coffin had been when most of the people tasked with catching and killing Tom were too afraid of him to even speak his fake name. For not many knew that the leader of the dark side had once been the handsome, charismatic, brilliant Tom Riddle.
Tom had attended Hogwarts about 40 years ago. From the day Albus Dumbledore had met him he knew he was different. Never in all of his life had Albus met an eleven year old boy with such a grasp on his magic. Despite being raised in the muggle world, Tom was not at all surprised when Dumbledore had informed him that he was a wizard. In Tom's own words, he knew he was special. But, his incredibly advanced control over his magic was the least disturbing thing that Dumbledore had learned about Tom Riddle that day. His aura as well was frightening. He had a magical aura that had been more powerful than most adult wizards that Albus had ever met. This wouldn't have bothered Albus in normal circumstances. So what, the boy was powerful, Albus himself, had been the most gifted child prodigy since perhaps Merlin himself, and look at him now. At that point Albus had already discovered the twelve uses of dragon's blood, and contributed in the field of alchemy, with the help of his friend Nicholas Flamel. And less than a decade after this encounter, Albus would defeat his old friend Gellert Grindelwald, the most powerful dark lord the world had ever seen.
But, that had not been a normal circumstance. Dumbledore had suspected a bit about Tom after his conversation with the matron of the orphanage that hosted the young boy. And his suspicions had been quickly confirmed, Tom was vengeful, cruel, manipulative, anti-social, and startlingly independent.
And then he had arrived at Hogwarts and been sorted into Slytherin. This had been no surprise for Albus, though it did greatly concern him. Not that he held any prejudice towards Slytherin. No, this wasn't what concerned Albus, it was the people within the house, and not the house's reputation which worried him. Either Tom would be destroyed by the Slytherin hierarchy for being a half blood, and completely ignorant about the magical world. Or he would seize power within the house of serpents, and be negatively influenced by those who shared the vile beliefs of their families. Dumbledore wouldn't find out for sure until many years later that the latter had indeed been the case.
Tom had managed to charm every teacher in the school who was not named Albus Dumbledore. Horace Slughorn, the Hogwarts potions master, and head of Slytherin House, had seemed to think that Tom was the second coming of Merlin and had often made wise cracks about how Albus's time as the greatest and most powerful wizard in Britain was quickly running out. The headmaster at the time, Armando Dippet wasn't much better. He would believe every word that came out of the boy's mouth. Despite Dumbledore confiding his suspicions about the boy many times. However, Tom Riddle being, perhaps, the most brilliant student to ever grace the halls of Hogwarts certainly wasn't helping Albus's case.
The first few years weren't overly eventful, a few older Slytherins were sent to the infirmary in Tom's first year. They wouldn't say what happened, but they had seemed awfully timid around Tom Riddle afterwards. The same happened to at least one first year for the next two years. Tom's fourth year passed without incident, his inner circle growing a bit perhaps, but nothing beyond that.
His fifth year was much the same until the end of it. Tom broke multiple records on his O.W.L exams. He broke the exam records in Defense Against the Dark Arts and Potions. He also tied Albus's own exam records in both Charms and Transfiguration.
His sixth year however, his sixth year was different. Students began to get attacked, however, these were no normal attacks. Every student that was being attacked was found, petrified. This troubled Albus greatly, for not even he, knew of a spell that could do that. This alone was enough for him to suspect Tom. None of the staff would go around petrifying students, and he could think of only one other who may have the capabilities to do so. Albus doubted Tom had found some spell he hadn't, though he admitted that if Tom had dove deep into the depths of the dark arts than perhaps, it was possible. Though he could have done so Albus did not know, seeing as all of the books on dark magic were restricted, and Albus doubted that even Tom Riddle could charm his way into getting a pass for dozens of books on the dark arts, for Albus knew if there was a spell that could do that, Tom would have had to look long and hard to find it.
However, months later there was a message left on the wall. The message proclaimed that the heir of Slytherin had claimed his birthright and opened the fabled Chamber of Secrets. To most, the idea seemed ridiculous, generations of headmasters and headmistresses had searched for the legendary chamber, and none had found it. So to think a student could have found it, to most the idea was simply ludacris. However, Dumbledore believed it. If anyone could do it, it was Tom Riddle. For Albus had no doubt that at the age of sixteen, Tom was already more clever, and more powerful than most of those aforementioned headmasters and mistresses that had tried before him.
He also knew damn well that Tom was the heir of Slytherin, for Tom, on the day of their first meeting had confided in Dumbledore about his unique gift of Parseltongue.
And then, Tom had shown his true colours, and lost any chance of ever gaining the trust of Albus Dumbledore. A girl by the name of Myrtle Warren had died at the hands, or claws, or, as Albus had began to suspect, the eyes, of Slytherin's monster.
However, less than 24 hours after the news of the schools upcoming closing had been released, Tom Riddle turned in Rubeus Hagrid, as the opposite "Heir of Slytherin."
Albus had fought for the boy, he had told Armando that Hagrid was a half giant, which meant he couldn't possibly be the heir of Slytherin, because no self dignified pureblood heir to Salazar Slytherin would ever lower themselves to mate with a Giant or Giantess. But Albus's attempts had been in vein. The boy had been unrightfully expelled, and his wand snapped, though Albus had repaired it a few years later after gaining possession of the most powerful wand in existence after his duel with Grindelwald. But in any case, Tom Riddle had gotten away with it, and seemingly so the universe could rub it in Albus's face, been named head boy the very next year.
Tom Riddle had graduated Hogwarts and passed his N.E.W.T.S with records in Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts yet again, he had also broken Albus's own Transfiguration record, though Albus got some satisfaction by the fact he hadn't touched his charms record. Tom had then practically pleaded with Armando Dippet to give him the job of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor. This, was the only time in his memory, that Albus had managed to talk Armando out of something involving Tom Riddle.
So, Tom had not gotten the job, instead, to the disbelief, and disgust of most of the staff, the young, talented, handsome, boy with unlimited potential took a job as a petty spokesperson for Borgin and Burkes. However, it didn't last long, about 6 months into his new job, Tom Riddle disappeared, along with two priceless artifacts that he had been confirmed to know about. Equally troubling, was the fact that the owner of those artifacts had died the day before Tom had handed in in resignation to the shop. Though the woman's own house elf confessed to the crimes Albus didn't believe it for one second. He knew that Tom Riddle had murdered Hepsiba Smith, stole the locket of Slytherin and the cup of Hufflepuff, performed an advanced version of the Obliviate memory charm on the house elf, and fled.
And if Albus was correct, which he usually was, than this wasn't even the first victim that Tom Riddle had murdered.
About 8 years later, there had been rumours of a mysterious young man gaining the support of some of the older pure blood families with his extremist beliefs on what the wizarding world should be, and how the only way to achieve it was too take it back.
At first the rumours pegged the mystery man as just that, a mystery, however, eventually one thing leaked out, the man went by the name of Lord Voldemort.
A few years after the rumours had begun Albus Dumbledore received a letter from a man who had apparently been missing for a decade. Tom Riddle had written to Albus Dumbledore congratulating him on his promotion to headmaster, and requesting a meeting with him regarding the post of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Even then, Albus had been unsettled. He knew that Tom knew that he didn't trust him, and that he never had, and he probably even knew that Dumbledore would never trust him again. However, despite all of that, he still wrote to him, he was still seemingly trying.
Albus knew why he "wanted" the job. In fact he knew that Tom didn't want the job at all, he wanted to use Hogwarts for a recruiting ground. Yes, Albus had already pieced together that Tom Riddle and Lord Voldemort were one in the same. For one thing, dark lords did not appear from nowhere, for another Lord Voldemort could hardly be the man's real name, and for a third if you put the word I am, in front of, Lord Voldemort, then you got a perfect anagram for Tom's full name, Tom Marvolo Riddle. It was quite clever, Albus had to admit, though he expected nothing else from Tom Riddle, or Lord Voldemort, as he was now known.
But despite knowing these motives, Albus was sure that Tom knew he had no chance of securing the position of Defense Against the Dark Arts professor at Hogwarts. Which raised the question, why would he try in the first place? It was a question, that even now, 20 years later, Albus still had no answer to.
He had of course, turned Tom down, but in that short meeting, he had been far more disturbed than he would ever care to admit. Tom had changed, his polite mask was still in place, though, Albus noted, his temper was shorter, his mask was slightly weaker, though he still radiated the same, no, more power, than he ever had at Hogwarts. But what truly disturbed Albus was his appearance. A decade earlier Tom had been angelic, the best looking wizard at Hogwarts, and he was still in a sense, handsome Tom Riddle, but he wasn't. It was like his features had been distorted in some areas, and sharpened in others. Tom had always been pale, but now he was deathly pale. His skin was quite literally the colour of milk, which made his hair, and eyes, appear startlingly dark in contrast. That was not the thing that had disturbed Albus, his eyes. Dumbledore had always remembered Tom's eyes, they had been a dark blue, and had always looked so calculating, at least in his presence they had. They still had the calculating look, but the blue of the iris's seemed to be tinged red, as if someone had subtly mixed red in with blue paint. That was however, until he had been angry. For a split second when he had refused Tom the post his eyes had flashed, and for the blink of an eye, Albus swore to this very day that Tom's eyes had lost the blue colour all together, and had been completely and utterly red.
And then, years passed, with Voldemort's name growing more and more infamous as he worked out of the shadows. However, it wasn't until a decade after this meeting that he led his troops out of the shadows and began to wage war on the wizarding world.
For multiple years the conflict had gone on, and when it had become blatantly obvious to Albus that the ministry was fighting a losing battle, he decided to do something about it. So it was with that, that a secret, rebel, organization by the name of the Order of The Phoenix had been formed in hopes of directly combatting Tom and his forces, now known as the Death Eaters.
Albus Dumbledore was the groups leader, and he let in only those who he trusted with his life, and most of the wizards in the Order were extremely talented in one area or another. However, by the time this summer evening in the Hog's head bar had rolled around, it was blatantly obvious to Albus that the Order was crumbling under the pressure. Just recently the Prewitt's had been brutally murdered by a group of Death Eaters led by Antonin Dolohov.
It was at this point of the war, that Dumbledore was beginning to suspect they were going to lose. He had come to the bar on this night, in regards to his obligations as headmaster of Hogwarts, not as leader of the Order of The Phoenix. He had, grudgingly agreed to meet the great granddaughter of a very famous seer.
Personally, Albus thought Divination was rubbish, he had only met one person in his enter life, who had had, or at least claimed to have, any gift at all in the art. And that person had been Gellert Grindelwald, but then, Albus mused, if Gelert had been a seer how did he allow himself to lose the war.
However, Albus was very distracted during this meeting, he barely registered enough of the woman's ramblings to realize she had not inherited her family gift. So about half way through the conversation Albus had largely tuned her out, and allowed himself to be lost in thought, and plan. The Order was going to lose the war if he didn't do something drastic. This was no suspicion this was a brutal reality that was threading to smack him hard upside the head.
Voldemort had the wizarding world on its knees, and no one dared oppose him directly. The Order had barely ever confronted him face to face, more often than not, they confronted his Death Eaters. However, the hand full of times that Albus's companions had confronted Tom face to face it had been a slaughter, and not in their favour.
Albus knew that no one in the Order was a match for Tom. He knew, with the same finality that he had known about Gellert that there was only one thing left to do. The only way the war would ever end, is if someone confronted Tom face to face. The only way the war would ever end is if Lord Voldemort met his match face to face. And Albus Dumbledore knew, that he, the so called greatest wizard since Merlin, and the defeater of Grindelwald, was the only one with a chance of beating Tom in a head to head confrontation, and he knew that Tom was far too clever to be ambushed.
Though he knew, it was only that, a chance, and nothing more. He suspected that as a pure duellest, Albus was more skilled than Tom was. However, he also suspected that Tom's arsenal of offensive magic dwarfed that of his own. At least, when it came to the deadly variety, and Albus had no doubt, unlike his duel with Gellert would end in murder, one way or the other. As far as raw magical power went Albus suspected the worst. Yes, Albus was extremely powerful, but it was his skill, and magical knowledge, not his power, that made him great. He suspected that Tom had him bested quite convincingly in the area of raw magical power. Though Albus also knew he had an advantage that Tom didn't, and he suspected that Tom had no idea of this advantage. When their inevitable confrontation came to pass, Albus would be dueling with the Elder Wand in hand, the most powerful wands in the world, and a wand that was supposedly unbeatable. Though Albus knew from experience that last part was false, it wasn't too far from the truth. The wand would compensate for Tom's power advantage, so it would come down to skill, or he should say, his skill, against Tom's unmatched arsenal of death and destruction.
Albus was resigned to this conclusion. He wasn't completely sure that he could beat Tom, but he knew that Tom had the same doubts, and he figured the odds were about 50/50, if anyone had the advantage, Albus figured it may even be him, if for no other reason than the Elder Wand.
So Albus knew, with some bitterness that it was up to him, to save the world yet again, the weight of the world rested on his shoulders, and his alone. That's what Albus Dumbledore was thinking until he tried to wrap his meeting up.
After telling young Sybil Trelawney, that he didn't think she was suited for the post, and attempting to make his leave, everything Dumbledore had been contemplating was proven irrelevant, and his world was turned upside down, as he heard a rasping voice speak from behind him, as he made for the door.
"The one with the power to vanquish The Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies. And The Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not. And either must die at the hand of the other, for neither can live, while the other survives. The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the Seventh month dies."
And this, is what snapped Albus out of his planning, and reminiscing, for the first time since perhaps the death of his young sister Ariana, 80 years earlier, Albus was completely and utterly lost.
For all this time he thought there was only one way. Well, he mused, he wasn't wrong in that regard, according to this prophecy there really was only one way. However, that way was not what he had envisioned for a number of years now, and he knew that it would be many years until this boy, whoever it may be, was ready to fulfill his destiny.
Albus had had every situation mapped out, and was absolutely sure that the only chance the wizarding world had was for him to confront Tom face to face, and test his own skills, and the power of the Elder Wand against the man who very well may be the most powerful wizard alive.
But now this, after showing absolutely no potential for the better part of half an hour, Sybil Trelawney had just proclaimed that a boy who was not yet born was destined to either kill or be killed by Voldemort. But how could this be? Albus already had his suspicions that Tom had gained immortality, how, he did not know. It made perfect sense however, though Tom often worked from the shadows, he was never afraid of a confrontation, and no one had been able to put so much as a mark on his pale skin.
He had even escaped from a direct confrontation with 14 ministry officials. Leaving many of them injured, dead, or fatally wounded, despite escaping unscathed himself.
But then Dumbledore was struck by a second, more terrible realization, but he quickly pushed it off to the side. Albus would not make assumptions about the prophecy until he had viewed it extensively in his pensive.
But what of Sybil? Now that she had proclaimed that The Dark Lord would have an equal, she had to be protected. From the dazed expression on the young woman's face, Albus knew she did not remember what just happened. But, he also knew that Tom Riddle was the most gifted Legilimens the world had ever seen. And if anyone could extract the memory from Sybil, it was Voldemort.
So with that thought in mind, there was no longer any question. Albus had no choice but to graciously offer Sybil Trelawney the position of Divination professor at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, and insist that Sybil take up full time residency in the legendary castle. Albus was pleasantly surprised how easily she agreed.
Albus smiled to himself, though the situation could end badly, with Sybil at Hogwarts, a place that he knew Tom would not dare to strike, he would never know of the prophecy. And him, Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, swore right then, and there, in the private quarters of the Hog's Head, that he would do anything and everything to protect the potential child or children of the prophecy, after all it was for the greater good.
Little did Albus Dumbledore know that Voldemort had no need to kidnap Sybil Trelawney, at least, Voldemort didn't think he did. For outside that door, loomed a tall, sallow skinned man, with dark, greasy hair, and a long, black, cloak.
…..
Severus Snape leaned in attentively, making absolutely sure he would not miss a word of their conversation. Severus couldn't understand, not for the life of him, why his master had assigned him to listen in on this conversation. He had been hiding there for nearly half an hour, and absolutely nothing of significance had been said. It was clear to Severus at least, that the woman was a fraud, and if Albus Dumbledore, the leader of the light, and supposite competition to his lord couldn't see that, well, thought Severus, if he couldn't even see that, than his lord would rule magical Britain by years end.
He smirked at this thought, that was, until a low, rasping voice snapped him out of his musing and wiped the smirk from his face.
"The one with the power to vanquish The Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies…"
But that was all Severus heard, as he heard a rough voice behind him say "Stupefy" and Severus Snape saw no more. That was until he woke up, some time later, out on the street of Hogsmeade with only one thing in mind, his master must know about this, and he must know at once.
…..
After a quick apparition Severus stood at the gate to a sprawling manor, home to one of the richest and most influential magical families alive. Severus briskly strode of the path to Malfoy Manor. Severus quickly entered the building, and made for the basement, where his lord held his most private meetings. When he reached the room, and his lord was not there, he did the only thing he could think of, he rolled up his left sleeve, and after a moment's hesitation pressed his finger to the Dark Mark burned upon his arm. The mark was a green skull, with a Serpent's tongue. However, after Severus pressed it, it turned jet black. The mark was more than that however, it was a symbol of his master, and his immense power, it marked you as his.
The hesitation came out of wariness. When that mark was burned into your arm, it marked you as his. It worked so he could summon all of his followers all at once. However, it could work in reverse, a man or woman, branded with the Dark Mark, could summon him to them as well. However, this rarely happens, if you summoned him, you'd better have information that could bring the world to its knees, or be in a life or death situation.
Moments later, the door opened slowly, and in strode the man who had quickly become the most feared wizard who had ever lived. He was a tall man, several inches taller than Severus, who was at least six feet tall in his own right, his skin was deathly pale, his eyes were a dark blue, and his head was bald. Though Severus didn't know it, there were still signs of the handsome, and charismatic Tom Riddle. The eyes remained the same, his nose stood out, prominent as ever, and his lips were full, though at the moment they were pressed tightly together.
The man seemed to emanate dark power, as he stepped forward, Severus did the same, kneeling at Lord Voldemort's feet, before he decided to speak.
"My lord, I carried out the mission you had asked of me, and you were correct in your estimates that the seer may speak something of significance. However, my lord, the mission did not go completely according to plan.?
At the mention of the significance that the seer had seemingly spoken, Voldemort's lips curled into a rare smile. However, that look quickly vanished, and at the mention of anything other than complete and total success, Voldemort's posture stiffened.
"What do you mean it did not go perfectly?" He spoke in a voice that was, but wasn't Tom Riddle's voice. It was still smooth and silky as it had been years earlier, however, it was colder, and just a small pitch higher than what it had once been.
"Elaborate for me Severus."
"My lord, for a long time nothing happened, and I was about to leave when I heard Dumbledore make it perfectly clear that the seer had no gift, but then she spoke. My lord, I beg you for forgiveness, I heard the first few lines, but then I was stunned from behind and thrown out of the bar." He lowered his head, as he pleaded for forgiveness. This man was the absolute last human being on the planet who Severus wanted to disappoint.
"Unfortunate, very unfortunate," Voldemort replied, his voice, was soft and quiet, "you may earn yourself forgiveness Severus," he spoke the next words with a venomous tone, "but, that depends on what I hear. Tell me, what did the woman say?"
"My lord, as I said I only heard the first few lines and it may not be the full…"
"Enough, Severus, I asked you to speak did I not? Or do you, perhaps, need some encouragement?"
Severus took a deep breath, for all of his lord's wisdom, he did not understand prophecy. The first few lines of a prophecy were usually set up. They set up the truly important things later on. However, Severus did not want to feel the wrath of Voldemort, so instead of voicing his concerns he spoke.
"The one with the power to vanquish The Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies."
Voldemort's blue eyes grew wide, and his posture suddenly became stiff and focused, where moments earlier he had been relaxed, and looking elegant as ever.
"Thank you Severus, when this threat is removed, you will be rewarded beyond your wildest dreams, now leave me." And with a dismissive gesture from his master, Severus Snape left the room, his worst fears having already been confirmed. His master was going to act on the prophecy, despite only hearing a few words, and only a fraction of its contents. Severus saw only one way this could go, badly.
But then again, his master was the most powerful wizard alive. Well, aside from maybe Dumbledore, but the old man had made no direct move to oppose him. Add to that the fact that his master had openly bragged of being immortal, and Severus thought to himself, it that was true, what could go wrong, if anyone could act on a stupid idea and make it work, it was his master.
Tom Riddle's mind was racing at a million miles an hour. He had known for all of these years that Albus Dumbledore would be his biggest threat. After all, the man was clever, there was no way around it. He had seen straight through Tom ever since he was eleven years old, something that no one on the planet aside from him, had managed to do. Add to that the fact that Dumbledore was probably, aside from himself, the most powerful wizard alive, and add to that the fact that he had defeated Gellert Grindelwald, a man that most thought had no equal, let alone a superior.
But now, according to this prophecy, Dumbledore was not the threat. "The one with the power to vanquish The Dark Lord approaches." "The ONE." This confirmed it, in Tom's mind, this proved that he was completely invulnerable in a fight with anyone aside from this child. So, he could now cross Albus Dumbledore off of his list of threats, seeing as he obviously did not have the "power" to vanquish him.
But how could he be vanquished at all? He was immortal, his horcruxes guarantee that. He did not know how they worked exactly, once he had lost a hand in a duel with 14 aurors, and it had grown back almost immediately. So, what would happen if his entire body was destroyed? Would it simply reform? For all the research Tom had done on horcruxes as a youth, nowhere did it say HOW, the person would survive their body being destroyed. It had just said that they WOULD survive the destruction of their body.
But these thoughts are ridiculous, Tom chided himself. No child on this earth has the power to destroy your body, nor, does any adult. He would strike quickly, he would strike when the boy or girl was young. Once he identified the child of prophecy he would strike, he would eliminate the child before the threat could ever evolve into more than that.
Yes, he thought, no way would one stupid prophecy stop the rise of Lord Voldemort, the most powerful wizard to have ever graced this planet with his presence. And with that thought, Tom let out a cold, high, laugh, that would freeze fire.
…..
August 5th 1980.
It had been two months since the telling of the prophecy, and at this moment Albus Dumbledore leaned back in his chair in his office, still pondering what he had heard two months earlier.
There were two boys who fit the description of the prophecy. It was now the fifth of August, and two boys had been born as July ended, or as the prophecy put it, "as the seventh month dies."
On July 30th Frank and Alice Longbottom, two of the very best aurors that the ministry had to offer, as well as two of the most powerful, and most important members of the Order of The Phoenix had given birth to a baby boy named Neville.
Frank and Alice were extremely gifted aurors, and had directly opposed Voldemort on three separate occasions. The first was when the both of them refused to join Voldemort's ranks, and joined the Order of The Phoenix. Once, he had been surrounded by fourteen aurors, including Frank and Alice. And although they failed to kill, or even subdue Voldemort, they made it out alive. The third time had been recently, when they led a raid into a manor owned by the Lestranges, Voldemort had been there, and although he had once again escaped, and Frank had been badly wounded, they survived.
So Neville fit the description, and being a pure blood, most in the Order seemed to think Voldemort would go after the Longbottom's. Now that, thanks to his brother Aberforth, he knew that a spy had heard part of the prophecy, and relayed it to Voldemort.
But Neville was not the only boy that the prophecy could lead to. And personally, Albus had a gut feeling Tom would go against his own code of pure blood supremacy and attack the other candidate, a half blood by the name of Harry Potter.
Harry was born on the 31st of July, one day later than Neville. His parents were also members of the Order of The Phoenix. James Potter, the boy's father was an auror, and like Frank and Alice, a damn good one. He was also an absolute ace at transfiguration, and had scored the best transfiguration grades Hogwarts had seen since Tom Riddle himself. The boy's mother was a muggle born witch by the name of Lily Evans, now named Lily Potter. She had been working in the Department of Mysteries before she had become pregnant with harry. She was an ace at charms and like James did with transfiguration, she had scored the highest Hogwarts grade in the subject since Tom Riddle had taken his last charms exam. Lily was also pursuing her charms mastery with the current charms professor at Hogwarts, a man by the name of Filius Flitwick.
And his parents like Neville's fit the prophecy. They had also defied Voldemort on three separate occasions. The first was when they also refused to join the ranks of the death eaters, instead deciding to take up ranks within the Order of The Phoenix. The second was the same night that Frank and Alice had. When 14 ministry officials surrounded Voldemort. 10 aurors, and 4 unspeakables. James and Lily had also been in that group. And the third was when James, Lily, and Sirius Black had come face to face with Voldemort during a rescue mission. They had dueled The Dark Lord three on one, and though James walked out with a broken arm, and Sirius with a lacerated shoulder, they had survived.
By Voldemort's own propaganda surrounding pure blood superiority, he should attack Neville. After all, if he truly believed in that philosophy, Neville would be the easy choice. By his own propaganda the pure blood would pose more of a threat. But Albus knew Tom, and he was almost certain that he would attack Harry Potter. Voldemort himself was a half blood, and he would see himself in the young boy, due to Tom's own ego, Albus knew that would be enough for Tom to attack the boy.
…..
October 15th 1980
'You summoned me my lord?" Severus Snape asked, as he stood in the room he had spoken to his master months earlier. His master was lounging comfortable in an armchair, and he gave a slight nod to Severus.
"I would like to hear the prophecy one more time Severus. If my memory serves me correctly, than I believe I have discovered the boy who is professed to have the power of defeating me."
"Of course my lord," Snape took a deep breath before continuing, "the one with the power to vanquish The Dark Lord approaches. Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies."
"Yes," spoke Voldemort softly, "as usual, my memory serves me well. This prophecy could be of two boys. One Neville Longbottom, and the other Harry Potter."
At the second boys name Snape's blood turned to ice. He couldn't move, he couldn't even breathe. Harry Potter wasn't just the son of his worst enemy, that being James Potter. He was also the son of his former best friend, and the girl who he still to this day loved with all of his heart Lily Evans.
"Yes," purred Voldemort, "it is wonderful is it not Severus? One of them is the child of the prophecy. So I select carefully the one who I believe with all my heart it is, and eliminate him."
Snape stood there, every breath catching in his throat, what had he done? Had he doomed Lily Evans life forever? Was the Potter boy the one his master would seek? For he knew that when his master attacked the child of prophecy there would be no survivors.
"And, which of them do you intend on eliminating, my lord?"
Snape's voice was deathly quiet. Never in his life had he been so afraid. A potential answer from his master scared him more than coming face to face with a fully grown werewolf at the age of 15, and Severus Snape couldn't even think on that, he was so frozen in fear and anticipation.
"I have dueled with the parents of both boys. Frank Longbottom has respectable skill, and quite a bit of raw power. Alice Longbottom is skilled, but lacks in the power department."
Snape's breath caught in his throat once again, because from the way his master spoke, he feared that he already knew the answer.
"James Potter is one of the most skilled duelists I have done battle with. No match for me, but prodigious nonetheless. His wife is likely more skilled than he is with a wand, though her spell array was much less deadly. Yes, I know from first hand experience, or at least I have a very good idea who the more powerful threat will be. I will begin my search, and in a matter of time Harry Potter will be no more."
With that Severus Snape's blood turned to ice once more, and he thought he was going to faint. There was only one option now, only one way that he could ever save the only person he had ever loved, and for that he needed a conversation with Albus Dumbledore. No, he could not, he would not flee his master, at the very least it would be an absolute last resort. And then, Severus Snape did the bravest and probably the stupidest thing he had ever done in his life.
With a flurry he lunged forward and flopped himself at Voldemort's feet. Voldemort's eyes grew wide in surprise, he had never seen Severus beg, as it appeared like he was about to do. The others sure, but never Severus.
"Please my lord, could you do me the honour of granting me one wish?, please, I will give you anything for one small service."
"Surely Severus, you are not going to ask me to attack the Longbottom boy instead, after all you despised James Potter do you not?"
Snape scowled, "I do not give a damn for the Potter boy nor his father.."
"Then what Severus? What do you want?" Voldemort's voice was cold, he usually did not take well to being asked to do things for people.
"My lord please, have the father, have the son for all I care, but please spare the boy's mother, I beg of you."
Voldemort let out a cold, high laugh, "a mudblood Severus? I would have never thought you would take interest in a mudblood.."
"I DON'T CARE OF HER BLOOD!' This is what caught Voldemort's attention, and made him truly understand how much this meant to Severus, no one screamed at him, let alone his own death eaters.
"I DO NOT CARE WHAT HER BLOOD LINE IS! She is the only person I have ever loved! Please my lord, I have no one else in this world to make life worth living, please, I beg of you. Promise to spare Lily Evans, please."
Severus had broken down into tears now, a sight that shocked Voldemort to no end, Severus Snape was probably, aside from himself of course, the best Occlumens he had ever met. He was an absolute master when it came to controlling his emotions, yet here he was, sniveling in front of Voldemort, pleading for the life of a filthy mudblood.
"And what, Severus, would you give me in return for the life of the girl?"
"Anything." Was his simple, and soft reply.
"I make you no promises Severus, but since and only since you were the one to bring me the information, I will consider some kind of agreement. Perhaps a bargain between us, for now however, you may go."
And with that Severus Snape swept out of the room, he had only one thought in his mind. Though his master had shockingly not outright rejected him, he had made no promises, he would do everything in his power to make sure Lily Evans was safe, and if that meant he had to play both sides then that is what Severus Snape would do.
…..
October 17th 1980.
It was a brisk fall night, the wind was whipping around, rustling the leafless branches of a few nearby trees. Severus Snape strode atop a hill his wand in hand ready for a fight if one were to arise. In all of his years Severus had never been so anxious, not even when he waited for his father to arrive home when he was small, knowing full well that there would be pain and misery to follow. No if Severus had been scared then,he was terrified now. As he rotated on the spot wand at the ready, searching for the first sign of movement. To say he was taking a risk was a huge understatement. If this went wrong, if the man was not as honourable as Severus took him to be, he could either be in Azkaban or dead in a few hours.
And then it happened, faster than Severus Snape could react a fork of blinding white light shot from nowhere, Severus vaguely thought for a second of lightning, but then the spell hit him, he went completely stiff, his body had shut down, his wand clattered to the ground and he fell to his knees. He was unable to move for a three count before he felt mobility return to him.
"Don't kill me!" Snape pleaded.
"That was not my intention." Answered a deep, calm, measured voice.
He looked up, thoroughly amazed at the speed and ease in which he had been beaten. Standing in front of him, his robes billowing in the wind, and his face illuminated by the light of his wand was Albus Dumbledore himself, the leader of the light stood, looking at Snape with complete indifference. Any sound of Dumbledore apparating had been completely missed by Snape.
"Well Severus, what message does Lord Voldemort have for me?"
"No, no message, I'm here on my own account."
Snape was ringing his hands now, he looked positively mad, with his face one of clear anguish, and his black hair whipping around in the brutal wind.
"I, I come with a warning, no with a request, please."
Dumbledore flicked his wand, and though the branches still blew in the wind all slouch that did not come from the two men was suddenly non existent.
"What request could a death eater ask of me?"
"The, the prophecy, the prediction, Trelawney?"
"Ah, yes," said Dumbledore, the usual twinkle in his eyes long gone by this point.
"How much of what you heard did you relay to Lord Voldemort?"
"Everything, everything I heard." Answered Snape, his voice cracking as he choked the words out.
"That, that is why, he thinks it means Lily Evans."
"The prophecy does not refer to a woman, it speaks of a boy born at the end of July."
"You know what I mean, he thinks it means her son, he is going to hunt her down, he's going to kill them all."
"If she means so much to you," Dumbledore said, his voice still for the most part emotionless, though a bit softer now, "Lord Voldemort would spare her? Why not ask for the life of the mother in exchange for the son?
"I, I have, I have asked him."
"You disgust me!" Albus Dumbledore spoke with more contempt in his voice then anyone who thought they knew him had ever heard him speak with. Snape seemed to recoil and shrink away from Dumbledore, but the aged headmaster was unphased as he pressed on, "You do not care about the lives of her husband, and her new born son? they can die, as long as you have what you want?"
For several long moments Snape said nothing, he just looked up still on his knees, directly into the piercing blue eyes of Albus Dumbledore, before finally managing to croak out.
"Hide them all then. Keep her, … them safe."
"And what would you give me in return Severus?"
"In, in return," Snape starred up at Dumbledore shocked at the question. They remained like that for a few long moments before Snape looked down and spoke in a quiet and defeated voice,
"Anything."
And that was the day that Severus Snape's allegiance changed forever. No longer was Snape the servant of Voldemort, he had successfully played both sides. Now, it was time to see how his ex master responded. That response would determine where his loyalties truly lie.
…..
October 17th 1980
Two nights later Albus Dumbledore was strolling up the front walk to a large, pristine home. His face perfectly passive as he stared up at the gleaming marble that made up much of Potter Manor.
With a deep breath, Albus Dumbledore knocked on the large oak door.
Several moments passed in silence before the door opened. Standing in front of him, with his wand leveled at Dumbledore was a tall, thin man with glasses, and messy, jet black hair.
"Good evening James," spoke the headmaster in a solemn tone, "may I please come in to speak with you and Lily?"
Upon seeing Dumbledore, James Potter's posture had relaxed dramatically, however, he tensed yet again when he heard the tone of his voice.
"Of course Albus." James responded without hesitation.
In a matter of moments Albus, James, and Lily were gathered in the main sitting room, with Harry asleep in a crib across the room.
"Albus, what has happened? Has someone?" James trailed off, though Dumbledore didn't need to ask what the question he was posing was.
"No James, no one has died, this is a matter involving your family."
"Our family?" This time it was Lily who spoke up for the first time, her bright green emerald eyes focused intently on Dumbledore. "What is it Albus?"
"You, James, and Harry, are in grave danger, and we believe that as of this very moment you three, and your son in particular have become Lord Voldemort's number one priority."
"WHAT!" James thundered. "What the fuck does that bastard want with Harry, he's a child Albus, no an infant, surely not even he.."
"You did not let me finish James." Albus cut him off, his voice was intense, all traces of his grandfatherly tone gone.
"Two weeks ago there was a prophecy made to me by Sybil Trelawney, the great granddaughter of a very famous seer. The prophecy spoke of a boy born at the end of July, a boy who would have the power to vanquish Voldemort once and for all."
"But that doesn't necessarily mean…"
"Let me finish James!" Dumbledore's voice came out as a near shout, something James, nor Lily had ever heard before.
"A prophecy spoke of a boy born at the end of July with the power to vanquish Voldemort. But I was not the only one who heard it. A death eater outside the door overheard the first half of the prophecy. Luckily, for the world at large, that was the less important half. Unluckily for you and your family, that means he did not hear about the potential repercussions that would occur were he to attack the child of prophecy. And yes James, you are right, the prophecy does not necessarily mean Harry. However, based on the wording of the prophecy the child of prophecy is one of two boys, it is either Harry, or Neville Longbottom. And the death eater in question has explicitly told me under an oath of truth that Voldemort has interpreted the prophecy to mean Harry, and intends to have you all dead by years end."
James, and Lily sat there stunned. Their world had just been turned upside down. Not only were their days more than likely numbered, not only was the most powerful dark wizard to ever walk the planet after them, but their son, their new born son, had a 50% chance of being the one person on the planet with the power to vanquish Voldemort.
"Well then," James spoke up, his voice was a controlled calm, "Albus take Harry, and protect him, we will wait for Voldemort, and give him the fight of his life when he shows up looking for Harry."
"No, James, I will not, under any circumstances use you and Lily as decoys to draw Voldemort's attention."
"WHAT THE FUCK DOES IT MATTER! We're dead anyway, Albus the whole world knows that if Voldemort wants you dead you die. You're the only one who can match him in…"
"There is another way James." At Dumbledore's words James fell completely silent. "The fidelius charm."
"And what in the bloody hell is the…"
"James," it was Lily who spoke up now, taking his hand as she did. "The fidelius charm is a charm cast by a powerful witch or wizard that ensures protection to the target of the charm. It makes the house completely invisible and undetectable to anyone who hasn't been told the location of the property or object by it's designated secret keeper."
"Very well said Lily, Filius would be proud." Dumbledore said, the slightest hint of a smile gracing his lips, despite the situation at hand.
"So, you need to decide on a secret keeper, I would do the honour myself if you would allow me."
But it was at that moment that James Potter got the most devilish smirk of all time. A smirk that Dumbledore could only describe in later years as a smirk worthy of the Marauders.
"Wormtail"
"What?" Asked Albus, Peter would have been near the very bottom of his list. Sure, the young man's heart was seemingly in the right place, but he would be hopeless in a duel, and was always a bit of a follower.
But Dumbledore's confusion only made James smile wider.
"See, it's perfect, who in their right mind would ever suspect Peter of being secret keeper. They'll all assume that I would have gone for Sirius. And hell, we can even tell the Order, and all of our friends that we chose Sirius, when really we'll be using Peter all along."
So, it was on that day that a trap was seemingly laid, and the beginnings of a plan worthy of the Marauders was born. Little did James Potter know, he had just unknowingly written his, and his wife's death wishes.
…..
August 11th 1981.
It was August of the next year, 1981. Severus Snape had been playing both sides of the coin for the better part of a year. He had been attending both his meetings with his master and his death eaters, and the meetings of the Order of The Phoenix. Severus had managed to lie to the two most powerful wizards alive. He had no loyalties, at least not yet. Still he awaited his masters answer, however, he had recently been summoned by his master, and Severus had a feeling that finally, after many long months, he was about to receive his answer.
It was, with that thought in mind that Severus Snape pushed open the door and made his way into his master's private quarters, and approached him slowly.
'You summoned me my lord."
"Yes Severus, indeed I did."
Severus stood there for a few long moments before the voice of his master spoke up again.
"You asked me many months ago, to spare the life of the mudblood am I correct?" Severus nodded, while simultaneously biting down the urge to throw an Avada Kedavra at Voldemort for the insult to Lily.
"Well Severus I have come to my decision."
"My lord?" Severus asked, not quiet succeeding in keeping the hopefulness out of his voice.
"For many months I have looked long and hard for the Potter's. Their whereabouts are still as much of a mystery to me as they were months ago. I will swear an oath to you to spare you the mudblood on one condition."
"Anything my lord, Anything." Severus said softly, and he meant it, he really did.
"Find the secret keeper, either bring them to me by force, or convince them to come of their own free will, whichever you like."
Severus's eyes widened, this was one hell of an ask even for Voldemort.
"If I do this my lord, will you make the unbreakable vow?"
Voldemort lifted the left sleeve of his robes and pressed a finger to his dark mark, thinking of only one face in his mind, so that only that one person would be summoned.
Voldemort then smirked at Severus.
"What, Severus? Do you not trust me? First you have the nerve to ask something of me, and now you proclaim that the word of Lord Voldemort is not good enough for you."
But then he smirked yet again and said
"If you make the unbreakable vow, to do as I have asked, then I will in return make the unbreakable vow to spare the girl." His voice was cold, and completely emotionless, but Severus did not care, to his utter shock and amazement Voldemort had agreed. Only a split second later a tall woman entered the room.
She had heavily lidded eyes and dark features.
"Bellatrix, I require your services."
"Name it my lord, name it!" Bellatrix said with a scary amount of anticipation in her voice.
"I need you to be the binder in a two way unbreakable vow between myself and Severus here."
For a few moments Bellatrix looked absolutely stunned and horrified, but then she drew her wand and asked, "now, my lord?"
"Yes Bella, I think so, what do you say Severus? Are you willing to, as the muggles say, put your money where your mouth is.?" Voldemort said that last bit with a cruel smirk, but Snape ignored and stepped forward without hesitation.
The two men joined hands and Bellatrix began her end of the process.
"Would you like to ask me first Severus? Or do you trust me completely?"
"I will ask first if you would allow it my lord."
"Wise move Severus, wise move, I have taught you well, go on then. And for the ritual you will have to address me as Tom Riddle." He spoke the last two words with such venom in his voice that Snape almost released his grip on the man's hand and ran. Bellatrix was shocked, never before had her master revealed his name to anyone.
"Do you, Tom Riddle, swear on the magic that binds to spare the life of Lily Evans Potter, should you go seeking the lives of Harry and James Potter?"
"I do. So mote it be." Voldemort responded simply, before turning the tables.
"Do you, Severus Snape, swear on the magic that binds to do everything in your power to bring me the Potter's secret keeper, either by force, manipulation, persuasion, or any other method you can conceive?"
"I do. So mote it be." Responded Severus, as magic flared around them.
And with that, the most unlikely of unbreakable vows imaginable had been formed.
…..
October 31st 1981.
It was Halloween night 1981, as a tall, pale man wearing a black hooded cloak strode through the streets of Godric's Hollow with a kind of quiet confidence that can not be reached. Tom Riddle made his way down the Main Street of the small town with purpose, not with anger, anger was for lesser beings then him, but with anticipation.
The entire thing had been far too easy. Severus had done his job, and done it masterfully, sure, it had taken longer than what he would have liked, but Peter Pettigrew sold out his best friends quite willingly under the quiet nudging of Severus Snape. He had come to him and revealed the secret to him directly, and with that the old fool's fidelius charm was broken, and the Potter's were sitting ducks.
So what if he had to spare the mudblood, it did not matter, she did not matter. Making the vow with Snape had been a calculated decision, sparing the mudblood would do him no harm, she could be killed later if absolutely necessary, the vow just specified that he had to spare her tonight.
He was stopped by a little boy who was admiring his cloak, foolishly thinking it was a Halloween costume. He found it very difficult not to blast the child to pieces simply for reminding him of that pathetic muggle tradition.
But soon, he had reached his goal. The cottage stood there, they hadn't even bothered to close the blinds, arrogant fools, did they truly believe they could hide from
Lord Voldemort, hide from the most powerful wizard to ever walk the earth, fools.
He looked in the window and saw the mother carrying a boy upstairs, his eyes narrowed as he saw the boy, the boy that was supposed to be his downfall, well, time to put a stop to that.
With a lazy flick of his wrist and a muttered, "Reducto," under his breath the wall blasted to pieces/
"LILY HE'S HERE! TAKE HARRY AND GO NOW! I'LL HOLD HIM OFF!"
I'll hold him off, Tom thought, trying hard not to laugh when he noticed the idiot didn't even have his wand on him, how arrogant were these people to underestimate him, of all people. It was far too easy, the man stepped in front of him and opened his mouth to say something but he was far too slow. He slashed his wand through the air, and there was a burst of green light, and the sound of rushing death. And then it was over, James Potter lay dead on the floor at Voldemort's feet.
He casually stepped over the body and strode with purpose, first towards, and then up the stairs. The girl had barricaded the doorway, as if that would help her, he smiled as he flicked his wrist again, using the same high powered reductor curse he had used earlier, but he channeled less power into it this time, after all he couldn't kill the girl. The sofa and desks she had used to barricade the door burst into pieces as he stepped through the doorway.
The girl was standing, with her back to a crib and her wand raised, he had to resist the urge to roll his eyes, was she really going to try and fight him. She had fought him twice before, and both times she had a numbers advantage, the first she had been aided by nearly 15 others, and they had still failed, yet she was going to fight him.
She sent a cutting curse towards his throat with deadly accuracy, but he just knocked the curse aside with a flick of his wand. Her next three spells, a stunner, a disarming charm, and a reductor curse, were deflected just as easily.
"Stand aside woman, stand aside!" He said as he deflected another curse, a full body bind this time.
"CRUCIO!" The girl shouted, this caught him by complete surprise, had he been anyone else he wouldn't have been fast enough. But he conjured a brick wall from out of nowhere to take the curse. So, he thought with a smirk as he imagined the incredulous look on her face, the mudblood knows how to play. He then vanished it and let a torrent of dark energy flow from the tip of his wand knocking her backwards off her feet, her wand clattering out of her hand. He summoned her wand with a lazy gesture of his wand.
He had to give the mudblood credit though, she was on her feet again, standing in front of the crib yet again, this time her arms outstretched.
"Please not Harry, please not Harry, I'll give you anything, I'll do anything!"
"Stand aside foolish girl, I promised to spare you, but your son does not have that luxury!"
"NO, please, take me instead, leave Harry, kill me instead, PLEASE!"
Voldemort was thinking hard, what to do, he could probably banish her to the side and strike with the killing curse before she could intercept it. But he was growing tired of this game. And then he smiled, sure he had made the unbreakable vow with Severus, so what. He was immortal, the vow could try and kill him all it wanted, in the end it would fail. He had played Severus like a pawn. The unbreakable vow meant nothing to him, being immortal he would simply strike the girl dead with no consequences. He would then tell Severus she dove in front of the curse. But, for the sake of honouring his agreement he would try, one last time.
'This is your final warning woman, STAND ASIDE!"
"Please not Harry, kill me instead, leave him, he is only a baby."
"Avada Kedavra!"
With two simple words, there was another blinding burst of green light, the sound of rushing death yet again, and Lily Potter fell, dead on the floor.
He laughed mirthlessly, he couldn't help it, he just couldn't. The unbreakable vow should have killed him, but no, being immortal it didn't even leave him with a scratch. "If an unbreakable vow can't kill me" he thought, "how the hell was this child supposed to ever have a chance"
And with that he raised his wand and leveled it in the child's face. Before smiling, he wanted to savour this moment, every last second of it, for this, was the final hurdle to immortality, after this, there would be no one who could oppose him.
"AVADA KEDAVRA!"
He began to laugh cruelly as the jet of green light leap from the point of his wand, but that laugh quickly died in his throat as the jet of light struck the boy full in the face before exploding back at him with a vengeance.
With wide eyes, and a terrible scream of agony, as he felt his very soul become severed from his body, Lord Voldemort realized one thing, if he had played Severus like a pawn, then the pawn had just checked the king.
Authors Note
So, once again, for those of you who have already read 9 full chapters, I know this may be a little odd to post a prologue now, but I figured this was important, both to further explain the relationship between Harry and Snape. And to show that in this universe it was not Lily's love that kept Harry alive.
For those of you who are reading this story for the first time, wonderful, hope you enjoyed and please read on.
Also I would've liked to have had this chapter out earlier but, life happens. I will have another chapter out this weekend, I promised two chapters before monday, and that's what you're going to get! The next chapter will be back to the current time, and will pick up straight where chapter 9 left off.
Once again thank you to my beta JZuCuadra for editing this LONG chapter, and thank you guys for the constant support, if you guys could keep those reviews coming it would mean the world to me.
Until next time guys, if you are in Canada like me, have a very happy Thanksgiving!