As Severus Snape made his way through the ornate iron gates at Malfoy Manor, Severus Snape noticed that the tense atmosphere usually surrounding the area, was laced with a feeling of excitement. Intrigued, Severus walked along the smooth brown path up to the huge white oak doors. Along the way he past several peacocks, glistening in the light, and a huge silver fountain, spraying water out across the huge emerald garden.

The inhabitants of Malfoy Manor could be seen peeking anxiously through the window to their bedroom, as they looked around to see who would be entering their house next. Downstairs, a party appeared to be in set up, and as Severus turned the great brass knob, he saw several house elves run along the hallway with a fixed look of terror. The smallest, Dobby, glanced at Severus briefly. When the cold dark eyes looked back at him, he squealed, before running along to fetch more Fire Whiskey.

As the doors closed behind him, with a soft click, Severus turned to the open dining area. Across the table were goblets filled with Fire Whiskey and Butterbeer, in the centre stood a huge vase, filled with brightly coloured flowers.

"Severus," a voice called out, drawing Severus' eyes away from the bright white Lily, atop the decoration. Turning, he saw the pale shadow of Lucius Malfoy, owner of the house. Severus nodded briefly, to say hello, and made his way over to where Lucius stood, holding on to a full glass of Fire Whiskey. Severus raised an eyebrow in question, to the full amount in Lucius' goblet. Lucius smiled, a little nervously, looking around at the people in his house, "You are not drinking?" Severus asked, looking at Lucius, "I just want to be able to control the situation if anything gets out of hand; if they get too excited" he added, chuckling.

"Cheer up, Snape. She'll be gone soon, you can forget about her" he finished, banging his hand against Severus' side cheerfully. Severus frowned, glancing around briefly, "Who? And where is the Dark Lord?" he questioned, scanning the room once more. Lucius' eyes lit up as excitement filled his features, replacing the earlier anxiousness, "You don't know?" he asked, without waiting for a reply, he said, "The Dark Lord, is currently making his way to the Potters, and so they should be dead; round about..." Lucius pulled back his sleeve and glanced at his golden watch, "Now."