"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches..."

February 5

Severus Snape made his way through the dark caverns of Lord Voldemorts's hidden headquarters. Ignoring the dank odor and pooling puddles, he strode quickly and purposefully through the corridors, having memorized the path to his lord's inner sanctum. He was shaking, not from the drenching rain and bone-chilling temperatures of early February, but with fear, thrill, and anticipation.

The young Death Eater had only recently been awarded with the honor of Inner Circle membership, mainly on account of his formidable Potions skills and clever strategies. Snape was anxious to deliver his most recent news, but wary that he could rise swiftly or fall steeply depending on the reception of the information.

He approached the threshold of the Dark Lord's most private chamber, then dropped swiftly to the floor, pressing his head to the ground in standard supplication to his master. It was habitual and compulsory, though Snape had never adapted well to servitude, even after a year as a Death Eater.

"Snape… what business have you with the Dark Lord?"

Bellatrix Lestrange appeared as if from nowhere, emerging from the shadows. Severus grimaced imperceptibly: he wasn't fond of Bellatrix, with her perverse inclinations and overtly cultish fawning over their master. She fancied herself his most trusted and devoted follower, though Snape habitually thought that their master viewed them more or less equally, as disposable pawns in the game between him and Dumbledore. Of course, Severus had chosen his side, the right side, and played his role well, but occasionally in the privacy of his Occlumency-fortified thoughts, he wondered if perhaps there should be more to a life.

"I have information for our Lord – and for our Lord alone."

"You shall tell me first, then." Bella paused and grinned with malice.

"I will determine from whatever lowly information you must have whether it is worth my Lord's pain of hearing it from your accursed half-blood's lips."

Snape kept his head pressed to the floor, refusing to rise to the bait. He had snarky comebacks in spades, but he knew his master often lurked in the caverns, and didn't wish to give him an excuse for torture.

"I am a loyal follower of our Lord, and whatever information I have I will give directly to him. I would not risk his wrath and confide in you before he has heard it himself."

With an angry screech at his clever maneuvering, Bellatrix bent down, spraying spit in his face as she cursed him.

"No matter what, you're still infected by that foul Muggle blood in your veins, and you shall never rise above it. You're a mere lackey to do the bidding of our Lord. Don't forget your place, or I won't hesitate to remind you of it." She licked her lips nastily, relishing the prospect.

"Bella," and both Death Eaters were shocked to see their lord emerge almost silently from the sanctum, standing above them. Bellatrix hastily pressed herself into a similar prostrate position as Severus.

"I believe you have overstepped your bounds," he said quietly but dangerously. He walked round the two Death Eaters, his robes swirling impressively.

"My Lord, I only live to serve you and I thought-"

"Crucio."

Snape attempted to keep his eyes fixed to the floor, but he could not ignore the piercing cries and thumps as Bellatrix's body jerked on the floor under Voldemort's wand.

"That is precisely why I am displeased," he said calmly, lifting the Unforgivable. Bella's body continued to thrash a bit, as the Dark Lord continued.

"You do not think, my servant: I think for you, and you carry out my commands. You are a valuable instrument to me, but do not presume to speak for your master again."

"Y-yes, Master," came Bellatrix's reply, as she crawled to kiss his robes. The snake-faced man allowed her, before removing himself from her touch.

"Go, and tell Lucius to be ready for my summons."

"Yes, Master." Bellatrix rose and left the chamber without complaint, but shot a venomous glare at Snape before exiting.

"Rise, Severus."

Snape got to his feet, trembling inside but attempting to show no evidence of emotion before his master. The Dark Lord swept back into his chamber, and Severus quickly followed him into the heart of Voldemort's sanctum.

Severus felt his heart beating painfully in his chest. He hadn't been alone with his master during his tenure in the Death Eaters. Snape knew his Potions knowledge was exceedingly useful to the Dark Lord, and it certainly was the one thing that kept him from having to partake in some of the other, more gruesome Death Eater activities. But Severus knew that tonight could change everything for him, that he could finally be elevated to a higher status, a position of importance he had longed for… or could be Crucioed, dismembered, and fed to Voldemort's snakes before the night was over.

"Now tell me, my devoted friend," Voldemort's said with a slight smile, "what is this news that you are so desperate to impart to your Lord?"

*~*-*~*-*~*-*~*

Lucius Malfoy paced in the spacious study of Malfoy Manor, an uncommon scowl marring his aristocratic features. An unexpected visit from Bellatrix, his deplorable sister-in-law, was never a pleasant surprise and Lucius was relieved that she did not stay long. But told to expect a summons from his master, Lucius now spent his time running through his various missions, hoping that all were moving with the efficiency and purpose to meet the Dark Lord's requirements. He feared the response for poor results.

Suddenly the man was gripped with pain, his Dark Mark burning his skin, boldly black on his arm. He'd never felt the mark burn so fiercely before, not even when he'd had it first branded as a young, power-hungry man just coming into his inheritance after his final year at Hogwarts.

Gritting his teeth, he pushed through the pain, focusing on his master and Apparating to the Dark Lord's side. With a small pop, he appeared before his lord's chair, and immediately knelt to the ground.

"My Lord-"

"Stand up, Lucius."

The man was surprised, his silky greetings and tributes had never been cut off so quickly before. Regarding his master, Voldemort's face was impassive as always, but he could see an odd gleam in his red eyes, and an impatient tone to his voice. Turning his gaze, he was equally surprised to find Severus Snape standing at the side of his master.

Unlike Bellatrix, Lucius felt a stirring of pride at Snape's sudden position in the Dark Lord's good graces: Malfoy had reached out to the young teen during his Hogwarts days, encouraging his interest in the Dark Arts and assisting him in his progress. After Snape's graduation, Malfoy had been the primary advocate for his induction into the Death Eaters, assuring his master that Snape would be a valuable asset in the future. Apparently, his foresight had paid off.

"Everything stops."

Lucius's attention rocketed back to his master, who seemed to be looking into the distance.

"My Lord?"

"You are to put all your resources and skills to use in the next five months, monitoring the births of new wizards and witches. Use your society connections to note the dates and parentage: purebloods, half bloods, and even pathetic Mudbloods. On the first of August, you are to collect the magical birth register in the Ministry of Magic, and bring it before me along with your own records. You are to say nothing of this to anyone, your only contact in this matter will be myself and Snape."

"Of course, my Lord."

"I would loathe to be in your position should you miss even one child, Lucius."

Lucius bowed deeply, putting the Dark Lord's orders to memory. The plans were to stop simply for magical children born in the spring? He had three surveillance teams in the field, one assassination plot quietly unfolding, and an upcoming summit with envoys from Dark creatures and sympathetic wizarding groups on the continent. Lucius did his best to end his speculations and simply obey, but he paled slightly at the sudden thought of his wife, Narcissa, due in the summer with the Malfoy heir.

"I will be gone for sometime, on a mission of the utmost importance. I will be alone." Voldemort seemed to be talking almost to himself, barely giving a glance to his followers before him.

"Bellatrix is to continue the current recruitment strategies. All others will simply continue their individual assignments, building towards the grand takeover. The assaults on Muggles and blood traitors will be on hold, but attacks against the Order will continue as planned. You are to disseminate this information through the ranks: Severus will assist you."

Both men knelt before their master, one sufficiently pleased at his performance and Voldemort's recognition of the importance of his information; the other, mildly disturbed for his own pureblood family that was somehow a possible target of the Dark Lord.

"This conversation does not leave this room."

"Yes, my Lord," both men returned obediently, but with Voldemort's pop of Apparition, they couldn't help but regard each other carefully. Then with a quick nod, Lucius strode out of the cave, ready to communicate the Dark Lord's orders to the rest of the Death Eaters, but still internally shaken. He growled internally, still unable to fully shake his questions and severe sense of foreboding.

*~*-*~*-*~*-*~*

"Born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."

August 1

Severus Snape sat calmly in Malfoy Manor, sipping his glass of brandy. Lucius had gone to copy the register of magical births, and Snape had offered to remain behind and look after little Draco, the Malfoy's two-month-old son. As was the custom in pureblood families, Narcissa had remained in seclusion with Draco for the first seven weeks, and only now was the young Malfoy heir formally introduced to society. Snape was to be the child's godfather, though in some cases he was unsure if it was due to his friendship with the family or his new status in the Dark Lord's inner circle.

The last few months had seen Severus elevated in the Dark Lord's eyes, as Voldemort had taken to demanding frequent private audiences with the man, valuing his observations and discoveries, as well as grilling him on the "independent research project" that Voldemort had given Lucius. Snape was not directly involved, but could report on Lucius' tireless efforts to personally track and record every wizarding birth in the United Kingdom.

As July came to a close, Lucius had turned his attention partly to infiltrating the Hall of Records. He certainly had the clout and connections, but copying the tome of wizarding births would need to be done swiftly and secretly. Severus felt it was a good plan, in the end, but glanced at the Malfoy's towering grandfather clock: Lucius should have been back by now.

As if on cue, Lucius Apparated into the study and threw up privacy and repelling wards immediately. Snape rose from his seat and helped to seal the room. Confident they were truly alone, he turned to his old friend.

"Well?"

Lucius gave a nod, and removed the duplicate book from under his heavy cloak.

"I'd like to go through, cross-reference my list with the registry."

"Yes, we should certainly discover any discrepancies before the Dark Lord does," Severus agrees. Lucius nodded, then took a sharp look around the room.

"Where is Draco?"

"He's been asleep for the better part of the afternoon. I placed notification charms around the bassinette: if he wakes, we will be alerted immediately."

Lucius sighed in relief. Severus was curious about the older Malfoy's odd concern for his son. Lucius had never even shown much emotion for his wife prior to her pregnancy and was likewise less than affectionate after Narcissa was free from seclusion. But with his son, Lucius had been exhibiting attention that was certainly fatherly, and bordered on paranoid. Snape reasoned it must be because Draco was his heir and at his most vulnerable, though it seemed to be more than that.

"Waaaaaaaah!"

An amplified infant wail cut through his pondering. Lucius strode out of the room quickly to attend to the howls of his awakened son. Snape took another sip of brandy, then moved to examine the registry.

From his own eavesdropping of the prophecy in the first place, Severus could certainly guess what Voldemort would want, if not do, with the registry. He quickly flipped through the births of the early part of the year, coming swiftly to the end of the book to the July births. It filled only half the page, as the top had remaining June listings. He looked closely at the listing:

July 1, 1980 ~ Margaret Ann Millbanks (Muggle-born)

July 3, 1980 ~ Damian Holmsfin (Pureblood)

July 10, 1980 ~ Tamsin Smiethers (Half-blood)

July 14, 1980 ~ Oleana Nagora Runelace (Pureblood)

July 14, 1980 ~ Odessa Welxham Runelace (Pureblood)

Flipping the page, Severus read the final entries in the registry:

July 22, 1980 ~ Virginia Johnston (Muggle-born)

July 30, 1980 ~ Neville Francis Longbottom (Pureblood)

July 31, 1980 ~ Harry James Potter (Half-blood)

Suddenly, Severus felt his throat constrict, and his previously calm demeanor evaporate. His hand started to shake, and he quickly closed the book, pushing it away from him and into the position Lucius had left it. Sitting back in his chair, Snape willed himself to be calm.

Malfoy strode back into the room, grabbing the register. His Dark Mark burned again impatiently, and Lucius flinched. Severus regarded him questioningly.

"He's returned," Lucius said shortly.

Snape looked at his own mark, cool and inert on his skin.

"He hasn't called me," he replied softy, not trusting himself to speak more than was necessary.

Lucius sighed again. "I'd wanted to go through each entry first, but it can't be helped… very well. You'll come for dinner tomorrow? Narcissa wants to go through the details for the naming ceremony, when you are formally declared Draco's godfather."

"Yes, of course."

Lucius Apparated away, leaving Severus to enter a state of panic.

Lily's son was born yesterday. Lily's son was a target of the Dark Lord. Lily would die.

Lily.

Cursing himself, he swallowed the rest of his brandy and Apparated to Spinner's End, the old, abandoned house where he'd grown up. The house had been empty since the deaths of his parents, and now was the first time in quite a while that he had returned. It had been an accursed, lonely childhood, Snape reflected as he walked through the drab, dusty living room - lonely until he'd met Lily Evans and her obnoxious sister Petunia.

Lily. He'd not seen her since their graduation, but he knew she was in that bloody Order of the Phoenix: some of the Charms on their disguises and wards reeked of Lily's handiwork. Severus had even helped her create some of them in their early Hogwarts years, just as she contributed greatly to his prodigious potions abilities, and set him on the path to making innovative, daring potions that would destroy lesser minds.

They were two of a kind in terms of sheer genius and had been close until that fateful day in fifth year. Snape grimaced thinking about it, when he pushed Lily away and eventually in to the arms of Potter. He'd washed his hands of Lily Evans long ago, putting his unrequited love for her into the deepest recesses of his mind and locking it tightly. She had chosen her way, and he his. But now the memories had broken free, and it was his choices, his loyalties, and his actions that were going to lead to her death. And despite Severus' allegiance to the Dark Lord, he knew that he would rather destroy himself than allow Lily to be killed because of him.

Severus could trust no one. He doubted Lily would receive him now, after so long and the obvious path he had chosen. Her boor of a husband and his absolutely abhorrent friends would kill him on sight. And the Dark Lord cared little for sentiment or for Mudbloods: the idea of asking Voldemort to spare Lily was downright laughable, if Severus had had enough air in his lungs to do so. There was really only one place to turn, though it was a repellent idea.

"Is she worth it?" he muttered to himself, now stalking up the stairs, headed for his teenage bedroom. "Is she worth me giving up everything I've worked for, betraying my associates at possible cost to my life?"

He looked round the room, and again remembered how Lily was the only thing that made summers tolerable in Spinner's End, how Lily had cared for him when every other child at Hogwarts, whether Gryffindor or Slytherin despised him, taunted him, hexed him. And he made his decision.

He had to request an audience with the savior of the Light, the last great hope, the crackpot, Muggle-loving fool Albus Dumbledore.

*~*-*~*-*~*-*~*

"And the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal, but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not…"

August 25

"But the Ethiopian side trains regularly against Morocco, and they're the best squad in Africa!"

"Can't count out those Poles though Benj, they invented the Wronski Feint after all. Master tacticians on that side."

Lily Potter sat beside her husband, half annoyed and half amused by his stirring conversation with Benjy Fenwick about the upcoming Quidditch match between Ethiopia and Poland. Discussing the merits of Seekers, the speed of Snitches, and various strategies and maneuvers was never Lily's favorite activity, but she appreciated any diversion from the horror that had been unfolding this year.

1980 was turning out to be a high point for terror by the Death Eaters, and increasingly, Voldemort himself. She and James had escaped fatal harm dozens of times, and three times from Voldemort, but she was beginning to think that luck might be running out. In the past months, Voldemort and the Death Eaters wiped out Marlene McKinnon, Edgar Bones, and their entire families, and the sadistic Dark wizard had personally hunted down Dorcas Meadowes just two weeks ago. Marlene had been a dear school friend in Lily's year, also in Gryffindor, while Edgar was Head Boy in Lily's fourth year. Not to mention that Caradoc Dearborn was currently missing, which had prompted this Order of the Phoenix meeting to take place. If not for the birth of Harry, Lily might have lost hope that they could win the war without destroying everyone in Britain first, but her son had renewed her strength and conviction in fighting for the Order.

She smiled as across the room, Frank and Alice Longbottom showed a picture of their young son to Mad-Eye Moody and the Prewett brothers, Fabian and Gideon. Alice and Lily been in the same ward in St. Mungo's and their sons were born seven hours apart, Neville just before midnight on the 30th of July while Harry came bright and early the next morning. It was a difficult time to bring a child into the world, Lily reflected, but it made both couples work that much harder to eradicate Voldemort.

"Well Benj, we'll find out if you're right in a week or so. But I'm still going with Poland for the Snitch and the win," James stood up and shook hands with the other man.

"You're gonna owe me, James. And don't think I won't come to collect," Fetwick responded good-naturedly.

"James? Lily?" The two looked up to see Albus Dumbledore looking at them expectantly. "I'd like a moment of your time, if that would be agreeable?"

The couple exchanged glances. "Of course, Albus."

Benjy gave the Headmaster of Hogwarts a quick nod, and swept from his seat. Now left in the temporary headquarters for the Order were the Longbottoms and the Potters. Frank, brash Auror that he was, leapt right into it.

"Now what's this all about, Albus?"

Albus held up his hand, his eyes without the familiar twinkle. "We are awaiting the arrival of one more, Frank, so I'd prefer to wait until we are all present and accounted for."

Frank nodded, the two couples looking at each other questioningly. Moments later, Sirius Black burst through the door with a large grin on his face.

"Dumbledore!" He plopped down next to James, who gave his best friend an enthusiastic slap on the back. Lily rolled her eyes, used to the Marauder greetings and flourished entrances, but still not accepting of them.

"Yes, Sirius thank you for joining us. Your buoyant spirits are always appreciated in these trying times," Dumbledore said, the corner of his mouth twitching slightly. "However," and here the man looked far older, "new information has come to light that is of the gravest nature, and concerns all of you."

Lily, James, and Sirius shared worried glances, while Alice clutched Frank's hand for support.

"Voldemort has been made aware of a prophecy has been made, a prophecy that portends the birth of his vanquisher, someone with the power to destroy him. While he is currently sifting through detailed information, a spy within the Death Eaters has told me it is only a matter of time before he turns his attention to you, and more specifically, to Neville and Harry."

"What!" Lily cried out, outraged and fearful. Looking at her friends, she saw that Alice had gripped her husband's hand tightly and Frank's face was ashen, while poor James had an odd expression that was a disturbing mix of murderous and apprehensive. Lily looked at Sirius, and found that he was still calm, looking intently at Dumbledore. Much to her surprise and very much contrary to standard behavior, Sirius was thoughtful.

"You have a spy in the Death Eaters?"

Dumbledore nodded. "Yes, and a most reliable and thorough one, at that. He turned spy for me despite the inherent dangers to his person if he were to be discovered. He informed me of Voldemort's knowledge of the prophecy as well as his reactions, and I fear we have little time. We must act quickly."

"But what does this have to do with Harry or Neville?" Lily asked, her hand trembling in her husband's.

The headmaster sighed, then tapped his wand to his temple and started to make a slow swirling motion. The five Order members looked to each other in confusion, but suddenly found that each could hear a harsh, feminine voice speaking clearly in their minds.

""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..."

There was silence for a few minutes. Finally, Alice asked softly, "Does the prophecy apply to Neville or Harry?"

Both couples and Sirius looked to Dumbledore, who smiled kindly but sadly.

"I'm afraid there is no way to know as of yet. But the danger lies in Voldemort acting on incomplete information and attempting to murder both of the boys. You see, Voldemort does not know the entire prophecy, and may act hastily in an attempt to keep it unfulfilled."

"What can we do, Albus?" James asked. Lily squeezed her husband's hand, marveling at his ability to sound confident and strong though she knew he was as fearful for their son as she was.

"Hide," was Albus's reply. "As of this moment, you are all off active duty for the Order. Take a day or so to gather what little you may need, and relocate your family to a safe, unknown location. Send Patronuses to me with your position, and I shall come to assist in the warding of your temporary home."

All four of the Potters and Longbottoms nodded, while Sirius was unsure why he had been requested. Surely Dumbledore didn't think the prophecy applied to him.

"You can tell those closest to you that you are fleeing, but I would beseech you not to tell them where you are going. We've been aware of a spy in the Order for some time now, and you must be careful about who you trust. If Voldemort becomes aware that you've gone into hiding, we may need to use more advanced methods to keep him at bay."

Dumbledore broke off speaking, and the two couples quickly swept from the room. Sirius made to follow, but Albus stopped him.

"Sirius, I do not mean to pry into your personal affairs, but may I ask if you have been in contact with Miss Sathe recently?"

Black's turned white at the name. "I sent her letters and she never answered. I tracked down Louise Mullwags who refused to tell me anything. Even went by her family's place in Southall, but no one was there," he managed to choke out.

"Ah." Dumbledore surveyed his fingertips, and peered at Sirius closely. "Miss Sathe and her parents fled to India in late February. Did you have any correspondence with her at that time?"

"February? Yeah, it…" Sirius looked bewildered, relieved, but also cautious. "It was the last letter I got from her. I- I went to her apartment straight away, but she wasn't there. So I started writing and…"

"Was there information in that letter that you could surmise might be the reason for her sudden disappearance?"

"Well, no, not exactly but… I think I know why she left."

Dumbledore considered his next words carefully. "Then perhaps the same reasons might persuade you to seek her out."

Sirius stood still, as though he hadn't quite heard what the headmaster was saying. "Wait… you want me to leave? NOW? After you've told me Voldemort is going after my best mate and his wife and son, the only family I've got in the world? After you've put four Order members, two of them Aurors, out of commission to hide? Hell, the bastard's been picking us off all year: we need everybody we've got left!"

The young man's voice had been rising from incredulously to angry.

"I want you," Dumbledore replied slowly in an even tone, "to take care of your family. James, Lily, and Harry will be well protected, and I'm sure Remus and Peter will do their best to make up for your absence. But Voldemort has sympathizers and allies across international borders, Sirius. And there are other threats to consider."

"How would you know? How do you know any of this?" Sirius said frustratedly.

"You were not Miss Sathe's only correspondent."

Sirius was dumbstruck as Albus removed a letter from his robes. Snatching it from the man's grasp, Black began reading the letter, his face slowly darkening and his gray eyes flashing dangerously.

"I take it you are now more amenable to my suggestion," Dumbledore said, watching his former pupil closely. Sirius simply stared at the man, then relaxed his gaze slightly and nodded. Dumbledore beamed.

"Splendid! Muggle transportation is your best means of success. A dear associate in the Muggle world has already issued you a Muggle passport and plane ticket to Bombay. Oh, and do pack an umbrella: monsoon season after all. I had already scheduled your flight for the day after tomorrow, in anticipation of your agreement. My old friend has taken the liberty…"

The words passed over Sirius's consciousness, so he could hear Dumbledore's instructions and hearty goodbye, but failed to comprehend it all, lost in his own thoughts. The man had certainly not made the best choices in his lifetime, and he'd barely made it through a quarter of it. Though with Voldemort on the loose, who knew how long he had, anyway? He was lazy, talented, arrogant, brilliant, foolish, gorgeous, insufferable, vindictive, callous, loyal, and many other colorful adjectives, depending on the speaker. By the tender age of twenty-one, Sirius had been disowned from his family, become an Animagus, dueled with his spineless, twisted Death Eater brother Regulus, defeated Hagrid in a Firewhisky drinking contest, antagonized Voldemort to his face while battling, and bedded 28 women, all mostly pretty (with a few drunken exceptions). If something was going to kill him, he thought it would be Voldy-shorts, or maybe the alcohol.

Instead, his biggest mistake ever was now confirmed to be a James Potteresque pursuit of an unfeeling, beautiful woman who wanted nothing to do with him. But unlike James and Lily's happy ending, this was nothing more than a Pyrrhic victory. Sirius Black was in trouble, and was heading straight into the lion's den to find out just how much trouble he was in.