Prolugue

A tall figure, hooded in a dark cloak, waalked near to an old, slightly vine covered house in the midst of the woods somewhere in Great Britain. Several loud cracks came from behind and in the place appeared around ten others dressed in similar atire. They all strode to the shaded doorstep in the ever darkening night. The first, their leader, took out an thin wooden wand with elegant carvings down to the tip and pointed it at the semi-decrepit door, muttering something under his breath.

The door eased open,creaking from lack of use, revealing a cozy, dim-lit living room. On one of two creme colored love-seats sat a young man with long black hair and rather pale skin. His feet rest upon a small glass coffee table and he was reading a part of Catullus' Carmina. He glanced up as the people entered. When he saw their leader, he immediatly shot up and took a low bow.

"My Lord," he uttered in a cold voice.

"Stand up, Severus. I have a task for you. First, is anyone else here?" the cloaked leader said silkily.

"No, my Lord," Severus replied as he straightened up.

"Like I said, I have a...task..for you." Snape's face twisted in confusion.

"You see, I'm not quite sure where your loyalties lie, Severus. I know that you 'spy' on me for the Order, as to get closer. I just don't know what is fact and what is not. I'm not going to ask you to tell me these things but to just go through with the task prepared." He paused for a moment to let it sink in.

"Now the task is to get closer to the Potter boy. I understand he has two quite close friends am I right? Boy and girl?" The young man slightly nodded.

"This girl, Hermione Granger I presume, is rather smart I heard. " He paused for a moment as if thinking.

"My Lord, I'm afraid I do not understand. What is it do you want me to do?" The Dark Lord raised a pale, bony hand and slid off his hood, revealing a scrawny, equally pale face with red snake-like eyes, a slit nose, and a thin mouth curved up slightly. In front, Severus stiffened somewhat noticeably.

"Get closer to the girl. She could be valuable to us. And of course Harry would come hand-in-hand with her. The boy is not likely to let his friend out of sight with you breathing down their necks. Therefore if you get closer to her, you get closer to him."\

"And by 'closer' you mean...?"

"Uh...woo..her, as it were." Snape's eyes widened and, if possible, he grew paler.

"W...wh...what? You mean you want me to get her to fall for me? Willingly?" he managed to sputter out. The leader smirked in amusement at his discomfort. He slowly gained his composure and took a deep breath.

"And if I don't oblige? What then?"

"You're dead. It's that simple. If you go through with it, not only do you get to live, you also earn my respect and trust. Now, are you to agree or should we go ahead and dig your grave?"

"Yes, my Lord. I will do it."

"Alright. Go to the Albus and tell him your predicament. He will be more than willing to agree, seeing as you're so 'valuable' to them. They can't afford to lose you."

"What if the girl refuses?"

"Threaten her, whatever. I highly doubt it though for she will know your life is on the line. If she had the chance to save you, she would. I shall see you at a later time. Goodbye, Severus." With that he and the others apparated out after the snake-like man pulled up his hood leaving Snape standing there. He sighed heavily but, albeit grudgingly, apparated out to the Order's headquaters.


Yes I know it was short but most ch. in this story are going to be. Sorry. Well this is my odd new story. I just recently got hooked to this pairing and I love it. But anyway I won't be able to update much this week b/c I have a huge latin state convention this weekend. sigh. I've got to study, pack, write, etc. for it. Anyway reviews are greatly appreciated. Criticism definently welcome.