The night was very still. Everyone living on the street of Spinner's End had gone to sleep, and all the lights were out. The only sound was the occasional scuffle of a rat or other rodent hunting for food, and the soft hooting of owls. It was very strange, then, for all the creatures to hear a loud popping noise in the middle of the night. The owls stopped hooting, the crickets stopped chirping, and the fox on the hill froze, staring intently at the spot of the noise. Standing very still in the grass beside the river, was a dark figure. It had its hood up, and seemed to be waiting for something. And then suddenly, with a second loud pop, another figure appeared beside him. He was tall, with light blonde hair that covered his ears and was constantly in his eyes.

"Come" said the first; it was unmistakably a man's voice. The two walked quickly and quietly across the dew-moistened grass and onto the dirt road. The nighttime creatures watched as they walked to the very last house on the street, and entered it. Inside, the hooded man tapped a lamp with his wand. It flickered on, casting a dim light over the small sitting room, which appeared to be in slight disarray. The man turned to the blonde-haired boy, and threw back his hood. He was what appeared to be a middle-aged man, with a long sallow face and greasy black hair that fell to his shoulders.

"Sit down, and I'll make tea, if you want some" he said to the boy. The boy, whose name was Draco Malfoy, nodded and sat down on the sofa; they appeared to have come from a long journey.

"How long will I have to stay here?" asked Draco, looking around in slight disgust.

"As long as you need to" said the man, whose name was Severus Snape. "The Dark Lord is very unhappy with you, and don't be surprised when I say he might kill you if the chance ever came."

"It's not easy to kill your own headmaster!" said Draco angrily.

"I know" said Snape, setting a kettle on the stove "But the Dark Lord does not easily forgive his servants for failing to do his will."

"What are you trying to tell me?" asked Draco.

"That I'm doing you a favor by keeping you here" said Snape, tapping the kettle with his wand. "Don't you understand?"

"Yeah, I guess…" said Draco, looking at the ceiling. "I just wish…"

Snape looked at him.

"I know" he said quietly. "But your parents can do nothing to help you now. They are in as much danger as you are." Snape opened a cupboard and took two small tea cups out of it. He poured the tea into both of the cups and gave one to Draco, who took it and strode across the room, sitting on the hearth by the fireplace.

"Can we light a fire?" he asked.

"Certainly" said Snape, pointing his wand at the fireplace. "Incendio!"

Flames burst up in the grate, burning as though they had been for the whole day. Draco sipped his tea –it was very strong— and stared at the flames. He was scared. He knew Voldemort would kill him; he just knew it. How could anyone stand against him? Snape tried to read his thoughts but Draco looked at him.

"Don't you remember? I can stop you."

Snape smirked. "Of course" he said. "Well, I'm going to turn in for the evening. You're welcome to stay up as late as you like, just don't go outside."

"Okay" said Draco into his teacup. "Thanks for letting me stay, sir" he said, trying to smile. Snape nodded, and pointed his wand at the front door. "Colloportus!" It sealed with a loud squelching noise. Snape then waved his wand and muttered something Draco couldn't understand, though he guessed it must have been special binding enchantments to secure the door even more. He then bade Draco goodnight and disappeared behind a door across the room from him.

Draco turned his gaze back to the crackling fire. He thought of where his mother might be, and if she was as scared as he was. He thought of what his father might be doing now, if he had escaped from Azkaban, or if the Dark Lord had already disposed of him. And Draco, wondering with tears in his eyes if he would ever see his parents again, suddenly felt a wave of exhaustion come over him, and finishing his tea, he stood up, walked to the couch, and passed out upon it.