A/N: This is a story about Harry's sixth year. It has events/people in it from HBP and will have some of the same results. I'd like to point out that there will be some similarities between HBP and my story. JKR owns everything Harry Potter related and I would never dream of stealing any of her creations, hehe.

So on that note, enjoy the different yet similar take on Harry's sixth year that I've created.

Dan (xObserveRx)

Chapter One

Rite of Passage

The late July night was an eerie one across the English countryside of Wiltshire. A thick mist, brought along by the storm now escaping over the hills in the east was now so dense that it looked as if a grey blanket had been thrown over top of the few houses and barns in the area. The towering rooftop peaks of the largest house on the now abandoned county road, Malfoy Manor, were the only objects protruding the top of the misty cloud, looking like periscopes of a submarine searching for a safe place to surface.

A low rumble of thunder masked a loud cracking noise; the infamous sound of apparition. Shaking himself off, an ominous looking wizard wearing a black cloak stepped out of a particularly misty spot of ground and began moving quickly down the street. As he reached the gate to the Malfoy Manor, the man removed the hood of his cloak revealing a greasy head of jet black hair. His Pale skin spoke out against the night with vivid contrast, giving the on-looking owls reason to flutter about before taking off into the now moonlit sky.

A gust of wind caught the man's hair as he reached the doorstep of the manor, blowing it askew. A long, hooked nose dwarfed the man's black eyes; which now carried a look of utmost concern. His knock was answered almost immediately by a frantic looking woman whom, if met in a different circumstance, the man felt he'd find quite attractive.

"Severus," The woman whispered in a desperate tone, "thank goodness you're here."

"What seems to be the matter Narcissa?" Snape asked as he was led into rather large living room which consisted of a large number of priceless artifacts; many of which looked to be family heirlooms, and in the middle of the room sat two dark green leather chairs and a full length couch, which surrounded a breathtaking coffee table comprised of pure emerald.

Narcissa directed Snape to the chair closest to the hallway, and offered him a drink. Snape accepted, and she took out her wand and waved it in the direction of a large oak cabinet at the far side of the room. The cabinet's doors swung open, and a rather large bottle of amber liquid came sailing out, followed by two glasses. She waved her wand again, and the glasses filled themselves. As soon as her glass was full, Narcissa grabbed it and began pacing back and forth.

"Oh Severus, I think I've done something very wrong," she said in a shaken tone. She swung her long blonde hair out of her face as she turned to face Snape. The troubled look of her blue eyes told him that her concern was genuine. "It's Draco, I've-I've allowed him to speak with the Dark Lord." With that, there was a loud crack, and a black haired, gaunt looking woman appeared.

"Cissy, what do you think you're doing?" The woman cried, crossing the room and grabbing Narcissa by the shoulders. "You're not to speak of Draco's task to anyone. This was an order from the Dark Lord himself!"

"I know what his orders are Bella," Narcissa sneered, pushing her sister away. "I just think that Draco isn't ready for something of this sort yet. He needs… help with it."

"So you've called him here?" Bellatrix asked, glaring at Snape. "He is-"

"One of the Dark Lord's most trusted advisors," Narcissa scowled, cutting in, "and I trust him."

"I am the Dark Lord's most faithful follower," Bellatrix muttered, before groaning in aggravation and beginning to pace.

"It just so happens that I have been informed of this particular task," Snape said giving Bellatrix a cold look, "I also believe that Draco is more than capable of completing it without hindrance." The look Narcissa gave him told Snape that she disagreed. Bellatrix turned on the spot to face the other two again.

"You see Cissy?" She began, attempting a smile that turned out to be more threatening than comforting, "he feels that Draco can handle this. Why do you ask for his help?"

"I ask him for help because I want to!" Narcissa said, firing up. Before she could continue, Snape stood up and began walking towards both of them.

"It's quite alright Narcissa," he said as he gave her a faint smile, "I know your sister does not share the same confidence in me that the master does, and frankly I don't care." At that comment Bellatrix brandished her wand and aimed it at Snape. Smiling, Snape turned and faced Bellatrix. "If you wish me to help Draco in this matter, I will do so in any way possible." At that, Narcissa began to weep. Snape sat her down on the couch as Bellatrix continued pacing with an annoyed look.

"Thank you Severus, thank you so much," cried Narcissa, beginning to regain her composure, "He's become arrogant and over confident since he received this order. I begged the Dark Lord to choose someone else for the mission, but he refused. This is because Lucius failed him, isn't it?" She broke down again, and Snape put a hand on her shoulder.

"This is not out of revenge against Lucius Narcissa," He said in a comforting voice, "Draco has asked for this task. He wishes to follow in his father's footsteps, something you should be proud of, not worrisome over." Narcissa sobbed again.

"He's just a boy Severus," she said, raising her voice, "He thinks he's going to be some hero in the eyes of the master. I've heard him talking to his friends; he's calling this task his rite of passage into the Dark Lord's service; into adulthood even! He's let it go to his head Severus!"

Suddenly there was a crash from upstairs, followed by the quick drumming of someone filing down the stairs.

"I am not overconfident mother!" screamed Draco, who had appeared at the entrance to the room. He raised his nose into the air in an arrogant fashion. "I'm perfectly capable of completing this task. Everyone can see that, including the master, so why can't you?" Bellatrix, who had been gazing out of the window, whirled around to face her nephew.

"You're making your father very proud Draco," She said, causing Draco to raise his nose even higher than it already was; as well as a furious glare from her sister. Snape stood up.

"Draco, your mother is just-"

"You shut up," Malfoy sneered, the arrogant smile falling from his face as quickly as it had appeared, "You're just as bad as her; not trusting me to get the job done. You'll see though, everyone will see. I'm not just a boy anymore, I'm a Deatheater now." And with that, he turned and stormed out the door and into the night.

For a few moments there was silence. Snape was staring at the floor, clearly at a loss for words while Bellatrix smiled as she watched her nephew through the window. Narcissa looked as if she were going to be sick at any moment.

Suddenly she sprung up from the couch and clutched Snape by the hands.

"Severus, you will help Draco, won't you?" She asked him in a desperate tone. Snape nodded. "Will you help me Severus? Will you see that no harm comes to Draco, that he will help him complete his task?"

"I will try."

Narcissa knelt in front of Snape looking directly into his eyes. "Severus, will you make the Unbreakable Vow?" Snape drew back at the mention of these words and Bellatrix spun around with a look of astonishment on her face. She moved back towards the sitting area.

"Now now Narcissa, this is hardly something worth-"

"My son is worth anything Bella!" Narcissa shrieked, with a look of utter contempt in her eyes. She turned back towards Snape.

"Will you Severus? Will you make the Unbreakable Vow?" Snape remained expressionless.

"I will make the Unbreakable Vow Narcissa," he said looking over at Bellatrix, "And I take it that you will agree to be our bonder?" Bellatrix's mouth fell open.

"Come over here Bella," Narcissa said directing her sister towards them. Bellatrix moved slowly forwards, her mouth still agape.

"You'll need your wand," Snape added, turning his focus to Narcissa. Bellatrix stood over the two as they joined hands, grasping each others wrists.

"Will you promise to watch over my son, Draco, as he attempts to fulfill the Dark Lord's wishes?" Narcissa asked, looking directly into Snape's eyes.

"I will." A small band of fire was expelled from Bellatrix's wand, and wrapped itself around their hands.

"Will you see to it, to protect him from harm?"

"I will." A second, brighter band of flame leapt from the wand, intertwining with the first.

"And will you, Severus, promise to carry out the task the Dark Lord has asked of Draco, if it seems he will fail?"

"I will," Said Snape, and a rope of flame much larger than the previous two jumped from Bellatrix's wand and wrapped around the others intertwining them all together, completing the vow.