Owls shrieked as they flew overhead through the grey skies. A man in his early twenties glanced up in time to see a large black owl swoop down near his head. He ducked out of the way as the owl perched on a low tree branch nearby. The owl tilted its head at the human and the human returned the gesture. The two had met frequently over the last year carrying letters between two young friends. The owl stretched its large wings and puffed out its chest before dropping an envelope tied with red ribbon on the ground. The young man walked swiftly over to the owl picked up the envelope and shooed it away. If anyone caught sight of him near that owl it could have been his head.
My dear S,
As you know H's birthday is rapidly approaching and James and I would love for you to be here with our family for this special day. J. and I have agreed that even though you and he may not get along at the present time it is important to me that you be here with us as we consider you to be a part of our family.
All my Love,
L.
Severus smiled at the letter as he shoved it deep within his pockets. His cape billowed around him in the wind as he turned and walked down the cobblestone street. His eyes danced with happiness at the thought of seeing the woman he loved more than anything in the world. Even if it meant spending time with her husband as well.
His mind searched back to a time when it used to be him and her running through the fields as children a time before they attended Hogwarts. His memories were clouded as he felt a burning sensation in his left arm and looked down his tattoo had turned pitch black and he knew that his master was calling to him, he looked around quickly then was gone in the blink of an eye.
He arrived in a dark corridor in a dilapidated old house. He could hear excited murmuring and his stomach dropped as he entered a room full of people. In the center of the crowd stood a man who was more frightening than any he had ever encountered. "Ah, my dear Severus. It is good of you to join us" he hissed motioning towards the young man.
A woman stood in the corner watching everything as she let out a shrieking giggle. Her hair was crazy and her eyes were even crazier. Severus looked from face to face in the room. Almost everyone was smiling and that told him one thing. He knew…he knew where they were.
Among the people in the room stood a couple off to the side. The woman was holding a small child in her arms and that sent Severus's mind back to his love and her son and daughter. "Now that everyone is here we must prepare for tonight! For those filthy Potters have been found! Tonight is the night that I kill that filthy mudblood and her mudblood son!" The man in the center of the room shouted raising his arms high above his head with an evil grin on his face.
Severus snapped his head towards the man. Kill her! He had never mentioned killing her before. He silently clenched his jaw. Killing the boy as much as it pained Severus to know that Lily would lose her son she would keep her life and that was more precious to him than her son.
"My lord" He said as he stepped forward in the crowd of people. "Perhaps you could spare her life." He said in a steady voice willing all emotion to drain from him. "If you truly want her to suffer you will kill her son and her husband but spare her life instead." He went on to say as he approached the tall man in all black. "And to show everyone how you are the most powerful wizard to ever live you could make an unbreakable vow to keep her alive" Severus rushed on feeling his throat get tight as he was approving killing the family of the woman he loved so dearly.
"An unbreakable vow" the man said in thought. He nodded slightly and extended his arm to Severus. Severus reached up gingerly and took hold of his arm. The crazy haired woman ran up to them almost salivating as she waved her wand and a gold ribbon appeared binding the two men's hands together. Severus began "Will you Lord Voldemort, in your quest to kill Harry Potter. Keep Lily Potter alive?" "I will" Lord Voldemort answered. The crazy haired lady stood smiling at Lord Voldemort. "Bellatrix that will be all" He said waving her away with his hand. She lowered her wand and slunk back to the back corner of the room.
"I must go" Severus said as he turned away from Lord Voldemort. "I have been away from my post far too long and someone may come looking for me" he said as he once again vanished in the blink of an eye.
