We're nearing the end of the books...


Professor Dumbledore spends the holidays researching what he can about Voldemort's past. It is while searching the Gaunt's house that he finds a ring and, mesmerised by the awfully familiar symbol on it and magic surrounding it, Albus makes the mistake of putting on the ring.

Returning to Hogwarts, he seeks Severus' aid and they manage to stabilise the curse in his hand. But Albus Dumbledore won't outlive the year. Severus also informs him of some moves Voldemort is making - moves that are very relevant to his life.

As Voldemort quietly regains his full following, and more, he assigns the seventh and sixth year children of his supports a joint task: kill Professor Dumbledore. It is this assignment that Severus informs the Transfiguration Professor of. After deliberation, Albus talks to Headmistress McGonagall and Professor Snape is given the (cursed) Defense the Dark Arts position.

Albus takes a few days out of his research schedule to butter up and hire Horace Slughorn for the position of Potions Master. After much manipulation and brokering, the once-retired Professor accepts the position.

The Death Eater's children spend the year plotting. They soon have multiple plans they could put into action, but it's the discovery of the Vanishing Cabinet that they decided takes priority - no assassination plans will be carried out until the cabinet is fixed. Most of them realise the high benefits to not just reporting that their assassination was a success but providing the Dark Lord with a back door into Hogwarts Castle its self.

As the last week of the year rolls around, Albus Dumbledore's research pays off. Bringing with him a Hogwarts House Elf, he makes the journey to a seaside cave and retrieves what he believes to be Slytherin's locket. He returns late to the castle and wearily dismisses the House Elf and makes his way down to the dungeons (Poppy Pomfrey doesn't need me waking her up at this hour. Severus can brew what's nessicary). As he sits half-collapsed in a transfigured chair in the Potion Master's quarter, a heavy rap resounds from the door. The Potions Master bids whomever enterance and as the door opens the Transfiguration Professor finds several wands pointed at him. From the corner of his eye, he sees Serverus stand. He gives a slight smile to accompany the twinkle in his eyes as he offers the sixth and seventh year students a metaphorical olive branch. In their eyes, he sees some waver, but the most violent rules here and he is subject to several hexes being aimed at him. He is saved from having to suffer any of the hexes, however, by a well placed Avada Kedavera from the only one standing behind him.

Minerva is alerted just before morning light by the portraits. Still in her dressing gown she rushes to the dungeons but finds nothing but Albus Dumbledore's lifeless body and a distinctly empty private quarters. A staff meeting is called and the portraits in the Headmistress' office are stuffed and gossiping. When too few evidence is found, the missing Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor is a sufficient enough coincidence to successfully pin the blame on him.

The day of Dumbledore's funeral, Lord Voldemort decides to finally make his move. Minister Corneilius Fudge is killed in his home, several Muggle-sympathetic households are attacked and, most importantly, Diagon Alley is raided.

War is very clearly declared.


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