I am definitely proud of the ending on this one. I finally know where this story is going. YAY! It takes me a while to get going, so hence the slow moving beginning. Please read and review. Reviewing makes me write and update faster : )

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Kingsley strode in; power and authority practically radiating from his being. Dumbledore followed not far behind still wearing an expression of disgust.

Determined not to let Kingsley to see my previous turmoil, I stood up from the armchair and sent a steely gaze straight at him. He did not approach in any way that I perceived to be a threat and I was able to relax my shoulders slightly at that relief.

I thought Aurors would for sure accompany him. Especially with Dumbledore's reaction the way it had been.

"What is it you require Kingsley?" Thankfully, I reverted back to the calculated, expressionless demeanor that a spy knew so well.

"Information Severus. The ministry has watched over Tess Carter since the terrible incident with her parents several years ago. We have sources that say you were there on the night Alan and Deborah Carter were murdered. Am I correct in this knowledge?"

"Indeed. You have apt sources."

"It has always remained a mystery as to what exactly the Death Eaters were doing on that night. Care to enlighten me?"

"Not particularly no, as I do not have the answer to that enigma myself." Perhaps my remarks were veiled with sneers, but they were the truth.

Dumbledore took a moment to speak up, "Severus! This is not the time for games or petty rivalries. Show the man!" Each word was articulated with barely restrained fury and increasing impatience.

"I have shown you already Headmaster. It is not something I wish to revisit."

"Then tell me," Kingsley said as an alternative.

Ah, so this is why I respected Kinglsey so much more than the other Order members. He had a sense of compassion, even in the most demanding of circumstances.

"I can tell you, but know that I am not privy to all information. This knowledge is mostly derived from educated guesses and must never leave this room. My position as a spy hangs in the balance should word get out."

I waited for a nod or some hint of recognition at my warning.

Kinglsey ran his tongue over his cracked lips, contemplating what I had just said. "I can edit my report to the minister. He knows I am here and is expecting an explanation. Tess Carter is on the Ministry's watch list and this matter is being heavily looked into."

"Editing is not good enough Kinsgley." My anger started to rise. Could he not see the seriousness of the situation? Of the information I was about to impart to him and how I was risking my life by doing so?

I spoke again, "You are not a dim man. If I must go through with this, then I can only hope you are wise when leaving out details in your conversation with the Minster. Specifically my involvement in the matter."

I looked over to Dumbledore who stood casually in the corner.

Kinglsey put a hand on my shoulder and gave me his word, but not before I shrugged out of his touch and took a seat in the armchair once more.

"When I was a loyal Death Eater, the Dark Lord sent me and an accomplice to the Carter family house. We were only told that he wanted a family heirloom and its presence would make itself known once the parents told us what it was."

Kinglsey had now taken out a piece of parchment and a quill. Apparently he thought I would let him record my recollection. I suppose he was more dimwitted than I thought.

"Do you honestly believe I would let you carry around an incriminating piece of parchment detailing the events of that night? Shacklebolt, I dare say you have lost your touch."

With a graceful arch of my wrist I set the writing materials on fire and watched them disintegrate into ash on Kingley's pristine plum colored robes.

Dumbledore cast me a look of warning but I paid no heed. The insensitive bastard had already vexed me enough.

"Shall I continue?" I asked snidely.

"Yes. Go on."

"Avery, Nott and I went to the house with no knowledge of what the object was, why the Dark Lord wanted it, or what it was capable of. We were merely sent to obtain the item with strict orders to not harm the parents before they told us the nature of the item."

I paused and Kinsgley took the opportunity to interrupt, "Let me get this sorted out: Voldemort sent you to the Carter's house to "persuade" the parent's to tell you about the object, but did not give you any information on what it looked like or what it could do?"

"None at all. The parent's Alan and Deborah put up a valiant fight. Near the end of their struggles, Avery came close to losing a eye…. But I digress. When we stepped into the house they were seated on a sofa flipping through a scrapbook together. As soon as they saw us they scrambled to retrieve their wands, but not before I notice Deborah flicker her gaze over to the mantle above the fireplace. I didn't have a moment to look into that because the father inundated me with curses. In his haste, Avery used some of the more elaborate dark spells to incapacitate the couple. Because of this, they became incoherent and incapable of telling us what the object was. Nott cast the killing curse as I inspected the house for any further occupants, hoping to salvage our ruined mission. Inside one of the rooms Miss Carter, then a small child, sat on the carpet playing with her teddy, completely oblivious to my presence. I employed legillimency and found a memory of her parent's mentioning the object, but never divulging enough information for me to be able to procure it. All three of us returned to the Dark Lord with nothing having failed unforgivingly. I still pay the toll for that night each and every time I return to the Dark Lord's side."

The exact type of toll was left unsaid, but Kinglsey still knew what I hinted at.

"This helps some Severus. Thank you. Now, I regret what I must do, but you will need a cover-up. Voldemort will not be ignorant of the fact you were the only one I could have retrieved this knowledge from. You are a good Occlumens, no?

"Of course."

Kinglsey walked over to Dumbledore and whispered into his ear far too soft for me to decipher the words being exchanged.

All I caught was Dumbledore sighing heavily and nodding his head before Kinglsey approached me and said, "We are going to stage a false memory. At the next Death Eater meeting you are to produce it in front of Voldemort."

"I can conjure up any image, rearranged past memories, what makes you think I need to stage one to protect myself from the Dark Lord's questions?"

Kinglsey gave a sad smile. "It is the nature of the beast Severus. This ensures your protection. Voldemort will not be able to dispute the memory."

"And why ever not?"

"It will be splashed across the Daily Prophet and muttered across all circles of wizard kind."

My heart raced at that. What was I to be subjected to?

Dumbledore stepped over to my side and laid a hand on my shoulder. "You are about to be arrested. Play the part well. The guards outside are under the impression you are being arrested for real.

Kinglsey went to open the office doors and three burly Aurors stepped inside. My normally composed features wore an expression of shock. I whipped around to Dumbledore, eyes pleading for a better solution.

Two of the Aurors led me away from Dumbledore and clamped crude looking handcuffs over my wrists wrenched behind my back.

A slew of questions flitted through my mind. What if I am summoned whilst in jail? How will I be released? What of Tess Carter?

I could do so much more to save the girl provided I wasn't being imprisoned for the sake of making the Dark Lord believe my words.

The third Auror took his wand from his back pocket and touched it to the handcuffs. A crisp, blue energy surrounded them and I did not have time to stifle the cry of agony the jolt of energy produced. It surged straight to my magical core, inhibiting any thought, any impulse, any means of escape.

I could only hope Dumbledore knew what he was doing. I never even had the chance to speak to him about my thoughts on Samhain. On the events I suspected would take place.

As I was nearly dragged down the steps and out the Great Hall doors, Dumbledore followed in my wake. Magical abilities stripped, dignity lost, I around turned one last time and glared at the Headmaster.

"It is for your good and the rest of the wizarding race Severus." He thought this consoled me. It only aggravated me more.

I spat back, "I sacrifice more for the greater good than anyone else. Why have they not sacrificed anything for me!?"

With those departing words, I left the safety and comfort of Hogwarts and entered into my own personal Hell and the Devil's Elysium.