Prologue

ST. Mungos Hospital July 31, 1980

A tall man stands outside a hospital room. He brushed long white hair out of his face. His glowing blue eyes stare unblinkingly at the door in front of him. Hours pass and still he doesn't move as if he'd been turned to stone.

An old woman exited the room. Gleaming amber eyes stare at the man. "Milord," the woman said.

"Is it done?" the man asked.

"Yes," the woman said. She passed him a small bundle. "You were correct. The child did not survive."

The man moves part of the blanket, revealing a tuft of black hair. "I'll ensure that he receives a proper burial."

The woman bows. "That would be the honorable thing to do."

Before another word could be spoken, the man flies backwards, smashing into a wall. A small blond woman steps into the hallway.

"Where is he?"

"You're too late My love, our son is already with the mortals."

"I'm his mother," the woman hissed. "Don't I get a say in this?"

"You are thinking with your emotions. I have to be impassive. Our son must live. We can't guarantee that if he stayed with us."

"I don't have to leave him here," the woman snaps. "I can take him back."

"You can't and you know it. Once he is left with the mortals, he must stay with those mortals for no less than seven years."

The woman ground her teeth. "Fine," she snapped, "But I want to see him."

The man shook his head. "I do not think that would be wise."

"You've stolen my son from me. The least you can do is allow me to see him."

"Alright," the man said, "but be quick."

**C**

James and Lily Potter gaze at the baby in Lily's arms. Lily emerald eyes are filled with tears.

"He has your hair," she says smiling at James.

"Nah," James said. "His is a lot nicer, "but he has your eyes."

The door opened and a blond woman stepped inside. "How is our new Mother," she said cheerfully.

Lily holds up the baby. "He's beautiful."

The woman's lower lip trembled. "May I hold him?"

Lily hesitantly passes the baby to the blond. As she watches, the infant snuggles into the woman's arms as if he knew her. The woman gently kisses his forehead before slowly passing him back.

"You'll take care of him?" she asked.

"Of course," Lily said.

"Good," the woman turns for the door. As she reaches it, she turns back to look at the three of them. "What's his name?"

"Harry James Potter," Lily said.

**C**

The woman steps into the hallway and pulls the door shut behind her. As she walks away, the old woman steps in front of her.

"I had no choice," she pleaded.

"Get out of my sight before I end you mage," the woman said coldly.

The woman glanced back over her shoulder, staring at the bundle in the man's arms. "You will give their true child a proper burial? You owe these mortals that much."

"Yes, I'll treat him like he was a member of my family.

The woman turned away without another word. She took a step and vanished.

The old woman approaches the man. "She will not forgive either one of us."

"If that is the price for keeping my son safe, then so be it." The man bows to her. "I am in your debt. If you ever have need of me, call."

The man vanishes in a flash of light, leaving the old woman staring at the spot where he'd been standing. She began walking down the hallway. She had other patients to see. She would check on the Potters later.

Chapter 1

One year later

"So, wait," James said. "There is a prophecy about our son?"

"No," the old man said taking off his half-moon spectacles. He ran his fingers through his beard. A prospective divination professor spouted it off to try and get the job.

"Albus," Lily said. "Why didn't you tell us about this earlier?"

"Because I wasn't sure it was going to come to anything. I mean the prophecy was vague and could've applied to anyone."

"And what if you're wrong?" James said.

"Voldemort will believe in the prophecy," Dumbledore said. "He's paranoid enough to see threats where there is none."

"So, what do you suggest?" Lily asked.

"The Fidelius charm."

"That charm would require us to place our lives in the hands of a third party," James Said thoughtfully.

"Surely you have people you would trust with your lives?"

"No one that Voldemort wouldn't come after."

"We could send them into hiding."

"You know that wouldn't work," Lily said. "He would kill them and then the Fidelius charm would be rendered useless."

"So, what would you suggest?" Dumbledore asked.

"Potter Manor has some of the strongest wards besides Hogwarts. We can place the Fidelius charm there. That way even if Voldemort bypasses the charm, we'll have plenty of time to escape."

"Very well," Dumbledore said. "We'll perform the charm in a week. Please take that time to choose a Secret Keeper.

**C**

Severus Snape knelt in the underground chamber; his head bowed respectfully. "Milord," he said. "I have news."

"Indeed," a deep voice said. "Look at me."

Severus Snape looked up and brushed his greasy black hair out of his face. His black eyes were cast down towards the floor. Slowly, he raised them to look at the man before him.

There were those that said this man was a god. Some said he was a devil. Snape didn't know if either statement was true or not. All he knew was Lord Voldemort was extremely powerful. Snape had never seen him use a wand. He'd never heard him speak when casting spells. Whatever else he might be, Lord Voldemort was one of the strongest wizards on the planet.

He stared into Voldemort's reddish blue eyes not daring to look away after being commanded to look at him.

Voldemort's pale skin glowed in the candlelight. His black hair fell to his shoulders in soft waves. When he smiled, he revealed straight white teeth. His long fingers drummed on the arm of his chair. As he extended a hand towards him, Snape noticed that Voldemort's hands were free of any lines.

"Rise," he commanded. As Snape rose to his feet, a chair appeared behind him. "Sit."

Snape sat. He shifted uncomfortably.

"There is a prophecy about me?" Voldemort asked.

Snape stiffened. "How did you know about that?"

Voldemort smiled kindly. "Your mind is full of it. The one with the power to vanquish the dark lord approaches born as the seventh month dies, born to those who have thrice defied him."

Snape nodded. "That is the prophecy, but I only heard part of it."

"Yes," Voldemort said. "You were careless, but youthful excitement is something that you have not overcome yet. It is no matter my friend. There have only been two children born at the end of July."

"Two Milord?" Snape said.

"Yes, The Longbottoms and the Potters have a son each. Both boys were born at the end of July. They are the only ones that fit the criteria of the prophecy."

Snape shuddered. It was all he could do to suppress the sudden dread that sprang up inside him. "The Potters Milord?" he said.

"Yes," Voldemort said. He stared at Snape. "Ah, I almost forgot. Lily Evans married James Potter."

"Milord," Snape began. "Please, spare Lily."

"Severus," Voldemort said. "Regardless of your feelings for her, she is the enemy. She wishes to destroy wizarding society with her muggle ideology. I do not deny that our society has problems, but you have not seen what I have."

Snape shifted. "I know she is the enemy Milord, but surely you could spare her? Kill the boy if you must, but please spare Lily."

Voldemort frowned at Snape. "Killing her Husband and son would not make her love you. If she ever found out that you were the cause of their deaths, she would do everything in her power to see you suffer."

"She wouldn't find out," Snape said hurriedly. "I would make sure of that. If we killed Abeforth, that would remove all witnesses."

"Do not forget the old wench that gave the prophecy," Voldemort said. "That is a lot to go through to spare the life of an enemy."

"Please," Snape begged. "I have done all you've asked since I joined you. I have refused no command. All I ask is that you do this one thing for me."

Voldemort's eyes narrowed. He reached out and lightly touched Snape on the head.

Snape collapsed to the ground, screaming in agony. He writhed on the floor, clutching his head. It was as if someone were splitting his skull with a blunt ax.

After a moment, the pain faded. He looked up through tear filled eyes and stared into Voldemort's stern gaze. "Severus Tobias Snape," Voldemort said, his voice as cold as winter's first frost. "You would dare to attempt to force me to do what you wanted by bringing up past obedience?"

"No Milord," Snape began. "I merely thought…"

"Silence," Voldemort hissed. "I will spare Lily if she will stand aside. She will be given that choice. If she obeys, she will live. If she does not," Voldemort snapped his fingers. "That is all I am willing to do. DO you understand?"

Snape nodded fearfully. He knew he'd pushed Voldemort as far as he was willing to be pushed.

"Good," Voldemort said. "Now get out of my sight."

**C**

Dumbledore looked up at the knock on his door. "Enter," he called.

His eyebrows rose as he saw Severus Snape step into his office. It had been years since he'd seen his former student.

"Mr. Snape," Dumbledore said. "It has been a while."

"Yes," Snape said. "Yes, it has. I've come… I've come to ask you for help."

Dumbledore reached into his desk and drew out a packet of sweets. "Lemon drop?"

Snape twisted his hands together. "No… No thank you sir," he said.

Dumbledore popped the lemon drop into his mouth and sucked on it thoughtfully. "Why have you come here?" he asked. "According to my sources, you and I are not on the same side."

Snape flinched. "You know?"

"That you have joined Voldemort? Yes, I am aware that you are a Death Eater."

"I didn't have a choice," Snape said.

"Really?" Dumbledore raised a single eyebrow. "Who forced you?"

Snape shifted in his seat. His black eyes flashed. "It's your fault," he said. You always gave the Gryffindors free reign while punishing the Slytherins."

"I assume you are referring to the enmity between yourself and James Potter. If that is the case, then you will be happy to know that he and his friends received more detentions than Slytherin house combined."

"He should've been expelled."

"And if I had done so, how many Slytherins would I have had to give the same treatment? Face its Severus, I've given Slytherins a lot more leeway than I've given the other students. While James and his friend's pranks were very childish, they were not innately harmful. Slytherins routinely practiced bigotry and racism against a portion of the student body.

"Sirius Black tried to kill me."

"I am well aware of that. I am also aware that James endangered his own life to save yours. There is no excusing what Sirius did and had it succeeded, he probably would have gone to Azkaban. As it was, I could not expel him without revealing Remus Lupins secret and Lupin did nothing wrong. The most I could do was Give Sirius detention every night for his remaining time at Hogwarts.

"It wasn't enough," Snape hissed.

How many have you killed since becoming a Death Eater or has Voldemort been content with you being his spy?"

Snape was silent. He looked down at the floor. "Severus," Dumbledore said gently. "You must let go of your hate. You will never be happy until you do so."

"I didn't come here for life advice."

"Why did you come?"

"Voldemort is going to kill the Potters. You have to protect Lily."

"Interesting," Dumbledore said. "Why would he kill the Potters?"

"He knows about the Prophecy," Snape blurted.

"And how did he find out about the prophecy?"

Snape winced. "You know how. I told him the first half of it which was all I heard. I didn't know he would go after Lily."

"So, if he'd gone after someone else, then it wouldn't have mattered?"

"Lily was my only friend," Snape said. "I don't want her to die."

"What about her husband and son?"

"Save them if you must, I don't care. Just please save Lily."

Dumbledore stroked his long white beard. "Thank you for this information," he said, turning back to the paperwork on his desk.

"Wait," Snape hissed. "Will you save her?"

"I will try my best," Dumbledore said. "Unfortunately, thanks to you, they are in even more danger than they were before and I have no idea what Voldemort's plans are. That inhibits my ability to keep her safe."

"Then I'll spy for you," Snape said. "I'll do whatever it takes to keep Lily safe."

"Very well," Dumbledore said. "Report to my office at eight tomorrow morning."

"Why?" Snape asked.

"Because you need a job here if you are going to play at spy. Fortunately for us, Professor Slughorn just retired and we are in need of a Potions master."

"Me be a professor," Snape said indignantly. "I don't want to spend the rest of my life teaching a bunch of spoiled brats."

"This is the only way that Voldemort might believe you are spying for him."

"Fine," Snape bit out. "I'll see you tomorrow morning."

"Good," Dumbledore said. "You may stay in the castle if you wish."

"Thank you," Snape said. "I believe I'll take you up on that offer."

**C**

Voldemort waved a hand, canceling the spell he'd woven into the dark mark. Leaning back in a comfortable armchair, he sipped the cup of tea he held and sighed.

"He'd had such high hopes for Snape. His betrayal was a bitter pill to swallow. It showed that not everyone was willing to do what was necessary to purify the Wizarding world. For love or lust, Snape had turned his back on his master. Dumbledore was a fool, didn't he realize that if Snape betrayed one master, he'd betray another?

What was he going to do with Snape? He obviously couldn't trust him, but it would be foolish to let him live. Perhaps he could use Snapes spying to his advantage. Snape would have to report to him if he was going to spy. He could pick through Snape's mind for any useful information. Then, once he'd dealt with the Potters, he could dispose of Snape.

With his mind made up, Voldemort stood and turned towards his bedroom. He would need his rest for the days ahead.