Chapter 4: Escape from Privet Drive


Severus Snape felt his mark burn. He clutched it in pain while performing a stasis spell on his potion and donning his Death Eater garb. It wasn't enough that he had to participate in that fiasco at the Ministry and then report to Dumbledore over his precious golden boy. A sneer crossed his face as he remembered Potter. That boy who strutted around the castle as if he was entitled to special treatment. Well, he was determined to show him his place. Potter was no better than anyone else to walk these halls and Snape was determined to make sure he knew it.

He walked outside the Hogwarts wards and apparated with a crack to the Dark Lord's side. Not many knew but Snape was one of his most trusted and their relationship was fraught with more of a familiar air. After all, Voldemort was essentially his father in all but blood. He had taken him in, when his father had killed his mother and threatened to kill him. Severus fled and Voldemort found his scared 15 year old self huddled in the snow while fearing for his life. He immediately placed his cloak upon young Severus' shoulders and swept him away to his manor. The next morning he killed Tobias Snape and Severus has lived with him ever since. After that, Snape had forever vowed to follow Voldemort. He was the only man he was completely devoted to.

"Severus, I have a task we must embark on. There is a magical child being abused by muggles. I wish to sway him to our side." Voldemort whispered.

Fire filled Snape's eyes. He knew what it was like to be looked down on and abused by muggles. No child would suffer what he did while he could change their childhood. He stood and nodded certainly.

With that, Voldemort grasped hold of his arm and apparated them both to Privet Drive. Once there Voldemort approached the wards surrounding number 4. They were weak with holes and tears littered about the entire surface. These blood wards were meant to protect Harry Potter? Just what was Dumbledore thinking, they were so weak that even if he had murderous intentions they wouldn't be more than a trivial problem.

Meanwhile Snape was gawking at the house because he knew exactly where they were and who lived inside. The only question was, how did Potter fool the Dark Lord into thinking he was abused?

While he was lost in thought, Voldemort strode through the wards while melted around him as though what little was keeping him aloft succumbed to Voldemort's presence. The two men cloaked in darkness approached the front door. Voldemort reached out and turned the handle. It was locked. He efficiently unlocked the door windlessly and strode inside. All was quiet and the lights were all off. The only sign of life was the distant snores drifting down from the occupants sleeping peacefully in their beds, unaware of the danger that just walked into their house.

Voldemort cast a point me spell intent on finding Harry. His wand spun until it pointed insistently at the cupboard door. He approached apprehensively, already nervous in anticipation of what he would find there. His only hope was that Harry wasn't dead and just being stored there.

He unlocked the latch manually and the door swung open ominously. In the dark space he detected slight movement.

When the door opened, Harry thought he was dreaming. It was too soon for Vernon to be letting him out to complete his chores so it must be one of his fantasies about someone coming to rescue him. With that thought in mind, he sighed is disappointment and closed his eyes in anticipation of another lonely night with only the spiders for company.

"Harry?" Voldemort questioned.

Harry's eyes flew open. There was definitely someone there and in the house. Fear filled him. What if it was someone that had broken in and was here to hurt him. Harry drew back and pressed himself against the wall with wide eyes focused on the door.

Voldemort felt silly but he remarked that it was him, Lord Voldemort, who had come to take him from there. Harry cautiously drew himself forward and silently moved across the wooden floorboards. He peeked outside the cupboard door and saw two shadowy figures that were difficult to make out in the dark.

"Potter" a voice sneered.

That voice had been starring in many of his dreams and nightmares. He knew that voice. It belonged to the man who had mocked and ridiculed him the past five years. Professor Snape. But what was he doing here? Was he finally going to go through with some of his many threats to turn him into potions ingredients?

Voldemort reached a hand towards Harry for him to grasp. Hope began to stir inside Harry that finally he would be rid of this place where he was only hurt and mocked. He did not even think of what could await him for anything would be more welcome than staying where he was constantly reminded of being unwanted.

With that the three figures left Privet Drive with no desire to ever return again.