A/N: funny number aside, this chapter is sorta a mess but it's still kinda comprehendible so... enjoy? XD
Minerva McGonagall was conflicted.
It had been almost two hours since she heard the message sent by Albus Dumbledore's phoenix Patronus and she looked down to the file on her desk with a sigh.
Minerva had kept an eye over Francesca Zabini ever since she was Horace Slughorn's apprentice but the dark-haired woman never did any suspicious activities. Other professors found her methods a pleasant change from Slughorn's lackadaisical teachings and the students respected her enough that they didn't cause a ruckus when Zabini became Hogwarts' Potion Mistress.
But Albus… the old warlock was among the greatest wizards in the century and had subdued Gellert Grindelwald's conquest nearly forty years ago, yet he also was careless with the school's administration; she admitted she was surprised to know Remus Lupin was a werewolf however the then-Headmaster didn't address the matter to other students.
During dinner, Minerva watched as Zabini struck a lively conversation with Pomona Sprout and Aurora Sinistra, her eyes were fixed at the glass bracelet around Zabini's right wrist. She noticed how Zabini didn't always wear it but she suspected the item was something valuable enough for the woman to have it around.
"Miss Zabini, may I have a word with you in my office?" she said after they finished their meal.
Zabini blinked, "Um, sure. When do you want me to-?"
"Now would be prudent, dear."
The walk to the Headmistress' Office was quiet aside from them exchanging greetings with other students before curfew time.
"I heard you'll be married to Mr. Severus Snape soon," Minerva started as soon as they took their seats in the circular room.
Zabini turned beet red and scoffed with a nervous laugh, "Pomona just can't shut her mouth, eh? But yes, we decided for a Christmas wedding."
The Headmistress smiled, remembering her own wedding. "Have you met him recently?"
"We're planning to meet during the Hogsmeade trip this weekend."
Minerva hummed absent-mindedly which prompted Zabini to furrow her brows. "Is… there anything else you want to talk about?" she asked.
"I- No, just… keep up the good work, hmm?" Minerva almost grimaced that she couldn't muster her courage to sedate the Potion Mistress and sent her to Albus Dumbledore, and yet… "Do you remember what you heard of Sybil Trelawney's prophecy a year ago?"
"…What of it?"
"Did… Did you tell anyone else about it?" If she had, Minerva might have real evidence that Francesca Zabini was a suspect or an associate over the Longbottoms' murder.
There was a beat of silence before Zabini pursed her lips, "I only told Severus; he's the one who supported me to get this job. He didn't believe it of course. I mean, let's be honest, who'd want to listen to unsupported ramblings about the future?"
At that, Minerva couldn't suppress her laugh. Yes, she too hadn't had any interest over Divination. "Very well then, Miss Zabini, rest well."
After the Potion Mistress left, she held out a sigh. Perhaps Albus really had lost his marbles to target Zabini over an incomplete prophecy. But if she hadn't act upon his orders, the old wizard would have suspicions on her and she would like to enjoy her life in Hogwarts, thank you very much.
She flicked her wand to cast her cat Patronus and whispered her words before sending it to the intended person, hoping he would comply or else.
It was Saturday, and Francesca Zabini dressed up in a light blue robe and put on the glass bracelet before going to the Three Broomsticks to meet up with her soon-to-be husband, Severus Snape. Upon arriving, she saw him stroking his brown owl's chin, to which the bird hooted contently. Deciding to surprise him, she went to his side and poked him. "Boo," she said.
She was startled at the speed Severus drew out his wand, her breath hitched in fear and held her hands up apologetically with wide eyes.
After a few seconds, Severus clicked his tongue and shook his head. "D- Don't do that again," he grimaced, stowing his wand away into the arm holster. "I can't hear loud sudden noises, remember?"
Francesca lowered her head in shame, recalling how Severus told her the circumstances of his 'death' back when she last visited the dilapidated house in Spinner's End, Cokeworth. "Sorry," she mumbled.
Severus took her hand, gesturing her to sit beside him and caressed her left wrist with a low chuckle, "It's not your fault. I mean, Halloween's only over a week ago."
Francesca smiled weakly and turned to the brown owl that perched on Severus' left shoulder, whose orange eyes blinked in curiosity and petted its head before discussing more about their upcoming wedding ceremony.
"…Petunia Evans-Dursley?" she asked with a frown after Severus gave her the list of guests he had invited, "Is she somehow related to… Lily Evans-Potter?"
"Yes, she's her sister," Severus pursed his lips, "but I assure you, Petunia hates Lily more than ever now."
Francesca blinked.
"…I told Petunia that Lily had tried to kill you."
"Oh," she commented slowly. She had almost forgotten what occurred over a year ago. "That's… very slimy of you, Severus." She narrowed her eyes at him.
Severus only laughed and she followed his gaze to the glass bracelet around her right wrist. "Anything for our peaceful life," he murmured and kissed her cheek. "Do you need anything?"
Francesca beamed and they went to various shops in Hogsmeade to purchase additional potion ingredients for her classes and trinkets to add at their wedding venue in which Severus kept it a secret from her, no matter how much she tried to pry it out of him.
Along the way, they noticed a tabby cat trotted behind them. "That cat looks familiar," she said to Severus after they exited the clothing store.
He turned to see the feline licking its paw and snorted. "All tabby cats look the same if you ask me." The owl on his shoulder hooted as if in agreement.
It was dusk when they finally finished and they stopped in front of the gates nearby the train station.
"Thank you for today," she said before grinning whilst tapping her lips playfully, to which Severus raised his brows and rolled his eyes with a smile before they shared a kiss. She felt him caressing her hair and buried herself deeper in his embrace.
"Just over a month left, dear," he said, returning the gesture and gave her a peck on the forehead. "Then I will tell you everything about who I really am."
Francesca was intrigued by his statement but chose not to question it out of fear Severus might reconsider his choice. She casted a floating charm on the grocery bags and reluctantly bade him goodbye before making her way to Hogwarts, not noticing how Severus' face darkened with worry at the strands of hair in his hand and the tabby cat a few feet away from them slowly shifted into a human.
Albus Dumbledore waited in his family home, his fingers steeple on the wooden desk while his visage was marred with ageing lines and wrinkles of deep thoughts.
Minerva McGonagall had told him to wait until 7th November to deliver Francesca Zabini to his doorsteps and with each second that passed, Albus couldn't contain his patience. The perpetrator to the Longbottoms' murder must be arrested lest more Auror families would be targeted and the wizarding world will be left in shambles under Lord Voldemort's fists.
A series of knocks startled him and he rushed to the front door before opening it, blinking at the figure shrouded with a cloth on a floating stretcher behind the elderly witch.
"She's Stunned," Minerva said with a grimace, "just lucky that Severus Snape had Disapparated first, otherwise he would catch onto us."
Albus frowned, "I was hoping that you can bait Mr. Snape instead but… good work anyway, Minerva. You can leave." He took control of the stretcher and brought it inside. After the woman left, he lowered the stretcher onto the floor and muttered at the prone figure, "Ennervate."
Francesca Zabini's dark eyes blinked rapidly and narrowed when she focused on him but despite his old age, Albus was still quite agile and quickly casted an Incarcerous spell onto her. "W- What do you want from me?" she asked, struggling against the binds around her.
"You overheard the prophecy from a year ago, Miss Zabini," he began, "and I very much doubt that you will keep it only to yourself. I will let you go if you answer these questions correctly: Did you tell Severus Snape about it, and is he a Death Eater? Be honest, Miss Zabini, lest I will force it out of you and you won't like it."
For her part, Zabini looked strangely cowed at his threat. "I- I only told Severus about it," she mumbled, "but as for the second question… I don't know. He rarely told me things, you know? Always playing up his mysterious façade wherever he goes… I'm always the one to initiate conversation with him; hell, I don't even know where he lives!"
Albus held out a deep breath, mustering his Legilimency powers onto Zabini and saw the fleeting memories of Zabini and Snape within the familiar walls of the Three Broomsticks. The few other instances were also the same; it seemed the pub had been their meeting place ever since she got into Hogwarts for her job. "And you believe his words?" he prompted.
Zabini bowed her head down, "He was kind to me."
"Has he ever said anything about the Longbottoms? Or even the Potters?" When Zabini shook her head, he sighed. "Very well, then. Thank you for your time." He undid the spell and massaged his forehead, hearing the telltale crack of Disapparation. He gripped his wand and casted his Patronus, "Alastor, James, we need to talk."
Severus returned to Prince Manor with a gasp, barely avoiding any unwanted mishap as the Polyjuice Potion's effects slowly faded moments before Albus Dumbledore let him go. He would have to come up with a better potion that could make an impersonation lasted longer. Sighing, he looked up to the sky and saw Marvolo's Animagus form flew toward him.
"I suspect Moody and Potter would investigate you soon, per Dumbledore's orders," the man said after he reverted into his human form. "You should be prepared for it."
That night, Severus couldn't sleep. How could he turn the upcoming inspection to his advantage? By picking up the wrong prophecy orb? James Potter could be controlled and fooled through the man's wedding ring but Alastor Moody might know of his deception, especially with his mysterious prosthetic eye. The registry book would definitely be used as well, and it was charmed against any editing spells.
With a heavy heart, Severus ultimately decided upon Fate onto what would happen soon.
On Monday, he went to the Ministry of Magic for his work, and not to his surprise, he saw Moody and Potter near the entrance to the Hall of Prophecy. He mustered his courage and approached them; there was no point in acting as if he had no clue over their presence.
"Get in," the gnarly wizard shoved him into the room and picked up the registry book, his prosthetic blue eye whizzed about in its socket. "Row 97, orb dated 28th June 1980, Potter."
Severus hid his scowl when Potter pushed him forward before heading toward the aforementioned shelf, the clanking of Moody's brass leg was the only loud sound that echoes across the room.
"Dumbledore told us everything. 'The Rogue Prince', eh, Snivvy? Feel so proud over such a stupid title? Should have known such slimy Slytherin gits like you would be up to no good," Potter commented but Severus took no notice for it was scripted thanks to the Imperius Curse he had inflicted from the bespectacled man's wedding ring's diamond gemstone.
When they arrived at the shelf, the older Auror snarled for him to take the prophecy orb to which Severus reflexively grimaced, barely keeping his Occlumency shields erect and his emotions in check.
This would be his end. Just because he had acted upon the prophecy as Death intended didn't mean he would be exempted from his imprisonment in Azkaban, demise, or subjected to the Dementor's Kiss.
He felt the telltale gush of cold wind brushed against his skin and looked up to see the Grim Reaper looming opposite him, its bright red eyes shone against the shrouded tattered hood that hid part of its skeletal visage. The Dark Angel's bony hands hovered onto the prophecy orb in a silent gesture.
Severus squinted at the scene before closing his eyes in resignation and acceptance. He should have known Death sided with no one. The 'Master of Death' title meant nothing. It was neither a friend nor a foe, merely a force of Magic that had supreme control over all lives. He thought of Marvolo and Francesca, wondering if they would remember and help him or move on after his judgment was held. His Horcruxes… might as well be taken away by the entity in front of him.
Taking a deep breath, he reached out his hands toward the crystal orb and his fingers grazed onto the glowing glass.
Then everything went white.