Far away, the sounds of a raucous party could be heard. Severus Snape waited beneath a tree, his eyes on the edge of the small clearing. At nineteen, he was the youngest Death Eater and the wildest of nature. By all rights, he should have been at the party as well, celebrating another victory over the Mudbloods. A few months ago, he would have been. But now.

Something crackled at the edge of the clearing and Severus' head jerked up. Instinctively he gripped his wand, sliding back into the shadows.

"Who is it?" he snarled.

There was a pause, and then - "You needn't act as if I'm about to kill you," said an amused voice. Angelina Kristoff walked into the clearing, her white robes floating about her.

Severus relaxed. "I was worried about you," he admitted.

Angelina was another person who should have been at the party. Three years ago, Angelina had been captured by the Death Eaters and had been taken by Voldemort as his lover. But she was much more than that. She was a spy for Dumbledore, as was Severus. In fact, the only spies still alive.

Severus walked quickly across the clearing and embraced Angelina, pressing his lips against her honey-colored hair. She hugged him back, burying her face in his robes. For a few seconds they remained still, savoring the moment. Then they parted and Severus led Angelina to the tree. They sat under it.

"What have you learned?" he asked.

"They're going to assassinate the Potters," she whispered.

"Good riddance."

Angelina poked him playfully in the ribs. "Meanie."

Severus hastily changed the subject. "When?"

"After the party."

"How do you know?"

"I hid under the bed and listened when Voldemort gave his orders."

"Angelina! You could have been killed!" whispered Severus, shaken. "Don't do that again," he commanded her, his arm sliding around her waist. He pulled her to him. "If you get caught." he whispered, looking down at her with love in his glittering black eyes, "I don't think I could live without you."

"Then it's a good thing you won't have to try," said a high, cold voice.

Before Severus and Angelina could react, hands of steel grabbed them and dragged them apart. Severus writhed in Goyle's grip, but the Death Eater merely hit him on the head. Severus relaxed, dazed.

Voldemort came out of the shadows. His dark wand gleamed in the moonlight as he advanced upon Angelina, whose arms were pinioned by Crabbe.

"Such a pity," Voldemort whispered, his red eyes gleaming in the darkness. Long, thin fingers caressed the handle of the wand as he raised it and pointed it at Angelina. "You were a good mistress.you might have even made a good Death Eater.but we'll never know, will we?"

Angelina managed to free her mouth from Goyle's hand. "It's your own blood that will kill you, Voldemort!" she shouted, dark eyes blazing. "Do you hear me? Your own blood, your own."

"AVADA KEDAVRA!"

Severus, helpless in Goyle's grip, saw the blinding flash of green light.watched Angelina collapse to the ground.heard a voice screaming "No!" and realized that it was his own.

Angelina's face was turned toward Severus. Her eyes, normally sparkling, were blank and dull in death. A golden locket that had been broken in her fall lay at Severus' feet. Voldemort laughed, high and cold, as Severus stared down at the woman he loved.

A voice, as soft as the wind in the trees, murmured in Severus' ear. Run.Run.Angelina's departing spirit whispered. Then it was gone, and Severus ran.

He broke himself free from an unsuspecting Goyle, picked up Angelina's locket, and ran. He sprinted around the trees, flinging himself deeper into the forest.behind him, he could hear Voldemort shriek in rage, but he paid no attention.faster.

Until finally, three days later, he collapsed at Hogwarts' front door. DO YOU WANT MORE? THEN YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO REVIEW FOR IT!