"Dumbledore isn't the nice person you think he is Mr. Potter!" Snape's low tone made Harry listen more intently, and shiver at the stated accusation.
"What do you mean? Sir?"
Snape paced a few steps and snapped back round to face the young Gryffindor. He deliberated whether or not he should tell him the truth, but in the end the pain of his loss was too much and it loosened his mouth.
"When I was in my sixth year, I was approached by certain people who wished for me to meet their Lord. Of course I was honoured, who wouldn't be when the Dark Lord sought an audience with someone like me.
"I wasn't at all stupid Potter – do not make that mistake. I went to this meeting and my eyes fell on the most beautiful girl you could ever imagine. All dark hair and luminous green eyes. She was at the right hand of The Dark Lord and I was ensnared.
"She was only 14 years old at the time and the Dark Lord would not have permitted anything to develop – after all she was his daughter."
Harry gasped loudly and almost fell off the stool he was perched on. He never thought the Potions Master would utter those words when he confronted him as to why Dumbledore was so certain of his loyalty.
"I joined his forces and courted her in secret – she was as uncertain as I, whether our union would be blessed. We thought we were being careful but we let things slip as time went on. When I graduated Hogwarts and gained my mastery, I approached the Dark Lord to ask his permission.
"He was amused. I didn't understand but he informed me that he had know of our liaisons for quite some time and wondered when I would get around to asking his permission. I was more then stunned.
"He looked at her and her eyes bored into his – I knew they were communicating silently but he gave his permission and less then six months later we were married."
Snape paused here, went to his desk, and riffled through his bottom draw until he found the photo he was looking for. He bought it over to Harry. It was a picture of their wedding day – she looked radiant in her flowing deep red robes and white veil. Snape was actually smiling at her. He was wearing midnight black robes. It seemed even on his wedding day he wore black.
"It wasn't long before we were expecting our first child, born a month early and so very small. In fact, he has always been small because of it and no other reason. But Dumbledore decided the daughter of the Dark Lord and one of his most loyal followers were not worthy of such a precious gift and took our little boy away from us."
Snape turned abruptly away and stared into the fire, before continuing in a voice thick with emotion.
"Dumbledore had her locked in a room somewhere – I never could find her but I feel her. I feel her still, in my mind when all is quiet – crying out for our son, for me, for an end to her torment. But she can never be free – not while the Dark Lord survives."
The shivers that raced down Harry's spine sent a cold chill through his body.
"Wha…what did Dumbledore do to her?"
"He put her to sleep – he placed her in a magical chamber tied by her own linked magic to the Dark Lord. Her life hangs in the balance. If you do not defeat him she will die."
