Disclaimer: As much as I wish I owned Harry Potter, I don't. The only character I own in this story is Tara Borrail. So if someone claims she is theirs they lie.

A/n: I created this story as an extra year in the Harry Potter, before the fifth book and after the forth year. Though it is based on the time before the fifth, there are spoilers from number six, so like it or not I have spoilers.

He eyed the bowed figure in front of him with a cold, hard stare, his blood-red eyes analyzing it for weakness, any sign that the man was afraid. He began circling the man, the way a tiger would circle his prey before pouncing. A smirk came to his thin pale lips when he saw a small shiver run down Severus's spine, it was vague, but still there.

"Fear," thought the dark lord in delight, savoring the glorious word in the depths of his mind. "The best loyalty is from those who both fear and respect you," Voldemort could have laughed.

Severus also felt the shiver and nearly cursed out loud. He had done the one thing he had prepared himself not to do, shown fear. He kept his greasy head bent, his black eyes looking coldly at the ground trying to regain his composure, but the more time that passed, the faster his cold heart began to beat. Being in that evil creature's presence always made him feel that way. The Potion's Master closed his eyes and gritted his teeth as if in pain.

"Severus, I'm glad you had time to fit me in your busy schedule," the Dark Lord hissed softly, stopping in front of his apprehensive servant. Snape felt his worry grow as Voldemort spoke his venomous words to him. He closed his eyes tighter trying to think of response to such a spiteful comment.

"Forgive me, master, I've had a hard time getting away unseen." Severus spoke slowly, as if choosing each one at a time. The edges of the Dark Lord's mouth twitched making a smug smile appear on his bleached white face. Like a shadow, he came down to kneel in front of the potion master's hunched figure. Severus felt his cold breath in his ear as another shiver betrayed him.

"I have a job for you, my spy. A very important one that you cannot fail at completing," Snape finally glanced at the dark arts master with something that bordered on surprise. The teacher tried hard not to think of the consequences, but he had a difficult time blocking out the grotesque images. The shadow took Severus's chin in his thumb and forefinger, forcing the shaking man to look him fully in the eye. Those eyes...like large orbs of blood with death swirling in their very depths.

"Tell me of my job, master." Severus still spoke slowly, but as afraid as he was his voice was steady. The powerful wizard let a dark laugh escape his pale lips when he heard the teacher's answer.

"I believe you'll like this job, Severus. There is a new teacher starting at that retched school of yours, can you guess which subject she will be teaching?" The potion's master knew all too well which job this new teacher was taking, Defense Against the Dark Arts. Snape felt anger wash over him like boiling water, drowning him in his own emotions. His pale cheeks tinged red in anger at the mere thought of being denied his right to have that job.

"I know," he whispered softly, trying not to show his anger.

"Excellent," Voldemort purred with a smug grin. "Now this girl, the one taking the job you so rightly deserve, may be a threat to my new era. She can not interfere when we are so close!" The Dark Lord finally let Snape's chin go, watching the teacher for any odd reactions. There were none. He merely bowed his head to the dark wizard while whispering, "I do as you ask of me, master."

"Then you will kill her," Voldemort hissed standing up, looking down at the form before him. He had little or no emotion when he spoke of killing the woman; it was very casual for him to whisper the words of death now that it didn't faze him. Snape on the other had felt a pang of guilt in his chest; he still nodded his head. The dark lord became very serious, his eyes scanning every inch of Severus for weakness, "You cannot fail, Severus, you know that, but more importantly, you cannot be caught. This murder must look like an accident." The wizard turned his back to Severus while still speaking. "You are a very valuable ally when you spy for us in that school, Severus. If it should happen that you are seen or kicked out, I will have you're head."

Snape shuddered in fear while bowing his head back down. Those last words really got to him. "I understand, my lord, I will kill her with ease."

Voldemort waved his hand over his shoulder as if shooing a fly or a pest, "You may go...your presence disgusts me."

Snape nodded and stood up, not daring to turn his back on the monster before him. "Wait," the Dark Lord whispered before the Potion's Master could leave. Snape almost cursed at being stopped, but he halted when his master asked, like the loyal dog he was.

"If you don't kill her, I will."

A/n: I know this chapter was really short, but it is only a prologue to give you an idea of what's going to come. Sorry, guys.