- Desolate -

Chapter 1

From the dreary night sky came a loud roar and the cold wind blew hard. Liquid crystals fell from sky as if heaven was cleansing us from our sins. It is true at a certain point because at that very moment a sinful man was drench heavily with rain water. It is an obscurity who this hooded man is. He walked silently like a shadow like a raven in the dark sky. Indeed, he is a mystery to behold. Even the animals seemed to be scared of him for they were clearing his dark path.

Finally, he made it to where he longed to go, Privet Drive. From the street lamps came the blinding light, he raised his right hand and soon all the radiance was drawn in. Privet Drive was again surrounded by the most terrifying darkness that happened sixteen years ago. If you could see the man behind the hood you could have seen the smile he had thrown.

There wasn't any malice nor was there anger. It was pure happiness like when a father sees his beloved son for the first time. It is bona fide for the most part. He is there to see his son. The son he left. The son he ridiculed and mocked. The son he pained more than anyone in the world. Oh, how he longed to change those six painful years. The six years he wasn't there with him to endure those sufferings. The six years he drove him away.

But he knew he couldn't change that nor could he change the fact that his Lily died. The best thing now is to tell him the truth and wait.

Twenty minutes earlier…

Harry opened his emerald eyes and sat straight up. He could feel his blood rushing down from his head to his body and it gave him a bloody headache. 'Ouch, my head hurts and I can't believe I fainted.' He stretched his arms and flexed his hands. A crumpled piece of parchment fell. He stared at it. 'So it wasn't a dream. It's true. Dumbledore's alive! I can't believe it.' His face formed a grin. 'I can't wait to owl Hermione and Ron. Hell, I can't wait to owl the whole bloody order. If only Hedwig will come back earlier this evening. Well, I'll just have to wait for her.' He sat on the window sill looking at the stormy sky.

The rain was pouring very hard. He was getting worried about Hedwig. The snowy owl hasn't return from hunting. His anxiety increased when he saw the street lamp's light fading out. 'What's happening?' Then he felt his blood run cold when he saw a hooded figure walking leisurely towards the Dursley's house.

- 3 -

- Desolate -

He turned and quickly grabbed his invisibility cloak, his wand and the Half-Blood prince's book from under the loose floorboards. He hid under his cloak and opened his door slowly. He then heard a knock coming from downstairs. His uncle must have heard it for Harry heard a grunt come from the other room. He tiptoed across the hall and down the stairs. When he stepped on the landing, he heard the knocked again. He was about to go to the back door when the door opened and made a slight creak.

He quickly hid himself in the living room. He saw the stranger walking inside. The stranger removed his hood and closed the door. The light from outside was entering the house through the window and it illuminated the face of the man. His eyes were as black as coal but his face was pale and his cheekbones were prominent. Harry knew him. Oh, how he knew him. 'What is he doing here? I'm going to kill him.' But before he couldn't even get closer he smacked himself on the head. 'I forgot. Snape is innocent but what if this is all a plan to get me to Voldemort? What if Dumbledore is not alive? What if the parchment lied to me?'

"Potter, I know you're hiding. Show yourself, we need to talk." Said Snape, Harry held his breath and removed his invisibility cloak. "What do you want, Snape?" He was surprised by the tone of is voice. It was cold and indifferent.

"Did you receive the letter that Albus sent?" Severus asked while he walked passed Harry and sat on a chair. Harry nodded stiffly at that question. "How do I know that this is not just a hoax?" Severus looked at him. His onyx eyes were boring to Harry's soul. He then stood up and walk towards the window. "This is not the place to talk and I'm not the right person to answer your questions. The person is currently residing someplace where we are going."

"I'm not going anywhere with you." Harry answered firmly.

"Dumbledore told me this would happen." Severus threw a sock at Harry and by reflex Harry caught it. Harry looked at Severus and felt himself being pulled by the navel.

'Shit, it's a portkey.' was Harry's last thought before he landed on a hard concrete floor.

- 4 -