Prologue

A bedraggled phoenix flew swiftly through the night sky, searching for some sign of the one who had caused the death of his master. Something prompted him to inspect a bleak mountainside more closely. He made out the ruins of what had once been a fine castle, built into the mountain. Fawkes went to ground, sensing that there was evil in this place, though whether the evil he sought, he could not tell. Finally his search was rewarded as he found a disguised window ledge. He had no trouble seeing through the spell that hid it, and there was a hole in the ancient curtain. He peered through.

Two sinister figures stood facing each other in the dim light cast by a single candle on a table. One wore a hooded cloak. The other had long black hair, a hooked nose, and a sallow face. It was Severus Snape. A voice issued from beneath the first man's hood.

"Well done, Severus".

"Thank you, my Lord."

"The old fool is dead at last. His tender heart led him to believe he could trust you, and it was you who killed him."

"I was quite glad to do it too" Severus said blandly "Always setting me useless tasks, forcing me to listen to long rambling moral tales, and that infuriating, twinkling gaze following me wherever I went!"

"I remember" said the one Severus called 'my Lord'

"He was good for one thing though".

"What was that?"

"Having a victim in mind is necessary when one is inventing one's own curses. Hate is quite useful in the Dark Arts. I've spent long hours thinking of ways to torment and kill Albus Dumbledore," Severus' tone changed to one of regret "and there wasn't time for any of it, Master."

The Dark Lord gave a high, cold laugh.

When he was finished, he spoke. "I reward handsomely those who serve me well, as you know. I believe I know what you want, but I want you to ask me for it first."

Severus knelt down at the Dark Lord's feet, his long black hair swinging forward to hide his dead, black eyes. "I ask that you spare the Malfoys. They have been incompetent, but not unfaithful."

"Very well" the man said in a bored tone "Anything else?"

Severus spoke hesitantly, as if he was surprised at his own daring. "Nagini," he said softly.

"I didn't quite catch that" Severus' voice was slightly ragged as he repeated himself, "I want Nagini."

"Ah" the first man said softly, thoughtfully. "I have seen you looking at her. You all do, of course. She is such a beautiful creature, a woman at times, and a snake at others, who would not? But to actually ask for her is a more daring request than you know…" He paused for a moment.

"She has been lonely lately," he murmured, almost as if to himself. "The servant who killed one of my greatest enemies, and the servant who made my rebirth possible…how…appropriate."

Severus looked up eagerly at the man he called Master. "Yes, Severus, you shall marry Nagini."

Lord Voldemort opened his curtained window and stared out vacantly at the stars. He had indeed known what Snape would ask. The man's mind was layered and complex, but some things were obvious. Snape was nearly passionless, but he was still a man, with a man's weaknesses. He would exploit that weakness, and stop Nagini pestering him for a husband. Two birds with one stone. He knew about Snape's Unbreakable Vow to Narcissa Malfoy, of course. Even if he hadn't been informed immediately by Bellatrix Lestrange, he would have known. Lord Voldemort did not relish Nagini's reaction when he told her the news. She was a confirmed wizard-hater. She didn't know why she distrusted everything male that carried a wand, but he did. Even altered and erased memories left an emotional response behind. It was a good thing she could not remember what he had done, had ordered Pettigrew to do, to ensure her absolute loyalty.

It was a pity those methods would not work on his Death Eaters.

Harry Potter felt his blood boil as he unpacked for the dreary final days he would spend at Privet Drive with the Dursleys. What had stirred his anger? The sight of his used potions book. Snape's book. The murderer's book. He wondered where Snape would hide. Most likely he's gone to ground wherever Voldemort is hiding. Harry thought in frustration. Keeping his precious slimy neck safe, the coward. He let Hedwig out of her cage and gave her a brief note to take to Ron, and one for Hermione.

I've arrived safely. Yes, I'm coming to the wedding. Do you know what I need to do about taking possession of my inheritance? Will we need a new Secret Keeper for headquarters? I'm well, all things considered. If they catch Snape, don't pack him off to Azkaban 'til I can have a go at him.

Harry

The Dursleys had been none to pleased about having to pick Harry up from King's Cross earlier than usual.

"Have you been expelled boy?" Uncle Vernon growled at him before letting him in the car.

"No" Harry said shortly.

"What's going on then?" was the suspicious reply, as soon as Harry was in the car.

"The Headmaster was murdered by one of the professors." Harry said bluntly.

"Not Dumbledore?" Aunt Petunia had asked cautiously. Harry nodded curtly.

"Did they catch him?" Uncle Vernon asked, suddenly sounding worried.

"No," Harry said, the fierce look on his face silencing the Dursleys "the stinking coward got away from me"

The "stinking coward" was at that moment having a bit of trouble sleeping. His bony frame couldn't seem to find a decent spot on the substandard mattress. No matter. Tomorrow I won't have to put up with it again. I'll be sleeping in the best bed in this place, with the pleasantest possible company.i If he'd been honest with himself, he would have admitted his sleeplessness had nothing to do with the quality of his mattress.

Draco Malfoy shivered, but not with cold, as he too looked out his window into the night sky. He thought of what Dumbledore had offered him. Safety for his family, and freedom from the master he no longer wished to serve. He had seen true evil now, and he wanted nothing to do with it. Taunting Mudbloods and tormenting Muggles was one thing, but murder and some of the other despicable things he had seen done were quite another. He looked at the thin sliver of moon wearily. How long before someone finds out?