a/n: sorry if this chapter's a bit rambling and confusing; brain tired, it's just a few days getting better after having the flu so
Alastor Moody was not having a good rest.
Ever since the Death Eaters blasted half of his face and left him without an eye, he was admitted to St. Mungo's Hospital with the numerous Healers attempting to create a magical eye for him. The pain of his lost sight was terrible, and there never was a day gone by without him cursing Evan Rosier and William Wilkes for his misfortune.
"Alastor," someone spoke and he turned to see Albus Dumbledore was approaching his bed. "How're you feeling, my friend?"
"There had been better days," Moody groused, barely refraining from scratching his empty eye socket that itched and throbbed. "How's the Order?"
"There are still new recruits joining us, but not as much as it was a few years ago."
"Constant vigilance, Dumbledore," the ailed man grunted with a sigh, "They all have good hearts and we have to show them there's a chance of us winning this damned war. The Longbottoms and the Potters can be considered veterans, eh? Lasting for about four years already… we can't lose them."
"Indeed. I do believe hope is siding with us this whole time, and all our sacrifice will not be in vain," Dumbledore whispered.
After the old wizard took his leave, Moody took the pain-numbing potions and grimaced. How he hated that he was left behind but he was positive that Albus Dumbledore had plans to win the ongoing war as quick as possible. All they need to do was to hold on and keep fighting for the greater good.
Lily Evans-Potter was in the Potter cottage, contently watching as her son, Harry was playing with the stray cat she found wandering in the neighborhood a few days ago. She was somewhat glad that the feline was almost the same as her Animagus form, in which she was still saddened over the loss of her magical powers but she strove to not make that as her weakness.
Hearing Harry giggling at his attempts to catch the ginger cat's swishing tail made her lips curled into a fond smile. How she couldn't believe he was now over a year old. He too, had performed some magical acts and it only solidified her confirmation that despite being conceived out of wedlock, Harry was just as powerful as any other wizard.
When Lily heard someone knock on the front door, she briefly frowned before taking her secret weapon; an enchanted dagger and held it dearly until she unlocked the door. "James?" she spoke.
Her husband looked worried as he entered and said, "Lily, take Harry. Dumbledore wants to tell us something at Hog's Head Inn."
"Albus…?" she blinked. Admittedly, she hadn't joined any meetings the Order of the Phoenix held ever since she was discharged from St. Mungo's Hospital due to her misadventure (which she still didn't tell anyone of in fear of being ostracized), and was now curious why Albus Dumbledore was asking for her presence. After putting Harry in his bassinet, Lily held James' hand as he used the Floo powder to emerge at the dingy inn in Hogsmeade.
The place was nearly empty aside from the bartender, Aberforth Dumbledore but Lily's curiosity piqued upon noticing the Longbottom family was also present.
"Hullo, Lily," Alice greeted her with a smile.
"Hi," Lily returned the gesture and took her seat beside the plump woman, watching from the corner of her eyes as James went to talk to Frank Longbottom. "Little Neville's all grown up now." She admired how the young boy greatly resembled his mother even at a young age.
"So is your Harry. I have a feeling they'd be best friends." They then talked about Alice's work as an Auror and how their previous victory against the Death Eaters was rendered useless when they could no longer find anyone with the Dark Mark, much to the Light side's chagrin.
"Ah, so everyone's here?" a voice rang across the place and Lily turned to see Albus Dumbledore beaming at them. "Take a seat, please. What I'm about to tell you is utmost important." When only the crackling of the flames in the fireplace was the noise filling the air, his visage turned somber.
"There was a prophecy made last year," the old wizard began with steely blue eyes, "one that tells of a child that can defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all. That child of course, was born at the end of July and to families who have fought against the Dark Lord three times."
"Our child…?" Lily said in great incredulity and horror after realizing what he meant. "B- But Harry… he's still so young, Albus! He's only over a year old! And Neville…!"
"I know, Lily, but this may be our chance to restore order to this world. However, with our enemy growing forces with each day, I fear that you have to hide yourselves."
"Go into hiding?" Frank asked.
"And tell no one else. Not to your sister or your closest friend… Nobody and I mean it. You must limit your movements too and leave no magical traces behind."
"But our work…" James interrupted, "The Order… what of them? Are you telling us to just sit tight at our home while there are people who need to be saved and protected?!"
"That's the plan. And I'm truly sorry; however there is no other way. With the things going on now… it's probably for the best. We can't afford to lose more."
Lily blinked. She might no longer have any magical powers, but she would be damned if she remained in safety without a care to the world. "How long are we going to hide?"
Dumbledore sighed wearily, looking as old as his actual age in an instant. "I cannot say as much, Mrs. Potter but perhaps… it may be for indefinitely. Until your children have grown up and unlock their magical potential or we can eliminate Lord Voldemort in a quicker way, to which I somehow doubt it may happen."
The Longbottoms and the Potters stared at their young children who babbled playfully and at each other, wondering how they should proceed with their leader's absurd idea. But they were all unaware that the diamond gemstone of James Potter's wedding ring was humming ominously.
In Prince Manor, the Grim Reaper stood still in silence behind its Master, who was pondering on the newest information received from the crystal ball in front of him. The desk used was otherwise full of strewn parchment filled in elaborate Arithmancy calculations, quills and other stationeries.
When the Dark Lord of the wizarding world walked into the library, Severus Prince went to inform him what had occurred and drew the recorded memory from the crystal ball into the Pensieve for future viewing.
"So they're going into hiding…" Lord Voldemort muttered, his fingers curling around his yew wand. "I'd say now is the perfect time to eliminate them. They have remained thorns on our side for too long." He frowned when Severus shook his head.
"There's nothing wrong with playing the long game," the young man said before showing the other wizard the parchment with his numerous calculations and Astronomy charts. The Grim Reaper smirked to itself upon seeing the date where its Master deemed to be the best occasion to do the deed of killing the young Harry Potter.
31st October.
Even the Dark Lord pulled a smile when he saw it.
The two men then discussed on their execution of the plan, to which Lord Voldemort furrowed his brows when Severus told him he would have the mind-controlled James Potter to kill his own son. "No offense, Severus but I'd prefer if you do it by yourself. Won't it be great, to have Harry Potter as… another of those you have killed? A collection of sorts?" he asked, red eyes glinting in subtle delight. After all, he hadn't actually witnessed any of his heir's murders.
Death watched as Severus quirked his eyebrow and scoffed, "I'd rather not risk myself with getting caught due to the presence of any evidence that will lead to me. It would be the perfect murder mystery. And won't it be funny to have Potter crying his head off for something that was actually his own fault? He could be caught and send off to Azkaban."
"Those under the Imperius curse will be pardoned if I remember right; no actual evidence and all that," the Dark Lord commented, "and I bet you don't want Potter to be free even after that, hmm?" Then he grinned. "And besides, I don't think Dumbledore is managing well in finding the Rogue Prince."
At the mention of his unofficial title, Severus' visage went slightly red.
"Yes… he is such a fool, isn't he? Kept approaching you but never asking about the prophecy. You must play him like a fiddle, Severus. Let him think you have nothing with the Death Eaters, with me; only for his beliefs to shatter when he knows the truth. It will be a glorious sight to put him in his place."
When Severus didn't say anything, Lord Voldemort sighed and stood up to leave, his eyes twinkling in fondness as he said, "I'm sure whatever you may do to Harry Potter will succeed, but it makes me happier if you go for the kill yourself, my heir."
Death too, thought the same. Manipulations and trickery were great at times, but sometimes a good old-fashioned murder was all needed to get the job done. Leaving its Master to his own thoughts, it went away to see if it was needed elsewhere.
It was summer break, and Francesca Zabini stared at the glass bracelet in her hand with a frown.
She knew enough by now that her boyfriend, Severus Snape had used Dark Magic to put part of his wounded soul inside the item, but what confused her were its properties. All objects imbued with Dark Magic would affect the wearer in some way, yet for all the time she wore it, nothing had happened. She too, didn't dare to test the protection charm he had placed onto the item, afraid if the fragile bracelet would shatter apart.
After putting on the item, Francesca sighed. How she wished she could meet with Severus. But what could they talk of? After the St. Valentine's Day fiasco, she acknowledged Severus' immense trust in her but not daring to venture further and risking their relationship any further.
It was then did she remember about the prophecy she overheard in Hog's Head Inn over a year ago. Had the Dark Lord found the prophesied child? Why hadn't he done anything about it? Was he biding his time on something else? But what could be more important that killing the child that would bring his downfall?
She was about to Apparate when she stopped herself. Where could Severus live? It couldn't be in Malfoy Manor even though he seemed to be a regular visitor there. That old grey house Severus showed her months ago seemed a better candidate but it left a sour taste in her to know he stayed in such a gloomy place. And so, she went to Apparate to the grey house and walked to the front door with her arm raised halfway through to knock only to hear some noises from the backyard. Frowning, she went to investigate what it was.
She saw Severus was watering the few flowery plants that still bloomed under the hot sunlight; his facial expression surprisingly looked content especially when he watered the lonesome tree in the middle of the backyard. As much as she wanted to greet him, she too was intrigued how he was by himself and decided to remain hidden for the time being.
"…'Ello, Ma," he said after sitting down next to the young tree. "I… I hope you're well in the afterlife."
Francesca blinked in utter fright and confusion, wondering if she had heard right. Why would Severus' mother be buried in the backyard? Hadn't the authorities question anything? She also never thought Severus would be a momma's boy but at the same time it didn't surprise her; he had always been more gentle and soft than other men she had met and dated back in Hogwarts.
She listened as Severus told his mother's supposed grave about his life, and briefly blushed when he mentioned her in passing of the glass bracelet's ownership, caressing the item in great care after knowing it was intended for the deceased woman.
"You want to know something, Ma? I had killed three men now, including Pa. They all hurt me in the past. And now there will be a fourth, but… he's still a kid. Just over a year old. But he will kill the one who took care of me, Ma. I don't really care what you think of my murders, but… I do hope you will forgive me for that boy's death soon."
A shudder of utmost fear ran down Francesca's spine but she remained where she was. She knew that she should be afraid of Severus now, but as he had said, he only killed those who had harmed him, regardless of who they are. She had no doubt if Lily Evans-Potter succeeded in killing her last year, Severus would hunt the redhead down and torture her for good. And that boy he mentioned… could he be the prophesied child?
"Do you think I can be a great man for Francesca? You said that so many times, yet I feel like it wasn't enough. I couldn't protect you like you did to me… I was too late to save you. And then, h- he came and…" Severus sniffled and Francesca felt her heart clench, remembering his ghostly figure. "What if my charm didn't work? She would die, and I wouldn't be any wiser. But I'm planning to tell her what I fell for her, and if she won't accept me, I… I won't do a thing to her."
At that, Francesca's mind went to replay his last sentence. Did he just-? Not skipping a beat, her foot went forward and subsequently stepping on a branch that alerted Severus of her presence. She watched as Severus' visage went utterly pale upon noticing her and she was afraid he would unleash his anger on her only for him to sigh.
"I take that you've heard everything?" he mumbled after massaging his forehead.
She could only nod. "I- I'm sorry," she squeaked.
He took a deep breath, "I actually wanted to see you and well, do the proposal thing but…"
Her lips broke into a nervous grin. "Yes, I'm such a party-pooper." When he remained quiet, she went to sit beside him, worried if she had offended him.
"How does a Christmas wedding sound?" he said instead and Francesca pondered on the idea. A lovely fanciful event with light snow falling down from the sky, it would be a great festive time for everyone.
"I'd be delighted."