Peter Pettigrew was in his family home, his beady black eyes narrowed at the headlines of the Daily Prophet for the day.
He was planning to visit his elderly mother in St. Mungo's Hospital when the morning owl dropped the newspaper by the window, and seeing one of his friends' faces (or rather, the only friend since he graduated from Hogwarts) printed on the front pages and labeled as 'Missing' made his heart lurch in slight shock and disbelief.
Had the Dark Lord caught James?
Peter was rather surprised it took quite long for James to be captured but supposed it was inevitable anyway; those who dared to defy the Dark Lord would meet their demise sooner or later.
He threw the newspaper aside and summoned his winter coat when frantic knocks suddenly filled the air and Peter schooled his facial features before opening the entrance door.
"Lily?!" he spoke, feigning his surprise.
"Peter," she gasped before rushing into his house. Her vibrant red hair was messy and unkempt, her bright green eyes were filled with tears and her pale face was ashen in grief. "Please, you have to help me."
"Help you…?"
"James, he… He went missing. H- He said Dumbledore needed him, something like finding Voldemort's weakness-"
"Who-Know-Who's…?" Despite himself, Peter couldn't help being curious over her words. The Dark Lord had weaknesses? What could they be? Keeping the thought in his mind, he went on, "Why don't you try to find him through your Patronus?"
He then blinking sheepishly upon seeing Lily's incredulous look. "…Oh, right. Sorry, I forgot that you can't use magic anymore."
"But you can conjure yours, right? Do it, please."
Peter shifted his feet, "I don't… I- I can't, Lily. I can only come up with golden mists, that's all." He gave her a sympathetic gaze. "Perhaps the other Order members can help you instead."
Lily, for all what's worth remained adamant, "You can come with me, Wormy. You read the news, yes? James has been your friend since our first year. We can both try asking around, see if-"
He clicked his tongue and sighed. "It's not that I don't want to help you, Lily. But what if we ask the wrong person? What if You-Know-Who disguised himself as a random guy, and then we turned out to ask him? My mother… she-"
"'You-Know-Who'?" Lily frowned. "You've been following what others say, too?" She shook her head. "Fear in the name will only increase the actual fear onto the subject itself. I- I'm done playing hide-and-seek with him. The prophecy, Harry, James… If… if Voldemort actually killed James, I…"
"I think it's best you go home, Lily," Peter tried his best to control his voice, especially when the Dark Mark on his left forearm briefly blazed in pain when the redhead said the Dark Lord's name.
"B- But there's no one at home," Lily sobbed. "Can I…?"
He shook his head and gently led her to the door. "People will say things," he muttered softly as he locked the door with a tap of his wand. "I'm going to St. Mungo's to visit my mother. Perhaps Moody can help you; he doesn't like to stay still, does he?"
She weakly nodded and they parted ways, with Peter went to Apparate to London. But instead of going to the hospital, he walked toward the British Library and subsequently the shack behind the place, wondering if he could summon the Dark Lord to the cottage for a talk. He pressed the Dark Mark and felt himself being pulled into a vortex akin to Apparation.
When he stood up right again, he frowned upon seeing the manor that Severus Snape showed him before he was marked as a Death Eater. He gawked at the numerous white peacocks that flocked in the gardens, mesmerized by their beauty as he walked and absent-mindedly knocked on the mahogany doors.
A blond man greeted him and Peter stepped back, recognizing him as one of Snape's friends back in school. "I, uh… I want to speak to the Dark Lord," he spoke.
Lucius Malfoy raised his eyebrows, "Show me your arm."
Peter quickly folded the left sleeve of his robes upward and held out his left arm to the man, who took out his wand and tapped onto the black tattoo.
"Follow me," the blond said after the Dark Mark tingled in recognition of its authenticity. Peter heeded the order until they reached a room at the second floor and Malfoy knocked on the doors. "My Lord, I believe one of your spies is here," he said while giving Peter a shrewd look.
"Send him in," Lord Voldemort's voice rang from inside the room and Malfoy gave him a light shove before leaving him alone.
Peter swallowed his fright and entered the room quickly before he lost his nerves, which turned out to be a library. He frowned at the dimness of the place and yelped in surprise upon seeing a shrouded figure at his left side.
A single lit candlelight illuminated the Dark Lord who was sitting near the desk, with the shadowy form of a brown snake coiling near his feet. Peter tried his best to ignore the serpent as he bowed down to the powerful man and kissed the hem of his dark robes, "My Lord."
The Dark Lord looked down to him with glowing red eyes, "I do hope you bring interesting news, Pettigrew."
Peter gulped after he straightened himself. "I… Lily Evans – I mean, Lily Potter – she's searching for her missing husband. I- I wonder if you are involved with it, my Lord."
"And what if I did? Will you tell her of it?"
"N- No, on the contrary, my Lord!" Peter stepped back in haste. "Lily… She said if you do, she will… She will hunt you down."
Silence fell into the library and Peter wondered if he had played his cards right. The rewards he got from Snape were decent enough for him to able sending his mother to St. Mungo's for better healthcare, but he too wanted to keep some wealth for his own use.
Then the Dark Lord laughed.
"Now, isn't that funny," Lord Voldemort grinned, red eyes glimmering in mirth. "If I remember well, she has lost her magical abilities. What other means she will try to defeat me?"
"Perhaps she may ask for help from the Order, m- my Lord."
The Dark Lord hummed. "But that's not all of the news, isn't it, Pettigrew?"
Peter froze.
"Don't hide things from me, Pettigrew. I know you even more than you know yourself." The man's red eyes seemed to glint brighter despite the low light inside the library.
The only member of the Marauders refrained from bolting away in spite of his rising fright. "I- It's just… she said Dumbledore told James that y- you have weaknesses, my Lord!" he squeaked. He honestly had never thought of using what Lily told him to his advantage yet, but…
"And what will you do with the information? Kill me, if you manage to find them?" The Dark Lord cackled and Peter's visage went deathly white upon the implication of his words. "I don't think so."
The brown snake that was nearby them rose and Peter immediately dashed toward the mahogany doors, subconsciously thinking to transform into his Animagus form, but Lord Voldemort was much quicker and had more experience in weeding out possible traitors.
"Avada Kedavra."
It was 14th February, and Francesca Zabini gazed at the Malfoys' invitation letter that made way into her family home while her fingers absent-mindedly caressed the stone locket her lover had given years ago. It was over five years since she was closely acquainted with Severus Snape; previously only knowing of him due to his feud with the four Gryffindor boys that never stopped to provoke him during their school years. When she got to know him better, she realized he was rather affectionate yet vulnerable in showing his true feelings.
Though now that Severus suffered from amnesia, she wondered if it would worth to restore his memories. His burnt and split soul and the circumstances of his 'death'… any other man would be haunted by such nightmares. It was already painful for her to witness the aftermaths; would she dare to make Severus recall such traumatic events again?
Sighing, she got up and took a long warm shower, using her ebony wand to dry her hair instantly before opening the wardrobe to pick up a suitable outfit for the party when her dark eyes fell onto something slightly hidden on her left side and her breath hitched in sorrow.
It was her wedding gown.
Had over a month passed by already?
"Oh, Severus…" she muttered and hugged the outfit, tears streaming down her face. How she wished the nightmare befalling Severus hadn't ever happened in the first place. If it weren't for James Potter and Alastor Moody, Francesca was sure she and Severus had been happily married by now and her hands clenched the light blue gown in rage, hating the men for what they did for mere speculations before she sobbed in defeat.
Her gaze then fell at the pinned calendar on the wall and she blinked in gradual realization. If she remembered right, Severus would be staying in Malfoy Manor for the time being. And the party… wasn't it about St. Valentine's Day? She looked back to the gown in her hands and strode toward the mirror whilst wearing the gown in haste and applying some make-up onto her visage, accentuating her cheekbones and eyes.
Francesca couldn't help admiring herself in the mirror after she was done; she didn't look angelic by all means, just giving off a modest appearance as Severus once said but as she ran her fingers along her neck and collarbone, she felt the area was rather barren.
And wasn't a necklace a perfect ornament for it?
She took out the few ones she had bought, however nothing would match or compliment the color of her gown; they were either too gaudy or the gemstones were too big that they obscure the shape of her collarbones.
It was then did she remember of the stone locket Severus gave her and she put it on immediately, smiling in slight disbelief over its fitting addition to her looks before she stared at her reflection with steely eyes. Slytherins might be dubbed 'stone-hearted' by others for their cold, cunning demeanors but then again, not many knew the true nature of those Sorted into the Serpent House in Hogwarts.
Francesca pressed the spider button on the Portkey stone locket and seconds later, she reappeared in front of Malfoy Manor, feeling the winter breeze swept her face and she briefly wondered if the white peacocks in the gardens were kept warm or else before knocking on the mahogany doors.
A blond woman in a dark green dress gown appeared and Francesca curtseyed slightly, "Narcissa."
The older lady smiled. "I'm so glad you can make it, Zabini. I do believe this is the day when lovers spark the joy with each other."
Francesca couldn't help but to blush at her words. "…I, uh… Is Severus here?"
"Oh, I'm afraid he hasn't arrived yet. But do come in and make yourself comfortable."
She followed Narcissa into the manor's ballroom, in which people flocked over tables for reuniting with friends or dancing leisurely at the center of the room. She caught a glimpse of Narcissa's sister, Bellatrix Black-Lestrange was listening to her husband, Rodolphus talking enthusiastically while his brother, Rabastan had just returned to their table with a tray of red wine.
"How's Draco?" Francesca asked.
"He's such a darling to be honest. A bit fussy, sure, but never really throws a tantrum," Narcissa exclaimed proudly before she caught the sight of platinum blond hair passing by. "Ah, Lucy!"
Lucius Malfoy's visage reddened at the nickname, "Dear, I'd prefer you say it in private." His grey eyes then flickered at Francesca. "Waiting for Severus?"
She nodded.
He smiled weakly, "I'm not sure if the Dark Lord wants him to attend, since-"
The flames in the fireplace suddenly turned green and the guests paused, observing as two figures walking out and Francesca's eyes widened in disbelief at the Dark Lord's escort.
Severus Snape was no longer in his wheelchair.
He was supported by the Dark Lord instead, who took out something from his inner robes and a pair of crutches magically appeared in his left hand. Francesca knew Lord Voldemort was quite a prodigy in magic, but using both wordless and wandless spells at the same time was a feat on its own.
She watched as the Dark Lord put each crutch under Severus' armpits and the young man mouthed his gratitude before they headed toward the nearest table, in which the guests quickly made way for them and she followed the Malfoys who were at the men's heels.
Lucius Malfoy bowed to the Dark Lord, "Will you be joining us, my Lord?"
"No, I have important things to do. Take care of Severus for me." Lord Voldemort waved his hand while helping Severus to sit and the few Death Eaters there bowed minutely.
"Be careful," Severus murmured to which the powerful wizard's face softened and he lightly squeezed Severus' hand in assurance before the famed Dark Lord took his leave.
It took a few minutes for the party to resume, with some Death Eaters inquiring Severus about his unexpected recovery.
"I don't know what he did since he put me to sleep beforehand, but I am utmost grateful to him," he said with wistful eyes. His gaze then met her own and his lips curled into a soft smile.
"Miss Zabini," he greeted.
"Francesca," she said, heart slightly clenched. "…Since when did you use the crutches?"
"Not for long, really," he chuckled before leaning toward her, "Um… can we go elsewhere? There's… something I want to ask you."
Francesca blinked in worry; what could it be? "…Of course." She helped Severus to stand and was astounded at the tight grip he held at the crutches before leading him to the room he often stayed in whenever the Malfoys hosted him. The second they entered the place, Severus strode toward the couch near the fireplace, exhaling a relieved sigh as he sat and she couldn't help smiling at it. The faint music from the ballroom rang inside the room and the soft clicks of Severus' shoes tapping and shuffling rhythmically against the floor made her wonder, however.
"…Sorry, it's just, I… I saw some people dancing, and I…" Severus scratched his head with a flushed face and Francesca's eyes widened in realization.
"Do you… Do you want to dance?" she blurted out, visage turned beet red as well.
He nodded bashfully and her heart jumped in utter joy. To think that he was so shy to be in the crowd just so that they both can have a private moment, for a St. Valentine's dance nonetheless!
"The crutches…" she muttered as she helped him to stand again but Severus shook his head.
"I… Let's just consider this a practice for me to walk unassisted."
She hummed and led him to the center of the room, surprised by the fact she didn't need to exert much energy to guide him. Don't men usually weigh heavier than women? He was rather thin and lanky though; perhaps such attributes had contributed to his overall physique. She held his upper arms to stabilize him and slowly guided him into a small square dance.
"…Have we danced before?"
Francesca blinked and she stared into Severus' eyes, her face went darker before she lowered her gaze, nodding minutely. "I- It's a long ago, though," she said, tracing the silver cuffs he wore. She wondered if Severus had subconsciously remembered their dance in St. Valentine's Day party hosted by Horace Slughorn back in Hogwarts.
"Is that so…" he muttered as they circled slowly across the room. "…No wonder it feels right, being with you."
She nearly stumbled at his words; her visage so scarlet akin to a tomato already. If one could fly up high from such confession, Francesca would have been so by now. She gazed into his eyes again and could see how they twinkle in delight and pure mirth. His soul must had imprinted such memory! Surely it wouldn't be long before he could fully remember his life!
Severus' lips minutely twitched in discomfort and she mentally slapped herself for forgetting his current condition. "Oh, I'm so sorry," she said hastily and rushed him to the bed.
"That was fun," Severus breathed with a wide grin as he lay down and despite the blunder, she smiled in return and placed his crutches beside the bed before heading toward the door to let him rest.
"Don't go," he murmured, voice trembled slightly and Francesca stopped in her tracks. Turning around, she saw how his eyes shone in vulnerability, the opposite of his guarded look she often observed before he lost his memory.
The flames crackled merrily when she approached him and he patted the empty side of the bed, to which she heeded the invitation and slipped under the sheets, gazing into his soft eyes. Part of his hair obscured his pale face and she tucked it behind his ear.
"Your name…" Severus began quietly, "It was on my family tree alongside Mar- I mean, the Dark Lord's. The portraits told me… they were the people I trusted before I turned amnesic. That's why…"
Francesca had so many questions for him but decided they could wait until he recovered and cupped his face, gently kissing his forehead.
For that moment, everything was as what they should be months ago. She and Severus, happily together till the end of their life.
It felt like Fate was kind to them, and as the fire blazed warmly and the romantic music from the ballroom played on, the couple was lulled into sleep in each other's embrace.
At the northern side of London, Lord Voldemort stood by the lake that became a witness of his magical ability decades ago, red eyes narrowed at the faint green light that illuminated the small island that held one of his fake heirlooms.
He took out his second wand – the snakewood – from inside his robe and dipped the tip into the waters. "Bring me the body of Albus Dumbledore," he spoke.
The dark waters rippled and he watched as undead bodies that previously submerged in the lake rose from the depths nearby the island, with some lugging a body dressed in a bright blue robe that had long silvery beard and hair, and wrinkled face frozen in silent fear.
The Inferi set the corpse near the Dark Lord's feet before retreating into the darkness, and Lord Voldemort touched the body's cold hand with a grin.
"Well, Dumbledore, it seemed that I win in the end," he began, "all because of your ignorance. 'The Rogue Prince' had been your clue to stop me for over a year already. If you were to be kind to Severus back in his school years, I'm sure he will be loyal to you instead. But no, you want to distance yourself from the 'bad guys', hmm? Even when your old friend was one." Then he snarled. "I will not let you ruin my plan, even after your death."
Lord Voldemort then chanted the ancient spells to construct an Inferius out of the deceased wizard's body, grinning in delight as Dumbledore mechanically stood up; his ice blue eyes held none of the warmth or kindness one would usually associate with him. They were now cloudy instead, unemotive and plainly said, just another addition to his numerous collections.
"I will hunt you down, Lily Potter," he announced to himself before taking Dumbledore's hand and left the cave through Apparation.
It was time to eradicate the few resistances standing in way of his new kingdom.