Disclaimer: You know the drill

Note: Finally I brought myself to write this, hours I've been...Tired stretch of cramped arm muscles Anyways, no, don't worry I will not abandon the fic. Thanks for the kind reviews. I've got next chapter all planned out, expect more angst and torture. Lovely. Well, enjoy Dumbledore's POV. R egards-

Snape grasped the silver serpent and knocked sharply, the metal thudding rather noisily against the wooden door. He stepped back, the cool summer breeze billowing his robes slightly as he cast an anxious glance around him, head snapping back to the door as it slid open silently. He stared at the empty air before him, getting a glimpse of a darkened, elegant drawing room before a squeaky, high voice called his attention and his eyes roving downwards came to settle on a house-elf.

Dumbledore looked around the dark surroundings curiously, wondering were they were. Not much could be glimpsed but the large shadows of various trees against the pale lights illuminating the path that led to the door. The large manor seemed to him vaguely familiar. His eyes returned back to Snape as the door slid open; he looked calm although an undercurrent of nervousness was visible upon closer inspection.

'Master says Mr. Snape be coming tonight. Dobby leads young sir to Master.'

The small being stated, enormous green orbs gazing at him curiously as he held the door open. Severus stepped in and raised an eyebrow; seemingly impressed with the obvious luxury. Golden chandeliers with crystal candles, two velvet couches embroidered with silk, a wooden table of excellent quality, an elaborate rug and numerous tapestries constituted the entrance room. He heard the door click shut behind him.

'Sir please follows Dobby.'

The creature said shrilly and bounced through a heavy door, he followed it down a gloomy hallway of extraordinary proportions and finally into another large room. Lucius Malfoy stood by the fireplace, which was extinguished, perusing a letter he held in his hands. He glanced up, iron eyes narrowing slightly (whether in pleasure or malice was impossible to know) and smiling vanished the parchment and advanced towards him.

Of course, he remembered now, Malfoy Manor. He had not recognized it at first as the few times he had been there had been during the day. He knew naturally that Lucius Malfoy despised him, but they had been obliged to invite him to a couple of the larger parties they had held, seeing as everyone knew about both the Malfoy family (one of oldest and most renown pureblooded) and himself, it would have been awkward had he been visibly absent from the more influential congregations.

'Severus, I'm glad you could come.'

Snape nodded tersely, he looked somewhat nervous, though determined all the same. Lucius smiled, and beckoned him towards two handsome chairs, they sat around a small table with a pair of silver snakes supporting it's crystal surface. There were already two sparkling glasses waiting for them and a bottle of red wine. Malfoy's eyes were set on Snape, his lips still curved into a slightly twisted smile. Severus was looking around the room, black orbs darting around until they finally came to rest on Lucius, his expression quite neutral.

'Some wine, my friend?'

By the cold look in the man's iron-like eyes, Albus doubted highly whether he had really considered Snape a friend, at least at that time. More likely he had just seen him as another possibly useful servant to bring over to the Voldemort, enticing him with illusory images of power.

Lucius offered pleasantly, already pouring the sweet-smelling liquid into their cups. As he set the bottle down, Snape reached out a hand to take a sip of his drink.

'How have you been?'

Malfoy asked after taking a sip himself. Severus shrugged slightly.

'As well as always. What will a prisoner tell about the same walls he has inhabited ceaselessly for years? Perhaps different rats scurrying around him- but rats all the same, or a subtle change in the scent of the meals or a new trickle of water as more rock crumbles away but never enough to release him from his cell.'

Albus could not help but imitate Malfoy in his subtle gesture of surprise, although he was rather pained by the response more than amused as Lucius seemed to be. Then again, what could be expected considering what the boy had to live at his home?

Lucius raised a finely penciled eyebrow and leant forward. Softly he parted Snape's hair away from his face, fine fingers barely touching the skin. Severus remained very still, though his hands were trembling. The tip of Malfoy's fingers traced down his jaw, over a discoloring bruise before grazing the thin lips. He drew away, his stormy gray eyes glinting strangely.

The man's gaze made him feel somewhat uneasy, it betrayed a sinister sort of twisted pleasure at the idea of pain. The same light burning in his eyes as when he had spoken to Snape at his Graduation party. No wonder Malfoy was a Death Eater of course, not only did it increase his power but proportion the victims for torture that he longed for. At Hogwarts he had never been involved in any fights, for although many from the other houses had hated him they were far too intimated to attempt to take on him. And the few who did came off worse, considering he had his two henchmen Crabbe and Goyle and the nearly the whole of Slytherin House backing him up. But then, now there seemed to be an element of doubt in all he knew about his students. How could he be completely sure after having discovered all the things he had missed...

'Severus, you know I would do anything in my power to help you, you need but ask me.'

'Thank you Lucius. I will keep it in mind.'

Smiling faintly Malfoy leaned back once more.

'Sometimes the solution to our problems is right before us...'

'There is no solution for the past. And I need only endure a few more weeks.'

'Then what? Will you run away and let him escape without avenging yourself, Severus?' Lucius asked softly,' Surely not.'

Offering little sips of poisoned honey, feeding the anger that Severus felt towards his father and life in general really.

'There is nothing I can do.'

Snape responded coldly, hands curling into fists.

'On your own.' Malfoy whispered, licking his lips, 'But there might be a person who can help you, Severus. And I am sure you shall like him...You may have already have heard of him...'

Voldemort. Naturally he offered the desired vengeance. How could he really blame him for joining the Death Eaters, after all, when he had received nothing but pain from the supposed Light side. He would have run towards any alternative, an offering of something different. It had turned out for the worse in the end. Albus shook his head slightly, it was perhaps understandable...but far from justifiable.

SsSsSsSsSsSs

'The Dark Lord was very pleased with your potions Severus.'

Lucius Malfoy whispered quietly in the young man's ear as he approached silently from behind, startling Snape who started slightly. He took a seat across him and waved his hand,

'Dobby.'

With a loud crack the house-elf appeared, his hands clumsily bandaged.

'Yes, sirs. What may you be wanting?'

'Some whisky, perhaps...' he cast a glance at Snape who nodded indifferently.

Suddenly a young woman entered the room. She was dressed in velvet robes of blood red, her shiny, blonde hair cascading over her shoulder like a fountain of gold. She strode towards them, though her nose wrinkled as she caught sight of Snape.

'Narcissa dear, do you care to sit with us?'

'Madam.'

Severus greeted her, standing up and giving her a stiff bow. She surveyed him arrogantly, her eyebrows raised. Light blue eyes swerved back to her husband.

'No Lucius. I just came to get something.'

She replied coldly, and indeed after selecting a leather bound book from a shelf she left without a backwards glance.

He recognized Narcissa Malfoy, an undeniable pretty woman, were it not for her rather sour character. She generally considered anyone who was not of her same purity of blood as dirty and mostly worthless. They were perfect for each other, certainly.

Snape stared after her, an eyebrow raised, though no emotion was discernible in his face.

I marvel how you manage to produce such excellent potions and yet get through all your seventh year work.'

Lucius remarked as the door closed behind the woman, he was smirking slightly and there was a spark of amusement in his eyes before he returned to look at Severus.

Dumbledore thought he rather knew the reason of Malfoy's humorous attitude, he had probably thought it was amusing to see his wife treating his guest so disdainfully. He wondered if the woman knew that her beloved Dark Lord was a half-blood himself.

'The potions requested are not too complicated.'

Snape responded with a faint sneer, 'Nor the lessons.' He added, appearing somewhat pleased at the praise.

Bushy eyebrows contracted slightly. Severus had already been working for Voldemort during his seventh year. He was most unpleasantly surprised and felt, even somewhat disgusted at the knowledge. Knowing the type of potions He was likely to desire it could be supposed the boy had started killing when he was but eighteen years old, and the thought inevitably saddened him.

He took a swig of the alcohol and grimaced as he swallowed, pushing the goblet back on the table. Lucius let out a small laugh.

'Not one for strong tastes?'

'It tastes worse than a Blood-Replenishing potion.'

He hardly doubted it had had something to do with his father, considering all he now knew about him.

He said in disgust. Malfoy smirked and fell silent, a strange, calculating look on his face.

'Severus, you came here for something, did you not?'

Snape licked his lips quickly and sat up straighter, his eyes growing colder and more determined.

'I wish to take the Dark Mark.'

Albus grimaced slightly as he heard the words, the statement which foreboded his doom. But he had come back, he was not yet lost, was he? But he could not understand, as much as he struggled why someone would wish to enter that life of murder and torture. Condemning yourself for illusions of power, fear cloaked as respect, bitter revenge...

Lucius grinned.

'I thought so. Fantastic Severus, I am glad you have finally decided to enter the fold.'

Severus nodded, half a smile on his face.

'I am sure it will be agreeable with the Master.'

'W-when shall it be done?'

'No need to be nervous Severus. It is the best decision you could ever have taken. As to the date, well it will have to be after you leave school naturally... you still have to sit your NEWTs.'

'Could it be on my Graduation?'

Snape asked abruptly, his eyes glinting.

'Why yes. What a great idea, doubly special.'

Lucius smiled and raised his goblet, motioning for Snape to do the same.

'To you, Severus Snape, soon one of the Death Eaters.'

He pronounced and with a small tinkle their goblets touched and both downed the contents. Severus grimacing and Lucius grinning.

It seemed oddly appropriate, their expressions like foreboding gestures; as though it were burning wax making his way down his throat and sealing his fate. Snape grimacing as he would do afterwards upon reflection of his dreadful error and Lucius grinning as he managed to gather yet another follower for the Dark Lord.

SSsSsSsSsSsSsS

Patches of bleary sunlight filtered through the canopy of light gray clouds, unseasonable in the early summer. The grass blades tinged with pale yellow were cast into shadow as the seventh-years trudged down the grounds towards the lake, where they would be taking the graduating photo. An old wizard with dusty, slightly shabby robes holding a large camera was engaged in conversation with Professor Mcgonagall who had two red spots on her cheeks and seemed strangely flustered.

The slightest shadow of a smile crossed Dumbledore's face as he watched Minerva Mcgonagall in the memory, she had told him once (blushing furiously) about the attentions received from the old school photographer ever since she had taken her own Graduating picture.

'What's up with you Snape?'

Rosier asked with a raised eyebrow as he watched the other boy, who was wearing a lopsided smirk.

'Nothing, why?'

He responded, pushing his hair out of his face and frowning slightly.

'You were. Smirking...'

He explained hesitantly, looking confused. Finally Evan waved it off with a shake of his head and a hand in the air gesturing fruitlessly.

It certainly was rather odd, and not surprising at all that it had attracted his friend's notice. For the silent smirk seemed to hide something- probably the knowledge that he would that very night be taking his first step towards what was supposed to be a better life- and considering that Snape usually walked around scowling or glaring, it was even the more conspicuous.

'Gryffindor House, please line up.'

Mcgongall called authoritively over the babble, and obediently the students wove their way out of the throng and filed up. Severus watched as Sirius Black smiled seductively before James Potter punched him in the arm and Lily glared at them, though her lips were twitching while Lupin laughed at the scene and Pettigrew fidgeted nervously in his seat.

They truly were an endearing lot, Dumbledore could not deny to himself. But that did not give him a reason to abandon the rest, which was exactly what he had done. Concentrating his attention on the most agreeable; the charming pair, Sirius Black and James Potter, the kind-hearted Remus Lupin, sweet Peter Pettigrew and the lovely Lily Evans...And on the other side, Severus Snape; a lonely, odd Slytherin. Of course, he had been nothing but an inconvenience. Why, he had had to subtract points of his beloved Gryffindor and give detentions to the dear Marauders! Merlin, Dumbledore thought sadly as Guilt took another large bite, had he really thought that way?

Suddenly the camera emitted a puff of purple smoke which enveloped the elderly wizard and left him covered in a mantle of what appeared to be lilac glitter, making the students around him laugh as he waved it off.. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs followed and afterwards dispersed around the grounds, enjoying their last days at Hogwarts.

'Slytherins.'

Giftiger summoned his House, Severus followed Mcnair and stepped onto the wooden, rickety benches.

'I dare you to smile for the photo, Severus!'

Avery laughed beside him. Snape gave him a horribly forced smile with a raised eyebrow.

'How's this?'

He asked before his mask dissolved and he returned to his usual glower, face half-obscured by his curtains of greasy hair. Rosier guffawed loudly turning around just in time as the flash of the camera came and a cloud of orange smoke broke through them all.

Albus let out a small sigh, it was in truth a rather sad picture. Considering that so many from Slytherin House that year had left to join the forces of the Dark Lord, off to destroy and mutilate the families of the very students with which they had shared their classes with.

ssssSssss

'That little potion of yours would be perfect for tonight, Severus.'

Mcnair hinted slyly as they walked around the lake with Evan Rosier, who grinned, eyes narrowed and nodded in agreement.

'Oh, yes! Please, will you give us some more?'

Severus raised an eyebrow, and stopped to stare at them.

'That- potion was an illicit mixture, surely you do not believe I have some more stored?'

Mcnair looked doubtful but Evan laughed.

'Oh come on, don't give us that. I know you do.'

'Yes? How do you happen to know?'

He asked in a menacing whisper.

'You wouldn't throw away something that good.'

Snape gave a small snort and gazed at the other boy with a small smirk.

'You idiot, it was but a particularly strong hallucininating potion.' He paused and sneered.' Apart from experimental and probably toxic.'

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows visibly in surprise at this sudden information, then sighed resignedly. It was impossible to believe that no illegal mixtures would find their way into the various Common Rooms, although he would make a point of enforcing the protection after this.

'I drunk it! And Mcnair too!'

The Slytherin exclaimed in alarm, scowling. The raven-haired boy's sneer grew more pronounced,

'Then give thanks you're alive.'

He added as he continued walking. Suddenly a giant, fleshy-colored tentacle flew from the water and grasped hold of Snape's waist, knocking him off his feet and dragging him towards the water.

He winced at the force with which the Squid attacked the Slytherin, seeing his frail form it was probable he had cracked some of his ribs.

'Impedimenta!'

Rosier shouted as another tentacle rose and buffeted the unwary victim, pushing him underwater. Mcnair sprinted towards the edge of the lake and taking out a small dagger tried to hack at the tentacles.

'Stupefy!'

He couldn't help but wonder what could have made the creature attack anyone, as it was usually quite peaceful, even friendly with the students.

The squid dropped Snape and scurried from sight, a few of it's tentacles seemingly immobilized behind him. Severus crawled from the water, his hair clinging to his skull like black algae. The other two Slytherin hurried forwards in mild concern as the wet figure spat out greenish water.

'Fare thee well Snivellus!'

A mocking voice called and Sirius Black strode into view, arm in arm with James Potter, who gave him a flourished bow.

'Our parting gift to the object of inspiration of possibly the greatest pranksters Hogwarts has known.'

He recited, grinning.

The answer to his question it appeared, Dumbledore thought, with a small shake of his head. It was highly inappropriate of them, even dangerous...but, they had already crossed every possible boundary concerning that particular Slytherin, hadn't they?

'You filthy imbeciles. You'll pay for this someday bastards.'

He snarled as he struggled to his feet, weighed down by the soaked robes. The two Gryffindors simply snorted and walked off laughing.

Some part of himself could not really blame Snape for his lingering anger and obvious hatred towards the two boys, and considering it had been fuelled to a greater blaze during these years he had been lost as a Death Eater. They had made his life at Hogwarts quite uncomfortable, transformed what was to have been his haven and respite from his father's abusive character to another humiliating and harassed position.

sssssssSsssssssss

Severus walked briskly out of the Slytherin Common Room. Some heads turning as the pale figure with billowing black robes passed by them, but none calling him back. A pleasant breeze was blowing, cooling the warm summer night when he strode out of the castle, head bowed and eyes settled on the floor before his feet.

'Severus!'

Lucius greeted him with a grin, striding forward and shaking his hand. The windows of the Three Broomsticks were dark behind the heavy curtains draped over them. The streets deserted as midnight neared.

'Finally free from school, eh?'

'Yes.'

Snape answered stiffly, looking around he noticed two figured bundled in heavy, black robes. He turned a questioning face towards Malfoy whose grin grew wider,

'More eager followers of the Dark Lord.'

He explained with an elegant shrug.

Dumbledore felt his heart beating unusually fast in his chest as he watched the seen unfold impatiently. He could hardly believe the fact that he was about to see first-hand where it was that Voldemort lived, about to witness a ritual of Initiation. Of course, the place where He inhabited would obviously have been made unplotable, but it was still invaluable information. Priceless. He stared at the man before him with a slight frown, perhaps this was the price then? He shook his head, but the contract was signed, and it was no use wasting the knowledge when nothing could be done to turn back the past.

The four of them apparated in front of a large manor. It was encircled by high walls of rough stone, the gates wrought in handsome black iron which glinted in the moonlight. Lucius strode forwards and tapped the heavy lock with his wand, bursting it open as a greenish light shot from his wand. The flash illuminated the hooded creatures, which turned out to be Avery and Mcnair. Snape nodded at them coldly and they returned the silent greeting.

Another two lost ones.

'If you shall follow me.'

Malfoy whispered and walked in, the path leading to the house was illumined slightly by eerie green lights which seemed to be coming from floating skulls, rather deformed ones. Dark, looming trees swayed their branches towards them like gnarled hands. They reached the thick, wooden doors and found them to be already open, leading the way into the darkened interior. A blood red carpet beneath their feet, a collection of paintings on the walls framed in gold and silver and chandeliers casting pale light from the high ceiling.

The old man felt slightly sickened by the display of macabre decorations, the monstrous skulls and gruesome portraits. Then again, what could be expected of a man (if he could still be called a man) who had committed so many crimes and continued to fight his way unceasingly for the dominance of all. For he strove to have power over all, perhaps the most ambitious Slytherin ever to attend Hogwarts, Tom Riddle, one who seeked to conquer even Death. And Merlin forbid he manage to do so.

'You shall be called.'

Lucius said quietly and passed through a black door. The three of them stared around, the silence stifling like a mantle of dust. After what seemed like hours a figure cloaked in black and wearing a white mask beckoned Avery forward. Silence. Then a cry and more silence. The person emerged again and bent a gloved finger for Snape to follow him. He passed through the door.

It was an ample circular room, lighted only by a couple of sputtering blue torches. The room was bare, except for a throne-like seat that met the eye as soon as one crossed through the ominous black door, about a dozen hooded figures formed a circle slightly smaller than the room.

'Severus Ignatius Snape.'

A harsh voice broke through the silence and Snape took a few steps forwards and knelt before Voldemort, head bowed.

'Come forward my friend...'

The Dark Lord hissed. Severus moved closer, until Voldemort extended a hand and pulled his chin up to gaze at his face. His face was nearly chalk-white, glowing red eyes with cat-like slits for pupils. He withdrew his hand after a few minutes of contemplation and waved lazily.

He could distinguish the peculiar flicker of intensity, the special fire which burned behind the eyes when performing Legilimancy. With a grim smile Albus pondered how he could be horrified by the bestialities of the house when it's own inhabitant was an insane monster. He hated Voldemort, naturally, for all the harm he had done and was currently doing to the world. But he also felt a deep seated kind of pity for Tom Riddle, for the fact that a brilliant child had been ensnared by evil since the beginning of his days.

A tall, imposing man cloaked in blood-red and wearing a black mask behind which only his glittering eyes were visible came forward, carrying a silver dagger in his hand.

'Extend your left arm.'

He ordered, and Snape complied. His robes were pushed up and the shining blade pressed to his forearm, a trickle of blood blossomed on his pearly skin and trickled down his wrist. The tip of Voldemort's wand touched the cut as the other Death Eater walked back.

'Morsmodre.'

Snape gasped as the Dark Mark appeared in glowing red in his arm, then bit his lip. The skull continued glowing red until Voldemort pressed his tip upon it once more and it faded to black.

He assumed they chose to leave free the wand arm and was certain the blood was necessary to create the powerful bond between Voldemort and his servants. It seemed to him more like a slave bond, a chain linked forever around the Death Eater's neck, although his followers most likely saw it as a privilege to be connected to Him in any way. Albus inspected the present-day Snape closely and noticed, bringing forth a small frown of concern, that the young man was viciously (and apparently unconsciously) rubbing the place where the Dark Mark had just been burned into his skin in the memory.

'Welcome Severus Snape to the Dark Lord's Death Eaters.'

Severus bowed and pressed his lips to the hem of Voldemort's robes.

'May your loyalty never waver Severusssss.'

He hissed, eyes locking with Snape's and finally stretching his lipless mouth in an unpleasant smile.

'Never. My Lord.'

Dumbledore smiled somewhat grimly at the irony of the situation, watching as Severus mimicked his expression and continued embedding his nails into his forearm. He was aware suddenly that his excitement had faded away to be replaced by a melancholic sadness at the many broken things of their world.

SssssssS

Half a dozen cloaked and masked figures stood before a white, plain house. The street was deserted apart from the occasional rumble of a distant car.

'The Little Muggles were Sleeping, as Death arrived at their door and they didn't hear, the swish and flick of Doom. Filthy stupid Muggles, wake up for Death, don't keep her waiting.'

Bellatrix recited softly in a singsong voice before letting out a cackle of laughter and throwing off her mask to reveal glinting eyes and a wide, slightly insane smile.

An acute sense of foreboding combined with dread filled him suddenly and he had to fight the urge to break the connection for the second or was it third? time since he had commenced the spell. But he could not of course, he had wished to see this with his own eyes and it was impossible to back out now.

Lucius agreed with an appraising smirk of approval and pointing at the handsome white door burst it open with an explosion of wood splinters. They passed through the door as two muggles came running, a man with sleep-messed black hair and a pretty blonde woman who screamed as she saw them.

'Silencio!'

One of the Death Eaters called and the woman fell silent, though her mouth was still open in a scream.

'What're you doing here? Who are you? What do you want from us?'

The man shouted angrily, fear flickering in his eyes as Dolohov laughed from beneath his mask.

'Nosy little muggle you are, eh? Imperio!'

As the ray of light hit him he began banging his head against the floor, screaming hoarsely.

Dumbledore steeled himself, unconsciously straightening in his chair and smoothing his beard in preparation for what was sure to be an unpleasant sight.

The woman was watching her husband with terrified eyes, sobbing silently she backed to a corner. Suddenly, as blood began trickling down his forehead, something flickered in the woman's eyes and she began rising slowly from the floor. Bellatrix noticed and her grin widened.

'Well, I better wake the children for our little party. It would be very mean not to let them participate.'

His determination wavered slightly as he heard the sweetly mocking words of the witch, but the memory continued to unravel unperturbed as did his careful inspection of the events.

She stated sweetly. The woman bolted from the room and through a corridor, Bellatrix streaked after her, followed a moment later by Snape and a couple of more Death Eaters. They reached a room painted with pastel blue colors and little clouds and saw she was desperately scooping up one of her children while another older one woke groggily. With a bang like a gunshot the woman was thrown against the wall, blood flowing down her face from where her lips had been removed.

The old man tasted the acrid flavor of vomit in his mouth as he struggled to force down the nausea that was threatening to overpower him while he looked upon the wicked scene. Her lips, he thought horrified, had just been ripped apart.

'Come little children, don't you want to play?'

Bellatrix intoned softly and Crabbe guffawed thickly, grabbing the youngest which looked about three or four by the neck and shaking him roughly.

'Crucio!'

The witch shrieked and watched with a wide, content smile as the little boy howled with pain.

'You can take over the other one.'

He had always known that the Death Eaters had no real objective except their own twisted pleasure when they went "muggle baiting". But seeing Bellatrix Lestrange's insane smile as she tortured the poor child served to wave away any doubt that could have remained in his mind. He felt a sinking feeling in his stomach, as though he had swallowed a large heavy stone at the thought that he had had that woman under his wing at Hogwarts- all of them. All those Death Eaters who were now murderers had once been his students...and he had failed them all, letting them be guided away towards the Dark.

She told Snape and cast the curse on the child again. Snape eyed the other one with narrowed eyes, he seemed about seven or eight and was standing against the wall, eyes darting from his mother and brother to the door and the hooded creatures before him. Bellatrix let out an impatient cry as the woman ran towards her, eyes streaming with tears and tried to claw off Bellatrix with her nails.

'Accio eyeballs!'

And two bloody orbs shot towards the door, and into Narcissa's hands. She tossed them at the boy, who dodged them with a yell.

'You've always been very messy Bella.'

Horror crept down his back, it's nails seeming to scratch in a way which made his skin crawl with goose bumps, though he managed to suppress a shudder. He averted his eyes from the woman's empty sockets and concentrated on watching his future spy.

She said in a dignified way. The seven year old lunged forwards abruptly, a bat clutched between his hands and swung towards Narcissa who let out a small shriek.

'Impedimenta!'

Snape hissed and he fell with a thud against the closet. Mrs.Malfoy eyed him silently and then gave him a small smile.

'Crucio.'

They hissed at the same time and watched as the child screamed, sobbing, his mother banging blindly against the walls as she fought to get to her sons.

The poor boy, Dumbledore thought sadly.

Dolohov and the others which had stayed in the hall ran in,

'Come on, we've stayed here too long.'

Lucius told them all hurriedly.

'Avada Kedavra!'

Goyle grunted and the woman fell dead. Bellatrix killed hers after giving him an obscene kiss on the tear-stained cheek.

'Come on Snape. Your first one?'

Snape stared at the sobbing boy. His hair was messy and black, his eyes though obscured with tears could almost be called hazel in the pale light of the moon.

He watched carefully as Snape hesitated, a few seconds which seemed to contain an eternity of doubt before being broken abruptly. Before the young man was definitely cloaked in the darkness he would wear for the next two years and which even now clung to him though in tatters.

'Avada Kedavra!'

And he was dead.

Albus felt tears stinging behind his half-moon glasses, although he truly was not sure whether he was weeping for the death of that muggle family he had just witnessed or for that final loss of innocence in Severus Snape; or perhaps for the sheer horror of watching those who were once his students as the murderers they had become.

They ran outside.

'Morsmordre.'

Severus cast the Dark Mark into the air, which floated sparkling green in the air as the sirens sounded nearer. They dissaparated.

He noticed the slight flush in Snape's cheeks and the strange glitter in his eyes, reflecting the Dark Mark he had just cast into the night sky, a green beacon of death hovering over the ravaged house.

SssssssssSss

'I hadn't had so much fun with muggle baiting in a while.'

Bellatrix sighed happily as they sank into the dense armchairs in Malfoy's living room.

'Yes, that was particularly enjoyable.'

Lucius said as he glanced at the newly initiated and smirked, taking a sip of his champagne

'A good omen perhaps.'

Crabbe and Goyle snickered appreciatively.

'A toast.'

Narcissa pronounced, leaning forward, now clothed in a deep velvety blue dress.

'To the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.'

Antonin growled lifting his glass. All around they all raised their cups.

'To the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters.'

Dumbledore sighed sorrowfully, with a slightly resigned air. How he wished they would all turn back! He would taken them all in, clean them of their sins as best he could and keep then safe in the Light. But he knew in the depth of his heart that they would not, Snape had turned back, but he knew his hopes were mostly in vain and the possibility of any repenting was scarce. He watched with a mixture of pity and sadness as the young man before him slid down his chair, eyes squeezed tightly and echoing his morose sigh.