Chapter 3

Crucio, Reducto, Sectumsempra… any curse or bodily harm… Severus had expected them all when Voldemort neared him. But he hadn't expected the Dark lord to place a hand on his shoulder.

As his eyes flashed open he jerked and when Voldemort smiled Severus felt his mask slip off completely. Staring at the man in front of him his mouth fell open, but no sound came out. Apparently the Dark Lord found it amusing to see the otherwise, so completely composed man loose it so completely. With a chuckle he squeezed Severus's shoulder softly.

"Don't be afraid Severus, as I said, your doubts about Dumbledore have saved you tonight, and will save you every coming night and day which follows. But if I find out that you betray me again…" the Dark lord fell silent and the crimson eyes blazed with an unholy light.

"I understand my Lord, and thank you for sparing this humble man." Severus whispered and then fell to his knees in a sign of total submissiveness.

The dark lord sighed and then knelt down.

"Rise Severus, I'm no longer a madman hell-bent on destroying the wizardling world. Whatever Dumbledore did is completely gone. Since my resurrection I've regained my sanity and my former appearance slowly. Right now I'm wearing glamours. See for your self my old friend."

And Severus did. Raising his head he opened his eyes and gasped. In front of him was the man he remembered to have joined in the first place. Tom Riddle smiled at him and then offered Severus his hand. With no hesitance Severus took it and let his old friend help him up.

"You really are back… you finally are yourself again, my Lord." Severus whispered and for the first time in many years he felt the urge to weep.

"Tom. You are allowed to call me by my name, Severus, as you did before my… madness."

The two men watched each others with warm eyes. A long time had passed since their friendship had come to an abrupt ending. It was the sound of Lucius clearing his throat and Hedwig's annoyed hoot that broke their reverie.

"Tom, Severus, as happy as I am for you, lets not forget the urgent matter of the letter and the Potter-boy" Lucius said and handed Severus his wand back.

"Yes, you're right of course… Severus, can you take us there? To where he lives. We'll rescue him and show him that the supposed Dark Side isn't so evil after all" Tom said and smiled at his old friend.

"Harry Potter lives at Private Drive 4, Little Whinging, Surrey" Snape said and then bowed.

The silence, which rested over Private Drive 4, Little Whinging, Surrey, was broken around midnight by the sound of many apparitions. Suddenly the formerly empty street was filled by a dozen men, clad in long black robes and white masks.

For once feeling happy for being clad in his death eater garb Severus felt some part of his mind relax when the chance of being recognised was reduced to almost zero. Yes there still was a small chance, but it was very small. With a smile on his lips he glanced at Tom. He too was wearing the common robes of a death eater, having explained it that if his was presence discovered, it probably would make Dumbledore come running. And that was definitely a worst-case scenario, having to deal with him at the same time as rescuing Potter.

Severus shuddered and then looked around. Spotting the Dursley residence he waved to the others to follow him. Then he stopped and gazed into the shadows of a dark alley. Yes of course they would be there… but if they were lucky it was Tonks's shift right now. Turning around he beckoned to Lucius and Bellatrix to follow him. Then he melded into the shadows, moving silently.

Shortly there was the sound of someone yelling and the silent incantation of a sleeping spell, followed by a stupefy and an obliviate. When they came out from the alley there were rips in Severus cloak and Lucius limped slightly while rubbing his cheek. Bellatrix was laughing silently while glancing at the fair-haired Malfoy.

"Damn, Severus, she has a mean right hook" Lucius said.

"Well I told you not to underestimate her, because she is clumsy. I told you" Severus said, chuckling.

With a growl and a huff the Malfoy patriarch turned around and stalked over to his wife, muttering under his breath and followed by Bellatrix laughter and Severus chuckling.

After a while, when Severus had calmed down, he turned towards the Dursley's house and then strode towards it, stopping at the wards. Frowning he examined them and then sighed. Well the good news, they would be able to enter them, since they didn't mean to harm anyone. The bad news was that Tom wouldn't be able to go inside. The wards were set to warn The Order if Voldemort himself tried to pass them. 'Damn, what to do now?' Severus sighed again and turned to face his Lord.

"Tom, the wards won't let you pass without telling the old coot about it. May I suggest that Lucius, Bella and I go in?"

The Dark Lord nodded and then moved back into the shadows with the remaining Death Eaters.

"Fine, we have your back. Save him."

With a bow Severus, Lucius and Bellatrix whispered:

"Yes my Lord"

Then they entered the silent house.