1 year, 2 months and 3 weeks later

24th October 1981

Malfoy manor was a hive of activity that evening - everyone had assembled there. Crabbe,Goyle, Knott, Avery, Snape, the Carrows, Crouch and the Lestranges to name but a few.

The death eaters had all sat down around the large mahogany table which was the centrepiece of the huge, dim dining room.

Seated at the head of the table was none other than the Dark Lord himself - Lord Voldermort.

'My friends' he greeted. 'I bet you're all wondering why I gathered you here today'.

The death eaters all looker at one another. A gathering of this size could only mean that something big had happened.

Voldermort smiled coldly at the tension in the room.

'Wormtail!' he bellowed.

In scurried Wormtail, a snivelling little man who had fear written a over his face.

'Yes master?' he whimpered.

'Tell everyone your little secret.'

'Yes masters. Well it seems that…'

'Speak up man, we can't hear you!' came a shout from down the end of the table.

Wormtail turned to face the table, cleared his throat and began to talk again. 'Well, um, I know where the potters are hiding.'

The silence ensued.

'Is it true my Lord?' whispered Snape.

'Yes, it seems that Wormtails' little story checks out' came the reply.

'So what now, my Lord?'

'Now we arrange to murder the Potters.'

Silence fell again, but this time it was quickly broken by Bellatrix Lestrange's evil cackle.

'Oh how wonderful, my lord! Finally, you can reap the rewards of all the effort gone into finding the Potter's!' A look of pure delight was worn on her face.

'Yes' smiled Voldermort. 'So it seems. I think this calls for a little celebration, don't you Lucius?'

'Undoubtedly, my Lord' smiled Lucius, already clapping his hands to hire his house elf. 'Fetch us the crates of wine from the cellar - you know what ones I mean.'

With a deep bow the house elf disapparated again, returning almost instantly with 2 crates of wine - both larger than himself. With a flick of Lucius' wand the wine bottles opened up and began to pour into the waiting wine glasses.

Everyone stood as Voldermort raised his glass 'To the Potters and their forthcoming demise'

'To the Potters!'.

When all was said and done that evening the death eaters began to leave, bowing deeply to Lord Voldermort before turning to Lucius and saying goodbye.

Eventually the only ones left with Voldermort were the Malfoys, Bellatrix and Snape. Snape glided over to Voldermort and kneeled down next to him. 'My Lord, may I please have a word with you? Alone?' he spoke softly, turning to The Malfoys and Bellatrix. With a wave of his hand, Voldermort dismissed them so the only two people in the vast dining room were him and Snape.

'My Lord I have a request to make of you'

'Speak Severus'

'My Lord… the mother, Lily Potter…'Snape paused to calm himself. 'She made a mistake marrying the Potter boy, she doesn't deserve to die.'

'What are you trying to ask Severus?'

'My Lord, please spare the mother. I'll do anything as long as you spare her. Please, my Lord' he gushed as he bowed his head.

Lifting Severus' chin Voldermort replied 'You know Severus, it is already expected that you'll do anything for me. No matter what…'

'Of course, of course…'

'...But I feel that you have been a very loyal servant to me Severus, and for that I will grant you your wish.'

'My Lord, my Lord, thank you so much!'

Snape rose to his feet and turned to leave.

'Oh one more thing Severus…'

Snape turned around to face him once more.

'This 'love' of yours will be your downfall if you let it persist.'

Any remnants of happiness that were still on Snape's face fell away and replaced once again with the cold emotionless smile that he so often wore.

Bowing deeply once again, Snape disapparated away.