What Happened…
All I can guarantee is an interview…
Dumbledore stood by the door while Sybil made her fateful prediction. This was what they had been waiting for, their signal from the universe to act. Behind his back he held a coin, magically linked to one in his brother's possession at that very moment. When the prophecy neared halfway, he pressed it, signalling Aberforth to intervene and stop Severus from hearing anything more. Though he was prepared for it, he was still startled by the scuffling outside and opened the door. The brothers' eyes met for brief second, Aberforth was unaware of the whole plan but even he could see the spark of something in Albus's face.
"Severus…" That was Aberforth's cue, he loosened his grip on the wimp's collar and the Death Eater took off. Albus told the woman that she was hired and promptly left the room.
"I hope you know what you're doing Albus," Aberforth grumbled lowly.
"Brother I have the privilege of knowing exactly what I'm doing," Albus assured him. "Can I use your Floo?"
*TIT*
"Thanks Professor," James nodded at the fire where Dumbledore's head floated. He watched it disappear and then went into the kitchen where Lily, Remus, and Sirius were, "That was Professor Dumbledore, the prophecy has been made and he made sure Snape only heard half of it."
"How long do you think we have?" Remus stood up from the table.
"Not long enough," James replied evenly. "You all know what you're doing right?"
They nodded and Lily announced, "Let's get to work."
*TIT*
Sirius stared at the grim façade of Grimmauld Place with disgusted contempt. Nothing would erase the god awful memories he had of this place but it was nothing compared to what Reg had to do and if his little brother could make the ultimate sacrifice, he could at least go inside to finish Reg's work. The house was technically his anyway, he simply placed his hand on the door and the charms recognized his magic. It swung forward and Sirius had to cover his mouth against the dust and rotten stench of the place. What had Kreacher been doing? He had barely two steps in when his mother's portrait began to screech.
"YOU! WHAT ARE YOU DOING HERE IN THIS HOUSE AGAIN?! GET OUT! GET OUT YOU FILTHY TRAITOR! A SHAME ON MY FLESH! LEAVE THE HOUSE OF MY FOREFATHERS! I DISOWNED YOU! YOU HAVE NO CLAIM HERE YOU ROTTEN MUDBLOOD-LOVING DISEASE!"
"Hi mum," Sirius muttered and with a flick of his wand, the curtains closed, her voice eventually fading. He moved to climb the stairs and spotted the house-elf at the top. "Kreacher?"
"Master Sirius," the house-elf regarded him warily. "The traitor who broke my mistress's heart, the stinking turncoat who betrayed his family. Why he is back? What does he want?"
"I'm here for the locket Kreacher," Sirius slowly went up the stairs. "I'm here for Regulus's locket."
"No, no, no, no, no, no," Kreacher shook his head wildly. "You can't have it, Kreacher has his orders, you can't have it." Kreacher turned and ran into the drawing room, straight for the cabinet where he snatched the locket and looked like he was about to apparate with it.
"KREACHER I ORDER YOU TO STOP THIS INSTANT!" Sirius roared. Unable to disobey, Kreacher stood stock still in spot, limbs shaking with the effort of both trying to run and stay at the same time. "Kreacher," Sirius knelt down to eye-level with the elf, "I know about the cave, I know what happened to Reg. I know how to destroy the locket."
Kreacher watched him suspiciously, "That's impossible, Master Regulus ordered Kreacher to hide and never to tell anyone about the cave. Kreacher never told a soul."
"Someone else found out and they told me," Sirius swallowed. "Kreacher I can destroy the locket but you have to give it to me, I don't want to order you but I will if I have to." Kreacher's face scrunched up, still sizing Sirius up. After a long moment, he held it out and dropped it into Sirius's waiting hand. Sirius closed his fingers around it in relief, "Thank you Kreacher. " The elf nodded.
*TIT*
Lily and Remus walked swiftly but casually to the village of Little Hangleton. After talking to Bob Ogden, they knew the Gaunt shack was supposed to be in a remote corner far removed from the actual village but still within considerable walking distance. It was easier to spot the beautiful manor house on the other side but that's not what they needed. They finally found the narrower dirt path that led them into the untamed woods surrounding the village. In the intervening years, the old house had decayed greatly but was by some miracle, or magic, still standing. The walls were crumbling, most of the shingles had fallen off the roof, weeds and ivy plagued the entire structure. It was hard to believe people had once lived here however many years ago. Wands out, the pair approached the building cautiously. Remus barely pushed on the door but it gave away, falling to the ground with a loud clatter.
"Where do you think it is?" Lily asked, not completely sure why she was whispering.
"No idea, you check the rooms, I'll look around here," Remus replied with equal quietness. Lily wandered down the short hall while Remus continued to search the kitchen and living areas. Everything was derelict and dead, he couldn't find a single suitable place to hide a Horcrux. He used a wind charm to blow the dead leaves and dust out of the way but still no clues. "Voldemort likes grandeur," Remus murmured to himself. "Likes things that make him sound like a great and important wizard. This is the house of his family, the last descendants of Slytherin…Slytherin…Slytherin…something to do with Slytherin…" He went into the living room and scoured the place and that's when he found the little snake intricately etched into the fireplace mantle. "Lily I think I'm on to something."
"What did you find?" Lily immediately rejoined him.
"I think it's here," he tapped his hand against the mantle. "But now the question is where?" While Lily examined the exterior, Remus lay flat on his back, looking up into the chimney. "Lumos." His wand illuminated the entire thing but only found a couple of bats.
"Anything?"
"Nothing," Remus reported back, getting out.
Lily laughed, "You've got dirt everywhere." She started to help brush it off until she noticed something. "Hey Remus…"
"Yeah Lily?"
"Doesn't this dirt look a little fresh to you," Lily showed him some in her hand. True enough, it was rich and brown, like the kind you'd find in a well-tended garden. "It's summertime, it's dry as a bone out there, no way there was rain yet it's moist."
"Can't be," Remus looked at the hearth. Dropping to his knees, he began to scoop out the dirt, Lily stood by watching. After about five minutes, he unearthed the lid of a golden box. The pair exchanged a look and Remus gently lifted it out of the dirt, handing it to Lily. She carefully opened the lid and, on a red velvet pillow, was the ring. She could make out the Deathly Hallows symbol engraved on the stone.
"We got it," she confirmed, snapping the box shut.
"Good let's get out of here," they held hands and immediately apparated away.
*TIT*
James adjusted the cloak around himself to ensure no part of him could be seen as wandered through the halls of Hogwarts. The professors couldn't take the chance of being seen doing this so it fell to him to retrieve the Horcrux from the Room of Requirement. He got to the familiar stretch of wall and recited, "I need the room where all things are hidden." The door appeared and he hurried inside, pulling off the cloak. If he understood his instructions, he needed to find a cupboard and in its general vicinity would the tiara. One little problem. There were dozens of cupboards everywhere. He knew the one he needed wouldn't be too far in as Harry had been in rush to hide that Potions books and so had Voldemort if he had to get out of the school quickly following his appointment with Dumbledore. There had to be a faster way to do this suddenly a broom materialised on his left and he smiled, he loved magic.
James took to the air, landing next to all the cabinets he could spot. He was trying not to stray too far from the main pathway through the junk in keeping with the 'he was in a rush' theory. He checked the left side first and came up with nothing. He went to the right and two cabinets in he came across one that looked it had been burned somehow. He spun around and it only took seconds to spot the tarnished crown discarded easily in plain sight. James snorted, "Git." He snatched it up and put it in a bag to be delivered to Professor Dumbledore's office.
*TIT*
"In – in return? Anything."
Dumbledore hid his smile, seeing Snape begin his redemption gave him hope for others. "Alright then Severus, I will agree to this bargain. I shall see to it that Lily Potter and her family are kept safe but there are certain things that I ask of you in return."
"Name it," Severus responded immediately.
"I am interested in two objects in Voldemort's possession. If you want Lily Potter to live, and I do mean this most sincerely, you will tell me the truth. It is of the most importance."
"Alright," Severus nodded.
"Has Voldemort given anything to Lucius Malfoy or Bellatrix Lestrange? As a reward or for safe keeping?"
"He has not," Snape denied.
"Have you ever seen about his person a book or a gold cup?"
"No."
"These would be highly personal and guarded items, does he have a place where he keeps his things?"
Snape thought it over for a moment, "No. All his effects travel with him, he does not have much."
Dumbledore breathed heavily, "Alright Severus, in exchange for Lily's safety, it is your job to keep a lookout for these things and to inform me the minute you become aware of their whereabouts and, if possible, take them, do you understand?"
"Yes."
*TIT*
One week before Halloween…
"I don't like this," Sirius hissed so Peter couldn't hear him by the fire. "We don't have all the Horcruxes yet."
"But he's already targeting us." James pinched the bridge of his nose, "We've been over this. This is our only chance to get Voldemort alone and vulnerable. Even if we don't completely kill him, it'll buy us some time to hunt down the others and we can finish him off later."
"Boys we don't have any more time to discuss it," Lily interrupted. "Let's get this over with." James and Lily went to sit down with the rat, leaving Sirius alone feeling extremely conflicted and even more so anxious.
He heard James say, "Pete we need you to be involved in something very important." This was it. Sirius dragged a hand down the side of his face and touched the starburst necklace hidden under his shirt. He would do it for her… He took a fortifying breath and joined the group around the fire. James glanced at him once, "What we're about to talk about, you cannot repeat to anyone not even Remus got it?"
*TIT*
Severus sat the long dinner table at Malfoy Manor. The Dark Lord had left moments ago but none of the Death Eaters moved. You did not leave the meeting until the Dark Lord gave you go ahead. He was gone for only ten minutes before he came bursting back in, sweeping regally to the head of the table. "Death Eaters, I have just received some joyous news. The Potters will soon be in my grasp and with that, my immortality secured!" The death eaters cheered and clapped raucously, Snape barely made sound though his hands moved. Thankfully Voldemort did not spot it. "Yes, yes, in a matter of days we will have conquered our final obstacle. So tonight my friends let us celebrate. Narcissa bring everyone some wine."
"Yes My Lord," Mrs. Malfoy bowed and summoned the house elf.
"Bellatrix, Lucius, Severus," Voldemort called upon them. "I have some business to discuss with you."
"Yes my lord," they each got up and followed their master into the drawing room nearby.
"I'll be direct," Voldemort looked each of them in the eye. "There are still other matters at hand aside from the prophecy that needs to be dealt with. Severus have you secured a post at Hogwarts as yet?"
"I think I have almost convinced Dumbledore of my 'new found' loyalty. He's been more open to me in recent weeks," Snape reported. "I should be in a position to ask for a place on the staff very soon."
"Good," Voldemort nodded. "Once you are in place, we can move forward with our plan to rid the school of its mudblood filth. Those diseased spawns need to be dealt with swiftly and for that you'll need this." From inside his robes he withdrew a book and Snape needed to steady himself. "Lucius I am leaving this in your care, it has the power to open the Chamber of Secrets which will purge the school. When I give the word, plant this at the school and it will work on its own but only when I say."
"Yes my lord, thank you my lord," Lucius bowed while accepting the book.
"And my lovely Bellatrix," Voldemort turned to the only woman in the room. "Your commitment and faithful service has been exemplary. As a reward and symbol of my trust in your capabilities, I am entrusting you with this heirloom." He produced the cup and handed it to her. "This is no ordinary object, you are responsible for its safety and the highly severe consequences that shall befall you if it is lost or destroyed. I think Gringotts would be the best place." They all knew that nothing was ever suggestion with the Dark Lord but an implicit order.
"I understand my lord, I'll do it first thing tomorrow. I shall guard it with my life," Bellatrix vowed fervently, clutching the cup to her chest.
"You had better. Severus I would offer you a reward but you have already asked for a great favour have you not?"
"Yes my lord," Snape nodded once.
"I make no promises on whether I will fulfill this wish but we will see," Voldemort leered patronizingly like a parent dealing with a child demanding a sweet. "None of you are to tell no one that you possess these things or what has been said here, is that understood?"
"Yes my lord," the trio chanted.
"Good, now go enjoy the festivities. Tonight is a night of celebrations," Voldemort swept from the room leaving them.
"Bellatrix you should use the storeroom underneath the floor here until you can get the cup somewhere safer." Lucius opened the floorboards to reveal a cellar of sorts with shelves of vials and bottles and items that had gathered dust from their long interment underground.
"Thank you Lucius, I shall send it to my Gringotts vault in the morning." She placed the cup on a shelf and Lucius put the book beside it. While their backs were turned Snape Stunned them both, locked the door and snatched items.
Working quickly, he through some Floo powder into the fire, got in and yelled, "HOGWARTS HEADMASTER'S OFFICE!" He was gone in a flash of green flame and after a moment of swirling, he nearly tumbled out in the Professor Dumbledore's office.
Despite the rather late hour, Dumbledore was awake and at his desk. He stood up as he saw the Death Eater come through, "Severus?"
"I have it," Snape panted a little. He held out the cup and book, "I have them. I've got what you've asked for but I must hurry, I've left Malfoy and Bellatrix Stunned in the drawing room."
Dumbledore nodding urgently, producing a replica book and cup for his desk drawer, "Here. Take these and replace the objects in case anyone becomes suspicious. Go now before you are caught!" Snape accepted the fakes and turned back to the fireplace before Dumbledore's voice stopped him, "And Severus?" The headmaster surveyed the young man, "Lily's safety is assured."
The man moved his head once to acknowledge the statement before getting into the fire and disappearing. He returned to the drawing room, put the copies in the originals' spots, and modified Lucius and Bellatrix's memory to make them think it was a fallen potion that knocked them out before awakening them and returning to the party as if nothing else had happened.
*TIT*
With all the Horcruxes in their possession, the team from Godric's Hollow had to work quickly to destroy them before Halloween night. With some help from Aberforth and his pub's connections with the black market, they were able to procure some Basilisk venom enough to soak a goblin-made dagger in. It took several attempts at Parseltongue before the locket opened but they got it eventually to run it through with the blade. The ring was cracked, the diary was stabbed, and the cup basically hacked to pieces. The diadem was much larger than the others so they felt it was better to have it burnt by Dumbledore using carefully controlled Fiendfyre to ensure it was properly destroyed. Their task done, Sirius made Peter Secret Keeper officially and now all they had to do was wait for Halloween…