Children of the Revolution

by Istani

Marauders era. Will a friend, someone who really cares, manage to tilt the scales when the time comes for Severus Snape to make a crucial choice? Of love triangles and a Silver Trio. AU.

47. The Prophecy

I'm sorry it took so long (again) but real life hardly leaves me time for writing. Please bear with me; I won't abandon this story.

Thanks a lot for all the lovely reviews.

Thanks and a big hug to my beta, the wonderful hypnotic ink. All remaining mistakes are mine.

47- The Prophecy

Although it clearly hadn't been his intention, Severus couldn't help but simply enjoy her proximity that night. Her acceptance of him was so very comforting that he fell asleep in her arms, and he slept well; no dreams about the Dark Lord were troubling him.

In the morning, however, he felt as if he was suffering from a really bad hangover (not that he had any experience with that- he did enjoy a good glass of wine, occasionally, but he had too much respect of alcohol and its effect on people, always remembering the worst of his father, to ever indulge in uninhibited drinking.)

He woke up shivering since Raven had left the bed already; he could hear her busying herself in the kitchen, probably brewing coffee and preparing breakfast. He knew where he was- when all of a sudden the memories of last night came crushing down on him, making him feel all small and uncomfortable in the presence of the Dark Lord again. The room seemed to turn dark although the sun was shining in through the windows...

Severus took a deep breath in order to shoo away these memories, then he got up and went to the kitchen- to where life was, to where Raven was...

"Good morning," she said in an almost too cheerful tone as she took the frying pan off the stove and placed in on the table, the moment he entered. "Did you sleep well?"

"Yes." It wasn't even a lie- he had slept very well indeed, but that wasn't the problem. The problem was that Severus still recalled the meeting with the Dark Lord all too vividly, remembering his every word...

Even in the light of a new day, he still didn't want to talk about it. He knew that that was ridiculous since any attempt of hushing things would never undo them. In this war, there were no innocent bystanders; there was no way of not being involved if you had an opinion, and Raven had long chosen her side. It simply wasn't right to keep her in the dark about what had happened.

So after a while, he hesitantly started to tell her about last night. Because she had a right to know- even if that meant admitting his failure. He had pledged loyalty to the Dark Lord. Again. He'd been too scared (or too clever) to oppose him.

It didn't improve the situation that Regulus chose that very moment to pay them a visit. He often did so when he had a break at the Ministry, and most of the times he was welcome. Today, however, Severus would have loved to hex him into next week; it bugged him tremendously that the posh boy (as Edie called him) already knew he had been summoned by the Dark Lord.

Rumours seemed to spread quickly in the upper class of the wizarding world. Apparently Black's mother had heard it from his aunt Druella, who knew it from her daughter, Bellatrix, that Voldemort had chosen to receive a lowly half-blood.

"I didn't beg for the meeting," Severus said waspishly.

"I know," Regulus replied with a sigh. "No one in his sane state of mind would, and you aren't daft. So what did he want?"

Grumbling inwardly, Severus repeated the Dark Lord's request. Again, he reported of his failure.

"You had no choice," Raven claimed when she noticed his discomfort. "After all, you can't tell him something like, 'I'm sorry, Mr Snakeface, but I have other plans with my life.'"

"She's right," Regulus agreed with a light chuckle, amused by her choice of words and her lack of respectful words, which was refreshing (nevertheless he was certain that she didn't underestimate the Dark Lord). Then he glanced at Severus. "Come on, look on the bright side! At least he doesn't want you to participate in any raids, nor did he choose you to run errands for Minister Bagnold- which is a tedious job in comparison to teaching Potions at Hogwarts."

How... comforting, Severus thought cynical. Trying to teach little dunderheads the beauty of a subtle science was decidedly NOT what he'd been dreaming about, except in a nightmarish concept. It wasn't only that he'd waste his talent at Hogwarts, it was more the fact that many of his future students would still remember him dangling upside down in the air, revealing his greying underwear... thanks to the Marauders and especially to James-bloody-Potter's sick sense of humour, which had then led to his breakup with Lily...

It was his worst memory ever, and his NEWT class would remember that incident. They would make him remember...

His thoughts were interrupted when Raven cleared her throat. "Um, is it too presumptuous to assume that Lord V needs a spy at Hogwarts? After all, you'd be close to Dumbledore if you get the job."

"As it seems, he wants to have spies in all places," Regulus concluded, nodding thoughtfully..

"Indeed," Severus agreed. Of course, Lord Voldemort hadn't spoken it out loud but his intention was plain to see, "so it seems."

"Well, it could be of advantage if we're all in the spying business but at different places-"

"No," Regulus thwarted her plans before they could even shape, and Raven realized the fault in her train if thoughts immediately. He was right, she wouldn't be able to use all the information if she didn't want to endanger her friends.

"I don't want to be a spoilsport," Regulus continued, "but you will have to be more careful with what information you're going to pass on to the Order. After all, the Dark Lord is a very suspicious person.".

"I know," she sighed. Well, she wasn't on a mission to save the world anyway; she didn't want to be a hero or Supergirl- all she ever wanted was to make the world a better place for Severus and herself, but mostly for him. Nevertheless, in this stupid war people were dying every day. With or without her interference. And until now, it had been her heartfelt wish to safe as many as possible.

Now, however, she realized a change of mind. It wasn't that she didn't care about all these innocent bystanders anymore, the casualties of every war- she just had to reconsider her priorities and decided that nothing could justify to risk the safety of her friends.

Perhaps it wasn't right, considering the Greater Good. But she'd never been a sucker for that, so she decided to not worry about it now.

"And you, guys, promise me to be careful, too. Try to keep a low profile and don't attract the attention of the Aurors."

-o-

Weeks passed. Winter turned to spring as the new year proceeded, and the situation in the wizarding world seemed to have its influence on Muggles, too- or at least on their underground music scene, for Raven thought she noticed a change to darker, gloomier tunes.

Was it already the foreshadowing of doom when the news spread that Ian Curtis, lead singer of Joy Division, committed suicide the very day Severus went to a job interview at the Hog's Head in Hogsmeade? Later, Raven would have supported that theory, but when she woke up in the morning, it merely seemed to be a too cold and rainy day for May.

-o-

Severus had taken great care on his appearance; he was wearing new robes that fitted him perfectly (thanks to Raven for insisting to visit Madam Malkin's Robes for All Occasions) and he'd even washed his hair- although that was a waste of time, considering the weather. It merely took him three steps in the pouring rain and his hair was looking like it had been plastered to his scalp.

But that shouldn't matter. In his hands he carried a folder containing documents that proved he was qualified for the job. Of course, he would still have to sit his exams in order to become a proper Master of Potions, but that was just a mere formality.

He took a deep breath before he entered the tavern, but nobody even lifted an eye to glance at him. Everything was just like he remembered if from former visits; it was still shabby and dirty and the air smelled of wet goats; there were even some goats running through the taproom.

And yet, there was a difference today. The bar was more crowded than usual and the clientele appeared to be less shady- in fact, some of the guests were neatly dressed and radiated the air of distinctiveness, like only well-established people did.

One of them, a wizard who looked like he had travelled a great distance in short time, was asking the barkeeper for "Profesor Dumb-el-dorr?"

"He's upstairs, havin' an interview with that nutter," the barkeeper replied casually as he continued his senseless task of polishing glasses with a filthy rag. "You'll have to wait."

"No comprender," the foreigner said, but he seemed to realize that the headmaster was not available at the moment, so he sat down again, careful to not touch anything.

Meanwhile, Severus had cast a good glance around and had recognized some prominent potion masters among the guests. For example, the Spaniard who had asked for the headmaster, was Salvatore Domingo, famous for discovering the magical properties of dandelion (which were rather insignificant, but he'd made himself quite a reputation, nevertheless.) And he was his rival, now. Like they all were his rivals when it came to getting the job the Dark Lord wanted him to get.

Severus realized that he stood no chance against them if he just waited until he was called up. They were all much older and more experienced than him... and they weren't Slytherins. That was another disadvantage- on the other hand, it could be his advantage.

Although he didn't want that bloody job, he had to do something before the other applicants could beat him to it. He didn't want to be at the receiving end of the Dark Lord's wrath if he failed.

Therefore, Severus decided to meet Dumbledore before anyone else could, clandestinely making his way towards the staircase leading to the upper floor.

The corridor in front of him was empty; no one else had been bold enough to go searching for the headmaster. But where was he? There were several doors and Severus couldn't go knocking on every one in search for Dumbledore. Also, he didn't even want to know what was happening behind those closed doors since he still recalled some rumours involving goats.

But he was lucky, all of a sudden he heard Dumbledore's voice coming from a room nearby, so he inched closer.

"…I am not quite sure I even want to continue teaching Divination at Hogwarts-"

Right, it's the most senseless subject, Severus thought sardonically, either you are a seer or you're not; it isn't anything you can learn and get marks for.

There was no reply, at least none that Severus could hear and for a moment he even thought Dumbledore was soliloquising when the headmaster continued talking. But then it seemed as if he was addressing a witch called Sybill.

"I know your great-great-grandmother Cassandra possessed the Second Sight and was a celebrated seer, but to be honest, Sybill, I fear you are not qualified-"

Severus barely dared to breathe as he pressed his ear to the door, hoping to pick up some more of the conversation. The witch replied something in a hardly audible, soft and misty voice; there also was a strangely jingling sound.

"Sybill, dear, I cannot-" Dumbledore responded, leaving the unavoidable hire you unspoken. He fell silent for a moment, then he asked in a worried tone. "Sybill, are you alright?"

"The one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord approaches... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies..."

The voice sounded dark and as hollow as if it was coming from far away; it was a witch's voice, but it wasn't Sybill's- or was it? Or was there a third person in the room, Severus wondered.

"...and the Dark Lord will mark him as his equal but he will have power the Dark Lord knows not... and either must die at the hands of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."

"Oi, boy, what ye're doing there?"

Grubby paws were gripping his collar, yanking him around until Severus was face to face with the barkeeper, who looked furious.

"I... I..." Severus was looking for an excuse although it was hard to come up with any when your ear was figuratively glued to the wood of the door; you couldn't pretend you weren't eavesdropping when if getting caught in such an obvious position. Nevertheless, he tried to talk himself out of it. "Yes, I was listening. It's my first job interview and I wanted to pick up some tricks."

The barkeeper wasn't impressed. He grumbled something unintelligible and opened the door, still clutching Severus' collar.

"Albus, I just caught that little eavesdropper outside the door."

"Severus Snape!" Dumbledore gasped surprised.

Meanwhile, the witch called Sybill opened her eyes, and for a moment, Severus couldn't help but stare at her, because her eyes were so huge behind the glasses she was wearing that she looked like an insect. A fly. A Calliphoridae, commonly known as blow-fly, with enormous green eyes and a shiny, metallic colouring. A little later he realized that the metallic colouring came from the many glittering string of beads hanging around her neck, and her arms were covered with jingling bangles up to her elbows; she also wore a ring on every finger. To top it all, the gauzy shawls she had draped around her thin, spindly form were encrusted with shining sequins.

"What happened?" She asked in the same misty, almost ethereal voice Severus had heard before. "I must have fainted; I didn't eat much today. Who is that young man?"

"Don't worry about him, Sybill," Dumbledore said kindly while his eyes focussed on Severus in a not so kind way. Then he addressed the barkeeper. "Would you please remove him from this room, Aberforth? We don't want him to upset Sybill, do we?"

Aberforth showed no mercy with Severus, nor did he give him another chance to explain himself. Instead, he tightened his grip on Severus' collar to remove him not only from the room but also from the building.

A little later, Severus found himself out in the pouring rain with his face down in what smelled like goat shit. But worse, so much worse than that was the realisation of having failed thoroughly, tremendously. He hadn't only forfeited his chance of getting the job the Dark Lord wanted him to get, he also would have to report on his failure. And he doubted he would survive the Dark Lord's wrath.

He was lost. Staggering, he got to his feet and wiped the dirt off his face- what a waste if he was doomed to die anyway. A cold shiver was running down his spine as every synapse of his body seemed to recall the effects of the Cruciatus Curse, and that torment had merely been meant as a warning...

But then he suddenly remembered the strange voice he had heard, a voice that must have been Sybill's since there hadn't been any other witch in the room. And she was a seer- at least she claimed to be one (like her great-great-grandmother Cassandra) otherwise Dumbledore wouldn't have bothered to meet her.

He still didn't give a damn about Divination. Although that Sybill person was most likely a fraud, it slowly dawned upon Severus that he'd overheard a real prophecy, a prophecy concerning the Dark Lord.

...the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies…

There were records of people who possessed the Second Sight; it wasn't all hocus-pocus and tea leaves, and the Dark Lord was a superstitious person. He would believe in the prophecy because he was mad and paranoid, and he wanted to live forever- after all, he created at least three (but probably more) Horcruxes, so he would take a warning like that very serious. And perhaps that was Severus' chance to survive in spite of his failure.

Taking a deep breath, Severus Apparated to Malfoy Manor. Lucius would know tonight's whereabouts of the Dark Lord.

It was the first time he ever tried to locate the Dark Lord. Usually, he had been called to meet him. And it was typically Lucius to mock him for looking like a dunghill on feet. But Lucius Malfoy's opinion didn't matter now. Severus rejected his helping hand to make him look more presentable and performed some quick cleansing spells on himself, before he accepted a Portkey that would take him straight to the Dark Lord... alas, not quite as straight as he would have wished.

Apparently, the Dark Lord was currently residing at the Lestrange Estate; Severus recognized their mansion as the destination of his Portkey and he thought that Lucius could have simply told him instead of making such a fuss about it. Then he had to outwit their most annoying house-elf, who almost slammed the door in his face, saying rather arrogantly that the noble owners of this noble place weren't vulnerable to charity projects. But Severus was quicker than the elf; he already had his feet in the door before it could lock him out.

"Tell your master- no, tell the Dark Lord that I have a very urgent message for him."

Thanks to his brazenness, Severus was face to face with the Dark Lord only a little later, wishing to be somewhere-anywhere- else instead. But he hid his true feelings well and bowed deeply; whether it was out of respect or in fear, he couldn't tell. Most of all, he needed a moment to clear his mind of all things that weren't relevant for this meeting.

"Severus, what a surprise!" The Dark Lord cocked a brow, which gave his pale, waxen face the impression of a grimace. "What is so very urgent that you dare to bother me?"

"My Lord, I came here with a warning-"

"A warning?" Voldemort hissed dangerously. "Who dares to threaten me? Did that fool, Dumbledore, send a message? I know you met him today, didn't you?"

"Yes, my Lord-"

"Did you get the job?"

"I..."

"I take it that means no. Crucio!"

The pain hit him like the famous bolt out of the blue; Severus didn't even had time to prepare himself for it to come before he was already writhing on the floor. Surprisingly was only that it didn't last long.

Panting, he gathered his breath when the Dark Lord said rather softly, "Well, I think I'm right to assume that you didn't seek me out only to report on your failure, so Look. At. Me!" Despite the softness of his voice, his grip was vice-like as he roughly took Severus' chin to enforce eye-contact, and he didn't hesitate to violate his mind until he found the information he was looking for.

Fortunately, Severus had managed to clear his mind of all the things that were precious to him, so that the Dark Lord's assault couldn't besmirch them. Nevertheless, he felt as if he'd been mentally raped.

"Ah!" Voldemort cried out in triumph. " A prophecy! Tell me all about it!"

And so Severus did. He started with the moment he had entered the Hog's Head, and by the time he went up the stairs in order to find Dumbledore and outrival the other applicants for the job, he was back being is old self again. Manoeuvring cautiously around the reefs of his memory to present the Dark Lord just what he wanted to hear.

...the one with the power to vanquish the Dark Lord will be born as the seventh month dies... born to those who have thrice defied him, born as the seventh month dies...

Well, Severus had heard more than that, but at the moment he couldn't recall the exact wording of the rest of the prophecy, and apparently he had hidden it so well in the many boxes of his mind that Voldemort didn't get suspicious or start another assault. Instead, the Dark Lord seemed to be rather satisfied, and if he were more like a normal human being, Severus would have even said he was mightily pleased... as if he'd just uncovered a conspiracy against him but had more pull now that he knew about it.

Voldemort smiled, and that was probably more scary than any other expression his waxen, faintly snake-like features could muster. He barred his teeth between thin, pale lips- they were of a yellowish hue and slightly pointed; not really looking like fangs but with a bit of imagination not very much unlike either.

Severus felt a cold shiver running down his spine, wondering if the Dark Lord's contentment might be even worse than his wrath.

"Well, Severus," the Dark Lord spoke after a long, thoughtful and ominous pause, "I have to thank you for confiding in me. Unlike others (who are just seeking their own advantage) you proved your loyalty by coming here tonight, and no good deed should go unrewarded. My most modest follower, you are indeed worthy to enter the inner circle of my fraternity, so give me your left arm, Severus, to accept the consecration of my gratitude."

A cacophony of no-no-no shrilled through Severus' head as he recalled what Regulus Black had told him just recently. Don't let him mark you. If you let him, you're lost...

And yet, he willingly offered his arm to Voldemort because he couldn't deny him.

The Dark Lord brandished his wand.

Severus could literally feel its power, and it thrilled him- there would always be a part of him that was mightily fascinated by the Dark Arts and all their possibilities... but did he really want that? Did he truly want to be like the Dark Lord, feared by all but loved by none?

He had to decide quickly now, before it was too late.

Of course, he felt flattered that the Dark Lord had chosen to rise him, a lowly half-blood from the dunghills of Spinners End, into the elitist circle of his closest followers- minions, he corrected himself, you'll always be his minion.

"My Lord," he objected as he withdrew his arm ever so slightly, just enough to make the Dark Lord hesitate in his initiation ritual. "I... I wouldn't dare to question your decision, my Lord, but I fear I cannot help but wonder if it is... wise. Mind, I am thrilled about the chance you are giving me, an unworthy admirer of your outstanding skills, to make myself a reputation in your most noble fraternity- nevertheless, considering your goals concerning Dumbledore, I fear that marking me with your sign might be counter-productive in the end... unless, of course, you don't want me to keep a sharp eye on him anymore."

"But you spoiled your chance," the Dark Lord snarled in a harsh, unforgiving tone.

"I beg to differ, my Lord," Severus replied rather cocksure although his insides opposed to his words. He wasn't quite as confident as he pretended to be. Now, he had to stake it all on one card and fight for a job he didn't even want to have, but being a teacher at Hogwarts was still better than being branded and therefore at the Dark Lord's beck and call- so he would rely on Dumbledore's soft spot for commoners (or, what others called losers...).

For the briefest fraction of a second he thought of Raven, what she would do in his situation or if anybody would tell her if he died here tonight. But it was too late to worry about that now. He'd gone too far already.

Voldemort tipped his chin on two long, spidery fingers, glancing expectedly at his promising young minion, and he seemed to like what he got to hear .

"Very well, then, Severus. I will give you another chance since I must admit that I like your approach of things; you just proved that you are a worthy follower of mine and I appreciate your... enthusiasm... in supporting my course." Again, he barred his teeth in a horrible smile that sent cold shivers down Severus' spine, and the next thing Severus felt was a generous warning of his master, a foretaste of the pain he was to suffer should he ever fail him again.

Nevertheless, the Dark Lord was in an almost soft mood tonight, probably still thrilled about the fact that he learned about the prophecy, which he took very seriously and decidedly more seriously than Severus would have ever imagined.

For the moment, however, the younger wizard was relieved to have survived this meeting and thus being able to return home in one piece. He was certain Raven would approve of that.

-o-

Why did he ever waste a thought about her? When Severus finally made it back to Soho, to the flat he shared with Raven, he was slightly pissed off about the fact that the place was crowded with people, listening to loud music.

Well, he didn't really mind loud music, but the people. He would have wished her to care more about him instead of throwing a party the moment he left on a tedious and probably dangerous mission- on the other hand, the people (his friends, actually!) started to clear out at the slightest wink of her hand when he arrived, not asking any stupid questions.

He was grateful for that even if it made him feel like a total arse, seeing them leaving like that.

Nevertheless, their presence would have been too much for him after the painful experience of meeting the Dark Lord, and besides, he was still in his robes. They would think he'd been to a fancy dress party...

"You alright?" She asked in a soft tone, as full of compassion as anyone could put in two simple words.

He wanted to yell 'NO!' - of course not- since nothing was alright. Ever since he'd left home that day , things had turned from bad to worse, starting with the fact that he'd gone to apply for a job he never wanted but needed to get almost desperately now.

Raven ushered him to a chair, slightly worried about his pale face (well, it was even paler than usual) and an instant later a glass of wine was sitting in front of him.

He wasn't thirsty nor in the mood to drink alcohol now, nevertheless he downed the wine in one greedy gulp before he glanced from Raven to Regulus Black- who seemed to have become something like a household pest of theirs, considering the fact that he was always hanging around at their place as if he had no home of his own.

Severus wanted him to leave. He wanted everyone to leave him alone so that he could be brooding about today's events, but he also knew that that was wishful thinking since he wouldn't get rid of them until he had told his story and they had discussed it at length.

Merlin, but he was so tired... On the other hand, he wouldn't be able to find rest any time soon, and brooding all alone in his room was probably not the best solution either. So perhaps it was just better to simply tell them what they wanted to know- in the end, it might be a relief to share the burden.

Raven and Regulus didn't interrupt Severus until he finished his story; she just refilled his glass once. And he was grateful for that because the wine made it easier to talk; it also seemed to dispel some of the shadows lasting on him, shooing the memory of the Dark Lord further away.

She reached out to clasp his hand when he told them about the meeting with Voldemort; it was a reassuring gesture that filled him with warmth.

-o-

Raven didn't condemn Severus for running straight to the Dark Lord in order to tell him about the prophecy, although she was aware of the consequences- Lord V would most probably see to it that no child born at the end of July lived long enough to grow up and become a threat to his life. But any still unborn child didn't matter as long as her Severus was safe and sound, so he had done the most reasonable thing by seeking out the Dark Lord. At least it gave them time, and time was precious these days.

Besides, prophecies were a tricky thing. There were certainly different ways to interpret them, and hadn't Severus said the seer was a fraud?

She didn't believe in Divination. It was as scientifically incorrect as Muggle horoscopes were, even though history proved that some prophecies came true indeed. But again, that was a matter of interpretation and the steadfast belief in it.

"Well," Regulus gave to consider after she stated her opinion, "apparently the Dark Lord believes in this prophecy, so perhaps it will come true-"

"Sure, and the saviour of the wizarding race will be born at the end of July. The prophecy just doesn't specify the year nor the place, and if Lord V starts roaming the world for all babies born when the seventh month dies he will be too busy to bother with you guys, which is of advantage."

"You forget that the child will be born to those who have thrice defied him, so that does exclude the rest of the world and focusses on wizarding Britain."

Severus felt a cold shiver running down his spine at Regulus' words as he sensed he had forgotten something very important but couldn't put his fingers on what precisely, simply because he was too worn out to think straight. The wine had caused a fuzzy feeling in his stomach and made his head spin; all he wanted to do now was to cuddle up in bed with Raven, to feel her naked body in his arms and his cock buried deep inside her... there was no other way to make him forget this horrible day, even if it was only until the next morning...