Severus Snape was called to the Dark Lord's side late at the night of January 31th, his dark mark's burn still painful though familiar it was to the twenty year old year old man. He appeared to his side, and suddenly he was facing the Dark Lord alone.

He bowed and didn't speak until The Dark Lord told him to stand up.

"Yes my lord?"

"If you ever hear another word spoken by any of that group of bloodtraitors, inform me." The Dark Lord said.

Severus wondered what he was going to do with the prophecy he gave him three nights ago. But whoever the prophecy was about, they certainly deserved it. But he couldn't help wondering, as the Slytherin he was.

"Yes, my lord. Is there anything else you'd like me to do?"

The Dark Lord smirked cruelly. "The prophecy, Severus, could be about one of a few couples. They've all refused to be part of our cause. What do you think must be done?"

Severus wondered The Dark Lord was asking him, demanding his opinion. But what else must be done? They needed to stop the prophecy, but that was much too obvious. What the Dark Lord must be asking of him was how.

"They need to be punished." Severus replied. "But isn't a boy in the prophecy, my lord?"

The Dark Lord's smirk grew. "Of course. Soon, one of these couples will no doubt have a son born at the end of July."

Severus stayed silent, waiting to see what the Dark Lord would ask of him.

"I've narrowed down the possibilties." The Dark Lord said, "There are two women who've defied me multiple times, and they are now pregnant."

Severus thought killing the pregnant women was cruel, but if it stopped The Dark Lord's fall, then why the defiance? He knew the Dark Lord brought him here to complete the task, and he would do it unsuspectedly and efficiently.

"Who are they, my lord?" Severus asked rapidly.

"Potter and Longbottom's wives. You'll kill Potter's wife, and if all goes well, find Longbottom's and kill her as well."

Severus blood ran cold and he was sure he was getting paler, so he grasped at his Occlumency shields, hiding his fear, his doubt, his guilt...

"Yes my lord."

The Dark Lord smiled maliciously. "You have a week, but now, dismissed, Severus."

Severus bowed respectfully, shielding what he truly felt, and apparated away, a bittersweet taste in his mouth. One he did not like, but it was never — never — going to be worse than killing Lily.

—

Author's Note: I'm really sorry for writing a minuscule chapter. The next chapter will be much longer I promise. I'll update either today or tomorrow.

WARNING: I don't own Harry Potter or any of the characters.