A storm raged within the churning cauldron of the North Sea. The wind howled like a banshee, mirroring the fury in his crimson eyes as he surveyed the forbidding silhouette of Azkaban fortress. Tonight, the island prison wouldn't hold its captives any longer. A chill wind howled across the rocky cliffs as Voldemort, flanked by some of his followers, surveyed the prison that loomed before them, its imposing walls etched with centuries of despair and agony.
"My Lord," rasped the voice of Lucius Malfoy from the shadows behind him. "The Dementors have accepted your proposition."
A cruel smile twisted Voldemort's lips. "Excellent."
With a flick of his wand, Voldemort unleashed a surge of dark energy, shattering the pathetically weak wards that bound Azkaban. Across the black waves, Voldemort flew, his snake-like form slicing through the turbulent air. He landed atop the crumbling ramparts of Azkaban, his arrival heralded by a crack of thunder. Below, the Dementors stirred. Their chilling forms coalesced on the outer wall, a writhing mass of despair.
"Feast," he commanded simply to the Dementors. The black mist billowed upwards, and the Dementors, ravenous for the essence from which they were starved for so long, turned their backs on the fortress and vanished into the outer world.
A section of the fortress wall crumbled inwards, creating a gaping maw. The imprisoned Death Eaters, their eyes glazed and vacant, marched out in a steady column, their faces blank slates ready to be inscribed with renewed fanaticism.
Voldemort surveyed the chaos he had wrought with a cold satisfaction. The liberation of Azkaban was a testament to his power and his unyielding determination to conquer the Wizarding World - with or without his Horcruxes.
It was with a heavy heart that Harry took leave of Ginny that Sunday evening. Molly Weasley had prepared quite the feast and wouldn't let her only son-in-law leave without fattening him up a bit more. The atmosphere around the dinner table was nothing short of festive. It was as though for the current inhabitants of the timeline, excluding the two time-travellers, there could be seen at last a light at the end of the tunnel.
After everyone had had their fill, Harry bade goodbye to the others, promising them he was alright. Ginny announced that she would see him out. The couple silently left the Burrow, hand in hand. Neither of them spoke until they reached the designated Apparition point.
Ginny heaved a heavy sigh. Harry turned and captured her gently in a hug, feeling the tiny bit of life between them.
"It's only for another month. Then I am here to stay," said Harry, taking in the familiar flowery scent of his wife's hair. Ginny sighed once again and mumbled in his shirt, "I know."
"Three - no, two more months right?" he asked, caressing the baby bump. "What did Madam Pomfrey say about the due date?"
"Early February, she said," answered Ginny, happiness evident in her voice. "Do you think we are ready for the new Potter?"
The new Potter.
No matter how many times he imagined it, every single time his mouth broke out into the most wide grin he had ever given in his lifetime. A half of him and a half of her. "I am pretty sure we are." He said it with conviction. After all, they had had much practice with the other Weasley kids in their original timeline; not to forget, Teddy, who used to spend much of his time with them since the war.
Ginny looked up and matched his grin with one of her own. "Although I am nervous about the childbirth, I can't wait!"
Harry chuckled and hugged her again. "I know."
"Harry, you will be there right? Beside me?"
"Yes - "
"Just not...not down there. But beside me, near my head."
"I promise."
A moment passed between the two, both of them gazing into the other one's eyes. Slowly Ginny pulled him down and kissed him. Even though, he would have liked to continue the kiss into the night, Harry broke off.
"Well, this is it."
Ginny hugged him and pecked him on the cheek.
"Harry, what is going to happen next?" she couldn't help but ask. "I don't think the others have realised it yet, but Voldemort -"
He understood, nodding his head. "Perhaps is going to know now that we are hunting his Horcruxes. We need to get that Hufflepuff Cup from the vault in Gringotts. Quickly."
"Do you think he will move it?"
Harry bit his lip. "No, I don't think so. To do that, he is going to have to come out into the open. Doing so, will risk letting us know the place. Let's assume the note in the shack is enough to let his attention divert away for the time being."
"You need to discuss this with Dumbledore," said Ginny. "Also, something needs to be done about that toad-face. Just don't do anything rash, love."
He raised his eyebrow. "When have I ever been."
She rolled her eyes, as he threw the Invisibility Cloak over him and Disapparated with a crack.
By the time Harry had returned to his Gryffindor Dormitory at Hogwarts, it was almost midnight. Making sure his dorm mates were dead for the night, he silently crept into his bed and shortly fell asleep. Seconds later, or so it seemed to him, he was awakened by the noises. Sitting bolt upright, he heard the rasp of the bed hangings being pulled back. The dazzling light seemed to poke him hard in both eyes. Shielding them with one hand, he groped hopelessly for his glasses with the other.
"Wuzzgoinon?"
"There you are!" The familiar voice of Hermione said. "You know how anxious we have been ever since you disappeared Saturday evening after the match!"
Even though, he was half asleep, Harry understood the reason behind Hermione's concern.
"When did you come back?" said a loud and excited voice of Ron, following which he received a sharp blow to the top of the head.
"Ron, don't hit him!"
"He deserves it, if you ask me," grumbled Ron. "Could have atleast left a note or something, telling us he was going to the Burrow. That's where you were, right?"
Harry yawned and nodded. His hand found his glasses and he shoved them on, though the light was so bright he could hardly see anyway. He blinked and the two figures of his best mates came into focus, glaring down at him.
"You were careful, weren't you Harry? It was so careless of you to just sneak out of the castle!"
"Hermione, I have been an Auror for the past five years, not to mention a decade of experience in such matters," Harry answered, to which she just shook her head in exasperation.
"Are you alright?" she asked, perching herself on the edge of his bed. Ron did the same.
Hermione was scrutinizing Harry as though he was sickening for something. He thought he knew what was behind this, and as he had no wish to discuss the topic of the Dursleys which was left undiscussed or any other miserable subject at the moment.
He hesitated but said firmly, "I was just...It just took me by surprise. I wanted to see Ginny, so I went. Sorry, if I alarmed you."
"About your ... relatives -," Hermione began, but stopped when Ron flashed a warning look at her. He then cleared his throat, "It's getting late."
Surprised at Ron's announcement of looking forward to today's lessons, Harry nodded.
"The breakfast will be over soon."
And there it was.
As the trio made their way downstairs for breakfast, Harry filled in both of them about the recent events. The two expressed their joy that they were one more step closer to Voldemort's demise but understood the ever-changing predicament they had now found themselves in.
"You think he's going to retaliate?" Ron asked, as the three of them huddled themselves into a corner.
"I don't know really. I mean before I could atleast have a way of sensing his emotions,..." Harry trailed off.
"If only there was a simpler way of getting that cup out of Gringotts," moaned Hermione. "Have you thought of a plan to what to do in the meantime?"
Harry shook his head in response. It was frustrating, not to be able to plan ahead. But for what it was worth, he only ever had a single, simple goal - find the Horcruxes and destroy them before facing Voldemort himself. That was another thing - even without his anchors, his enemy was powerful with a vast knowledge of magic and plethora of spells at his disposal. How could Harry defeat him this time? He had no powerful wand whose allegiance belonged to him and pretty sure the blood magic given to him by his mother would be of no further use, since the Horcrux inside him was done away with; meaning if and when he would face Voldemort, it could go either way, wouldn't it?
Either must die at the hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives...
Before he could however think of something to continue to conversation, Ron swore and broke off from their huddle and ran ahead. The other two turned their heads, gazing ahead to what had cause his reaction. For they were standing in the corridor where the Muggle Sanctuary was located, one of the spacious empty classrooms where the games equipment were stored for their Muggling Hour. Only it seemed that the entire storage was pulled out of the room into the corridor, even the basketball hoops and the football nets that had been installed out on the grounds.
"What are you doing?" asked Ron to the Hogwarts caretaker, who had just exited the room with his pet cat trailing after him.
"Cleaning. Can't you see?" grunted Filch.
"What for?" Hermione asked, as they caught up with Ron.
Before Filch could reply, a sickly sweet voice called out from behind them.
"Mr. Filch is just carrying out my orders you see, Miss Granger," said Umbridge, strutting in short steps to where they were gathered.
"Your orders?"
"Oh yes. I was going to announce it at breakfast, but no matter. Since the three ringleaders of the circus are here - your little club is now disbanded herewith... "
"You can't do that!" Ron exclaimed.
"And all other nonsensical activities included," continued Umbridge. "Also, before you counter argue I would advise against taking this matter with Professor Dumbledore, he really can't help you there. For the Minister himself has granted me to oversee the changes at Hogwarts which are otherwise hindering and unnecessary to what constitutes a well-rounded education in the eyes of the Ministry."
Harry should have known that something like this was coming.
"But why?" cried Hermione.
"Don't you get it, Hermione?" interjected Harry. "It is all a facade, behind which our competent Ministry hides. They aren't concerned about the things that require attention, but are quite happy - "
"Enough!" shouted Umbridge. "Tread very carefully, Mr. Potter, for you are on thin ice as it is. Wilful insubordination will be treated swiftly."
"What shall I do with all this, ma'am?" Filch asked.
"Burn it for all I care," replied Umbridge, not taking her beady eyes away from the trio. With a final lookover, she departed.
"Things are changing around here, Potter," laughed Filch.
"I've noticed," said Harry coldly.
"Yes... I've been telling Dumbledore for years and years he's too soft with you all," said Filch, chuckling nastily. "You filthy little beasts would never have dropped Stink Pellets if you'd known I had it in my power to whip you raw, would you, now? Nobody would have thought of throwing Fanged Frisbees down the corridors if I could've strung you up by the ankles in my office, would they? But when Madam Umbridge comes in, Potter, I'll be allowed to do them things... and she's asked the Minister to sign an order for the expulsion of Peeves... oh, things are going to be very different around here with her in charge.
"Now, off with you!" He shooed them away.
Breakfast was a sombre affair, when the news of Umbridge's orders broke out. Whispers filled over the usual clattering of utensils. Harry could feel everyone's eyes on him, but he steadily kept them trained on his plate, however not before he could see the obvious absence of Dumbledore on the High Table. The other teachers were silent in their seats.
Something about this was very familiar and Harry didn't have a good feeling about this.
"Noticed, have you?" said Fred's voice.
He and George had just joined them at the table. "Exactly like your future, eh?" joked George. Harry nodded solemnly.
"Cheer up, dear brother-in-law," said Fred, patting his shoulder."Why fear, when we are here!"
"Oh, Fred, but it is Ginny who is skilled at cheering Harry up. I assume she did when you sneaked off to visit her," whispered George.
Hermione gasped, her eyes widened. "How did you know?!"
The twins rolled their eyes. "Really wasn't difficult to notice that Harry wasn't seen here anywhere since Saturday."
"Don't worry, don't think anyone else has noticed it. They seem to still think you are sort of unstable, Harry given your history. They prefer to keep their distance."
"Cheers," mumbled Harry, biting into his toast.
"Now we have much work to do," began Fred. "We'll catch you three later!" With winks from both of them, they hurried from the Great Hall.
"They are going to cause trouble, I know it," said Hermione, noting their parting words.
Trouble it was, and this time Fred and George weren't pulling back. All week long something seemed to happen one way or other, whether it be morning, afternoon or night. It wasn't difficult to find pandemonium reigning in one floor or other at Hogwarts. An enormous box of fireworks were set off once which continued all day long. The fireworks continued to burn and to spread all over the school that afternoon. Though they caused plenty of disruption, particularly the firecrackers, the other teachers didn't seem to mind them very much.
Swamps turned up in unexpected places (most of them in Umbridge's way) and a Niffler was set loose in her office, which promptly tore the place apart in its search for shiny objects, leapt on Umbridge when she entered and tried to gnaw the rings off her stubby fingers. Dungbombs and Stink Pellets were dropped so frequently in the corridors that it became the new fashion for students to perform Bubble-Head Charms on themselves before leaving lessons, which ensured them a supply of fresh air, even though it gave them all the peculiar appearance of wearing upside-down goldfish bowls on their heads.
Even Hermione was feeling a bit rebellious. She even turned a blind eye to people roaming out of bounds and setting up pranks when doing her prefect rounds.
The Weasley twins had even roped in Peeves to add to the chaos. Obviously not one to deter away from a challenge, he smashed lanterns and snuffed out candles, juggled burning torches over the heads of screaming students, caused neatly stacked piles of parchment to topple into fires or out of windows; flooded the second floor when he pulled off all the taps in the bathrooms, dropped a bag of tarantulas in the middle of the Great Hall during breakfast and, whenever he fancied a break, spent hours at a time floating along after Umbridge and blowing loud raspberries every time she spoke.
"I don't get it," said Harry one day. "I mean was the Club really that popular for people here to start avenging it?"
Ron and Hermione smirked at each other. "I don't know if it anything has to do with it, but rather more to do with simply causing trouble," said Hermione.
"Although Fred and George have started it, others are just taking advantage of for the sake of taking advantage. Everyone's got their own mischievous side. Anyway, isn't it better for us that the toad is otherwise occupied?" continued Ron. "Have you seen Dumbledore yet?"
Harry shook his head. Dumbledore, there was no other way to say it, was gone. Vanished into thin air. Nobody had an idea where he had gone, nor had he given the Order any indication. It was almost a week since anyone had seen him. Harry was stumped as to his prolonged absence.
Harry had followed it up with McGonagall yesterday, but to no avail. Even Snape was of no help. Though both had told him not to bring too much attention to it, for Umbridge was perfectly content in behaving as the Headmistress of the school for the time being. Not that she had much time to ponder about his whereabouts.
"He hasn't done a runner, has he?" asked Ron, hesitantly.
"He wouldn't!" protested Hermione. "Perhaps something's come up."
"If the Ministry's, I dunno, arrested him or something, they would likely publicize the fact, wouldn't they?" said Ron, coming up with another possibility of Dumbledore's disappearance.
"No, they would like to rub it in our faces -," said Harry. "Hang on, why would he be arrested?"
Harry felt annoyed as he watched the other two having a silent conversation between them. Surely, they had already talked about this.
Hermione sighed, "Well, it's just that - people have been wondering whether he's been taking advantage of his position and status as a respected wizard."
"That's ridiculous!" exclaimed Harry.
"You don't blame him then?" Ron couldn't help but ask. "If it was me, who took all the decisions regarding me, one of them almost -"
"Alright," interrupted Harry. "Yes, Dumbledore left me with the Dursleys. It was wrong of him, but... even the whole situation was wrong."
"So, you are going to do the right thing? Even though it has now come all out in the open?" Hermione asked.
"I don't understand. What do you mean, the right thing?"
Hermione seemed hesitant to explain. She looked at Ron for help, who took it up. "Hermione means, and I agree wholeheartedly, that the Dursleys should be left to rot in jail. You shouldn't be all forgiving and take back the case against them. It's wrong."
"They deserve worse," pointed out Hermione with such venom in her voice that Harry hadn't heard before.
"Look, I accept what they did was wrong -"
"Wrong!" scoffed Hermione. "It's vile!" Ron placed his hand on top of hers.
"No," Harry finally said. "They deserve it."
"Have you made that list, mate?" questioned Ron, hoping for a change in topic.
Ron and Hermione had conveyed to Harry about the plan the rest of the Order were forming. Slowly trapping Voldemort's cronies who were enjoying their undeserving freedom.
Harry nodded and pulled out list he had written last night in bed, combing through his memory of the original timeline. The three of them huddled closed together as Harry passed the piece of paper.
"Malfoy, Macnair, Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Pettigrew, Yaxley, Selwyn and the Carrows," read Hermione one by one.
"Now, even in Death Eaters, there's a sort of hierarchy," explained Harry. "Malfoy, Nott and Selwyn are the Death Eaters with most connections, power and money. We will have to let them be for a while. Pettigrew has the Dark Mark, but is resorted to being only a servant to Voldemort and his followers."
"Which leaves the others. Do you have something on them?" asked Ron excitedly.
"I have listed here their hideouts, you could say. Stashed with Dark objects..."
A small noise started them all. Harry felt the emanating buzzing from the mirror he always kept in his side pocket. Making sure that he had cast safety charm around them, he answered the call. Ginny's face swam into the mirror, which was not looking so great. She had gone a bit pale.
"Ginny."
"Oh Harry, thank goodness you answered. Something's awful just happened."
Harry's heart started racing, as he clutched the mirror tightly.
"Ted Tonks was found kissed by a Dementor."
"What! You sure? How?"
Ginny nodded vehemently. "He was visiting some relatives of his near Aberdeen. Dad's just come home from work, who heard it in passing."
"But nothing's been reported in the paper!" said Hermione.
Ginny shrugged, "I expect they are keeping quiet about it as always. What worries me is -"
"The Dementor," said Harry.
"A stray Dementor, you reckon?" asked Ron. "Perhaps it was one of the two Umbridge set on you."
Harry frowned, deep in thought.
"Has Tonks been told?" Hermione inquired.
Ginny nodded. "Remus and Mad-Eye went to inform her and Andromeda."
After talking about the harrowing new situation for a few more minutes, all of them retired for the night; except not before Harry could stop keeping tossing and turning. Only one thought kept turning up in his mind - something was missing somewhere.
All was still in the sleepy town of Aberdeen. As night fell, the vast indigo skies above slowly came to life – stars twinkled into view as the moon began its usual ascent.
No one took notice of the dark, hooded figure as it strode on the outskirts of town, following the meandering path that led away from the coast, nor did they notice the faint flicker of light emanating from the long-abandoned farmhouse that occupied the end of the lane. He could feel the changed atmosphere. Out of the corner of his eye saw a dark shadow swooping ominously around the brickwork.
Dementor.
The man came to a halt on the crumbling front stoop of the old farmhouse, pulling down his hood. Of what awaited him on the other side of the door, he had no certainty, only unsettling suspicions. But he would not indulge himself in feelings of discomfort, for he could not afford to. Any sign of unease would be his undoing. Something has happened, he couldn't help but accept in his mind.
The man inhaled deeply, the crisp, salty air mixed with now cold, dark air of Dementor's presence, filling his lungs as he emptied his mind. With a perfectly steady hand, he gave a solitary knock on the door.
It swung open, and -
"Snape," welcomed the witch.
"Bellatrix," breathed Snape finally, after he quickly got over the shock of seeing her. She stood back to allow him to pass her into the house. They had stepped directly into a tiny sitting room, which had the feeling of a dark, padded cell. The place had an air of neglect, as though it was not usually inhabited.
Around him, Snape realised, were the Death Eaters. The ones privileged enough to escape Azkaban at the end of the last war - Malfoy, Macnair, Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Nott, Pettigrew, Yaxley, Selwyn and the Carrows. Also present were the ones whom Snape had not seen since they were imprisoned - Bellatrix Lestrange, Rabastan Lestrange, Rodolphus Lestrange, Mulciber, Rookwood, Rowle, Travers, Gibbon and Jugson. When they had broken free, he did not know.
In front of the fireplace towered a pale, slender man. At his feet lay a crumpled heap of a person, shivering with fear. He was bound and gagged with wild, overgrown hair obscuring his face. The Dark Lord paid him no mind, watching the flames intently.
"Precisely on time, Severus," he said without turning away from the fire. "As you can see, we are fortunate to have with us all our friends again."
"Of course, my lord." Snape made his way further into the room, scrutinising the man on the floor – there was something familiar about him, but not quite enough to be identifiable.
"You must pardon our guest," the Dark Lord sneered, gesturing to the dishevelled man. "He won't be any trouble. Will you?"
Upon being addressed, the man shook more violently, a pleading whimper trapped behind the gag in his mouth.
The Dark Lord turned, his gaze boring into all of his followers.
"I am pleased to have you all before me once again. We are still united under the Dark Mark, then! Or are we?"
No one spoke.
"Some of you, slipped back among my enemies, and pleaded innocence, and ignorance, and bewitchment... Yet you still returned to my call a year ago, pleading for a second chance. Lord Voldemort is merciful and so you had it. My rebirth was and is still a well-kept secret. But now, I am sure even a dumb Ministry as our will acknowledge the recent happenings. So, I suggest now is the time to take advantage. The Dementors have already joined us, the banished giants have been recalled yes, Macnair?"
"Yes, my Lord. Even though, Dumbledore had sent his two nitwits of messengers, the giants are looking forward to our association," answered Macnair.
"Good. I have all my devoted servants returned to me, and an army of creatures whom all fear. . . ."
At these words, seemingly in response to them, a sudden wail sounded, a terrible, drawn-out cry of misery and pain. Many looked downward, for the sound had come from the dishevelled man. Voldemort paid him no attention.
"My Lord, I prostrate myself before you, I am your most faithful -," began Bellatrix.
"That will do," said Voldemort. "Bella is most anxious to prove herself again. As are the ones who went to Azkaban. But what about those who enjoyed the freedom?"
The faces around his displayed nothing but shock. They bowed clumsily, muttering dully.
"Yes, Master . . ."
"We will, Master. . . ."
"As I was saying," continued Voldemort, looking again at the tense faces of his followers, "Lord Voldemort values loyalty above all else. " have been careless, and so have been thwarted by luck and
chance, those wreckers of all but the best-laid plans. But I know better now. I understand those things that I did not understand before."
"My Lord, if you permit, I will be honoured to kill the Potter boy - "
"I must be the one to kill Harry Potter, and I shall be," shouted Voldemort in fury. "Before that - gather all the necessary information, the prophecy, new recruits, the dark creatures."
Snape continued listening, his mind all the time alert to any prodding by the Dark Lord. Soon, the Death Eaters left except for the Dark Lord, Bellatrix, Malfoy, Snape, Pettigrew and the abducted man.
"My Lord, there is no higher pleasure than to be in your presence once again," said Bellatrix.
"That means a great deal, Bellatrix, from you,"
Her face flooded with color; her eyes welled with tears of delight.
"My Lord knows I speak nothing but the truth!"
"Severus, you have been quiet," he commented.
"My Lord, I await your orders as always."
Bellatrix let out a noise and Snape threw her a look.
"Something you wish to say?"
"That I don't trust you, Snape, as you very well know!"
"Forgive me, you weren't a lot of use in prison, whereas I have played my part well," Snape replied simply, aware that he was being looked at.
"Enough," said the Dark Lord. "Bellatrix, I understand that you are bitter, but one must look at oneselves before pointing fingers at others."
"My Lord -"
"Isn't it true that out of all the Blacks, only you have what it takes to support our just cause?"
"Yes. I am ashamed to admit that. One sister defied by marrying a Mudblood, the other too weak to do the worthwhile," she said, glancing at Malfoy.
"And what about your male cousins?"
"Regulus was naive, didn't have much in him. But he was one of us."
"Was he?"
"He was killed by the Order."
"It was never confirmed and recent... events have led me to believe otherwise. Which is why, I have a task for you both," he said, looking at Bellatrix and Malfoy. "Find Sirius Black and bring him to me.
"Lucius, be aware that this is your last chance. I have not forgotten about the diary."
Lucius Malfoy shuddered and nodded. Bellatrix's lips twisted into a sinister grin, a mad glint dancing in her eyes.
"But, my Lord, Black is perhaps hiding in the Order's headquarters. Snape claims not to be able to reveal its whereabouts," voiced Malfoy.
"I am not the Secret-Keeper; I cannot speak the name of the place. You understand how the enchantment works, I think?" said Snape. "I am sure, you will be able to think of something."
"Now, we come to you Severus," said the Dark Lord calmly, his penetrating gaze directed at him. As the two men locked eyes, Snape engaged in a dangerous act. He lowered his mind guard with practised precision, allowing enough of his thoughts and memories through to satisfy his master's legilimency while still protecting those that would certainly lead to his death.
Several tortuously long moments passed. No sound could be heard save the crackling of the fire and the soft whimpers of the man on the floor.
At last, the master relinquished his mind.
"Yes, you have done well, Severus. You have played your part perfectly all these years. Useful information regarding the Order and Dumbledore has been conveyed to me. You were the one to inform me of the existence of a prophecy, albeit an incomplete one.
"I have placed my trust and many times it has been misused and betrayed. Lord Voldemort has known about cowardice, which is merely the predecessor to treachery, and there is no room for treachery in Lord Voldemort's service. Isn't that right, Igor?"
Igor Karkaroff began to squirm in earnest, his muffled cries growing louder.
Without looking away from Severus, the Dark Lord flicked his wand toward the man, and with a flash of green light, Karkaroff's frantic cries came to a halt, his body still as stone.
"There is no hiding from Lord Voldemort. Igor was not wise enough to understand that. Bellatrix was most helpful in uncovering his location. She always has been looking after our morale, aren't you Bella?"
Bellatrix smiled.
"Although I must ponder on how long should we stretch this role of double agent of yours. I am afraid, this constant switching of loyalties back and forth may deter you from achieving your rightful place with us."
"My loyalty does not waver, my lord. I assure you."
"Good then. I have a special task for you, Severus."
"Anything, my lord. I will consider it to be an honour," said Snape stoically.
The Dark Lord let out a cruel laugh.
"I want you to kill Albus Dumbledore."