"Talk to Dumbledore?"

Trelawney pursed her lips, his eyes narrowed behind huge glasses that made her look like an insect.

"The Headmaster has hinted that he would prefer fewer visits from me," —she said coldly. — "I am not the one to impose my presence on those who do not value it. Dumbledore does nothing but ignore the warnings the cards show"

The teacher held Harry's wrist tightly, bringing his face closer to him, and pulled out from under her shawls a deck of cards with dramatic theatricality:

—Again and again, no matter how I lay them out... The Tower struck by Lightning... Calamity. Disaster. Getting closer...

"Yeaah..." — Harry broke free of her grip and walked away from her a little. — "Well, I still think you should tell Dumbledore what happened to you. It could be important, I'm sure the headmaster will listen to you if I corroborate your story."

"You think so?" —Professor Trelawney seemed to consider the matter for a moment, but Harry realized that she liked the idea of retelling her little adventure. — "Oh, well, in that case..." —She bent down, scooped up her sherry bottles, and dumped them unceremoniously in a large blue-and-white vase standing in a nearby niche.

"I remember my first interview with Dumbledore well," — Professor Trelawney continued, as she grabbed Harry's arm and began walking towards the headmaster's office. — "He was deeply impressed, of course, deeply impressed... At the time I was staying at the Hog's Head, which, by the way, I don't recommend (bedbugs, dear boy), but funds were tight. Dumbledore was kind enough to visit me in my room. He questioned me... I must confess that, at first, I thought he seemed ill-disposed toward Divination... and I remember that I was starting to feel a little odd, I hadn't eaten much that day... but then..."

And for the first time Harry was paying attention to his teacher's words because he knew what had happened then: Sybill Trelawney had made the prophecy that had altered the course of his entire life, the prophecy about him and Voldemort.

"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...

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 hand of the other for neither can live while the other survives..."

"...But then we were rudely interrupted by Severus Snape!"

"What?"

"Yes, there was a commotion outside the door, and it burst open, and there was that rough barman grabbing Snape by the throat. The boy was mumbling that he had gotten lost on his way, but it was evident that he was eavesdropping on our conversation through the crack in the door. You see, he himself was looking for a job at the time, and no doubt he was hoping to get some tips from my interview with Dumbledore! Well, after that, you know, Dumbledore seemed much more willing to give me a job, and I couldn't help thinking, Harry, that it was because he appreciated the stark contrast between my good manners and my innate talent, compared to the pushing, greedy behaviour of a young man who was willing to do anything, even to listen through keyholes... Harry, dear?"

Professor Trelawney looked at Harry, who had stopped walking. His face was pale as death. Wave after wave, the shock overwhelmed him, making him forget everything. Only that new information filled up his mind now.

It was Snape who had overheard the prophecy. It was Snape who brought news of the prophecy to Voldemort. Snape and Peter Pettigrew, together, had sent Voldemort to hunt down Lily, James, and their son...

"Harry?" — the witch repeated uncertainly. —"Harry, I thought we were going to see the headmaster together?"

"Stay here," — Harry said through numb lips.

"But dear... I was going to tell you how I was attacked in the Room of..."

"Stay here!" —Harry repeated angrily.

Dumbledore owed him an explanation.

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

The midnight sky was transformed into a realm of ominous beauty. The scent of the impending storm was carried on the wind. The air was charged with electricity, the distant rumble of thunder resonated in the empty hallways of a sleeping Hogwarts.

Draco Malfoy was fully dressed, his wand at the ready, his ears attentive to the faint sound of rustling inside the Vanishing Cabinet.

"Draco, darling! You can't believe how proud I am."

Bellatrix Lestrange was the first to appear. Her torn black robes trailed across the floor and her wild, curly hair framing her smiling face.

Amycus and Alecto Carrow followed.

Then Corban Yaxley.

Draco spoke with a firm voice, despite the enormous weight he felt in his stomach, despite the adrenaline that left his muscles tense:

"He has left Hogwarts. The plan is to conjure the Dark Mark in the sky at the top of the Astronomy Tower, so Dumbledore will go directly..."

The young wizard stopped his speech when he saw how the Cabinet door opened again and the enormous form of Fenrir Greyback emerged from within.

"What are you doing here? I have not called for you."

"I have unfinished business," —the werewolf growled, directing his gaze toward Bellatrix.

"Even though the Dark Lord allows it, there is nothing in the world I would like more than to erase that smug smile Snape has been wearing lately. Greyback has promised me that he will take care of it, dear."

"No". —Draco looked at his aunt defiantly. —"It will ruin my plans. I don't want him loose at school. You have come to provide support in case the Aurors appear, but the main objective in this mission will be exclusively Dumbledore.

"Oh Draco, you speak like a true leader." — Bellatrix's wry smile widened even more. — "We will follow your commands, darling."

Draco nodded and turned to lead them out of the Room of Requirement, but he could still see out of the corner of his eye how his aunt winked at Greyback, who smiled slightly.

Draco knew exactly the reason why Greyback would have insisted on going to Hogwarts, his mother had already informed him of that bizarre obsession with the Akardos.

Even though he feared he was putting the whole operation in danger by informing Snape, he felt the need to warn him. Draco was sure he would find the way to protect the Akardos. Surreptitiously he placed his wand on his Dark Mark.

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

Severus was hunched over, grading boring essays, when he heard a faint, exhausted snore coming from the neighbouring table. Laurel was slumped over the worktable, her head resting on her arms. The fresh ink from her notes stained her clothes, but the woman didn't notice.

Severus silently approached her, reached out and brushed away a lock of her hair, whispering her name softly:

"Laurel".

But she was fast asleep, completely unaware of his presence.

"Stand up, pet." —Severus put his lips to her ear and called her again, this time with a touch more urgency, — "Come on now, it's time to go to bed."

Laurel stirred, but she didn't wake up, her eyelids twitching briefly before she drifted back to sleep peacefully.

Sighing, Severus decided that he couldn't let her sleep on the cold marble and gently picked her up in his arms, carrying her to his bedroom. He removed her shoes and arranged the sheets over her. His dark eyes scanned her face, admiring the way her features softened as she slept. She stirred in her sleep, curling up slightly, and Snape couldn't help but caress her cheek, leaning down to plant a goodnight kiss. But before her lips could reach the warm skin of the Akardos, a sharp pain shot through his forearm.

Draco

The time had come. An abrupt, stinging coldness went down his spine, shattering his bones, breaking havoc in his mind. The air around him turned black, he could sense the unequivocal presence of Dark Magic in the school.

Why would Draco alert him? Until now the young Death Eater refused any sort of aid from him. There must be something else. A warning. Something was getting out of hand.

Severus knew, he had to go meet him immediately, but he remained sitting on the edge of the bed. His gaze couldn't leave Laurel. He felt a feeling of unreality descended upon him. Perhaps he would never see her again, she would never understand the reason for his actions, she could be in terrible danger if he left her without his protection. Severus came closer to her, and he could not help but to notice she looked dead, as if her face had been painted onto her skull. The aching heart in his chest was pounding out of fear, of despair. He shook her awake, hoping to see her bright eyes, staring back at him.

"Whaa...?" — The Akardos sat up, rubbing her eyes.

"You must go to the kitchens". —Severus voice was slow and low. — "You must remain there, no matter what you hear. The elves will protect you. Remain with them until the morning or until I turn back. Do you understand, Laurel?"

"What are you talking about? Why?"

"Do as I say". —He said, standing up and pulling Laurel to her feet. — "Go as fast as you can".

Laurel's protests fell on deaf ears as he firmly grabbed her arm, guiding her out of his office and down the corridor.

"Severus you must tell me what is going on!"

But Severus was already a few metres away already, his long cloak billowed when he turned to her one last time, his voiced echoed with a last stern command:

"Go!"

Laurel saw him disappear into the shadows of the hallway.

Snape ran towards the Room of Requirement; sure he would find Draco there. However, when looking through one of the corridor windows he saw a huge symbol drawn in the sky. The dark mark stood ominously just above the Astronomy Tower. Severus felt his heart skip a beat. Had it been too late? Had Draco done the unthinkable?

Severus changed course, turning his heels and quickly left that wing of the castle, heading towards the Astronomy Tower. In his haste he failed to see how a huge figure was hidden in a niche in the hallway. Greyback watched Snape walk away from him and licked his lips. Sniffing, he could discern in the electrified air the sweet smell of the Akardos. She wasn't far away.

≫ ──── ≪•◦ ❈ ◦•≫ ──── ≪

Finally, he arrived to the stairs that went up to the top of the tower. Snape sharpened his senses: he could hear murmurs of voices over the creaking of the wood under his feet. He pulled his wand out while holding his breath. He reached for the iron ring and upon opening the door the first thing his eyes landed on was a pale and weakened Albus Dumbledore.

The director looked extremely ill. Severus remembered the day he had returned, almost dead, after putting on the cursed ring. The Death Eater looked down at Dumbledore's blackened hand and couldn't help but notice that the old man was unarmed.

His black eyes quickly scanned those present: Draco, Bellatrix, Yaxley, the Carrows. They all stood in silence, looking at him expectantly, their wands all pointed at the headmaster. A cold current of air stirred his cloak. His hands were sweating cold.

"We have a problem, Snape," —said Amycus. —"The boy seems incapable..."

But someone else had said Snape's name, very quietly.

"Severus..."

He didn't answer but walked forward and shoved Malfoy roughly out of the way. The four Death Eaters backed away without saying a word. The wizard raised his eyes to Dumbledore and noticed how his face was drenched in sweat, his tall figure was hunched over, and his blue eyes were dull, wet. The director let his face finally reflect all the pain he felt, the absolute fragility of him. In his weak voice he begged Severus for the only thing he could help him with at that moment: Compassion.

—Severus... please...

His mind went numb, but it was not Occlumency. He raised his wand and pointed directly at Dumbledore, but even though he was staring at him, Severus had only one person edge in the core of his mind. The only one person that for sure loved him unconditionally.

Severus swallowed hard, feeling the impending need to scream, to run, to hurt. Albus Dumbledore was in front of him, and he had not left him any other choice. He had turned him into a murderer. There was revulsion and hatred etched in the harsh lines of Severus' face when he opened his mouth:

"Avada Kedavra!"

A jet of green light shot from the end of Snape's wand and hit Dumbledore squarely in the chest, blasting him in the air. For a split second, he seemed to hang suspended beneath the green shining skull, and then he fell slowly backward, like a great rag doll, over the parapet and out of sight.

"Everyone. Out of here, quickly." — Snape said with hatred reflected in his voice.

Draco was paralyzed, his gaze still glued to the spot from where Dumbledore had fallen, waiting for him to come back, waiting for him to magically levitate and come to them but Snape's abrupt grip on the back of his neck brought him back to reality.

"Move."

Snape forced him down the stairs, the other Death Eaters laughing and cackling behind them.