Chapter Text
Prologue: Do Not Fail
Severus Snape was working on his experimental Wolfsbane potion when he heard a knock at the door. He cursed and cast a stasis spell on it, and went out of his potions lab to answer the door.
Snape didn’t expect to see Lucius Malfoy standing on his doorstep, but hid his surprise and said,
“Why, Lucius, what brings you here? Surely such a plebeian environment as this neighborhood is not your... natural habitat, so to speak.” Lucius momentarily grimaced faintly, making Snape remember why he liked his interactions with this man, even if, and partly because, he was a blood purist - he was entertaining, if he looked for the right signs.
“May I come in? I know that you are... averse... to the natural elements, and would not like you to become even more... weathered... than you already are,” Lucius said, a smirk creeping onto his face. Snape then remembered why he disliked his interactions with this man, as well - he was all too good at the game Snape played, though he used it for different purposes - like growing his power in the Ministry. Snape, however, knew that he needed to hide his expressions at all times, and thus gave no reaction.
“But of course, Lucius - my home is open to you. For now, at least - I wouldn’t suggest coming in uninvited,” Snape said as he moved out of the way for Lucius to come in. “What brings you to my humble abode?” Lucius made sure the door was shut before replying,
“Our Lord has a task for you.” Snape raised an eyebrow, and Lucius motioned towards Snape’s wooden table, one that had two stiff-backed wooden chairs. “Perhaps we could speak at your table?”
“If that is what you wish,” Snape said, walking over and sitting in one of them as Lucius took the one opposite him.
“On a brief side note, why are there two chairs? Need you not only one? Unless you have somehow gotten a lover?”
“I have not,” Snape said, masking his irritation with the skill that came from his years at the Dark Lord’s side. “I have two so that when I have an important visitor, we can discuss matters of grave importance. Or, in this case, when I have a visitor such as you, make useless small talk.” Lucius narrowed his eyes, and Snape continued as if he had not seen a thing. “Now, what was it our Lord wanted of me?”
“Our Lord has acquired the Philosopher’s Stone, as you may know,” Lucius said, masking the irritation he was no doubt feeling. “He would like you to brew 52 doses of the Elixir of Life so that he may regain his body.”
“I see. And how am supposed to brew this without a large sum of money for the ingredients, the recipe for it, and the Stone itself?”
“I have all three here, but I have been required to inform you that you are only to use them for the purpose of brewing the Elixir of Life for our Lord. If it is found that you have used them for a different purpose, our Lord will be... displeased.”
“I see.” There was a brief silence, and Lucius pulled out a shiny red stone, smooth and glossy, as well as a book with yellow parchment and and a stained cover. He set them both on the table, and then pulled out a bag that jingled with the sound of money.
“The stone is self-explanatory - though one such as you might be expecting instructions on its care.” Snape didn’t miss the attempt by Lucius to slight him because of his care for precision. “The book is one of our Lord’s; do not do any more damage to it - he would be most displeased if he found out that it was so. The recipe for the Elixir of Life begins on page 23.” Snape nodded. It was useful that Lucius was telling him so that he wouldn’t have to search through the entire book and risk “damaging” it. “That bag has a hundred galleons in it. You may check their authenticity.” Snape cast a nonverbal spell to make sure they were real, and confirmed it. “If you need more, you may ask me by owl post, and I will have them delivered to you.” The ice in Lucius’s voice made Snape certain that Lucius would find a way to get back at him if he asked for more when it was not truly needed.
“I understand completely.” Snape met Lucius’s eyes seriously. “I would not want our Lord’s resurrection to go awry.”
“Neither would I, Severus - and woe be to the one who causes its demise.” Lucius got up from the table, dusting his robes off as if he had sat in a pile of dirt. He went to the door, saying, “Goodbye, Severus.”
“Goodbye, Lucius,” Snape said, impatient for the man to leave. Lucius opened the front door, took a step out, but then turned his head back.
“Oh, and Severus? Do not fail.” Lucius left, shutting the door quietly behind him.
As if that wasn’t already obvious.
###
“Sirius, someone’s here for you!” Lily called from the sitting room.
“Alright, I’ll be right there!” Sirius called back, getting up from his chair that he was reading the paper in. He glanced out the back window, looking at Dylan and Ron playing Quidditch with Neville and Parvati.
I’m glad that Dylan has good friends - he’ll need them to defeat Voldemort, when the time comes, Sirius thought. Though hopefully not for some time, even if he is coming back.
Sirius went to the door, opening it and seeing Andromeda Tonks - a member of the Order, he realized.
“Sirius, I need to speak with you,” she said, and he nodded.
“Where?”
“Preferably outside,” Andromeda said, and Sirius knew it would be important.
“Lead the way.” Sirius shut the door, following Andromeda somewhat far to a creek in a forest. “What’s so important that the Potters can’t hear it?”
“Dumbledore ordered me to tell this to you, and only you. No one else is to know, because he’s not willing to face the consequences if someone finds out.”
“Alright, so what is it?” Sirius asked, and Andromeda sighed.
“Dumbledore wants you to make sure that Harry’s not doing anything suspicious while he’s here.”
“That’s it? And why Harry?”
“Yes, that’s it, and I have no idea. I wasn’t told why , just what and how to tell it.”
“Harry’s leaving with his godfather for the United States in a week and a half, though,” Sirius remembered.
“Dumbledore knows, and has talked to Peter about that. He’ll keep an eye on him while he’s there.”
“I see. So I’m just having to watch him for a week and a half, but not let it be known to him. Piece of cake.” Sirius ran his fingers through his hair. “Do you have an excuse for me to tell everyone else in the household?”
“That Dumbledore has something for you to do in two weeks, something top secret. While it will put the fact that you’re a member of the Order on Harry’s radar, he won’t be expecting you to be doing it now .”
“So, I have to be discreet about watching my godson’s brother from everyone else, while telling them that my mood changes are due to the mission I’m going to do in two weeks. Sounds good.” Andromeda nodded, then added,
“Do not fail.”
###
“Skeeter! I need you in my office for a minute,” Rita’s boss hollered, and she dutifully got up and went to her office.
“What do you want, Lisa?” Rita asked, and Lisa smiled.
“Apparently Dumbledore made a proclamation saying that Voldemort is coming back at the end-of-year feast at Hogwarts. I want you to find out everything you can about this story.”
“Why me?”
“Why, Rita, you’re one of our most talented writers! Why wouldn’t I give it to you?”
“So, I need to ask the kids and get some sort of consensus on what he said?”
“Yes, that’s it. You need to ask the teachers, too, but you’ll figure all that out, I’m sure.”
“Of course.”
“Oh, and Rita?”
“Yes?”
“Do not fail.”