Severus Snape, the ever-stoic Potions Master,was running for his life. He hadnever run this much in his entire existence—not even when James Potter was chasing him with a levitating jinx back in school. (All Method acting)

Arriving atMalfoy Manor,disheveled and panting, heslammed a hand against the door. A startledLucius Malfoyanswered,eyebrows raised.

"Severus, what—?"

"I need to see the Dark Lord. Now,"Snapewheezed, bent over like an old man who had just climbed a thousand stairs.

Lucius,who always prided himself on being composed, was visibly concerned. He hadnever seen Snape look this disturbed—not even whenBellatrix used his Potions storeroom as a dueling arena.

Luciuscrossed his arms, eyeing Snape suspiciously."Are you still loyal to the Dark Lord, Severus?"

Snape, stillgasping for air, managed to glare."You think I would run all the way here for fun? Just send the damn message!"

Seeingthe sheer exhaustion in Snape's expression, Lucius relented and quickly contactedBellatrix.

Bellatrix arrived moments later,twirling her wand dramatically, grinning like arabid hyena.

"Severus, darling, you look like you've seen a ghost."

Snape,gritting his teeth, snapped,"Just take me to the Dark Lord, woman!"

Bellatrixpouted but obeyed, using aPortkeyto transport Snape, Lucius, and herself tothe Dark Lord's lair.

Inside,Voldemort sat in a grand chair, flipping through newspapers, hisnostrils flaring in annoyance. Hiseyes glowed redas he tossed aside another article.

"Another failure. Another disappointment. If I hear one more excuse, I'll start decorating my lair with the skulls of my followers."

Bellatrixstepped forward quickly."My Lord, Severus brings urgent news."

Voldemort,finally intrigued,motioned for Snape to speak.

Snapestood tall, gathering his breath."My Lord, it concerns the Horcruxes."

Voldemort'sexpression shifted from boredom to pure focus.

"Go on."

Snape took a dramatic pause."I know where they are stored... and I know who took them."

Voldemort'sslit-like pupils narrowed."Who?"

Taking adeep breath, Snape announced,"The person who took your five Horcruxes, and who discovered the sixth, is none other than Rudra D. Raja Kumara—a fifth-year student at Hogwarts, and call himself the future Wizard King."

Silence.

For a moment,Voldemort's brain simply refused to process the information.

Then, aftera long pause, he let out aslow, deliberate scoff.

"Severus. Are you telling me that a 15-year-old boy stole my Horcruxes? That a schoolboy made a fool out of me?"

Snape: "Don't underestimate him, my lord; the kid is a genius with a mind full of chaos. He planned everything after the first encounter you had with him in the first year; he already cured the Greengrass family bloodborne curse and werewolf curse of Lupin. You can confirm with Lucius."

Lucius, his voicegrim, stepped in."My Lord, I can assure you what snape said is absolute True. This boy is... pure evil. He thrives on chaos. People whisper that he is the reincarnation of Merlin himself."

Bellatrix, hereyes wide with horror, snapped,"Wait—are you telling me that little brat has my Helga's cup?!"

Snape nodded."Yes. He orchestrated the Gringotts heist. He used Polyjuice Potion, disguised himself and three others, and raided several vaults—including yours, Bellatrix."

Bellatrix'sface turned red with fury."SON OF A BITCH!"

Voldemort,rubbing his temples, nowvisibly irritated, muttered,"The brat was the one who created the 'All Hail Dark Lord' chant, wasn't he?"

Snapenodded again.

Voldemort'seye twitched.

"I should have killed him back in the graveyard."

Snape,still trying to keep a straight face, added,"And, my Lord, tonight, Raja plans to remove the Horcrux within Harry Potter using a ritual in the Forbidden Forest."

Voldemortsnapped upright.

"WHAT?!"

He immediatelyused Legilimency on Snape, sifting through his memories.

Aftera long moment, heleaned back, pleased."You have done well, Severus. This boy thinks he can outmaneuver me? I will crush him myself."

Snapeinwardly smirked—hisfake memories,courtesy of Raja's enchanted contact lenses, had worked flawlessly. Snape rememberingRaja had said,"These lenses will blend with your iris and show recorded memories when the Dark Lord uses Legilimency on you."

"My Lord,"Snape continued,"we should strike tonight, while the boy is vulnerable in the Forbidden Forest."

Voldemortcontemplated this."You may be right, Severus. But we must act carefully."

At that moment,an informant whispered something into Bellatrix's ear.

Herface twisted into an excited grin."My Lord! Sirius Black is hosting a grand party tomorrow night. Dumbledore and half the Auroras will be there."

Voldemortgrinned widely, his amusement returning.

"Ah... so the universe truly favors me today."

Hestood, addressing his followers.

"Summon the Death Eaters. We strike tomorrow night!"

Voldemort turned toSnape."How shall we do this, Severus?"

Snape,his voice smooth, detailed the plan:

My Lord, Bellatrix and I will ambush Raja and Potter in the Forbidden Forest and kill them swiftly.

Antonin Dolohov will lead an army to attack Hogwarts while we handle the children.

After eliminating them, we'll recover the Horcruxes from Raja's secret chamber and captures the kids.

Dumbledore will have no choice but to surrender the Elder Wand.

We will kill him.

For amoment, Voldemortstared in awe. Then, witha maniacal laugh, heclapped his hands together.

"Severus, this is BRILLIANT!"

Snape,stiffening, felt a shiver run down his spine.He recalledRaja's sinister grin when explaining the plan.

"I feel like I've just sold my soul."

Back at Hogwarts, Rajastretched, grinning at his friends.

"Hey, guys, Snape and Dumbledore are busy tonight. Want to go on an adventure in the Forbidden Forest?"

Harryblinked."Why?"

Rajagrinned evilly."Oh, just something about your nightmares, Horcruxes, and a little surprise for our snake-faced friend."

Ron,pale, muttered,"Why do I feel like we're going to regret this?"

Hermionefacepalmed."I already regret it."

But Rajajust laughed, leading them to their impending chaos.

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