Nemesis

He was no ordinary shadow, that much was certain. He was only seen when he wanted to be, only noticed when it was to his advantage. The press labeled him with spectacular names; 'Shadowman,' 'Bleakness,' and sometimes 'Death Eater.' The most fitting name by far, though, was the one he left in his victims' ears and in the hearts of those who had survived his clutches.

Nemesis.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*
Hermione Granger sat down at her faded kitchen table, and began to read the Daily Prophet. The headline in glaring black-and-white grabbed her attention immediately.

Nemesis strikes again...

"Wonderful, just plain wonderful," griped Hermione aloud. Her aged ginger tabby, Crookshanks, meowed in response. "Hmm... I wonder who this Nemesis character really is? His actions almost sound familiar..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Severus Snape, feared Hogwarts Potions Master, awoke in a cold sweat. Sluggishly, he started counting each tiny rose pressed into the cool white ceiling of his bedroom as he had done a thousand times before. Thousands of countings during the long road to his recovery, thousands of countings for the nightmares he endured of his torture at the hands of Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Thousands for the victims of Voldemort that he had failed to save.

Three hundred sixty-nine roses, the same as yesterday, thought Severus. Slowly, he stared at his hand, focusing on it with all of his will. His hand faded from view as Severus stretched his fingers out.

Damn, still got it. At least last night was productive.

Severus thought back to the previous evening, when he recieved a summons from Voldemort. The Dark Lord decided that his victim that night would be Ian Haverson and his family, simply for the reason that Haverson's wife had slighted his 'pet' Death Eater, Wormtail, at one of Lucius Malfoy's grand balls.

Instantly, he was in the Haverson's home in Clearwater. He awoke the Haverstons, and roughly Apparated them to the Ministry's safehouse. Then with a malicious grin, he got to work.

Severus focused his mind just as Desdemona Lestrange burst into the room. She was already shouting the Killing Curse. He shifted to the left, missing the green bolt by inches. He returned fire, casting a Petrifying curse.

"Petrificus Totalus!"

He left Lestrange in the room, but not before sending her into a living oblivion.

"Sebarek..."

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*

Hermione Granger started off a bad day with something worse. A lot worse. For a Wizarding Prosecution Lawyer, or WPL, being specially assigned a case from your boss is classified as 'a lot worse.'

"Hermione, you have been specially requested by the Minister to take a special case. The information is classified, but because of your, err... special training, you're to be part of it."

Damn you, Arthur Weasley! Why did I tell you I was an Unspeakable?

"Bill, cut the formal stuff. What does your dad want me to do this time?" Bill Weasley, eldest Weasley, son of the Minister of Magic, and Minister of Wizarding Prosecution, was definitely a hard-to- please boss. Not to mention cute and perpetually funny, and one of her best friends.

"He wants you to head the team on Lucius Malfoy."

"WHAT?!? He wants me to head the team on the world's second most evil person? What has he been drinking? Spiked coffee?"

Bill just laughed, and replied, "Just water, but I think Ginny put a little bit of vodka in yesterday..."

"Bill!"

"Seriously, 'Mione, he wants you to take it. He also told me not to let you refuse. Apparently, he's been talking to Dumbledore lately, and even the headmaster says you're the one. I just take orders like a good son."

"You? Good? I don't think so. In any case, I don't think I can turn it down. After a reccomendation from Dumbledore, I don't think I'm allowed," Hermione said wryly.

"Good, that's dealt with. Now, would you be so kind as to send Aaron in so I can tell him that he's in charge of the MacNair case?"

"Will do, Boss. Tell your brother to owl me once in a while, would you? I haven't heard from his corner of the world in weeks."

"Yeah, yeah, yeah. You just miss him."

"You'd better believe it!"

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*