Prologue: Nothing Ventured, Nothing Gained

After Severus Snape removes his Dark Mark out of loyalty to his years-long betrothal to Harry, he believes his troubles are over. However, they are only beginning as Voldemort has come upon an ancient, and potentially, deadly ritual, one that will turn friends to enemies, where people could potentially die a most painful death, and one where Harry and Voldemort will once again have an epic standoff. Will this one result in one finally dying, and fulfilling the prophecy?