In some twisted universe, perhaps, it could be considered funny that Voldemort should deliver the final blows to Britain's magical world on Christmas Eve.
The Second Wizarding War had been ravaging the country for two and a half years now, and still, there seemed to be no end in sight.
In the darkness of the small village of Godric's Hollow, all was not well.
The cold silence was split by a pain-filled scream from the ruins of a house, destroyed one and a half decades ago. The expression of agony was only slightly muffled by the massive snake that had wound itself around the body of the screaming young man, locking him to the floor.
Fangs were buried deeply in his left arm, blood seeping out of now open wounds.
A young woman charged into the room. She skidded to a halt when she saw the chaos in front of her, before swiftly aiming a — seemingly harmless — stick at the massive creature. "Bombarda! "
A shockwave of magic pulsed through the ruins of the room, but the snake did not budge.
"Confringo! "
The whole house was now shaking dangerously with the impact of the spells. Splinters of wood and broken glass were flying everywhere. But the large viper, protected by an invisible shield, did not care for the desperate blasts sent its way. It merely tightened its hold and bit down harder on its prey.
The young man, in turn, cried out again when he felt the shards and splinters slice his skin. His body was still spasming against the heavy creature chaining him to the floor — in vain.
Seeing his struggles, the young woman sought to approach the other teen, when she tripped over one of the snake's large, thrashing coils.
"No! Get out. Don't wait for me. Only - slow you down."
His anguished voice was growing weaker by the moment.
"Harry!" the girl shrieked. "No!"
"You get away - long as you can — he's coming! Vol- You-Know-Who. Mione, he's coming!"
A crack, like a gunshot. Then cruel, high-pitched laughter chilled the air in demonic triumph.
"Get — safety — Burrow — Order… Now…" the boy whispered, before he fell unconscious.