'In a brief statement on Friday night, Minister for Magic Cornelius Fudge confirmed that He Who Must Not Be Named has returned to this country and is once more active. "It is with great regret that I must confirm that the wizard styling himself Lord - well, you know who I mean - is alive and among us again," said Fudge.' These dramatic words appeared in the final pages of Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. In the midst of this battle of good and evil, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince takes up the story of Harry Potter's sixth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, with Voldemort's power and followers increasing day by day ...
After reading this again, my admiration and respect for the Snape character is elevated once again. He has had to give his live over to saving HP and hiding it from not only Voldemort but from everyone in the Wizarding world. His only confidant is Dumbledore who he has to obey by killing him when the time comes. I am glad that Rowling allows HP to see (in the next installment)what Snape has done and had to endure to ensure that HP can end Voldemort's existance.
