Chapter One

Initiation Rights

Severus placed his quill down as he felt the all-too-familiar burning of his left arm. His eyes lazily wandered to the exposed mark on his arm. Whilst at home he felt no urge to cover it up. In fact, he felt no urge to dress in his wizarding attire at all when he was in his shelter at the end of Spinner's End. His wardrobe mostly consisted of muggle dress shirts and pants.

Another burst of heat rushed through the serpent and he sighed. His long slender fingers ran over his face. Desperately, he wished to have a decent night of rest, but that would obviously not be happening tonight. The Dark Lord needed him - again.

The chair made a high pitched scraping sound as he pushed it back. Being his right-hand man is not always something to be admired, he joked sarcastically to himself. He swiftly pulled out his sleek onyx wand and gave it a proper flick. The white button up and black slacks dissolved into his dark robes.

"Grimm! Mika!" he called in his usual frightful, darkened tone.

A wrinkled, hunched over creature apparated instantly before him. His ragged aged breaths echoed in Severus' office. Severus opened his mouth to ask where the other house elf was before he heard another pop and then a small gasp as the tiny body hit the floor, thus fore answering his question. She picked herself up, wide eyes, and shaking in embarrassment - or fear.

"Mika is sorry!" she cried out and then covered her mouth with her tiny grey hands.

Severus held his hand out to stop her, meaning he took no offense towards her clumsiness. Mika stopped shaking and made a small bow to her master. Grimm caught her eyes and scowled. The usual consequence for the house elf was self-inflicted punishment, however Severus found this extremely unnecessary and quite frankly annoying. She was a fledgling elf whom Riddle had just given him. Truthfully, he was perfectly content with Grimm, but Mika was a much better at cleaning and did supply a bit of comic relief. She was just young and hadn't quite figured her magical abilities out. He cleared his throat out of habit before speaking.

"I must take my leave for an indefinite period, Grimm you know the procedure. Please have the house clean and I would appreciate a meal when I return."

"Yes master," the two chimed in unison and Grimm left with a familiar pop and Mika hurried to the cleaning closet.

Severus' eyes left them and he turned towards the door, placing the wand into his coat. He had only returned from the Dark Lord, and he could not fathom what his master wished for him to do. He was thankful that Riddle was at the Lestranges which would release him from the obligation to find his master. The lock on the door clicked and the sparkling, mist-like enchantments crept overhead into a dome like shell protecting his home on the lonely street.

Ready to be rid of the burning in his arm, he felt the black smoke surround him before he rose into the air towards Bellatrix's house. He preferred this travel rather than apparating. The nauseating feeling was absent from the experience and the pesky Ministry couldn't trace his travel. As if they could restrain me, he smirked to himself.

Several minutes later the gothic mansion caught his black eyes. The pain in his arm had receded to a small prickling sensation. His feet finally touched the lawn. Being that he was a good quarter-mile from the house, the lights seemed to gleam as those did in Hogwarts during Christmas.

His swift stride suddenly faltered as he began to reminisce on his time in school. Lily, he inwardly signed. Her owl had arrived not two hours before with a wedding invitation. Potter had asked her to marry him. Slowly, Severus' sadness turned to revulsion. Years had been spent trying to understand Lily's compassion towards that man and his minions. He had been a solemn student and didn't bother anyone - much less curse them - and continuously he was the target of their malfeasances. He did not want the most wonderful woman in the world to marry that scum of the earth.

He had been trying to apologize for three years. It was one mistake! He had been her closest friend since they were ten and once he slipped and she tossed him to the side. Does she even bother to contemplate the number of times that her husband-to-be has attacked me? His stomach dropped as he began to realize he had practically handed Lily to Potter. The words he had uttered sent her running into the arms of his greatest enemy - at least at the time.

The slender white fingers brushed through his hair in an attempt to bury his feelings. He did not need the Dark Lord to rummage through his mind and find his distress to be over a girl, not to mention a Gryffindoor, it jus wouldn't end well. Slowly, he collected himself as he began to reach the door. With a grunt, he straightened his clothing. He really wanted nothing more than to sleep.

With a swift whoosh of air the door opened inwardly, leaving Severus' hand momentarily frozen in mid-air. In the doorway stood a tiny house elf, who bowed and gestured for him to pass through. He nodded in thanks and walked into the entrance hall.

Music could be heard from the other side of the large wooden doors. His eyes rolled up and he scowled. He hoped he was not here to only witness an initiation. The doors automatically -or magically really- opened for Severus as he approached. The Lestrange ballroom was full of people, most looked up when they heard the large door creak open.

"Severus!" Riddle boomed with his arms raised high. There was a thunderous applause following. Severus kept his gaze emotionless as he descended the stairs leading to the dance floor. He could hear the murmurs as he walked passed and he wished to be back in bed. Instinctively, his eyes closed with longing, but then let it pass as he approached his master.

"My lord," he murmured, ushering a deep bow. He felt an arm reach around Severus' shoulders and pulled him to the side. He looked at his master, he appeared to not be much older than himself, but he was positive the Dark Lord had at least ten years on him.

Severus allowed himself to be led into a secret room. The Dark Lord closed the door behind them and whispered a silencing spell. His eyes looked around the dark room. It was old fashioned with two small sitting chairs and a table made to drink tea. His ears heard shuffling as Riddle moved around to the farthest chair and sat; Severus did the same.

There was some silence, "I realize I require much of you Severus-"

"My lord," he slowly interrupted testing to see if Riddle would allow him. He appeared to not be offended, so he continued, "I wish to do what is needed and more."

Riddle seemed to be pleased at this, "Which is why you are the only man I can trust."

Severus felt his ego swell in his chest at these words, his thoughts of Lily had most defiantly disappeared. After school, he had devoted his life to the Dark Arts and now he was finally being rewarded.

"I do require a bit more from you however, my faithful follower." Riddle's eyes searched Severus', "However, these plans cannot be revealed," he paused,"yet."

As soon as it came, Severus' ego deflated, he could feel the Dark Lord's presence in his mind and knew Riddle had felt this, and the smile on his face confirmed it,"Do not fret, my dear Severus, it has nothing to do with you, but I do not trust these walls enough to reveal my plan. We will be initiating a young woman tonight, she's not much younger than you, no more than a year. However, her father was an atrocious traitor to me, and I do not wish to see that happen again."

Severus nodded eagerly, "Of course."

"Therefore, we must take extra precautions in her," he stopped with a smirk as if trying to find the right word, "trial."

Again, he nodded,"I will be aiding in this "trial"."

Riddle nodded, with a smirk,"Correct. It is imperative that I know she is safe and you will be my safeguard. Your gift in Legilimens also make you exceptional." Severus could feel his eyes piercing into his mind, and again he nodded.

"Of course, my lord," he answered with his head bowed.

"Good," Riddle grinned,"now Severus, go enjoy the party. And-" he paused making Severus look up, he pointed to his ear,"keep your ears open."

The two exited the room and rejoined the collage of Death Eaters. Severus was about to walk away when he felt Riddle grasp his shoulder, "That's her."

Severus' eyes followed the bony finger to a girl talking with Lucius. He recognized her. She had indeed been in his year; a fellow Slytherin. Riddle's presence dissipated and Severus led himself against the wall watching this new comer. They had only spoke on few occasions, but he could not even recall her name. She had shining, curly red hair that fell to her lower back. She was just average height; he towered her by at least a head, as did Lucius. Unsurprisingly, Lucius was obviously trying to flirt with her and his eyes sparked with his desire. Severus scoffed; Lucius had always disgusted him, he slept with every girl that would hop into his bed. He secretly hoped he would catch one of those muggle STDs, but the smallest amount of magic would cure him of it. There were no repercussions for the Malfoy family.

Half an hour passed, and Severus was still keeping an eye on her, but trying to stay awake. He would not allow himself to fail after being so highly praised by the Dark Lord himself. Desperate for relief, he stretched his legs out in front of him. The music was of the wizarding sort. Severus would never admit it, but he hated wizarding music, but he did find classic and vocal muggle songs quite soothing. Bellatrix no don't had arranged this so called "music." He brought his fingers to his temples and tried to block the scratchy noise from his delicate eardrums.

Please let this be over soon.

Copyright Shelby Seymore 2011