Boring A/N: I'm desperate to tell this story of Snape: his induction into the Death Eaters, and the events that led to his de

Boring A/N: I'm desperate to tell this story of Snape: his induction into the Death Eaters, and the events that led to his decision to become a spy for Dumbledore, but I'm having a lot of trouble fleshing it out, and deciding where to start the story. I NEED A BETA READER!!! Ahhhhhh! Can you help? I'll return the favor!

WARNINGS: Death, violence, torture, naughty language, Severus Snape, and a dirty apartment.

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Death Marks and Redemption

by Oak

The small flat was dingy and cramped. The walls were lined with shelves displaying slimy-looking specimens in various stages of decay. A single bare bulb and a small blue fire crackling under a wrought iron cauldron in the kitchen sink cast feeble light into the living room and kitchen. The place smelled strongly of mold and acid. It was dark, depressing, and at the moment, deserted.

There was a small pop of displaced air, and Severus Snape stood gasping air in his living room. He collapsed into his ratty couch, trying weakly to stem the blood flowing freely from his forearm. The right sleeve of his robe was in ribbons, and, he noted, the flesh underneath it was hardly in better shape. Long deep gashes littered his pale skin, and the blood was coursing out of his body so quickly that a large dark stain was already spreading rapidly across his couch. Serves me right, he thought throwing his head back against the arm of the chair. His limbs felt so heavy. He forced his dull body into a lying position. His head felt far away, like it was no longer attached to the rest of his body. He was going to die if he didn't find a way to heal himself. He looked around his flat trying to force his mind into focus. A potion. Yes, a potion might work. He was good at potions -- Unbidden, the image of a little girl with large grey eyes and a tear streaked face pushed its way into his mind. She was smiling, holding a glass vial up to a pair of small lips-- No! No, no, no! He had to save himself. Just like always! He shook his head weakly from side to side trying to keep the memories from over coming him.

"What have I done?" he rasped.

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Disclaimer: All Harry Potter characters are the property of J.K. Rowling and Warner Bros. Entertainment. I've only "borrowed" them (without express written consent) for a bit of fan fiction. The story line is © to me Oak, and all non-existent privileges thereof. No purchase necessary. Void where prohibited. Subject to 10% sales tax in Nebraska.