The Games We Play

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or any of the characters.
I always wondered how Snape became a Death Eater...Please review, I hope you enjoy.

Steam from the Hogwarts Express billowed around young Severus Snape's feet as he stepped off the train and onto the platform for the last time. Just as he had done since his very first trip aboard the Express, Severus sat alone, his crooked nose buried in a heavy book just hoping that James Potter's gang of four wouldn't set his robes on fire or cause his luggage to become invisible. Unfortunately, however, just as every trip, the train ride was interrupted by infamous James and his second half, Sirius Black. Much to his dismay, when Snape had returned from changing his robes in the bathroom and opened his book once seated in the cabin, a red puff of smoke erupted from the pages of his book and covered Snape's face. Furious, he looked to the compartment window to see James, Sirius, and a rowdy bunch of Gryffindors gathered round holding their bellies from laughter. With the fact that he could no longer be expelled in mind, he found it very difficult to not hex the bejesus out of them, but for no apparent reason at all he didn't feel it was worth his energy or enduring the stares of everyone aboard the train. By the time he was able to exit the train, Snape's face was flaming red from both the powder and the embarrassment of meeting his un-approving parents in such a state.

Snape sat in a dimly lit room across from his father and next to his mother at the dinner table, slowly shoving the food the house elf had prepared around his plate, his appetite now gone from the dread of living back at home.

"So, school was alright this year?" his mother asked simply to kill the silence and not because she was concerned with his well being.

Before he could answer though, his father interjected, "I see you weren't able to outsmart those long-haired Gryffindor boys yet again."

Severus simply stared into his goblet of pumpkin juice and nodded, still unable to completely rid his face of the red powder.

The rest of dinner was spent with little else said, as always, and Snape found that the quieter everyone was, the happier they all seemed to be. He loathed the way his mother never stood up to anything his father demanded and the way she never defended anyone she loved, including himself. Since it had been that way since he could remember, he figured there would never be anything he could do about it and simply let it happen. Without being told to, Snape climbed up the gloomy staircase to unpack his Hogwarts trunk for the final time. He was torn between relief of never having to be subject to Potter's ambushes, unable to truly fight back with the strength he knew he could for fear of being expelled, and the dread of having to live with his oblivious parents until they considered what he was to do now that he'd graduated. He flipped open the familiar buckles of his trunk only to find a not-so-familiar note inside:

Severus,

Wonderful opportunities may await you. Even though I hardly spoke to you during our time at Hogwarts, I know Slytherin runs through your bones. If you want something better than your pitiful life you live now, I can be the key to your Pandora's Box.

Leaky Cauldron, Tuesday, 11 PM.

Bellatrix

Half out of boredom of home life and half because he was intrigued by Bellatrix's note, Severus found himself sitting in a table in the back corner of the Leaky Cauldron at eleven tapping his fingers on the wooden table and looking at the questionable witches and wizards sitting at the bar. Before he had time to order a drink he saw Bellatrix slowly making her way towards his table, her white skin stood a strong contrast to her black satin cloak. Snape was almost embarrassed by the fact that he never noted her beauty at school and was ashamed of his disheveled appearance. He stood as she approached the table, a habit taught to him by his father because poor manners were never tolerated.

"Sit," she said as she took her seat and leaned across the table.
"I apologize I never got to meet with you at school and that we must meet on such brief and silenced terms."
"That's alright" Snape began to reply but she interjected.

"As you know, the Dark Lord continues to gain power and followers. His cause is crucial if the wizarding world wishes to prosper and flourish only through the purest wizards fit to continue."

Snape found his breath coming fast, not because of what Bellatrix was saying but because her rosy lips were now mere inches away from his as she leaned across their table.

"My parents have been devoted followers of his cause since first word got out of the Dark Lord's will, however, they believe themselves to be too old to carry out his plans so they sent me to represent our family. I became a Death Eater just hours after Hogwarts graduation and I have since become an avid follower and am eager to gain the trust and respect I know the Dark Lord can give me."

She paused for a moment, her eyes darting around them to make sure their conversation was private before beginning again, gazing deep into his eyes.

"Severus, I believe that you could be of immense benefit to the Dark Lord. Just imagine putting your brilliance to use for the greater good and to serve the greatest wizard who ever lived. Imagine your position in the wizarding world when the Dark Lord is able to conquer all who oppose."

Severus sat silent for a moment drawn into her green eyes which were glowing with a passionate frenzy and the way her dark hair had fallen across her face.

"I just have one question Bellatrix, why me? What did you see in me that made you think I could aid the Dark Lord?"

"I see in you brilliance and your ability to excel in any subject which you choose to lend your mind to and, most importantly, I see your desire for revenge for all you were put through at school. Your desire to prove yourself as the capable and brilliant wizard you are is no secret to me Severus. You don't have to take it silently anymore, this is your chance to speak through your actions while serving the wizard come to save us from mediocrity."

He was unsure of what to say, she spoke with such a passion and the idea seemed very appealing but he knew that this was no commitment to be entered into lightly and that what awaited him would test all his strength.

"Can I have some time to think it over?" he asked.
"Of course," she said, leaning her lips even closer to his.

"I don't want to rush you, I don't want you to make a mistake, or Merlin help you, regret anything" she said hardly above a whisper. Then Snape felt a light touch just above his knee. He looked into her emerald eyes and hoped she couldn't see the flush appear on his face as her fingertips moved slowly up his thigh until she felt him hard against her hand. He saw a flutter of a smile appear upon her face and his hair feel across his face as he looked down, feeling he couldn't stare any longer. Bellatrix removed her hand and threw a quick glance around, reassuring herself that no one was looking in on their conversation.

"I fear our conversation could be intercepted next time we meet. I will see you same time Sunday, at your house."
Before Snape could begin to tell her that was a ludicrous idea or even think it was a ludicrous idea, she had thrown her hood over her head and pushed her way through the crowd to the door.