Carina Grindelwald Black was terrified. Of course, she'd never let it show. She had become used to separating her feelings from her appearance. To everyone else she was cold, heartless, and calculating. On the inside, she was still only a frightened little girl. She did everything she was told to do, and she never let anyone see her cry.
She stood in front of her vanity mirror, putting her ruby and diamond earrings in place. The small, flower-shaped jewels matched the necklace and her pink, floor-length dress. Her dark brown hair was fixed up. The delicate wardrobe made her appear much more innocent than her expression.
She heard her father calling her and left her room. She took the arm he offered and was led into their ballroom. Most of the guests were already present, including her uncle, the guest of honor. The orchestra began playing a waltz, and her uncle approached her.
"May I have this dance, Carina?" he asked.
"Of course, my Lord," she replied automatically, though she was not pleased. His long white hands were cold, and his red eyes attempted to penetrate her mind. She held off his Legilimency with difficulty.
"Your father and I have been discussing your future. We agree it is time that you join your aunt and me," he said. "What is your opinion?"
"I don't see how I would be much use. I have not even finished my schooling," she carefully answered.
"But we can teach you, my child. You have so much potential. You could do so many great things. What do you say?"
"I would be honored, my Lord," Carina knew it was her only option.
"Excellent. I will brand you myself tonight," he grinned greedily.
The waltz ended and the Dark Lord led her to the front of the room. Carina could not understand why he had to be married to her aunt. He did not love her; he loved no one. But her aunt was very powerful, very obsessed with the dark arts, and very obsessed with him. It was easiest to marry her to gain her support and knowledge. Being the daughter of the dark wizard Gellert Grindelwald, Omega Grindelwald Riddle had become a valuable possession for the Dark Lord. And she was more obsessed with the Dark Lord than Bellatrix Lestrange. Omega's sister, Gemma, was the normal daughter of Grindelwald. She died years ago, however, leaving Carina motherless. Her father, Regulus Cygnus Black, was a devoted follower of the Dark Lord, and was only too happy for his sister-in-law to marry his master. He was also very willing to let his only child join the Death Eaters, despite Carina's objections.
"My friends," the Dark Lord began, "tonight we celebrate a new member. Carina Grindelwald Black, welcome to the Death Eaters." The Dark Lord took her left arm and pushed his wand into it. She made a face showing how much pain she was in, but she did not scream. Finally, the Dark Lord lifted his wand and Carina looked down at a black skull imprinted in her pale skin.
Across the room, Draco Malfoy was very interested in what was going on at the front. "Did he say Grindelwald and Black?" he asked his friend Goyle, who had recently become a Death Eater as well.
"Yeah. Dad says she is Grindelwald's granddaughter and the Dark Lord's niece, so we have to be nice to her. I've heard she has a temper, too," Goyle answered.
"Her last name is Black? I thought they were all extinct in the male line," Draco inquired. Goyle only shrugged, but a voice from behind him answered Draco's question.
"Her father has been in hiding since the First Wizarding War. He went to France, coward. Now he's come back. His name is Regulus, and he is a thorn in our sides, Draco," Lucius Malfoy told his son.
"Regulus Black? I thought he was dead?"
"There have been many Regulus Blacks. You are thinking of Regulus Arcturus Black. This is Regulus Cygnus Black. His sister-in-law is now the Dark Lord's wife. This is his manor."
Draco was shocked that the Dark Lord had gotten married, but he figured it was purely out of convenience, and he highly doubted there would be any heirs from the marriage. He turned his attention back to the girl who was receiving the Dark Mark. She didn't make a sound. Draco remembered when he received the Mark. It was a year ago. He had let out a loud yelp; the pain was so strong. He didn't understand how this girl was doing it. Finally, the Dark Lord pulled his wand away and Draco could see the black ink on her skin. What surprised him most was her completely blank expression.
"I now present to you, Lady Carina, my niece and heir," the Dark Lord finished. Everyone in the room gasped. Carina even dropped her guard and let her jaw drop. She had not expected this. She saw her father and her aunt smiling mischievously from the corner of her eye. What had she gotten herself into?