Spy in the Ointment Keeperoliver Chapter 2
Minerva was waiting for her visitors, while going over her schedule for the upcoming school year. She and Albus had decided to make Lily Evans and James Potter Head boy and girl, even though Potter had not been a Prefect. The reason for it being, to bring Lily and James together. Albus said it was the right thing to do, since Lily had lost her parents this past summer, and would or might need comforting. Minerva didn't believe this statement, one bit. Remus was more apt to be a comforting influence, then James Potter, but Potter was more apt to take her mind of her problems, by using other tactics.
But on to this new problem, Lily and Peter? What is Lily doing, running around with Peter Pettigrew. And why the intrigue. Just her and Filius, no one else. This is not like Miss Evans. She has trusted Albus for her entire schooling. What was the reason for the need of this meeting to be kept secret.
There was a knock on her door, and she said, "Enter."
Filius entered and took a seat in the chair across from Minerva. "Do you have any idea what this is about Minerva? Miss Evans is not usually this secretive, and seldom seen alone with Mr. Pettigrew. Very strange if you ask me."
"I have no idea Filius, Miss Evans was quite strong in her desire for privacy."
Just then, her floo lit up, and the face of Lily Evans shown through. "Professor McGonagal, are you there?"
"Yes Miss Potter, Filius and I are both here per your request."
"Thank you Professor, Peter and I will come through no."
Lily's head pulled out of the flame, and then she was walking through, followed by a shy Peter, his head lowered.
They took a seat across from the Professor and next to the diminutive Professor Flitwick.
Minerva asked if they would like something to drink, and they both chose tea, which Minerva served them. "Now Miss Evans, Mr. Pettigrew, what is it you wish yo discuss?"
Lily answered first, "Professor, this is really Peter's story to tell, but I'm afraid that he is too embarrassed to say anything. First, let me tell you why we used the floo to get here from the common room. We did not want certain people to see us coming here. This visit must be kept secret. Not even Professor Dumbledore must know what we are to tell you. Will you both agree to this. It truly could mean Peter's death. if word got out about this meeting?"
Both Professors agreed to these terms, providing they were indeed important enough to keep secret.
Peter put out his hand to stop Lily from continuing, "Lily, I must be the one to explain the situation. If I am not strong enough to talk about it, how could I be Strong enough to go through with it. Please, Professors, let me start from the beginning. I was recently approached by Lucius Malfoy, and asked if I was happy with my life, my friends and my future. I was ready to tell him very, when he stopped me from continuing. He then went on to say, that he knew Potter, Black and Lupin were not the best friends in the world. Look what they have done to poor Severus. They nearly killed him a year ago. If it hadn't been for a change of heart by Potter, that tree would have killed Severus. Is the kind of friends you wish to associate with, two blood traitors and a mixed blood. I wanted to yell back at Malfoy, but something made me hold my tongue. He went on to say, he had a friend who needed people to help him form society of purebloods. He then asked if I wished to join. He said that there was a ritual that I would have to go through, but it wouldn't amount to much. The meeting is set up for this Friday evening. Professor, Lily and I have come up with an idea, that we wish to discuss with you?"
And with that, Lily and Peter went into detail about the possibility of Peter becoming an informant for the Light, the reason for leaving Professor Dumbledore out, as well as James, Sirius, and Remus. What they didn't tell them was about Peter's Animagus ability. They decided to keep that a secret from authority figures. They did tell them everything else.
Filius was first to comment, "Your decision to exclude Professor Dumbledore from your plans, confuses me. You say that you feel he is becoming senile, and is himself, keeping secrets, that others should know, why do you feel this way I ask?"
Lily asked a question of her own, in answer, "Professor, when was the last time a Head Boy was made, that was never a Prefect? Wouldn't Remus have been a better selection, and he was a Prefect? Also. the remarks made by Slytherin students against muggle born, and half-bloods are becoming more obvious, and nothing is being done to stop them. Not even a trace of punishment being handed out. Why is that? These are just the going on at school. What about the numerous attacks by the Death-Eaters on both the muggle and wizarding communities. Nothing is being done to try and control. The people are scared, and with good reason. We are wizards for Merlin's sake, is there nothing we can do? Now do you see why we can't trust Professor Dumbledore with this information, he will, out of habit, misuse it. And if you are going to ask why we are keeping it a secret from Peter's friends, it is because they will want to become involved. I can't let their macho feelings interrupt our plans. I knew we could not do this on our own, and when I asked Peter who he trusted the most besides the Three Amigos, he named you two. If we were to include any of the three friends, it would have to be Remus, but he has an issue, that would preclude any involvement. If you do not wish to be a part of this, we will understand, but ask that you still not betray us by turning over this information to anyone, because we are still going through with it."
Minerva tried to calm Lily down, as she seemed to be getting upset, near the end of her comments, "Lily, please calm down. Filius and I would never betray your trust with us. And we would be proud to help, but I would like to add another name to our list. To have a contact in the Ministry, would greatly strengthen our ability to react to a situation. What would you say to adding Alastor Moody, to our little espionage group. I agree with you, we need to keep the number of people who know, but we have to contacts in other places."
Peter nodded his head, in agreement. He knew that having a contact in the Ministry was a sound idea. So the stage was set for Peter to make his appointment for Friday evening.
Peter met with Lucius that Friday at the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and entered the forest, following a seldom used path, that led to a small clearing. From there, they were able to portkey to the meeting area, a dark old mansion, that was built next to a cemetery. It gave Peter the creeps. He was led into the house, and taken upstairs. There were ten people there, all wearing black robes, and were wearing a white mask over their faces. He knew they were the Death-Eaters, but he thought there would be more.
Then a voice came through the room, causing everything to go silent, "Lucius, I see one of our guests has arrived, but where is the second one. Was not the meeting scheduled for 615 PM, and is not now, 620 PM. Who is responsible for this appointment?"
"I am sorry for the delay sire. I believe that Crabbe was the one chosen for this task."
It was another 10 minutes before Crabbe showed up with Severus Snape. Without given a chance to explain, Voldemort hit Crabbe with a Crucio, sending Crabbe to the floor, writhing in pain. It continued for a minute, before Voldemort released him from the torture. "What is your excuse, Crabbe for being late?"
Severus stepped forward, and started, "My lord, Professor Slughorn, Head of House of Slytherin, had a meeting with the students, that would not allow me to leave. It is my fault that we are late."
Voldemort studied Severus for a minute, and said, "It does not do well to keep me waiting, Severus, but I can forgive you this time. However, Mr. Crabbe has a number of ways to contact us and tell us if he is going to be late, and he neglected to use any of them, didn't you Crabbe?"
"My Lord, I attempted to use-" He was cut off by another cruciatus curse, this lasted two minutes.
"Now, let us get down to business. Severus, Peter, you have been asked here tonight to join our society. It is a simple society, with one simple goal, pure-blood supremacy. That's it. Nothing wrong in that way of thinking is their. Our methods of achieving that goal, may be a little over the top, but it is necessary for the mudblood and half-blood scum, to acknowledge our existence. If you decide to join our little group, there is a small initiation that must be performed, prior to the ceremony, are you willing to perform thir initiation?"
Peter stepped back, before he said, "If murder is the initiation, then I prefer to pass, as I am incapable of killing another individual, unless in self defense."
Voldemorrt glared at Peter, "It also does not due to make demands of the Dark Lord. However on this one, I agree, neither you nor Severus will have to kill anyone for this initiation. For Severus, all I ask is for you to brew certain potions for me when I ask. For the initiation, I ask for flesh, from your back, two inches wide and four inches long, is that acceptable?"
"Yes, My Lord." As Lucius and one other Death-eater, removed Severus' robes and shirt, and using a sharp knife, performed the task. Severus bit down on his hand, to stifle his scream. Then they healed his wound, and threw him his shirt and robe to put back on. The pain was still there though.
"Thank you Severus. Now Peter, I ask of you to cut off your own left hand small finger, and allow it to bleed into a small container, until it is full. Is that acceptable."
"Yes my lord." And Peter was given the knife that Lucius used on Severus. He held his breath, and cut off his small finger on his left had, allowing it to fall into the container that was collecting the blood dripping from the wound. Once it was full, he was allowed to heal it himself. Again, the pain was not stopped.
"Thank you Peter. Now we can commence with the ceremony, and the marking. Using the flesh from Severus and the finger and blood from Peter, they were given the dark mark, with another painful ceremony, as the mark was burned into their left arms. Peter and Severus were more then pleased to be released to return to Hogwarts, to rest and recuperate
When Lily saw what Peter had to do to join the Death-Eaters, she became sick. She cried for Peter, but he assured her that it was better this way than to commit murder. And with that she had to agree.
He then told her that Severus also joined this evening, and what he had to have done to join. And Lily was sick once again.
"Lily, how are we going to explain to the Marauders, my missing finger, and how are we going to keep my dark mark a secret?"
Good question, how were they going to hide these. This was a question for Professor McGonagal. Surely she would have an answer, In the mean time, she bandaged his hand, telling Peter to tell the rest, that he was burned by a cauldron explosion. That would have to do for now.
The further on they go with this plan, the more difficult they are finding to keep it a secret. Eventually, they would have to tell the Marauders, as Remus was to smart to be fooled for long.
Oh yes, they were eventually going to have to tell them of their plan, let's just hope it's not too soon.