Evelyn gritted her teeth when the mark on her left arm burned

Evelyn gritted her teeth when the mark on her left arm burned. For sixteen years she had worn this mark and for sixteen years she hated it. Taking the mark had changed her, it didn't matter that she had only done it for Dumbledore, once the ugly mark was on her skin she was no longer her self. She was torn between two masters, three if you counted her brother. And she had been wearing it for sixteen years.

Calmly she set aside the book of spells she had been reading on touched her wand to her mark and apperated to Merlin only knows.

She came to awareness in a dark forest; slowly she turned in a circle looking for her master.

"Here I am child." his voice grated against her skin but she showed no sign of discomfort as she followed the voice to her left were he was standing in the dark. Immediately upon reaching him she fell to her knees and bent to kiss the edge of his cloak.

"Rissse out of the dirt my child we do not want you dirty for your interview now do we?" she rose obediently with a questioning look in her eyes. Rarely did she actually speak to the Dark Lord. He took pleasure in reading her expressions and she was good at conveying what she wanted. It was a connection that she new many other Death Eaters resented and were secretly envious. "There isss a new teaching position at Hogwartsss, one that I want you to have. I believe that we will be able to ssslip your pretty face under that old foolsss nose don't you?" he chuckled at her eagerness but it was not a pleasant sound "Severus take your sissster to where she needs to be."

Stepping out of the shadows Severus nodded briskly before making eye contact with Evelyn and walking deeper into the forest expecting her to follow. Evelyn nodded once to the Dark Lord and followed. They walked for some time in silence before they came into view of the castle. Evelyn was surprised that the Dark Lord would venture so close to Hogwarts but didn't mention it. Talking wouldn't be safe until they were clear of the forest and on the grounds. Even then they had to watch what they said.

As they breached the edge of the forest and approached Hagrid's hut Severus finally spoke, "You'll be teaching Home Charms."

She didn't respond, she had no teaching credential but Home Charms was simple enough and she was adaptive enough to do an adequate job.

They continued to walk in silence for a while until he spoke again.

"Did he bite you?"

Evelyn gave him a side long look before answering. "No"

Two weeks ago she had been sent on an assignment with Fenrir; they had gotten into a heated argument when Fenrir decided to take charge and screwed the whole deal. She had put the werewolf back in his place but not before the damage had been done.

"Were you punished?"

"Severely."

The Dark Lord had not been happy.

She looked up and noticed that they had come to the entrance and waiting at the top of the stairs was none other that Albus Dumbledore. Who else would it be?

"This ought to be an interesting year don't you think Severus?"

He said nothing as they climbed the stairs and entered the castle doors that the Headmaster held open for them.

"Welcome back to Hogwarts Evelyn it has been to long since you have visited. The staff is having a meeting as we speak so we will introduce you right away."

"Thank you Albus." Evelyn nodded curtly, and followed the two men through the halls. Memories threatened to distract her but she pushed them aside like her brother had taught her. There would be time once she was alone in her new rooms to release the flood gates of her emotions but until them she had an image to uphold.

Severus led the way into the staff lounge that was filled with the teachers discussing the new year or exchanging there summer's events.

"Well it is good to have you all back." Everyone quieted as Albus entered the middle of the room. "and tomorrow the students will return. I trust that the heads of house have seen to all the dorms and common rooms?" all four confirmed by nodding their heads. "all the boundaries have been re-enforced. Also Mrs. Daniels has retired and here to take her position is Evelyn Black." All the eyes in the room turned to her and she gave a quick nod of her head. "well I believe that is all I have to say I trust that you will make Mrs. Black feel comfortable, Minerva will you show her where she will be staying? Alright good night everyone." And he turned to leave giving Evelyn a wink.

Minerva wasted no time and Evelyn was wrapped in a tight hug. "Evelyn my dear girl where in earth have you been no one has heard from you in years."

Sprout was at her side also, "Look at you! So grown up and still beautiful as the first day you came to Hogwarts."

Out of the corner of her eye she could see Severus rolling his eyes as he sat in the corner of the room.

"Merlin child some of us had lost hope and thought you were dead." Flitwick said as he approached.

"I had always known that you would come back to us my inner eye had told me so." Trelawney said reaching out and running her hands through her hair. Once again she saw Severus rolling his eyes.

"Well child where on earth have you been?" Sprout asked and everyone hushed to hear her answer.

"I simply wasn't feeling sociable." Confusion crossed everyone's faces but before they could continue to smoother her with questions she turn to Minerva, "I'm really quite tired Minerva would you be so kind as to show me my rooms?"

"Yes of course. This way."

Minerva had tried to start up a conversation but Evelyn's short answers made it clear that she didn't want to talk and the walked in silence until they had arrived at her rooms near the classroom she would be teaching. Evelyn opened the door and was going to walk in but Minerva pulled her into another hug.

"I'm so glad that you are back and safe. We all missed you so much." Then she let her go and left her standing in her doorway. Evelyn watched her walk away and then closed the door and sank to the floor. Out of habit she set up all her wards and silencing spells before she succumbed to all the emotions that she had deprived herself. This was becoming more and more frequent, almost a nightly break down.

After a few moments she gathered herself back together and made it through the study to her bedroom and into the bathroom, she walked in a daze not really noticing her surroundings as she went. Silently she undressed and ran a bath and soaked for an hour while she let her mind clear. She took a deep breath and let it out slowly before she got out and drained the tub. Then she wrapped herself in the white cotton bath robe that was hanging behind the door. She was glad that she had put it on before she walked out because Severus was in her room sitting at the desk. His legs stretched out and crossed at the ankles and arms folded across his chest.

"You need to work on your shields they were far too easy to get through."

"My shields are fine; I designed them to recognize you."

"Evelyn…" he began in his best teacher tone.

"Don't start Sev, I'm a grown woman and if I choose to trust you, my brother, you are just going to have to deal with it. Why are you here any way, what if I had walked out naked?"

"That would have been unpleasant." She rolled her eyes at his understatement "I came to tell you that all of your things have been brought over and to tell you to keep your bloody emotions in control."

"Get out of my rooms Severus."

He arched his eyebrow but followed her command.