Marie's heart sank as she walked into the ball room; there was a large table with one head, meant for him.

The Dark Lord.

He had control over everything; all those people and there lives. Marie couldn't believe this was happening to her. Her emotions ranged from eager to nervous to terrified all at the same time. This was the most important day of her life and she wasn't sure if she was ready for it.

Draco came up from behind "Are you ready?"

"As all ever be" Marie said turning around gently smiling.

Everyone began to arrive Marie took her seat next to where her parents should be sitting, and will be sitting seeing as there "extra hours" meant they had a mission, but even during a mission they were required to attend meetings, especially one of this much importance.

As the night went on every one arrived, then it seemed as everyone understood it was time to be silent. This silent was eerie, with an eager edge to it. Marie looked at the big wooden doors that led from the foyer to the ball room they opened swiftly and a clocked figure walked in the room just as swift. He took his seat at head of the table, everyone stood, bowed and sat back down in complete and utter silence, Marie fallowed suit.

"Marie Lyn Preston" his voice was like acid and sent chills down her spine he nodded in her direction, she sat in silence trying to seem as calm as possible "Please stand"

"Yes, My Lord" She stood as gracefully as possible

"You understand why you are here tonight correct?"

"Of Course, My Lord"

"You swear to fallow my word and do as your told if accepted into the Death Eater ranks alongside your Mother and Father?" he said, his voice still sending chills down Maries back.

"Yes, My Lord" Marie said nodding her head

"Come here then my dear" Marie stepped closer to him and held out her left arm she was beyond nervous and was surprised that her body was even responding

Marie's POV-

I slowly extended my left arm, trying to brace myself for the pain that was about to over take my body but I knew it was a lost cause. "I'm ready, My Lord" but was I really ready? Almost as soon as the words left my mouth I felt a surge of pain go through my body and felt myself hit the floor I withered in agony no one could save me from this pain. Seconds? Minutes? Hours? I'm not sure how long I laid there till I was strong enough to stand but once I did stand I felt all eyes on me.

"Take a seat Marie" the Dark Lord was now staring at Draco

Marie took a deep break and sat in her seat. Next she had to watch Draco go through the same process as herself and she could barley stomach it. She never wanted to see Draco in that sort of pain.

After the ceremony had finished, Marie and Draco were both branded and everyone had been escorted out of the Manor. Marie sat silently in her room mulling everything over.

"so its official now eh?" she thought out loud, this was going to an awfully long year.

Marie wasn't very happy with the fact that she was staying with the Malfoy's. She missed he home, and her own bed for that matter. It was strange being in someone else's home over Holiday. She thought everything over as she lay in bed that night. Finally drifting off into a dreamless sleep,

Draco on the other hand, didn't think too much while lying in bed, his mind was rather blank. He wasn't sure how he was suppose to spend his holiday, with Marie here and everything. The fallowing morning, was odd to say the lease. The Malfoy's and Marie ate breakfast in complete silence. This was the first morning Marie would have someone else to answer to besides herself, and it was a strange feeling.

Later that day, in the Malfoy's study

"Narcissa, I feel as if the children should know about the prophecy" Lucious Malfoy spoke to his wife.

"I'm not sure if they are ready for that kind of news, there are both freshly branded and probably very nervous about the whole situation as of last night."

"Perhaps you are right. This is very new too them." He spoke softly, thinking everything over in his head.

Down the hallway you could hear yelling coming from Draco's bedroom, loud enough to wake the dead

"EXCUSE ME?" Marie shouted, not even trying to keep her voice down at this point

"I SAID!" Draco began "I'm taking Pansy to the annual ball, you'll have to find your own escort" he said in a true Malfoy tone.

Marie huffed, she was VERY unhappy about this situation, and she was about to make her unhappiness known to the whole Manor. "WELL! In that case! I think your father should know that you have decided differently about were your loyalties lay!"

"Please, tell me Marie. How does that make sense?" he said in a very offhanded fashion, which irked her to no end.

"Because! Pansy's parents aren't Death Eaters! They are in the middle, the gray area! They do not pick sides! Which is utter rubbish and you know it! Your father would NOT approve" Marie huffed out, too angry to speak.

"She is pure blood though" he stated calmly. Too calmly.