Chances Are:
Chapter Three:
I don't own any of the characters. They all belong to JK Rowling.
R &R please.
That night, as they laid in bed, James whispered to Lily,
"What are you thinking about?" He tenderly touched her face, pushing her auburn hair out of her eyes. Lily smiled, and shrugged.
"Nothing really. I'm a bit tired, shall we go to sleep?"
"Of course. Today was a big day, my dear."
Lily turned onto her side, feeling James wrapping his arms around her waist. The first lie of their marriage. Lily had been thinking about Severus. About his lips, the kiss, and all those times in the forest when they were kids. She fell asleep with visions of Severus' lips touching her lips.
"Severus, you're making the right choice. I'm glad you decided to let that little Mudblood go." Lucius said, clapping Severus on the back, nearly knocking him over. Severus stumbled a little, but then straightened up, and smiled at Malfoy. There was a large crowd of people, mostly Death Eaters, but some that appeared to be newcomers to the Dark side.
"Now, the ceremony will begin soon. You will receive your Death Mark, which will keep you connected to the Dark Lord." Lucius smiled as though this was a great gift bestowed to only those who deserved it. Severus' heart ached excruciatingly; knowing once he went through with this, there was no going back. He would now be a Death Eater, like Malfoy, like others.
"Ah, Lucius, I see you have brought a friend tonight". The crowd went silent, as Lord Voldemort joined the crowd, stepping through it to come closer to Lucius and Severus, who now was breathing fast, but quietly.
"Yes, my Lord. This is Severus Snape, the man I told you about. He was in Slytherin at Hogwarts. He, I assure you, will be faithful servant to you." Lucius bowed deeply before the tall figure standing facing him.
"Yes, I remember." His voice seemed to take on a hissing quality. Severus bowed as well before him, his stomach in knots.
"Well, then, now that everyone is here, we will commence the Marking process." Voldemort turned away from them, and faced the crowd, addressing everyone in the forest that night. In the middle of the crowd, a fire flickered brightly, though Severus knew it was not for warmth. Voldemort gestured for Severus to come closer to him. Severus moved towards the centre of the crowd, closer to Voldemort and the fire.
"You are ready, I'm sure?" It was not a question, more a statement Severus knew.
He nodded, holding out his left arm. Voldemort gripped it, his cold hand wrapping around the arm, inspecting it. For what, Severus knew not.
"Hand me your wand." Voldemort demanded Severus who passed it over quickly. Severus' heart pounded in his ears, the blood rushing to his head.
Later, Severus inspected his arm himself. It now held a Death Mark, still and silent for now, but if anyone used it to call the Dark Lord, it would burn and wriggle around on his arm. He rolled down his sleeve, satisfied with the Mark, if one could be. His flesh still hurt badly, the pain shooting up through his arm as he moved it.
Later Severus went down Knockturn Alley, tired of staying alone in his small room with nothing but his Death Mark as company.
"Well, how does it feel? Now you're one of us!" Lucius said, clapping him on the back, handing him a drink of firewhisky. Severus took the drink, feeling a burning sensation down his throat as he threw back the drink.
"So how does it feel?" Malfoy repeated.
"Good, good." Severus choked out, wanting Malfoy to leave him alone. He did not wish to speak about this.
"Well, I'm sure Voldemort has great plans for you. Mark my words, your life will be a grand one now." Malfoy said, suddenly solemn.
Severus nodded, and then raised his glass to meet Lucius'. As their glasses clinked, others cheered, praising the Dark Lord.
Alone in his room, away from the crowd of Death Eaters, Severus looked into the mirror hanging on the wall. He was disgusted with himself. Lily would hate him right now. The Mark on his arm burned, not with a call, but with fury. But as he stared at his face in the mirror, tears rolling down his cheeks, he realised he did not look different. He was still Severus Snape. Son of Eileen Prince and Tobias Snape. Nothing and everything had changed tonight.
Lily stared at the newspaper in front of her, holding the news of the Death Eaters, and their so-called joyful fun, last night. The moving pictures showed Death Eaters, shouting joyfully, waving their wands around, celebrating their Dark Lord and his fine work. Lily shook her head. She had known that this was coming but Lily had hoped in her heart that she was wrong. But now the Death Eaters were loud and proud of their mission. Lily and James feared for their lives at first, but they were safe for now. Dumbledore had kept them safe.
Gleefully shouting, brandishing wands, the Death Eaters were ecstatically throwing out red sparks left, right and centre. Severus loathed the pleasure coursing their veins, as they continued to celebrate their Dark Lord, their mission. Severus closed his eyes briefly, but then opened them again. The screams wouldn't leave his mind, piecing his soul. Voldemort's servants had left a trail of destruction in their wake, killing Muggles, and wizard alike. Severus found it hard to reconcile that this was his life now. But he had made his choice and had to play the part. Leaving the Death Eaters had crossed his mind many, many times, however the deaths of such people who tried to leave stopped him. The Death Eaters were a gang in which you could only leave in death.
To be continued……