The first of January, 2000
The wind howled bitterly outside the Théâtre du Mort, chilling those outside the edifice's great walls. The few tendrils of bitter wind that had slithered inside hadn't bothered nor affected the gathered congregation. Hasard's robes fluttered gently around the ankles as he examined the scroll of names before him. He scanned the parchment once before rolling it up and placing it on the cold stone headstone before him.
They had all gathered in a small cathedral cemetery in the secret back rooms. Grass had sprouted from between the cracks in the tile and vines and shrubbery nearly suffocated the place. In the center next to a magnificent headstone, were a cauldron and a book of names. It was a beautiful book, Severus noted as he stepped up to fill a gap in the small circle of the catechumen. Edged in obsidian and decorated with illustrations done solely in blood.
Victoria had been wrong about one thing however. They were not the only newcomers this year. Several other nervous looking girls in leotards and tights stood shoulder to shoulder with a hard-looking young man with a blonde, shaved head in plain black robes with a badge pinned to the front. Concentrating on the badge, Severus was able to utilize one of Victoria's eye tricks and read, "Académie Tranchante" Sharp Academy, Severus thought with a concealed smirk.
Next to him was a woman in her mid-twenties with frost blue hair and matching robes. Across from them was also a man in his late sixties and a small girl who couldn't have been more than five. Seventeen in all, they stood shoulder to shoulder, straight and tall. All of them had a look of fear and terror in their eyes. When the small girl started to cry, her instructor hit her lightly with the back of his hand and miraculously, she stopped. One thing that they all had in common was their badges and uniforms. There were some people with matching robes and badges, while some others while they wore a uniform were solitary.
Severus fingered his deep, wine colored robe and reflected that all in all, the bold red didn't look too bad on the ex- Slytherin. He did miss his long hair, but it was a luxury and it was often in the way. His new short haircut was much more practical, although less flattering. Victoria squeezed his shoulder tightly in reassurance before rejoining the thinner circle of masters that enveloped them.
Hasard pulled out his replacement wand, and after a glare sent in Victoria's direction, extinguished the lights with a quick flick. When he spoke, it was in a low, ceremonial voice. "My brothers and sisters in blood, you know why we are gathered here tonight. Tonight the newly marked of our group stand out and truly join the ranks of the living dead." He let the words sink in before continuing.
"Tonight they will drink from the goblet of our esteemed lady and old friend, Lady Carmilla Sanguina." He held up a hand to stop the round of applause that had echoed through the cemetery. "Marked ones, when you here your name, step forward with your master and give your vows. Elizabeth Flemings and Madame Nightshade." The blue haired girl and her mistress came up to the stone table and gave a small bow before the tombstone.
Madame Nightshade intoned in a serious voice,
"Do you accept this cup of blood and war?
Handed down through centuries hence
Do you accept the existence of your soul in the shadows?
To haunt and kill, forever more?
Obey me to the ends of time,
'til I set you free or call you mine?
Will you set yourself to the word and cause?
Sharpen your talons and unearthly claws
Come out to the night and answer to me
As I call you to come out to all you can be!"
Elizabeth cleared her throat and replied,
"I do accept this cup of blood and war
Handed down from centuries hence
I give you my soul to exist in the shadows
To give my life to murder and oppress.
I give you my service in obedience and blood
I promise to kill, coerce and upset
I answer your call and ask you to lead
Where I know not, nor where, nor when!"
Madame Nightshade took a bottle of wine, uncorked it and poured the cup to the brim. She raised it with both hands to Elizabeth and spoke the ceremonial words,
"Drink my student, fulfill the pledge
Of life and death we know neither,
But the blood that flows we covet and so
We drink to the mortal's untimely death."
Elizabeth drank deeply then handed the cup back to Hasard before bowing with her teacher and rejoining the circle. There was light applause and they both bowed to the crowd.
Hasard allowed himself a grin. "As some of you undoubtedly remember, tonight is the night to show off the ancient art of, poetry. Very romantic, very dark." Several vampires gave a cold chuckle at this remark.
"Now, next up, Hayden Wycliffe." Severus watched intently as one by one, each one gave their vows before he heard Hasard announce, "Severus Snape and Victoria Gelding."
Severus walked boldly up to the tombstone with Victoria at his side. They each gave a little bow before Victoria turned and said,
"Do you accept the burden?
Do you accept the pain?
Will you watch with haunted mind as you see your body slay,
Millions of souls who mourn in anguish and pain?
Do you promise to be there always at my side?
Wherever I go, will you be there?
Will I be the presence in your mind?
Will I be the one to cherish your pain?
Do accept that in your service for me
Times will be hard as times are wont to be
For the better and the worst, will you haunt through the night?"
Severus stood, taken back by the words of the oath before gathering his wits and replying,
"I accept your burden.
I will cherish the pain.
I will willingly carry the blame.
I will always be there, ever at your side,
Where you go, I am there
You are the lasting presence in my mind
I will be the servant, the student, the apostle
I ride out to meet the troubles bearing arms
Fang gleaming as I reach out to greet them!"
He smirked as he heard a small murmur of appreciation throughout the assembled. Victoria called for a new bottle of wine; the other three had been promptly emptied. She opened it by expertly breaking through the neck in a clear, clean cut. She gave the cup to Severus and proclaimed,
"Drink my student, fulfill the pledge
Of life and death we know neither,
But the blood that flows we covet and so
We drink to the mortal's untimely death."
He drank deeply and then student and master rejoined the circle.
Three more came up to the altar before Hasard said, "This is the final hour, my brothers and sisters. After they write their names in the book, they will join us for the Chasse de minuit; the Midnight Hunt. Master and student will write their names together, using whichever names they choose. However, masters, you may not write down a different name than the one you have chosen for your other students. Who would like to go first?"
Victoria stepped out into the center of the ring. "May we?" she asked, looking through smoky eyelashes at Hasard.
"You may, Mademoiselle." He bowed and handed the quill to Victoria. Before she inscribed her name however, she turned to the crowd and said, "Many of you know my story. Many of you know my name. But the old aliases must fall to be born again to a new person, a new being. Therefore, I shed the name Gelding, and in its place I take the name of our cause and our life thirst. Blood; it shall be the way I teach my student by."
She leaned over and whispered in Severus' ear; "Don't try to rush time. When you're cursed with living until the end of time, it's not a curse, it's a blessing."
She then leaned over to inscribe in looping letters, "Victoria Blood" before she turned and gave Severus the quill. He took it and wrote in short cramped writing next to Victoria's signature, "Severus Snape." He couldn't think of one better than his own and he had all of eternity. Why rush it?
One by one, each one signed the book and rejoined the circle. Once the ink had dried on the last name, Hasard carefully closed the book and held up his hands. "This is our family! Rejoice for those who have rejoiced in the living dead!" There was applause as some of the younger ones came to congratulate their new fellow students. Hasard raised his hands and bowed his head. "The Hunt begins NOW!" he shouted with amazing power and the vampires rose up into the night air and began their journey back to their homelands, where they would continue their feast of blood.
