The other day I was going through a South Park marathon on southparkstudios (dot) com, and an ad for the new Proactive dark spot corrector kept playing. Every time I heard Dark Mark, I couldn't help but think of Harry Potter, and this story slowly formed. The evil plot bunny won't leave me alone, so here it is.
Lucius sits in the Muggle hotel room, hiding from his Master. He'd failed miserably in his attempt to retrieve the prophecy. A mission which, he has to admit to himself, he had no desire to undertake. He had been angered and disappointed when the Dark Lord had returned just over a year ago. He'd had 13 years of freedom, and did not which to relinquish it to grovel at the feet of a madman.
The Muggle hotel he currently inhabits seemed the only place to hide from the Dark Lord. His wife and son are already asleep. His mind, however, is far too busy to allow him rest. In desperation to forget his troubles, he examines the "tele". He has heard the Muggles discussing it over the past week he and his family have hidden within the Muggle world.
After a minute, he discovers the "on" button and presses it. He has difficulty containing his amazement when moving pictures appear where before there had been only black. He can barely believe the Muggles have invented something like this. He thought it far beyond them.
These pictures, however, are very different than the moving pictures which inhabit the wizarding world. The subject of the picture, rather than staying the same, or occasionally having an added subject, changes often, and seems to be dedicated to selling products to viewers. Just as he is about to turn the tele off (after all, he has no desire to purchase Muggle products), a new subject starts, which catches his attention.
"Sun damage, age spots, dark marks!" This last grabs his attention in a way nothing else can at the moment. "They all add up to a less than perfect complexion. But your skin could look so much better! Introduction the new dark spot corrector from Proactive that's designed to help brighten skin tone and lighten dark marks and sun spots to give you beautiful, even-toned skin!"
Lucius stares at the tele, dumbfounded. The subject continues, but he's lost in his thoughts. Could it truly be so simple? Could this product remove his Dark Mark?
*1 Week Later*
Lucius opens the box excitedly. It took him a few days to figure out how to order the salve which would hopefully relieve him of the blood Dark Mark sullying his arm and forcing him into servitude to the madman known as the Dark Lord. He had requested the "one-day shipping" so eagerly pressed upon him by the person he had spoken to, despite the outrageous cost, as he wanted as little delay as possible. Now, finally, the salve is here.
He carefully lifts the tube from the box and unscrews the cap. He holds his breath as he applies the salve to his Dark Mark. He reads the label on the tube, curious as to how long it needs to stay on his skin.
"Two weeks? It takes to bloody weeks to work!"
Epilogue
"Narcissa! Dearest! We are free!"
Narcissa hurries to her husband, startled by his yell. "Lucius, whatever is the matter? What are you on about?"
"Narcissa, my Dark Mark is finally gone! We can join the Order. They will protect us, and we will have no need to serve the Dark Lord, nor fear his control. And I can inform the others about this. More will defect. Without followers, or, at least, with a greatly reduced force, the Dark Lord will truly be defeated!"
