Ok everyone, I'm back!!!! Sorry it's been so long and thanks for sticking with me! School controls my life, but I'm going to try harder to stick with my promise of once a week updates. Here's the next chapter, ENJOY AND REVIEW!

Chapter 10

Tattoos and Torture

Their feet hit the ground hard, and both of their stomachs were spinning around from the journey. But Hermione knew that her stomach was churning for more than that reason. She didn't know if she would make it through tonight and she was unbelievably nervous to attend her first Death Eater meeting. The only thing keeping her from running was Draco's tight grip on her upper arm. As she looked to her left she saw Severus, at least who she knew to be Severus, since he had his face covered with the standard mask that everyone else but her was wearing. But he had to play his part and didn't react to her gaze and just looked away.

Draco began dragging her towards the center of the circle of people that had now formed. He pulled her arm forcefully to get her to kneel in front of Voldemort. She looked up from her place on the ground to see the most horrifying person she had ever seen, if he could even be classified as a person any more. His red slit of eyes and disfigured body commanded the attention of every person in the room. Clearly everyone was frightened of him, and who could blame them.

"My Lord, I brought you the gift you requested," Draco said to Voldemort reverently, silently praying inside that he wouldn't hurt her.

"Well done, young Draco. I did not expect you to complete your task so easily, maybe you will be a greater asset then I first predicted. Rise and come before me," Voldemort commanded to the young man in front of him.

Immediately obeying his order, Draco quickly rose off the ground and approached the Dark Lord, careful to keep his eyes lowered to the ground to show respect.

"Give me your arm," Voldemort ordered. Draco then lifted his arm and drew back the sleeve and presented it to him. He did not waver for even a second and this made Severus proud. He would make a perfect spy after all.

As Hermione was still kneeling on the ground, she risked a quick glance up to the altar where Voldemort and Draco stood. She knew exactly what was going to happen. She longed to reach out to Draco and help him escape this hell. But she knew that it would do no good so she held her tongue and prepared for the inevitable.

Voldemort drew out his wand and held it directly onto Draco's forearm. He gripped his wrist unnecessarily rough and Draco knew exactly what was about to happen. It would make his father ridiculously proud, which made Draco hate himself. But there was no stopping Voldemort now.

"Morsmordre!" Voldemort yelled.

The pain erupted in his forearm and seeped throughout his entire body like 100 Cruciatus Curses. Draco bit his tongue hard to hold back the yells of pain that tried to escape his lungs. It would not be wise to let the Dark Lord hear his weakness so early in his role as a Death Eater. The pain continued for a few seconds before it finally dissipated. Draco

glanced down at his arm, and there it was. The tattoo he never wanted.

Draco then dropped to his knees and thanked the Dark Lord profusely for his generous gift.

"Welcome to the Circle, Draco. Take your place amongst the chosen ones," Voldemort said to his newest recruit.

Draco slowly backed away from the Dark Lord and into his place in the circle, right between his father and Severus. He quickly glanced at Hermione and found her still kneeling on the ground in the middle of the circle. He prayed to whatever gods were out there that they would keep Hermione safe. That she would survive what was about to happen to her.

"Now, let's see exactly what Draco brought me," Voldemort said disgustingly smooth. He approached Hermione on the ground as she maintained her kneeling position. He circled her like a hawk stalking its prey.

"My, you are very pretty aren't you? Too bad you're a Mudblood. I could've used you in my ranks," Voldemort spat out.

"My Lord…." Hermione began to say before her body erupted in the most intense pain she had ever experienced.

"Crucio!" Voldemort yelled.

As her body was writhing on the floor and gasps of air were trying to enter her lungs, all Severus and Draco could do was stand there and watch. It took Severus's entire will-power to stand there and watch his love in that kind of pain by the man he hated most in the entire world. His fingers clenched into a fist at the sides of his body were the only indication that Hermione's agony was affecting him at all.

After minutes, which seemed like hours, Voldemort released the curse on the young woman at his feet.

"You think you have the privilege to speak to me without my permission? My you are quite a presumptuous little thing," Voldemort whispered down to her. The group of Death Eaters around him were chuckling a bit to show support for their Lord.

"Crucio!" Voldemort yelled once again at Hermione.

Hermione's body was in agony once more. She held back her screams to improve her chances of getting in his ranks, but she didn't know how much longer she would last. She just prayed that she would pass out. Anything would be better than this pain, even death. Just as fast as it was casted, it was finally lifted. Hermione once again went back to her kneeling position on her shaking arms and legs. Her breathing was heavy and came in gasps but she was determined not to give up.

Severus couldn't take it any longer. He never should've brought her here. What kind of man brings the woman he loves into something like this? He was absolutely disgusted with himself. There was nothing he could do without getting himself killed…or her.

Draco was feeling exactly how Severus was, except he literally did bring her into this position. He quickly looked at Severus and locked eyes with him before he finally made up his mind. He stepped forward, out of his place in the circle, and towards the center. He dropped to his knees once more in front of the Dark Lord and took a huge risk.

"My Lord, she wishes to join your ranks. She wants to betray Potter and the Order of the Phoenix in order to help you win this war. This lowly disgusting Mudblood could be the greatest tool our side could ever have. She will be the key to our success," Draco spoke quickly to make sure the Dark Lord would hear his entire petition before he himself was cursed.

Voldemort froze and turned to where Draco was kneeling at his feet. He had never thought that the girl would want to join him. He was ready to kill her and just be done with her.

"Crucio!" Voldemort screamed at Draco. He watched in pure enjoyment as the young man writhed before him just as everyone does. Then he lifted the curse and pondered for a moment, then turned on the girl.

"Is this true, Mudblood? Do you wish to betray everyone in your life to join me? You want to be a spy on Dumbledore and Potter?" Voldemort spat at the girl in disbelief.

"Yes, My Lord. Anything for you. I know I am nothing but filth, but I have much to offer. The information I could gain for you could help you end this war quickly. They would never see it coming," Hermione said with authority from her place still on her knees. She was truly convincing.

Severus held his breath, wondering exactly what the Dark Lord would do. Merlin, she better not be getting herself killed right now.

Voldemort seemed to ponder this for awhile, before reluctantly agreeing.

"This plan does seem perfect. But you will have to prove yourself before I allow you to be with us. You will never get my mark for you will never be worthy enough for that. Bring me some information and I will allow you to continue to live. And it better be good," Voldemort spat at her. He then turned to speak to the rest of his followers in the circle.

"Let us welcome Draco to the circle and celebrate the making of our new spy. Enjoy my loyal followers," Voldemort announced to the group and retreated out of the room.

Lucius took this as his cue to begin the festivities of the night. He approached Hermione and began cursing her with all the most wicked curses.

"Sectumsempra!"

"Crucio!"

"Relashio!"

He yelled these curses and more at Hermione until he was tired out. From here the rest of the group took over.

If she thought the pain from Voldemort was the worst ever, it felt like a mere pinch compared to what was happening to her now. Blood was rushing from every orifice and her muscles were continuing to writhe uncontrollably and screams were ripping her throat raw. Her lungs felt as if they would explode and every bone in her body seemed to be fractured. How she wished to die! But she knew they would not be that merciful.

Severus and Draco were standing on the sidelines. They could smell her blood in the air and hear her screams reverberating off the stone walls of the room. Severus didn't know how much longer she would last. He couldn't take the sounds of her pain and bones breaking much longer. He needed to save her before she was dead.

"Enough!" Severus yelled loudly at the group before him. All movement ceased and every eye was now upon him, questioning his motives for stopping their fun.

"The Dark Lord would not want his newest spy dead before her first day on the job, now would he? I will take it from here. Disperse!" Severus said to the group dangerously. He was well respected within the ranks because of his high status within the Inner Circle. They knew that disobeying him would certainly mean death.

Hermione's vision was blurry and the voices around her seemed muffled. Her mind was floating in and out of consciousness and her body was mangled and full of blood. There was no way she would survive this. Oh how she wished she would die right now! Suddenly in her line of vision the concerned eyes of Severus were in front of her. His mouth was moving but she couldn't hear the words. Her eyes blinked once before her world slipped into blackness.

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A/N: Hope you guys liked it! Lots and lots of Drama I know. I'm going to update more regularly now, but reviews always help motivate me.

Thanks to my last reviewers, VladCougar, Elven Maden, Glow91, LK-HoGwArTs-hEaDgIrL, and jessierose85. Lovely reviews all of you!!!!!!!

If you want your name at the bottom of the next chapter, then REVIEW!!!!!!!!!!!!