Wednesday seemed to drag on and fly by all at the same time. Severus and I spent a good part of the morning arguing. He wasn't proud of my decision, as honorable as it might be. He said I was being foolish, that walking straight into the lion's den would solve nothing. Severus begged me (or, at least, got as close to begging as he ever would) to go back to the school where Dumbledore would protect me, and where even Lucius had no control over my life.

"You're seventeen," he said, "a legal adult. Lucius has no power over you."

Regardless of that fact, I knew my father would never give up until he got what he wanted—or until I was dead.

"I've made my decision, Severus," I told him for what seemed to be the thousandth time. "I won't change it. Voldemort will be here this evening—it's too late to run now. They'll know you helped me."

He wasn't satisfied with my answer, and I could feel the frustration radiating from him in waves as he left the room. I didn't see him for a long while after that, and it gave me time to think over what I was about to do. Perhaps that wasn't the best thing.

Being alone for so long, my thoughts drifted to Harry. I missed him so much that it hurt, and I wondered vaguely if he were thinking of me, too, though I knew he would be. We'd been practically inseparable since we'd started dating, and being away from him for so long was painful. It hurt even more to think about how he would react when he found out…No. I wouldn't think of that now. There was no other way out of this—I wouldn't trade Severus's life. Harry would understand….I hoped.

Severus came to fetch me at 11:30. The house was dark. How he managed to lead us down the halls, I'd never know.

"I'll tell you this now, and only once," Severus whispered quickly as we headed towards the stairs to the third floor. "You know already how accomplished of an occlemence the Dark Lord is. You're skilled for your age, Draco, but not nearly skilled enough. It should be obvious, then, that you'll need to do all you can to not think of Potter."

I nodded.

"Hide the memories as far back in your mind as you can."

"I will," I replied quietly as we reached the top of the stairs. There was a light up ahead, a soft glow of candles shining under the door to one of the old sitting rooms we never used. We stopped just outside the door, and Severus spoke without turning to face me.

"You'll go before them all, and kneel at his feet. You'll recite the oath."

I nodded, drawing forth the words from the back of my mind. I'd worked to memorize them all afternoon.

"You'll drink from the cup they give you, and he'll say his bit…and then he'll mark you."

I nodded again, unable to suppress the shudder that coursed through my spine. The reality of what was about to happen seemed to be catching up to me now. Fear ran like ice through my veins as the door swung slowly open to give way to the dark sight before me.

Blood red candles lined the walls, casting eerie shadows about he room. Death Eaters had been arriving throughout the afternoon, and now they stood, black-cloaked and ominous, in two rows. Their towering forms created a dark pathway through the middle of the room. At the far end stood a small table holding two more candles and a goblet I could only guess was meant for the ceremony. Beside it stood a throne.

I took a deep breath and stepped into the room. Severus left me to join the others, and I wished desperately that he could have stayed by my side. I could feel their eyes on my as I moved towards the throne. I tried to ignore them, clearing my mind and setting forth my wall like I had practiced so many times this afternoon.

After endless moments of deepening silence and discomfort, I reached my destination and kneeled before the empty throne. I fought to keep my heartbeat steady and to hide the fear threatening to show itself in my actions. Fear would be an embarrassment to the Malfoy name—and embarrassment was not something that pleased my father.

Something moved behind me, and I tried hard not to shudder as the snake slithered past, its smooth skin brushing against me. The low hiss was what startled me the most—because it didn't come from the serpent beside me. It came from the dark shadows behind the throne. The snake slithered willingly, almost joyously, into the darkness. The hissing continued, now doubled as though they were conversing. And just as abruptly as it had begun, it stopped and silence fell in the room once more.

"Nagini tells me our young recruit shows no sign of fear in my presence," Voldemort's chilling voice spoke from the darkness as he stepped into the dim light. The snake was draped around his shoulders now, its tongue flitting out as it whispered into its master's ear. "Or perhaps he's just a talented actor."

He sank with dark grace into the throne, resting his hands on the gold arms. He waved vaguely to me and I bowed my head and prayed my voice had not left me.

"I hereby pledge my fidelity and loyalty to the Dark Lord Voldemort. From this hour forth my life, my wealth, and my blood are but tools for my master." I was amazed at the strength my voice held. It gave away not one ounce of the fear I felt inside me. "I am not ashamed to proclaim my blood purity, and shall always be in service to my lord. I will live by this pledge until death forever separates me from my master." With slightly shaking hands, I pulled up the sleeve of my robes and raised my left arm before me. "I present my left are, as solid proof that I am a follower of the Dark Lord."

I raised my eyes to his, holding the fiery gaze despite my desire to look away. The corner of his mouth twitched in a slight smirk as he nodded to the Death Eater standing to my right. He stepped forward and took the goblet from the table, raising it to my lips. Without a second thought, I drank—and nearly choked. Absinthe. I closed my eyes tight as it burned down my throat. At long last, they pulled the now empty goblet away and my eyes connect with Voldemort's once more as I wiped my mouth on my sleeve.

He reached into his robes, drawing forth his wand, and I closed my eyes as he pressed the tip against my skin.

"Morsmordre!" The words fell from his lips with a practiced ease, and I had to clench my teeth against the pain. It felt as thought my arm were on fire, and the flames were burning hotter, deeper with every passing moment. It continued to burn, even after Voldemort withdrew his wand and they all left me alone in the darkness. I fell, no longer having the strength to hold myself up. It was Severus who caught me. And as I slipped into unconsciousness, it was Harry's name I whispered.

Author Note:

Special thanks to Starving Author and long_live_luna_bellatrix of the HPFF forums for their help with Draco's pledge. I couldn't have finished this chapter without you!