Chapter 24-Courage of a Slytherin & the Award Ceremony
The graveyard-
Rial Black watched his former twin's departure with thinly veiled fury. It was clear that Zachary expected him to be killed. I never thought you had it in you, Zachary. It's almost what you'd expect from a Slytherin. He started to snort in derision only to catch his breath with a wince. His body still ached from the Cruciatus.
His green eyes flicked to Lucius Malfoy, who was standing near the far right edge. It was mortifying for him to be brought down so painfully in front of Draco's father. It was one of his weak moments, the times he never let anyone see behind his mask. He was truly meant for Slytherin, he'd been using a mask for years to hide his pain, humiliation and anger from those he had called family.
He was diverted from his thoughts by the snide hiss from the Dark Lord. "Well, so much for Gryffindor bravery. No matter, we will deal with that insufferable child one of these days."
Voldemort turned toward him and he stared straight back into crimson eyes. The flat, snake-like nostrils flared and a deadly smirk crossed thin lips. "For now, I will make you into an example. Not only to the students but those who have tried to defy me before. Maybe you will survive, little Slytherin. Maybe not."
Rial was already regretting losing his temper and sniping at the powerful Dark wizard. He had a feeling he would regret it more by the time they were done.
"Secumptspra," the Dark Lord hissed.
Rial bit into his lower lip enough to make it bleed to keep from screaming as the Cutting Curse slashed through his upper left leg. He used that pain to distract himself from the bout of the Cruciatus that followed.
What seemed like hours later Rial realized two things. One, Voldemort was fond of both the Cruciatus and Cutting Curses. Two, he was also fond of Burning Hexes and spells that could break bone. He was hurting in places he didn't realize you could hurt.
The Dark Lord picked up his wand and stared at it for a moment. Chuckling nastily he put the tip of his wand against it and muttered, "Destro."
What looked like white cracks appeared in the ebony wood. They spread outward like a spider web, forming a strangely beautiful pattern. In the next second the white changed to angry red and the wand exploded. Fragments of it went everywhere and the solidified core turned to powder. Rial reached out with one hand and picked up the largest piece.
As he stared at the ebony wood he could feel a single tear running down his face but he didn't care. That wand had been his first, the first sign that yes he was a wizard, not the ungrateful Squib his father called him. His hand fisted around the piece of black wood and he stared up at the Dark Lord, sheer hateand rage burning in his eyes.
The Dark Lord bent down next to Rial and placed his wand against Rial's neck. Murmuring an incantation he linked gleeful red eyes with angry green ones. He watched with sadistic pleasure as the anger changed to an uncomfortable pain and then sheer agony. The green eyes fluttered closed and Rial whimpered, abandoning his Slytherin pride.
In the next moment he screamed. It was a heart-wrenching sound and several of his Death Eaters flinched. Red eyes simply watched as the shape he'd outlined on Rial's neck was carved into the skin. When the boy finally stopped screaming and the Dark Lord realized he was unconscious he straightened up.
He turned back to his loyal followers and chuckled darkly. "He is now our personal sign. No one would deny that I have returned to power now that he has that mark. It is best that he is in Slytherin, I doubt he would be welcome otherwise with that particular symbol, hmm?"
A few laughed. He looked at Lucius and said, "Go my friend. Make sure to notice a few of the expressions around you when he returns. Tell Severus I expect him within a week of the term end."
"Yes, my lord."
After Lucius had Apparated he turned to the others and hissed, "Go, you are dismissed. Keep an eye out for Igor. He seems to have forgotten his true loyalties."
They disappeared with a few sharp pops. He turned back to the unconscious Slytherin and prepared to send him back to the school.
*
When Rial next woke it was to soothingly dim lights and a soft bed. He felt good so he just lay there and didn't try to move. Eventually he wondered if there was anyone else around or if he was alone. He tried to tilt his head to the side and instead caused his neck to flare with pain. He gasped softly and resisted letting tears slide down his face.
"Rial, you're awake! Don't try and move son, your neck has to heal from that mark."
At the sound of Sirius' voice his heart leapt happily. "Dad?" he whispered.
Warm arms wrapped around his shoulders and Sirius kissed his forehead. "Yes, I'm right here. How are you feeling?"
Rial considered. "Fine unless I try to move."
Sirius chuckled. "Now in that you are definitely like me. I couldn't stand being restricted for any amount of time. I always had to be doing something."
"How long have I been unconscious?"
"An entire day. Severus brought you up here and Madam Pomfrey fed you some potions for your injuries and blood loss with a tube. Looked uncomfortable to me. She said to give you this Numbing Potion if you still ache from the Cruciatus. I would have brought you up here myself but the Aurors were busy testing the Cup and questioning Mr. Krum, not to mention notifying Miss Delacour's parents."
"I don't think he was in his right mind," Rial said timidly.
"Oh? Why is that?" he looked straight forward and sure enough, standing at the foot of his bed was Professor Snape. He looked pleased to see Rial awake, at least that was what Rial thought he was reading in the near-black eyes.
"He didn't even notice me coming up on them. I yelled at him and he didn't even turn toward me. Wouldn't there be even some sort of reflex reaction?"
"He would have been startled in the least," Sirius murmured, thoughtful.
Rial's eyes widened as he remembered part of the Dark Lord's conversation. Pale-faced he looked at his Head of House and whispered, "I think there's another Death Eater in the school. The Dark Lord mentioned something about the 'other' loyal one."
"They would have to be amongst the staff," Severus muttered. "That would explain my missing ingredients as well."
"You've had potion ingredients go missing?" Rial asked, curious.
"You mean aside from the Gillyweed Potter stole?" When Rial nodded he said, "Yes. Lacewing flies, Boomslang skin, a few others."
"Both of those go into a Polyjuice Potion, don't they?" Rial asked.
Severus nodded. Sirius looked at the formidable former Slytherin and said carefully, "Have you reported them missing?"
"Dumbledore waved it off. He seemed to think I would misplace them," the annoyance in Severus' voice at the very idea was palpable.
"Unlikely," Rial snorted. "That's more like something he'd do."
"On other subjects," Sirius continued, "the award ceremony for the Triwizard Cup is tomorrow at 1 in the afternoon."
"I'm sure Zachary is gloating right now, the bloody coward." Rial answered. He knew his voice was a little bitter but he felt like being petty right now. Being left behind with an insane, powerful Dark Lord so Zachary could save his skin and win the Tournament still grated on his nerves.
"Actually, he's about ready to throw a fit." When Rial looked at him funny, Sirius continued. "Ludo Bagman had a change of heart it seems. He approached the other two judges and ruled in favor of having Zachary disqualified to 2nd for leaving you in the graveyard. Said that the 'events' that followed the Portkey were more of a judge of character and strengths than a mere Tournament ever would be."
"So the actual winner is you," Severus concluded, watching the expression on Rial's face as it changed from clouded unconcern to shocked disbelief.
Rial was unable to keep from grinning like an idiot as he realized, all of his hard work, all the studying… It hadn't been for nothing. He was the official winner of the first Triwizard Tournament held in over a 100 years.
"Sleep. Poppy said she'd let you go tomorrow if you try and rest and don't harass her to let you go early," Sirius chuckled softly.
"What?" Rial asked.
"She must be remembering me and Remus. Neither one of us were particularly patient to spend a day in the Hospital Wing." His father yawned and Rial suddenly felt guilty. The dark circles under Sirius' eyes showed how long it had been since the Auror himself slept.
"I'll sleep only if you do," he replied, holding his father's gray eyes with his green ones.
A warm, tired smile lit Sirius' face. "Deal. I could crash right here I think. Sleep well, Rial. There's a dose of Dreamless Sleep if you need it."
Rial lay back and closed his eyes. He fell asleep with a rare smile on his face.
* *
When Rial woke up next it was to a familiar and welcome face. Since Draco hadn't realized he was awake he took a moment to look at his friend, who was reading a book with a small frown on his pale features. It was a book for their Defense class and the blonde looked mightily interested in the topic.
"You know, if you keep frowning like that your face will stay that way," he said.
Draco yelped and dropped the book, grabbing onto the edge of the bed to stay on his chair. Rial laughed softly and gained a blue-gray glare for his amusement.
"You almost gave me a heart attack, Rial!"
"We're too young to get those, Drake," he replied, smiling.
"You know what I mean. I'm glad you're awake though. That was awful outside of the maze," Draco shuddered.
"I'll bet people are talking about me," Rial said bitterly.
"Mostly about your new tattoo," Draco mumbled.
"What?"
"You haven't seen it?" Draco asked nervously.
"Neither my father nor Professor Snape even mentioned it," Rial snapped.
Draco retrieved a flat mirror from the side table and handed it to him. Rial took it with trembling fingers and turned it over, taking a deep breath before looking into the surface. He nearly dropped the mirror as he stared in shock at the mark.
It was a snake. He looked at the fangs and nose on his cheekbone and the winding body that traced along his neck. Reaching up with his fingers he touched his skin. Right where his new acquisition was placed he could feel grooves in his skin. The thing had been carved there.
He set the mirror aside as he said in a quiet, trembling voice, "That must have been right after he destroyed my wand."
Draco reached out and hesitantly took his hand. When he looked into silver eyes, they were filled with compassion and respect. "The Award Ceremony is in half an hour. If you would prefer I could tell the adults you're not feeling up to it."
Rial shook his head and said, "No. I'll go; this is just a little bit much right now."
Draco nodded and said, "I'll let the others know so you can get dressed. There's one other thing. My father wanted me to make sure and tell you that he would have gotten you out of there if he could have."
"He seemed nervous. The Dark Lord was asking him about you," Rial said, curious.
"The Dark Lord wishes for me to take the Mark. My father doesn't want me to. It was a decision he was forced into and he's regretted it his entire life."
"Tell him I understand the position he was in and I hold no grudge for his inaction."
"I will," Draco said.
When Draco was almost to the door Rial said softly, "Thank you, Draco."
The blonde turned to him, smiled a little and said, "You're welcome Rial."
*
Severus was watching the students as they gossiped to each other. The most likely topic at the moment was the surprise ending to the Triwizard Tournament. The Gryffindors in particular looked annoyed that a Slytherin had won. They had all enjoyed taunting Rial Black throughout the Tournament.
For once Severus wasn't seated at the Staff Table but at a 5th table brought in for the visiting adults. Sitting to one side of him was Lucius Malfoy, to the other side was Sirius Black. The Auror looked like he'd slept a little more since Rial had first woken up the previous afternoon. The Auror's newest headache was the identity of the other Death Eater inside the school.
Severus had to admit that even he had been shocked to see Barty Crouch Jr. Apparently the former resident of Azkaban prison had been smuggled out by his father before capturing the real Alastor Moody. Dumbledore had been reluctant to believe Severus and Sirius, even with the Veritaserum account. That had lasted until Crouch's Polyjuice had worn off.
Crouch had admitted to using an Imperius on Viktor Krum, so the Bulgarian Seeker was released. The French Minister hadn't been too happy, but even Miss Delacour's parents hadn't wanted to charge a person who'd been under a Dark curse.
Ludo Bagman walked across the mini stage the Staff Table had been transfigured into and spoke.
"Students and adults alike, today we bring to an end the Triwizard Tournament. First of all I would like to thank our gracious host, Albus Dumbledore and the students of Hogwarts School."
Polite claps answered. "Now we can get down to our Award Ceremony. First of all we have an honorable mention to Miss Fleur Delacour of Beauxbatons Academy. Miss Delacour acted with bravery and courage and her loss will be mourned. To her parents we have given the sum of 100 galleons and our deepest condolences on their loss."
Soft claps from all the students besides those of Beauxbatons. Those particular students were quiet and somber. Severus momentarily reflected back on his thoughts at the beginning of the Tournament. I really hate being right about these things sometimes, he grumbled to himself.
"In Third Place we have Viktor Krum of Durmstrang Institute!"
The scowling Seeker walked up to Ludo and accepted a scroll along with a velvet sack. "He receives an official placement score along with a purse of 100 galleons."
"In Second Place we have Zachary Potter of Hogwarts School!"
Severus was unable to keep a vicious snarl from loosing as he watched the arrogant Gryffindor walk up and accept a scroll and sack similar to Krum's. Abandoning someone to torture and likely death at the hands of the Dark Lord was beyond cowardly, it was detestable. All for a prize and another shiny trophy.
"He has been given a placement score as well along with a prize of 300 galleons!"
The Gryffindors applauded wildly. Severus snorted, that house had shallow loyalty. He noted with amused pride that not a single Slytherin even raised their hands to applaud the famous Gryffindor. They sat with cool indifference, the only form of scorn they would show in front of foreign students.
"In First Place with a prize of 500 galleons and the Triwizard Cup is Rial Black of Hogwarts School and Slytherin house!"
The double doors swung open for the last time. Rial stood quietly until they opened fully and started forward. It reminded Severus of watching the child walk into the Hall on his first day. He turned his head neither left nor right and his face was expressionless. He wore spotless school robes of soft silk and made no attempt to hide the serpent tattoo on the side of his face.
He took Bagman's hand and shook it politely, allowing a small, stiff smile to cross his features. When Ludo gave him the Cup the Slytherins stood as one with the Ravenclaws and started clapping, quietly at first. However, when Rial's lips twitched into a rare true smile they got louder almost impossibly fast.
Bagman was grinning like a fool. "The Cup is yours until the next Triwizard Tournament or permanently, depending on magical politics. I think it is safe to say it will be yours for your lifetime at the very least."
"Thank you, sir." Rial's voice was firm yet light, carrying softly across the room. He stood quietly with the judges for a picture, then with Cornelius Fudge. The last was with the two other Champions. Rial's smile froze into something entirely more dangerous and he gestured to Krum, who took the invitation and stood between him and Zachary.
Severus chuckled. The Tournament had turned out well for Slytherin house. Looking over at McGonagall he smirked. No matter how many times the Gryffindors beat Slytherin in Quidditch; a Slytherin had won where true skill decided the outcome. Take that, Minerva MeowGonagall, he snickered. Whoever had come up with that nickname deserved 50 house points for ingenuity.
A sparkle caught his eye. He looked up just in time to see 50 points fall into Slytherin's glass. He smirked, looked over at Rial and muttered, "I should have guessed."