The dark air clung to the old building. The grey monoliths were far gone. They were not even visible on a clear, sunny day, but especially not on a dark rainy night like this night. The building itself was far newer than the old castle. Even though it was newer, it was colder. The smell of death clung to the place. It had for nearly 40 years and would continue to for many years to come. No one lived in the old house. The only person who lived on the grounds was the old gardener who almost never entered it. If he had that night, he might have learned that the old house was not nearly as unoccupied as it looked. A young woman was currently inside the house. She sat in a chair, swinging her leg absentmindedly. She read her book while twirling her dark hair around her finger. A loud knocking sound was heard. The young woman opened the back door, in the kitchen. She knew that her guests would be entering from there.
"Lucius, Regulus, Severus, come in," she said. The three nodded at her. The smallest of the three kissed her on the cheek
"Bella," he said. Her little cousin smiled at her
"Come in Reggie, before you catch something from all of those muggles" she said. He laughed
"Long time no see," he said, putting his cloak up on a hanger
"I've been busy," Bella said
"Are you enjoying this?" He gestured to the room around them
"It's noble work," she said. Lucius Malfoy stepped forward and kissed Bellatrix's hand
"Bellatrix, you look as beautiful as ever"
"I don't think my sister would like her fiancé speaking to her older sister in such a way" Bellatrix said.
"You look like her, so how could you not be beautiful?" He said
"Is he always always such a poet?" She asked Regulus
"Only when talking about Cissy" Regulus shrugged
"Good, we aren't a society of poets" She said
"What are we then Bella? Lucius did a terrible job of explaining" Regulus said
"It might be best to allow him to explain" She gestured for them to follow her deeper into the old house. They followed.
"So, is he really as powerful as the rumors, Bellatrix?" Lucius asked
"He's more powerful than those silly rumors" Bellatrix said
"Even more powerful than Dumbledore?" Regulus asked
"Of course he's more powerful than that muggle lover. Don't you dare compare him to someone so lowly." Bellatrix sneered
"Sorry Bella," Regulus said
"Once you meet him, you'll understand what I mean," she said. She pushed open the large double doors. The room in front of them had a large fireplace. In front of it, was a large mahogany desk. The armchair stationed at the desk was currently facing the fireplace. The bookshelves lining the wall had titles Regulus had never heard of before. He found himself drawn to them. He picked up a book with the title The secret of the darkest arts. Bellatrix glared at him. He put the book back where he found it. The man in the armchair put a glass of amber liquid down
"He can have the book, Bellatrix. I have 2 copies of that title" Bellatrix's ears turned pink
"Of course my lord, I beg your pardon"
"You are forgiven. I respect those on a quest for knowledge above all else. However, I would advise you to keep that one hidden from Dumbledore. He banned it many years ago"
"Thank you sir," Regulus mumbled. He turned the chair to face them. He was a handsome man. He had dark hair, bright brown eyes that had a ring of red around them. His features seemed slightly blurred, as though they had been painted with a wet paintbrush. He exuded power. Regulus found himself subconsciously taking a step back. Lucius put on a mask of confidence. Severus was staring him down, his eyes creased in confusion.
"Regulus Black, Lucius Malfoy and Severus Snape. Correct?"
"Yes sir," they mumbled
"I can say, based on what I have learned from Bellatrix, you are all fine candidates" he said
"Thank you" Lucius said
"You exude confidence Mr. Malfoy. You are, however, currently full of fear" Lucius looked slightly taken aback.
"What do you wish to achieve Mr. Malfoy?" He asked
"I want to put us purebloods back where we belong," he said.
"And where is that, Mr. Malfoy?"
"Ruling," he said. His face was an unreadable mask. Severus looked down at his feet
"And you Mr. Snape?"
"Power" Severus said
"No,"
"Is that not enough?" Severus said
"It is not the truth. You are on a mission of revenge, not power" he said. Severus's eyes widened
"And you Mr. Black?" Regulus looked at Bellatrix for what to say.
"I-I want knowledge, more than what hogwarts is willing to give" he raised an eyebrow. He had read Regulus like an open book. Regulus took a breath and tried again "I want to be better than Sirius"
"Your blood traitor brother?"
"Yes"
"You will be far greater than he can ever dream, given time. I assume you want to know why I asked Bellatrix to bring you here?" They nodded "All three of you have shown yourselves to be of great power and valor. Our organization needs more soldiers like you. Now, I assume you are curious about how to become a death eater"
"Yes sir," they said
"Good, Bellatrix, will you explain?"
"Of course my lord. In order to join our esteemed organization and receive your dark mark, you must cut ties with your moral entanglements"
"What do you mean, Bellatrix?" Lucius asked.
"You must show that you are willing to do whatever it takes," Bellatrix said. Regulus's eyes went wide
"You mean killing someone, don't you?" Regulus said. Bellatrix smiled and nodded. Regulus felt his heart race
"I will be informing you of your target when the time is right" Severus took a sharp breath. Regulus felt his stomach sink even farther.
"Now, for the next issue at hand. Our numbers are large, but not large enough. There are several other witches and wizards I would like you to try to recruit into our ranks" he gave a list of names to each of them.
"Frank Longbottom, Kingsley Shacklebolt, Alice Falwey, Marlene Mickinon, Dorcas Meadowes and James Potter" Regulus read
"Potter, you can't be serious?" Lucius said
"Is there something you would like to say about him Mr. Malfoy?" He said
"He's, just, well a muggle lover. He's a proud blood traitor. He's with that mudblood, Evans"
"I would like you to try, Lucius. I would like all of you to try with all of them. They could be useful in the future." He turned his chair back to the fire. The three realized that their meeting was over. They turned to leave. "Do not forget your book, Mr. Black" Regulus took the book off of the shelf. He followed Bellatrix down the stairs and took his cloak off the hanger
"How did we do?" Lucius asked her
"You could have been more respectful of the dark lord" she growled
"Right, I will be next time," he said. They walked to the door "hey Bellatrix, what do you think we should tell Dumbledore if he asks us where we were?" He said. Bellatrix smiled
"You could tell him that Lord Voldemort sends his regards"