Many Messages
A/N: Sorry Footmonser, but I had to hurt Severus, but he'll live.
The halls were dark and deserted. Harper could see a candle's light flickering across the walls, and hear the stairs creak.
When she was almost to Dumbledore's bedchambers, a formidable noise sounded from behind her. Mrs. Norris, Filch's cat. A blood-curdling meow echoed in Harper's ears.
"Now what's this, Mrs. Norris?" came the cold voice of Filch. "A student, with no note? What I wouldn't give to be able to use the old punishments. C'mon, Skys, you'll be expelled.
Harper's stomach dropped. Expelled? No way!
"No, Mr. Filch, not today," said a kind voice. "I believe she was coming to see me."
"But, headmaster-" started Filch.
"No. Harper, won't you come in?" Dumbledore took Harper into his office, and bade her to sit down. "Now, what was it you wanted?" he asked.
"Well-" what was it that she wanted? "Er, well, I guess that I would someday like to teach Defense Against the Dark Arts, but I'll need some experience," she said.
Dumbledore was about to say something, but stopped himself. Well, alright, so I will send an owl to your parents." He picked up a piece of paper, and a quill, and began to write in a loopy handwriting. On another piece of paper he wrote something else. Then he handed it to Harper. "Is that all? Good. Now, here's your note. Goodnight."
He left no room for discussion. Harper mumbled goodnight and left. As she walked past Filch, she flashed her note. She came to the Gryffindor Tower, said the password, and went to bed. No one was waiting for her.
***
"No! That's wrong – ten points from Gryffindor." Yes, Snape was back to his usual self; he felt he had a reputation to uphold. Neville had been about to blow up the whole school while making a shrinking potion.
Chewing on her wand, Harper was working with Hermoine. Their potion was a rancid, puke green slop. Suddenly, a prefect came in. Hesitantly, he looked up at Snape.
"I need Harper Skys," he said.
Snape raised an eyebrow. "Harper, go." Harper rose from her seat, and followed the prefect from the dungeon. He led up to Dumbledore's office, said the password, and waved a hand towards the stairs, motioning for Harper to go up them. She rode the stairs up to the large oak door, while the prefect left. Quietly, she knocked on the door, and entered.
Dumbledore was sitting in his desk. He appeared not to notice her. When he looked up his face was pale and haunted. "Sit down, please," he said quietly. Harper sat down in a soft plush chair. "Harper, you parents are missing. I am so sorry." He handed Harper a roll of parchment.
Harper couldn't breath. She was falling into a great, black void. "What?" she choked out. Her voice suddenly became very hard and cold. "Voldemort."
"I'm afraid so. That makes Severus your legal guardian," he said abruptly.
The silence was broken by the bell. Harper stared at the wall. Her face was void of everything, absolutely no emotion. Dumbledore looked at her with kind pity. Suddenly, Snape burst through the door.
"What? What's wrong?" he demanded.
"Voldemort has my parents," said Harper expressionlessly.
Snape leaned against the wall. He just couldn't believe that his sister was missing. "What are we going to do?" he asked in a cold flat voice.
"Severus, what can we do?" asked Dumbledore.
Snape flinched. His Dark Mark was burning again. "Not now!" he hissed.
"What?" asked Harper.
"Voldemort wants me," he answered.
"Go, maybe you can find something," sighed Dumbledore.
Harper watched her uncle disappear. She stood up, and began to pace around the room. She traced her fingers on the seam of the wall.
***
Snape stood before all of the free Death Eaters in a tense silence. Voldemort stared coldly at him.
"So has come your time of repentance," cooed Voldemort. Then he nodded, "Lucius." One of the hooded figures stepped out, and took Snape into the wood. The sounds of agony reached the other Death Eaters as Lucius Malfoy punished Snape for his treachery. "Crucio!" could be heard.
When they returned, Snape walked with a stoop. His greasy black hair fell over his face, and his face was smeared with blood.
"Good. Now Lucius, is you son ready?"
"Yes," said Lucius. Ready for the initiation. Voldemort recruited new Death Eaters at the age of sixteen (A/N: and if he doesn't, too bad 'cause he has to in this story!).
"Very good. Now, Severus, I have been thinking of how Skys could be of use," he paused for a dramatic effect. "Bring her here, next meeting, and we shall initiate her." He cackled evilly.
Snape thought very quickly. The best he could come up with was, "yes, master."
One by one the Death Eaters left.
***
Harper had slumped back into the overstuffed chair. Dumbledore silently contemplated her.
Suddenly, Snape was back, and he looked disheveled. The blood was now a crusted hue between rust and black. He shoved himself into a chair and grunted.
"Severus, what-" Harper began
"Forgiveness," he sneered. "He forgave me. Dumbledore, Albus," said Snape. He looked at Harper. "Albus, he…he wants her to join."
"What? Severus," began Dumbledore, but he couldn't go on.
Join what? Wondered Harper. And who was 'he'?
"We have to. What choice to we have?" asked Snape.
"I don't know. Fine," sighed Dumbledore. "Look after her."
"Okay." Snape had been hoping Dumbledore would forbid it.
"What?" demanded Harper.
"You're going to become a Death Eater," said Snape. He stared at the high-carpeted floor.