Well.Wow! I'm so happy ppl reviewed! Only two people reviewed for the last ch. But I don't care. I'll put thankx and stuff in the next chappie. Please review some more!

*Chapter Three: The Becoming*

The next two days seemed to pass in rapid timing. One o'clock Sunday, Draco sat on his bed cramming all the knowledge he could possibly get into his head. All of his schoolbooks lay scattered across his mattress.

"Banishing Charm.that might be useful," Draco pointed his wand at the closed book next to him.

"Attio!" The book flew across they room and hit a mirror, which gave a little scream (talking mirrors were so annoying). Draco threw his arms over his face as bits of glass toppled down on to his bed.

"Shit! That's seven years of bad luck.like I need THAT now," he brushed some glass bits off his lap.

"Reparo!" The glass was suddenly sucked back into the frame and you couldn't even tell that it had been broken.

"Good, wouldn't want to pay for that," he said returning to his books. For some reason he seemed to be in a better mood at the moment. Probably, with all the reading he was doing right now, it's was helping him take his mind off things. Especially things that had to do with Voldemort.

"Avis? I'm not going to need that one, that's for sure."

Unexpectedly, Draco started having a lot of fun learning about all these different curses and spells.

I should do this more often, he thought, though.not with the whole Death Eater thing coming up.

He got to the part of the book where it talked about the Unforgivable curses. Draco's fun stopped abruptly and he glared down at the book, a hint of fear in his eyes. It had brought him back to the reality of what was happening tonight. The past few days his was just kept putting it off like it was some kind of bad dream.well, dreams can come true, but he didn't want this one to.

He traced a shaky finger over the word 'Crucio' written on the paper. In that form it seemed so innocent, just another word, like all the others in the volume. Draco clenched his fist and could feel his nails digging into his palms.

If I see one more person do that to somebody.I'll kill them with my own bare hands, he thought to himself, slowly and painfully.

Draco suddenly became very scared of what would happen tonight. There was just no way he could be ready in time. What if he had to go up against a dragon or a hippogriff? He was still scared of them since the incident in third year. What if he was forced to go up against Voldemort himself? He probably wouldn't be able to handle that. He was still only sixteen. To go against a full-grown wizard? That would be mad.

Feeling he couldn't cram anymore into his head even if he tried, Draco shoved all the books off his bed a lied down. As he pulled the soft black duvet over him he looked passed the bedpost and out the window. The sky was turning dark and filled with clouds.

It's going to rain, he thought, just what I need to put a damper on my spirits.

Draco threw his arm over his face and closed his eyes. It was so relaxing, alone in his room. All his troubles seemed to melt away as he listened to the steady drips of water that had now started falling onto the window. Feeling suddenly tired, Draco let sleep take over and dissolved into blackness.



When he awoke, Draco felt an uneasy silence in the air. Something didn't seem to be right. His insides started turning and twisting within each other. Making tight knots. He looked around to the tiny clock on his nightstand. The face was black with red vines creeping up the sides and the hands were green snakes. They were bewitched to look alive and they slithered and turned as they moved across the numbers. A short fat snake, the hour snake, was resting on the eleven. Draco's stomach fell; they would probably be leaving any second. Though, the graveyard that the Meeting would be taking place wasn't to far away, Draco couldn't Apparate and had no faster way to get there than the family carriage.

There was a sharp knock at the door that Draco recognized as his father's. He sighed and heaved himself out of bed, almost tripping on his copy of 'Great Hexes and How to Use Them'. Slowly and dramatically he headed toward the door and grabbed the handle. He turned it and opened to the menacing face of his father. Lucius smirked down at his son with great interest.

"We'll be leaving soon," he said and, as he looked over to the window, added, "I suggest that you bring an extra cloak."

"Yes," Draco answered through clenched teeth. He started to close the door but Lucius held a hand out and stopped him. Staring down with cold gray eyes. Always he was staring at him like that. No love, no affection. Other than that Draco often called him father, you would never guess the two were related. Draco constantly found himself asking what he had done to deserve this. He didn't have any real friends. Nobody who he could really care about, nobody who cared for him. He had no a real family, outside of his sister. But she was getting just the same. And soon she would rot, as Draco had. And become cold and bitter. Snapping insults like snake venom at enemies. With no care but for power and to have others fear them. And after long times at thinking what he had done, Draco had finally came to the conclusion in the pass day that he had deserved it. He had never once showed any care for another person. Adrienne was an exception. She could make almost any one change. Go from bad to good, miserable to content. He deserved all he got. Deserved everyone to hate him and think him just some other rich snob with no feelings, who was cruel and unbreakable. Because he put out like he DIDN'T have any feelings. Always tucking them away inside and not letting them come out, so no one could see them. Feelings made you weak. And if you were weak, you didn't survive, that was something his father had taught him. And soon he'd be learning another thing from his father. He never learned anything useful from Lucius, never learned anything that could do good for the world. Soon he would be learning to Death Eater, would learn how to take a little power and turn it into something that made people shiver, something that could give you whatever you wanted.

"You'd better straighten yourself out, Draco. Shape up.the time has come for you to start following in my footsteps and I will NOT have you fail me again as you have done before. I will not be embarrassed by your weakness. Tonight is your last chance to prove yourself to me. You don't even want to imagine what will happen if you don't," he sneered and turned around, disappearing down the stairs. Draco shut the door and proceeded to his wardrobe and opened it, pulling out a long black cloak. His Meeting cloak. On the upper left side was a small patch of silver. The image of a skull with a long serpent protruding from it's gaping jaws. It seemed alive in the dim light of the fire. Quickly he threw it over himself and fastened the clasped, which were magical silver snakes that opened their mouths and clamped them onto each other to hold the cloak closed. Picking up a brush he carefully moved it throw his hair though it didn't need it. It was already soft and in place falling to the sides of his face with some strands in front of his eyes.

He walked up to the mirror on the far left wall. Looking at himself he notice how pale he looked against the black. That's how he always looked. The only two colors he ever wore were black and dark velvety green. He looked at his eyes, which were wide with fear. They looked like exact duplicates of a full moon. Silver gray and shining with light, which was rare for him.

He noticed that the image of himself was shaking. And uncontrollable shaking. Moving his whole body.

"It's just because it's so cold," he convinced himself, although he new the real reason where the trembling was coming. Apprehension. Complete and utter fear. He had never felt this scared in his entire life. He was never this scared when he was in the forest, before a test, or the many times that his father had tortured him and beat him for not living up to his standards. He was truly honestly scared. He looked over at the clock again. The snakes seemed to be quickening. Getting faster to his destination of twelve o'clock. It was already 11:30. Time to leave. He dragged himself toward his door, out of his room, and down two flights of stairs. He entered a high ceiling family room and saw his father sitting in a huge chair by the fire. Lucius looked up at him with slight amusement.

"Well, well, well, you seem to be ready. Are you?" Draco quickly put his hand in his robes to make sure he hadn't forgotten his wand, which would be the worst thing to do. If he forgot it. how stupid would he feel then?

"Y-yes," he said, his eyes flickering on Lucius and then moving to the smooth tiled floor.

"Then we'll be leaving.now," Lucius got up and walked past Draco, leaving him in the room. The tile wasn't very interesting, the green and black moved like a small whirlwind in the firelight. He stood there for a few minutes.

"Well, are you coming or not?" Lucius snapped to Draco's turned back. He sighed heavily and faced his father.

"Yeah, let's go," he replied solemnly. Draco's father waited for him by the large oak front doors and headed out side. Gradually, Draco fallowed. Stepping out onto the porch he twisted his head upward. Dark masses of clouds covered the sky, blocking the moon. Sheets of rain fell down, soaking the environment that was surrounding him. As he headed down the steps a bolt of lightening stretched across the sky, illuminating the courtyard making the round black carriage visible.

Draco followed his father into the shiny black stagecoach. Where he sat down thankful to be out of the rain. Although, he'd be back out there soon enough. And for a long time too. Exactly how long would the Meeting be? It would probably depend on him.

He sat across from his father. Hands crossed in his lap, shaking.

"It's just because it's cold," he whispered to himself again. His father looked up inquiring.

"What was that?" he asked, raising his eyebrows. Draco tried to stop the shuddering but couldn't.

"Father, is this. am I going to be. safe?" the second the words were out of his mouth Draco had wished he hadn't said them. His father's only reaction, however, was laughter. Deep ringing laughter. It seemed to make the whole carriage quiver with its intensity. Draco couldn't see what had been so funny. He was rather scared. And that was something to joke about. But, in his father's eyes it must have been.

"What? What's funny?" Draco said, irritation showing in his eyes. His father stopped and looked at him.

"You are. I had forgotten how humorous you can be at times," Draco stared at his father in shock. Then, sitting back in his chair, he crossed his arms and stuck out his lower lip, pouting. Nothing seemed to be going his way lately.

Abruptly, the carriage came to a halt. Slowly, Draco emerged from it to face a large iron gate. The hinges were rusted. It seemed as if no one had been there for years. Vines were twining in and out from the bars and it didn't look too welcoming. Lucius stepped in front of Draco and pulled out his wand.

"Selite," he said, and the door swung open emitting long creaking sounds. A chill ran through Draco's body as he stepped into the cemetery. Lucius turned to him, his cloak rustling in the breeze, rain falling on the top of his head and shoulders.

"There are wards and protections spells all over this place. So that nobody uninvited can get in.or see us for that matter," he said, slipping his wand back in his pocket and patting it with his hand.

Draco nodded once and started heading over to the other side of the cemetery where he could see a mass of black figures all circled around one. Voldemort. He always wanted to be the center of things.

A hush fell over the Death Eaters as Voldemort turned to acknowledge Draco and Lucius. Draco could feel all eyes on him as he stared down at a puddle by his feet. Voldemort came over to them and rested his and on Draco's shoulder. He shuddered under the Dark Lord's touch. It was cold. Unwelcoming.

"I see our guest of honor has arrived," Voldemort said, looking down at him. He said 'guest of honor' with an emphasis that Draco couldn't decipher.

Draco was lead into the middle of the circle now. He felt like he was being presented on some type of plaque. A trophy.

"We are all here today to honor young Mr. Malfoy here with The Becoming." Voldemort was quickly cut off.

"'The Becoming'? Isn't that a little cliché? One can only guess why it's named that. I'm 'Becoming' a Death Eater," Draco said. He always tried to be sarcastic when he was nervous. It seemed to calm him.

The crowd fell silent again and it appeared that some were stifling laughter. Either because of his cheek.or his foolishness, Draco wasn't sure. Voldemort turned to him, his red eyes flashed with amusement.

"So, you want to be funny? I assure you it won't help," he said. Draco felt his courage starting to build. He looked up at Voldemort.

"I'm not trying to be funny, that's just the way I am. Sardonic and in your face." he said, crossing his arms. He looked down at his watch. 11:59. They'd better get a move on. He took a deep struggled breath. If you didn't show weakness, you'd pass the test. Draco was sure he wanted to become a Death Eater now. To push all what had happened in the passed few days further into the back of his mind. Eventually hey would just go away and he'd be able to continue his life as normal as it had always been. Well, if you'd like to call that normal.

"I think it's time we get started, don't you?" he asked, as his watch clicked to midnight. Voldemort squinted his eyes in Draco's direction. He put his hand up to his face and tapped the bridge of his nose with his index finger. He pulled it down into a loose fist.

"Yes. It is," he said. The surrounding Death Eaters were talking amongst themselves in whispered voices.

"To become a Death Eater can be a complicated thing," he said, which caused the group to fall silent. "You have to be willing to give yourself up entirely to me. If you betray me, there will be a heavy price. If you serve me well, you will be rewarded with wealth and power. You see, the Wizard world of this time have been blinded when it comes to Muggles.

"Somewhat like they say with beauty, power is in the eye of the beholder. And if that beholder doesn't know how to use it properly, then it will go to was-" Voldemort's short speech was cut off but a loud splitting sound filling the air. Everyone turned to it to see a tree branch being struck by lightning and crashing to the ground. Draco became aware of his surrounding again and found himself soaked. His silvery hair matted to his forehead. Water dripping from his lashes. He suddenly realized how cold he was and wished he had listened to his father when he said to bring an extra cloak.

The tree branch burst into flames, igniting the bushes around it. Voldemort turned back to Draco.

"Ah, where was I?" he asked. Draco, not wanted to listen to any more of his ranting replied, "You were just getting to the part where I take my test for strength, my Lord," he said, trying to hide a smirk. Voldemort narrowed his eyes. Draco heard the Death Eaters around him start talking again. He saw the figure he knew was his father do a double take. Voldemort squinted his eyes.

"Alright then, Mr. Malfoy. If you are so ready then we will begin. Now, I told you there were three test, did I not?" he said. Draco wiped some water off his nose and nodded. Voldemort continued.

"We'll I was only telling you part of the truth. There will be only two tests. For the strength and knowledge will be combined. And what a better way to test strength and knowledge, than with a duel?" Draco's face fell.

How did I know this was coming? He thought. Lemme guess who I'm up against.

"And who will this duel be with my lord?" Draco asked. Voldemort look down at him.

"Well, with me for starters." Draco's mouth fell open. How could he duel HIM. He knew that would happen. He was never going to make it out of this alive.

"With.with YOU my Lord?" he stammered. Voldemort smiled at his slight fear.

"Yes, shall we get started? Now this is not till the death, although, I wish it could be,"

"Okay," Draco said, holding out his wand. His arm was shaking. Half from nervousness and half from being so cold.

"Now, you know the proper way to duel I presume?" Draco nodded and bowed. He saw Voldemort dip his head slightly. As Draco returned to his standing position something large and white hit his shoulder. A spell.

"Ow, shit!" he said, he glanced over at his arm, it was bleeding. He looked up confused for Voldemort hadn't cursed Draco, it was someone else. Draco looked around. One of the Death Eaters was laughing.

"What the hell is so funny?" he asked, blindly. Another curse hit him in the stomach this time. It had been from his father.

"Oh, did I forget to mention that part," Voldemort added, sounding amused. "You'll be fighting them also..." Draco's eyes grew as wide a dinner plates. He was still clutching his abdomen.

"All of them?!" he asked, gasping for breath and staring in horror at the now armed Death Eaters. He couldn't possibly go against them. He'd get killed. Maybe they wanted that...

"Yes, all of them. What? You can't do it?" Voldemort answered. "They all had to,"

Draco looked up at him. "Yes, but.....but they weren't 16!" he said, slightly outraged.

"Are your scared?" Voldemort asked. "Because if you are we can stop now. But then, you will have to suffer the consequences. Do you know what happens to people who fail these tests?"

"I have a feeling that I don't want to," Draco said slowly. Voldemort smirked, it seemed, in a very Draco-like fashion.

"Well, since they know all our secrets, we would want them blabbing, and since memory charms can be broken, we just..." he was cut off.

"Okay, okay! I'll go on with it. Besides, we already started," and with that he pointed his wand at a surrounding Death Eater and shouted: "Attio!" and watched with success as the cloaked man flew into a headstone. Voldemort looked at him.

"Not bad..." Draco smiled at this, until he added, "For a first year,"

Draco was fuming. Then he thought of something. These people were always using bad curses on Muggles and such, but he would have bet 100 galleons that most of them had never felt it for themselves. He pointed his wand at the nearest Death Eater.

"Let's see how this feels," he said, dodging a curse that was sent his way. "Crucio," it seemed only fitting that these men should feel what they were bringing upon those poor Muggles, especially, certain young female ones as he had seen earlier.

The Death Eater, who happened to be Vincent's father (Draco mentally swore at himself and was sure that his "friend" would be furious at this action), fell to the ground and squirmed in pain. Draco smirked down at him and almost laughed. This felt good. Having so much control over another human being. He was starting to feel just like his old self and thought things weren't getting so screwed up after all.

He felt something hit his face and he was knocked backwards. His head slammed into hard granite and looked up to see a large tombstone. He gave a small gasp.

It wasn't just any tombstone. Draco thought for a moment. Why had Voldemort chosen this cemetery? The very cemetery where two of his worst enemies had been buried. Draco looked back at the engraved words.

Lily & James Potter

1960-1981

He had never really felt sorry for Potter..not until now that is. It seemed like lead had just been dropped into his stomach and he stared at the writing for a few moment before standing up again. Several Death Eaters were now approaching him. Draco suddenly felt glad that he had at least paid some attention in Transfiguration. For, within a few moments three Death Eaters lay at his feet looking suspiciously like raccoons.

Draco was starting to have fun after ten minutes had finally passed. Voldemort didn't seem to be doing much but watching from the sidelines. Several times Draco had "accidentally" directed a curse or hex at his father and knew that he would pay dearly for it later but it didn't matter. He had managed only to get hit a few more times. At the moment, it seemed a couple of the Death Eaters were getting ready to ambush him. Draco thought of the perfect curse but couldn't exactly remember how it had went. Finally, the thought came to him and he carefully aimed his wand at his attackers.

"Avis!" he said. Some of the Death Eaters stopped and Draco thought he had gotten them until he looked up and tiny white tufts were emerging from his wand.

"Shit...birds?!" he was horrified as the Death Eaters drew nearer, laughing at his folly.

"That's enough," came Voldemort's voice from behind him. The Death Eaters shrank back amongst the shadows.

"I'll let you pass this one. But, whether the next task is difficult or not, depends on you. Come with me,"

Draco stared at him. He was already finished with both of the first tasks? That seemed WAY too fast. And too easy. What would the next one be? It could quite possibly be as short but Draco was sure that it would be more challenging. Either physically...or mentally.

He wasn't sure where Voldemort was leading him. Nor did he want to know. They seemed to be taking awhile and were going rather quietly. Draco could feel the presence of the Death Eater around him. He shuddered.

Can't we just hurry with it already! He wanted to shout. It's so bloody cold out here!

Voldemort stopped suddenly, causing Draco to run into him.

"What was that for?" Draco asked, regaining his balance.

"We have a little present for you Mr. Malfoy," Voldemort hissed. Draco gave him a confused look and glanced in the direction he was pointing. There was a low green table entwined with serpents. There were torches surrounding it. Slowly, Draco made his way over to it. What would it be? What would he had to do. Was he going to sit up there and have them torture him or something. Draco didn't think he'd be able to take that if it was it.

He neared the table and, upon seeing what was lying on it, froze...