After leaving the headmaster's office, he left the castle grounds with relatively little trouble after he had shown his permission slip. He made his way to Hogsmeade and paid for a small room at the Hog's Head, a seedy and decidedly unsanitary inn that was used by some truly dodgy characters but it had the advantage that the innkeeper and patrons didn't tend to ask too many questions, which would make things easier. Once he'd secured his room, he changed into his nicer robes and the warm hooded cloak Lily had bought him before tossing his holdall onto the chair.

He had time to kill before meeting the Death Eater who would apparate him to the secret meeting place as he wouldn't be expected to know the location and had not officially got his apparition license yet although he had been reading up on the theory and was due to start getting lessons before summer.

He mooched around the streets looking absently in the shop windows and trying to keep a low profile. Normally he could pass the hours perusing the book store and local apothecary but he simply couldn't summon up any enthusiasm with the thought of what lay ahead to bother feigning much interest in shopping so he instead spent the time concentrating on occluding his mind of anything that might give him away and working on the false memories and emotions which he hoped would throw him off the scent.

Eventually, when it was time, he headed to the agreed meeting place and found a suitable spot to wait outside Glad Rags without attracting unwanted attention. He mentally snorted when he saw who was walking over to him, typical that the vain Malfoy heir would choose such a fancy upend place to meet.

The Malfoy heir quickly spotted him and made his way over walking with his usual arrogant swagger, holding himself regally as though he owned the place and holding a highly polished black cane topped by a silver serpent. He was dressed in fine green and silver trimmed robes, he had grown since he had last seen him several years previously and his smooth platinum blonde hair had grown down past his shoulders.

"Ah Severus good you made it"

"Lucius" he returned acknowledging him coolly with a respectful inclination of the head as he had taught him when going over pureblood etiquette.

He looked him over examining him with a critical eye. They hadn't seen each other in person for more than 5 years although they had corresponded by owl and he had naively confided a great deal in the older male. He nodded after a minute, seeming satisfied with what he found "you've grown Severus, such a change from the scrawny, ragged boy I remember and wearing the robes I sent you" he nodded in approval.

Severus rolled his eyes "of course it is a big day after all, and I am of age, you taught me how to make a good impression, did you not?"

He smiled at this "indeed, so you were paying attention after all. I'm glad. You made it out without any problems?" he asked.

"Of course, I told the old fool a sob story and showed him the forged letter and he blindly lapped it up, it was too easy as if I care about my pathetic muggle father when all he's ever done beat me black and blue" he sneered easily managing to bring up the anger and resentment he'd felt towards his father, that part was at least true.

"Good, so are you excited? This is the big day after all being officially initiated it's quite the honour he's affording you, most of your year mates are having to wait until summer but for you, he's made an exception, clearly he wants to utilise your talent. I must say I was surprised that he's taken such an interest in you although I have of course been speaking highly of you saying how I noticed your talent as a first-year" he boasted smoothly.

"Of course, it is what I have always wanted; no one will dare look down on me or mock me anymore. I am grateful for all you have done for me and wish to repay you for all that you have done for me by making a good impression, I won't let you down" he lied smoothly.

"No you won't, I don't invest in those who I do not think are worthy, you would do well to remember this" he replied his words hiding a veiled threat for him to live up to expectations. "Come, we'd best get going" he said before grabbing his arm and performing side-along apparition.

He just about managed to find his footing when they landed as he tried to recover from the sickening feeling of being squeezed through a narrow tube.

"Here you'd best put these on before we go in" Lucius said tossing a bundle at him, which he caught before looking down at the bundle. Staring back at him were the heavy black hooded Death Eater robes and the metallic mask staring back at him eerily. He simply stared for a minute, it was certainly creepy but also eerily beautiful in its intricate design, the name seemed more apt now, and it was easy to imagine the terror they cause dressed all the same with their faces covered by identical soulless masks.

This was it, it was really happening, he was really going to become one of those faceless monsters he thought as he shook himself into action and fumbled about shrugging the robes on over his own, and fumbling with the mask. Lucius, who was already done with his own robes came over and adjusted the mask so it was on straight and made sure the robes were smooth and unwrinkled before giving him the once over.

"Come, follow my lead" his distorted voice instructed before striding off, Severus looked up and noticed the impressive manor he was walking towards along with a group of identically dressed shadowy figures. He hurried over to follow him, holding him up would not go down well.

He followed him into the lavishly decorated manor as he strode across the hall and held open an impressive set of wooden double doors waiting for him to follow. There was no backing out now one way or another he would leave this place as a marked man. He took a last moment to prepare himself, strengthening his Occlumency shields and placing his mental mask in place and making sure the ring that would help strengthen his mental shields was still hidden before following him through the double doors.

The room was full of identically clad figures chatting in groups, a sea of black yet they parted for the newcomer as he made his way confidently up to the front of the room before addressing someone "my Lord I have brought the new initiate as you requested" he pronounced as he approached a figure seated on a throne and kneeling kissing the hem of a dark green robe made of the finest material.

"Good you have done well" a voice replied in a low menacing hiss that sounded almost snakelike, shocking him. He diverted his attention from the disgusting display of quite literal lip service up to the figure who had addressed him, the man if you could call him that who was supposedly his father. As Malfoy scurried away to join the masses, he got his first glimpse of the man. He stared transfixed at his face. It was clear he had once been handsome but there was something strange about him, his fine chiselled facial features appeared to be blurring, his nose appeared flattened with wide slits, his dark hair was receding and his eyes, well those eyes were creepy they appeared almost blood red. Overall combined with the strange voice it had the effect of making him look almost more snake-like than human.

He beckoned him with one long finger that appeared almost skeletal and it was all he could do to walk forward confidently as though he was not disgusted by what he saw.

"My Lord" he said copying Lucius and kneeling down until he was almost prostrating himself and kissed the hem of his robe, waiting for him to acknowledge him before moving.

"Ah yes the new recruit" he said and he could feel his eyes looking down at him before he turned to address the assembled crowd "brothers we are gathered here tonight to welcome another new face to our fold" the crowd broke out into raucous cheering, after allowing them a moment he held his hand up for silence "yes my brothers however tonight is a night of celebration, you see we do not just welcome anyone into our fold"

"Up" he instructed quietly enough so that only Severus could hear and he scrambled to his feet wondering what game he was playing, was he really going to announce him as his son and heir in front of the crowd he wondered as he signalled for him to remove his mask and put his cold skeletal hand on his shoulder, he resisted the urge to shiver at the touch of that horrible hand that made his skin crawl.

"For you see this young man you see before you is none other than my long lost son and heir" he announced to the astonished crowd, who immediately started muttering amongst themselves in disbelief.

He caught sight of where Malfoy stood in the crowd and could practically see his jaw hitting the floor. He wished he could see his face now, how it would astonish the regal young heir to realise that the young street urchin he had spent such time fattening up to hand to his lord was actually his master's son and heir and would probably outrank him without even lifting a finger, it was enough to make him smirk.

"Yes my loyal followers, I hear you asking how this is so and I will tell you. You see, many years ago I was engaged to the last heir of the Prince line. I thought she was a loyal wife but I was gravely mistaken for she used me and ran off betraying my trust after using me to sire a child and eloped with a filthy muggle allowing her to disappear into the muggle world without a trace. I was of course devastated when she left me and my anger with the muggles who have wronged so many of us only intensified when I learnt that she had chosen a lowly muggle over me and that my son was growing up amongst the filthy muggles in poverty with an abusive drunk of a muggle father deprived of his pureblood heritage."

There were by now many angry mutterings coming from the crowd as he wove his web of deceit and they lapped up his lies, it was so convincing it would have been easy to believe his lies. Severus stood there keeping his face a cold, neutral mask, a mix of haughty indifference as befitted his status and seething fury at the injustice of his situation it was not hard to fake the latter he felt intense anger and disgust at how he had portrayed his mother as the villain and some cheap whore.

"I vowed right then and there that I would do everything in my power to find and gain custody of my son so he could be raised as a pureblood heir should be. Unfortunately, this was not an easy task as his mother had hidden him well and I had many pressing matters to attend to" he continued sounding regretful "I at last managed to track my son down last year and contacted him to inform him of his true heritage and offer him to take his rightful place as my son and heir to my legacy, no longer will my son want for anything. Now that my son is finally of age, it is time for him to join our ranks as is only fitting for a son of mine and take his place by my side"

He then turned to Severus, fixing his cold red eyes on him "are you ready Severus to take your place as my son and heir?"

He lowered his head to him "my Lord, you do me a great honour, it is all I have ever dreamt of" the words slipped out easily.

He felt the rough tendrils up against his shields as he attempted to look into his mind, he allowed him to see the memories that would satisfy him to feel in control, to feel his anger and hate. His father abusing him and his mother neglecting him, being harassed by the marauders, groomed by Malfoy, and hexing muggleborns with his dorm mates. He felt him retreat apparently satisfied and smiled evilly "good, first to take the mark. Hold out your arm" he instructed.

He did so by rolling up his left sleeve, aware that this was where all Death Eaters were marked. The man grabbed his left forearm and started muttering some strange incantation and he had to slam his shields up and quickly resist the urge yelp or hiss out in pain or snatch back his arm, as he felt as though his arm was literally being burned. He looked up into those horrible red eyes and saw him smile cruelly as he tightened his grip, increasing the pressure and the pain.

He realised then that this was some kind of a test and he dared not fail as he hid the pain, his arm was on fire but he met his gaze calmly unwavering refusing to show even a hint of pain. It was a dangerous game he was playing getting the balance right between showing his strength and appearing defiant, but he'd rolled the dice and gambled that he wanted a strong heir.

He dared not show any sign of weakness as he ratcheted up the pressure until it felt like a death grip on his arm, tighter and tighter until he thought it was unbearable as it felt like it burned right through him. Only at the end when he released his grip on him apparently satisfied did he allow his gaze to drop, bowing his head submissively, sinking to one knee.

He grinned evily "good, you have done well I will be expecting great things from you Severus"

"I live to serve my Lord" he replied and kept his head bowed and not daring to look at where he'd been marked.

He reached out his arm before pulling him up roughly and raising his arm for the assembled crowd to see "behold my son Severus last descendant and heir of the noble line of Salazar Slytherin. Do you accept the title bestowed upon you and with it your place as heir to my legacy and vow to continue my noble work cleansing the wizarding world of the unpure?" he asked red eyes boring into him.

He ignored his own feelings of revulsion at the implication of those words that he was signing himself up to, he had a part to play as an actor and that meant saying the right thing and playing the part that was expected of him, his own beliefs mattered not in this place. "I am honoured to accept my position as your heir my Lord. It will be a privilege to continue your noble work" even as a new recruit he knew better than to dare refer to the man as his father without permission

The snake-like man grinned evilly before presenting him with a ring engraved with a snake and a skull, which he supposed was the equivalent of an heir's ring.

"Severus last true heir of the noble house of Slytherin may your blood run forever pure and cleanse this world of the filth and those unworthy to wield magic"

The crowd erupted into raucous cheering and celebration at this ceremony, his pledge of allegiance and acceptance of him as Voldermort's heir before he dismissed the rest of his followers who one by one prostrated themselves in front of them before pledging their allegiance to him as well as Voldemort. He instructed Lucius to wait for him outside before turning to him "come we have much to discuss" he told him, before turning to a hidden door.

It was late by the time he emerged, his head still reeling from everything he had been told, he wanted nothing more than to collapse into his bed at the Hog's Head, but alas he still had to deal with Lucius who was put out at having apparently been usurped as the Dark Lord's right-hand man.

"So Severus Snape is the son of the Dark Lord, that was quite the surprise you sprung on us, how long were you planning on keeping that little secret from us?" he asked angrily.

He strode on ahead replying angrily "I only found out last summer, it was as much a shock for me to learn of my true parentage as it was for all of you, besides he instructed me not to tell anyone" he left the older man to his seething as he ripped off his Death Eater robes and mask and shrunk them so they would fit in his pocket.

One rough apparition later, after they had sufficiently recovered, he smirked as a thought occurred to him "it appears you do have quite the eye for young talent after all, did I provide a sufficient return on the investment?" he teased him.

The older male eyed him critically with an air of annoyance "quite the Slytherin aren't we?"

He quickly gauged the older male, he was vain like a peacock and ambitious. His pride had been severely wounded and his ego bruised tonight. Fortunately, that was easy to fix Malfoy was not the only one who knew a thing about buttering people up and he sensed now was the time to stroke his ego and play to his vanity.

"I learn from the best Lucius, come now our Lord is most pleased with you teaching his heir, inducting me and preparing me to be introduced into pureblood society. Regardless of my new position, I am indebted to you, I would not be where I am today without your support, our Lord knows that and he will remember it and reward you"

"Yes, well I suppose that is true, I would have hated for you to have disgraced yourself at your first meeting given your position as his heir" he puffed out before sneering "goodnight Severus" he addressed him politely with a slight bow before turning on his heel and disparating with a crack.

He walked into the room he'd reserved, flinging the Death Eater robes and mask off into the far corner, wanting to get them as far away from him as possible so he wouldn't have to look at the ugly things, his own robes soon followed. He felt filthy wearing them and wished for a shower to scrub all the guilt away, unfortunately, places such as this weren't big on hygiene and all the scrubbing in the world would not make him feel clean so long as he had that shameful mark on him.

He allowed himself to collapse back onto the bed, it had been a long draining evening he thought finally allowing himself to look down at his arm.

He grimaced at the lingering burning pain and red inflamed skin that surrounded the ugly black mark as he examined the mark that was now forever burned in branding him, for now and forever, more as Voldemort's property.

It was an ugly thing designed to instil fear, an image of a snake winding its way through the mouth and eye of a skull. It almost seemed to be alive, he thought writhing and restless, itching his skin as though it were a living thing burrowing its way under his skin and into his blood he thought shuddering.

He summoned the jar of healing salve he'd packed and lamented the loss of his perfectly smooth unmarked skin and all it represented as he started rubbing it in sighing as he felt it start to work. No longer was he a free man who would be able to roll up his sleeves without fear of being judged, hated or thrown into Azkaban.

To think people actually were queuing up eager, wanting to be branded like cattle to wear this ugly mark with pride, his own housemates included he thought so eager to sign their lives over to another man.

He sneered at the thought that they would all want to see his own mark when he returned tomorrow wanting him to parade it for them so they could gawk and marvel at it, ironic that this was by far the most attention he'd got from his housemates in almost 6 years. To think up until last year he'd been like them young and eager, naive enough to consider signing his soul over to the devil incarnate willingly, what a fool he'd been.

The one good thing was he didn't think the vow that he'd recited pledging his loyalty and to continue his father's work had been in any way binding, at least he hoped not. He'd already sworn an oath to Dumbledore, pledging his loyalty that one was binding. It had been explained to him that it was a special kind of oath, it was not unbreakable as such and would not necessarily interfere with any oath he was made to swear to Voldemort but it could not be broken without both parties mutually agreeing to cancel it.

This meant that it would not prevent him from doing anything he was asked to do as a Death Eater but it would still act as a reminder tugging at him kind of like a guilty conscience to remind him of his other oath and his true loyalties and it would hopefully override any obligation to continue his work if he was forced to become the head of the Death Eaters at some point.

Sleep wouldn't come easy to him tonight perhaps not any night, he thought, still he wouldn't be expected to get back to the castle before tomorrow evening as he'd been supposedly visiting family. He would not be rushing back so his housemates could gawk at his arm and answer their myriad questions, just this once he was tempted just to recuperate in bed.

After a sleepless night, he finally forced himself up when the winter sun streamed in through the window. He decided to search for a bathroom of some sort to wash before ordering a late breakfast he settled in to do the one job that needed doing. He opened his journal and activated it reading her last message to him.

Sev, I hope you're ok, good luck for tonight. I know if anyone can pull this off it's you but still, I hope everything goes well. Please send me a message when you can to let me know how things have gone. Love Lily

Lilly, thank you for your message and your concern. I am fine, exhausted and my arm feels like it's on fire but overall I am as well as can be expected considering. Everything went well and as planned as far as I can tell. He announced me as his heir and fed them all lies about how my mother was unfaithful and betrayed him by running away and hiding with me, I wish I could have seen Malfoy's face.

The man is a ******* and scary as hell, I swear he looks and speaks more like a snake than a man. He branded me and made me swear my allegiance, it was some kind of test I'm sure to check for any sign of weakness, he kept gripping my arm tighter and tighter till the burning was almost unbearable but I refused to break and show any sign of pain. To think people are willing to sign up to be branded like cattle, the mind boggles.

He has also told me of his plans for me. I am to spend the summer with him being 'trained to be a worthy heir'. Somehow I don't think it's going to be etticate lessons so much as being moulded and indoctrinated to be the perfect little clone, testing me some more and teaching me more dark curses and unforgiveables, how to kill without mercy that sort of thing. It's going to be a long summer, the one positive is that at least I don't have to rush back to be gawked at by my housemates.