Tonks woke up the next morning feeling more alone than she ever had in her life. When Lucius finally allowed her to leave, she half hoped that Severus would knock on her bedroom door, like he had so many times in the past. Tonks had stayed up very late, curled up on her bed, waiting, seeing if he would show up.
She didn't know why she didn't just floo over to Hogwarts. She knew he would have welcomed her there. Maybe she was too ashamed, having let Lucius have her the way he did. Tonks rose out of bed slowly. She hadn't taken any healing potions last night and was now regretting it. She went to her full-length mirror and looked at herself. The front of her thighs were bruised. Her face was worse, a red welt where he kept slapping her across her face and a black eye.
She scrunched her nose, planning to morph away the marks on her face. Her skin started tightening. "Damnit!" she cried. It was too painful to morph right now. Best to wait a while and hope that it was less painful later.
There was knock on her door. "Tonks?" she heard Remus' voice ask urgently, "Are you okay? Why did you just scream?"
Tonks groaned inwardly. This was the last thing she needed. She went to the door, opened it and stuck her head out. Remus gasped when he saw her face. "Tonks…"
"I'm fine Remus," she interrupted. "Really. I took an extra guarding shift last night, and things went a little out of control."
She could tell he didn't believe her. "Thank you for being concerned, Remus. I'm going to take some potions, and I'll be much better."
"I'll always be concerned about you, Tonks. Even if we can't be, well, you know."
"Thank you," she said smiling, as she closed the door.
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That evening, she met with Severus and Lucius at the Poison Arrow. Tonks was able to heal her face, but the bruises on her thighs were being stubborn. She was just hoping that there would not have to be a round two tonight.
Tonks didn't even try to pretend that she was delighted to see Malfoy this evening. She just hoped that she would get the test over with tonight and be branded with the Dark Mark. Then maybe she wouldn't have to sleep with Malfoy anymore.
Right away, Tonks could tell that her actions were wrong. Malfoy looked even more excited to see her when he realized that she didn't want to be near him. He sat very close to her, and kept rubbing her knee. When he stroked her bruised thigh, she winced in pain and that excited him even more.
She kept trying to catch Severus' eyes, hoping he could somehow help her. But he refused to look right at her. "Let's start, shall we?" Lucius said.
"What shall I do to prove my loyalty?" Tonks smiled.
Malfoy laughed softly. "Snape here wanted to go easy on you. He said we should have you perform the Cruciatus Curse on a muggle," he smiled at her, "I think Severus might be developing a soft spot for you, Celeste," he said as he stroked her thigh, making her wince yet again.
Severus took a big sip of his fire whiskey and looked away. "But I thought, why only one Unforgivable Curse, when all three would be so much more entertaining?" Lucius said.
Tonks almost started choking. "You want me to kill, tonight?" she stuttered.
"Yes," Lucius said, smirking.
Tonks paused. She had never killed anyone in her life. She always knew there could be a time where she would have to, but she wasn't ready tonight!
"You did say you were willing to kill to please the Dark Lord, didn't you, my dear?"
Tonks took a deep breath. She couldn't back out now. "I will do whatever it takes to become the Dark Lord's servant," she said much more bravely then she felt.
"Good. Let's go into London."
They all stood up and walked out of the bar. They stood in front of the blackened brick wall that separated Knockturn Alley from London. Malfoy took out his wand and started tapping the bricks. After six taps, the bricks moved to form the doorway.
As they stepped onto the London street, Tonks saw no joy in the city she loved so much. Lucius gripped her hand tightly and whispered in her ear, "We might join you in the fun tonight." They walked for a few minutes and reached a park with not many streetlights. Tonks looked around and saw there were figures lying on the benches, sleeping. This must be a popular place for the homeless.
Tonks stood underneath a tree while Lucius and Severus went to a bench. She could see Severus point his wand at the homeless man, and whisper, "Silencio." The man didn't put up much of a struggle as they brought him over. Tonks noticed there was an empty bottle of liquor near his bench.
"And now for the evening's entertainment," Lucius said, grinning slyly.
"What spell would you like me to do first?" she whispered.
"Let's start off with a bang," Lucius started.
Severus interrupted him. "Celeste, do all three spells on this man."
"That's no fun Snape," Lucius whined.
"We don't want to be noticed," Severus said sternly.
Lucius waved his hand, consenting. "Fine. Start with the Imperius Curse, Celeste."
Tonks took a good look at the man that she was going to kill. He looked about fifty years old, and was wearing a long gray trench coat. His hair was gray, long and stringy, like it hadn't been washed in quite a long time. He kept opening his mouth, trying to speak, but no words would come out because of the spell Severus had placed on him.
She pointed her wand directly at the man and said, "Imperio." She watched in horror as the man's eyes glazed over. Tonks had complete control over this man and she never felt more powerless in her life.
Lucius started laughing. "Have him kill another one of these vagrants,"
"Are you mad?" Severus hissed, "We can't be noticed!"
Lucius left the man's side and took Tonks in his arms. "You would love to have him kill someone, wouldn't you?" he said seductively.
"Severus, please step aside," Tonks said, more confidently than she felt. Severus stepped behind Tonks, leaving her staring at the old man.
"Do a black flip." The man complied.
"That's no fun," Lucius whined.
"This is my curse, Lucius. I shall have him do what I want," Tonks growled at him. Malfoy looked at her with a raised eyebrow.
"Climb that tree," she said, pointing to a tree next to him. She felt awful, knowing the poor man had absolutely no dignity right now. She watched as he climbed the tree with a bit of difficulty. He ended sitting on a branch low to the ground.
"Jump down onto the ground," she commanded. He obeyed and fell as he landed on the ground. Tonks could tell he was in pain. She wanted to end this quickly.
Again she pointed her wand at the old man and said, "Crucio!" Almost at once the man was flat on his back, twitching violently. His mouth was opened wide, screaming silently. Tonks looked at him, helpless. She knew she had the power to end his pain. After another minute, she waved her wand and the twitching stopped.
Slowly, she went to the old man and kneeled next to him. She waved her wand at his throat, canceling the spell Severus had placed. The man did not speak. "What is your name, sir?" Tonks asked quietly enough so Severus and Lucius could not hear her.
"David Watson, miss," his voice was rough and scratchy.
"David, I will always remember you," she said with tears in her eyes.
"It's good to be important to someone, miss. It is."
"Goodbye, David." Tonks stood up and faced the old man. He smiled warmly at her, like they were close friends.
For the last time, she pointed her wand at the old man. Tonks took all her anger, all her frustrations and put them into the next words she said. "Avada Kedarva!" The green light looked surprisingly beautiful in the moonlight. David Watson fell over, dead. His eyes were open. Tonks had to look away.
"See dear, that wasn't so bad," Lucius said, nuzzling her neck. Tonks stood there, motionless.
"We need to leave now," Severus said and started walking.
"Wait! Aren't you forgetting something, Snape?" Lucius cried.
"Go ahead," Severus said.
"This is my favorite part after the killing," Lucius whispered in her ear.
"Morsmorde!" Luciu cried. From the tip of his wand, green smoke billowed. The smoke started glistening, and as it rose, Tonks could make out the Dark Mark.
"Let's apparate to The Poison Arrow now," Severus said urgently.
With a loud crack, they all disappeared. Regrouping in front of the bar, they waited. "Wait for it," Lucius whispered.
Tonks looked up and could see the Dark Mark in the sky. People in the alley saw it too, and started cheering. However, down the road, in Diagon Alley, she could hear screams.
"I think you passed your test with flying colors, my dear. Only one thing to do now. Let's go up to my apartment," Lucius said.
Tonks knew she was about to be branded with the Dark Mark. She had always assumed she would have that done in a meeting, in front of the other Death Eaters. She was almost relieved that it would only be in front of Lucius and Severus.
The group walked to Lucius' apartment. As the approached, Lucius stopped in his tracks. "Shit, Narcissa's there. I didn't leave a light on when I left."
Lucius dropped her hand, "Dear, you'll have to leave with Severus tonight. Make it look good."
"Of course," Tonks replied.
Lucius went to the door and whispered a password. The door opened and yes indeed, Narcissa was there. She did not look pleased that Tonks was there at all. The tension in the room was almost unbearable.
"You have company, Lucius? I was hoping to find you on your own," Narcissa said.
Lucius walked over and kissed her. "They won't be staying long, darling. Celeste here has just proven her loyalty to the Dark Lord. She's about to receive the Dark Mark."
Narcissa looked at Tonks as if she was filth. "Congratulations."
"Thank you," Tonks replied.
"Severus, why don't you have the honor?" Lucius said.
Severus nodded. "Hold out your left arm, Celeste." Tonks obeyed. She knew she had to show no pain, especially in front of Narcissa. She rolled up the sleeve of her robe, leaving her forearm bare.
Severus pointed his wand at her arm and whispered, "Morsmorde."
Tonks flinched, but that didn't reveal nearly how much pain she was in. Inside, she was reeling. It was almost as bad as the Cruciatus Curse. She watched as her arm slowly began to show the Dark Mark. After about two almost unbearable minutes, the pain started to fade. She now had the Dark Mark.
Tonks ran her fingers over the mark. She desperately wanted to be out of the Malfoys' presence. Lucius looked her straight in the eye, approvingly and said, "Good show, Celeste."
"Celeste, we should really be leaving," Severus said.
"Yes, let's go."
"Your place, or mine?" he asked casually.
Oh thank Merlin, Tonks thought. He knew she needed to be near him tonight! "Mine," she said looking right at him.
She quickly said good night to Narcissa and Malfoy. She and Severus both apparated at the same time. As she saw Malfoy's apartment disappear, she prayed that Severus would be there when she reached her room.