Turning Lucius
Greta Jameson
3: Pity Him Not For His Fear
"We got a little sidetracked this morning Lucius," Tony began. "Can we just quickly go back and talk about those first few days."
"Sure. As I said, I dined with him and Marcellus in his rooms. It was the first of many private meals that we shared during those first weeks."
"Was that amount of attention usually lavished on new recruits?"
"No, I don't think so. I believe that He spent a lot of time with me because of my knowledge of . . . no, my interpretations of early writings. During dinner, he hardly spoke to Marcellus at all, but he questioned me relentlessly about my understanding of early magical theory."
"Why do you think he was so interested in your . . . interpretations?"
"Oh, undoubtedly to increase his own power. That's what underlies every one of his actions and choices. Even back then."
"Thanks. Now, did anything else noteworthy happen in the first days?"
"Not that I can think of, no."
"Then let's discuss incorporation? It wasn't always part of community practices was it?"
"No, it wasn't," Lucius answered quietly. "Sebastian Snape acquired an old tablet copied from the Nineveh library that described incorporation in the early 1980s. After a great deal of debate about the merits and dangers of the practice, Voldemort attempted to incorporate Snape - and it worked perfectly. He acquired Snape's gifts and could share his power, but unlike an ordinary merge, it was permanent. Eventually, Voldemort incorporated some others in the group - Marcellus and a few of his advisors.
"I see. So, when did it become commonplace?"
"I think it was after the first raid that he decided to implement it universally. He was still grieving for his wife who was injured in the raid and felt that if he had incorporated her, he would have been able to save her. So, one by one, he began incorporating all of us until he contained multitudes and became incredibly powerful in the process."
"Thanks. It seems to be a very painful process. We are always trying to understand why young novices volunteer for it, as if it were some great honor."
"Because it is, that's why. And actually the marking is excruciating, but the incorporation isn't painful at all. In fact it's quite nice - really," Lucius said with a small shudder.
"You said it was an honor. What did you mean by that?"
"Well, first off, he has decided that you have a gift or skill that he either desires, or wants more of - that's very flattering, especially to a young person. Second, he has deemed you teachable, and is willing to work with you to help you improve. Third, one not only joins Him, one also joins a large community of interdependent magical beings. And lastly, he lives well, and makes sure that all members of his community are well taken care of. That was, of course, less of a motivator for me than for most others."
"When did you first hear about it?"
"Let's see . . . I had been there for at least two or three weeks. I was talking to Marcellus one afternoon, and he touched his left forearm and said that the Master was calling for him. Later that evening, I asked him about it, and he showed me his mark. I have to admit, I was repulsed at first, not only by the design, but also by the very concept, and I told him so. He chuckled, and said, yes, he had once felt the same way. But, he explained, that the mark binds one to Him, and allows one share his knowledge and power. Marcellus told me, 'He really wants you to stay, Lucius. Think of what you could learn!' I thought about it for a week or two longer, and then decided to take the mark.
"Was there an event that convinced you?"
"No. I just thought about how much I had in Druben - the books, the camaraderie with an international community of scholars, and mentorship of Marcellus and Voldemort. Then I compared it to what little awaited me on the outside."
"I see. And Voldemort's reaction to your decision was what?"
"He was ecstatic! He embraced me, and announced my decision at court that evening. Everyone cheered, and congratulated me."
"We know a bit about the marking. Just tell us briefly about that."
"First one is bled. One's mentor - in my case it was Marcellus - slashed the palm of one's right hand with a large glass knife."
"A glass knife?"
"Volcanic glass - probably obsidian given its dark color. And a large amount of blood is collected in a silver bowl. Then Marcellus branded my forearm as you see here," Lucius said unfastening his cufflink and rolling up his sleeve. "Wait, that's not right."
"What?"
"Look at the swelling, and the dark color. I've seen it like this before, certainly. But its usually, quite painful when it looks like this. I can't feel anything at all, right now."
"Well, that should be good news, no? It not hurting at all," Tony said as he drew his cloak more closely about him, even though it wasn't particularly cold. "Does someone hold you, to help you bear the pain?"
"Not allowed. The novice stands alone, and they expect you to watch as well, which was the worst part for me. Watching my own palm being sliced and the piercing cold of the knife - it was awful."
"Was Voldemort there?" Jim asked as he knocked over the ink in front of him. "Oh, terribly sorry, please continue" he said magically clearing the table.
"Yes. He stood only a few feet away, and observed everything closely, without saying a word."
As Lucius spoke Jim unfolded the small piece of parchment that Tony had passed him and read: 'Get Snape - Now!'
"Oh! You know, I'm supposed to meet with Dumbledore in a few minutes. I really must be going."
"Right," Tony said as he continued, "Lucius, what's the purpose of the marking and bleeding?"
"You know, its odd you should ask about it that way. Over the years, I've come to believe that it has no purpose. It's simply done to test the mettle of the new recruits. To see just how much they are willing to go through for Him. All of the magic seems to go on in the incorporation part of the ceremony, which takes place a week or so after marking."
"And what happens to the blood?"
"I don't know. Voldemort carries it off somewhere . . . Ohhh! The mark - it's starting to ache now."
"I'm sorry to hear that. We'll finish up soon. Tell me, do they do anything to care for the wounds?"
"The hand is bandaged up straight away. But the arm is made icy cold and then covered with some sort of powder that feels a bit like sand. Then a thick layer of salve is placed on top of that . . . Ohh! Its getting quite bad now," he said clenching his fist to try to control the pain. "Then the arm is wrapped. Marcellus inspected the dressing every morning and every evening. He also checked my skin and eyes carefully, and I was given a potion to lessen the pain. Again, I've come to suspect that the potion is more than an analgesic."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it might somehow help prepare the novice for incorporation."
"How?"
"Ugh . . .I don't know. I was very tired for the entire time between marking and incorporation. I didn't move around much at all."
"Now, what happens during the actual incorporation?"
"Well in those days, there was a big ceremony full of sound and fury. In more recent years, He has abandoned the pageantry and simply shares the wine and lays his hands on . . .Ohhh, I really can't continue," he hissed and leaned forward on the table.
"Please, just try to finish. Then we'll see about getting you something for the pain."
Lucius sat bolt upright and stared back at him with wide eyes.
"Is everything alright?" Tony asked calmly, even though he knew terror when he saw it.
"Master, please help me. . ." Lucius whispered.
Beneath his cloak, Tony firmly grasped his wand in his right hand, just in case.
Snape pushed open the door to the cell, and Lucius screamed and flew to the far corner.
"Lucius, you're safe. We're here to help you,"
Lucius only stared back at him as he drew his arms to the center of his body.
"There's no telling what he's seeing now," Snape whispered to Tony who now stood by his side.
Snape knocked twice on the door and Jim came back in the room. But before the door shut, Lucius rushed forward, trying to escape. Snape grabbed him and tried to wrestle him to the ground. "I could use a little help here!" he called and both aurors joined him in pinning Lucius to the floor.
"He's a strong one!" Jim remarked.
"He thinks he's fighting for his life."
"One, two, three and over to the bed," Snape said over Lucius' guttural screams. And with some difficulty they tied him tightly to the metal frame cot, as he began to cry, "Please, don't . . . I don't want to die this way . . . I'll do anything you say!"
"Shhh . . .we're not going to hurt you Lucius. We're friends. I'm going to give you something to make the pain go away," Snape said reassuringly as he pulled out a potion vial.
"No, please!"
"If you drink this, we'll see about letting you go."
Lucius looked for a long time at Snape. "You, I trust. But I still don't like them," he whispered as he suspiciously eyed the aurors.
"Well they only do what I tell them to do," Snape whispered as if sharing a secret.
"Really? Those things are under your command?"
"Yes. Here, have some of this," he said as he placed the vial to Lucius' lips. "That's right. Now, you need to get some rest. We'll talk again later."
Snape sighed as Lucius drifted off, and turned to the aurors and said, "He'll need another dose in about four to six hours.
"How long will he be out of his head like this?" Jim asked looking from Tony to Snape.
"Two, maybe three days," Tony replied. "That's how long Severus was out for, if I remember correctly."
Snape nodded and said, "I'll sit with him midnight to six, but am going back to the school now. Call me if you need me."
Jim shut and locked the door behind him and said, "He was so terrified when we came in . . . I almost feel sorry for him."
"Well don't." Tony replied bluntly. "He has heard countless people plead for their lives over the years, and never showed them any mercy. Pity him for other reasons, perhaps, but not for his fear."
Greta Jameson
3: Pity Him Not For His Fear
"We got a little sidetracked this morning Lucius," Tony began. "Can we just quickly go back and talk about those first few days."
"Sure. As I said, I dined with him and Marcellus in his rooms. It was the first of many private meals that we shared during those first weeks."
"Was that amount of attention usually lavished on new recruits?"
"No, I don't think so. I believe that He spent a lot of time with me because of my knowledge of . . . no, my interpretations of early writings. During dinner, he hardly spoke to Marcellus at all, but he questioned me relentlessly about my understanding of early magical theory."
"Why do you think he was so interested in your . . . interpretations?"
"Oh, undoubtedly to increase his own power. That's what underlies every one of his actions and choices. Even back then."
"Thanks. Now, did anything else noteworthy happen in the first days?"
"Not that I can think of, no."
"Then let's discuss incorporation? It wasn't always part of community practices was it?"
"No, it wasn't," Lucius answered quietly. "Sebastian Snape acquired an old tablet copied from the Nineveh library that described incorporation in the early 1980s. After a great deal of debate about the merits and dangers of the practice, Voldemort attempted to incorporate Snape - and it worked perfectly. He acquired Snape's gifts and could share his power, but unlike an ordinary merge, it was permanent. Eventually, Voldemort incorporated some others in the group - Marcellus and a few of his advisors.
"I see. So, when did it become commonplace?"
"I think it was after the first raid that he decided to implement it universally. He was still grieving for his wife who was injured in the raid and felt that if he had incorporated her, he would have been able to save her. So, one by one, he began incorporating all of us until he contained multitudes and became incredibly powerful in the process."
"Thanks. It seems to be a very painful process. We are always trying to understand why young novices volunteer for it, as if it were some great honor."
"Because it is, that's why. And actually the marking is excruciating, but the incorporation isn't painful at all. In fact it's quite nice - really," Lucius said with a small shudder.
"You said it was an honor. What did you mean by that?"
"Well, first off, he has decided that you have a gift or skill that he either desires, or wants more of - that's very flattering, especially to a young person. Second, he has deemed you teachable, and is willing to work with you to help you improve. Third, one not only joins Him, one also joins a large community of interdependent magical beings. And lastly, he lives well, and makes sure that all members of his community are well taken care of. That was, of course, less of a motivator for me than for most others."
"When did you first hear about it?"
"Let's see . . . I had been there for at least two or three weeks. I was talking to Marcellus one afternoon, and he touched his left forearm and said that the Master was calling for him. Later that evening, I asked him about it, and he showed me his mark. I have to admit, I was repulsed at first, not only by the design, but also by the very concept, and I told him so. He chuckled, and said, yes, he had once felt the same way. But, he explained, that the mark binds one to Him, and allows one share his knowledge and power. Marcellus told me, 'He really wants you to stay, Lucius. Think of what you could learn!' I thought about it for a week or two longer, and then decided to take the mark.
"Was there an event that convinced you?"
"No. I just thought about how much I had in Druben - the books, the camaraderie with an international community of scholars, and mentorship of Marcellus and Voldemort. Then I compared it to what little awaited me on the outside."
"I see. And Voldemort's reaction to your decision was what?"
"He was ecstatic! He embraced me, and announced my decision at court that evening. Everyone cheered, and congratulated me."
"We know a bit about the marking. Just tell us briefly about that."
"First one is bled. One's mentor - in my case it was Marcellus - slashed the palm of one's right hand with a large glass knife."
"A glass knife?"
"Volcanic glass - probably obsidian given its dark color. And a large amount of blood is collected in a silver bowl. Then Marcellus branded my forearm as you see here," Lucius said unfastening his cufflink and rolling up his sleeve. "Wait, that's not right."
"What?"
"Look at the swelling, and the dark color. I've seen it like this before, certainly. But its usually, quite painful when it looks like this. I can't feel anything at all, right now."
"Well, that should be good news, no? It not hurting at all," Tony said as he drew his cloak more closely about him, even though it wasn't particularly cold. "Does someone hold you, to help you bear the pain?"
"Not allowed. The novice stands alone, and they expect you to watch as well, which was the worst part for me. Watching my own palm being sliced and the piercing cold of the knife - it was awful."
"Was Voldemort there?" Jim asked as he knocked over the ink in front of him. "Oh, terribly sorry, please continue" he said magically clearing the table.
"Yes. He stood only a few feet away, and observed everything closely, without saying a word."
As Lucius spoke Jim unfolded the small piece of parchment that Tony had passed him and read: 'Get Snape - Now!'
"Oh! You know, I'm supposed to meet with Dumbledore in a few minutes. I really must be going."
"Right," Tony said as he continued, "Lucius, what's the purpose of the marking and bleeding?"
"You know, its odd you should ask about it that way. Over the years, I've come to believe that it has no purpose. It's simply done to test the mettle of the new recruits. To see just how much they are willing to go through for Him. All of the magic seems to go on in the incorporation part of the ceremony, which takes place a week or so after marking."
"And what happens to the blood?"
"I don't know. Voldemort carries it off somewhere . . . Ohhh! The mark - it's starting to ache now."
"I'm sorry to hear that. We'll finish up soon. Tell me, do they do anything to care for the wounds?"
"The hand is bandaged up straight away. But the arm is made icy cold and then covered with some sort of powder that feels a bit like sand. Then a thick layer of salve is placed on top of that . . . Ohh! Its getting quite bad now," he said clenching his fist to try to control the pain. "Then the arm is wrapped. Marcellus inspected the dressing every morning and every evening. He also checked my skin and eyes carefully, and I was given a potion to lessen the pain. Again, I've come to suspect that the potion is more than an analgesic."
"What do you mean?"
"I think it might somehow help prepare the novice for incorporation."
"How?"
"Ugh . . .I don't know. I was very tired for the entire time between marking and incorporation. I didn't move around much at all."
"Now, what happens during the actual incorporation?"
"Well in those days, there was a big ceremony full of sound and fury. In more recent years, He has abandoned the pageantry and simply shares the wine and lays his hands on . . .Ohhh, I really can't continue," he hissed and leaned forward on the table.
"Please, just try to finish. Then we'll see about getting you something for the pain."
Lucius sat bolt upright and stared back at him with wide eyes.
"Is everything alright?" Tony asked calmly, even though he knew terror when he saw it.
"Master, please help me. . ." Lucius whispered.
Beneath his cloak, Tony firmly grasped his wand in his right hand, just in case.
Snape pushed open the door to the cell, and Lucius screamed and flew to the far corner.
"Lucius, you're safe. We're here to help you,"
Lucius only stared back at him as he drew his arms to the center of his body.
"There's no telling what he's seeing now," Snape whispered to Tony who now stood by his side.
Snape knocked twice on the door and Jim came back in the room. But before the door shut, Lucius rushed forward, trying to escape. Snape grabbed him and tried to wrestle him to the ground. "I could use a little help here!" he called and both aurors joined him in pinning Lucius to the floor.
"He's a strong one!" Jim remarked.
"He thinks he's fighting for his life."
"One, two, three and over to the bed," Snape said over Lucius' guttural screams. And with some difficulty they tied him tightly to the metal frame cot, as he began to cry, "Please, don't . . . I don't want to die this way . . . I'll do anything you say!"
"Shhh . . .we're not going to hurt you Lucius. We're friends. I'm going to give you something to make the pain go away," Snape said reassuringly as he pulled out a potion vial.
"No, please!"
"If you drink this, we'll see about letting you go."
Lucius looked for a long time at Snape. "You, I trust. But I still don't like them," he whispered as he suspiciously eyed the aurors.
"Well they only do what I tell them to do," Snape whispered as if sharing a secret.
"Really? Those things are under your command?"
"Yes. Here, have some of this," he said as he placed the vial to Lucius' lips. "That's right. Now, you need to get some rest. We'll talk again later."
Snape sighed as Lucius drifted off, and turned to the aurors and said, "He'll need another dose in about four to six hours.
"How long will he be out of his head like this?" Jim asked looking from Tony to Snape.
"Two, maybe three days," Tony replied. "That's how long Severus was out for, if I remember correctly."
Snape nodded and said, "I'll sit with him midnight to six, but am going back to the school now. Call me if you need me."
Jim shut and locked the door behind him and said, "He was so terrified when we came in . . . I almost feel sorry for him."
"Well don't." Tony replied bluntly. "He has heard countless people plead for their lives over the years, and never showed them any mercy. Pity him for other reasons, perhaps, but not for his fear."