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Ignorance Isn't Bliss

Chapter 14 - The First Meeting

That Monday Marcus was sitting in potions waiting for the other students to arrive.

"Good morning Marcus." Severus said as he entered from his office.

"Good morning father. I think you may want to keep an eye on Weasley today. I think he's planning something."

"Thank you. We are making a most volatile potion today so his little games could prove fatal."

When the rest of the class arrived the instructions were given and they began the potion. Marcus decided to let Draco partner with him. The blonde knew that he needed to stay friends with Marcus because Voldemort favored Snape above his even father and the son would be no different he presumed. There was one thing that Draco Malfoy did well and that was plan ahead. Who knew that Marcus' mom was a mud-blood. Draco was hoping his statement would have earned him favor from Marcus not dismissal.

Marcus kept an eye on Ron the entire class and almost realized it too late when Ron went to put a firecracker in his and Draco's cauldron. Marcus caught Ron's hand in his own and slammed the boy to the ground, prying the firecracker from his hand.

"Do you know what this would have done you lousy excuse for a wizard? You would have killed half the class. It doesn't say in the book that the potion reacts violently for nothing." Marcus spat, sounding and looking very much like his father.

Ron's face turned red and then purple. "Get off of me you slimy death eater. It's a good thing your fathers here."

"And why is that Mr. Weasley?" Said an amused Severus.

Ron's face went from purple to pale in one second as the blood drained from it.

"Mr. Weasley, I want you to go straight to the headmaster's office. I needn't tell you that if you were in my house you would already be expelled. Now get out of my classroom. I can say that you will never step foot in this class again."

Ron ran from the room and Severus turned to his son. "Nice job Marcus. I say you saved about ten lives today. I will talk to the headmaster about a special services to the school award."

Later that evening Marcus went to his father's rooms to relax for a while. When he got there his father wasn't there so he settled on the sofa with a book and a cup of tea. He almost spilled the tea when he heard the door slam.

"Father? Are you okay?"

Severus had his 'I wish I could kill something' face on. "That .. that ... I can't believe it. He gave Weasley a week of detentions. That's it. And, he said he would have given you an award if you hadn't attacked Weasley afterward."

"It's okay dad. I don't need some award to tell me I'm a good person."

"I know you don't I just hate his one-sidedness sometimes. The most important thing is that you stopped him and that you are safe." He said, placing a hand on his son's shoulder.

"Thanks dad."

Severus grabbed a book and sat down next to his son. They both relaxed in each other's company while they read. After about an hour Severus grabbed his arm.

"You should go back to your dorm. I'm being summoned."

Marcus quickly grabbed a piece of paper, remembering that they could be overheard. ~I want to go to the meeting. Take me with you.~

As Severus grabbed his mask and robe and he spoke loud enough so that others may hear. "Marcus, my lord requests that I bring you with me. I cannot ignore him. He gave me a portkey for you to use."

Luckily Severus did have a portkey for emergencies like if the headmaster wouldn't let him leave and locked him in the castle where he couldn't apparate. Once they were both holding onto the portkey Severus activated it.

Marcus latched onto his father and probably would have freaked out if it weren't for that contact because when Marcus opened his eyes he was in a very familiar graveyard. He was doing well overcoming his fear of portkeys but to open his eyes to that misty graveyard almost caused him to faint. He knew that Voldemort was no longer a threat to him but that didn't help his automatic reaction. A firm squeeze to his shoulder brought him from his thoughts and he looked up into his father's eyes and nodded to show that he was okay.

As they approached the circle Voldemort noticed that Severus had brought a guest with him right away even though his father had placed a spare mask on him. Voldemort swept over to them and spoke to them in hushed tones.

"Marcus, I wasn't expecting you to come to a meeting so soon. Severus, how did you get him out of Hogwarts?"

Severus smiled. "I made it seem as though you requested to meet my son and Dumbledore knows that I have little choice but to comply with your orders."

"Excellent. Well Marcus, I would like to introduce you at the meeting. I won't use your name. I will have everyone refer to you as young master. Is that alright? If you are to assist me in leading these people someday you should begin to earn their respect now."

Marcus bowed to Lord Voldemort. "I would like that very much my lord."

"Oh, and you shouldn't call me 'my lord.' Just refer to me as Lord Voldemort. I don't let my followers call me that. This will put you above them immediately."

"Certainly Lord Voldemort."

Severus went back to his place in the circle as Marcus followed Voldemort to the center of it.

"So glad that all of you could join me. I have some rather exciting news." Voldemort began.

Marcus noticed that Voldemort's voice was now in that high, piercing tone that made his followers cower before him.

"The primary reason for this meeting is just to get the status on some of the many projects we are working on. But, I am pleased to say that we have a guest. The person next to me tonight is the person I have been searching for nearly fifty years. When I realized that I would be the one to lead the wizarding world back to the greatness it deserves to be I knew that it would take time, years, decades even. I knew that I would need a successor. I needed someone to train personally who was powerful enough to command your respect and to lead you alongside me into greatness."

With a flick of Voldemort's wand, Marcus' mask turned into a golden color, setting him apart from the others.

"You are to refer to him as 'Young Master' until I tell you otherwise. He will not always be present at meetings as he finishes his training but be assured he already knows enough to be above all of you and he will not tolerate insubordinance from anyone."

When Voldemort finished speaking several of the death eaters came forward to kiss the hem of Marcus' robe. After several minutes every death eater present had done the same including his own father. That made Marcus feel more than a little uncomfortable, being above his own father. But, once it was revealed who he was, his father would be dully honored by the other death eaters.

Voldemort continued speaking after all of the death eaters had returned to their places in the circle. "Now, Lucius, what information do you have?"

Lucius Malfoy stepped forward. "Things at the ministry are as they always are my lord. Fudge is too ignorant to realize that I am gaining support for our cause right under his nose. I have five ministry officials that are interested in joining us though they don't realize who we really are. I will sit with all of them soon to rectify their misconceptions about our cause. If after that they decide not to join us I will wipe our meeting from their memory. If they do decide to join us I will bring them to the next meeting here."

"Very good Lucius. See me when we are through here."

After Voldemort checked with several other death eaters, including Severus, he adjourned the meeting and Marcus watched closely as Lucius Malfoy went to talk privately with Lord Voldemort. After a minute Lord Voldemort beckoned Marcus over. As he approached Lucius bowed to him slightly.

"Now Lucius, I want you to meet my heir. I still want you to refer to him as 'young master,' but I want you to know his identity."

Voldemort nodded to Marcus and he removed his mask. "Lucius, meet Marcus Snape."

Lucius seemed a little confused but bowed deeply. "I am honored that you trust me with this information my Lord."

"Now, Lucius, I am telling you this because I want you to tell Draco that he is to watch out for Marcus at school. Draco doesn't need to know why yet, but I want him to be to Marcus as you are to me, an invaluable resource."

"Yes my Lord." Then turning to Marcus. "Young master, my son will not disappoint you."

Marcus smiled. "I hope not. If you can give him a message though. Tell him to watch his tongue it may get him into trouble."

"I will Young Master." Lucius replied before walking quickly away and then apparating.

Voldemort turned to Marcus. "Why does Draco Malfoy need to watch his mouth?"

"He is constantly speaking bad of muggle-borns and I don't approve. I did inform him though that my mother was one and that I didn't enjoy him using the word mudblood. Hopefully his father will further encourage this."

Lord Voldemort clapped Marcus' shoulder. "Yes, Malfoys have always had a problem with muggle-borns. Lucius would probably even shun me if I weren't so powerful. I can't wait to begin training you personally. You have the makings of a great leader."

"Thank you Lord Voldemort. We should probably be getting back to Hogwarts now. Will I see you on my next Hogsmead visit?"

"Certainly. Maybe I can begin your training. I think you're ready. I believe your father has a book on common dark curses for battle. We will begin there."

"Thank you. Till then."

As Marcus left Voldemort's side his father approached him. "I have a portkey to take us back. I want you to go straight to bed when we get back. You have a pop quiz in potions tomorrow morning and you will do well."

"Yes sir."

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