Disclaimer: JK owns everything and I own nowt. Else the events of the fifth book would be nothing but a very bad dream (blood-curdling scream…).

Note: Ok, this story IS very confusing in that it does not run in any sort of chronological order, and it is not exactly fifth-book friendly. However, if you can still be bothered reading it, you may find it to be of some interest. It consists of slices from the life of young Severus Snape and his two best friends, Evan Rosier and Davies Brennandez (I own him – hurrah!). Chapter One was sort of, um, well, The End, at least for Snape's two best friends. I know it's weird to have the end at the beginning but, well, try to think of this fic like a Tarantino movie… This, the second chapter, deals with Sev's initiation into the Death Eaters as a young and very troubled man. This obviously takes place a long time before the events of Chapter One. Evan Rosier has already been a Death Eater for some time before the events of this chapter, etc...

Initiation

Severus Snape looked around him at the huddled mass of wizards, dressed all in black, with masks over their faces. He felt a surge of pure excitement.

One of those masks must have his friend Evan Rosier under it…

Sev's face was set in a grim, determined expression. His body was tensed. He was very, very nervous.

But more than that.

Sev felt alive.

Lord Voldemort was in the centre of the crowd talking mutedly to a tall, dark-haired, distinguished-looking man with a pale, pointed face. He noticed that the people stood closest to Lord Voldemort weren't wearing any masks.

Suddenly, Sev was ushered forwards. His hand trembled, and he put all his strength into stopping it.

This is it. This is really it.

He was marched right up to the Dark Lord, and left standing there, right in front of him.

He looked up at that face, knowing that he must keep his own face straight at all costs. He had to keep his expression completely impassive.

"What is your name boy?" Asked the high, cold voice of Lord Voldemort. Sev was transfixed by his face. It seemed hardly human at all.

"Severus Snape." He was surprised by how firm and hard his own voice sounded.

"Severus Snape, my lord." Voldemort corrected, peering at him with interest, "Yes, I know of your family. An interesting background. You certainly do look the part. And I can sense that you are… earnest… and talented, yes talented indeed." The Lord Voldemort smiled a calculating smile. "You should do well, Severus. You even have a young man who has already proved himself to vouch for you. Lucius, you may bring him forward now."

Sev watched as the distinguished man, whom he guessed was about 30, disappeared into the crowd, and then returned with a black-cloaked figure who took off his mask to reveal a youthful face. Evan Rosier gave Sev a quick wink, then turned to bow before Voldemort.

"My Lord…"

"You may rise, my boy. What have you to say on behalf of your friend?"

Evan looked at Sev for a moment, eyes flashing.

"Severus Snape is the best potion brewer I've ever known. His knowledge of dark magic is extensive. He is brave, tough, and loyal. His contribution to our forces is sure to be invaluable. I would trust him with my life."

"And there may come a time when that assertion will be tested, Evan. Very well, Severus Snape, you will take the mark and become one of us. Evan, Lucius, you may step down."

Evan and the distinguished man stepped back into the crowd.

Sev now had the strangest sensation that he and Lord Voldemort were the only two people in the world. As Voldemort looked down at him, he felt an amazing burst of acceptance and belonging. More than anything else in the world right then, Sev wanted to serve the Dark Lord.

Voldemort took Sev's arm in his hand, and with his other hand, raised his wand to point the tip to the inner forearm. For a moment he locked eyes with Sev and smiled.

Then Sev felt an incredible explosion of pain.

First it was just on the section of his arm where Voldemort's wand was pointed, then it was resonating throughout his whole body. He smelt burning, and realised that what was being burnt was his own flesh. There was smoke coming from the arm.

Sev felt detached form his body, as though he was watching this happen to somebody else. The expression on his face was a far-away one, and he didn't seem able to contact his vocal cords at all – else surely he'd be screaming?

After what seemed like an age, the pain stopped. Or rather, the cause of the pain stopped. But a lingering, throbbing ache remained in his arm. The place where Voldemort's wand had been touching him stung like hell, and when the smoke cleared, Sev saw what looked like a highly detailed tattoo in black, standing out against the scorched skin.

There it was. The dark mark. And it bloody hurt.

Rather fascinated, nevertheless, Sev reached down and touched the mark. Then, with a small smile, he looked up at Lord Voldemort, who was also smiling.

"My boy. I have never seen anyone react to taking the mark quite like that. I'm rather impressed."

Sev's smile widened as he stared at the great man with awe.

Voldemort put his hand on Sev's shoulder and said "Lucius? Take Severus and find him some new robes, and a mask."

The distinguished man beckoned for Sev to follow him. Sev went, lit up with a new flame. Evan grinned manically at Sev as he passed him.

When they emerged from the main crowd, the distinguished man introduced himself.

"I'm Lucius Malfoy."

Sev felt his eyes widen. Lucius Malfoy? He'd heard that name before all right.

The man laughed, seeing Sev's reaction.

"Yes, my family is quite well-known. But then, so is yours, though perhaps for different reasons. You made an impression on the Dark Lord. I can always tell. I think you could go far, Severus."

Sev blinked in astonishment. He could hardly believe that people here seemed to like him – straight away, and with little reason. He had no idea what it was about him that had impressed them. But he greatly valued the good opinion of these people, especially this distinguished man.

Sev was not used to being liked or treated with respect. He craved respect, more than anything else in the whole world.

And that was what Lucius Malfoy had.

Everyone respected Lucius Malfoy. Everyone.

It was inevitable that Sev would look up to him. And when Lucius saw the awe with which Sev was regarding him, he couldn't help but slightly warm to the younger man.

So it was that the newly recruited Severus Snape was taken under the wing of Voldemort's right-hand man, Lucius Malfoy.