Chapter 1-The Marking of the Young
Draco Malfoy lounged casually in the largest of the deep green leather armchairs in the Slytherin common room. He didn't feel like being in his private head boy rooms tonight. The sound of his fellow students was comforting....he needed normality. Tonight would be the night. He was in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts and although he was still cold and cruel most of the time this was a front: a front that he would have to try his hardest to uphold tonight. For tonight was the night he was going to be 'marked'. Having 'come of age' a week ago it was now Draco's turn to take his place beside his father, under Lord Voldemort, as a Death Eater. And he was not looking forward to it.
It had been two years since he had spoken to Snape of his feelings towards Lord Voldemort and his parents, and since then he had become a secret spy for The Order of the Phoenix (much to the annoyance of the Famous Trio- Potty, Weasley and the Know-it-all although soon after, The Order had realised they could not work without them).
Of course, Snape, Dumbledore and the rest of The Order had been dubious of admitting such a young wizard to their organisation but, as Draco had pointed out, he would be taking the mark anyway after he turned 17 (for although the usual age was 18, the Dark Lord made exceptions in special cases. In Malfoy's case this was because he was the son of Lucius; Voldemort's right hand wizard. In Hermione's case it was her strong magical powers. Any other hopeful Death Eaters would have to wait until they came of age.), he may as well be taking the mark of He Who Must Not Be Named for a good cause.
Since this conversation had taken place Draco had been relaying any plans of Voldemort's-given to him by his father-to Snape, who would then pass them on to Dumbledore. This proved to be very useful to The Order because although Snape was a trusted Death Eater he was not favoured by Voldemort in way that Lucius Malfoy was so the plans he received often were not substantial to The Order's needs.
Joining him on his mission was Hermione Granger which was a bit of drag for Draco as he still had a strong disliking for "the bloody know-it-all." Her place on the mission had come about purely because of Sirius' death. The Order had immediately decided that nothing as serious as this could EVER happen again so, to ensure it didn't they needed another spy.
It did not help that Snape was still in the bad books with Voldemort for his constant 'inability' to deliver him what he wanted (namely Harry and Dumbledore). According to Snape the only reason he hadn't been killed was because he was an excellent potion brewer who knew many dark potions other wizards did not. To kill him would be a great loss to Voldemort in that sense. However, he had been absent from many of the recent revels and so had missed much vital information.
The Order needed a spy (or spies) that would be immediately trusted by Voldemort (Draco fitted this description perfectly as his family had been in with Voldemort from his early days). However, they decided two would be a safer option ("safety in numbers." Said Dumbledore, "If anything should happen to one of them we may need a second.") They also needed a young spy due to the fact that Voldemort would not know them-any older member of The Order would be instantly recognised and killed, as would anyone connected with the Ministry. These circumstances meant that the Weasleys, Tonks, Kingsley and many other members of The Order were not suited.
So the job fell to Hermione who graciously (but nervously) accepted the challenge-she'd never been one to back down. She was lucky: Voldemort knew nothing of her connections with The Order. He did know of her muggle parentage but, according to Snape, he was willing to oversee that in response to the praise she had received from him about her magical capabilities, loyalty and strength. As far as The Order knew, Voldemort was not aware of her friendship with Harry, but if he was then they would overcome that when they had to.
And there she stood in front of Dumbledore's desk as Draco entered the beautiful circular room. Draco noted the fear in her eyes and the nervousness in her stance, he sneered at her as he stalked towards the desk:
"Honestly Granger, you're hopeless. Why don't you just walk in a declare your a spy and let them all kill you. If you don't loosen up they'll Avada Kedavra your ass in a second!"
"Shut it Malfoy!" she whispered and he smirked at her obvious display of fear: Gryffindors were so hopeless at hiding their emotions.
"Now, now Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, emerging from his private rooms "I feel that teasing is out of place amongst two young adults like yourselves, especially tonight. Miss Granger has a right to be nervous Mr Malfoy-she will have a much harder time than you, convincing Voldemort of her loyalty...especially as she has not been in his presence before."
Malfoy immediately shrank back at the open disapproval of the wizened Headmaster, he almost (but not quite), felt bad for teasing the witch.
The door opened once more and Snape swept into the room, like a large overgrown bat, decked in elegant black dress robes.
"Ah, good evening Severus." Smiled Dumbledore.
"Good evening Albus." Came the reply
Snape stood for a moment and surveyed the youngsters, and taking in Draco's choice of beautifully, handmade deep green dress robes, he nodded approvingly. However, when his dark eyes tuned on Hermione's choice of pretty red dress robes and her hair in a simple ponytail, he scowled:
"Miss Granger, you will have to change."
She raised her eyes from the point on the floor where they had been fixed whilst under the scrutiny of the potion's master.
"Wha...what do you mean sir?"
"I mean you will have to change. Your choice of attire is not at all suitable for tonight's....festivities. Voldemort prefers his prettier women to be on display...Death Eater or not."
"I AM NOT his 'woman'..." interjected Hermione, obviously outraged. Draco watched the proceedings with delight; her pride amused him greatly and he always enjoyed it when the know-it-all was shot down.
"Yes you are Miss Granger," stated Snape, very to the point. "From the moment you are marked you become his and you WILL dress appropriately, as he desires, and you WILL get rid of that despicable pride you bloody Gryffindors insist on having, and you WILL obey him and the other Death Eaters or our plans will be ruined by your silly arrogance."
This shut Hermione up...she obviously didn't enjoy being called silly or proud. Draco was having a very good time and was now grinning openly at Hermione being put down.
A swish of his wand, and Snape had transfigured Hermione's clothing. Her simple outfit was replaced with a pair of black jeans that hung low beneath her hipbone. On her upper half appeared a leather bustier which (Draco noticed) accentuated her already ample bosom. Her flat midriff was very much on show and her ponytail was removed and her natural long ringlets were allowed to fall freely down her back. Her eyes became heavily lined in black and her full lips were painted in blood red, as were her suddenly talon like finger nails. On her feet appeared a pair of 7" stilettos. Draco sniggered at the vamp like Hermione wobbling in her new shoes and at the look of horror on her face at her body being so obviously on show.
"We are ready." Stated Snape and Dumbledore whispered a spell to allow them to apparate directly from his office to Voldemort at Malfoy Manor.
"Good luck," he whispered as they vanished, "May the Gods be with you."
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Draco stood silently, watching Hermione as she surveyed the ballroom of Malfoy Manor. He noticed how the combination of heavy eyeliner and her loose hair falling round her face almost hid her eyes completely...almost.
"Good." He thought, "At least her bloody eyes can't screw this up for us."
He watched as Snape moved forward and knelt at the feet of a tall, cloaked figure:
"My Lord, I bring you the young to be given your blessing, and your mark."
"Ah Severus, I have missed you-I am glad to see you can at least deliver young to me. Stand."
Snape stood silently and moved to stand behind Voldemort, next to Draco's father. Draco and Hermione were beckoned towards the front. They moved forward and knelt before He Who Must Not Be Named. Draco felt Hermione shaking next to him. "Kiss my robes." Lord Voldemort said. They did so; Hermione was now desperately trying to control her shaking fingers.
"Stand before me Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius." Commanded the Dark Lord.
He stood.
"Give me your right arm."
Draco responded and Voldemort slid back the sleeve of Draco's extended arm and spoke:
"I am your only Lord.
The only one you fear.
You are my Death Eater.
Feared by all others.
You will destroy those who are weak,
Who believe not in the Dark,
But only in the evil that is Light.
You are in my service forever."
Draco responded:
"You are my only Lord.
The only one I fear.
I am your Death Eater.
Feared by all others.
I will destroy those who are weak,
Who believe not in the Dark,
But only in the evil of the Light.
I am forever in your service."
"Then you are one of us." Shouted Voldemort, as he touched the tip of his wand to the tender flesh on the inside of Draco's forearm.
Pain like he'd never known seared through his entire body, filling him with the darkness of a Death Eater. He refused to cry out as the fire coursed through his veins. He stood solid, tall and proud; the perfect son of evil; the perfect Death Eater. Then it stopped. Draco looked down and saw there the black skull with the red serpent protruding from its mouth...he was a Death Eater.
"Thank you My Lord." He said strongly, bowing before stepping back to join the other Death Eaters, next to Snape.
Voldemort looked down at Hermione, who was still kneeling before him, staring at the floor. Draco saw his red eyes glint maliciously as he looked at her and spoke:
"I hear you are friends with Harry Potter?"
The Death Eaters gasped, booed and hissed at this revelation.
"Hardly My Lord." She sneered.
"Explain."
"I am indeed....acquainted with Potter but it is certainly not a friendship- at least not on my part. Being too young to be marked as one of yours I pretended to befriend the Potter boy. I assumed that when I was marked by you, a 'friendship' with him may prove to be useful, to you and your plans, My Lord."
"Excellent." Replied Voldemort, "I see you do indeed have brains."
"She is a GRYFFINDOR!" yelled one Death Eater from the back.
"Because I have loyalty, bravery and skill...all things that I offer you My Lord." Hermione responded from her position on the floor, smiling seductively up at the Dark Lord.
Voldemort smiled back down at her.
"I have heard many great things about you Hermione Granger. Snape says you are an incredible witch...for a mudblood"
"Thank you My Lord."
"Tonight we shall test that...you will prove yourself in battle before I shall bless you with my mark."
"Yes my Lord." She responded, and only Draco and Snape seemed to notice the shake in her voice.
"Nienna, Zabini," Voldemort called. Nienna Suntise and Blaise Zabini's older brother Dinru stepped forward. Draco saw Hermione panic: she was going to struggle fighting these two, she might be able to pull it off but it would defiantly challenge her power. Dinru was big...at least 6 and a half foot, and he was stocky. Nienna on the other hand was shorter, she stood at the same height as Hermione who, even in her 7" shoes only stood at only 5"9, and Nienna was only wearing short heels. She was and wiry and elegant, her deep red hair swung down her back and her dark violet eyes flashed dangerously. She obviously had power, and she knew it. She sauntered out sexily into the circle of gathered Death Eaters, Dinru followed.
"You two will fight the mudblood to the death. However, I expect a show...no-one will kill until a few curses have passed hands."
The Death Eaters tightened the circle, they were hungry for blood.
Draco looked on anxiously-this wasn't right, this wasn't fair. He started his protests to Snape but was immediately silenced by him.
"It must be done." Said Snape softly. "For The Order, and our victory." Draco noted the sadness in his voice as he watched his star pupil step forward.
----------------------------------
"Expelliarmus!" yelled Dinru without warning and Hermione's wand flew from her hand.
"Crucio!" screamed Nienna at the same time, and Draco stared in horror as Hermione was reduced to a writhing heap on the floor, screaming in pain.
Nienna cast the Crucio spell again and again and Draco watched as, while she did this, Hermione writhed in agony, and Dinru stepped towards her. Draco was wary now...his wand was in his robes. His hands were free. What was he going to do?!
Within seconds his question was answered. As Nienna cast the Crucio curse at Hermione's aching body, Dinru threw himself on top of the defenceless witch. He span her onto her front and sat on her spine. She shrieked in pain and the Death Eaters whooped and cheered louder for each scream that emitted her torn throat.
But Dinru wasn't finished. He grabbed Hermione's hair and pulled it so her neck was arched and she was leaning back...almost facing him. Dinru then proceeded to draw a knife out from inside his robes. Draco held his breath: Was he going to kill her?!
No, but he was going to torture her no end. He brought the blade down slowly across the exposed flesh of her neck and Draco saw tiny droplets of blood appear; not enough to kill her but enough to arouse her panic further and make her weak. The bastard then drew the knife along her left cheekbone, leaving a river of red running down her face. She was crying, and the salty tears mingled with the blood as it tricked slowly down her smooth skin.
"Crucio." Nienna yelled and Dinru was thrown off Hermione's battered body as she was thrown around by the pain of the powerful Crucio curse.
"Don't hog her for yourself." Nienna's icy voice commanded Dinru, and he backed down. He began to take his turn, casting the Crucio curse on Hermione as Nienna knelt down in front of her.
"Poor sweet innocent." She whispered "Thought you could play with the big boys did you? Well think again sweetie." And with those words she slashed Hermione's right cheek with her long black fingernails. Hermione spat in her face and Draco risked a look at Voldemort...he was enjoying this performance. Did he even care if Hermione died?!
Nienna was not at all impressed by Hermione's sudden found attitude and she stood up from her kneeling position. She now towered over Hermione and raised a shapely leg, ready to kick her but Hermione held up a hand:
"No." she said and, amazingly Nienna's foot was forced to the ground.
She was sore, aching and bleeding but astonishingly it looked as though Hermione was ready to fight.
"Crucio." Screamed Dinru, panic clear in his voice at this new found strength of his opponent.
"No." said Hermione calmly, and she simply brushed the stream of blue light aside as it came whizzing towards her.
"CRUCIO!" Shouted Nienna, and again Hermione simply brushed the spell aside.
Nienna and Dinru looked at each other dumbfounded. Together they turned and together they yelled:
"CRUCIO!"
Draco saw the red fire blaze in Hermione's deep eyes and as the blue light again came streaming towards her, the air around her began to hum with energy and her slim body began to lift from the floor where she was stood. The air around her turned glowing red and voices could be heard, whispering amongst themselves. But they were not the voices of anyone in the room, they were voices from a place not known to any wizard, beyond their realm altogether. They were Divine voices, speaking words not known to any wizard.
Three feet from the floor, Hermione stretched out her arms, palms facing the oncoming curses. The bolts of light bounced off her hands.
"Avada Kedavra." She whispered, and the jolts of blue light bounced evenly off her hands and, as they streaked back to Nienna and Dinru they became violent electric green.
Nienna and Dinru stared in horror, unable to stop the inevitable. Then they were dead.
"Accio wand." Hermione muttered before floating gracefully to the floor and kneeling before Voldemort, weak and panting, but victorious.
The room was in stunned silence as the Dark Lord stared down at the powerful witch before him.
"Well, you have certainly proved yourself to be of...immense power." Purred Voldemort.
"Thank you My Lord." She responded.
"Snape certainly wasn't lying when he told me you were beautiful, for you are: Like a seductress of the night. You are a Raven, beautiful, graceful and elegant, loyal to only one master but deadly to others. And your performance just now was up to the standard of all the rumours I've heard, I have obviously not been lied to. I think you will be a most useful asset to my followers. I shall certainly accommodate you into the ranks."
"Thank you My Lord." Repeated Hermione.
"Stand." Voldemort ordered, and she did so, gingerly and strong although her knees were weak and her neck was still pulsing crimson waves.
He lowered his wand tip to her exposed left hipbone and a flash of green light was emitted as the skull and serpent became traced on her soft flesh. Draco noted she refused to cry out as the pain coursed through her body, although tears did appear in her sultry eyes.
When the ritual had finished Hermione stood boldly in front of Voldemort:
"My Lord, why did you not ask me to swear the oath?!"
The other Death Eaters gasped at her brazenness in front of the Dark Lord, but Voldemort simply chuckled as if she were an amusing child or pet.
"My beautiful Raven, I felt you had proven yourself enough, both in combat and in your loyalty to me." He smiled at her, and the marking was complete.
Draco Malfoy lounged casually in the largest of the deep green leather armchairs in the Slytherin common room. He didn't feel like being in his private head boy rooms tonight. The sound of his fellow students was comforting....he needed normality. Tonight would be the night. He was in his seventh and final year at Hogwarts and although he was still cold and cruel most of the time this was a front: a front that he would have to try his hardest to uphold tonight. For tonight was the night he was going to be 'marked'. Having 'come of age' a week ago it was now Draco's turn to take his place beside his father, under Lord Voldemort, as a Death Eater. And he was not looking forward to it.
It had been two years since he had spoken to Snape of his feelings towards Lord Voldemort and his parents, and since then he had become a secret spy for The Order of the Phoenix (much to the annoyance of the Famous Trio- Potty, Weasley and the Know-it-all although soon after, The Order had realised they could not work without them).
Of course, Snape, Dumbledore and the rest of The Order had been dubious of admitting such a young wizard to their organisation but, as Draco had pointed out, he would be taking the mark anyway after he turned 17 (for although the usual age was 18, the Dark Lord made exceptions in special cases. In Malfoy's case this was because he was the son of Lucius; Voldemort's right hand wizard. In Hermione's case it was her strong magical powers. Any other hopeful Death Eaters would have to wait until they came of age.), he may as well be taking the mark of He Who Must Not Be Named for a good cause.
Since this conversation had taken place Draco had been relaying any plans of Voldemort's-given to him by his father-to Snape, who would then pass them on to Dumbledore. This proved to be very useful to The Order because although Snape was a trusted Death Eater he was not favoured by Voldemort in way that Lucius Malfoy was so the plans he received often were not substantial to The Order's needs.
Joining him on his mission was Hermione Granger which was a bit of drag for Draco as he still had a strong disliking for "the bloody know-it-all." Her place on the mission had come about purely because of Sirius' death. The Order had immediately decided that nothing as serious as this could EVER happen again so, to ensure it didn't they needed another spy.
It did not help that Snape was still in the bad books with Voldemort for his constant 'inability' to deliver him what he wanted (namely Harry and Dumbledore). According to Snape the only reason he hadn't been killed was because he was an excellent potion brewer who knew many dark potions other wizards did not. To kill him would be a great loss to Voldemort in that sense. However, he had been absent from many of the recent revels and so had missed much vital information.
The Order needed a spy (or spies) that would be immediately trusted by Voldemort (Draco fitted this description perfectly as his family had been in with Voldemort from his early days). However, they decided two would be a safer option ("safety in numbers." Said Dumbledore, "If anything should happen to one of them we may need a second.") They also needed a young spy due to the fact that Voldemort would not know them-any older member of The Order would be instantly recognised and killed, as would anyone connected with the Ministry. These circumstances meant that the Weasleys, Tonks, Kingsley and many other members of The Order were not suited.
So the job fell to Hermione who graciously (but nervously) accepted the challenge-she'd never been one to back down. She was lucky: Voldemort knew nothing of her connections with The Order. He did know of her muggle parentage but, according to Snape, he was willing to oversee that in response to the praise she had received from him about her magical capabilities, loyalty and strength. As far as The Order knew, Voldemort was not aware of her friendship with Harry, but if he was then they would overcome that when they had to.
And there she stood in front of Dumbledore's desk as Draco entered the beautiful circular room. Draco noted the fear in her eyes and the nervousness in her stance, he sneered at her as he stalked towards the desk:
"Honestly Granger, you're hopeless. Why don't you just walk in a declare your a spy and let them all kill you. If you don't loosen up they'll Avada Kedavra your ass in a second!"
"Shut it Malfoy!" she whispered and he smirked at her obvious display of fear: Gryffindors were so hopeless at hiding their emotions.
"Now, now Mr Malfoy, Miss Granger," Dumbledore said, emerging from his private rooms "I feel that teasing is out of place amongst two young adults like yourselves, especially tonight. Miss Granger has a right to be nervous Mr Malfoy-she will have a much harder time than you, convincing Voldemort of her loyalty...especially as she has not been in his presence before."
Malfoy immediately shrank back at the open disapproval of the wizened Headmaster, he almost (but not quite), felt bad for teasing the witch.
The door opened once more and Snape swept into the room, like a large overgrown bat, decked in elegant black dress robes.
"Ah, good evening Severus." Smiled Dumbledore.
"Good evening Albus." Came the reply
Snape stood for a moment and surveyed the youngsters, and taking in Draco's choice of beautifully, handmade deep green dress robes, he nodded approvingly. However, when his dark eyes tuned on Hermione's choice of pretty red dress robes and her hair in a simple ponytail, he scowled:
"Miss Granger, you will have to change."
She raised her eyes from the point on the floor where they had been fixed whilst under the scrutiny of the potion's master.
"Wha...what do you mean sir?"
"I mean you will have to change. Your choice of attire is not at all suitable for tonight's....festivities. Voldemort prefers his prettier women to be on display...Death Eater or not."
"I AM NOT his 'woman'..." interjected Hermione, obviously outraged. Draco watched the proceedings with delight; her pride amused him greatly and he always enjoyed it when the know-it-all was shot down.
"Yes you are Miss Granger," stated Snape, very to the point. "From the moment you are marked you become his and you WILL dress appropriately, as he desires, and you WILL get rid of that despicable pride you bloody Gryffindors insist on having, and you WILL obey him and the other Death Eaters or our plans will be ruined by your silly arrogance."
This shut Hermione up...she obviously didn't enjoy being called silly or proud. Draco was having a very good time and was now grinning openly at Hermione being put down.
A swish of his wand, and Snape had transfigured Hermione's clothing. Her simple outfit was replaced with a pair of black jeans that hung low beneath her hipbone. On her upper half appeared a leather bustier which (Draco noticed) accentuated her already ample bosom. Her flat midriff was very much on show and her ponytail was removed and her natural long ringlets were allowed to fall freely down her back. Her eyes became heavily lined in black and her full lips were painted in blood red, as were her suddenly talon like finger nails. On her feet appeared a pair of 7" stilettos. Draco sniggered at the vamp like Hermione wobbling in her new shoes and at the look of horror on her face at her body being so obviously on show.
"We are ready." Stated Snape and Dumbledore whispered a spell to allow them to apparate directly from his office to Voldemort at Malfoy Manor.
"Good luck," he whispered as they vanished, "May the Gods be with you."
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Draco stood silently, watching Hermione as she surveyed the ballroom of Malfoy Manor. He noticed how the combination of heavy eyeliner and her loose hair falling round her face almost hid her eyes completely...almost.
"Good." He thought, "At least her bloody eyes can't screw this up for us."
He watched as Snape moved forward and knelt at the feet of a tall, cloaked figure:
"My Lord, I bring you the young to be given your blessing, and your mark."
"Ah Severus, I have missed you-I am glad to see you can at least deliver young to me. Stand."
Snape stood silently and moved to stand behind Voldemort, next to Draco's father. Draco and Hermione were beckoned towards the front. They moved forward and knelt before He Who Must Not Be Named. Draco felt Hermione shaking next to him. "Kiss my robes." Lord Voldemort said. They did so; Hermione was now desperately trying to control her shaking fingers.
"Stand before me Draco Malfoy, son of Lucius." Commanded the Dark Lord.
He stood.
"Give me your right arm."
Draco responded and Voldemort slid back the sleeve of Draco's extended arm and spoke:
"I am your only Lord.
The only one you fear.
You are my Death Eater.
Feared by all others.
You will destroy those who are weak,
Who believe not in the Dark,
But only in the evil that is Light.
You are in my service forever."
Draco responded:
"You are my only Lord.
The only one I fear.
I am your Death Eater.
Feared by all others.
I will destroy those who are weak,
Who believe not in the Dark,
But only in the evil of the Light.
I am forever in your service."
"Then you are one of us." Shouted Voldemort, as he touched the tip of his wand to the tender flesh on the inside of Draco's forearm.
Pain like he'd never known seared through his entire body, filling him with the darkness of a Death Eater. He refused to cry out as the fire coursed through his veins. He stood solid, tall and proud; the perfect son of evil; the perfect Death Eater. Then it stopped. Draco looked down and saw there the black skull with the red serpent protruding from its mouth...he was a Death Eater.
"Thank you My Lord." He said strongly, bowing before stepping back to join the other Death Eaters, next to Snape.
Voldemort looked down at Hermione, who was still kneeling before him, staring at the floor. Draco saw his red eyes glint maliciously as he looked at her and spoke:
"I hear you are friends with Harry Potter?"
The Death Eaters gasped, booed and hissed at this revelation.
"Hardly My Lord." She sneered.
"Explain."
"I am indeed....acquainted with Potter but it is certainly not a friendship- at least not on my part. Being too young to be marked as one of yours I pretended to befriend the Potter boy. I assumed that when I was marked by you, a 'friendship' with him may prove to be useful, to you and your plans, My Lord."
"Excellent." Replied Voldemort, "I see you do indeed have brains."
"She is a GRYFFINDOR!" yelled one Death Eater from the back.
"Because I have loyalty, bravery and skill...all things that I offer you My Lord." Hermione responded from her position on the floor, smiling seductively up at the Dark Lord.
Voldemort smiled back down at her.
"I have heard many great things about you Hermione Granger. Snape says you are an incredible witch...for a mudblood"
"Thank you My Lord."
"Tonight we shall test that...you will prove yourself in battle before I shall bless you with my mark."
"Yes my Lord." She responded, and only Draco and Snape seemed to notice the shake in her voice.
"Nienna, Zabini," Voldemort called. Nienna Suntise and Blaise Zabini's older brother Dinru stepped forward. Draco saw Hermione panic: she was going to struggle fighting these two, she might be able to pull it off but it would defiantly challenge her power. Dinru was big...at least 6 and a half foot, and he was stocky. Nienna on the other hand was shorter, she stood at the same height as Hermione who, even in her 7" shoes only stood at only 5"9, and Nienna was only wearing short heels. She was and wiry and elegant, her deep red hair swung down her back and her dark violet eyes flashed dangerously. She obviously had power, and she knew it. She sauntered out sexily into the circle of gathered Death Eaters, Dinru followed.
"You two will fight the mudblood to the death. However, I expect a show...no-one will kill until a few curses have passed hands."
The Death Eaters tightened the circle, they were hungry for blood.
Draco looked on anxiously-this wasn't right, this wasn't fair. He started his protests to Snape but was immediately silenced by him.
"It must be done." Said Snape softly. "For The Order, and our victory." Draco noted the sadness in his voice as he watched his star pupil step forward.
----------------------------------
"Expelliarmus!" yelled Dinru without warning and Hermione's wand flew from her hand.
"Crucio!" screamed Nienna at the same time, and Draco stared in horror as Hermione was reduced to a writhing heap on the floor, screaming in pain.
Nienna cast the Crucio spell again and again and Draco watched as, while she did this, Hermione writhed in agony, and Dinru stepped towards her. Draco was wary now...his wand was in his robes. His hands were free. What was he going to do?!
Within seconds his question was answered. As Nienna cast the Crucio curse at Hermione's aching body, Dinru threw himself on top of the defenceless witch. He span her onto her front and sat on her spine. She shrieked in pain and the Death Eaters whooped and cheered louder for each scream that emitted her torn throat.
But Dinru wasn't finished. He grabbed Hermione's hair and pulled it so her neck was arched and she was leaning back...almost facing him. Dinru then proceeded to draw a knife out from inside his robes. Draco held his breath: Was he going to kill her?!
No, but he was going to torture her no end. He brought the blade down slowly across the exposed flesh of her neck and Draco saw tiny droplets of blood appear; not enough to kill her but enough to arouse her panic further and make her weak. The bastard then drew the knife along her left cheekbone, leaving a river of red running down her face. She was crying, and the salty tears mingled with the blood as it tricked slowly down her smooth skin.
"Crucio." Nienna yelled and Dinru was thrown off Hermione's battered body as she was thrown around by the pain of the powerful Crucio curse.
"Don't hog her for yourself." Nienna's icy voice commanded Dinru, and he backed down. He began to take his turn, casting the Crucio curse on Hermione as Nienna knelt down in front of her.
"Poor sweet innocent." She whispered "Thought you could play with the big boys did you? Well think again sweetie." And with those words she slashed Hermione's right cheek with her long black fingernails. Hermione spat in her face and Draco risked a look at Voldemort...he was enjoying this performance. Did he even care if Hermione died?!
Nienna was not at all impressed by Hermione's sudden found attitude and she stood up from her kneeling position. She now towered over Hermione and raised a shapely leg, ready to kick her but Hermione held up a hand:
"No." she said and, amazingly Nienna's foot was forced to the ground.
She was sore, aching and bleeding but astonishingly it looked as though Hermione was ready to fight.
"Crucio." Screamed Dinru, panic clear in his voice at this new found strength of his opponent.
"No." said Hermione calmly, and she simply brushed the stream of blue light aside as it came whizzing towards her.
"CRUCIO!" Shouted Nienna, and again Hermione simply brushed the spell aside.
Nienna and Dinru looked at each other dumbfounded. Together they turned and together they yelled:
"CRUCIO!"
Draco saw the red fire blaze in Hermione's deep eyes and as the blue light again came streaming towards her, the air around her began to hum with energy and her slim body began to lift from the floor where she was stood. The air around her turned glowing red and voices could be heard, whispering amongst themselves. But they were not the voices of anyone in the room, they were voices from a place not known to any wizard, beyond their realm altogether. They were Divine voices, speaking words not known to any wizard.
Three feet from the floor, Hermione stretched out her arms, palms facing the oncoming curses. The bolts of light bounced off her hands.
"Avada Kedavra." She whispered, and the jolts of blue light bounced evenly off her hands and, as they streaked back to Nienna and Dinru they became violent electric green.
Nienna and Dinru stared in horror, unable to stop the inevitable. Then they were dead.
"Accio wand." Hermione muttered before floating gracefully to the floor and kneeling before Voldemort, weak and panting, but victorious.
The room was in stunned silence as the Dark Lord stared down at the powerful witch before him.
"Well, you have certainly proved yourself to be of...immense power." Purred Voldemort.
"Thank you My Lord." She responded.
"Snape certainly wasn't lying when he told me you were beautiful, for you are: Like a seductress of the night. You are a Raven, beautiful, graceful and elegant, loyal to only one master but deadly to others. And your performance just now was up to the standard of all the rumours I've heard, I have obviously not been lied to. I think you will be a most useful asset to my followers. I shall certainly accommodate you into the ranks."
"Thank you My Lord." Repeated Hermione.
"Stand." Voldemort ordered, and she did so, gingerly and strong although her knees were weak and her neck was still pulsing crimson waves.
He lowered his wand tip to her exposed left hipbone and a flash of green light was emitted as the skull and serpent became traced on her soft flesh. Draco noted she refused to cry out as the pain coursed through her body, although tears did appear in her sultry eyes.
When the ritual had finished Hermione stood boldly in front of Voldemort:
"My Lord, why did you not ask me to swear the oath?!"
The other Death Eaters gasped at her brazenness in front of the Dark Lord, but Voldemort simply chuckled as if she were an amusing child or pet.
"My beautiful Raven, I felt you had proven yourself enough, both in combat and in your loyalty to me." He smiled at her, and the marking was complete.