Thanks for the lovely reviews! They meet in this chapter for a little bit and they will again latter on. I would change the summary as you suggested but it wouldn't be accurate when I get a bit further into the story.

Day 4.

Snape Family Mansion:

He was still in the library, sitting on the window seat. His eyes seemed to see nothing and everything all at once. There was a air of incredible youth and vulnerability about him as he sat there, a pale skinny boy, half hidden behind the curtains.

The sound of his father's voice shattered the silence. He flinched and instantly hated himself for it.

"Have you forgotten what day it is? If you aren't cleaned up and in your best robes within fifteen minutes I will make you wish you were never born"

'I already do.'

He forced himself to look up, to meet the man's gaze. By the time he'd managed it however - he was once again alone in the room.

Number 12 Grimaland Place:

They stood in a circle, their black robes reaching to the floor, their faces obscured by masks. The Death Eaters. The Dark Lord's Death Eaters. Tom Morlova Riddle stood at the centre of the circle.

As he'd been instructed Serverus approached on his knees, kept his eyes down and kissed the hem of Lord Voldemort's robe.

"Look at me boy."

He tilted his head upwards and was regarded by the second greatest wizard of the age. Riddle noticed the now fading bruise on the side of his head. And he noticed the intelligence and building frustration behind his eyes.

"Now hold out your arm."

He did as he was commanded and raised his left arm - his right would have been impossible. Voldemort pulled back the sleeve. Once again he noted the bruising, fresher this time and in a recognisable pattern of fingers. He touched the tip of his wand against a patch of pale skin. A sudden intense burning pain filled Serverus' mind. He bit down on his lip to keep from crying out. The agony seemed to last for hours, though in reality he knew it to be only seconds. Then it was over, replaced by a hot throbbing ache. The Dark Lord smiled.

"Welcome."

Serverus looked down at the arm he no longer owned, looked down at the dark mark seared into his flesh.

They'd given him his death eater robes and mask, congradulated him. He'd almost laughed at that.

'Congradulations on becoming a slave!'

Still... nobody here was mocking him. They didn't think he was worthless. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad.

'They're only using you because of your talent for potions.'

'Shut up! I don't care.'

Voldemort had left now and there was a party going on. Serverus understood that it was for him. Still all he could think of was to get away from it. There was too much noise and too many people. It made him uncomfortable. But he knew he had to stay in this house a while longer. Otherwise his father would be angry with him for not following proper ettiquet. What a joke! Everyone knew why the Blacks hadn't invited Mr. Snape himself to this gathering. He'd have ended up passed out in his own puke before the night was out.

It was getting even louder now. Inane laughter and flushed faces.

'I hate them. All of them! Got to get out of here.'

He decided to go upstairs and find an empty room where he could sit for a few hours. No one noticed him slipping away.

He climbed the stairs and found a large bedroom and a bathroom. However he decided it would be best to stay out of thosetwo rooms. Then he noticed a door across the corridor, locked from the outside. Thinking it must be a spare room or a storage area he quickly turned the key and stepped inside. He stopped, frozen to the spot.

Sirus was inside, staring right at him and chained to the wall. He had no shirt on. There were old scars on his chest. His mouth had been sealed. There was a blood stain on the wall where he must have been banging his head off it.

He stood in the doorway for several long moments, too shocked to speak or even think. Then, suddenly snapping out of it, he turned and quickly left the room.

Sirus wanted to scream and shout and curse till his lungs bled. Of all the people to see him like this! FUCK!

'What if he tells everyone at school? I don't want them to know. I don't want James to know...'

He started to smack his skull against the stones once more, harder than before.