Severus paced his empty dormitory. He was used to his four roommates being out til early in the morning. What they were doing, he never asked. He knew it had something to do with the Dark Arts, he could tell by their conversations. He was very interested in the Dark Arts, by not in the same malicious, cynical way that they were. He was facinated by the Art, not the Darkness of it. He sat alone in the room, taking advantage of the quiet to do his Astronomy essay. When he was three quarters of the way finished, Avery and Lestrange came stumbling in, grinning stupidly, followed by Malfoy and Knott. All of them were gripping their left forearms as if in pain.

"What's up with you lot?"

Malfoy lifted his sleeve. On his arm was a tatoo of a skull with a snake protruding from the mouth.

"Severus," Malfoy said grinning. "Have you ever heard of Lord Voldemort?"

"I've heard rumors."

Avery sat next to Severus.

"Lord Voldemort will be the most feared dark wizard ever."

Lestrange smiled cruelly.

"Once he has rid the world of Muggles and Mudbloods he will perfect the Dark Arts."

Tired as he was, his ears perked at the sound of Dark Arts. "I'm listening." he said.

"Give me your arm." Lestrange said firmly.

An hour later, Severus Snape bore the Dark Mark on his arm. He was a servant of Lord Voldemort. **