"One's dignity may be assaulted, vandalized and cruelly mocked, but it cannot be taken away unless it is surrendered."

Morton Kondrake

DIGNITY

Initiation

It was one of those typical late summer evenings that usually tends to dominate the night as August slowly dies into autumn. A kind of evening in which a gentle breeze wonders around the streets, sometimes taking a little rest here and there, tarrying among the orange leaves that have already begun to fall one by one, leaving the small town to snooze in its own tranquillity.

The whispers of those who were already weary of waiting filled the dingy room. Draco Malfoy huffed as he took a seat at the back of the room, the thick material of his black robe making him uneasy. He did not know why they were summoned at this time of the night, nor did he know how long they were going to be staying. However, he remained in a murky corner of the room, talking to his father with a barely audible voice, as if scared that someone might notice him.

Things had not changed much in the last two months. He had tried to complain, to say that everything had been an accident, but his father had warned him against it. Lucius said he was grateful to be alive, and that Draco shouldn't push anything further. At this point, Draco failed to comprehend his father.

Lucius Malfoy, the rich pureblood, the respectable owner of the Malfoy estate, his own father, lowered to being treated as the inferior. He tried to object, but he had to accept it in the end.

The Dark Lord knew best.

Surely, The Dark Lord had thought of something. Surely, Lucius had deserved what he got. Even if he had not, the Dark Lord was the master, and he was to be obeyed.

The whispers sharply halted as the wide oak door was pushed open with a great force, revealing a tall man wrapped in black robes from head to toe. A short, plump, hunchbacked man with untidy, mousey hair, and who appeared to be no better than a squib when it came to performing magic, accompanied him.

Everyone slowly rose from their seats, gave a low bow welcoming their master, and quickly walked towards the centre of the room to gather around him. They were eager to learn why they had been summoned at quarter past eleven on a peaceful, Sunday night.

"I am sure," the Dark Lord commenced his speech, his red slit-like eyes scanning those around him, "you have been wondering why you have been summoned here, at this time of the night. I can see some of you fear bad news. However, I am glad to assure you that tonight we have been gathered for a pleasant event. You are present to witness the initiation of the most intelligent, gifted and canny witch of her time. The one who will be replacing Bellatrix Lestrange; please make welcome, Miss Hermione Granger."

The room was silent. Then all at once, the crowd broke into loud whispers as they tried to recall the name Granger.

"Hestia Granger, was it? The infamous creator of the Cruciatus curse? Must be the great grand-daughter… Wow, I really must…" Jugson murmured.

"No, you idiot. That was Hestia Greyback," snapped Dolohov. "Granger… I really can't think of anyone…," his voice trailed away.

The husky voice of Lucius Malfoy arose from behind.

"Undoubtedly, my lord, you have not chosen a Mudblood to replace dear Bellatrix? Because, neither I nor my allies, under any circumstances, will agree to take orders from a piece of filth like her."

"Mudblood, did he say? No, it can't be…"

"That's impossible. The Dark Lord would never…"

"Scandalous! A Mudblood. Oh poor Bella, if only she had known…"

"Silence!" roared Voldemort. He looked through the room to find Lucius. "Crucio!" he bellowed. Immediately, there was a loud clump as Lucius Malfoy collided with the floor, twitching and turning with agony.

The room fell silent again.

"If there are any other objections," Voldemort drawled, "I will be glad to deal with them". He paused for a few seconds. "Good". He nonchalantly muttered a counter curse, relieving Lucius from his pain. Lucius stumbled back to a corner of the room, whilst the doors opened once again, announcing the arrival of Hermione Granger.

She stood at the doorway, with a smile that did not reach her eyes, and proceeded to the middle of the room. As she entered, Lucius threw her a cold glare. All other eyes turned to her – searching, ready to hate, ready to reject, ready to kill.

Hermione's blood froze in her veins. She tried to shield herself from the evil looks; she tried to be strong. Her face turned a whiter shade of pale. She staggered and almost fell over.

Jugson laughed maniacally. Dolohov and Macnair joined. In a few seconds, the whole room was laughing silently at the pathetic little girl who couldn't even bare the hatred surrounding her. When Voldemort realised what was happening, he aimed a shielding charm towards her. The charm wrapped her like a warm cloak, protecting her from all the abhorrence surrounding her. Immediately she pulled herself together, and continued walking as if nothing had happened.

But Draco did not fail to notice she was shaking.

l…l…l…l…l

She took her place on the chair and waited. It was cold, the piercing glares were running right though her, but she tried to ignore them. She turned to look at Voldemort who was making strange hissing noises. Parseltongue, she recognized. A few seconds later, a thick snake came slithering through the door. Its yellow eyes scanned the room, the walls, the ceiling. Slowly, it made its way through the room, carefully sniffing each and every one of the Death Eaters. It stopped at one particular individual and lingered, head raised and tongue extended, tasting the air.

The Death Eater staggered back.

"Something the matter, Severus?" Voldemort inquired.

"No my lord, nothing." Snape muttered.

Nagini left Snape and continued on her way. She finally arrived next to the chair, her long body gracefully curved into the shape of a perfect "S". She lay down, waiting for the orders from her master.

Voldemort hissed again and Nagini slowly rose, until she was level with Hermione Granger.

"You will be receiving the Dark Mark," Voldemort announced. Then there came a flash of pain. A white-hot fire. Glass breaking into her skin, daggers slashing it apart, and the flowing crimson went down her black robes. It flowed and flowed, and she was burning in pain, but it didn't stop. It burned and it froze. She was numb, she could not move…

The snake's fangs had cut deep into her skin, and it was currently relishing the taste of her tainted blood. She rose her head and glanced at the room. She noticed most of the Death Eaters were grasping their forearms, and she realised that as she was being initiated, they were all going through the same pain. The serpent in their arm was slithering restlessly, celebrating the new arrival.

Then the Dark Lord did something unexpected. He pointed his wand to his own arm and cut it. Normally, blood would have come pouring out. Instead, nothing happened. Just a few drops beaded on surface, and dropped down on to Hermione's wound.

Black, she noticed. Not a hint of red. Pure black. Voldemort muttered a healing charm, and the cut immediately closed up, leaving no trace of the once deep cut.

The pain had stopped. As Nagini drew back, Hermione looked down at her arm. There was the Dark Mark, hot and bold, aching, burning, hurting and shining in all its wicked glory. She felt the venom pouring into her blood, through her veins, into every single cell. She felt like she had been born all over again, into a new world, where there was no good or evil.

And she was filled with a sudden urge to battle, to win, to destroy, to kill. And to gain power.

l…l…l…l…l

After bitterly congratulating their new, fellow Death Eater, they were all granted permission to leave.

"Malfoy, stay." The order had come.

Draco looked around to find his father in the chaos. Lucius was still in the corner that he had been in half an hour ago. As people started vanishing one by one, Draco easily made his way to the other side of the room.

The young Death Eater slowly patted his father's shoulder, causing him to snap back to reality and look down at his son. He saw his father's eyes had darkened, and his face had hollowed. The effects of the Cruciatus Curse were woven into every inch of his skin. Nevertheless, he was standing up straight, proud and high. He refused to surrender his poise. He clung on to it, digging in his nails, he pulled it up high again, to where he lived.

That was why Draco loved his father; not because of the riches he would inherit, not because Lucius spoiled him with expensive gifts, not because of the name he carried. Draco loved his father for the dignity he possessed. And as long as his father maintained his dignity, Draco would look up to him.

The Dark Lord's steps were slow. He lazily approached the two Malfoys, pausing to pet Nagini. When he finally arrived, a maniacal smile spread over his lips. His slit-like eyes peered sadistically into their minds. Draco seriously questioned why he was even bothering.

The rusty voice swiped that thought from his mind.

Anything for the Dark Lord.

"Malfoy Senior, you may leave."

Lucius nodded, and reluctantly drawing his long hornbeam wand, apparated silently into thin air. He was in no state to argue.

Alone in the large room with none other than the Dark Lord and a vicious snake to boot, Draco was not feeling comfortable in the least. Trying to remain calm and assuming he had succeeded, he turned around to face his master.

"Malfoy, Malfoy, you're not scared are you?" Voldemort spoke in a singsong tone. He put his arm on Draco's shoulder and squeezed it with his long fingers, extracting a shudder from him.

"No need to be scared Malfoy, it's not like I'll harm you." He laughed a cold, psychotic laugh. Draco gulped.

"Well yes, let's get down to business, shall we? Yes, yes, take a seat." He conjured up a wooden chair and impatiently, and with a flick of his wand, pushed Draco down onto the seat.

"As you - I am sure - have noticed, Hermione Jane Granger, your classmate if I'm not mistaken, is now a Death Eater. No need to hide your thoughts Malfoy, I can see right through them. Yes, I know she used to be acquainted with Harry Potter. However, she has changed. And yes, I am sure! Are you questioning my decisions Malfoy?" he raised his voice.

"No, my lord." Draco muttered, trying to control his thoughts.

"Very well. In any case, you have been assigned a duty. Not a very important one, as the Malfoy Family is infamous for their failure to undertake the most simple of assignations. But I am sure you will be able to manage it. You seem brighter than your worthless father."

The Dark Lord paused to pet Nagini who was wrapped around his neck. Nagini gave an appreciative hiss.

"Throughout the school year, you will be protecting Granger from all possible harm. Have I made myself clear?" he inquired, his red eyes flashing.

He, Draco Malfoy, Pureblood, sole heir of the Malfoy legacy protect Granger? Granger the Mudblood, the filthy, dirty little---

"---Malfoy," Voldemort snarled. "there will be no need for further thoughts on the bloodline of Granger. From now on, she is to be treated as a Death Eater of the highest regard. In fact, to make sure you do not abandon or neglect your task, I will place a spell on you."

With a swift movement, Voldemort drew his 13-inch long, yew wand and a flash of blue light hit Draco square in the chest. Instinctively, he looked down at his body. There was no change. He felt no difference.

When he looked up, Voldemort was gone. He carefully stood up and looked around the room. Not knowing what to expect next, he waited for something to happen. He stayed for a few more minutes, but nothing changed, and thus he decided there was no point in lingering any longer.

He Disapparated away, with all his hatred burning in him.

Author's Note: I would like to thank Rizzle and Serenity for giving up their precious time to beta this chapter for me. They are both awesome, and will be betaing Dignity from now on.

Also, I would like to thank you, my dear readers, for waiting so patiently. I truly apologise for the lateness of this chapter. I will try to update more frequently from now on.

And lastly, fanfiction . net seems to have a new system going on. Apparently, us authors can now reply to our wonderful reviews. So, to celebrate this new feature, I will be replying to every single review from now on. Well, what are you waiting for? The review button is on the bottom left corner :)