/I don't own anything you recognize in this story. /

Chapter Eleven

The first week of school passed fairly insignificantly. The only thing that really seemed to have changed was the workload the teachers gave us seventh years, which was more than any other year that I had been at the school, including my fifth year.

Several weeks later, Lucius found me in the library, buried in between piles of books. It was a wonder that he had even found me. Sitting down next to me, Lucius studied me at my work and out of the corner of my eye; I studied him, as well. I was wondering what he wanted this time. For some reason I had an inkling that he wanted to ask if I made a decision about joining with Voldemort.

"You work too hard, Severus," Lucius stated.

I smiled and shrugged. "This is my life. I can't imagine any other way, Lucius."

"You could have a life with Voldemort," Lucius exclaimed.

"Aha! I knew that's what you sought me out for," I said. "Are you going to tell me more about this group or are you going to keep me in the dark?"

"I told you all that you need to know, my friend," Lucius said. "The group was formed to resist the onslaught of half breeds as well as showing our contempt for Mudbloods. I don't think you need any more than that, do you?"

Sighing, my concentration broken, I close my book with a snap. There was no way I was going to get my homework done with Malfoy hanging around me like he was.

"I think you insist way too much, my friend," I commented, placing my book onto the table.

"I'm only looking out for your well-being, brother," Lucius said, clapping me on the back.

I rolled my eyes. "Since when have you been looking out for my well being, Lucius?"

"Hmm, let me think, how about ever since we first started coming here, eh? If I can recall, you have quite a group of archenemies by the names of Potter, Black, and Pettigrew," Lucius exclaimed, smirking soundly.

I frowned at the mention of my enemies. That was true, but I didn't dare agree with my friend. I had too much for that and Lucius had a way of laying it on you for weeks on end. And if he really wanted to annoy you, he would tell all of his closest friends and then you probably wouldn't hear the last of it until the end of the year, maybe longer.

"Thinking of blasting their heads off, Severus?" Lucius asked, laughing.

I narrowed my eyes. "I refuse to stoop to their level, Lucius. That would be called cowardly."

"Oh, really? Then what about the time you stealthily threw a dungbomb into Potter's cauldron in Potions, causing it to explode and making Potter to be in the hospital wing for over a week. Not to mention a countless number of other times that you tortured the lot of them," Lucius stated.

I shook my head. "They are not the same. Such things that I do are operations and punishments, nothing more. What they do is for attention and therefore childish."

Lucius put up his hands in defense. "Hey, I meant no offense. I'm supporting you whole-heartedly. I was just teasing."

"Some idea of a joke, my friend," I replied. "But we are off topic. You haven't told me about Voldemort's group."

Lucius rolled his eyes and threw up his hands in disgust, obviously frustrated and bored with me.

"Like I told you already, Voldemort has created a group called the Death Eaters who are trying to purge the world of Muggles and Mudbloods as well as anyone who opposes us. It's getting quite popular," Lucius explained. "And like I said, it would do you well to join the group."

I shrug and stand. "Can't decide if I have never met the man. How about you take me to your leader and then I'll decide. Until then, don't bother me about it, Lucius."

"The only time you'll see Voldemort in person is when you are inducted. And at meetings and group murders," Lucius exclaimed.

I give a small smile. "Then you won't have me in, Lucius. If you don't mind, I have some business to attend to. I'll see you later."

And with that, I swept out of the library, leaving Lucius watching after me. As I left, I had a small grim satisfaction that my friend would do as I bid, and he wouldn't desert a friend's bidding.

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Author's Note: Please forgive me for my lack of updates. I know nothing that I say or do can make you satisfied for my lack of updates, most of the time updating is days, weeks, even months at a time. But I have to beg your forgiveness once again and say that I've been preoccupied with the other daily demands of life such as school and work and haven't been able to update except for the occasional short chapter for some random story. But I promise I'll try and update as much as I can this weekend. But anyways, I hope you enjoyed this chapter, short as it is and hope you'll continue reading. Also thanks to those who've reviewed and I haven't gotten to send thanks. Your reviews are greatly appreciated.