The Dark Lord's Request
"Blair? Is that you?" a cold voice echoed around the clearing as I apparated into the heart of the Albanian Forrest. A tall, robed figure swept across the forest floor to where I stood.
"Yes, my Lord, those ungainly fools that call themselves Aurors burst into my house almost the minute I received your letter." I smiled as I glanced around the trees which unlocked a flood of memories. A slow smile spread across my face as I recalled that day.
"Ah, ha-ha! We did it, Blair! We are free of that place!" Tom yelled to me as he picked me up and spun me around.
"Tom! Put me down or you'll be seeing the Leaving Feast again on your robes." He put me down hastily, his eyes bright with anticipation and excitement.
"Blair, we can start executing our plans immediately! There is no time to lose; I WILL have dominion over this world!" He turned to look into the trees, lost in thought. I shifted uncomfortably on the spot.
"Our plans, Tom? You really want me to help you?" I asked incredulously, so sure that when our trip was over he would leave me and move on to better things. He strode towards me, firmly grasping my shoulders and staring me straight in the eye.
"Blair, my dear Blair. You are the reason that I have hope for my plans, I need your support and guidance. When I have power, only you will know what I once was and only you will be the one I look out for." He smiled at my uncertainty. A smile which reassured me more than his words did. I threw my arms around him and buried my face in his shoulder,
"Oh, Tom! Thank you! Thank you!" A hearty, exuberant laugh escaped his lips as he picked me up again and spun me around.
"We will have it all, Blair!" our laughs and shrieks of happiness and anticipation echoed around the trees, frightening a few of the forest creatures from their resting places…
Voldemort's hand on my shoulder brought me back to the present,
"It was nice here was it not, that time ten years ago?" Voldemort mused.
"That was a good week, despite having that muggle-loving fool Dumbledore following us." I replied, wrinkling my nose in distaste. Voldemort chuckled softly as his hand tightly gripped my left forearm,
"Blair… You are ready my dear? Ready to receive the Mark?"
"Definitely my Lord, I have always been ready." I said fiercely, pride shimmering in my crystal blue eyes. Voldemort smiled and led me over to where the other Death Eaters were gathered.
"My Death Eaters, you have now here before you the woman with the fiercest loyalty to me and our cause. You will learn a lot from… Blair Gaunt." A murmur of recognition swept through the crowd, my reputation had preceded me. I did not tolerate insubordination and as a result I do not restrain my use of the Unforgiveables. Many have suffered from their carelessness. He released my arm and I knelt before him eagerly anticipating what was to come as he brought his wand to the exposed skin of my left forearm.
I smiled to myself as the searing pain of the Dark Mark shot through my arm. It was worth it. Ever since I met Tom Riddle at Hogwarts in my first year we became close companions. I revelled in the Dark Arts, absorbing the wealth of knowledge that was out there. Knowledge equalled power, and my association with Tom would present me with both. We would study assorted Dark Arts books together in the Slytherin common room late into the night, focusing on achieving Tom's dream of becoming the most feared Dark wizard in history. I was the only one out of Tom's fast forming band of followers who knew what he desired. Being in the constant company of Tom, allowed me few other friends. Loneliness struck me occasionally, as I reminisced on the many balls and dances at Hogwarts, where Tom's icy stare dissuaded anybody from coming near me. As my cousin and dear friend, Tom was very overprotective of me. Always, I brushed aside the feeling, reminding myself that an alliance with him meant power and strength. Beholden to his tutelage and his resolute companionship, I placed my personal desires second to a rise to power.
A gust of wind blew through the trees, whipping my long raven hair around me as I knelt in front of Voldemort, the late afternoon sun casting dim shadows upon the beautifully dark features of my face. Voldemort was always protective of his Blair as he referred to me from time to time. Many a careless Death Eater had suffered terribly under his wrath by making unwanted sexual advances towards me. The agonizing screams of the men reminded me that deep down inside of the glorious Dark Lord image he still had a heart.
"Stand up, my Blair," Voldemort smirked, pride written on his face. "You deserve all the honours of the world," I stood slowly, looking him in the eye.
"Thankyou my lord, making my allegiance with you tangible has made me whole. To do your bidding, is my calling."
"Yes…" he spoke softly "Now Blair, there is something of great importance that I wish to ask of you. It is imperative that you fulfil this one request." his voice cold and calculating, the tone I preferred in a man. He pulled on my arm leading me around the trees to talk in private.
"Yes my Lord, how can I be of service to you?"
"I wish for our bloodline to flourish. Ours is a dwindling line my friend, the blood of Salazar Slytherin flows freely through our veins and once combined with other powerful pureblood families, dominance and power shall soon be ours. You are to have a child."