AN: Two things at the moment...First, I keep getting questions about Harry in reviews (I love everyone's comments...and I'm glad many are enjoying this story) but please reread chapter two or reread the author notes in the header of the very first chapter (this story was what I believed could happen if Voldemort won...destroyed the Order and Harry) Second, those of you loving Gift and possibly reading this...I have begun the sequel but it will be a few weeks before I can even finish (so hold on)

Chapter Nine

Voldemort pulled from his Pensieve. He sat back, thinking. "You continued to warn me and failed to live by it. I grew stronger. Soon everything will be mine."

He had at one time lost his physical form. That had been his one punishment, the only time his so-called Master had tried to warn him. But in the end Voldemort regained his physical form as forgiveness. "You couldn't stop me. You enjoyed the suffering I had created."

Yes, his Dark Master enjoyed the screams and torture. He praised Voldemort for everything he had done. And when the man should have paid closer attention to the power trip Voldemort had started, someone caught the Dark Prince's eye. "Yes, Severus was quite good. Too tensed for my taste but delicious all the same. But those marks."

Severus had caught the fancy of their Dark Prince, being chased by the Prince over his last few years at Hogwarts. But it seemed their relations had ended abruptly, just after Severus had left Hogwarts. Then again there were nights when Severus was late, looking thoroughly debauched. And for almost four years later after his graduation Severus was once again alone.

And according to his fellow schoolmates, Severus hadnever bornsuch marks. At least it was what Lucius had said, though he mentioned seeing something upon the man's shoulder around their Seventh Year. "What are those marks? Where have I heard of such things?"

The spiralling stairs outside the Headmaster's office rumbled, alerting him to someone's presence. "Master?"

Red eyes peered at the cowering form of Wormtail. "He released you?" Voldemort had been deprived of his pathetic follower almost two days ago. His Master's Faithful had snatched him from his side, never bothering to tell him why.

Peter scurried forward, "Yes, Master. He worries over Severus and plays with his new pets."

"Ah, so they still live. Possibly not for long if he has his way. And Severus, tell me of his back." Voldemort was curious.

"He bears it willingly. All those chosen bear the mark of their status as consort."

"You anger me, Wormtail."

Peter flinched at the harsh tone, scurrying to the bookshelf behind his Master's chair. From there he selected a small golden book. "The journal of the faithful Circe and Morgana. The chosens have also written into it. But the main portions were of the Dark Masters. They wrote of various marks created to control their followers, their demons. You based our mark on one of theirs."

A dark brow lifted, amused, "A whole paragraph. Not one stutter. Impressive." He sneered at his weaker follower. "I said to tell me. Not educate me."

Peter whimpered as he flipped through the pages. "A-a chosen is a possible consort, the lover. A permanent chosen will bear the mark of a life-mate, the highest honor a lowly consort can achieve. This mark grants the consort honor, respect, and power over other lowly creatures."

"Yes, he has done you great wonders but you still reek of fear."

Peter held back his own sneer. I served well over the years. I gave up everything for you. But I won't take the fall. You screwed up, Master. And now your Master has knowledge. You touched the untouchable. You tainted what wasn't yours. But Peter never spoke his thoughts, careful to keep his eyes averted. He couldn't let his Master know any of his thoughts. And yes, when facing ultimate death you fight who you really are. "A life-mate is the most valuable possession of a Dark Master. A Master who can bring about instant death. The life-mate can only feel the touch of their mate. It is forbidden for others to violate a chosen. The marks they bear alert all others to the chosen's status. It tells them who they belong to, what they are, and who they are."

"Meaning?" This history lesson was grating Voldemort's non-existentpatience.

Peter swallowed, "Meaning the Dark Prince will avenge his chosen's violation. Severus was touched, violated by many of your followers, even graced your bed, Master. The Dark Prince will know. He'll be coming."

Voldemort chuckled, "Severus? No one has ever wanted him. Maybe for quick release. Even when he was in school, no one desired him, only for his skills. His violations were just that. A way to humiliate, to make him submit. His only worth was potions. But I've found another loyal Potions Master to serve me. Severus probably paid others to be his lover or allowed others to use him as a chance to release. Nothing more. Nothing less."

Peter frowned, "M-my Lord?" He did not like the tone nor theexcuses his Master was making. He feared for his life.

"Leave me. Prepare our troops. It is time we began our final campaign." Peter willingly fled, not wanting to stay behind. Something was wrong. He felt it in the shadows as he passed through them. It was like they were alive, laughing with glee. Something was going to happen, something bad. And Peter wanted nothing more than to flee.

"His words, dear rat?"

Peter squeaked in sudden fear, falling to the floor as he ran head first into an unmoving force. "Sirius!"

The dark haired male smirked behind his flowing veils, "My Master awaits, rat."

Whimpering, "He-he..."

Sirius sighed, "Open your mind, rat."

"Severus was a toy. N-nothing more. Use and abuse."

"Very good, rat. You sway easily when it comes to your life. See you soon, Peter." And Sirius left behind a frightened Peter, sobbing in the dark hallway as he vanished into the darkness.

Must flee! Must hide! Can't stay here!