Chapter Thirty Four

It Was A Dark And Stormy Night

The rest of February and half of March zoomed by in a blanket of white. The snow had started a few days after the ball and had not really stopped since. Students and professors alike spent any free time they had near a fire or under their covers, trying to stay warm. Not an easy task in the big drafty castle. House elves scurried everywhere refilling fireplaces, bringing extra blankets and offering hot drinks to warm the witches and wizards. Severus was shivering by his fire wrapped in a heavy blanket. He was just starting to get warm when his forearm got as hot as if he had set it afire. Pulling it from the blanket he scowled.

"Damn his timing! All I want to do is get warm and sleep and now he wants me to stand in the middle of a bloody field in the middle of the snow. This better be good."

Dropping the blanket and replacing it with a long hooded robe and mask he tapped his arm and was taken to a field, it was a dark and stormy night and he was miles away from his chamber. Dropping to his knees, he kissed the hem of the bellowing robe in front of him before bowing his head and retreating to his place among the others. Several minutes later everyone was there, circling around him. Their master, The Dark Lord, Voldemort. At his feet two figures bowed before him, both in the same robes. All eyes turned to him as he spoke at last.

"Welcome my servants, You are here to watch as I allow these people to enter are world. They have proven themselves faithful and loyal."

The Dark Lord stepped forward, reaching out a single bony hand to the person on the left. The figure lifted an arm to him, allowing the sleeve of the robe to fall back. Grasping the persons wrist with his slim fingers the person spoke.

"I kneel before you my lord, asking to become one of your humble servants. I am aware of what I am doing and from this day forth will serve no one but you. I denounce all that is good and fair and willing come to the dark side. As long as I am faithful to only you I shall be protected from all others. If I break my word I expect nothing less then punishment and death for my actions."

Severus stood quietly listening to the words the man had spoken. It seemed so long ago he had spoken those same words. If he had only knew then what he did now his life would be a lot different. Something was bothering him though. That voice sounded very familiar but he could not place it. He was pulled from his thoughts when the man let out a scream when The Dark Lord placed his finger to his arm branding him with the dark mark. The man's head jerked back cause his hood to fall from his head. Severus knew at once who the man was with out seeing his face, his mouth opened in shock for a moment before he could compose himself. He knew that hair anywhere, the newest member of their ranks was none other then an apparently recovered Gilderoy Lockheart. Severus had little time to recover as Gilderoy was shoved in the circle and the other person was left kneeling before The Dark Lord alone.

"This new member will not be receiving the mark you all have, she has a different fate."

Leaning forward The Dark Lord pulls her to her feet by the front of her robe, ripping them aside to bare her breasts to the whole group. Pulling her head back by her hair he kissed down her neck resting his lipless mouth on the skin covering her heart. Sucking hard until she bruised he pulled away replacing his mouth with a single finger. Moving it over and over the bruise he stops at last with a look of satisfaction on his gaunt face. The mark had turned into a snake taking on a slight green tone.

"She is now marked as my mistress, anyone who touches her without my permission will be killed at once," turning his attention back to the woman he releases her hair but grabs her wrist. "Come, we have a long night ahead of us. As for the rest of you, you may go back to you mundane lives until I summon you again."

Every deatheater bowed deeply before leaving the scene. Finally only Lockheart and Severus remained. Severus was about to leave when Lockheart open his mouth.

"Don't hurt her badly, she means a lot to me"

Voldemort turned pointing his wand at him.

"She is mine now, when I'm done with her you can have your turn. Cruico!"

Lockheart hit the ground screaming in pain from the curse. After about a minute he was released.

"You would do well to remember who I am from now on." The Dark Lord turned away taking the woman with him. Severus took a last look at the sobbing Lockheart and left as the others did. Reentering his chamber he picked up his forgotten blanket carried it to the bed and pulled it over his head wanting to just sleep and forget the dark and stormy night.