AN: It's taken ages, I know, and I'm sorry. However, this is the final chapter of "Truth and Lies". Enjoy.

Snape perused the list Draco had written, knowing that this was most of the Slytherins. It was too late to stop the ones that would be initiated over the Christmas holidays, but perhaps something could be done about the younger ones. It did worry him, however, that they seemed so enthusiastic. Obviously they didn't understand what would be required of them.

Draco would be safe here, with the rest of the Order of the Phoenix. The Death Eaters hadn't managed to find their headquarters yet. He hissed in pain as his Dark Mark began to burn. Snatching up a hooded robe, he apparated to the meeting.

……………………

He took his place in the circle as the uninitiated stood together in the middle. Despite all their bravado in the Slytherin common room, they weren't so brave when it came to the actual event. Bound to some nearby trees were a group of, Snape assumed, muggles. These unfortunate individuals would soon be the initiation victims. Looking more closely, he could see one of them had pale blonde hair. Malfoy hair. It was possible that she was the missing Malfoy girl, and Snape had to admit to himself that he was surprised to find her alive. Not that it mattered – she wouldn't be for much longer. He couldn't help her escape without revealing himself to be a spy, and she couldn't use magic.

"I'm sorry, Lucille, Draco."

He didn't have long to think about them, however, as the initiations were beginning. Everyone was expected to give those their full attention. The ceremony always began with the questioning, then the torture or killing of an innocent victim, then the branding with the Dark Mark. Many people didn't make it through the initiation – if deemed unworthy at any stage, you could be killed.

First to begin was Pansy Parkinson. Not many women were initiated, and she saw it as a way of proving she was equal to the men. She wasn't doing this because she wanted to be a Death Eater, which was encouraging. Perhaps he could have a word with her about changing allegiances. She handled the entire thing calmly, and managed to remain composed during even the branding. Then again, many Slytherin children were routinely subjected to the Cruciatus curse at home, and the two were comparable.

Vincent Crabbe didn't survive the interrogation – Voldemort deemed him too subservient and unable to work alone. Gregory Goyle made it through, and was given Lucille as a victim. Fortunately for her, the first spell he cast was Avada Kedavra, and she died instantly. At least he'd be able to tell Draco that she wasn't tortured first. Small comfort indeed.

Out of ten candidates, seven were initiated into the Death Eaters. At the end of the meeting, Snape returned gratefully to 12 Grimmauld Place.

…………………

The only person still up when he returned was Hermione Granger, who was still studying the map. As he entered the kitchen, she poured him a cup of coffee, which he accepted gratefully.

"How many?"

"Seven."

She nodded slowly. "Anyone from Hogwarts?"

"All the seventh year Slytherins except Draco, Blaise Zabini and the three he killed."

"That's bad."

………………

The next morning, the Order gathered again to hear Snape's report. It wasn't encouraging, but they did all realise they had to do something, and soon. Draco almost cried when he heard about his sister, and he spent the rest of the meeting clinging to Ginny.

Hermione outlined her plan, which she'd come up with overnight. No-one disagreed with it, not even Snape. However, he did make one decision, and that meant Draco had to stay in Grimmauld Place.

"It's too dangerous for you – they know you've abandoned your upbringing and disobeyed your father – Lucius will have wasted no time in telling them that. No arguments, you're staying here!"

And that was how the Order of the Phoenix set off to fight Voldemort – without their newest member.

"Promise you'll owl me, so I know you're safe."

"Of course I will, but you're not to use my name – the owl might be intercepted."

"Good luck, Ginny."

"Love you, ferret boy."

"Love you too, despite you calling me names." He pouted, and she laughed, ruffling his hair, before mounting her broom and flying away.

AN: To find out what happened next, read my story "Letters to the Front Line". But after reviewing this chapter, of course!