The halls of L'Académie de Magie Beauxbâtons were dark and empty. The beautiful statues and elegant lace drapes looked eerie bathed in pale moonlight. It was an hour before dawn, and therefore the darkest time of night. The students and staff were sleeping peacefully, no one stirring from their beds. However, at this dark hour, one student braved the dark hallways.
He walked with a purpose, straight down the stairs, towards the front of the school. He was silent and swift, clad in a dark ebony cloak. Once he reached the doors, he pushed against them, though they moved not. He chuckled to himself and stepped from the door. He knew this would happen, so he had his backup plan. He closed his eyes, and concentrated on where he needed to be. Then, with a loud crack, he was gone.
An instant later he was outside of a huge manor, rain pouring from the dark sky. Giant iron gates stood before him, and he saw a man was approaching.
"Monsieur Molyneux," the man was small and round, and was obviously frightened, "you are expected inside. Please follow me." The small man opened the gate and gestured up the pathway to the giant doors. Not a word was spoken as they made their way up the muddy path.
Once inside, Molyneux made his way to the dining room, the small man trailing behind. He heaved the huge double doors open and gazed at the people waiting inside. A tall man with long blonde hair stood and whispered something to whomever was seated in the head seat, whom was not visible. Then, he made his way over.
"You must be our expected company, welcome to our home," he bowed, "I am Lucius Malfoy. The woman at the far end of the table is my wife, Narcissa. I believe you already know Miss Lestrange, "Bellatrix smiled, and blew Molyneux a kiss and laughed a cold and wicked laugh. She gestured to the seat next to her, and Molyneux walked over to the empty seat. He started to sit down, when a cold and dark voiced stopped him.
"My, my, you have grown so much since I last saw you. You look just like your mother, young master Molyneux," The boy turned to his left and upon seeing whom was speaking to him, immediately bowed in respect. The man laughed and rose from his seat. He seemed to float across the floor to him, and Molyneux found himself staring into deep crimson eyes, eyes that belonged to the most feared man in the Wizarding World.
"My Lord, Voldemort. It is an honour to meet you, sir." Voldemort nodded and gestured for the boy to sit, and Franz obeyed with no question. He returned to his seat and gazed at the witches and wizards sitting among him. Bellatrix Lestrange, Lucius and Narcissa Malfoy, and Fenrir Greyback. All known supporters of the Dark Lord. The table was silent for what seemed an eternity. Then, Narcissa rose from her seat, slamming her hands on the table.
"My Lord, with all due respect, what on earth is a child doing in my home at a time like this? He is a stranger, and I refuse to give him my trust until I know who he is and why he is here!" she narrowed her eyes at the boy, a dark fire burning in them. Lucius reached out to calm his wife, but she shrugged him off, "Well? Tell us who you are, young master Molyneux. We are all wondering why you are so special to be invited to a meetng with the Dark Lord," she dug her nails into the wooden table, and opened her mouth to speak again.
"SILENCE!"
Narcissa fell back into her seat, fear in her eyes. Voldemort was staring at her with crimson eyes, obviously angered by her outburst. She started to speak again but he raised his hand and she was silent once more. He closed his eyes and sat silent for the longest time.
"My dearest, Narcissa. This is the son of the late Marquis Robert Molyneux and Mademoiselle Adélaïde Desmarais, whom you know as Addie Blackstone. His name is Franz Albert Molyneux. " Narcissa and Lucius both gasped and stared, wide-eyed at the young boy. Franz smirked at the mention of his mother's name. She had raised him until he was three, left him at an orphanage, and then had come to Britain with one goal.
Serve the Dark Lord.
As Adélaïde Desmarais, she was known as the mistress to Marquis Molyneux, though not many know that she bared his only child before his wife poisoned him. She had seduced him with love potion, and had used him to infiltrate high French Society as a spy for the Dark Lord. However, as Addie Blackstone, she was known as one of the most dangerous Death Eaters of the age. She had assisted Lord Voldemort in murdering many witches and wizards who opposed him, fourteen years ago. However, she was killed in the process.
He was proud to be her son, and planned to follow in her footsteps. He planned to become a Death Eater, and take revenge on the one who killed his mother. He clenched his fists as he thought of the man, and Voldemort smiled at his anger.
"Wormtail, it is time," the small man entered the room, the same one who had escorted Franz inside Malfoy Manor. He carried a giant chest, and set it down on the table next to Voldemort. He opened it and pulled out a large branding iron. Voldemort nodded, and Wormtail went over to the fireplace, the flames black as night. Almost as if the flames were born from an evil magic. The end of the iron was surrounded by flames, slowly turning red hot.
Voldemort looked to Franz, "Rise young one." Franz stood and slowly walked to the Dark Lord, never once leaving his eyes, "Do you swear, to serve me, only me, to aid me in my goals, and always obey my command? If you disobey me, the consequences will be, severe. If you agree to serve me, I promise I will help you destroy your mother's killer. So, Franz Albert Molyneux, son of Addie Blackstone, do you wish to bear the mark of my followers?"
"I do."
Instantly, Franz felt an excruciating pain on his left arm. The branding iron was pushed hard into his flesh, steam and smoke engulfing the end. After a few seconds, Wormtail pulled it away from his arm. Franz collapsed onto his knees staring at the image on his arm. He smiled and ran his fingers across it, feeling the power pulse. The Dark Mark, the symbol of the Dark Lord. He had done it. He was now a Death Eater, just like his mother. As he stared at it, one name came into his mind, causing him to tense and stiffen. He would find him, that bastard who had murdered his beloved mother. Franz would fulfill his vow to avenge her death.
He would find and kill Remus Lupin.