Note: Chapter 3 is now up! Thanks for all of the R/R, faves and follows. Hope everyone likes the story thus far!
Chapter 3 - Loyalties
Over the next week and a half Damien saw nothing of Severus and heard even less. Narcissa kept them busy with the study sessions she had in place for both he and Draco. She had even called in a wand maker, who was most definitely not Mr. Ollivander to Damien's relief, but who patiently waited until Damien found a new, perfect wand.
In the mornings they worked on potions, one of Narcissa's favorite courses, and in the afternoons after lunch they would switch to learning spells and curses. He thought of how envious Granger would be and stopped himself short at the thought. "Granger?" "When had he begun to think of her as Granger?" But that was who she was, he mused. And as time continued, he and Draco grew closer as Granger and Weasley became thoughts of his past.
His daily pattern became familiar as he became fully integrated into the household. Narcissa was strict but she was fair, and from that he grew in his magic lessons. Some evenings after dinner Narcissa would allow games of quidditch, but most times they were instructed to go read, or finish homework to turn in for the next day.
Lucius had also not returned and Damien could tell that Narcissa was becoming worried, but she continued to hide it rather well. As she called an end to their evening lessons a house elf popped into the room, bowing before Narcissa.
Madame, Master Malfoy has returned and requests both young Master Draco and Master Damien at the front. Narcissa looked up, nodded briefly and did not meet the boys' eyes.
"Drop your books," she ordered, "and make sure you have your wands." When both boys had done as she had instructed she swept out of the room, they following in her wake. Down the halls that Damien now mostly knew, they hurried to the entrance hall. Lucius stood there, still donned in his traveling cloak, his face void of emotion.
Narcissa and Lucius held a quick, meaningful look, before Lucius gestured at Draco and Damien to follow him out. Narcissa said nothing as they walked out of the house after Lucius and moved past the door stoop. Lucius then held out both arms and instructed the boys to grab hold. They did so, Damien and Draco both exchanging a quick glance before apparating away.
Damien was still becoming accustomed to apparating, and as they landed, he teetered for a moment, unable to immediately gain proper footing. As he steadied himself, he began to take in his surroundings, squinting his eyes to allow them to adjust to the dim light. From what he could tell they were underground, in some form of a thrown room. And he and Draco happened to be standing in the center of the room, where a ring of cloaked figures encircled them. A quick look about him showed that Lucius had left the center and had moved to join the circle with the others. With hoods up he could not single everyone out but he immediately found Severus by his stance.
Drawing in a breath and standing as straight as possible, Damien turned to look towards the head, where there was a single thrown. Suddenly, something on the thrown moved, and two eyes opened as a tongue shot out and hissed. For a moment his heart stopped, and it took every ounce of control not to run as he recognized Nagini. Out of the corner of his eye he saw Draco turn the same way, the color slightly flushed from his cheeks. Damien sucked in a breath, nerves threatening to course through him and take over. There was a loud crack then, and unexpectedly, another figure appeared, his hood down. Nagini instantly slithered to the floor, making way for the pale figure that had looked much more like an older version of Tom Riddle make his way to the throne chair. He took his seat, hands sliding down the arms as he turned to look assess the two of them, eyes halfway between slits and actual human ones. Nagini slithered beside him, wrapping her self around until her head rested on Voldemort's shoulder, and slit eyes stared menacingly out.
Damien could feel his face pale, and struggled to not shake, knowing that he would need to be conscious of his emotions around the lord. As the quiet grew increasingly uncomfortable, the Voldemort finally began to speak.
"So," Voldemort sighed, stroking the side of his chair. "Harry Potter lives no more, but our own brother returns a man." Voldemort smiled then, something more mischievous than kind. Damien swallowed, his heart slamming within his chest. "I suppose I should apologize for that mark my boy, but it seems you no longer have one." It was true, as Damien's appearance had changed; the mark had gone with it, leaving him very ordinary looking, and leaving no trace of the boy who lived behind.
"But first, I believe that I should thank Severus, for having such a wonderful wife as to also return me to my former self. By her giving you the family crest, and dissolving the magic, it has allowed me to return to some of my familiar form. The rest remains…in time." Damien glowed slightly; he knew Severus was both proud and terribly sad about Arina, but happier more than anything.
"Now," Voldemort continued. "Do you two know why you are here?" Hesitantly, they both nodded, the hairs beginning to prickle on their arms. Voldemort chuckled slightly, amused, and Damien felt his blood go cold at the sound.
"Well then, let's get down to business," Voldemort half hissed. "Do you two accept the honor of serving at my side, or do you wish to retreat and live another life? You first Harry Potter, for you are still a Potter until you prove otherwise." His words reminded him of Lucius, and bitterly he thought of how he was forever guilty until proven innocent.
Damien swallowed and moved slightly forward. Clearing his throat, he clenched and unclenched his fists before speaking.
"My lord," Damien began, his voice echoing within the confines of the room. "Dumbledore killed my mother. Almost destroyed my father and took me and made me something I never would have chosen to become." He took a moment to pause, drawing strength from within before he continued. "For years I have been his pawn, but no longer. To me it is not a choice, but a responsibility not only to my family but also to the wizarding world. We must stop Dumbledore, and I would be honored to work at your side. No more shall muggles continue to be a nuisance to our society and no longer shall we have to live in the dark. And so, I am ready to earn my rightful title and to become a part of those who are willing to set this world right."
There was silence for a moment, and Damien stepped back, feeling a flush rise to his cheeks, but he managed to suppress it, knowing that what he said was good. Voldemort was quiet a moment longer then he smiled and laughed, a harsh sound that Damien was sure caused the temperature to drop several degrees. Around them the hooded figures remained silent, and after a second he grew serious once more, leaning back in his seat as he carefully began to analyze Damien.
"You truly are a Snape, just like your mother really." The flush that crept up the second time could not be stopped, but he kept his expression neutral. If Voldemort took any notice he didn't show it, but dismissively turned away from Damien and turned his attention to Draco. Voldemort beckoned silently, and Draco moved forward in response. "And you Malfoy, why do you wish to serve me?" Draco did not hesitate like him but spoke immediately, his voice clear and strong.
"I wish to serve you because it has always been my duty. I too wish to ban the world of this muggle scum, and would be honored to do so. And besides, what prouder way do I have of becoming a Malfoy, than by banding against Dumbledore, and righting all the wrongs of the wizarding world. A new era has arisen, and I will rise with it, hopefully by your side."
Voldemort nodded, obviously pleased and Draco retreated. "And definitely a Malfoy," Voldemort mused. "So straightforward and slightly idealistic…and arrogant. So very arrogant, but that is what makes you strong. Now then." Voldemort swept his arm, and two of the death eaters immediately left the circle, coming to stand beside them. "Remove your wands for the time being, they will be returned shortly."
Damien withdrew his wand, seeing Draco do the same out of the corner of his eye. As one, they began to step forward, but were stopped by the deatheaters. Halting, they passed their wands over, and the deatheaters handed them over to Voldemort. Once done, they returned to their sides, and Voldemort placed the wands on the arm of the chair.
"Now, it is time for the initiation process. Good job thus far, but now you truly prove that you will serve me." At this time the two death eaters moved in front of each of them, and Damien swallowed, knowing that the mark would burn. But the deatheaters swept out their wands and as one yelled "Crucio!" The pain that coursed through his body was terrible, and he collapsed from shock and pain. Next to him he could feel Draco convulsing as well, and he felt as if his eyes would roll to the back of his head. For what seemed like ages it remained like that, until the curse was suddenly lifted.
As it did, he lay flat, unable to hear and unable to feel anything but a deep numbness. He heard the clatter of some objects fall to the ground and the voice of Voldemort ringing through his ears.
"Fight back! Survive!" Damien struggled to stand but as he did so the pain flew swept his body once again, and he fell to the ground in uncontrollable agony. As it coursed through anew, he pulled and fought his way across the floor to the long black slither of wood. He blocked everything out but his wand as the curse increased, and he felt blackness begin to work its way into his vision.
He could hear voices as he slowly crawled, growing ever nearer as the blackout drew him in even more. Just as he felt himself touch the tip of his wand, coldness and blackness overtook him, and he knew no more.