Severus had nearly spilt the entire potion when he noticed what time it was on Thursday night. The hour hand was directly on the twelve at the top, and the minute hand was a good two minutes over it. Why had his mark not burned then? When he looked at it, he noticed the colour. Black. It had burned and he had not even noticed it.
He pushed the cauldron off the heat, and ran upstairs to change his clothing, before Disapparating to the Manor. When he pulled the front doors open, he noticed that the whole place was empty. Cursing himself, he walked towards the main meeting room and knew that he was going to be in trouble when he walked in. Slowly, he opened the doors, and marched forwards. He could see the eyes behind the masks flitting from side to side, watching him walking towards the circle. In the centre was Voldemort, and a pale Draco Malfoy was knelt in front of him.
He bowed slowly to Voldemort, before walking around and reaching his place in the circle, which would have been in between Lucius and Rodolphus if they had been there. "I tell you the time of the meeting before-hand and you still manage to be late, Severus," Voldemort hissed in his direction. When Severus looked up, the Dark Lord's gaze was upon him. He was about to apologise a few times when Voldemort continued to speak, though Severus noticed the gaze shift back to Draco a split second after he had continued. "Before I can give you this most important task, you must first bear the Dark Mark. Are you willing?"
"I am, my Lord," Malfoy replied swiftly, and for a moment, he sounded just like his father. Voldemort must have noticed, because a smirk suddenly appeared on his face.
"Then you must first prove to me that you are capable of wearing the mark." This was the part of the initiation Severus hated. The humiliation was always the worst part, Severus was always glad that he had received his mark before this became a custom the Dark Lord liked to keep. He shut his eyes, and tightened his hands together behind his back. The Dark Lord would now select another Death Eater to assist in this part, and Severus felt sure at least ninety nine percent of the men and women in the room were secretly dying to be the one.
"Severus." The man in question opened his eyes, to see Voldemort's somewhat amused gaze upon him. The rest of the circle were envious, the Dark Lord always chose his favoured member to do this, so that meant that once more, Severus was at the top, above even Bellatrix Lestrange. Most in the circle supposed that was because of her slip up at the Ministry, though Bellatrix was the only one that knew different.
"My Lord?" he responded, trying to make his voice calm, but at the same time, trying to make a begging plea to his lover.
"Come here." Severus stepped forwards, and wondered if there was going to be a way out of this. After a second's consideration, he knew that there was never going to be. "We will be needing some of young Mister Malfoy's blood, Severus."
Severus nodded, watching the Dark Lord with a look of contempt. Malfoy so far had not dared to look up, but Severus knew how he felt. "Of course, my Lord," he replied softly. His Master surveyed him for a long moment, and Severus found himself putting up his mental barriers slightly to stop the Dark Lord from penetrating his mind. After what seemed an eternity, Voldemort looked back to Malfoy.
"Crucio," he whispered, his wand pointing on Draco. The teenager fell forwards, maybe to hide his face, maybe because he was shocked at the amount of pain he was receiving, but he made no sound. Severus was impressed, though he doubted that Voldemort would be. "If it is your wish to be a Death Eater," the Dark Lord started after he had relinquished the spell, "You will gladly accept my punishments, and carry out my orders. You will remain loyal only to me, and you will tell no one whom is outside of this room where your loyalties lay. Do you understand?"
Draco struggled back to kneeling. "Yes, my Lord," he panted, his breathing still rough from the curse.
"Then we shall begin." Voldemort gestured to Severus, who stepped forwards. "Get up," Severus ordered Draco quietly. The boy stood up, awkwardly looking up at his teacher. Eyes cold, Severus pulled Draco's robes from his shoulders, and unbuttoned his shirt, pulling it off with nimble fingers. Behind him, he could hear how Voldemort's own breathing had changed, telling Severus that Voldemort clearly wanted to be receiving his attentions like that.
Voldemort handed Severus a knife and a vial, his hand allowing a brief moment of contact on top of Severus's. The Half Blood Prince turned back towards Draco, who's eyes widened ever-so slightly. Severus made a cut on Draco's chest, just above his heart, fairly deep so he could get enough blood. When he had collected just enough, he went to heal the wound with his wand, but found Voldemort's hand on his arm. He quickly pretended to clean the blood off his own hands, turning back to Voldemort to hand him the vial.
There were murmurs around the circle, the Death Eaters had wanted to see more blood then that. After all, they were meant to be proving themselves to the Dark Lord, and a tiny scratch was not going to do that. However, the Dark Lord was satisfied as Severus took his place back in the circle, and started with the real magic initiation. The Dark Lord pushed Draco back onto the ground and grabbed his wrist, roughly holding it.
"Te insignio tu per tuisceleratus, signum in unus fides pro fidelitas donec mors mortis, similis Erus, similis famulus, te iubeo iussi iussum tu obviam letum, tu exsequor exequor,1" Voldemort said softly, his grip on Draco's wrist as tight as ever. The last word he spoke, every person in the room understood. "Morsmordre," he hissed, and quickly pulled away his hand from the mark, a trail of eerie green light following. During this ceremony was the only time Severus ever saw the Dark Lord using wandless magic, and it was proven as strong as ever.
The Dark Mark appeared slowly on Draco's arm, he was biting his lips so not to cry out, though Severus noticed how white his face was. Most people passed out at that point. Voldemort waved his glowing hand over the vial of blood, and the blood turned back. He handed the vial to Draco. "Drink it," he ordered. With shaking hands, Draco took the vial and downed it's contents, and promptly passed out backwards, knocking his head against the stone floor.
Severus couldn't blame him. The mixture tasted foul when he had drunk it all those years back. Voldemort kicked the unconscious Draco out of his way, and continued around the circle. "Malfoy has a job to be doing, which is why I have initiated him into the group. You will all understand what will happen to you if you so much as think about hurting him, that is purely for myself and Snape to be doing, who will be over seeing to make sure Draco makes no slip ups. If I hear he has been touched…" His gaze filled in the rest of the sentence for them. "Which reminds me. Severus, come here again."
Filled with dread, Severus stepped forwards, walking towards the Dark Lord, wondering what was to come next. No one could escape his punishments in a full gathering, perhaps he had pushed it by being rude to Voldemort previously. "As I have told you in the past, I do not appreciate my followers being late." Severus bowed his head, he had no defence with the other Death Eaters there. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw the wand raise and aim at him, he closed his eyes, and slowly fell to his knees as a mark of respect and more importantly, to save himself the painful fall to the floor.
"Crucio," Voldemort said, very softly, almost like a loving caress at bedtime. Severus remained upright for a small moment, before falling forwards, the side of his face leaning against Voldemort's shoe. The Dark Lord relinquished the spell for the second time that night, and stepped back from Severus. "Meeting dismissed," he called coolly to the other Death Eaters.
Severus sat up with some difficulty as soon as the room was emptied except for Voldemort and Draco, who was still unconscious. He groaned, and looked around, his gaze still foggy. When it cleared, he saw Voldemort seated on his Throne, watching Severus carefully. "I never said this would exempt you from the rules yet, Sev," Voldemort said quietly.
"My mark did not burn," Severus responded. "I was going to come earlier, and then the potion…" He trailed off as Draco let out a low moan. Severus stood up, feeling waves of giddiness go through him, and then, suddenly, almost like magic, he felt quite normal again. He walked towards Draco, and helped him get up. There was a smear of blood in his hair, but apart from a tiny cut in the back of his head, he was unmarked from the fall. Severus passed Draco his shirt wordlessly, before walking towards the Dark Lord and standing behind his Throne.
"Come here, young Malfoy," Voldemort ordered, holding out his hand for Draco's arm. He came forwards, and held out his mark for inspection. It was now a very dark shade of red, slowly fading into it's normal blood red. "Your task is to kill Dumbledore," Voldemort started, tracing his fingers lightly over the mark. Draco shivered lightly, but nodded. "You will only tell those who you trust, who are within your house, but try and work as close to alone as you can. Severus will be able to give you all the assistance that you need. Come to me only when the mark burns and you feel able to get away without being missed."
"Yes, my Lord," Draco murmured. He bowed his head. Voldemort sighed impatiently, now bored of his new follower, and flicked his hand.
"You may go, Draco." Draco bowed deeply, and backed slowly out of the room, pausing only to pick up his dusty robe from the floor.
"Wormtail was a surprising help to me today. Do you mind if I keep him for a few more days?" Severus asked, breaking the silence that had developed since the doors clicked shut.
"Keep him for as long as you want," Voldemort said coolly, and turned to look at Severus. "Come here, Severus." The Death Eater walked around the Throne, and knelt at the base of it, his head resting on Voldemort's knee. He felt fingers in his hair. "I trust I did not hurt you too badly," Voldemort said softly, though with a tad of ice in his voice.
Severus shook his head. "You did what you had to." He tilted his body slightly so he was looking up at Voldemort, and knelt up so he could reach his Master's lips to kiss. He felt a quick response, and they were soon kissing passionately. Voldemort lifted the man effortlessly onto his lap and deepened the kiss. "I love you, Voldemort," Severus murmured into the mans chest when they were done.
"I know. And soon we will be together forever. I truly cannot wait for that day."
Severus didn't speak for a moment, but he felt just the same. It was almost unbearable for him to leave Voldemort when dawn broke, to get back to his Potion making.
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Severus joined the Dark Lord for breakfast the week before term was due to start. He knew that once he was back at Hogwarts, he would hardly be seeing his Master unless something urgent needed his attention, so he wanted to see Voldemort as much as he could over the next week. The meeting wasn't all for pleasure, though. Severus had some important things to discuss with Voldemort.
As he approached the dining room, he could hear a female voice in there along with Voldemort's. With an eyebrow raised, he entered without knocking, his suspicions aroused. To the Dark Lord's credit, Bellatrix was standing at the far end of the room. The hatred he felt for that woman was astute, and it had doubled thanks to her little visit with her sister the previous day. He bowed deeply, pleased to see how the Dark Lord's facial expression had changed as he saw it was Severus.
"Ah, Severus, you have heard the news?" asked Voldemort, patting the seat next to him. Snape sat down, helping himself to croissants and coffee, pointedly ignoring Bellatrix who looked extremely angry that Severus had been asked to sit down and she had not.
"News, my Lord?" Severus responded lightly, looking at the papers Voldemort had in front of him. The Dark Lord held one up, the headline entitled 'SCRIMGEOUR SUCCEEDS FUDGE'.
"We have a new Minister," he said, with a smirk. "Do you know what this means?"
"Several things," Severus said, a small smile on his face as he looked at his lover.
"Indeed, indeed," Voldemort said, waving the comment away with his hand. "It means that we now have a new and better force to deal with. Fudge always liked to talk his way out of problems, and ignore them. Scrimgeour…" Voldemort smirked again. "From what I have heard, likes to take things as far as they will go." The Dark Lord bent his head and re-read the last paragraph that was on the first page. "We will see," he muttered as he finished reading and passed the paper to Severus.
Voldemort unfolded the next paper, and after a couple of seconds started to laugh, as though he was deeply amused by what he was reading. "They have issued a leaflet on protecting home and family against Dark Forces…" He continued reading, laughing to himself, before handing it to Severus for him to look at.
"Dumbledore will find this just as amusing," Severus said softly as he finished reading the advice. He looked at the next paper as Voldemort continued gloating over the new national security measures whilst taking a mouthful of coffee, and nearly spat it out when he saw the next title. "Harry Potter: The chosen one?" he read out after he had finished coughing.
Voldemort frowned, and grabbed the last one from Severus. He read quickly, and then looked up at Bellatrix. "This one is dated from yesterday, why did you not tell me before?" he hissed at her, and Severus was pleased to see a look of fear on her face.
"Bellatrix was busy at my house yesterday," Severus chided with a smirk in the direction of the witch.
Bellatrix swallowed. "I did not see this until this morning, my Lord…" she said nervously. "I… I was out all day yesterday… I did not think one day would matter, my Lord…"
Voldemort glared at her. "I asked you to have the newspapers delivered every day and to tell me when there was something of importance in them, Bellatrix, it is hardly a taxing task." Voldemort sat back in his seat, and shook his head. "Get out. You shall come to my rooms at three o clock for your reprimand," said the Dark Lord in a very cold voice.
Severus finished his breakfast in silence as Bellatrix left, and then looked back to Voldemort. "It is only speculation," he said quietly. "They do not know for certain."
"Hmm." Voldemort sat up, and finished his drink. "Why was Bellatrix at your house yesterday?" he asked after a moment.
Severus smiled. "She came with her sister. Narcissa wanted me to beg you to change your mind and have me kill Dumbledore, instead of Draco. Before we could discuss that, Bellatrix wanted to know why you trusted me, and so on." He paused. Voldemort was looking more annoyed by the second. "In the end, I swore an unbreakable vow to Narcissa that I would protect Draco from harm and kill Dumbledore if he cannot."
Voldemort looked very angry. His eyes were almost glowing a brighter shade of red and he had turned at least a shade whiter. "You… She did what?" he said, as if he could not believe his ears. "Bellatrix has no right to question whom I trust, and as for Narcissa!" He threw his cup across the room in anger, and it hit the wall and smashed everywhere.
"Voldemort, it is her motherly instincts, of course she wants her son to survive," Severus said in a calm voice. He walked towards the Dark Lord, and placed a hand lightly on his hip. "Be angry with Bellatrix by all means, she has defied you, but Narcissa has not. She is still upset Lucius is in prison, and she does not want to loose her son too."
The Dark Lord sighed, glaring at the mess he had made with his coffee. He picked up another cup, and poured himself another drink. "If I hear anything else out of Narcissa, I will kill her."
Severus nodded. "Of course, I understand, my Lord." He bowed his head briefly. "There is another matter that requires your attention," Severus continued. "Wormtail has taken to listening at my doors when I have visitors. I do not appreciate him doing it, but he still continues to think he has some purpose in doing it."
Voldemort nodded. "I shall deal with it later. When you return to Spinners End, you may send him to me immediately."
"Thank you Master… I suppose that means I will be required to be of service today?" Severus asked politely.
"Yes." Voldemort looked up at him. "We have not had time for sex in weeks, Severus." The Defence teacher couldn't help his smile at that comment. "I have found myself to be missing your touch. Will you be willing?"
Severus shrugged. "I might be able to," he said smoothly. "I can clear my schedule."
The Dark Lord laughed coolly. "Glad to hear it, my darling Severus," he said with a touch of sarcasm on the word darling, but Severus knew that he did not really mean it. "Glad to hear it."
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It was gone midnight by the time Severus got to bed after finally finishing his potion, and he was looking forward to getting some sleep before the first day back at Hogwarts. He was just settled when he heard the unmistakable sound of someone Apparating. Severus sat up, his mind reeling. He had given one person permission to Apparate into his house. Without permission, the tough magical wards would not let anyone in. He heard a creek outside of the door, and then a light tap on the wooden frame. He leapt out of bed and pulled the door roughly open, staring at the man in front of him.
The Dark Lord smirked, surveying Severus's naked body unashamedly. "I have always wondered how you sleep when you are alone," he said softly. "I am pleased to see it is just how I approve."
Severus smiled, and relaxed. "Oh, it's you."
"That is not the way to greet your sovereign," Voldemort chided, pushing past Severus, into the room. "Has Wormtail been here?"
Severus shook his head. "No, why?"
"I told him only to come when you need him next, and to do exactly what you want, no matter what it is you need doing." Voldemort laid down in the middle of Severus's large bed. "Said you had made him serve drinks, he was very put out." The Dark Lord smirked.
"That is all he is good for." Severus sat next to his Master on the bed. "Along with target practice."
Voldemort laughed softly, coolly yet Severus felt soothed by the sound. He laid back and shut his eyes. "You go back to Hogwarts in two days." Severus opened his eyes, wondering what had influenced the comment. Then he realised that the Dark Lord very much didn't want him to go at all. "Make sure the house is secure. I can send someone over here to check daily if you want."
Severus shrugged. "There is nothing here I need to hide. Anything of importance is in your office, if you remember." The Dark Lord had insisted that any of Severus's documents or notes were hidden- in safety away from the prying eyes of the Order or other Death Eaters.
Voldemort nodded. "And make sure Malfoy does as he is told. If not, tell me right away and I shall deal with it."
"Malfoy is the least of my worries. I have to survive another year with that damned Potter boy," Severus said softly. "I wish there was a chance for you to kill him sooner."
There was a silence in the room, and Severus felt himself drifting off to sleep ever-so slowly, when there was an interruption once more. "He is seventeen next year," Voldemort said after a while. "He will be a fully legal Wizard."
Severus nodded. "That makes little difference to you, Master. You are a greater Wizard then he could ever hope to be."
The Dark Lord smiled grimly. "Dumbledore put protections over his house to stop us from getting there… I wonder…" He sat back in his seat, staring thoughtfully at the ceiling for a while. "Maybe it will expire when he is the legal age for an adult Wizard."
"I could find out." The Dark Lord's gaze shifted to Severus, staring at him for a moment, before finally nodding.
"Do that." Voldemort suddenly stood up, and started to undress, throwing his clothes on top of the pile of Severus's that were sat in the corner on a chair. He turned to face his lover, and slowly got into bed beside him. Severus rolled over, his head nestling on Voldemort's shoulder.
"It would be wonderful if you could come to Hogwarts and we could do this every night," Severus murmured. "But I doubt it would be as special then as it is to us now, and in the future."
Voldemort snorted, but Severus could tell he was still content where he was. "The day I sleep next to you in Hogwarts is the day that I win this war." Severus grunted sleepily. "Sentimental brat," was the last thing he heard Voldemort say before he fell into a deep, happy sleep.
The initiation spell:
Very roughly translated Latin, sorry about it being very very bad. Does anyone speak Latin well enough to translate it properly for me?
I put a mark upon you, with your blood sealed in a promise of loyalty until death, like Master, like servant, I command you to the death, you follow towards the end.
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