In the end of it all I gave up and decided to take one of the Slytherin girls to the ball. It was the least I could do after hexing all of them. Her name was Aprella Kiss, she was strange to say the least. I thought at first she was a metamorphimagus, but it seemed she just dyed her hair bright green.
Well either way, she looked stunning in an emerald dress, so she and I spent a lovely evening together, I was a perfect gentleman. We danced, drank, and I left her at the dorm room.
It had been two weeks since the incident in the broom closet. Neither I, nor Cassiopeia for that matter, ever spoke of it again. And thank god too, I did not need this getting back to Bellatrix Lestrange. She hated me enough already.
I ran my fingers over my left forearm, over the sleeve, as I watched the green fire dance in the common room. The flames rose up and reminded me of a cobra. Rather fitting really, play with fire you get burned, play with a cobra, well and you end up six feet under.
After dropping Aprella off that night I ran straight to the port key. At this point in time a port key was very intuitive and Dumbledore would never think to protect against it.
I braced myself for going before touching the skull. When I arrived I was greeted by a very bored looking Bellatrix and the same old Lord and Master I had grown to take pleasure in being given orders from.
"Bartemius, don't take too long next time. The hour of midnight is fast approaching." The Dark Lord said dryly, not moving his eyes over me as I bowed before him.
"Aww little Barty had a good time at the dance?" Bellatrix squeaked. I hated the sound of her voice, it rang like a broken bell and it pierced like nails on a chalkboard. Everything about her made my skin crawl. She annoyed me, mainly because of her daughter. She'd found a baby whilst torturing someone over 5 years ago, and decided to use ageing potions to make her a seventh year pupil. Saraya was beautiful though. She had raven hair, and the deepest blue eyes. Well, that was when she was calm.
The second you got her wound up and her hair would go bright red, if you complimented her, it would go pink, and if you turned her on? Green. She loved the colour green.
I digress...
The dark lord raised a hand, and that silenced the whore. He looked down at me and I couldn't help but gaze up in awe. So much power, so much strength...everything I could ever hope to be. He held out his hand to me.
"Now is your moment, give me your left arm." I couldn't contain my excitement as I handed myself over to him. Pressing his wand into my skin he muttered the spell and the dark mark appeared in all its glory. It burnt, stung, and excited me beyond words. Instead of screaming out I had trouble containing my absolute pleasure, I then found that my secret pleasure must be pain.
"You honour me too highly my Lord," I uttered in response, trying not to scream out in ecstasy. Bellatrix muttered something about it always been too much, but in this state I could hardly care less what she was saying. I had my mark, The Mark. My journey had begun.
"Bartemius. Your first assignment. Saraya, find out her motives." The Dark Lord added in a bored tone, but there was something about the look in his eyes when he mentioned her name...I couldn't quite make it out. I dismissed this and nodded silently, knowing this would annoy Bellatrix beyond words.
The fool glared at me and I stuck my tongue out at her in response, preparing myself to get used to trying to be Saraya's friend. She wasn't easy to crack but she was...very different. Saraya preferred books, she preferred the Opera.
Cassiopeia and Saraya were best friends. They were completely opposite though, Saraya was a magical genius. She looked nothing like Bellatrix, there were always rumours she was adopted. Which wouldn't surprise me as it's also rumoured that Bellatrix is infertile. It would serve her right.
Back at the castle when I had returned Saraya was sitting alone in the common room of our dorms. In her hands she had a silk covered book, and in the glow of the fireplace she looked so at home, so mature. Unlike the rest of these girls.
A long time ago I thought the rest of my life would be with Saraya, we'd grow old together and all that. Now I know in my way of life I would have no time to give to a beautiful and loving wife like she would be. The times we would fall asleep reading together, like best friends, were uncountable, and forever stayed in my memories.
I realised then I had been staring at her for a while, the way she frowned when a part in the book became intense and how her face would soften and how she would almost cry when it got to sad parts...
The way her legs were covered by her tights and her body by a pink housecoat...
I coughed back the tears in my eyes, which caught her attention, her face lit up into a large smile and she turn down the corner of the page she was on and rushed over to hug me. I picked her up and span her round a little bit. It had been a long time since she and I had been able to be anywhere near each other.
Upon letting her down Saraya grabbed my forearm, I hissed out and winced. She looked at me, then my arm.
"Already?" Saraya whimpered, her eyes watering, knowing that soon enough she wouldn't be anywhere near me. I knew her intentions already, but time spent with her was worth the lies.
"Yes." I replied, touching the side of her face softly and brushing back her hair, she pulled me close to her and hugged herself tight to my chest. I stroked the top of her hair and took in the scent she let off, the most beautiful summer fruits filled my nostrils and I held her close to me. Never ever wanting to let go of her again.
"Then...it's almost time." Saraya murmured. And in the darkness I lifted her chin upwards and placed my lips softer than I'd ever placed my lips on any other woman's. In the stillness I could feel her heartbeat and like Romeo, my sin was purged.