Chapter 3 – Dinner and Entertainment

Serena turned to the packages on the bed. She hated wearing the Malfoy robes that she was required to wear. Green was not her color, but everything here reeked of Slytherin green. She didn't know the significance of the colors, as she had never attended Hogwarts, but she did know of the Malfoy obsession with all things dark.
She moved to set the boxes out on her bed. The first one she opened, the biggest, held a beautiful black velvet cape with a hood attached. It was lined in the deep forest green that the Malfoy's loved. She lifted the cape from its box and discovered it was soft. 'Must be a silk velvet', she mentioned to herself. She found that the lining was also silk as well.
Magically hanging the cape in her closet, she moved to the next box. Upon opening the box, she saw the most beautiful green dress she had ever seen in her life. She lifted it out of its wrappings and held it up to herself. Turning to look in the mirror, she saw just how beautiful it would look on her. It shimmered in peacock green with shots of blue. It had a halter neckline, with hand beading down the front. It ended in a mermaid tail train, and was fitted through the torso. It would show off her figure, leaving just enough to the imagination.
Looking at the clock, she saw that she had only 45 minutes left to get ready. She quickly opened the rest of the boxes, and in them she found green silk underpinnings, silk heels with beading, and the darkest emerald earrings and bracelets that she had ever seen in her life. After unpacking the boxes, she quickly showered and got dressed. After doing her hair in an up-do, she applied the makeup that was provided.
She was applying her lipstick when the clock chimed five and Lucius came swirling in, fully dressed.
"I see you are ready. Good, follow me." He nodded, turned, and swept out of the room, Serena following on his heels.

Lucius led her up to the family dining room. She had been here occasionally, when his wife had been alive. Always to take notes, and get things that were needed, by any member of the family, never to actually eat. The room was large, with a mahogany wood table set in the middle. Large plush chairs were arrayed around it, all but two filled with men and women in black robes. A fire was roaring in the huge fireplace, so big you could stand straight up in it, and still have room. The windows were covered in dark green velvet drapes, pulled shut so prying eyes couldn't see into the room. A large black crystal chandelier hung over the table, shining a feeble light onto the scene. At the doorway to the dining room, Lucius stopped and took Serena's arm in his. He gracefully led her to her place at the table and motioned for her to sit. Slipping her cape off after he pulled out her chair, she draped it over the back and did as she was told. She was nervous as she looked around.
Avery, Crabbe, Goyle, Lestrange, Greyback, and many other known death eaters were arranged around the table. Serena felt the butterflies of nervousness start fluttering in her guts. Never had she been in the presence of so many of the Dark Order all at once. Lucius smiled down at her and took his own seat.

"Thank you so much for joining us here tonight, my esteemed colleagues. I hope that life is treating you well." Lucius greeted his fellow death eaters and motioned for them to pick up their glasses.

"A toast, to the Dark Lord, may the cause come out on top, and may our win be a strong one." Red wine appeared in every one's glass, and all but Serena drank to the toast.

"Why does your mistress not drink as well Lucius, is she not a supporter of our cause?" Bellatrix looked at Serena with contempt.

"If you must know, Bella, Serena here has no head for wine. She has chosen not to drink, and considering the privilege that she is going to be given tonight, do you not agree that she should be clear headed?" Lucius looked at Bellatrix with the Malfoy sneer clearly plastered on his face.
Serena didn't know what to think about the comment that Master Malfoy had made. Clearly there was some plan for her that she didn't know. That worried her. If she didn't know what was planned, how could she prepare for it? Lucius seemed to not come back to the subject and the lavish feast was presented. All ate their fill, Serena only picking some of the choicest meats and vegetables. She wanted to keep herself alert, and she knew that too much heavy food would bring her down.
After dinner was done, talk turned towards the plans at Hogwarts. There was much discussion of what was going to be done where, who was going to be killing whom, and what the Dark Lord wanted out of it. It was decided that any mud blood or half-breed that survived would be made a permanent servant of the Dark Lord himself. It was also discussed about how they would be coming into Hogwarts and where they would go first. Turning to Lucius, Avery had a concern.

"How do we know we can trust your mistress, Serena? She could be a spy for the other side, she is quite beautiful, I can see how she could pull the wool over any man's eyes" He sneered at Serena and licked his lips seductively.

Serena turned from Avery in disgust. She had not slept with Lucius Malfoy, and hoped never to have to, and could not stomach the thought of Avery or any of the other Death Eaters touching her in any way. Bellatrix stood up and walked over to where Serena was sitting.

"Yes, how do we know that she won't rat us out...hmmm?" She reached up and twirled one of the curls that had fallen out of Serena's up-do. "We would have to dole out punishment then, wouldn't we?"

Serena stiffened as she felt Bellatrix's lips caress the join of her neck and shoulder. Quickly pushing away from the table, she looked at Lucius.

"May I be excused to the bathroom, Lucius? I need to see to some personal business." Lucius nodded. Serena turned and walked out of the room as quickly as she could, without seeming rude.

After she had left, the talk turned more sinister. "Seemed uncomfortable, didn't she?" Bellatrix questioned Lucius.
"Yes, and after tonight, we will know where her true intentions lie." Lucius looked at his fellow Death Eaters. "The girl, Serena, has a lot to hide. I however, have found out many of her secrets and have informed the Dark Lord. He wants her, says she would make a fine addition to his 'flock'."

"We have to be sure that she is the one spying though, before we make the accusation and break her." Crabbe grinned, a maniacal Cheshire cat grin. "It will certainly be fun to do so, when the time comes though."

There was a general consensus around the table at that remark. All of them looked forward to breaking in a new recruit, some more than others.

Serena reached the serenity of the bathrooms and sighed. Looking in the mirror, she could see that the resolve she normally had was wearing thin. 'What's going on tonight?' she thought to herself. Reaching into her robes, she pulled out a small communication device. She spoke what she had learned and then pressed a small button on the device. It quickly winked out, going to the destination that she had set for it.

Straightening her dress and composing herself, she quickly walked back to the dining room. Everyone seemed to be relaxed and enjoying themselves. After she sat down, Lucius put his hand on hers. Looking at her with those deep gray eyes, he seemed to see into her very soul.

"Ladies and gentlemen", Lucius stood and put his hands up for attention, "it is time."