Chapter Two

Test of Loyalty

Caelyn downed the firewhiskey the bartender had just handed her. It stung her throat, but she had to calm her nerves. Hints of alcohol, cinnamon, and an unknown ingredient seemed to linger in her dry mouth. The ball, thrown for her initiation, was beautiful, and everyone had been so kind, but that's what worried her. Are they playing me just to enjoy my failure even more? The longer she waited, it seemed, the more she wanted to throw up.

She had heard enough stories tonight of Death Eaters who entered initiation, were found to be disloyal, and killed slowly; then fed to Nagini. Lucius Malfoy was kind enough to explain how one wizard had been slipped Veritaserum, and spilled his guts about he actually being a auror and was sent by the Ministry to become a double agent. The man was slowly tortured out of his mind, and then his family was hunted down and brutally murdered. Of course, Lucius was found this entire story amusing.

In her own mind, she could not find a single thought that lead herself to believe she was disloyal. She wanted to be a follower of the Dark Lord for as long as she could remember. Dark arts were her weakness, and she knew it. Yet it also provided an advantage whilst she was faced with an enemy. Tom Riddle would give her unlimited amount of rights towards the arts and that's what she sought.

" 'Ello beautiful," a voice raggedly called her from behind. She spun around, startled by the interruption of her thoughts. A man taller with her and hair tied behind his head approached her. She nodded at him.

"Care for a dance?" the man offered, with his hand raised out to her. She noticed his accent almost immediately and found herself wondering where he was from.

Trying to relax, and flattered by his words, she allowed herself to be led to the dance floor where more classical music begin to play. He placed his hand on the small of her back and her right hand in his left. The pairs feet began to move to the music swiftly and flowingly.

"So my dear, what is your name?" he purred as he spun her around gracefully.

She was thoughtful as to why he was giving her so much attention. The man was acting as if she was part Veela, which she mentally laughed. She was not near as attractive - or as well proportioned. His eyes gazed at her hungrily as if he could actually have her for his main course, "Caelyn. Caelyn Lockney."

He threw his head back in laughter, "So you're the lit'le gem everyone has been in an uproar over." Caelyn felt herself become self-conscious; she looked to the side to hide her uncertainty. An uproar? What makes me so different then all the rest of these people?

Apparently, he had not noticed her discomfort, and continued, "I do so hope you'll remain loyal. I'd hate to have to tear apart such a glistening beauty. It would be most unfortunate to see another Lockney go."

The lightbulb in Caelyn's head sparked. Her father. He had betrayed Voldemort for her mother, a muggle. By the time Caelyn was old enough to know them, they fled to the States,therefore, Caelyn was sent to stay with her grandparents. They were both supporters of the Dark Lord, but had never become Death Eaters. She knew at some point her parents had been hunted down, but with her father's parents talks of her parents and the fact she never knew them, she felt nothing. Now she understood, the Dark Lord suspected her.

"No of course not," she smiled, masking her thoughts. The man smirked back obviously pleased at her words.

He opened his mouth to reply, but was interrupted, "Might I cut in?" The man still dancing with her scowled and glared deeply at the man who had interrupted them. It only occurred to Caelyn that she had not yet learned either of these mans' names. Her apparent new dance partner gently took her hand and led her back into the sway of the song.

Something sparked her memory, she knew she'd seen him before. His hair long, straight and black as night. He was tall and pale. Everything he wore seemed to contrast his porcelain skin. His eyes were the most striking, they were the darkest shade of brown she'd ever seen. She knew that from further away they would appear to be a breathtaking shade of onyx. He kept an expressionless, solemn look on his face.

She began to wonder what it was that made him cut in. Perhaps, he had seen her too before, maybe the Dark Lord wanted her to be followed, but then her thoughts were interrupted as she felt a small pressure in her mind. She attempted to shake it off, but could not. It was as if she had a sinus headache without the pain, yet it was uncomfortable. But then it vanished.

"Do not fret, Miss Lockney," he smirked, and it dazzled her, "The Dark Lord has requested I maintain your safety. Therefore, I do not believe that he would be pleased with me if he was to see you being swindled by a rouge werewolf."

Her insides chilled. That's why he was looking at her with such desire, he literally did want to eat her - or at least get a taste. Involuntarily she shuddered, thinking just minutes ago he was just a gentleman. Then she began to ponder if he would follow her once the initiation was over, or if she failed would she be given to a werewolf to be nothing but a plaything? Shit.

The man holding her seemed to understand her feelings, "I assure you, as long as you remain loyal to the Dark Lord, he will not allow a hand to be placed on you. Especially by such scum as Fenrir Greyback."

She nodded keeping her eyes averted. The man seemed impassive and unmoved by anything, it was if he were a moving stone. Caelyn wondered if there was any emotion in the being in front of her, but as she thought this he tensed for a small second and then returned to normal. The music ended and the young man bowed deeply, pressing his lips to her hand, "I do thank you, Miss Lockney, for the wonderful dance, enjoy the rest of your evening." And with that he glided away.

Caelyn stood there, in the middle of the floor speechless, he was lost in the crowd and only noticed her ridiculous behavior as a woman accidentally bumped her as she was leaving the dance floor. Blushing she made her way to the table where she had been sitting before.

An hour or so passed, and Caelyn was sipping her wine while lost in thought. Those deep eyes, with so much potential for emotion, gazing back at her while they danced. She was trying so hard to remember where she'd seen him before.

"Please, please," Riddle began, raising his hands into the air to silence the crowd. The entire building fell to silence, there was not even breathing to be heard, "It is time for Miss Lockney's initiation," he announced looking straight at Caelyn with a proud smirk on his face. Eyes fell on her at once and her stomach knotted, again. The highest Death Eaters stepped forward, including the startling man she had danced with. The Dark Lord stepped forward and offered her his hand.

She closed her eyes and attempted to take in a deep breath and will away her nerves. Carefully, her hand met his and he gently lifted her up, "Come my dear, we will begin the trial." He released her hand and began to stride up the stairs, the man followed him first, his cloak swaying behind him as he did. She felt a push on her back and Lucius was behind her nudging for her to continue after them. Oh sure, she scoffed, either way you win.

Her feet carried her forward. For security, she kept her eyes on the back of the man's figure; she had to feel as if she knew one person. His words came back to her: I assure you, as long as you remain loyal to the Dark Lord, he will not allow a hand to be placed on you. She kept repeating these words in her head, as if they gave her comfort.

They were walking through a winding hall, and she finally saw the Dark Lord open a door and he turned towards her, ushering her in kindly. She had a sinking feeling that the hospitality towards her would not last. She walked in trying to hold onto her heir of confidence, yet when she met a room that was pitch black, it wavered. There was a small amount light from the hall and she walked to the center of the room. She could make out the blacken shapes of the Death Eaters moving about from where she stood. A loud creak erupted behind her and then the slam of a thick door. Painfully slow a sound of metal scraped across, emitting a high pitched cry, and locked into place. There was no way out now.

Menacing darkness clawed at her eyes. She thought her eyes might adjust, but after a few moments of waiting, no such thing happened. Not only was it dark, but it was silent making her all the more anxious. She felt vulnerable, somewhat exposed, and on her arms formed goosebumps; she found this odd being as he room was very warm. Her head bowed as if to look at her feet, of course she could not seem them. She shuffled in place to calm herself.

"Miss Lockney," Voldemort's voice called charmingly, "you have come to us with intentions of joining the ranks of the Death Eaters and to submit yourself to my control. Is this correct?" She could hear him from he right, but was not sure if she should face him or not.

She decided to maintain her position,"Yes," she answered trying to be confident, but her voice came out as a forced whisper. Her stomach contents were threatening to spill due to her nerves. In order to keep her cool, she laced her fingers together and kept her head bowed.

"You are aware of your father's betrayal, I assume. Pity, he was so talented in the arts. Your grandparents still remain loyal followers, however, I do hope their influence has had an effect on you, we would not want another traitor in our midst."

The pressure in her head returned, but now magnified. She had to resist groaning in discomfort. Her hand rose to her head and tried to make the pounding go away. She wondered if they could see her, she dropped her hand; she didn't want to appear weak.

"I have no father, sir. The man who created me was a traitor and I will have nothing to do with him," she answered, mustering up as much ego as she could.

She could almost hear the smirk in voice, "Indeed he was. You a wise, girl, choosing our side. You will be most beneficial."

Is that it? She wondered, I thought for sure there would be-

Immediately, her head felt as if it was being spilt open. Caelyn gasped out in pain. Images were flashing in front of her eyes. Her grandparents, Hogwarts, the Slytherin common room, her late nights engrossed in Dark Arts books as she hid under the sheets with her wand tip lit, the ball. Then she saw a replay of her dance with Greyback. Then the man cut in and they continued dancing. Suddenly, the scene rushed back to Hogwarts.

A boy sitting under a tree near the black lake. She saw herself with a nose in a book she had taken from the restricted section. Draughts of Death it had been. Then she heard the sound of boys laughter and footsteps. She was almost pushed over when they shoved past her towards the lake. The boy looked up, glared, and then began to walk away. The boys called after him in a mocking tone. One raised their wand and flicked it towards the boy. Chains caught the boys feet and he fell the ground. Angrily, he cried out in search of his wand, but the four boys had already caught up to him. The shaggy one with glasses took his wand and snapped it. All four laughed, throwing their heads back. The boy laid on the ground thrashing and yelling like a caged animal. The tallest of the group swung his leg as hard as he could into the boy's stomach. The yelling ceased as the boy choked on a loss of air. The one with glasses whooped and copied his friend's actions. Soon all four boys were repeatedly beating down the boy. Caelyn looked at her younger self; she was livid. She ripped her wand out and aimed it at the boys.

"Angorio," she cried, though she was too far for anyone to hear.

The fattest and shortest of the four fell unconscious. Young Caelyn repeated the spell three times and the four boys all laid out as if death itself attacked them. Her gaze never moved from the Slytherin boy who was slowly rising. He was looking around for the source of the spells that had just eliminated his attackers. Caelyn remembered this now, she hadn't known if she should have gone to him or let him be to find Professor Slughorn. That's why she remembered the man. He was that boy.

Unexpectedly, the visual vanished and she came back to reality. Caelyn felt the ground against her cheek. She had collapsed and was curled up in a ball. There seemed to be no energy in her muscles. Hands slipped under her and pulled her up to the standing position. They remained on her shoulders until she stabilized. Her eyes darted in the apparent darkness and she inwardly groaned.

"She is loyal, my lord," a voice announced lowly; his voice.

Light flooded the room and she could see see six men in front of her. The Dark Lord, with three Death Eaters to his right and three to his left. He was there to the very right of Voldemort. They were all staring at her. She met his black orbs and confirmed her theory from earlier; onyx indeed, dazzling her once again.

The Dark Lord approached her, his face was one of satisfaction. Caelyn's heart leapt in her chest. His green eyes were staring directly at hers, "Caelyn Lockney," he started, and she stopped breathing, "welcome to the Death Eaters."