Chapter 12
During breakfast, I opened the package from Sirius to find a silver piece of a broken mirror. If I looked in it, I could see the reflection of another room, one I recognised from the Black house. It was like looking into a whole other dimension, seeing another place as if I was there. It was almost like a telephone but with a video option that allowed me to see the other side.
The night went quickly and then in the morning, news struck the student body of Hogwarts.
MASS BREAKOUT FROM AZKABAN
MINISTRY FEARS BLACK IS "RALLYING POINT" FOR OLD DEATH EATERS
I almost snorted into my coffee when I saw it. Sirius wasn't a Death Eater. He was powerful enough to be one but he was too good, too nice for that, even if the Ministry wanted to believe otherwise.
The Ministry of Magic announced late last night that there has been a mass breakout from Azkaban. Speaking to reporters in his private office, Cornelius Fudge, Minister of Magic, confirmed that ten high-security prisoners escaped in the early hours of yesterday evening, and that he has already informed the Muggle Prime Minister of the dangerous nature of these individuals.
"We find ourselves, most unfortunately, in the same position we were two and a half years ago when the murderer Sirius Black escaped," said Fudge last night. "Nor do we think the two breakouts are unrelated. An escape of this magnitude suggests outside help, and we must remember that Black, as the first person ever to break out of Azkaban, would be ideally placed to help others follow in his footsteps. We think it likely that these individuals, who include Black's cousin, Bellatrix Lestrange, have rallied around Black as their leader. We are, however, doing all we can to round up the criminals and beg the magical community to remain alert and cautious. On no account should any of these individuals be approached."
"What's so funny, Potter?" Theo asked, leaning over to peak at what I was reading.
I waved the newspaper, "Prophet just announced there's been a breakout from Azkaban. Apparently, ten people escaped, all of them Death Eaters."
He gestured and I passed the newspaper to him. He read it before handing it to Draco and Blaise. Their faces hardened, as if the mere mention of the breakout was news to them, and unpleasant news too.
"We'll have to inform Whitehorn in case she doesn't know," Draco muttered, "Another meeting is needed. Maybe even involving the Circle."
"I agree," Blaise nodded. "The Circle needs to know too."
"Let me grab some food," Theo finished his piece of toast before he stood up along with them, taking another jammed toast. The three Slytherin Aces strutted over to the Ravenclaw table. A brown-haired girl turned to them, curiosity that turned to dread came over her face before she nodded too and stood to follow them out.
I was curious about this Circle they mentioned. Did it have anything to do with the Ace Legacy? I hadn't found anything that had to do with it in any of the books. Then I thought to ask Silver during that evening when I was in a private area of the library.
I pulled out books, skimming their content page before continuing. I was looking for something but I didn't know what it was.
"Being an Ace is being part of a legacy of Hogwarts. You don't have to have family that were previous members but simply attend Hogwarts at any time," He told me as we strode side by side, books returning to the bookshelves as I let them go. "I was once human, normal. I was once alive and when I attended Hogwarts however long ago, I, too, was an Ace. Ace of Spades specifically. Each Ace has a meaning, only known to the Aces."
"So you were once alive?" I asked. "When were you alive? When did you die? How?"
He chuckled darkly, "Curious little thing, aren't you? Some things are better kept secret. I do not like talking of my death, that's how I received my chains. I rather not discuss it in the meantime."
I frowned but nodded, "Fine. I won't ask unless I need to. Sorry."
"It's alright," He patted my head. "Anything else you wish to know about the Aces and Circle?"
"What is the Circle? Is it the whole group of past and present Aces?"
"That is exactly what it is. Many previous Aces have taken positions high in our society. Some have even become the Minister for Magic but not recently. Outside of Hogwarts, and outside of the Circle, no one acknowledges the existence of the Circle. It is a society so secretive that history prefers to forget because of its Dark roots in Magic."
"How was it created?"
"Shush. It's a Circle secret," He laughed. "Hogwarts' Founders created the Circle as a way to balance out the Magic in the whole world. Hogwarts lies on a Ley Line thus connecting the welfare of its Magic with the rest of the world."
"How are the Aces chosen?"
"By their Magic. Each Ace has their strengths and their Magic suits the other Aces too. It isn't rare for any number of Aces being friends,"
"What's the possibility of all four Aces being in the same year and the same House?"
"Rare but not unheard of," He said. "Of course, the Prophet would never reveal the identity of any Aces, even if they did know. It's considered taboo to mention their existence outside of certain situations. The only time its not frowned upon to speak about them is when they appear. In previous years, there had been Aces appearing in trials of importance."
"It's really interesting. I didn't know Hogwarts would even have a secret society like the Circle. Sounds straight out of a cheesy mystery novel, don't you think?"
He lifted his head and barely concealed a smile from under his hood.
"Magic calls to Magic,"
)()()(
After the mass breakout from Azkaban, more news was broken to me as Snape slowly started his lesson with me. Instead of in Room of Requirement, we sat in his office. I knew it wasn't going to be a good lesson when he summoned a HouseElf to bring us hot beverages.
I sipped at my milky sweet coffee as Snape drank earl grey tea. He took large draws from his cup, silent for the most part before he put the cup down and took a moment to stare at me.
Then he broke the news, gauging my closed reaction.
"Dumbledore desires for you to be a spy for the Order," he clasped his hands on the table. "He desires for you to be a Death Eater and to infiltrate The Dark Lord's ranks."
I could barely speak.
My voice came out as a croak as I tried to swallow.
"Why?"
"He sees something useful in you, Miss Potter. Something that he will exploit to end this coming war sooner. I tried to advise him otherwise, but even The Dark Lord has his eyes on you,"
"What?" I felt my eyebrows furrow together. "How can that dickhead know of me? I've only been at Hogwarts a couple of months."
He didn't comment on my flowery language. "There are plenty of children of Death Eaters in this school, and especially in your year. I suspect that Miss Parkinson has told her parents about what you did during the Harrowing. Even Mr Nott's father is a Death Eater too, alongside Mr Malfoy's. You must not speak a word of this to anyone. That is why you will be receiving these Occlumency lessons in the evenings, alongside defensive and aggressive Magic techniques."
"Don't I get a choice?" I snapped, watching his own reaction to my words. "This is my life you're talking about. I'm fifteen and I'm supposed to hand over my whole identity so Dumbledore has a fucking spy for his group? How is that fair? How is that even morally right? I'd get it if I wanted to do it but it looks like I don't have a choice!"
His face, void of emotion but his eyes held an ounce of memory, told me exactly what choices I had.
None.
I clenched my hands around my cup and looked into the milky liquid. I could barely look him in the eyes, needing time to compartmentalise this. My life has turned upside down once again. I didn't care that I was upset at this at the moment, because I wasn't just upset, I was scared. But as the fear turned to rage, I set my jaw and let no emotion show.
"Is that why he let me attend? He wants me as a pawn, not a spy,"
"Be that as it may, Miss Potter," he said coldly. "There are factors at play that you do not know of."
"Then tell me."
It was a rare sight to see Snape scoff. It made him younger, less serious. It showed that he had other emotions than completely apathy.
He finished his tea, "No one would expect you to be a spy for either cause. You've been a hidden piece for most of your life. Dumbledore will want to speak to you later this week but I wished to warn you first. Dismissed."
I stood up at that.
I might've been a hidden piece for most of my life, but it was time for a new player to join the game.
)()()(
My room was cold as I laid on the bed while Silver sat on the edge, petting my hair like I was a child again. It always calmed me down.
"How am I supposed to be a Death Eater, Silver?" I looked at him. I needed to figure out how I would convince Voldemort and I was on his side. Snape would already be putting in good word for me with Voldemort, but that wouldn't be enough.
"Parkinson has Death Eater parents, as does Greengrass," Hesaid. "Befriend them. Show them a different side of you. They've seen what you can do with Magic, but you'll need to act differently from now on."
I looked at him, "You mean I need to act like a prejudiced bigot? Mudblood this, Bloodtraitor that. Blood purity over anything else." I sighed. "That's gonna be a bit tricky considering I'm a Halfblood myself. It'll take most of the year to do that, unless I suddenly change how I act."
"You're better than them, Viktoria," He smirked. "You've always been, but now you need to show them. Start acting like a queen and they will need to treat you like one. The Aces already suspect something but they won't interfere. They'll most likely help you if you told them."
"If they figure it out, I won't deny it," I said. "It would be even better if I became an Ace. All three of them are linked to the Dark Side. It would help my story then."
"Only time will tell," He stroked my hair. "I will help you to be the perfect Pureblood girl the Dark Lord is looking for. These Slytherins won't know what hit them."
And they didn't.
Foremost, Silver helped me change how I dressed. It wasn't by a lot but it was noticeable when I began to wear makeup every day, sharp eyeliner and a ruby or plum lip. My clothes were even more pristine than normal. Not a single crease in my shirts, skirts, or trousers. My hair was perfectly done every day, taking an extra hour to make sure I looked presentable at all times.
The first morning I did this, I strode into the Great Hall, finding a free seat next to Blaise. He smiled at me, "Good morning, Viktoria."
"Morning," I replied back with lipglossed smile.
Theo nudged Draco and both boys looked up. Neither said anything, simply sharing a look before Theo scowled at Blaise and I knew he had kicked him under the table. Theo rubbed his shin.
"Someone's dressed to impress," Parkinson snickered a few seats away, leaning forward to speak to me. "Want to catch someone's eye?"
I laughed softly. "No, Parkinson. Unlike you, I don't need anyone. I just thought it was time to brush up on my appearance more often than simple parties. I can help you, if you want. It looks like you need a couple of lessons."
Parkinson scowled deeply, looking furious at my words but I just smiled at her attempt to annoy me for the rest of the day. I tapped my long nails on the dining table. They were freshly done, long almond shaped and painted black.
If I wanted to be part of Parkinson's little group, I needed to look the part.
Beautiful but dangerous was my aesthetic now.
Feminine but fatal.
That was what was expected of a female Death Eater, ready to infiltrate the ranks of any group with ease, ready to change herself in any way to get in and conquer.
Pansy Parkinson wasn't the only one to notice. Daphne Greengrass approved of my new look, and Hermione Granger certainly did not, especially when Imbolc night came.
We had class that day, and Granger was partnered with me for Care of Magical Creatures. Umbridge was watching us all carefully but didn't quite pay attention to any of the Slytherins. She wouldn't bother us but she kept an eye on me.
"I'm not touching that," I said instantly as Hagrid instructed to feed some sort of little creature that looked like a Jack Russel but with a scorpion tail. The food was some sort rotting meat mixture and were supposed to touch it with our bare hands.
"There's nothing wrong with it," Granger snided, grabbing a handful.
I grimaced, "Unlike you, I care for how my hands look. I'm not ruining my nails for this."
"Well, if you weren't wearing those stupid claws you call nails, you might not have a problem," She scowled at me. "Just grab a handful and feed it."
"No," I took out my wand, lifting a small amount of the food and then fed the strange creature. "I'm not ruining my manicure for this. It's Imbolc tonight. I need to keep clean."
"Imbolc?" She asked. "Oh, it's one of those old traditions, isn't it? Are you sure you should even be part of that? I don't think Harry will approve."
I laughed, "As if I care what my brother thinks."
"Oh. Still," Her voice went to a whisper. "It's a Dark tradition, isn't it?"
"You wouldn't know, would you?" I raised an eyebrow at her, keeping an eye on Parkinson and Greengrass who were only a couple feet away from us. I leaned in and hissed, "You're a Muggleborn, Granger. You don't know anything of Light traditions, let alone anything Dark. Before you speak, educate yourself on the matters at hand. Don't presume to know everything because you read a little book."
Her lips furrowed into a frown, "You've changed, Viktoria."
"I don't remember giving you permission to use my first name, Granger. It's a privilege only friends have," I tilted my head as I knew the two Slytherins were listening in. "And you're certainly not my friend."
She tried to grab my arm when I turned but I snapped at her.
"Don't touch me with your filthy hands!"
That shocked her and made the two Slytherin Witches snicker in the background. They hissed at each other in low tones but I knew they saw what I did. Hopefully they would think I was more similar to them than anything else. I had to prevail.