A Black Romance

****Wednesday****

It was two weeks before the dance. Amber and Severus were in the potions class. Severus noticed Amber's extreme quietness, but decided not to ask her anything.

"I'm sorry if I'm not good company today," Amber started. "But something has been on my mind."

"No problem, I know how it feels."

Another hour went in silence, as Amber tried to cut mubbleworms into tiny pieces.

"If you start in the middle, it's easier to cut. Their heart is there."

"So you've let me struggle with these things for over an hour and you said nothing?" Amber said, putting her hands on her hips.

"Yup."

"I got a strange letter a few weeks ago," Severus popped his head up but pretended not to care.

FOOTNOTE: I know, and you know, that Severus sent the letter, but when Amber finds that out at the ball, please pretend to be surprised. You will anger me if you don't.

"Who was it from?" Severus asked, hoping she wouldn't have any idea as to who it was.

"Your guess is as good as mine. He sent an owl to me," she showed him the parchment, "and he calls himself Rabbit. Do you know anybody by that name?"

"Sorry, can't say I do." Severus watched Amber as she sat in silence, until she looked up.

"Do you think it's a joke?"

"Why would someone do such a mean thing to you?"

"This might be a joke from James and Sirius."

"Even though I think they are quite childish, I doubt they would hurt your feelings like that."

"Yeah, well, I'm not going to get my hopes up," Severus seemed hurt by her comment. How would she react when he pulled off the mask and try to kiss her? Would Sirius pop up and cast one of their stupid spells on him again? He pushed those thoughts out of his mind and became interested in the mubbleworms again.

****A New Death Eater****

You all know how much pride I take in my Death Eaters; in fact, we hold a ceremony in a special spot, where the making takes place. Tonight, I would add another to my roster; Kimble Perry, Amber's mother. Ah, didn't you know she was a death eater? Amber told you in her first year to Remus that her mother hated muggles. Why didn't you listen?

But let me tell you about one of my favorite Death Eaters.

Kimble Perry grew up in Salem, Mass. She lived an easy life of money and magic. Kimble attended Salem Magic Academy and then went on to attend the Salem Institute of Magical Arts. Once she finished, she began working to rebuild the American Ministry of Magic in the 50's. She fell in love with Kyle McCann, an English poet. Against her parent's wishes, Kimble ran away to England with Kyle.

Once Kimble moved to England, she and Kyle began to fight. Kimble wanted to only associate with "purebloods", while Kyle wanted to mingle and have "regular" friends. Soon after, Kimble became pregnant while visiting her parents in America. During that time, Kyle began a relationship with a Muggle girl named Erica Smith. Kimble quickly divorced Kyle and moved back in with her parents.

Her hatred for muggles had started. She saw Kyle in Amber. The brown/blue eyes, her love for reading, everything. Kimble was mad that Amber hadn't taken after her, but after her father. The man she thought loved her.

She began her campaign against anything 'Muggle like'. She forced her daughter to make friends only with pure bloods and was disappointed when she was sorted into Gryffindor House. Kimble was most pleased to find out that she had made friends with James Potter and Sirius Black; two of the most riches and powerful wizards of the time. But despise the fact that Lily Evans, a so-called "mudblood" had stolen James' heart.

I meet Kimble a few years ago in Oxford. She was reading the Daily Prophet and reading a book on the Dark Arts. I read her mind, feeling the pain and suffering in her heart. I fed on it, made it warm in her; I wanted her to feel the pain now, like she did fourteen years go.

"Excuse me," I said, "may I sit down?" Kimble looked at me. My dark cloak covered my face, but even on that hot August day, my voice was cold. "I couldn't help but notice you sitting here alone." She placed her paper down and looked at me. "Sorry, I have forgotten my manners, my name is Lord Voldemort," Kimble grinned at my name, but I didn't notice it. "I saw you reading a book on the Dark Arts, I myself am interested in it. In fact, I have started my own "following" of purebloods..." BAMN! I had her. Just like Peter, one word had her.

"Pure bloods?" she asked. "I myself am a pure blood. From America, Salem."

"Nasty thing all the Muggles did to you. I've read all about the burnings and killings they did. Giving magic a bad name."

We talked for over two hours. I probed her inner soul until I had her where I wanted her. I invited her to Slytherin Manor, which is where all meetings took place. No person could get there unless I called for them.

****Till Life Parts from You****

The incitation for becoming a death eater is quite simple. Of course, I can't tell you what it involves, but I can tell you it's not easy. You must show the other Death Eaters that you will be loyal to me and only me. Then you must undertake of the hot iron on your arm, my brand, the Death Mark. Following that, you recite a code of honor in front of the others and my darling Naigia comes and gives you the death kiss. The kiss joins you forever. Even in death, your soul belongs to me. And I assure you I make sure, that it happens.

I cannot tell you how many Death Eaters I had, because that is private, but I had enough to fill a house at Hogwarts. I had my doubts on some of them; Severus Snape, Peter Pettigrew, Ludo Bagman, and a few others. But there was one Death Eater family who got over on me, and is still living a lie, the Longbottoms.

If you have your Harry Potter books with you, which I know you do. In the Goblet of Fire, Dumbledore tells Harry that Frank Longbottom was an Auror, which is true, but he was also a Death Eater. Bellatrix did have a part in their memory loss, but it was only to save me, and what I was doing.

****Frank, Jody, Neville, and Power****

Let me first tell you that Frank and Jody were one of the first Death Eaters. Frank was there when I first started my quest for immortality and the purging of everything that wasn't magical. Jody, being quite the ambitious Slytherin, also wanted powers like mine. I would never tell anybody how I became what I am. It was my own struggle, one, one has to take alone. But the Longbottoms thought it would be easier taking the short cut.

The Longbottoms realized that their first child Neville was very powerful. Even before the age of one, his cries could shatter glass and he was one of few who had the potential of doing wand less magic.

While studying wand less magic, Jody found a book about sucking magic out of one person and into another. Even though Albus Dumbledore was not in the book, Frank knew he had done it and succeeded. Thinking that they could do it, Frank and Jody began collecting information on the subject.

This was taking place while James and Lily Potter were going into hiding and I was at the peak of power.

To hide any clues that Frank and Jody were Death Eaters, they had some Death Eaters threaten their lives. Of course, the Ministry fell for it and Frank continued to draw power from Neville. Then something went wrong. I am not sure, forever I dare not mess with such magic, but Neville's power began to work against Frank and Jody. It began sucking the magic, memory, and life out of them.

A neighbor saw what was going on and called the Department of Magical Catastrophes. Some Death Eaters arrived first and quickly made a Death Mark, so no suspicion would be aroused. They were put in St. Muggos' and the rest is history.

****Potter's Plan****

James Potter lay on his bed, reading the letter he just got. It was from the Howling Hornets, an English Quidditch team. They wanted him to be their new seeker, as soon as he graduated from Hogwarts. To be clearer, they wanted him two days after. James was happy, but also sad. He had planed to live with Remus, Sirius, and Peter while they all worked at the Ministry. And who would look after Lily? Amber was going to America, and he wasn't able to leave her behind. On the second hand, this was his dream. Playing Quidditch! His mind was flooded with all the possibilities. Lily would never want anything; their child could grow up in a loving home. Yes, he would do it. But first, he would have to write a letter to his father.

****Sirius and Amber****

Amber and Sirius were looking at apartments the American Ministry sent her.

"I can move in October," Amber said, looking at the pictures. "Three days after my birthday," Sirius tried not to think about it. He had known her for over seven years and never had he gone without seeing her for more than two weeks. How could he handle two years? Sensing what he was thinking, Amber said, "Don't worry, you can come and visit me all the time. And I won't be leaving until October."

"Where are you going to stay after graduation?"

"I not sure, Lily's parents said I was welcomed at their house, but I don't want to impose on them."

Sirius thought back to the day when he suggested that she stay with them, until she left. But he quickly remembered that she said no and decided not to ask her again.

"Is that invitation for me still open?" Sirius was stunned! Did he hear correctly?

"HELL YEAH!...um...I mean, of course it is."

"I'll pay my share of the rent, don't worry."

"Save your money," Sirius said, grinning from ear to ear. "All you have to do is fix all of our meals, clean the house, and do the laundry."

"I've seen what can happen to a house after you all have been there and I'd rather have a job." Sirius laughed and hit Amber with a pillow.

"Come on, it'll only be for a little while, besides, who else is capable of protecting you against Lord Voldemort?"

don't think that little comment was called for. Until my highest point, I was considered by most all sixes and sevens, that's crazy for all you Americans who don't understand correct English talk. In a few years, few would dare to say my name. Except for the stupid and foolish. **cough** Dumbledore **cough**