Promises Broken

Severus Snape shivered slightly as he pulled his black hooded cloak more tightly around him and moved closer to the fire. It was a bitterly cold November evening, and Severus and a few others were huddled around a small bonfire, waiting.

"Severus? Is that you, boy?"

"Yes, Father," Severus replied dully.

"Heavens above, you could try to sound a bit more enthusiastic - you're joining the ranks of the greatest wizard in the world, for Merlin's sake!"

"I thought Dumbledore -"

Severus' words were cut off as his father slapped him hard around the head.

"Ow!"

"What have I told you," his father hissed, "About mentioning Dumbledore's name in my presence?"

"Sorry, Father. It won't happen again."

"It had better not do. The Dark Lord does not look favourably upon those who mention that Mudblood-loving fool."

Severus said nothing. In truth, he did believe that Albus Dumbledore was greater than Lord Voldemort, although he would never admit that to his father.

The bonfire suddenly went out, and a shiver ran around the people gathered there. The ashes glowed emerald, so bright that it hurt the eyes, and then out of the ashes stepped the Dark Lord himself.

Lord Voldemort was a tall, powerfully built, very handsome wizard. His hair was short and black, his frame was tall and toned, and his eyes stared scarlet out of his pale face. Had Severus not known who he was (or had he not been petrified of him), he would maybe have admired him the way that he admired James -

Don't think about him, he told himself irritably. That's in the past; you'll never see him again.

"So, friends," Voldemort said, smiling in a not friendly or nice way. "You are all here to join me, is that correct?" There was a general murmur of assent, and Voldemort's smile widened. "Good. Snape!"

Severus was about to spring forwards, but his father moved swiftly to stand beside Voldemort.

"Yes, master?"

"How many are here to join me?"

"Six, master."

"Your son included?"

"Yes, master."

"Excellent."

Severus stiffened as Voldemort started coming towards him. Instinct told him to take a step backwards, but he knew better, so he stayed where he was.

"You are Severus Snape, son of Bardus Snape?"

"Yes, sir."

"I hear that you are very good at brewing potions."

"Yes, sir."

"As good as your father?"

"I - I think so, sir."

"Good. I can see that we'll be needing you, Severus."

He turned and walked back to where the bonfire had been, some of Severus' former classmates throwing him jealous looks.

"Incendio!" Voldemort muttered, and a fire sprung up next to him. He waved his wand through the air, leaving behind a trail of gold, which dropped into the flames and turned them black with a slight hissing noise. "Robert Avery!"

Robert Avery, his mouth set in a grim line, stepped forwards to face Voldemort. The Dark Lord shot a circle of blue fire from the tip of his wand; it circled Avery's wrist and he went pale as his face took on an expression of pain.

"Repeat after me, Avery.

"I pledge myself to you, Lord Voldemort,
Greatest wizard to ever live;
My mind, body and soul
Are yours for eternity."

Looking more frightened and pained than ever, Avery quickly garbled the oath, and the blue flames retreated back into Voldemort's wand.

"That was the easy part," he said, laughing slightly. Avery began to tremble as Voldemort stretched out his wand, pressed it to Avery's arm, and said, "Morsmordre."

There was a horrible noise as Avery's screams filled the air. Severus couldn't take his eyes off the scene, wishing that it would stop, wishing that he didn't have to have that done to him.

Voldemort finally took his wand away, made an impatient shooing motion with his hand, and Avery retreated back into the line, staring in shock at his arm, which was still smoking slightly.

One by one, the new generation of Death Eaters were called forwards to join the flock.

"Thomas Lestrange!"

"Estella Noble!"

"Evan Rosier!"

And then, eventually -

"Severus Snape!"

Severus tried not to think about what was ahead of him as he walked forwards to face Lord Voldemort. The other wizard was smiling slightly as he raised his wand and shot the flames around Severus' wrist.

Severus gritted his teeth in pain as the flames began to steadily burn his wrist. He repeated the oath in a monotonous voice, trying not to look at either Voldemort or his father. He fixed his eyes on a spot on the ground, only looking up when he had finished speaking.

The red eyes were full of a manic glee as the Dark Lord pressed his wand to Severus' arm and hissed the incantation.

The pain was unbearable. Severus' teeth were so tightly clenched that he could almost feel them grinding themselves away, and he had to lock his knees to stop himself sinking to the ground, such was the agony. It seemed to last forever, but finally it was over.

Cool air rushed to the wound as Severus stumbled back into the line. Dreading what he might see, he looked down at his arm. There, imprinted black on his pale white forearm, was the Dark Mark; a skull with a snake protruding from its mouth. He felt slightly sick at the thought of Voldemort's wand burning his skin away, and tried not to think about it as he stood in silence and watched the sixth and final Death Eater, Hugo Wilkes, go through the procedure.

"My loyal servants," cried Lord Voldemort, "Now that you have pledged allegiance to me, and no other - least of all Albus Dumbledore - I sincerely hope that you will eternally be at my service. If not" - and here a cruel smile curled his mouth - "then I will have no choice but to kill you. Farewell, Death Eaters, until we shall meet again."

Another shiver ran along the line as Voldemort Disapparated.

"We finally did it - I can't believe it, can you?" Estella Noble said. She, too, was still staring at her arm.

"No," Severus said faintly. "No, I can't."

"Well, boy, you've finally proved yourself," Severus' father crowed, clapping a proud hand on his son's shoulder. "How do you feel now?"

"Different," was all Severus could manage to say.

"Of course you feel different! You're on your way to power, Severus. Bringing a bit of honour to the family name. Of course, I had hoped that you'd have found someone to carry on the family name with by now, but I suppose I can't have everything I wish for..."

He looked over at Estella, who fidgeted with the sleeve of her robes and made an excuse about having to go home.

"You're not leaving yet, surely? I thought you'd be coming back to the party!"

"What party?" Severus asked in surprise. His father gave a fake chortle of laughter.

"I knew you'd forget...don't you remember? The party, tonight, at the manor, the one that your mother's hosting. I'm sure that your charming friend would be delighted to come."

Severus finally realised what his father was going on about. He'd pulled this stunt before; there was no party, he was just trying to get Estella to accompany Severus back to the manor.

"Father, I don't think Estella would -" Severus began, but his father cut him off with an impatient wave of his hand and looked hopefully at Estella.

"Well? Would you like to join us?"

"Oh - I'm very sorry, Mr. Snape, but I'm afraid I can't. My parents are expecting me - my grandparents are coming to our house for dinner."

"Maybe some other time, then."

"Yes, maybe. 'Bye, Severus."

"'Bye."

Severus watched gloomily as his friend went over to Thomas Lestrange, put her hand on his arm, and they Disapparated together. He was glad that she hadn't come back to the manor and found out that his father had been lying, but he would have liked some company. It was very lonely and quiet at the manor of late, particularly since his sister, Artemis, had married and moved abroad.

"Who is she, then?" Severus' father asked.

"Who's who?"

"Well, I know you've been pining over some girl these past few months. I thought it might be her, but apparently not...so who is she?"

Severus swallowed. He knew it would be equivalent to throwing himself into a lion's den if he were to admit to his father who his true feelings were for, but if he made up a name, there would be questions asked, and insistence that the mystery girl was invited to dinner.

"Oh...just someone," he said.

"I know that, but who? You can't wait forever, boy - I was married and almost a father at your age."

"Just - just a girl. She's still at Hogwarts."

"How old is she? Not too young, I hope."

"She's in her seventh year. Nearly eighteen."

"Which house?"

"Ravenclaw."

"Is she pretty? What does she look like?"

"She's - well, she's got dark hair," Severus invented, knowing full well that he was about to describe the female equivalent of James. "She's got these amazing eyes, smoky grey with little flecks of silver. She's not totally stunning to look at, but she's pretty in her own way."

"Hm...what's her name?"

"I - er - Emily. Emily Wallace."

"I used to go to school with a Wallace, I wonder if she's any relation? What's her father's name?"

"I don't know, she never said."

"And how did you two meet?"

"Well - we were seeing each other for a bit whilst I was still at school, and then we drifted apart when I left. I was down in Hogsmeade about a month ago, and I bumped into Emily, and we had a - er - reconciliation."

"Well, I'm glad that you're not wasting your feelings on a lost cause. Good for you, boy. Come on, let's go home."