Twilight Gardens

It was close to their graduation that Lucius first told Severus of the rumours he had heard on a visit to Knockturn Alley. He had heard whispers of some sort of club exclusively for purebloods. It sounded like a club for Slytherin alumni. Enthused, Lucius related what he had heard to the other seventh-year Slytherins after he returned from Easter holidays.

"They say there is a great and powerful Dark Lord, whose abilities exceed those of Dumbledore," Lucius told his wide-eyed listeners. "This Dark Lord has even conquered death and will bestow upon all of his followers immortality. Of course, only purebloods like ourselves are worthy of such a divine prize."

"Once his followers are immortal," Narcissa wondered aloud, "do they continue to age or do they stay young and pretty forever?"

"How the hell should I know?" snapped Lucius, thinking this was quite a stupid question and very typical of his cousin.

Narcissa narrowed her eyes in umbrage and rose from her seat, "Well, I, for one, know I will be much too busy after graduation to be joining any silly clubs."

The rest of the Slytherins were rather interested in Lucius' story and begged to know how they could join as a follower of this Dark Lord. Severus was characteristically quiet. He looked more troubled than usual but amidst all the curious conversation in the common room, only Lucius noticed. Lucius wanted to rush to his beloved's side and ask what was bothering him but his audience wouldn't allow the question period to cease.

"How exactly do we join?" pressed Lestrange.

"I don't know exactly," answered Lucius. "I heard that any wishing to swear their fidelity to the Dark Lord must be at Knockturn Alley on the third evening of July."

"What are we supposed to do then?" Macnair inquired. "Just hang around?"

Again, Lucius said, "I don't know. I'm just telling you what I heard. Maybe there will be a sign or something."

"Well, I think we'll all be there," Crabbe confirmed.

"Perhaps not all of us," Goyle looked in Severus' direction. "What about you, Snape? You've been really silent throughout this whole discussion -- even for you."

"No, I will be there with all of you," Severus said, barely moving his lips. I'm as doomed as all of you.

It was a sign that drew the Slytherins to the Dark Lord -- glowing, green sign, which appeared over a small structure at the end of Knockturn Alley. Bearing the unmistakable symbol of the serpent, it was as far from Diagon Alley as anything could be in the magical part of London. The crowd was easily won over by Lord Voldemort and immediately submitted to the branding of the Dark Mark, which the Dark Lord said would bind them to him forever. Lucius reveled in the fiery brand, taking as much pride -- if not more -- in the Dark Mark as he had taken in his green-and-silver scarf and tie when he attended Hogwarts. Severus examined his own Mark solemnly, tracing his finger along the emerald flames.