The Marauders Rise (II)

Voldemort's Army

August 17, 1973

Inside Borgin and Burke's, a dark shop in Knockturn Alley, the dusty and ill-lit main room is suddenly interrupted by the ringing of a bell as the front door opens. In steps BELLATRIX, LUCIUS, and NARCISSA, accompanied by a group of younger Hogwarts students, which includes SEVERUS.

BELLATRIX: (hollering) Borgin!

BORGIN: (exiting the back room) Madame Lestrange. So good to see you out and about. What can I do for you?

BELLATRIX: We'll need to use your back room, Borgin. Business matters.

BORGIN: (slightly annoyed) Of course. Please, make yourselves at home.

The group enters the back room. Pulling out her wand, NARCISSA clears an open area and produces a set of chairs arranged in a semicircle.

NARCISSA: Please, sit, everyone.

The Hogwarts students set themselves down in the chairs, while BELLATRIX stands before them, radiating power and authority.

BELLATRIX: Very well. Are you all aware of why we called you to this meeting?

MAFALDA: (sarcastically) Because Borgin needs some hired help?

Several of the students laugh, though BELLATRIX and SEVERUS remain stone-faced.

BELLATRIX: (smiling, walking closer to MAFALDA) What's your name?

MAFALDA: (promptly) Mafalda Hopkirk.

BELLATRIX: Well, Mafalda Hopkirk, the first thing you're going to learn here is how to keep your mouth shut and how to respect your superiors. Do you understand me?

MAFALDA stares heavily at BELLATRIX while remaining silent.

BELLATRIX: Now. We called you here because you all come from families who are sympathetic with the Dark Lord, who support our cause. And we believe you may be of help to us in the future.

STEBBINS: What kind of help?

NARCISSA: (stepping forward) It was our idea that we could form a sort of- dueling club at Hogwarts this year. In preparation for a potential future war.

MAFALDA: You really think there's going to be a war between You-Know-Who and the Ministry?

LUCIUS: Not with the Ministry, no.

MAFALDA: Then who?

NARCISSA: (hesitating) We believe that Dumbledore is recruiting wizards outside of the Ministry's control. That he's forming a secret alliance to fight the Dark Lord- an alliance that could potentially damage our cause.

BELLATRIX: What we need is to prepare for retaliation against the Dark Lord's actions. We must be able to defend ourselves. And in order to do that, we need to increase our numbers.

STEBBINS: So you want us to join an extra Defense Against the Dark Arts class? Like that's gonna happen. Where in the castle would we even go?

NARCISSA: We have a place. Seventh floor, across from Barnabas the Barmy.

BELLATRIX: And it is not a Defense Against the Dark Arts class. It is a Dark Arts class. You will learn the secrets that the professors at Hogwarts are too scared to tell you. But I can teach you what you need to know. I can show you everything.

The Slytherin students remain speechless, and BELLATRIX takes advantage of their silence and carries on.

BELLATRIX: A war is coming, ladies and gentlemen. Only a fool would doubt that. The Dark Lord needs supporters now more than ever. And you are the ones who can change the revolution of wizardry in the modern age. You can make our world a better place, free of Mudbloods and blood traitors. You can make Hogwarts a true school, a pure school, where our legacy can be passed onto magical kind only, for the greater good. What say you?

The students appear cautious at first, but slowly begin to nod their heads in agreement. NARCISSA produces a piece of parchment and has everyone sign their name before quietly exiting the room. The last in line is SEVERUS.

BELLATRIX: (eyeing him cautiously) It's Snape, is it not? You're the half-blood offspring of that Mudblood-marrying Eileen Prince?

SEVERUS: (angrily) Don't say a word against my mother.

BELLATRIX: What did I say about respect, you filthy half-breed?

NARCISSA: Bella! That's enough. (She pushes the paper towards SEVERUS, who angrily signs it and quickly departs)

NARCISSA: (rolling up the parchment and sealing it) It would be helpful if you didn't insult everyone we recruit, Bella.

BELLATRIX: We can do better than Eileen Prince's son, Cissy!

NARCISSA: Regardless-

BELLATRIX: And what in Merlin's name are you thinking, anyway, bringing a half-blood in here? The whole point of our revolution is blood purity!

NARCISSA: You don't know what you're talking about, all right? Like it or not, that kid just happens to be one of the smartest in his grade, and he knows loads more curses than I ever did when I was in third-year. He's exactly what we want.

BELLATRIX: (turning to LUCIUS) Is this true?

LUCIUS: (nodding) He has been impressive. It would be foolish not to take him under our wing this year.

BELLATRIX: Very well. Do what you must.

NARCISSA: Anyway, how are you planning on getting into the school to teach us? You're not thinking of doing this in Hogsmeade, are you?

BELLATRIX: (smiling) Come, now, Cissy. Use your head. I think it's time we bring out an old toy, what do you think?

BELLATRIX makes her way to the back of the room. She grabs hold of a black cloth covering a large artifact and pulls it off, revealing the Vanishing Cabinet.