Severus Snape: The Half Blood Prince

*(55) The Dark Mark Spark

They walked up the stairs together, feeling a sense of unity and contentment, a couple in their own house, their own sanctuary. As they settled into bed, they found comfort in the darkness that enveloped them, and with arms wrapped around each other, they drifted off to sleep, safe in the haven they had found in Spinner's End.

Both Sophie and Severus were suddenly awakened in the dead of night, their forearms throbbing with intense pain. They sat up quickly, the darkness surrounding them making it difficult to see each other's expressions. With a swift wave of Severus's wand, the curtains were drawn, allowing the faint moonlight to filter through the trees, casting a deep navy hue in the room instead of pitch black.

In a hurry, they got dressed, preparing for their mission with the Dark Lord now that they were no longer confined by the walls of Hogwarts. Sophie cast a charm to enhance her appearance, her normally straight hair now curled to give it volume, and a subtle touch of makeup applied to ensure her skin wouldn't react adversely later on.

In preparation for their night's work, Sophie transformed one of Severus's long robes into a suitable cape, fashioning it with some alterations that could easily be undone with a simple 'reparo' spell.

Once ready, Severus offered his arm for Sophie to take, and she did so without hesitation. In an instant, they were transported to a graveyard, seemingly located in the middle of nowhere. In the distance, there stood a grand manor on a hill, its uniform windows giving off an eerie glow in the dim light.

"Where are we, Severus?" Sophie whispered into his ear as their veiled masks appeared on their faces, a precautionary measure for the clandestine gathering. Sophie was taken aback that she had her own mask, its design unfamiliar to her, yet form-fitting, revealing her mouth and chin.

Her hair cascaded gracefully down the thick hood, draping onto the robe, transforming her into an enigmatic figure reminiscent of a maiden from a bygone era. Her posture and feet turned inwards, mirroring the stance of the other Death Eaters who had gathered.

Among the assembly, she recognized faces she knew from her time, but it was still surreal to stand among murderers and those who would cause great suffering in the future. They were all here, preparing for the Dark Lord's command in the eerie ambiance of the graveyard, where the clouds veiled the moon's rays, intensifying the ominous atmosphere.

"Alas, our time has come to commence our first attack of June," Voldemort spoke in a somewhat subdued tone, "Our numbers are at an all-time high, thanks to the educational inquiries required by the Ministry." Voldemort chuckled, and his devoted followers joined in, reveling in the dark sense of unity that bound them together in their malevolent purpose.

As Voldemort continued his detrimental speech, Sophie couldn't help but feel a mix of fear and discomfort. She looked around and noticed a few familiar faces among the Death Eaters - Evan Rosier, Avery, Wilkes, and Mulciber, all Slytherin graduates from her and Severus' year at Hogwarts.

"Now, with this form of approach, we will be able to recruit more souls to join us in our endeavor in this wizarding war, as they're calling it. A few of us will strike at dawn, and the rest will await further instruction from me. Is that clear?" Voldemort's commanding tone left no room for dissent.

A chorus of 'Yes, My Lord's' swept across the graveyard, and Sophie found herself unconsciously echoing the response, even though her mind was only partially focused on the Dark Lord's words.

Suddenly, her arm twitched, and she watched as most of the individuals in the graveyard disappeared or apparated away, following Voldemort's command. However, she was left behind, along with about twelve others.

"I have selected the finest amongst our ranks to carry out this first brigade," Voldemort declared, and Sophie realized Severus was not by her side. "Our first task is a conversion for the night. Each of you will be paired with a partner to... let's say, persuade certain wizards to join our ranks. Only those with intense skill and lustful passion will be on your lists."