Prophecies and Betrayals (sequel to The Marauders)

3

Initiation. 

Most people when they hear that word, think of some sort of top secret very dangerous task to enter the FBI or the mafia. This was exactly what Severus Snape thought when he first heard the rumor of an initiation, whispered to him by a fellow club member. 

Many years had passed since Lucius and his friends had first taken Snape under their wing, and over the years, the group grew sketchier and sketchier. This year was no different.

In fact, most Hogwarts students feared this group, and spoke the members' names with an almost reverent fear. This hadn't gone unnoticed by the teachers, and they swooped in and gave a fairly severe reminder to the group that any illegal or dangerous activities could get them expelled. 

But there was a problem.

Although everyone seemed to know what went on with that 'gang', no one seemed to actually catch them red handed. Like most troublemakers who were never caught, this caused the group a false sense of security. It was almost as if they believed they were immune to getting caught. Which was perhaps the reason that night went so badly.

The group was currently huddled around a small fire in one of the dark, abandoned dungeons of the castle. A cauldron near Snape hissed with something yellow and foul smelling. His lip curled as he imagined the various unpleasantries that could be in that cauldron. 

"Can I have your attention please?" said a voice at the front of the room. No one seemed to hear him, as the laughter and chatter continued at an almost physically painful volume. 

Gosh, I hate people, Snape found himself thinking as a young, blond haired boy got on top of one of the desks, stuck his fingers in his mouth, and let out a piercing whistle. 

Even though he now had the attention of everyone in the now silent room, he felt the need to yell, "WOULD YOU LOT PLEASE JUST SHUT UP FOR A MINUTE?" 

"At least he said 'please'," someone said. A group of girls burst into giggles and Snape didn't even bother to hide it as he rolled his eyes at them. One of them saw it and stuck her tongue out at him. He narrowed his eyes, unimpressed. 

"Alright!" a girl joined Lucius Malfoy on the table. She was easily the prettiest girl in the room. But also the scariest. Everyone listened when Bellatrix Black was talking.

"As I'm sure you've heard, today we are celebrating the five year anniversary of when our group officially became a group-" Clapping and scattered whoops interrupted her. She waved her hands for silence, but the smirk on her face clearly showed her enjoyment. She loved being the center of attention.

"-Yes. Yes. Thank you," she smiled. "So in honor of this very special day, we have decided to put together a little task for the newbies. An initiation, if you will."

Snape straightened, turning all his attention on her. This was important, he could feel it. Possibly the most important day of his life, but perhaps not for the reason he thought. 

"Our group is highly selective, as you know. We take only the best, the strongest, the smartest, and the most ambitious to be a part of us," Bellatrix paused for dramatic effect and Snape tapped a foot impatiently, waiting for her to go on. "This makes us more than just a group. We are the future."

More applause, and this time, Bellatrix had to pull out her wand and shoot several red sparks in the air to recapture their attention. 

"We have thought long and hard on this initiation task, as it determines which of you are meant to be a part of us. As well as those who are not." 

Snape swore her eyes landed on him when she said this last part. But then she started speaking again, so he decided he must have imagined it. 

"The initiation task has been made to fit each one of you individually. You will be asked to give up the thing you value most. After all, for us to shape the future of this world, we cannot be bound to it by irrelevant things." Bellatrix said. "Each one of me, Lucius, Avery, Nox, Crabbe and Goyle will take on one of the people who haven't completed their initiation, and we will tell them what their task will be. You will report to your 'mentor' when you've completed the task, and then you will be made a member in the next meeting."

"Don't bother lying to us. We always know." Lucius said somewhat ominously. The room grew heavy with tension. 

They were all thinking the same thing.

What would they be asked to do?

And later that night, after Snape was told what his task was (by Lucius, who was chosen as his mentor) he lay awake in bed, wondering how on earth he would be able to complete this task. Whether he succeeded or failed, he knew one thing for sure.

His life would never be the same after this. 

And neither would Lily Evans'. 

Hey everyone! I'm writing again! 

I'm sorry for the long wait for this chapter, but now that I'm finally, finally on the break I can write more!!! 

Thank you all for being so patient with me and I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! 

Next chapter will be out sometime this week! :) 

Stay safe, drink water, wear a mask, and remember; a chocolate a day keeps the dementors away! (That's my logic for the unhealthy rate in which I am eating through my advent calendar XD)