AN/: This idea popped into my head. I'm thinking of continuing it. Let me know what you think.
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Prologue:
Rain crashed down in front of her.
It only seemed fitting that the clouds wept with her today, for they celebrated the ultimate loss of her innocence. No longer a child shielded from the pain of the world, today marked her transition from a child to an adult.
If only it was under better circumstances.
Her eyes, previously fixated at the cracked grey floor before her, lifted to meet the merciless rubies of her master.
"Today, my lord," she whispered, "if you would allow me the honour of accepting my servitude, I would like to pledge my complete allegiance to you."
Brown eyes glistening with anticipation of what was to come, she followed his gaze as he looked at her kneeling before him in submission.
"And, why, my dear Mudblood," he hissed, enjoying the sight before him, "should I welcome your unworthy blood of a servant into my circle of followers?"
She hesitated before answering, choosing her words with careful precision. "I believe I have proven my loyalty to your cause in the past few months, my lord. I would like to serve you further. I wish to provide all my abilities for your disposal. I wish to help you in your battle."
She waited for either her death or his reply. Fortunately, she was graced with the latter.
"Why has my little Mudblood overstepped her bounds tonight to make such a bold request?" he asked, his high-pitched voice cold.
It was a good question. One many would ask. Fortunately, she had the perfect answer.
"Because, my lord, I can do what all have failed to achieve," she declared.
"I can get you Harry Potter. And the traitor Snape. In fact, I promise to hand them to you on a silver platter."
She watched his ashen, pale face twist into a cruel smile. With a flick of his wand, she felt her entire body rupture with the agony of a thousand knives. Refusing to scream, her teeth drew blood from her lips as her nails carved red trails in her clench fists. She squeezed her eyes shut, hoping to shield away from the angry red haze of the curse. Slowly, as if taunting her, the pain retreated, the fires receding to the inside of her left wrist.
On her previously unmarked skin, lay a living snake, black as night, coiled around her entire left forearm with a skull for its tail. Leaving a trail of her blood in its wake, it slithered down her arm to the inside of her wrist, claiming its territory. With a final hiss, it plunged its fangs into her, tearing her skin like ribbons, replacing it with its venom.
Within moments, the reptile had vanished, as if becoming one with her skin. In its place, the feared mark of evil glowed the deep scarlet of her blood, confirming her true allegiance. On her left forearm, now lay the infamous dark mark.
"Do not make me regret my generosity, Mudblood," her master ordered. "Or you will pray for your torturous death."
Lifting one knee of the ground, she bent her head forward in respect.
"Thank you, my lord, for this great honour. I shall make you proud."
With a nod, the Dark Lord apparated away from the cold cemetery, leaving his newest Death Eater alone in the cold mist.
And that is how, on the 19th of September, 1996, Hermione Granger celebrated her official 17th Birthday.
AN/: If you like it, review and let me know. They always make my day. Hope you enjoyed it :)
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