book trailer is posted on my tiktok!!! @theonotts.wp

PROLOGUE

"If someone hypothetically wanted to become a Death Eater how would they do it?"

Our story starts with a brunette girl lying on the couch in the parlor of Nott Manor. She was talking to her friend, Theo Nott, who was sitting on the opposite end of the couch with her legs propped up on his lap. "I don't know, El. I guess you'd just OWL the Dark Lord."

"Really?" She sat up, "It's that easy?"

"No, you dumb arse. I don't know how you'd do it. My father is one but I don't know what he had to do to become one. He probably killed someone."

"You think so?"

Theo shrugged, "I don't know, I've never asked. Why are you all of a sudden so interested in Death Eaters? You know, Gryffindors like yourself aren't supposed to have an interest in the Dark Arts or Voldemort."

She rolled her eyes, "I don't know. Why don't you ask the Sorting Hat? How do you think I felt when the stupid thing yelled Gryffindor and embarrassed me and my family?"

"Well I suppose that would be embarrassing, but he must've seen good in you because you didn't end up with me in Slytherin."

She sighed, "I bet if I were in Slytherin I'd know more about Death Eaters." She mumbled.

Little did they know, Theodore Nott Sr. was standing at the stairwell listening to their conversation. He didn't intend on eavesdropping but once he heard the curious girl mention Death Eaters, he had to listen, it'd be wrong if he didn't. What if Theo gave up important information? What if she was a spy for Harry Potter? See? Too many possibilities.

Theo rolled his eyes, "You're lucky, you don't have to know about them. Your father has passed and so has your brother, so Voldemort has no interest in recruiting any of your immediate family, you don't have to worry about them going on a mission and never returning. Promise me you won't ask anyone else anymore questions about Death Eaters? You're going to say the wrong thing to the right person and next thing you know you'll have a Dark Mark on your arm and then you'll spend the rest of your life obeying Him and doing dangerous tasks." He lifted her feet off of him and stood up, "It's getting late, your mum will want you home soon."

She hadn't meant to upset him, "I'm sorry, Theo."

"It's okay, you just have questions that you want answers to, I understand. I'll see you tomorrow." He promised and then he walked out of the room.

She walked over to the fireplace and as she was about to tell it that she wanted to return to Avery Manor, Theodore Nott walked in, when she first heard the footsteps, she turned thinking it was Theo but it wasn't.

"Hello, Mr. Nott." She greeted.

He nodded, "Why are you asking him so many questions about Death Eaters?" He asked, cutting straight to the point.

She looked down at her feet, "No reason other than I was just curious."

"Just curious?" He repeated.

She nodded, "Yes sir."

"Well, with the way you were talking it seemed you wanted to know how to join."

"I was just-"

He cut her off, "Curious, I know."

"I should probably get going, my mum is sick and it's time for her to take her potions." She changed the subject, stepping back into the fireplace.

"If you want to know more, be at Borgin and Burkes tomorrow at six o'clock. Not a minute later. He doesn't like being kept waiting." He didn't wait for her to respond, he turned around and walked out.

Maybe it was that easy.

-

The next day flew by and soon it was five thirty. She was sitting at her vanity fixing her hair. She'd tried on almost everything in her closet, not sure what to wear to meet the Dark Lord. She finally settled on an emerald green sweater and paired it with a black skirt. Even though she was a Gryffindor, the rest of her family were Slytherins, it would be odd for her to wear her house colors around them so most of her closet contained greens, greys, and black.

She pushed her hair back with a headband and fixed her nail polish, it had started chipping so she painted a new layer over it. It was dark grey.

She pulled black ballet flats onto her feet and then stopped at her full length mirror and examined her outfit. It will have to do she decided.

She floo'd into Knockturn Alley and at five fifty eight she walked in. Theodore Nott was waiting at the back in front of a door, "I didn't think you'd actually show." He said to her.

She nodded, "Is He really here?" She asked.

"See for yourself." With that, he pushed the door open, sitting inside was Voldemort himself. Bellatrix Lestrange was to his left and Lucius Malfoy to his right, a cauldron bubbling in front of them.

She walked inside. Was this a bad idea? She heard the door shut behind her and Theodore Nott stepped beside her.

"Here she is, Lord. This is Ellison Avery, the one with the questions." Theodore announced.

The noseless man looked up at her, "I've heard you have some questions for me, is that true?"

She nodded, "Yes, my Lord."

"You have a lot of nerve showing up here, Gryffindor." Bellatrix sneered.

"Bellatrix, don't scare her. She's here, isn't she? She's putting some of that Gryffindor bravery to use." Lucius mumbled.

"Quiet, the both of you! I want to know what she has to ask." Voldemort exclaimed, slamming his hands down onto his chair arms.

She swallowed, "My Lord, I've come to ask you if you have room for me to join on your side?"

Bellatrix's sneer turned into a confused expression as she turned to Lucius. Lucius was side eyeing the Dark Lord, obviously waiting to see what he'd say.

"Why should I let you?" He asked, "What's your reasoning?"

"My mother, she's sick. I believe you knew my grandfather from school, my father as well, he was a Death Eater until he died."

He glanced up at Lucius, "I'm familiar with them. Why should I care that your mother is sick?"

"I- I figured that you probably need someone inside the school to find out what Harry Potter's doing and I'm around him all the time since we're both on Gryffindor, I just wondered if maybe I pledged my allegiance, maybe while I was away someone could make sure my mother is alright. She's gotten worse and I have to leave her to go back to school. I just want to know that she'll be okay." She had her hands clasped together in front of her and was twisting at the ring on her left index finger.

Voldemort scoffed, "So you come here to beg me to help your dying mother? I should say no. There are plenty out there who don't have conditions for wanting to join me in overtaking the Wizarding World. But I'll agree. Not many people would have the courage to come here and ask me to do things for them, so I'll make you a deal. You take the Mark and I'll make sure your house elves have everything they need for her potions and meals starting today. Do you accept?"

Bellatrix frowned, she'd been hoping that she'd get to kill Ellison for wasting their time by coming to ask foolish questions. She hadn't expected the Dark Lord to accept the stupid girls terms.

Lucius, however, thought the girl was bold. They wouldn't have much use for her but someone who could spy on Potter would be helpful. He could see why she had been put into Gryffindor instead of Slytherin, she was about as reckless at the stupid Gryffindors were.

She nodded, "Yes, my Lord."

Bellatrix scoffed, "But my Lord, we could easily just kill her and her mother. Why waste time taking care of that useless family? Draco could spy on Potter. We don't need her."

"Quiet, Bellatrix! Is Draco in Gryffindor? Has Draco even taken the Mark? Don't you think Potter would be suspicious if Draco started following him everywhere? You will not speak against me ever again or I'll have your tongue, then I won't have to worry about your protesting because you won't ever speak again." He yelled.

Bellatrix nodded, "Yes, I'm sorry, my Lord."

Voldemort looked back to Ellison, "Come here, child." He motioned her forward.

She stepped forward, stopping in front of the cauldron. "Put your arm over it." Lucius explained, looking down at the cauldron.

She placed her left arm over the bubbling green flames. It was hot on the back of her arm. Voldemort pressed his wand to her inner forearm. She watched as black ink began to appear onto her arm, creating the image of the Dark Mark.

Her arm felt like it was on fire, but she didn't flinch or show any signs of pain. She didn't want to be deemed weak.

When it was done, He looked up at her, "I don't need you right now. It will burn when I call upon you."

authors note:
to be completely honest, i don't know
how accurate that was for how you
get a dark mark. but it's canon in
the theonotts cinematic universe now

the trailer for this book is on @theonotts.wp on tiktok if anyone wants to watch it, i think it's pretty great.....