I walked upstairs a little behind Draco and he spun around quickly, almost making me collide with him. He grabbed my arm to steady me and gave an apologetic smile.

 "Leah, don't go to the induction ceremony," he said quickly.

 "Why?" I asked suspiciously.

 "Please, just do it for me," he begged.

 "In your dreams," I snorted, pulling Pansy past him. Pansy tugged my arm and made me come to a stop.

 "Oh I sense some tension. What's wrong?" she asked.

 "We aren't together anymore," I shrugged and Draco winced.

 "Oh no way," Pansy whispered and someone chuckled.

 "Yes way," Alex smiled. He stood at the top of the stairs smiling down at me.

 "Come on, you need to get ready," he said, offering his hand, and I gratefully took it. Pansy trailed behind and I heard Draco's door slam.

 "What is going on? Since when have you been single?" Pansy demanded.

 "She isn't exactly single," Alex smirked.

 "Yes I am," I raised my eyebrows and he laughed.

 "Keep telling yourself that, but you know you want me," he said and I laughed, walking into my room.

 "I'll explain everything as we get ready, Pansy. As for you Alex, get out," I smiled, and then kissed him quickly before shutting the door. I turned to see Pansy with her jaw dropped. We stood in silence for a bit, and sadness flooded through me. I fell to the floor in tears and Pansy ran over to hug me.

 "I miss him so much!" I sobbed and Pansy stroked my hair.

 "I thought if I moved on, I'd get over him...but I didn't!" I cried and she pulled back.

 "What happened?" she asked softly and I launched into the whole fight we got into and how I haven't forgiven him.

 "So now I've been flirting with Alex and he's a great guy, but it isn't the same!" I said, holding back sobs.  

 "You need to forgive Draco," she said gently.

 "I can't," I whispered, and pushed myself off the ground to start doing my hair. I put it up in a fancy bun, held in place by a simple emerald jewel. Pansy got to work on her hair and she put it in a side pony tail, which she curled. I applied new eyeliner and shimmering eye shadow, and then searched my closet for a dress.

 "This one," I said to myself and I admired the one strapped emerald dress that went down to my knees. It was form fitting and slightly looser towards the bottom. It was simple, yet elegant, and I worked it. I put it on and slipped on some black heels that made up for the simplicity of the dress.

 "Wow Leah, stunning as usual," Pansy laughed, and she had brought a long sleeved black dress that was a little above her knees trimmed in lace.

 "Aren't you adorable?" I teased and she laughed.

 "Yeah, whatever," she shrugged and I sighed.

 "This is it," I said, and there was a knock on my door.

 "Leah, it's time. You and Alex will be walking down the stairs together when your name is called," father said, looking over my outfit with approval.

 "Okay, thank you," I said and Pansy walked out a little behind my father. She paused and looked back at me, around my father.

 "Good luck, I'll be waiting out with the other death eaters," she smiled and I heard the faint hum of many voices.

 "I'll see you out there," I said with a smirk and she walked off down the stairs.

 "Wow Leah, you look beautiful," Alex said, appearing next to my father in a green dress shirt with a black vest and silver tie. He also had on black dress pants and black dress shoes.

 "Thank you and you look rather dashing yourself," I smiled and he laughed.

 "I guess that's a compliment," he smiled, and we linked arms.

 "Good, now wait at the top of the stairs," father said, and then disappeared. We walked to the stairs where I saw my mum, Pansy, the Malfoy's, and father waiting.

 "Oh Leah," mum sighed, tearing up.

 "Mum calm down," I groaned as she hugged me.

 "You look so beautiful," she sniffed and I smiled a little.

 "Thank you," I said, and avoided Draco's gaze.

 "Welcome my friends to our first induction ceremony since the Dark Lord's return!" Bellatrix's voice rang out, silencing the Living Room.

 "Our inductees are Alex Crouch and Leah Riddle, but first, let's welcome the family that has allowed us to celebrate in their home; Lucius Malfoy, Narcissa Malfoy, and young Draco Malfoy," she said, and they made their way downstairs to polite clapping. 

 "We'd also like to welcome Leah's family, Pansy and Katie Parkinson," Bellatrix said and there was more polite clapping as they made their way downstairs.

 "Finally, our inductees of the night, Alex Crouch and Leah Riddle," she said and Alex squeezed my hand before we walked down the stairs together. I heard clapping, but once we came into full view, everyone bowed and murmured something about the Dark Goddess or Dark Queen. It was amazing!

Bellatrix put a hand on my back and led us over to a raised platform with a large chair in it that must be for my father. We stood on each side, and I met eyes with Pansy, who gave me a reassuring smile.

 "It is also my pleasure to announce the presence of Riley Riddle, Leah's half-brother," Bellatrix said, and Pansy's sharp gaze bore into my head, but I didn't look at her. Riley stepped forward onto the platform and I smirked; he wasn't getting his Dark Mark yet!

 "Yes, thank you my friends for welcoming my children and Mr. Crouch so politely," father said, descending the stairs. All at once they fell to their knees and said in unison:

 "Welcome my Dark Lord!"

I curtseyed as he approached us and Alex bowed; Riley didn't do anything.

 "Thank you my children, you may rise," he said and I felt his hand on my shoulder. I straightened up and saw that he was on my left, in between Alex and me.

 "This induction ceremony, is a bit different," father said, his voice quiet yet it seemed to linger. The room was silent and excited to be in my father's presence...it's like they're addicted to the power he radiates.

 "These two were given Dark Marks when I was weak, and they were my spies in Hogwarts. Mr. Crouch here went under the name of Carrow and was sent to look after Leah and keep dibs on Potter. Leah was under the name Loveland," he said, and there were disgusted hisses echoing through the room.

 "And she was acting as a friend to the Golden Trio. My daughter has done an amazing job and now has her Dark Mark," he said, holding up my arm which held the black mark I wear proudly. I smirked my famous smirk and the Death Eaters bowed slightly.

 "Alex Crouch got his mark after much persuasion from Barty, who convinced me that Alex could watch after my daughter" he said, and then held up Alex's arm.

 "To represent their induction, I wish to give each a ring which can be used to contact each other without owl or occulemency. They also symbolize their allies," he said, and Bellatrix slipped an emerald ring on my finger that had a silver snake circling the stone with onyx jewels embedded in the sparkling silver; Alex had the same.

 "Kneel," father ordered and I bent down in a kneeling position as did Alex.

 "Leah riddle, do you agree to be a faithful Death Eater?" father asked with a smirk as he grabbed my wrist and I grasped his.

 "I do," I said and father circled his wand over our hands so a golden chain bound our hands together and then faded. He released my hand and moved over to Alex, in which he did the same process.

 "I do," Alex said and when the chain faded we were to stand.

 "My friends welcome our newest Death Eaters," father smiled, and there were claps and cheers all around the room. Life is good.

***