LUNARIA

The paint scratched off the wall as Lunaria Reed dragged her perfectly manicured nail across the dull grey shade, locked in the small room awaiting her fate. She'd lost count of how long she'd spent cooped up in the spare room of her parents' manor. They'd sent her - or more accurately summoned their house elf to apparate her there - with no explanation, other than to await further instructions. After a few hours her throat had grown hoarse, the screaming getting her nowhere, tears had streamed down her porcelain cheeks until they too dried up. So she waited. And waited. And waited.

It was a room she was unfamiliar with. In the Manor there were many rooms, most of which Lunaria had explored in her youth and yet occasionally she'd come across a room that offered up a secret or two. And yet this room; it offered her nothing. No secret doors, no secret documents with pages spilling secrets, no artefacts riddled with dark magic begging for her to undo. Nothing. Just four grey walls and a glass of water that refilled itself and repaired itself every time Lunaria threw it against the wall.

The day had started much like any other day. The house elves had woken Lunaria up by pulling back her curtains before proceeding to help dress her in clothes that were far too formal for her liking. Then she made her way to breakfast where she was joined by her family in complete silence. Not even the sounds of cutlery against plates could be heard - the Reed family were far too well-trained for that. Breakfast was always a rather dull affair when Lunaria was at home, there was nobody to observe and understand - she'd mastered her parents quirks and mannerisms years ago, hence why she knew there was trouble when her father's owl landed on his shoulder at exactly 10:37am, twenty three minutes ahead of schedule.

Lunaria gently placed down her cutlery, swapping it out for the glass of pumpkin juice that had appeared earlier, curiously glancing at her father whose face had paled considerably as he read the letter clutched tightly in his hands. Her mother reached over a comforting hand to try and aid her husband, only for him to snatch his arm away as he stood.

"Father? What's wrong?" Lunaria had asked, only to be ignored when her father sent her a warning look as he stood, making his way over to the fireplace.

"Pipsky." He called out, sighing impatiently as he waited mere seconds for the house elf to appear. "Take Lunaria to the waiting room. Now." Pipsky nodded meekly before walking over to Lunaria, who was less than impressed.

"The waiting room? What- Father what is going on?" Lunaria pushed as she stood to her feet, glancing between Pipsky and her father, the feeling in her gut twisting furiously as she felt something horrible begin to hang in the air.

"What have I told you about asking questions when the topic doesn't concern you? Be quiet and do as you're told." The man scolded as Pipsky held onto Lunaria's hand gently, looking up at the girl with apologetic eyes.

"Father please-" But her pleas fell on deaf ears as Pipsky began to apparate the two of them to 'the waiting room', as she felt the familiar tug of apparition she heard two words that made her stomach drop.

"He's coming."

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Back in the dank, grey room, Lunaria let her mind wander. As soon as she'd heard her father say those words, she knew who was coming - she knew what was coming. There'd been talk for over a year about a new wizard. A dark wizard. He was collecting followers, people who blindly believed and agreed with his ideals, which from what Lunaria could tell were more than a tad racist. Whispers of Mudblood's and their place in the wizarding world had been on the rise not only in the dark corners of Knockturn Alley, but in quiet common rooms at Hogwarts, the library at her Manor when her parents thought she was asleep, the ballrooms that hosted every pureblood in British society - that was the worst.

Brushing shoulders and keeping up appearances with the likes of Bellatrix Lestrange and Lucius Malfoy was a tiresome chore. Lunaria's face always ached after a night at a gala, for the smile that she kept plastered on her face was painfully fake. To survive in high society, one must play the game. And play the game did she. Unfortunately for Lunaria, it seemed she'd played the game a bit too well and it was now coming back to bite her on the arse in the form of this new Dark Wizard.

Lunaria had always prided herself on being one with the shadows. Her parents had raised her to be seen and not heard, but she found she learnt so much more if she was neither. The shadows became her friends and she clung to them, revelling in their embrace and what they had to offer. Secrets. So many secrets. Lunaria was sure that there wasn't a piece of gossip or information she didn't know - certainly within the walls of Hogwarts anyway. She was eager to get back. One more week and she'd be safe within their walls. She just had to survive the next few hours first.

Picking at the shards of glass that still remained shattered on the floor after the last time she threw the cup, Lunaria flinched as she felt a sharp tug at her skin and a slither of blood trickled its way down her finger. Holding up the finger to observe the blood, she paused as the door began to open, revealing her mother who looked less than confident. Marigold Reed let out a sigh as she entered the room, her eyes scanning the smashed glass and her only child sitting next to it.

"Lunaria." The older woman breathed out, debating on embracing her motherly instinct for once or following through on the position she'd found herself in. She decided on the latter. "You've made such a mess of yourself. This won't do. The Dark Lord is expecting you."

Lunaria scoffed childishly, "The Dark Lord? What's next? Does he have a pet snake too?"

"He does, actually. It won't take kindly to insubordination either. I suggest you put those glamour charms to work. Fix your hair. And remove those tear tracks. We won't have the Dark Lord thinking we raised a weakling for a daughter. It was hard enough getting him to agree to have a meeting with us."

"Insubordination?!" Lunaria cried out, "I'm not a part of his little groupies? He is a guest in OUR home." Her outrage was met with a slap, connecting harshly against her cheek.

"Watch your tone." Her mother spat. "You will clean yourself up and make your way to the drawing room. Then you will do whatever the Dark Lord asks of you. Do you understand?" When Marigold was met with stubborn silence, she reached for her daughter's jaw, holding it in a vice-like grip. "Do. You. Understand?"

"Yes." Lunaria replied quietly, refusing to let another tear fall.

"Yes what?"

"Yes Mother."

Letting out a deep breath, Marigold plastered her house-wife smile on her face, patted her daughters throbbing cheek and turned back to the door. "Perfect. My perfect girl. Be downstairs in ten minutes." As she left she turned back to face her daughter. "Oh, put on the emerald dress I bought you the other day. He'll like that I'm sure."

Lunaria was left in silence, her ears ringing as she held her cheek. Now she had two options. She could call Pipsky and apparate somewhere far, far away. But that would only get her so far. She'd have little to no money, nowhere to go. She'd never risk her only friend's safety. So that left option two. Put on the dress, fix her hair and go downstairs. Follow orders. Until she came up with a better plan. Bide her time until she can break free of her family's clutches, her 'Dark Lord's' clutches. Smiling to herself, she left the room and made her way to her bedroom. Maybe this would work in her favour, being on the inside. After all, she loved secrets and what better place to get such information than being in touch with this Dark Lord himself. Information was power. And she was thirsty for it. She could do this. She could play the part. The innocent little follower.

-ˋˏ ༻❁༺ ˎˊ-

Smoothing down her emerald green dress, Lunaria looked in a mirror and smiled softly at her appearance, proud of her quick effort. Walking up to the drawing room, she sucked in a deep breath before swiftly opening the doors, accepting her fate as she met with the devil himself.

"Ah, you must be the famous Lunaria Reed. I was wondering when I was to be graced with your presence." A charming voice called out from by the fireplace. Turning to find the voice, Lunaria was faced with a man that didn't look much older than thirty, though judging by the rumours he was certainly older than that. Lunaria imagined that he was once quite handsome, with his styled hair and well fitting suit. However what held him back was his eyes. His eyes were blood red. They were piercing, like they could see her every thought and memory - but then again that was more likely to do with the fact that he was subtly trying to caress her mind with legilimency.

"My Lord," Lunaria started, "If there's anything you wish to know I'd be more than happy to tell you myself. My thoughts are often quite discombobulated at the best of times." She offered as politely as possible, ignoring her parents warning glances.

"Of course, my apologies." The man nodded, no hint of regret in his tone as he observed the young girl with a watchful eye. He slowly slid across the tiled floor as he made his way over to her, a lo and behold her mother was right; a giant snake slithered along the floor close by, stopping only inches away from Lunaria. She refused to break eye contact with the man though. When establishing your strength it was important to maintain eye contact.

"I was just discussing an opportunity I have for you with your father." The man began. "You see, I believe in the future of the wizarding world. In keeping the lines pure." He paused, scanning her features, trying to get a read on her; to his frustration, he came back blank. "As each wizard... breeds with someone who is not of magical blood, the magic weakens. Our magic weakens. I have had enough, as have many others. Including your family. I believe it is time to take a stand."

Lunaria was laughing internally. What a load of rubbish. But that's for future Lunaria to worry about, right now she had to nod and go along with the utter crap he was spewing. "Of course, My Lord. I admire your strength to take the lead on such a matter."

"I have acquired a small elite group of people that I require to... complete certain tasks for me. Your mother has informed me you are well-linked in Hogwarts. Top grades too which is always helpful. I have a very important task for you. Should you be willing to take it?" He almost purred, trying to charm her into doing his bidding - like she had a choice.

"I'd be honoured My Lord. Whatever I can do to help the cause." She smiled politely, not letting her eyes stray from his.

"There's just one small catch." Ha, she thought. Only one? This whole thing has about a million strings attached to it and she was dying to unravel them all. "So I can contact you as and when I need you, I need to give you a mark. A sort of brand if you will. It's a spell of my own creation. When I need you, the mark will tingle. Of course, until you pass your apparition test you'll be met by a higher level Death Eater and they will bring you to me."

"Death Eater?"

"The name for my followers. The name you will adopt. Should you take the mark." He pulled what Lunaria imagined was a grin but to her seemed more like a sneer. As if she even had a choice. When she nodded in acceptance he pulled out his wand - which seemed about as ugly as his ideals. It resembled a bone, with sharp juts at the handle. "Now this will sting a little, but I'm sure a witch such as yourself can handle it."

"I shall certainly do my best, My Lord." Lunaria replied, her polite aristocratic act was dragging, she just wanted this to be over with.

"Perfect. Now, if you could give me your left arm please." She held out her left arm, letting out a breath as he finally broke eye contact and ran a finger over the smooth skin on her inner left forearm. "I hope you survive." He muttered as Lunaria struggled to hide the shock in her eyes as he waved his wand above her arm. "Morsmordre." And then the pain took over.

A burning sensation that rivalled the cruciatus curse took over her entire being as white spots filled her vision. A stuttered gasp escaped her lips as she fought desperately to stay on her feet, vaguely aware that the man's arm had clutched around her forearm, only adding to the burning feeling. It was as if her blood had turned into molten lava coursing through her veins, bubbling under her skin, breaking through all three layers. She could have been standing there for seconds but it felt like hours.

Don't pass out. Don't pass out. Don't pass out. She thought to herself, knowing that it would display a level of weakness that would cast her in an unfavourable light. When she managed to open her eyes again, blue met red and Lunaria suddenly realised that she'd never like a shade of red again, another reason to dislike Gryffindors she thought humorlessly. Slowly but surely the pain eased up until her arm throbbed, her pulse pounded against the skin as she allowed her gaze to fall upon her arm.

"I'm impressed. Most people, even my strongest followers normally pass out, let out a scream or two. You however? Impressive." The man acknowledged mindfully. Lunaria let a small smile grace her face: phase one complete. "Now I must go, other pressing matters to attend to, but I will be in touch. Via the mark or another method." He began to leave, pausing at the door as the snake followed, "Oh and one more thing. Best not to let anyone see that mark. Not yet anyway."

Lunaria sent one final smile his way before he disappeared from view and the sound of apparation cracked in the hallway. Sending a disinterested glance to her parents, she left the room clutching her throbbing arm. There on her once unmarked porcelain skin, lay a skull with a serpent escaping its mouth. Dark and ugly it marred her skin as the burning sensation lingered.

"Well, it's certainly not what I would've chosen, that's for sure." She mumbled as she made it back to her room. "Pipsky?" The small elf appeared with big teary eyes as it looked upon her arm.

"Yes, Miss Lunaria?"

"Please could you get me a cold compress? And some Dreamless Sleep Draught please." With a crack the elf had disappeared again. "Merlin knows I'm gonna need it."