Marked For Life
Chapter 21 of 21
MementoInevitably, Lucius joins up with his new friends.
Reviewed- Chapter Twenty -
MARKED FOR LIFE
Qui non est mecum, contra me est.
EVANGELIUM MATTHAEUM 12,30
*******
Lucius was used to being treated with reverence – except for his own father and Narcissa Black, he had hardly ever met anyone not awed by his fortunes and social rank. Curiously enough, even Lord Voldemort seemed to be quite impressed with his acquisition for his Order. The young man showed extraordinary talent for the Dark Arts, yes. But a lot of his disciples were pretty skilful in that quarter.
Truth was that Lucius Malfoy was the epitome of what Lord Voldemort had wanted to be when he was still called Tom Riddle. The boy’s dynasty might not go back to great Salazar Slytherin himself, but it was as pure and noble and untainted as it could possibly be. For two thousand years, the respective heirs had only ever married witches from families of equal standing; Lucius Malfoy was related to every wizard family of consequence all through Europe, a policy that had also spared him the deplorable fate of other English purebloods, who were degenerated by marrying their own cousins over and over again. Tom Riddle had seen his own uncle Morfin, who was only a tad better than the wretched man that had been Tom’s father. A wizard? Sure. But otherwise… Tom Riddle had styled himself a name that should command respect. Lucius Malfoy had been born to such a name.
Since changing his name into ‘Lord Voldemort’, a plan had been forming in his mind. Vague at first, more and more clear in time, and rich in detail. He would take the place that was rightfully his. He would achieve a power more absolute than the world had seen before. He would defy and eventually defeat death itself. And a wizard like Lucius Malfoy would help him with all three tasks at hand.
He personally educated him to advance in the Dark Arts, and only three months into their dealings, Lucius Malfoy officially joined the Dark Order. Lord Voldemort had given this ceremony a good deal of thought. To get where he wanted to get, he needed unconditional loyalty and service. His ‘Death Eaters,’ as he would call them, ought to feel more obliged to the Order than to their own families. He must be able to rely on them under all circumstances, but all the time, they mustn’t figure him out.
“Aut cavere aut carere, aut omnia aut nihil. Qui non est mecum, contra me est. Nemo potest duobus dominis servire,” he called solemnly, and for the less gifted, he also cried the translation straightaway, “It’s faith or abstention, all or nothing. Who is not for me is against me. No one can serve two lords.”
His disciples cried in unison, “Volo – I want!”
“Tempus fugit – tempus nos avidum devorat et chaos. Dii essemus, ni moreremur. Vade mecum. Serva me, servabo te. Aeterna in desiderio. – Time flies, time and chaos consume us. We would be gods if we weren’t to die. Go with me. Help me and I will help you. Desire the eternal.”
“Volo – I want!”
“Parva necat morsu spatiosum vipera taurum, estote ergo prudentes sicut serpentes. Si quid est, quo teneris, aut expedi aut incide. Venit dies magnus irae, aut fortiter mori aut liberos vivere. Ad arma! – The smallest viper’s bite can kill a bull. Hence be sly as the snakes. If there is something withholding you, liberate yourself or destroy it. The great day of wrath has come; either die valiantly or live free. To arms!”
“Aut vincere aut mori – cedo nulli! – Either victory or death – I will not yield.”
He had taken out a golden dagger and slashed it through his palm, letting the blood drip into a golden goblet. Then he handed the goblet to each of the kneeling youngsters, they swallowed his blood and he announced, “Immota fides! Unwavering fidelity!”
“Immota fides in perpetuum! Unwavering fidelity forever!”
“Meus es tu – you are mine,” he said, tipping his wand on their outstretched left arms. A kind of branding appeared on the skin, a skull with a protruding snake, slithering out of its mouth. This part was deliberately painful; Lord Voldemort did believe in the saying that a hard lesson was learnt for good.
“Semper et ubique! Always and anywhere!”
They got up in the same order in which they had drunk. The first one was Bellatrix Lestrange. She equalled Malfoy in talent and purity, the problem with her was rather her uncontrollable temper. She was followed by the boy and her husband’s younger brother. Then came Amycus Carrow and his sister Alecto, Jebediah Jugson and the last one was Elias Yaxley. They looked elated – comparably young all of them, they were easily impressed by promises of adventure and combat, by drinking blood and some Latin phrases. He had other followers, decidedly older, who hadn’t gone through any similar ceremony and who’d possibly not have been blinded by the whole ballyhoo.
Lucius stared at his wrist, trying not to let it show how much it hurt. The snake flicked its tongue as if mocking him, but he thought it was the coolest thing he had ever seen. He would fight. He would excel himself, prove to the master his worthiness. And to his own father, he’d show it as well. No, not the mark, of course. It was forbidden to speak about the Order or its proceedings. But he would prove to his father that he wasn’t the idle child that Abraxas liked to see in him. There was more to life than administering a fortune. Abraxas only sat at home or in his office, lamenting about the state of the world. Lucius was going to do something about it.
But for tonight, they’d just celebrate and have some fun. After drinking a vat of elf-made wine, they set out on the streets to show off, basically. Jugson proved his mastery of the Imperius Curse by making scores of Muggles jump onto the street, right in front of the next car. He let them jump down bridges, attack accidental bystanders. Then it was Bellatrix’s turn. She had a knack for the Cruciatus Curse, and Lucius thought to himself that this streak was running in the family. Those sisters just loved to torture other people, didn’t they? Only Narcissa didn’t need an Unforgivable for reaching the same end.
Their little party suddenly came to an end when Rabastan, quite out of the blue, pointed his wand at the driver of a car that had stopped before a jammed crossing. “Avada Kedavra,” he yelled, and the Muggle collapsed at once, with his car shooting forth into the traffic, causing a mass collision. They were tittering with that sight still when half a dozen Aurors emerged out of thin air, pointing their wands at Rabastan. Naturally, all of their merry little bunch Disapparated at once; still the arrival of the Aurors had sobered them up a bit, and they delighted in simply continuing to get wasted in Rabastan’s apartment.
*******
Qui non… Who is not for me is against me.
*******
So sorry for the long break; my internet connection at home was all botched up. I hope it'll work now!
*******
Story Actions
To follow, favorite, like, and more either log in or create an account.
Leave a Review
Log in to leave a review.
Latest 25 Reviews for Memento Mori
36 Reviews | 3.86/10 Average
I love the relationship Narcissa shares with Severus!
Ah, sweet little Severus!
Lucius is such a Slytherin ... and I love it. This is one of two stories I've been reading currently that feature Narcissa prominently. I think I'm beginning to really love this character, see her as a more filled out, and that is really inspiring.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so, so, so much! That is such an awesome compliment!!!Yes, I love the character very much, too (I guess it shows), and it makes me just so happy to hear that somebody reads this story and likes it - and her. Thank you for telling me!!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so, so, so much! That is such an awesome compliment!!!Yes, I love the character very much, too (I guess it shows), and it makes me just so happy to hear that somebody reads this story and likes it - and her. Thank you for telling me!!!
Hmmm. It occured to me that I am now seeing them as people, not just villians. How odd! I do love Narcissa though, she's the bomb!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!And if you say you start seeing them as people, I can't tell you how happy that makes me, because this was one of my principal reasons to start writing this. Thanks for letting me know!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!And if you say you start seeing them as people, I can't tell you how happy that makes me, because this was one of my principal reasons to start writing this. Thanks for letting me know!
This is adorable Lucissa. Positively adorable! Its so cute! You might want to start giving Narcissa fashion sense though, since in canon she's know for it.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so so much!'My' Narcissa (for all purposes of this story) is supposed to have natural taste; she just doesn't care for fashion magazines etc. But she recognises a good dress when she sees it 
And thank you for the kind review (and excuse me for taking so long to answer it; I've got so much work in real life to do). I'm really happy you enjoy the story. It was such fun for me to write it. Thanks!!!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so so much!'My' Narcissa (for all purposes of this story) is supposed to have natural taste; she just doesn't care for fashion magazines etc. But she recognises a good dress when she sees it And thank you for the kind review (and excuse me for taking so long to answer it; I've got so much work in real life to do). I'm really happy you enjoy the story. It was such fun for me to write it. Thanks!!!
A very interesting story that gives us much insight into what might have been.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review for me!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thanks! I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter, and thanks so much for taking the time to leave a review for me!
Hmmm. Lucius is a piece of work! I really love Narcissa as the source of Snape's personality traits. Excellent!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!!!I'm glad you like it; I thought it fitted to TPT and SWM canon - as a young boy, he could not keep his mouth shut (or open in the appropriate moment), and Narcissa seemed the right character to take over the task; I had bestowed all those character traits to her anyway, as being very controlled, very seclude in her emotional life, and I thought it would make sense for them to bond over questions like this one, because she wants to help him by all means.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!!!I'm glad you like it; I thought it fitted to TPT and SWM canon - as a young boy, he could not keep his mouth shut (or open in the appropriate moment), and Narcissa seemed the right character to take over the task; I had bestowed all those character traits to her anyway, as being very controlled, very seclude in her emotional life, and I thought it would make sense for them to bond over questions like this one, because she wants to help him by all means.
Hmmm...lots to think about here. I really like your geneology/character introductions for the Blacks. Very interesting! I adore backstory! Well done.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write it, too. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for me, that's great. Thank you!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
I'm glad you enjoyed it! It was fun to write it, too. And thank you so much for taking the time to leave a review for me, that's great. Thank you!
I'm hooked to this story!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm so happy you like it! And thank you for taking the time to leave a review for me, that really means a lot to me, thank you so much!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm so happy you like it! And thank you for taking the time to leave a review for me, that really means a lot to me, thank you so much!
Really interesting taking on the initiation process. I think it was good, the bit about drinking blood was nasty, but Voldemort really isn't the sort for garden parties, is he? It's odd that you've had internet issues, me as well. I was 'off-line' for nearly a week. Horrible isn't it? Glad you're back! =]
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you! I'm glad you found it interesting.Gosh, the horrible internet - at first, I didn't even understand it was a provider problem and didn't complain to them because I thought I had done something wrong when disconnecting the router from the electricity net. Which could have been the root of the problem; I'm useless with technics 
Severus is running with a dangerous crowd, and Lucius is in better company! It's nice that he dated someone who could call him on his crap. Narcissa is becoming more isolated. In trying harder to control her, her father is driving her away. Very good paradox!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Well, yes, Severus IS running with a dangerous crowd, but so is Lucius, in every other respect than his current girlfriend.As for Narcissa - well, yes, she is distancing herself to a certain degree from her parents, but I'm not so sure whether that's not a good thing. She's nearly 17 now, and in many respects, she's as much a Daddy's Girl as Draco will be a Mummy's (and Daddy's) Boy. I think it'd be healthy for her to emancipate herself a bit 
Happy New Year!
The, ahem, true and highly inappropriate translation of the Adam and Eve bit is...."When Adam delved *cough* and Eve span, who was then a gentleman?"Teehee. Lovely chapter, poor Lucius! And come on, little Severus (Savvy????) help them along!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Oh, thank you so much for your help! I corrected it straight away!Well, I'm afraid little Savvy (I always thought of him like that, so it was the natural choice for a nickname for the Septuplet) won't be of much help regarding the future romance. He's done his bit, and he wouldn't DARE meddling with other people's business in this respect. No, no, he won't be the cupid in this piece 
merry belated christmas! Poor Narcissa and Lucius, they're at cross roads, i wonder when they'll see each other again. Looking forward to the next chappter
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
thank you so much! A merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to you as well!Without giving away too much right now, I think I can safely tell you that they will meet again ;) I'm not sure when I can upload a new chapter because my internet connection at home is faulty, but it should be there in the next two weeks, I guess. Once more: thank you!
Starcrossed lovers....ah, poor things. Can't help feeling sorry for them, even though we know they're going to end up being snobby twits.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
thank you!!!!Well, even snobby twits can have a love life, eh?
The contrast between the two handling their grief is wonderful. Narcissa's situation with her mother is quite sad. Lord Moldy-shorts has made his appearance at last...I don't suppose you could have written it without him, but I was still disappointed to havve Lucius fall in with him. Amazing as always. Happy Christmas, Rhia
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much, and a belated Merry Christmas and a somewhat more appropriate Happy New Year to you, too!Yes, well, it was not really possible to have Lucius not joining up, given later events... Sorry to have disappointed you 
Aww, poor Lucius. Karma came back to bite him! How will he soften down old Cygnus, hmmm? Let alone Narcissa...
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
First of all: 
Being no native speaker of English, I've never heard that phrase before, and it just nails it 
As for the softening - Narcissa is bound to cool down soon enough; her main reason for reacting so viciously was the emotional strain she was going through. As for Cygnus... Well, he's got two alienated daughters already. In the end, he has no strength to deny his darling child her happiness.
How have you done it? I feel so bad for Lucius, I even managed an *awww* during Mr. Black's rant. He's meant to be a deranged monster...now you've gone and made him human, for shame! LOL Really lovely. The family dynamics give a real insight into future behaviours. I like the multi-faceted story. It reminds me of a twisted food-chain! Really nice.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you!!!!I'm really, really happy to hear you say that Lucius is human; it was my aim to achieve this without denying his negative traits of character. It's far more interesting to write, and I can only hope it makes for interesting reading as well.
Bottom line, men will never understand women. Well ... poor guy really had no inkling of the circumstances behind the behaviour, but really, men will never understand women. Nope. They might think they do (at times), but that's only what we let them believe so they feel more manly.Lovely chapter. Looking forward to the next one ... in fact, going right now to find it and stick my name on it in queue so I get to read it first.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much; I'm so happy you liked it!!!Yes, well, what is true for all men is particularly true for Lucius. Empathy really isn't his strong suit to begin with, although in this case, he didn't have a chance of seeing it coming. What's worse - this time, he'll take her rejection seriously. Her father drove the point home that, especially after Andromeda's 'downfall' (of which Lucius will of course hear later on), Narcissa would never seriously contemplate a guy like Lucius. The tragic aspect about all this is that now he will try to find something else to do and pursue... 
Response from notsosaintly (Reviewer)
That is tragic, indeed. However, conflict is necessary to keep readers interested in a story. It is why stories like this attract readers' attention and makes them want to come back for more.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
You know, you're right. It's just that, while writing, I rather followed the more selfish approach, not thinking so much of the potential reader, but what *I* enjoy writing. In fact, I was always rather afraid that I'm procrastinating too much so that many readers might lose patience and interest.
Thank you for mentioning me, I'm truly glad to review for you! 
And utterly addicted to this story!This was really interesting. I was extremely sad, and feeling so sorry for the Black family. It's amazing how a look at someone's troubles can make you empathize with them. Brilliant. I wonder who her visitor might be? Hmm....
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank youuuuu! 
I'm really glad to hear you say that you can emphasise with them in this situation; it was my aim to achieve that, but I can never be sure whether it works out like planned. Thanks for letting me know!Ah, the visitor...
Excellent 'argument scene', that was. Poor Cissy, though. She got trampled on, and it really hurts not to be Daddy's Little Girl anymore.
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!I must admit that I had fun writing the argument though; I find there is something compelling about the inner logic of the dynamics that such fights take when regarded from the point of view of each participant.Yeah, poor Cissy. That's what you get for making whoopee 
awhh, i was hoping for a better night for lucius and narcissa..
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Well, they must not have it too easily, eh?
Oh, dear lord, its hit the fan....poor Andy. And when on earth shall Narcissa and Lucius get together, since it seems they shall no longer both attend Hogwarts?
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Oh, thing will be getting a tad worse still, I'm afraid. As for Lucius and Narcissa - well, since the outcome of their romance is so totally well-known, I thought I'd have to keep up the tension by separating them for a bit. Which will also give Narcissa the chance to see what was in her grasp so long, and has so utterly slipped away from her. I believe in the saying that one can sometimes only see a thing's true value when losing it. 
Well, after seeing the patrilineal line of the Malfoy family, Draco is an absoltue gem! LOL I think it was interesting that both of them are used to being rather dignified in public, and were wrong-footed by their families in this case. It's a clever way you've given them a common ground. I was also intrigued at the mentilon of Narcissa's academic idol. I honestly thought you were refering to Dumbledore... excellent!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!!!Yeah, Narcissa is a bit of an intellectual groupie. She and Dumbledore might have been great friends if she were a hundred years older, but as things are, and with her knowing only his 'old' self, she'd rather idolise brilliant Tom Riddle Yes, Draco didn't turn out half that bad, seeing his gene pool, don't you think? 
But he's got one material advantage - he'll grow up with loving, caring parents.
Aww, poor Lucius!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Ah, come on - he had it coming, don't you think?
I've heard of doing things the hard way, but Lucius seems to do nothing but spite himself. I am pleased to see that Narcissa is getting more interested in him. He can be charming, an arrogant bastard, yes, but a charming one! This is quite the spell-binding little tale!
Response from Memento (Author of Memento Mori)
Thank you so much!Well, Narcissa IS - always was in a way - interested in him. He would not bug her so badly if she hadn't always been intrigued by him. She's just acutely aware that she has no reason to trust him, so she fights her affection for him. Allowing him to become her friend was a first, guarded step to permit him into her life. After all, she's pretty young - at this point of the story, she's 16, so the greater part of his 'courting' her, she was 13, 14 - she was 15 when joining the Septuplet, while he acts the experienced, elder guy. She's not ready for that. Yet ;)