27 Oct: Raise A Little Hell: West Bromich (Death Eaters)

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

27 October 1978
open to those invited
attack info

A long sigh escaped her, as Bellatrix Lestrange paced outside of the house she had arranged to meet the new recruits at. While she did love the fact the Dark Lord placed so much faith in her, an evening out with Alecto was far preferable to training the new additions to their ranks. It was an honor to be so trusted, and yet an annoyance when it came to events such as these. The only good part of the whole evening was that this was a test, and those who failed to pass it would be dealt with. And if she got her way, they would be dealt with by her own hand. It had been far too long since she’d watched the life drain from someone’s eyes, and tonight wasn’t about her. It was irritating, to say the least, to have to allow the others to have all the fun.

But some things were necessary.

Sparks flew from her wand, eyes shifting from Alecto to the gate. They’d already subdued the muggle who resided here, as Bellatrix strongly doubted any of the new recruits would have been able to. “We have better things to do,” she spat out, hand holding her wand flicking in irritation. She wanted blood, not to teach foolish children how to properly control someone. It was hardly her fault that the education at Hogwarts was lacking, but with so many of the new recruits having secured jobs at the Ministry, this was necessary.

“At least after this, we can go and have some real fun.”

[Alecto Carrow]

Alecto drew up her collar against the autumn chill, leaning against the coarse brick of the muggle house to wait for the recruits, absently picking at her nails as she watched her longtime partner pace. While Bellatrix hadn't the patience for days like this, Alecto thought they held their own sort of amusement. Even if it was only the new lot of recruits joining them, she could find some entertainment. So few graduates had shown promise as of late. But maybe she would be surprised; maybe Wilkes and Snape would show their worthiness, Vanderhyde why he shouldn't get by on his name, Mulciber prove that she was more than an academic...

And what about Nott?

She smiled fleetingly, thinking of the young beauty she'd recently taken a shine to. She was curious to see if any of Bronwyn's old friends and classmates had any inkling as to what had been happening between the two of them, talk of these friends not something that the pair spent much time on, as she worked to gain the girl's trust.

"I know, Bella," Alecto spoke up at the deadly brunette's irritation, pushing off of the wall to come up to her. "We'll go into London once night falls, let loose on the animals..." It was not so long ago that she would have easily continued with untoward insinuations of what their private evening would bring, but she was having trouble finding her footing with Bellatrix lately. She'd thought that making moves with Bronwyn would drive Bellatrix to her, save her from the distance between them that she was convinced of, but it hadn't. Not that Alecto had called it off with the other woman, who was proving to be delightful company in all tested ways...But perhaps she was an element of Bella's discontent tonight, and that brought her another smile. Catching movement past the gate, Alecto straightened, squinting towards the approaching figures. "We've got company." Spying a recognizable face, she called, "Oi, Vandy! Brought your daddy? Or do we get to see what you're made of today?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Timing these types of things perfectly was of high importance to one Meredith Mulciber. Arriving too early -being the first eager little greenhorn in other words- did not appeal to her. Sure, it was true. She was still very much eager to prove herself, even though she believed she had proved her loyalty and capability to her master, her co-workers were another story altogether. Bellatrix and a couple others seemed pleased enough with her but the others...well did the senior ones even know she existed? And did her fellow new recruits know she was head and shoulders above them? She couldn't be positive on either account, so she was still working hard to let the organization know she was an asset to them and tonight she had dressed to display her Dark Mark proudly -which she couldn't really do in her day to day life- to show her inclusion.

But arriving too late sent the opposite message. It made it appear as if she wasn't taking this seriously, and she so very was. She had already done things she could barely wrap her mind around still, she was invested in the cause and always had been, there was no going back from that. Being late was just insulting. So she had arrived just behind Ethan and Wilkes, having hidden out and waited for them to leave. It was a perfect time. She was neither the first nor the last. Meredith glanced behind her as she approached the growing group, half expecting/hoping Winnie was quick behind her. It was always nice to have a solid long-term friend at your side with these types of gathering. And even though Ethan was here with her...a girlfriend was preferable. Besides, it looked like Carrow already had a mind to make him her play victim for the night and selfishly, the blonde wanted no part of that.

Meredith mentally shook all thoughts away as she came to a stop next to the group -Bella was more aware of her now and it was probably getting easier to sense her thoughts, she was definitely going to have to stop procrastinating and get to her parent's place to visit the library. She gave the women a bright smile. "Ladies." she greeted with a tilt of her head.  "It is so very good to see you all again. And on such a lovely night too."

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

There was not much that Ethan enjoyed less than walking into a situation he knew little about. At school, many professors had their fun with practical examinations; anything from the term, or prior years, was fair game for them to exploit without giving notice. But in walking into this evening with Joseph at his side, Ethan found it almost humorous that exams had once been a cause of stress. Because this? A sparse and no-nonsense invitation from Bellatrix Lestrange to meet in a muggle part of town? When his fellows had received the same invitation? It could only mean that they were going to be tested somehow. And Ethan knew that this sort of test would be far worse to stomach than awaiting the results of a Potions final.

However, Ethan knew he wasn’t alone, even in this pit of vipers.

Accompanying Joseph was a simple decision. He’d vouched for his closest friend after Joseph hadn’t been invited to the Dark Lord’s dinner over the summer. Sticking his neck out then had been terrifying, but he knew that he needed to show continued resolve in his decision to do it. That meant showing up at his friend’s side.

Then there was Meredith.

He’d wasted no time the night before in going to her apartment after getting his invitation, assuming correctly that she’d be on the receiving end of one as well. They were allied through the respect of years and their newfound romance, and he knew that there would be no hesitation on either side to protect the other in a fight. But while they knew they were a solid team, each knew the importance of proving themselves as individuals to Bellatrix, and in not seeming too closely allied. It wouldn’t do any good for their merits to be dismissed by their elder because she thought them distracted by the other. Meredith had already started paving that path for herself, she and Bellatrix on growing terms. So it had been decided that they would arrive separately, and leverage what they could from the situation once it became clear.

As for the other new recruits, Ethan felt that Severus, Bronwyn, and Evan would be out for their own glory and not hesitate to trample over him to get it. He couldn’t blame them. Bronwyn had likely been invited to the ranks because of her father’s favor with the Dark Lord, just like he had been. She had to have just as much desire to prove she was more than her father’s name as he did. And Severus? The half-blood potioneer had leagues to go to gain respect in this company. And Evan? He didn't know how to not draw attention to himself…

But as he and Joseph entered the gated residence, Ethan shortly realized that his old classmates could be the least of his concerns for the night.

The possibility of Carrow’s presence had been discussed last night with Meredith, although he had hoped against it. Bellatrix’s right-hand woman had hardly given any of them a warm welcome into the fold over the summer’s gathering, so he was irritated if not surprised by her address. Taking the hint from Joseph - Don’t rise to it. - Ethan kept in step with the other recruit, smiling benignly after the other spoke. "My father already knows my capabilities, so his being here is hardly necessary," he began smoothly. "I aim to show you them today." Turning from the blonde witch, he inclined his head towards the night’s leader. "Madame." It was with a spark of pride that he heard Meredith walk in behind them, a spark that glowed as she came into view. The woman was beautiful, brilliant, and his - and her boldness, both in her display of the Mark and the familiarity with which she greeted the fearsome witches, nearly made his composure crack to let out a true smile. He held his hands clasped loosely behind his back, as calm a facade as he could manage as they waited for the rest of the company.

[Bronwyn Nott]

She couldn't screw this up.

After her late arrival at the last big event she'd been instructed to attend, there was no way she could be the last one to arrive. At least, she certainly hoped she wasn't the last to arrive, as she wasn't entirely sure of who all had been invited. She knew Meredith would be here, and undoubtedly so would Ethan and Joseph, which meant there was a good chance more of the newest recruits would also be arriving. Except for Regulus, of course, her fiancé was still off at Hogwarts. The weight on her finger from the engagement ring was still foreign to her, and she twisted it around on her hand as she walked quietly to the address they had been given. Bellatrix will be your cousin once you are married, you have to impress her. Bronwyn had no desire to be hated by Madame Lestrange, or any of the Lestranges for that matter. Especially seeing as her best friend was becoming one of them.

But she couldn't help but be curious. A curiosity only grew as she entered the gate, and she spotted Alecto Carrow among the people gathering. She'd recently met up with the other woman, and their activities of late had put her in a good mood. It was a good distraction from her loneliness at the flat since Regulus was off at school. Surely there was more to Alecto and Bellatrix besides friendship, something Bronwyn thought she might have wanted from Alecto at a different time. Dropping her hands to her sides, she made her way over to the growing group, giving a smile to her friends as she stopped near them. "Thank you for the invitation Madame Lestrange," she said politely to the woman, eyes soon focused on the blonde near her. Did Bellatrix know what they had been up to? Would her friends pick up on it tonight? She was staring, and she focused her attention back on Bellatrix as she concealed a smile.

[Evan Rosier II]

"Keep up, Severus, or I'll leave you to the wolves." Not likely that there were any actual wolves in the vicinity, but if they were late to a meeting with Lord Voldemort's number one lapdog, Bellatrix would certainly make them pay. The air was cool and stale as Evan crossed the street as the pair made their way to their destination. A muggle-infested area, West Bromich was known to be a dangerous place for anyone not carrying a wand. Evan felt confident in his presence here, the town as well as the little meeting gathering on the lawn just on the other side of the gates ahead of them, but he wasn't the least bit pleased with Severus who had faffed about at the castle doing Morgana only knew what before finally showing up at their agreed upon location. Why he kept Severus Snape around was anyone's guess, but the lad was useful at times and out of the way more often. 

Passing through the gate, their little band of would-be warriors came into clearer view. Trixie and Allie, their leaders for the day's events, and several of his former housemates. Had the Dark Lord simply scooped up the whole of Slytherin House for his recruits this year? Was he really so short-sighted as to not see the value in diversifying? f*ck, he was beginning to sound like his father. Diversifying... The Death Eaters weren't a sodding financial portfolio. Evan sneered at his own thoughts as his steps came to a halt alongside Bronwyn Nott. "Ladies," he greeted them as a whole. "Lads." He looked around the circle that had formed, resisting the urge to check his watch as he asked, "are we to stand about with our thumbs up our arses, or is there some sort of production to be getting on with?"

Tagged: Bellatrix Lestrange , Alecto Carrow , Meredith Mulciber , Ethan Vanderhyde , Bronwyn Nott , & Severus Snape
Outfit: ready for action

[Severus Snape]

Severus trotted to keep up with his friend who was hollering back threats if he lagged behind again. He was the lowest in the pecking order at Hogwarts, therefore he had been tasked with making sure students were keeping to only open areas of the castle grounds during the weekend. Having only recently been a student himself, Severus knew there was little he could do to keep the randier couples from unlocking a classroom and sneaking inside when no one was looking - he'd heard the tales plenty of times from his mates, though never had the pleasure himself - but he had never before thought about the poor sod who had to sweep the classroom corridors and break things up. Now it was his job and it had forced him to meet Evan Rosier nearly 10 minutes later than they had planned, which clearly annoyed the younger man.

Severus found the group in huddle position and stood silently alongside his more chatty friend. He gave a strained smile-like expression at Bronwyn Nott, who had the unfortunate displeasure of actually standing next to Evan as he so crudely asked after their impending plans.

Tagged: Bronwyn Nott Evan Rosier II & others
Outfit: it's his only jacket, lay off

[Amycus Carrow]

In all technicalities, Amycus hadn’t been invited on this little outing. Which was a shame, really, because he was very fun to commit murder with. Which had to be what the plan was, with Alecto leaving their flat to spend time with Bella and a bunch of fresh-faced recruits. Normally he didn’t care about his sister’s activities with Bellatrix, he knew what their relationship consisted of. But training the newbies? Getting up to trouble without him? He couldn’t stand for that. So he’d gone to Headquarters to poke around and see if anyone knew when and where events would be going down. It was hard to imagine Bellatrix taking on the task of teaching the new recruits without a direct order to do so, and he found he was correct when he got into conversation with one of the members of Voldemort’s innermost circle. Apparently, the Dark Lord found the new recruits to be lacking the proper ambition, which Amycus could agree with. They were little more than new faces with no real desire to change their world. In fact, they’d really only been invited because of who they knew, not who they were.

It was a quick trip from the outskirts of London to West Bromich, and then he simply followed his instincts. What house would make a good target? How many of the new recruits had already arrived, and how many were going to be late to the festivities? If they were smart they would use the same apparition location that he had, and so leaning against a nearby fence he watched the street for any signs of magic. He heard them before he saw them, and he’d recognize Rosier’s irritating tone anywhere. They were across the street, and he watched as they entered a fancy gate down the way. Of course, Bellatrix would pick such a fancy house, she did love to bring the muggles down a peg. So he made his way to the gate, slipping in as he surveyed the group gathering in front of two of his dearest friends. “Oh there’s bound to be a production, you’ve got two of the finest teaching you all tonight,” he called out as he approached, pushing between the fresh faces to go and stand next to Alecto. “Oh, and it seems that Alecto is here too, so make that three of the finest,” he teased his sister, arms crossed in front of him. “Bella, my doll, might I ask where my invitation ended up?”

[Bellatrix Lestrange]

At the very least, Bella wasn’t alone in this scenario. Maybe Alecto hadn’t been assigned the degrading task of teaching the new recruits, but she had been willing to tag along when asked. And surely the fresh Hogwarts graduates weren’t as useless as they seemed, and would take quickly to using an unforgivable curse. She planned this night to allow herself some fun, and had spent an afternoon hanging around the area to find the most fragile muggle. The man in the house was paranoid, and had an illegal gun - which would make for some fun. She’d arrived earlier and tied him up, and he was currently sitting in the parlor of his house bound and gagged. While an unsuspecting target was the ideal eventually, she felt that she had to at least help the new recruits out a bit. Give them a target that was already going to be afraid of them. In her impatience, she used her wand to light the end of a cigarette, smirking as Alecto mentioned a trip into London after this was all over. That would certainly put her in a better mood.

The first members of their recruits arrived, and Bella gave them each a once-over. She knew nothing of Wilkes, and doubted he was even really a pureblood if she really thought about it. But he was here, so she’d give him credit for that. Vanderhyde was with him, and she personally thought this particular Vanderhyde was extra pathetic. Especially when he gave his answer to Alecto, all posh talk. Yes yes, Randolph Vanderhyde surely knew of his son's talents, that’s why he spoke so highly of him. Or perhaps, it was exactly the fact that Ethan was pathetic that she hadn’t even known the boy's name before the dinner in which he’d received his mark. She nodded at his address to her, looking past him at the blonde approaching. She saw potential in Meredith, had from the get-go. Which is why she’d invited the young witch to join her for a drink a month before.

It wasn’t long before the rest of their recruits showed up, with Nott soon arriving after Meredith. Bella resisted the urge to smirk, as she was sure Alecto’s meeting with her cousin’s fiance had been in an attempt to make Bellatrix jealous. Not that Bella would admit that it had. And then there were Rosier and Snape, both recruits she hadn’t given a second thought about since the dinner. She was about to explain their goal tonight when a familiar voice spoke up, and she gave a sigh. Typical Amycus, coming to join the fun. Not that he wasn’t fun, they’d had their share of activities together in their school days. “Hello Amy,” she said with a smirk, exchanging a look with Alecto, before she turned back to the recruits. “I’m going to be truthful with you all tonight, and I expect the same. Our Dark Lord feels that you all received an improper education while at school. Frankly, I am inclined to agree with him. They hardly teach anything useful there these days. So tonight, you are learning. Mulciber, tell me, what is the most useful unforgivable curse?”

[Alecto Carrow]

Some alone and some paired, the fawns steadily arrived, and what little optimism Alecto had had for gaining entertainment during their evening together was rapidly fading. Mulciber's beaming smile, Vanderhyde's banal reply, Wilkes disappearing into the background already - where was their fight? No one was even up for a little banter? Polished words and pretty faces suited work done by the likes of the Malfoys, but had no meaning here in a place of action.

What had any of them done so far to prove their capabilities, besides a paltry showing of colorful detention notices? Had anyone truly let the darkness within them take over, for even a moment? Who among them had held the thread of another's life in their hands, and ripped it apart? Who had the stomach to do what had to be done, while giving the ultimate trust to their Lord's orders? It seemed that they understand so little of what had been done for them, to give them the opportunity to so boldly show their Marks in the dark of night. Bellatrix had blown the doors open for her to join these ranks, and the witches in particular should be grateful for the chance to learn directly from her now. She watched Bella from the corner of her eye, assessing the witch's take on each arrival, and smiled in satisfaction at Bronwyn's entrance. The blonde was on time - something she'd forever be repairing her reputation for, until she forced them to notice her power - and prepared. The final members of their party saw fit to arrive, and Alecto cracked a laugh at Rosier's words - finally, someone too bold for his own good - about to rebuke him for his tardiness holding them up when another set of footsteps betrayed an intruder. Her wand slipped into hand, but Alecto was shortly exchanging an amused look with her partner at the arrival of her darling brother.

"I fed it to the birds," she retorted with a sickly sweet smile, surprised to see him but not unpleasantly so. While he'd be eating his words later, teasing her in front of the recruits like that, Amycus's arrival gave a whole new twist to the evening. They now had three highly-trained agents to test and assess the underlings, which really was terrible news for anyone hoping to go unnoticed tonight. As Bella introduced them to the reasons for their presence, she watched the effect of the truthful words on the faces of the gathered few. They were careful, so tediously careful, on the whole. With masks she could not wait to crack open. Some seemed to think of this endeavor as a hobby. Something to keep them busy in what would otherwise be idle, unproductive time. But for them to be effective, trusted...they had to need this work, as much as the work needed doing. They had to itch without it, they had to mean the curses. They had to believe.

The first query shot to Meredith, and in hoping to glean just a little insight into what Bellatrix saw in the girl, Alecto helpfully interjected, "And have you ever successfully cast it? Who deserved it, and how did you summon the curse?"

[Meredith Mulciber]

Anticipation. It was a drug and a curse and it was crawling all over her. Meredith wasn't the most patient sort but for this, she had to remain calm and present, even if the anticipation was eating her alive. She distracted herself by paying very close attention to…well, everything. Where they were, the apparent moods of the people around her. Her eyes only slid to Ethan once, she gave him a quirk of her lips before turning at the arrival of Winnie. She gave her long-time roommate a real smile. Which quickly fell back into a cool mask as Rosier arrived, the smaller one, followed by Snape. Evan could just be so crude and Severus was so dull. Neither were her favorite people present so she turned her attention back to their leaders and waited impatiently patiently for their task to become clear. She sensed she was about to get her wish when the second of the Carrows appeared and Meredith was torn between rolling her eyes and quaking in her boots. Impatience made her childish so she pushed that away, the greater feeling she needed to heed was a caution. One Carrow was hard enough to navigate, both of them together was impossible. Paired with Bellatrix and Meredith could very well find herself on the wrong end of things tonight. She had to do everything just right. It seemed she was getting the opportunity to do just that as Madam Lestrange began to speak, admonishing their education, and ending with a question. A question for her.

She opened her mouth to answer at once when Alecto tacked on her own query. Suddenly, she was very aware of everyone's attention on her, including Ethan. Her eyes slid to him for a split second and old wounds left by engagements past crept up on her. She wasn’t sure if he knew what she was about to reveal and a part of her, a very small part, was worried about what he would think. The larger part of her was here to prove her place among the ranks and she wasn’t letting anyone get in her way. Ethan could sod off it he didn't like it. She turned her attention back to Bellatrix without missing a beat.

“The Imperius curse madam, as it offers the caster complete control over the victim.” she said confidently, careful to keep the know-it-all out of her voice. She turned her attention to Alecto and her questions next. “Mary Macdonald, fourth year, was my first successful cast.” Here she exchange a smirk with Bronwyn, remembering fondly the night they had all caught the Gryffindor stealing from the potion supplies. But that had not been the reason Mary had found herself face-to-face with Meredith’s wand that night. “She had some particularly unkind things to say to our dear Lydia and I felt it an appropriate punishment.” Now, for the last part of this little pop quiz, how did she do it? Despite herself, she paused longer than she wanted to before finally answering with the truth as she knew it at the moment. “It was just there, all I had to do was say it.” Later, she would think more on this question, she would work it out, break it down to the very core of her magic. She would discover how, even then, curses came to her so easily. For now, her answer would have to do and she so hoped it would do. Meredith was keen to impress tonight and it would not bode well if she had already failed from the start.

[Ethan Vanderhyde]

The quiet from their leaders was unsettling, and Ethan hated it. It was the forced quiet of an examination room under the eye of unamused proctors, with the interruptions of rumbling aircraft, an incessant electrical hum of the muggle neighborhood, and the arrivals of his fellows. Bronwyn, Evan, Severus - their graduating year brought back together by common invitation, and his hands clasped each other more tightly at his old roommate's remarks, eyes flashing to those in charge. Evan could be somewhat of a polarizing figure, and at least had Alecto entertained. He turned at the unfamiliar voice as a wizard spoke from their back, and felt what little color he still had in his cheeks pale. Bellatrix. Alecto. And Amycus. It'd be a miracle if any of them saw morning.

When Bellatrix chose to speak, she did not mince words. The Dark Lord was not impressed with them. But was still wanting to Mark us? Neither was she, and it could be assumed, other high ranking Death Eaters. Hogwarts at the time of the Dark Lord's schooling must have been a much different place from her time, the Carrows's time - right? Fewer restrictions and regulations on what was taught, and how students could engage with the material? If his father's rosy tellings of that time could be trusted, anyway. But her disappointment with them - what had they expected? He and his fellows had learned what was taught - with many a hidden laugh among them, such as when he excelled in Defense, besting some of those who would now want to use such spellwork against him - and what they could access out of curiosity. Perhaps this was how Severus had gained an invitation. He had created spells out of his inventiveness and study, perfected already published potions... Ethan would never admit of feeling envious, especially of someone with no important lineage, who on second look he saw was wearing that same old coat tonight like a uniform. But the unwelcome thought of Severus having less to prove than he did, well, that didn't sit right -

Relief at not being the first called out, especially when he'd allowed his thoughts to stray, was dashed at instead hearing his girlfriend's surname. 

Meredith would be ready, she was always primed. This had to have meaning, Bellatrix choosing her, and it gave her the opportunity that they all wanted. To show each other up, and show that they were worthy of this invitation. Alecto wasted no time in adding on a challenge, in putting her so on the spot, and Ethan gave a nod of encouragement as Meredith looked his way, while he was...as curious as any to hear her response.

And what a response it was.

He worked to hide the surprise from his face, even as Meredith and Bronwyn had a satisfied moment of shared memory. Fourth year. Mary Macdonald. He remembered the girl being stuck in the Hospital Wing, missing from classes, rumors abounding as the pride of Gryffindors got terribly worked up trying to solve the latest little mystery. Some had pointed fingers at Meredith and the girls, the same lot who unkindly termed them "medusas," but they were only rumors... Ethan stifled a grin - no one was more protective than Mere, and while Lydia liked to believe she never put her foot in her mouth, he couldn't help but think the conspicuously absent girl had done something entertaining to earn those "unkind" words - and contented himself in knowing he could ask more about the affair in private, later. He watched, attentive, as she allowed herself a moment to think further. And while he'd already long been impressed with her - if possible, that esteem rose even further. She'd been able to tap into something at fourteen that many fully-grown wizards couldn't dream of. It was intimidating, yes - and thrilling - bringing a rather smug, if fleeting, grin to his features.

[Bronwyn Nott]

Evan and Severus arrived shortly after she did, and while she wasn’t surprised, she was annoyed that his first comment was so typical of Evan. Severus at least acknowledged her with a strained smile, and she smiled back. She’d never been close with him, but he was a good ally to have. He was smart and good at dark magic. Bronwyn felt a chill down her spine when a voice from behind them answered Evan’s question, and she kept herself calm as Amycus moved through them to stand by his sister. Wyn felt that she had Alecto on her side, and at least some trust from Bellatrix. Amycus was just as dangerous to associate with, but he had no real care about any of them except the two witches he stood next to. This night could be worse than she had thought it would be.

Bellatrix was explaining why they had been invited here, and while Bronwyn felt slighted by her judgment of their schooling and knowledge, she didn’t dare show it. They had held their own in school, her and Meredith. They were friends and enemies at the same time, which forced them both to excel in an attempt to be the best. The first question shot to them went to Meredith, and Wyn could barely hide her grin at Alecto’s addition. Oh yes, Bronwyn was quite aware of the first time Meredith had cast it on Mary MacDonald. But when her former roommate caught her eye, Bronwyn shared her smirk. While she didn’t want to speak out of turn, she wanted to fill the silence left by Ethan. “Are we going to be practicing the curse tonight?” she asked, although she felt silly as the words left her mouth. But Bella didn’t seem put off her question, giving her a nod at her assumption. “I’ve been wanting to practice this curse more.”

[Evan Rosier II]

Evan's head whipped around as the gruff voice of Amycus Carrow answered his query. Finally! Some proper instruction from a bloke who knew what he was doing! Evan meant no offense to the ladies leading their little fieldtrip this evening, but women were not always the best teachers. Yes, their womanly instincts would likely help to wrangle the younger Death Eaters as a nanny might do with the children in her care, but Evan was not a child, and he wanted guidance over mothering.

Evan listened patiently as the older Death Eaters bantered among themselves before Bellatrix rightfully began railing against their education. A quick glance to his classmates indicated they were perhaps mildly insulted by the assumption that their education at Hogwarts had been subpar, but Evan wholeheartedly agreed. He had done the best he could, given the professors' knowledge and curriculum requirements, and of course he had let his school work fall by the wayside if there was someone pretty to play with, but Evan, now graduated and with a wisdom his younger self did not possess, knew he could have been more if given proper tutelage. It appeared that tonight would be the start of his proper education, and the teachers in front of him would certainly hold his attention better than Binns ever could. 

Meredith prattled on about her experience with the Imperius Curse and Evan made a crude gesture with his hands to Severus, just out of sight of the blonde. "Oh, come off it, Mere. You didn't just have to say it. Anyone who's seen you in a right mood knows you bloody well meant it." He looked at the boys on either side of the circle and joked, "I wouldn't f*ck with her when she's on the rag, lads."

[Severus Snape]

The announcement that their little group was complete with the presence of Amycus Carrow and the lecture on their insufficient schooling having begun, Severus straightened up ever so slightly. He was already long and lanky, and took up far more space than he felt comfortable occupying, but assertion that their professors had taught them poorly seemed to vindicate what he had always believed. How many uncounted hours had he spent working to develop new spells, or perfect potions that others deemed good enough? How many times had he been shushed by a professor for trying to voice his frustration that the text they were supposed to be learning from was incomplete or worse, incorrect? If Bellatrix believed as he did, or more over, if the Dark Lord believed it to be so, then the rest of the adults who cast doubt upon him could sod off.

Bellatrix asked Meredith her opinion on the Unforgivable Curses, and Severus was instantly transported back to the evening in question where he became a reluctant participant in the event Meredith ever so briefly described. He had been in awe of the power demonstrated that night, but his memories were pushed aside as Evan nudged him in the ribs with his elbow and gestured something Severus did not find the slightest bit humorous. He avoided offending Evan by agreeing with Bronwyn, meekly. "Me too."