AN: Finally I'm back. I found a beta reader. I would like to thank to Lady Andromeda C.D.A Slytherin for her work.

Now onto the chapter.

Enjoy!

Changes

Chapter 8: Voldemort's Offer

September ended and Sebastian felt that he was welcomed at Hogwarts. He had settled down after the initial confusion made by Weasley and the Headmaster, who was forced to acknowledge the defenders of the train and in the aftermath the Ravenclaws and Slytherins made peace. The recently sorted Gryffindors and Hufflepuffs banned together with the other houses, in effect spurning their own houses.

Sebastian and Draco had become the ringleaders of Slytherin House and even the Professors were wary of them. Only the Potions Master returned to his normal state of mind; he still favoured his Slytherins and terrorized the other students. Sebastian grimaced at that thought, as he still remembered his first Potions class with the smirked to himself, the Headmaster and Professor Snape were leaving him alone. He started to teach Hermione and Ginny Occlumency shortly after the term started, as Draco already knew the art. Both girls admitted that they had sensed the Headmaster's attempts to read their memories. But he had withdrawn as soon as he reached their mental shields, and Professor Snape abstained completely from excursions into their minds.

Flashback

The students of Slytherin and Ravenclaw had been thrown together for Potions for the first time in decades. It seemed that the Headmaster had finally learned that red and green don't mix together well. The students chatted excitedly, but the noise stopped as soon as the feared teacher entered. His presence entranced the attention of his students and his black eyes bored into each teenager, pausing slightly at the newest addition to his Slytherins.

Severus couldn't fathom how someone looking remarkably like Sirius Black was sorted into his house. He narrowed his eyes when he noticed the young man was staring at him calmly, clearly bored out of his mind. The Potions master sneered. ''Prepare the Dreamless Potion without instructions, I want to know how much information you forgot during the summer.''

The class fell into an easy rhythm and the Professor walked around the tables, bitingly pointing out mistakes. Of this class he noticed that only Draco, Granger, and Black had managed to make a passable potion. He frowned when he reached Black's table, his work seemed to be perfect so far.

''Do you need anything, Professor?'' Sebastian asked while he was concentrating on his work.

Severus stared at his student, the cold politeness that emanated from the boy's voice startled him, he obviously distrusted authorities. Black had guts to threaten Dumbledore, he would have to treat the boy carefully. Severus loathed to admit that the boy was quite powerful and he didn't want to end up in the pieces because he angered Black. ''If you crush the bat wings the product should become more potent.'' He said as he stalked to his next victim. By the end of the period almost all students finished their potions.

''Stay behind, Mr. Black.'' Snape demanded, he would use this opportunity to find out about the enigma in his house.

Sebastian was confused about what the teacher wanted from him, he hadn't done anything wrong. Sebastian watched as the room was emptied, though Hermione and Draco lingered. Snape glared at them and they scurried away in hurry. Sebastian waited calmly for the Professor to start.

''Mr. Black, you have disrupted classes, fought Dearth Eaters, defied the Headmaster, and have caused Hogwarts to be polarized into two distinct factions. You are a Slytherin and I commend the tactics you used when you dealt with the Headmaster. But I warn you the Headmaster won't leave you alone. He has enough clout to cause you much trouble in the Wizarding world."

Sebastian stared at his professor quizzically. He didn't understand why Snape was almost nice to him, it was not like his Professor to interfere in a student's messes. He was laughing inwardly at the irony: the Slytherin that had hated him the most was complimenting Harry Potter (in his own way) on being a good Slytherin.

Suddenly Sebastian sensed a light brush on his mental shields, he immediately glared at Snape. He scowled and sent a message into Snape's mind, 'GET OUT!' Instead of withdrawing, Snape intensified his attack. He was curious about his newest older student, all of his secrets were hidden behind this mental wall, and he wanted to know all of them, especially since he looked somewhat like his school nemesis, Sirius Black.

Sebastian strengthened his shields and almost shouted, ''Get out of my head!'' He put all of his power into keeping Snape out of his head and the Professor staggered because of the power his student used to get him out. Sebastian snarled, ''I may respect you but I don't have to endure your intrusion of my privacy. I'm giving you same warning I gave the Headmaster; I know what you are doing is illegal. Leave me alone or I'm going to inform the proper authorities about the abuse.'' Then he gathered his things and stalked out of the room, slamming the door rather forcefully on his way out, leaving a stunned Snape behind.

End of Flashback

Breakfast has started and Professor Snape knew that only a few students bothered to go to the Great Hall so early in the morning. Sebastian and Draco sat at the Ravenclaw table beside Hermione and Ginny, eating quietly when a raven, carrying a letter, flew to Sebastian. Snape recognized the Dark Lord's spell work and narrowed his eyes.

Sebastian took the letter from the bird before it vanished into thin air. He paled when he saw Voldemort's mark and stuffled letter into his bag. He took Ginny's hand and dragged her rather abruptly out of the Hall. Hermione and Draco followed them, and Professor Snape sneaked out after his students.

The four friends ended in one of the abandoned classrooms and secured the area with privacy spells.

''What happened Sebastian?'' Ginny asked, she had noticed the nervous air around others.

Sebastian took out the letter and showed it to her saying, ''Voldemort sent me an invitation to join his merry band of followers.''

As the girls yelped in shock, Draco became serious, ''It's exactly what Sebastian concluded,'' he confirmed quietly, ''I got a similar letter a few months ago.''

''I'm going to reject the offer. I don't even need to read it.'' Sebastian said decidedly.

Ginny threw herself into Sebastian's arms sobbing on his shoulder. ''You'll become a target.''

''I'm used to it by now, Gin. I was Voldemort's target since he killed my parents.'' Sebastian said as he tried to sooth the distraught girl.

''I know that Harry, but I can't help it, I'm worried.'' Ginny sobbed.

The trio stared at the redhead in confusion, they hadn't revealed to her who Sebastian Black really was. ''How long have you known Gin?'' Sebastian asked gently.

''I've known since you kissed me on the train; your eyes flashed green for a second and I recognized you.'' Ginny replied as Sebastian dried her tears and kissed her gently on the forehead.

Draco tightened his hold on Hermione's hand as she worked out that he had become a target of Voldemort's after he refused him. She started crying when she realized exactly what he was facing. ''Why didn't you tell me?'' Hermione asked in the broken voice, ''I don't want to loose you.''

''Please, Mione, don't cry. I knew what I was doing, I wanted to be with you. Mione?'' He asked as he felt her slipping from his grasp.

Hermione locked her tortured eyes with his. ''I... I can't. I'm not strong enough. Please, let me go.'' She shouted and ran out of the classroom leaving a stunned Draco behind. Ginny went after the crying girl.

Sebastian patted Draco on the back in consolation. ''She loves you, anyone can see it. Just wait for her.''

Draco was hurt, but Sebastian's words made sense and a small spark of hope shined in his eyes.

''Thanks, Bast. I'll wait for her.''

Meanwhile, Severus wasn't in a good mood; those children had locked him out and threw silencing charms up, covering the room they were discussing Sebastian's letter. Severus was calm because Black's friends wouldn't allow him to join the monster, but when Granger ran out and Weasley followed shortly after, he started to worry. He was anxious to know what happened inside, unfortunately, his students were too precise in creating their privacy wards.

Voldemort was awaiting anxiously for the response from the young Black. He held hope that he could persuade the powerful young adult to choose his side. The Dark Lord mused; 'Black is probably waiting to see who is the more powerful and probable victor of the struggle between the light and the darkness.'

An owl flew in, interrupting his musing, holding the parchment. Voldemort took the letter and opened it. As he stared at the parchment, his anger welled inside him. The message flared and turned to the ash in mere seconds.

'We'll see, young Black. We'll see.' Voldemort threatened. Even his pet Nagini fled as soon as she sense Dark Lord's fury. The words in the letter didn't give him peace. They were still echoing in his mind backed up with a snide voice.

'' NO WAY IN HELL, VOLDIE!"

AN: Next chapter: Together