Narrator's POV

The next day, Severus Snape, the Carrow Twins, and twelve random members of the Outer Circle showed up for the challenge.

They waited for several minutes before the Dark Lord entered the room, "Seems that only fifteen of you dared to attempt this challenge, but only one of you will come out on top."

Bellatrix LeStrange and Lucius Malfoy entered the room.

"Your challenge is to defeat Lucius and Bellatrix. If two of you defeat one each, you will duel each other for the spot. Good luck and try not to kill each other." Lord Voldemort informed, sitting at his throne

As soon as the words left his mouth, curses were thrown and the fighting began.

***

While Death Eaters fought for the chance to be his protector, Harry held his own meeting.

All of his friends, including the Weasleys —except Ron, Arthur, and Molly— and his foreign friends, were there.

Harry explained the situation to them, and asked his friends who had no familial connection to the Dark to join him and offered Oblivation if they refused.

They looked offended at the Oblivation offer and assured him of their choice.

"Then you guys will have to swear loyalty to me." Harry informed

Theo went first: "I, Theodore Tadeus Nott-Krum, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it."

"I, Neville Rodolphus LeStrange, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Neville swore

"I, Hermione Charlotte Franqui-Malfoy, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Hermione pledged

"I, Luna Elizabeth Lovegood-LeStrange, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Luna swore

"I, Draco Lucius Malfoy, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Draco pledged

"I, Cedric Amos Diggory, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Cedric swore

"I, Pansy Ruth Parkinson-Rosier, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Pansy pledged

"I, Victoria Annabeth MacNair-Diggory, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Victoria swore

"I, Louis Evan Rosier, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Louis pledged

"I, Viktor Sebastian Krum, pledge thy body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, thy chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote ve it." Viktor swore

"I, William Arthur Weasley, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Bill pledged

"Ai Fleur Isabel Delacour-Wéasley, plédge mon body, magic ét soul to thee, Harry James Pottair, mon chosén mastair. Ai plédge to uphuld yur beliéfs, to fight fair yur goals, to live and dié by yur waird. Zo ai plédgé eet, zo mote bé eet." Fleur swore

"I, Charles Benjamin Weasley, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Charlie pledged

"I, Perseus Matthew Weasley, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Percy swore

"I, Frederick Gideon Weasley, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." Fred pledged

"I, George Fabian Weasley, pledge my body, magic and soul to thee, Harry James Potter, my chosen master. I pledge to uphold your beliefs, to fight for your goals, to live and die by your word. So I pledge it, so mote be it." George swore

Once George finished his pledge, the sixteen people felt their left forearms tingle, they lifted their sleeves and saw it marked.

"You guys will be referred to as Mercy's Council as a group. There won't be any codenames or anything for you guys because you'll never be singled out and your identities will remain a secret. Unlike the designed masks the other Death Eaters wear, you guys will wear a plain black face mask to keep yourself apart but completely hidden." Harry informed them

***

As the fighting raged on, the twelve randoms were defeated by Bellatrix and Lucius so only the Carrow Twins and Severus remained.

Severus was deterred to be Mercy's Protector since he cared for Harry and wanted to be sure of his safety, while the Carrows only wanted it for the rewards.

While Bella was fighting Alecto, Severus sent a "Stupefy" at her and Bella fell unconscious.

Before Snape could send the knockout spell to Lucius as well, Amycus knocked the Malfoy Lord out.

Within seconds, the potions master threw "Stupefy" to Amycus before the other male could react.

Severus won the challenge and he was now Lady Mercy's Protector...