Crimini, that was spooky. I enjoyed the bit with Harry and co at the start (especially Ron's comment about Malfoy giving up Potions!) but when you take the chapter as a whole that takes on a whole new perspective. Sort of a calm before the storm. Even with Harry and Hermione's misgivings, it's a severe contrast to what follows.

Treating the ceremony as a kind of religious rite made it even creepier, and I absolutely love your idea of the Dark Mark creation. Very original and marvellously done.

An excellent chapter, highly evocative.