Just Like I Should, I'll Getcha Good

He gasped for breath, blood running down his face from a nasty cut on his cheek. His hair was streaked with grime, and his robes were torn and dirty. His knees shook, and he could barely stand. But he could not show weakness, not now, anytime but now. He had proven himself in the ordeals, the last of which he had just battled through, and he was about to join the ranks of the people he had been taught to idolize since he could talk.

"Hold out your left arm," a soft hiss commanded. He rolled up his sleeve and held out his arm. A long-fingered, deathly pale hand reached towards it, the owner's red eyes gleaming. A white finger touched his forearm, and he had to bite his lip until it bled to stop from shrieking in agony. A black skull with a serpent protruding from its mouth was being traced slowly, painfully onto his skin. Finally the design was complete. The hooded figure in front of him removed the finger, and raised his arm high into the air, showing off the newly carved Dark Mark in his arm.

Draco Malfoy was a Death Eater.

*******

Her fiery red hair glistened in the sunlight as she turned her head to talk to the people walking with her, laughing and chatting, walking down to the greenhouses for lessons. The grass squeaked slightly beneath her feet, still damp from the morning's dewdrops. She caught sight of her brother and his two best friends, including the boy she loved like she had never loved anyone else before.

She excused herself from her friends and ran over to them, holding her bag steady on her shoulder as it swung with her long, graceful strides. All three of them looked up, not going to lessons, but taking a stroll on the grounds, taking a break from their intense researching they had been doing in the library of the castle. She swiftly kissed the one with jet-black hair and sparkling green eyes, smiling at the other two. Exchanging a few words, she wished them luck on their search, seeing the pain, worry, and hope in all faces. Hurrying off to her lesson, a cloud seemed to have been cast over her, caused her to become so preoccupied worrying about the trio that she spilled a whole bowl of Bubotuber pus on the greenhouse floor, causing a reprimand from Professor Sprout.

Ginny Weasley was worried.

*******

He stepped out of the castle, walking down the steps with his two best friends in the world, trying to enjoy the sunshine on his face and the sounds of the birds in the trees. He spotted the girl he loved beyond all others sprinting towards him. Kissing her hello, the four of them talked briefly, then she went off for a lesson, her face darkened slightly. He watched her go, her hair flying out behind her as she ran, and made a mental note to be more careful. Even though the security had increased tenfold in the last few months, he still worried about her. Voldemort had used her to get to him once, and he had no doubt it would be one of his best friends or her that would be taken hostage next.

His friend punched his arm affectionately, telling him to stop worrying for once, that they had been working so hard and they deserved a break. His other friend pursed her lips, thinking hard about something. He raised his eyebrows at her, and she hurriedly smoothed her forehead and gazed vaguely off beyond the horizon.

Harry Potter was troubled.