Harry Potter and the Trelawney Prophesy

Chapter 14

The Dark Mark

Back at school the next day, Harry's absence Saturday afternoon and night had been attributed to his stay in the Hospital wing. Aware now that Harry had been unknowingly hit with and had survived yet another dark curse, the students were more at ease with him.

There was a whole reverence around the castle that Harry was still fighting the dark arts and even the Ministry was relieved. Harry had even gotten a get well owl from the Minister.

Many of the students found the whole sword thing fascinating and had asked Harry all about his Entrapped Sword. Harry introduced several of them to Sennie, who resided around his arm or around his neck when not in his sword, and had told them how the Vengence Curse worked.

Harry's arm was healing nicely but Madam Pomfrey made him wear the sling for several weeks with explicit instructions not to do anything strenuous with it - including fencing. She insisted that he had to work gradually or he could permanently damage the muscles of his arm.

This Harry only half obeyed, as stubborn as he was.

How was he to regain strength in his arm without...

"Watch your posture," said Lucius.

Harry continued to retreat, blocking Lucius' stronger blows. Lucius refused to go easy on him, knowing Harry wouldn't stand for it.

Thrusting up, Harry locked their swords in the air. Fencing left handed was hard enough but with his right arm slung to his chest, it was a horror.

"How can I watch my posture," said Harry with irritation. "I have no balance."

Harry stepped away from Lucius and swiped off the sling.

"Harry," said Lucius.

Harry flexed his arm a few times then took Sennie into his right hand. He looked up at Lucius. Lucius was frowning at him.

"It's been a week," said Harry. "You're the best one I know to help get my arm back to normal."

"Flattery?" said Lucius with a suspicious grin.

"Is it working?" said Harry.

Lucius laughed. "All right, Harry," said Lucius. "But only for a few minutes. We'll see how strong the arm is for now."

Harry nodded and they began again. There was only minimal pain so Harry didn't mention it but his strength was poor at best.

Lucius was frowning again. "I wish the master had let me kill the bastard," he muttered.

"It really wasn't his fault," said Harry. "Although he is a bastard."

"Are you defending him?"

"Certainly not," said Harry. "But I would like to see you duel him."

"Really?"

"Yes," said Harry, retreating again.

"Why?"

"Because I bet you could beat him now," said Harry. "When was the last time you fenced with him."

"Maybe ten or twelve years ago."

"Exactly," said Harry. "I'd love to see you beat him."

Lucius took a step back and Harry used the opportunity to rest his arm.

"You think I could beat him?" said Lucius.

"You taught me and I beat him," argued Harry. "He's spent the last ten years teaching and boasting not seriously fencing with anyone. You've improved yourself, he's stayed the same."

"Interesting point," said Lucius.

Harry re-sheathed his sword as he saw Lucius sheath his own, indicating they were done. Sennie instantly emerged from the hilt and coiled up Harry's arm.

"But I doubt he's got the nerve to fight me now," said Lucius.

Harry strapped his sword belt on and looked at Lucius with a grin. "I could just drop a few choice phrases in front of Voldemort and see what happens," said Harry.

Lucius laughed and reached out and ruffled Harry's hair. "Becoming quite the Slytherin, aren't you, Harry," said Lucius.

Harry sobered at the remark. "Yeah, well," said Harry. "As Draco keeps telling me, I should enjoy it while I can."

"Indeed," said Lucius as he put Maldini back on it's place one the wall.

"Lucius?"

"Yes, Harry?"

"What do you think of the prophesies?" said Harry.

"I really don't think you want to know," said Lucius without looking at Harry. "And I think you should get back to school, now."

Harry nodded. "I have to see Voldemort before I leave," said Harry, grabbing his robe. "I told him I would."

"Harry."

Harry turned back and caught the sling Lucius had tossed to him.

"Don't let him see you without it on."

Harry felt the burn before Lucius had even finished the sentence. He knew Voldemort was standing behind him now and could tell by Lucius expression that the Dark Lord was probably looking none too pleased.

Without turning around, Harry said, "He knows how stubborn I am."

Harry heard the chuckle and turned around.

Voldemort's hand came to rest on Harry's cheek and Harry closed his eyes briefly.

"Yes, indeed, I do," said Voldemort, staring into Harry's eyes. "But you will put it back on now because if any permanent damage is caused I will kill him and I don't think you want that."

Voldemort removed his hand and Harry shook his head.

Harry put the sling back on and grumbled, "I'd love to see Lucius kill him in a fencing duel though."

He heard Lucius gasp at the comment. Harry had dropped it so casually as if they weren't just discussing the very topic.

"Would you?" said Voldemort.

"Hell, yes," muttered Harry as he shrugged into his robe, draping the right side over his shoulder. He looked up at Voldemort. Voldemort was staring at Lucius. Lucius looked a little pale. "What?"

Voldemort returned his gaze to Harry. "If I arrange this for you," said Voldemort. "Will you agree to, win or lose, allow Vandewater to instruct you?"

Harry's jaw dropped open a little. "Why?"

"To see if there is indeed anything he can teach you, of course," said Voldemort.

"Is everything a negotiation with you?" said Harry with frustration.

"With you, it seems I must," said Voldemort. "Well?"

"All right," said Harry. He looked at Lucius expecting him to look pleased, but Lucius looked even paler than before as he stared at Voldemort with an almost pleading look.

"See how stubborn my son is, Lucius," said Voldemort. "I must be careful with what is mine."

Slowly it dawned on Harry what Voldemort had just done. He figured Harry had made the request for Lucius even after all the other ways Harry had shown his gratitude and Voldemort was getting tired of it.

Voldemort's possessiveness demanded that Lucius be punished for getting too close to Harry.

Give him to me.

And Harry had just agreed.

Voldemort turned Harry's face back to him and Harry could tell he knew Harry had figured it out.

"I will let you know when the duel is to take place," said Voldemort, still holding Harry's face. "You best get back to school."

Voldemort took two steps back, holding Harry's gaze. Harry didn't want to get Lucius into anymore trouble and simply nodded and apparated back to the common room.

He instantly went searching for Draco but Harry couldn't find him.

Great. More guilt.

He was on the way to lunch the next day when he saw a group of Slytherin's huddled together across the corridor. He couldn't hear what they were muttering about and Harry was about to ignore them and continue to the Great Hall when he heard Draco's name then his voice.

Harry felt he needed to speak to him. He had to know what had happened to Lucius.

"Malfoy," called Harry.

The group all turned to him and they instantly parted so that Draco could move to Harry. They moved further along the hall.

"Where have you been?" said Harry.

"I had to see my father," said Draco.

Harry groaned. "Draco, I'm so sorry. I didn't mean to get him in trouble."

Draco sighed. "It's not your fault," said Draco. "My father knows how possessive he is with you."

"He didn't hurt him, did he?" said Harry.

"No, his punishment was losing you to Vandewater for as long as you can tolerate it," said Draco.

Harry stared at him, not quite believing that that was it.

"Draco."

"Look, can we just drop it," said Draco. He glanced toward his Slytherin crowd. "You guys can go," he called to them.

Harry watched as the group dispersed and couldn't help his grin. "Back in the fold as the prince of Slytherin, are you?"

"Sort of," grumbled Draco.

"Sort of," echoed Harry as they moved up the hall toward the great hall. "What does that mean?"

"Nothing," said Draco.

Harry stopped. "Nothing?" said Harry. "Come on. What is it?"

"I told you nothing."

"Yeah, and last time I told you nothing was wrong, you pestered me until I couldn't stand it anymore," said Harry.

Draco didn't even smile over that.

"Something's eating you," said Harry.

"Know me so well now, do you?" said Draco.

"Don't I?"

"Look," said Draco. "I can't tell you, so drop it." He started to move away and Harry grabbed his arm.

"You can't tell me?" said Harry.

Draco pulled his arm away. "You heard me," said Draco.

See how stubborn my son is. I must be careful of what is mine.

He wants you, doesn't he?

"He didn't," said Harry in disbelief. "Tell me he didn't."

Draco looked at Harry and shook his head. His gaze dropped to the floor. "You know it was only a matter of time for me."

Harry grabbed a fistful of Draco's robe and dragged him into the nearest empty classroom. He slammed the door.

"Why couldn't you tell me?" said Harry.

"Ever been to an Initiation?" said Draco.

"No," said Harry.

"I don't think he wants you to know about it."

"Why?" said Harry curious and angry at the same time.

Draco looked away again. "Because it's painful," said Draco. "And a bit - er humbling."

"Humbling?"

Draco's gaze snapped up and his eyes glowed with his own anger now. "Ok, so it was humiliating," snapped Draco. "Especially for me. Even if it is supposed to be the proudest moment of my life."

Harry heard his bitterness and he could see passed the anger to his shame.

"Damn it," said Harry softly. "It's my fault."

Draco looked at him. "It isn't," said Draco. "It was just-"

"But because of me, he did it now," said Harry.

"Harry," said Draco.

Harry got angry again, for Draco's helplessness and his own. Draco hadn't wanted that mark on him. Harry suddenly had to see it, denying that Lucius would have let Draco go through with it.

Pulling his arm out of the sling, he grabbed Draco's wrist with his left hand and pushed up his sleeves with his right. But as he exposed the Dark Mark burned onto Draco's inner forearm, Draco jerked away cradling his arm.

"Damn it," said Harry. "Damn him."

Draco stared at him, his eyes wide.

"What?" snapped Harry.

"You touched it," said Draco a little breathlessly.

"So."

"So," said Draco. "It burned."

"What?" said Harry, confused now.

"Harry," said Draco. "You set it off."

"What are you talking about?"

"You touched it and it went off," said Draco.

"That's impossible."

"Is it?" said Draco.

Harry stared at him. "Oh, God, no," said Harry. "It can't-" Harry backed away. "No. I won't believe it."

"Harry," said Draco, seeing his distress. "It's not your fault." Draco looked down at his arm, the mark a dark black. "I bet the Death Eaters are all apparating to the Master now. It's not going to take him long to figure out what happened."

As if on cue, pain exploded in Harry's head. Both hands hit his forehead and he hit his knees.

Harry felt Draco's hand on his shoulder and looked up. The anger and shame in his expression was replaced with concern and sympathy.

"Come on," said Draco, helping Harry up. "We may as well get it over with."

Harry nodded clasped a hand over Draco's on his arm.

What a nightmare.

They both stared at the fire for a minute but they could hear the noise behind them in the compound. They shared a look of apprehension and turned around. The number of Death Eaters in the clearing was overwhelming. They all seemed to be muttering to each other, looking puzzled.

When Voldemort spotted the boys, he held up his hand for quiet. In the silence the Death Eaters turned and saw Harry and they all lowered to one knee.

"Oh, God," muttered Harry.

"You can deal with this," Draco muttered back.

Voldemort approached them, Lucius was with him and they stopped just outside the flinch zone.

Lucius lowered to his knee and Draco followed suit.

"Hello, Harry," said Voldemort, looking more pleased than ever.

Harry simply inclined his head in greeting.

"You may rise, Draco," said Voldemort. "You also, Lucius." As the Malfoys stood, Voldemort turned back to Harry. "Do you have something to tell me, Harry?"

"Is there something you forgot to tell me?" said Harry pointedly.

Voldemort smiled. "Well it was a bit sudden," said Voldemort. "So I may not have had the opportunity to tell you that Draco was Initiated as a Death Eater yesterday."

"And why was it so sudden?" said Harry. "And why wasn't he allowed to tell me?"

Voldemort sighed patiently. "I didn't think Death Eater Initiations would interest you."

"They don't," said Harry. "But Draco is my friend and-"

"Yes," said Voldemort. "I know how close you have become and-"

"If this is because of me-"

"Harry, you are skirting the issue at hand," said Voldemort.

"What issue," said Harry, hoping against hope he could drop it, but knowing Voldemort wouldn't let him.

"I take it, you have discovered that Draco now bears the Dark Mark," said Voldemort.

"Yes," said Harry. "I found out by accident," he added to exonerate Draco, "about ten minutes ago."

"Ah," said Voldemort. "Then maybe you can explain to me why about ten minutes ago all my Death Eaters started apparating to me wondering why I called them."

Harry stared at him stubbornly, still trying to deny it.

"I know I didn't call them," said Voldemort. "That raises the question of who did. More pointedly, who else could."

Harry remained silent, even as Voldemort reached out his hand. He took hold of Harry's face and Harry sank to his knees.

"See how stubborn he is," said Voldemort but he was still smiling. He turned his head to look at Draco. "Any ideas, Draco?"

Draco started stammering but Voldemort held up his hand.

"Draco," said Voldemort, looking serious now. "Did Harry touch the Dark Mark on your arm?"

Draco began an explanation but Voldemort held up his free hand.

"A simple yes or no will suffice."

Draco looked at the ground. "Yes."

Voldemort released Harry's face and Harry slumped to his hand, pressing the other to his scar. Voldemort turned to Draco and took his face, holding up his chin so Voldemort could see his expression.

"Why so distraught, Draco?" said Voldemort.

Draco didn't look away from Voldemort's steady gaze.

"Because it did not please him," said Draco. "And what displeases him, displeases you. He is your son."

Harry pushed himself to his feet and wanted to kick Draco for that statement but then realized that Draco had actually just challenged Voldemort on Harry's behalf.

Voldemort laughed. "Well said, Draco, my boy. Well said." He let go of Draco's face and turned to Lucius. "Your son is indeed clever, Lucius. He is a credit to you and an asset to me."

Lucius only inclined his head.

"But," said Voldemort, again to Draco. "The fact is, it does indeed please me because I know it will please Harry," he turned to Harry, "once he stops being so stubborn." Without releasing Harry gaze (or glare as it were), Voldemort said, "Lucius, hold out your arm."

Lucius pulled up his sleeve and held out his arm.

"Show me, Harry," said Voldemort.

Harry glanced down at the Dark Mark on Lucius' arm then at his face, which was inscrutable, then back at Voldemort.

"Will you make me?" said Harry.

Voldemort shook his head. "No, Harry. But why do you argue with me over such a moot test?"

Harry sighed and ran a hand through his hair. Voldemort was right. Everyone there knew. With a brief glance at Draco, who was looking at his father, Harry reached out and touched the Dark Mark on Lucius' arm.

Everyone in the compound grabbed their arms.

Voldemort laughed.

"Thank you, Harry," said Voldemort. He turned to the Death Eaters. "As you have all been witnesses to, Harry now has control over the Dark Mark. I advise you all to remember that. You may all return to your posts."

As the Death Eaters started to disapparate, Voldemort turned to Harry.

"Yeah, yeah," said Harry. "I know. You're pleased."

Voldemort chuckled. "Ah, but Harry," said Voldemort. "Now we have another connection. I can test you in a different way."

Great. "Oh," said Harry.

"You can control the Death Eaters through pain and pleasure now," said Voldemort.

Harry opened his mouth but Voldemort held up his hand.

"But I will not teach you that because I'm sure you don't want to know."

"But," said Harry nervously.

Voldemort turned to Draco. "Give me your arm."

Draco pulled up his sleeve and Lucius hit his knees.

"No, Master," said Lucius. "I beg you."

"Quiet, Lucius," said Voldemort. "Draco will not be punished.

Voldemort touched the edge of the Dark Mark on Draco's arm and Draco's eyes closed.

"Voldemort," said Harry with concern.

"It's all right, Harry," said Voldemort, not taking his eyes off Draco. "I assure you, I'm not hurting him."

Lucius stood up and moved around them to stand beside Harry. They both watched Draco. Harry was fascinated as the air around Draco started to flicker with light.

"What's he doing?" Harry whispered to Lucius.

"That's a visual ethereal appearance of Draco's magic," said Lucius quietly.

"That's Draco's physical magic?" said Harry.

"Yes. Enhanced by Lord Voldemort's," said Lucius. "The power flowing through Draco right now is extraordinary."

"Does it hurt?"

"No, Master Harry," said Lucius. "This is a reward. The intense magical sharing results in an almost sexual feeling of pleasure."

"Really," whispered Harry.

"Yes."

Harry looked down at Voldemort's hand. His grip was around Draco's arm while his thumb slowly ran a circle around the skull imprinted on Draco's arm. Then he looked up at Draco's face. His eyes were still closed, his mouth was slightly opened.

"Apporton," said Voldemort.

Harry looked over at him just as Voldemort's hand touched Harry's face.

Harry almost crumpled at the surge of power he was hit with. He could feel it physically running over his body, racing through his blood, coursing over his skin.

"My God," he heard Lucius gasp.

Harry felt no pain but magic enveloped him. He felt Voldemort's fingers circle his scar and the intensity increased.

Harry was wrapped in warmth and joy and love, like a blanket. He was protected from everything even remotely sad. No dark, no light, only energy. He never wanted it to end.

Voldemort's finger touched his scar and Harry's soul felt like it had exploded once again, but this time it wasn't in pain. The feelings that hit Harry were more like ecstasy almost euphoric and Harry hit the ground, gasping for breath.

"Did you see it, Lucius," Harry heard Voldemort rasp.

"Yes, Master," said Lucius. "Astonishing."

"Yes," said Voldemort, sounding very pleased. "Harry is ready."

Harry didn't like the sound of that. He turned his head. Draco was also on the ground. Harry wondered what he had felt.

Well that was weird, thought Harry.

Damn right. Was echoed in his head.

But it wasn't Harry's thought. In fact, it had sounded like -

Harry turned to look at Draco again. Draco was staring back at him.

You can hear me? Harry heard Draco's voice in his head. Can't you?

Harry blinked at him. His jaw dropped open.

It's a nightmare, thought Harry. That's it. Just another nightmare.

Harry saw Draco close his eyes.

Bloody hell, Harry. Couldn't you keep me out of your flipping nightmares.

Great, more guilt.

Harry could almost feel Draco's smirk.