Of Death Eaters and Dreams

    The Malfoy family lived on the edge of a tiny village called New Whitton, in a huge manor- house covered in ivy, with sprawling grounds and impressive gargoyles atop the walls. The villagers of New Whitton all feared the expansive estate; The children told stories of murders, ghosts, and vampires there. But the Malfoys still carried on with their lives; in secret, motives and deeds far more sinister than the children of the village ever imagined.

    Screams filled the dungeons of the manor. Piercing, painful screams persisting through the dark. The source of the screams was a young teenage boy, with white-blonde hair and grey eyes. Blood was running down one side of the boy’s face, an eye swollen and bruised. He was twitching as he screamed, his head bouncing off the wall behind him.

    The screaming stopped. The boy collapsed against the wall, his ragged breathing being the only sound in the dungeon.

    Five figures, enrobed in black cloaks stood in the shadows of the room. They were standing clustered around a large, wing-backed chair. A tall figure stepped forward. ‘For the last time, Draco. You will join us. We grow old, too old to spy . . . to kill. We need you, Draco. Like you need us.’

    The boy raised his head, wiping blood off his parched lips. His eyes narrowed, showing hatred beyond his fifteen years. ‘Never,’ he whispered, his voice quiet but certain. ‘I will never join you.’

    A high, cold voice echoed throughout the room. ‘Torture him again, and then let’s see if he’s strong enough to say no.’

    The tall man threw back his hood, white-blonde hair shining in the dim light. He smiled, raised his wand, and pointed it at the boy. ‘You will kill Harry Potter if the Dark Lord says you will.’

    ‘I won’t.’ Said the boy, the pain to speak obviously too much to bear.

    ‘As you wish. Crucio.’ Lucius Malfoy’s smile stayed intact as the screaming started again.

     * * *

    Hermione felt horrible. She was halfway through the first week of school, and she was already swamped with homework. She was usually a great student, studious and receiving excellent grades. But for some reason, Hermione felt tired, too lazy and dismal to complete even the easiest assignments. Right now, she was supposed to be in the library, completing a paper for Professor Binns (Why simple objects are no longer used in basic spells – discuss), but instead, Hermione was lounging in front of the common-room fireplace, her mind wandering listlessly over the events of the past week.

    For one, Draco Malfoy was not at Hogwarts. He hadn’t been on the Hogwarts Express, nor had he arrived later on during the week. For some reason, this disturbed Hermione, but she wasn’t quite sure why. It wasn’t even like she liked him . . . in fact, she utterly loathed him. Malfoy had been the cause for quite a lot of unpleasantness during Hermione’s first four years at Hogwarts, but still, his absence unnerved her.

    ‘Hermione?’

    Hermione looked up. Harry was standing there, looking as tired as she felt.

    ‘Are you coming down to the library? Professor Binns wants that paper in by Friday, and none of us haven’t even started. Ron’s waiting in the library for us.’

    Hermione grinned, sensing the energy even smiling took. ‘You know, if it wasn’t for you, I’d probably spend the whole day sitting here and not get anything done.’

    Harry laughed. ‘I know how you feel, I really need a couple days off.’ he yawned.

    They walked down to the library, barely speaking the whole way. Ron waved them over to a table in a far corner, sheltered by several thick bookshelves. Hermione sank into one of the library’s chairs, grateful for the way the bookshelves dimmed the corner, keeping it secluded and comfortable.

    Somehow, the feeling of being back in the Hogwarts library spurred Hermione’s work ethic, and she began to work, poring over volume after volume of texts, making notes and writing down points to help with her paper. Soon Harry and Ron finished, said goodnight and left for Gryffindor Tower.

    Low voices soon caught Hermione’s attention. She set down her quill and paused to listen, straining to hear words.

    ‘Are you sure, Albus? Not even a letter of absence?’

    Positive, Minerva, he was supposed to arrive Monday, with everyone else. I would have received an owl by now if Mr. Malfoy was ill or detained.’

    ‘Could something have happened? A mix-up, perhaps? Maybe Mr. Malfoy was enrolled at another school instead –

    ‘Minerva, Draco Malfoy is a Hogwarts student, as were his parents. They would not consider another school for their son, no matter how poor their opinion of me becomes.’

    ‘I just don’t see why nothing was said to you about Mr. Malfoy’s absence.’

    Dumbledore sighed. ‘Nor do I, Minerva, but the . . . circumstances of that family at the moment... They make me wonder what is really going on.’

    The textbook Hermione had been holding on her lap was slowly sliding towards the floor. She fumbled to get a better grip on the book, still listening intently.

    Dumbledore continued. ‘We now have proof that Lucius Malfoy is still a Death-Eater, even though Cornelius Fudge continues to ignore that fact. It makes me wonder how young Draco is tied into this scheme, and if his disappearance is at all tied into the rebirth of –’

    The textbook fell off Hermione’s lap and landed on the floor with a dull thud. The sound echoed throughout the library, and Hermione bit her lip nervously. There was no way Dumbledore hadn’t heard that.

    Hermione heard footsteps walking around the bookshelf. She tensed momentarily, but then relaxed, pretending to have just been startled out of a deep, studious state.

    ‘Hermione! I should have known it was you.’ Dumbledore’s deep voice sounded from just behind her. ‘Ah, a History of Magic assignment, no doubt . . . a definite way to fall asleep.’ he chuckled lightly.

    Hermione turned crimson from embarrassment and grinned at Dumbledore with what she hoped was a guilty smile. ‘Er – I didn’t realize I had dozed off,’ she lied. ‘What time is it, Professor?’

    Dumbledore pulled an elaborate pocket watch out of his robes. ‘Goodness! Nearly eleven-o- clock, Miss Granger, I suggest you head back to your dormitory and get some sleep. Goodnight, Miss Granger.’

    Hermione packed up her books and parchment and walked back to Gryffindor Tower, feeling the fatigue settle into her mind. Quickly, Hermione got ready for bed, and quickly dozed off, frowning in her sleep, her mind plagued by thoughts of draco Malfoy’s disappearance.

     * * *

    The cold stone floor was pressing into Draco’s back . He lay still, listening to the Death- Eater’s hushed voices. His father’s voice was distinct, hatred rushing through Draco’s veins every time it became clear.

    ‘My Lord, Draco will join us. He just will take a little . . . persuading.’

    ‘Persuading takes up valuable time, Lucius.’ A cold voice emanated through the room, making Draco’s flesh crawl. ‘He is the only one that can enter Hogwarts unsuspected, even though it may now be a little too late to get him there.’ The voice became colder. ‘If he ruins my plans, you both will pay.’

    Lucius now sounded scared. ‘Master, we will not fail. Draco will co-operate, I promise.’

    ‘Good. Draco will leave for Hogwarts tomorrow, along with an excuse for his absence. I leave that to you, Lucius, you know the boy best.’

    Draco stopped listening. He felt horrible. I will not become a death-eater! Resolve filled Draco’s mind. I will not, he thought, kill Harry Potter.

     * * *