Bleeding Roses

Chapter 9

Initiation Ceremony and Blackmail

The Hogwarts grounds were a truly beautiful sight the next morning. It served as a reminder of last night's magical festivities, especially to Draco and Hermione. The unspoiled white snow outside coated the ground, the barren trees, the greenhouses, Hogwarts Castle, and Hagrid's hut, making it look like a gingerbread house. The snow had stopped falling, and the whole Hogwarts grounds seemed to be covered with cake frosting. It finally looked like a real Christmas Day.

Inside Hogwarts itself, the students crowded around the frozen windows, looking down at the magnificence of the grounds. Even the presents seemed to be forgotten for a moment. The first two words that came into Harry and Ron's minds were "snow fight". Although, they knew that it was rather childish, the game never ceased to be fun. Even the teachers looked out of their windows in awe. Dumbledore, however, just smiled as he looked on into the distance. So they did it. And the first snowflake of the year fell. The prophecy did not lie. His plan was working. It all came down to the dreaded Final Battle against Voldemort. He and the Order had planned meticulously for it. He just hoped it wouldn't all be in vain.

The students were now tackling the piles of presents at the feet of their beds. Hermione felt relieved that Harry and Ron haven't decided to fully abandon her, even if all they did give her were some sweets from Honeydukes. But, she reasoned with herself, that was what she gave the both of them too anyway. Her parents sent her the usual presents with a Christmas card. After opening all her presents, she found the last package. Who could it have been from? She had already opened the usual presents from the usual senders... She picked up the small box wrapped in green and silver paper. There was a tag attached to the bow. Her heart pounded furiously against her ribcage. It was from Draco! Carefully, she unwrapped the glossy paper, afraid that it would tear. It revealed a red velvet box, slightly bigger than a ring box. She opened it and gasped.

It was one of the most beautiful necklaces she had ever seen. On a thin, gold chain was a ruby pendant surrounded by tiny diamonds. Every gemstone and lock of the chain seemed genuine. It must have cost a fortune! She couldn't accept such a lavish gift! Draco was rich, but he didn't have to spend so much money on her! She knew that he really liked her already. She had to give this back to him. Nevertheless, Hermione felt flattered that he was willing to spend so much on her.

Meanwhile, Draco sat in his room alone, opening the last of his presents. Although Hermione's present was simple, he found that it was the most precious and it was the most practical gift out of everything he had received. She gave him a sleek, black, leather journal with a letter and Christmas card to match. No one had ever given him a Christmas card before. His family and fellow Slytherins didn't believe in such things. He put the card by his bedside and unfolded the letter. In Hermione's neat script, it said:

Dear Draco,

I hope that you have a very happy Christmas. You are the one person who really need and deserve this break. Our times together have been special, and I long for more time for us to be together. One of the best things about being with you is that I got the opportunity to learn more about you. That's why I've decided to buy you a journal, something I know that you don't have. You're probably thinking that this is stupid and pointless, and are about to throw this in the trash at the first occasion. But let me tell you the importance of this first. You can write down your deepest and darkest secrets and thoughts. It really helps if you want to take pressure off from your shoulders. Trust me, it helps at lot.

Anyways, have a wonderful Christmas and I hope you take my advice.

Yours truly,

Hermione Granger

He should just to Hermione's advice. It was common courtesy. After all, she wasn't there to harm him. She was just trying to help, though he didn't think that he needed any. Also, he felt that Hermione might actually be checking on him, just to see if he was using the journal. He didn't want to hurt her. It was pathetic how care could do to a person. It was a strange feeling. He had never felt it back home in Malfoy Manor.

His eagle owl swooped in from his open window, dropping a letter. He knew that it was probably from either one of her parents, but they had already sent him his presents... He picked up the rolled parchment and untied the green ribbon. It was from his father. His curiosity was piqued, but apprehension still lingered. What did he want now?

Draco,

I'm glad that you finally decided to join the Dark Lord's ranks. I expect you to do your very best and remember all the spells I've taught you. They would come in useful during the Initiation Ceremony, which is to be held next month, on the twentieth, at four o'clock. You will be excused from the last minutes of class. Someone will be waiting for you in Hogsmeade to take you away. Do not disappoint me. You are the youngest person ever to join the Dark Lord, and He expects a lot from you, and so do I.

Happy Christmas and you better show up in Hogsmeade, or you will deeply regret it.

Your Father,

Lucius Malfoy

He sighed. His father was the only person who was capable of wishing him a happy Christmas and threatening him all in the same sentence. The little happiness that he felt for Christmas vanished in the air. It was so like his father to quench the smidgen of joy that was supposed to be his Christmas spirit by reminding him of his soon-to-be Death Eater duties. Hermione would want to know about this, but how was he supposed to tell her? He'd have to wait until the holidays are over. He didn't want to ruin everything for her by bringing up this worrisome subject. He sighed again. Sometimes he wished so desperately that he wasn't a Malfoy. Screw the Malfoy Code of Conduct. Screw his father. Screw the Dark Lord and his Death Eaters. He just wanted to be himself. Too bad that was never going to happen in this lifetime. Oh how he hated being stuck like this all the time, wondering what to do.

Heading down for breakfast, Draco and Hermione met in the common room. Hermione still held the necklace in her hand.

"Hey Draco," she said, smiling. "Happy Christmas!"

"Happy Christmas to you too," he said. "Thank you for that journal. I think it might help." Not really, he thought, but he was not going to tell that to Hermione.

"I'm glad you like it!" Hermione beamed, oblivious to Draco's white lie. "But..." She looked at the box in her hand. "As for me, I can't accept your gift. I love it, but I really can't."

Draco felt hurt. "Why not?" he asked, masking his feelings by looking emotionless.

"Because it must have cost a whole lot," Hermione said. "I can't accept anything that's so expensive."

That was the reason? Draco could have laughed right out loud in her face, but restrained himself. "Remember that I'm supposed to be a 'spoiled, rich bastard'?" he asked. "That wasn't expensive to me."

"But I still can't--" Hermione protested.

"Come on Hermione," he said. "I had to eat up my Slytherin pride to buy you that red and gold necklace. Do you know how much effort that took me?"

That was probably true. "Yes, but you made up for you by using that green and silver wrapper," Hermione said, knowing that this argument was too weak to hold.

Draco laughed and walked closer to Hermione. "Consider this as my token of gratitude toward you for helping me when I needed it."

Hermione smiled and jumped toward Draco, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"Thank you, thank you, thank you," she said, and kissed him on the lips. "I don't know how to thank you."

"Hum..." Draco said thoughtfully. "I'll make it easy for you. More of those kisses might just cut it."

She smiled and obliged.

*****

This year's Christmas was one of the most memorable for Hermione. Although she missed participating in Harry and Ron's games, she still felt that the day was superb. Hermione had the opportunity to discuss so many things with Draco. It truly felt good to have an intelligent conversation once in a while, something that she definitely didn't have when she was with Harry and Ron. She played chess with Draco and many other games. At the end of the day, she was singing Christmas carols, but Draco was looking at her like she just lost her mind. No matter how hard she tried to persuade him into singing with her, he vehemently refused. So she shrugged it off and continued singing, prancing around the common room, with Draco looking at her with one raised eyebrow. At that night, Hermione went to bed feeling content, and wondering what surprises the next day would bring. Draco's thoughts, however, dwelled on the Death Eater Initiation Ceremony and what he was going to tell Hermione.

*****

The next few days passed and the Draco still hasn't mustered the courage to tell Hermione about the ceremony. He hadn't found a right time either. She seemed so happy, and he didn't want to spoil her happiness. But he would have to tell her sooner or later, in case she starts worrying about him when he suddenly leaves.

Draco sat in the library, doing his Potions essay. Hermione was in another corner of the library, doing her own essay. They made sure that they weren't seen together, especially at such a dangerous time when spies were lurking around in every corner. If anyone learned of their relationship, all of Draco and Dumbledore's plans would be ruined. It was crucial for them not to show any change in their behavior. They still kept a cool demeanor toward each other in public, but they weren't insulting each other, due to the fact that the whole school knew that they were sort of friends already. Still, they kept away from each other, so as to not suggest anything more.

However, this didn't stop them from subtly passing notes to each other, as a form of communication. Draco found that this was the best time for him to tell Hermione about his situation. Telling her in writing was so much easier than to tell her in person. Hermione was a little horrified, but it was all expected. When they were back in their common room, Hermione gave Draco all the support she could.

A couple of days later, Hermione convinced Draco to inform Dumbledore of these new developments. Dumbledore suggested that he takes these matters to Snape, who would oversee Draco's spy training, being a spy himself. Draco was quite shocked to find that Snape was a spy all this time, but swore that he would not reveal anything to anyone. So Draco spent most of his nights training with Snape. Hermione could only study by herself, wishing that he were by her side.

The days passed smoothly, until one day, when Pansy cornered Hermione in the hallway. Only one sentence was spoken between them, but it had a lasting effect on Hermione.

"Stay away from Draco or you will regret it," she said dangerously.

This had caught her off-guard, and she spent many nights wondering if Pansy's words should be ignored. Hermione did notice Pansy's angry, furtive glances during class and other times. Whenever Hermione and Draco were working together on something in class, Pansy would look murderous. There was something going on that Hermione didn't know of, or Pansy wouldn't be so assured that she would actually smirk evilly at Hermione one day. She had a strong feeling that Pansy knew more about Draco and her, so she tried to distance herself even more from Draco. There was certainly something brewing in Pansy's twisted mind.

When she brought up her concerns to Draco, he shrugged it off.

"Pansy always makes those empty threats," he said. "Just ignore her."

However, Pansy seemed too serious to be ignored. There was definitely something going on and Hermione was determined to find out.

*****

Draco had insisted on going to the Slytherin common room to visit his "friends" and to tell them that he was going to be a Death Eater. He conveniently forgot to inform them that he was also a spy. This revelation made it seem like he got his reputation back for being the most feared and respected person in Slytherin House. The people who weren't speaking to him were treating him like an old friend again. It was pathetic, really.

"Hey Drakie," a female voice whispered in his right ear, making him jump.

He backed away, and saw Pansy. She smiled seductively, and grabbed Draco's arm, leading him into another room. The moment they entered the room, away from his other housemates, Pansy's air changed. She closed the door and pushed Draco against the wall when he was caught off-guard.

"What the hell do you want?" Draco asked, shoving Pansy's hands off of him, and getting away from the wall.

"I want you to stay away from the Mudblood if you know what's good for you," she said in a dangerously low voice, quite uncharacteristic of her.

Draco sighed and rolled his eyes. "And what are you going to do?" he asked scornfully.

Pansy smirked and withdrew a package from her robes pocket. She took out a picture and held it up so that Draco could see it. He could feel his jaw dropping to the floor. It was of him and Hermione during the dance, and they were kissing! He grabbed the picture from Pansy's hand and stared at it, horrified. He was still speechless, eying the incriminating picture. Pansy was blackmailing him! He tore the picture to shreds and made a grab for the whole package, but Pansy kept it just out of reach, her smirk getting nastier.

"If you become my boyfriend, and stay away from the Mudblood," she said, "then I won't send all these pictures to your father."

"What?" he asked incredulously, and made another grab for those pictures, but missed again.

"You heard me," Pansy said, her smirk never leaving her face. "Oh and be extra bad to Granger, just for kicks," she added as an afterthought.

"No way!" he said, pinning Pansy to the wall and tried to make another mad grab for the pictures. His fingers even brushed on it, but still, he didn't get it. Both were struggling.

Pansy pulled out her wand, and chocked out, "Impedimenta!"

Draco found himself being slowed down. Why didn't he bring his wand with him? How stupid it was!

"Now you listen to me," Pansy said, forgetting to smirk, her tone set severely. "You do what I say, and your dear father won't know anything about your little love affair with Granger. And even if you do destroy this package"--she held it out in front of her--"I have about ten more copies. You might just find that it is useless to try to destroy them. Do I make myself clear?"

"Why are you doing this to me?" he asked her angrily, the Impediment Jinx still working on him.

"I think you already know the answer to that question," she said simply.

With a wave of her wand, the Impediment Jinx was removed from Draco.

"Now let's see if this is working," she said. "Kiss me."

"Are you out of your mind?" Draco said, pushing Pansy away from him.

Pansy sighed. "Dear Mr. Malfoy," she began, "I am delighted to inform you that your son, Draco..."

"Fine," Draco said, giving in. What else could he do? He kissed her very briefly, his lips barely touching hers.

"That wasn't a kiss," Pansy said angrily. "Kiss me."

Draco made no move. Pansy pulled at the front of his robes, and pulled him down and kissed him passionately. He tried to get away, but couldn't, finding the collar of his robes were cutting into his skin. All the time, he thought about Hermione and how she would react if she saw what was happening. It was an eternity before Pansy pulled away.

"The next time you kiss me," she said, "that is how you're supposed to do it."

She turned around and just when she was about to leave, she turned around again.

"Oh and if you tell this to your Mudblood," she said, "you will find that your pictures would already be in your father's hands."

Draco gritted his teeth angrily as he watched her leave. He couldn't believe that this was happening. He couldn't tell Hermione, because Pansy always found a way to spy on him. The worst thing about the whole blackmail was that Pansy had him completely wrapped around her little finger. He couldn't do anything to resist, or he would betray the Order, and fail in his mission as a spy. He would get killed and Voldemort might actually win the Great War. He dropped on the floor and hung his head in his hands. Things were turning worse by the day, and he found himself asking himself the same question again: What am I going to do?

*****

Draco tried to avoid Hermione as much as possible during the next days. Whenever she caught up with him, he would make some excuse and escape as fast as he could, especially when they were in public. He could see the hurt and confusion on her face, but he couldn't do anything about it. Not only was he avoiding Hermione, he was trying as hard as he could to avoid Pansy too. So far, he managed to get away from both of them, but his luck was about to run out.

It was another Potions class, one of the few classes that Draco shared with the two of them. Snape was a little late, and everyone was impatiently waiting outside the classroom, chatting with his or her friends. Before he could elude her, Pansy had caught up to him. He risked a glance toward Hermione, and saw that she was watching intently. Don't watch this please, he thought desperately.

"Hello Draco," Pansy said loudly, catching everyone's attention. Great, he thought. Just what I needed. Not only do I have to humiliate myself in front of Hermione, I also have to do it in front of the whole class.

He remained quiet, not wanting to say anything to her. A warning glare from her loosened his tongue.

"Hello Pansy," he said dully.

She smirked and held him in a tight embrace. He could smell her too-strong, stinging perfume. "Kiss me," she whispered in his ear. "Like I showed you."

Draco did not move.

"...Has been infatuating with a Mudblood by the name of..." Pansy said, pretending to continue with the letter.

He had no choice. Forgive me Hermione, he thought as he kissed Pansy.

Hermione watched the display quietly, anger and hurt mixing inside her heart. She was about to explode. What was wrong with him? She marched up toward him and Pansy; their lips were still glued together. She shoved them apart from each other, glaring at them.

"What do you think you're doing?" she asked, trying to keep her voice steady.

"My boyfriend is kissing me," Pansy answered. "Isn't that right, Draco?"

She kicked him subtly in the leg.

"Yes," he said uninterestingly.

"Why are you doing this Draco?" Hermione asked, feeling her eyes stinging, threatening tears.

"Because he loves me," Pansy said. "Don't you, Draco?"

"Yes," he answered again, his tone never changing.

Moisture welled up in great amounts in Hermione's eyes.

"I thought--I thought," Hermione stuttered.

He couldn't bear to see her cry. There would be too much guilt for him. No... he had to get rid of her, no matter what.

"What did you think, Mudblood?" he spat. "You thought that I actually liked you in whatsoever way?" he chuckled mockingly. "Go away you filthy Mudblood or you'll further stain my air. Go away and leave me alone," he finished.

Hermione was now sobbing openly as she pushed past him, heading out of the dungeons. How could he do that to her? It hurt so much! At the same time, she took off the necklace Draco gave her and stuffed it unceremoniously in her pocket. Draco watched her run away, feeling the agony of stabbing daggers in his heart. How could he be so cruel to her? Someone who he actually might... love?

*****

"Um... Hermione?" Harry said as he entered the common room of Gryffindor Tower, followed by Ron. Hermione was trying to get away from Draco, so she must be in Gryffindor Tower, somewhere Draco didn't have access to.

She didn't respond, but was still burying her face in her arms. She sat on an armchair, and was crying softly, leaning on the table by the fire. Harry took a seat next to Hermione and Ron went to prepare some tea. The common room was quiet, except for the clinking of china and silverware. Harry absentmindedly stroked Hermione's wild hair. Gradually, Hermione's crying ceased. She looked up at Harry.

"Thank you," she murmured.

"Hermione," Harry said, "I--we--want to apologize for the hard time we gave you."

"No," Hermione said. "I'm sorry for being so stubborn."

Ron had returned with tea for everyone.

"Especially to you Ron," Hermione said. "I am so sorry. You were so right."

Ron's ears turned red. "Don't worry about it Hermione," he said.

"How come you guys aren't saying 'I told you so'?" Hermione asked. "You were both so right, but I refused to listen to you."

"We think that you don't need it," Harry answered. "You don't, do you?"

"Of course not!" Hermione said. "Thank you for being here. Thank you for telling me the truth, even if I really didn't want to hear it."

"Just remember that we're your friends, and we want what's best for you," Ron said.

"Thank you," she murmured again. "I will never trust that bastard again."

She brought the steaming teacup to her lips and sipped. It felt wonderful. Warmth spread throughout her body. She felt so much better already.

"This tea is marvelous," she said to Ron, who flushed, muttering a thank you.

Suddenly, she realized the time. They were supposed to be in Potions class! How could she have forgotten? She couldn't miss another class like she did in third year! How come the only person who could make her forget all the important things were that bastard of a Draco Malfoy?

"We have to go to class!" Hermione exclaimed.

"It's just Potions," Ron said.

"Snape won't miss us," Harry added.

"But we can't miss a class!" Hermione said worriedly and jumped up. "I can't believe I'm being so foolish. We can't miss a class!" What she really meant was "I can't miss a class", although she didn't realize it.

Eventually, she made Harry and Ron accompany her to class. Gryffindor lost fifty points, but the important thing was that Hermione was back in class, ready to take notes. Draco kept trying to get Hermione's attention, but she firmly ignored him. Ignoring him was a good strategy, and it would work. For a while, that is.

*****

It was Initiation Ceremony Day, and Draco did not want to wake up. His life had taken such a turn that he wondered if he could ever get back on track. First of all, he was forced to do whatever Pansy told him to do. Second, Hermione was ignoring him. Third, he was about to get the Dark Mark on his arm, something that he started to despise. And finally, he had no choice but to bear all that. How come his life became so much more miserable than before? Pansy was the answer. And if he weren't with Hermione, none of this would happen. No, he told himself firmly, Hermione did a good thing for me, and I can't blame everything on her. So he settled with blaming everything on Pansy.

However, blaming things on others wasn't going to help him survive the Initiation Ceremony. He propped himself up on the bed and washed up. He head down to the Great Hall for some breakfast, although the thought of food made him feel nauseated. He looked at his left forearm. His pale skin was the same as ever, but after today, it was going to bear that disgusting mark. He wanted to back down from it so much, but he knew he couldn't. Nothing in his life was in his control, and he hated that. He liked being in control, but that was apparently not going to happen.

It was a wonder that he got through with all of his classes. In the middle of Charms, a fifth year prefect brought a pass for him to leave the grounds. When he left Flitwick's class, the only thing that was on his mind was the dreaded ceremony. This turned out to be a mistake, since he felt his stomach turn over. He did not want this. As he walked on the streets of Hogsmeade, even more dread filled him. He could hardly breathe.

"Draco Malfoy, I presume?" a young man in a black cloak said to him.

He nodded.

"I will lead you to the master," the man said. He looked like he was newly initiated.

They made their journey using a portkey. Draco found himself inside a dungeon-like chamber without any light. When his eyes adjusted to the dimness, he could make out a circle of Death Eaters. He knew that only the highest ranking were present in his initiation. His father had to be there. Then he saw a thin figure walk out from one of the archways and he could feel a shudder run down his spine.

It was none other than Voldemort.

He immediately went to his knees, learning this from his father. If he was going to fake this, he might as well fake it right. When the Dark Lord approached him, Draco kissed the hem of his robes, feeling disgusted that he had to do that as a proper display of respect.

"Welcome young Draco," Voldemort said, his voice sounding uncannily like a snake's. This sent another shiver down Draco's spine.

"I am honored that you find me worthy enough, my Lord," Draco said, sarcastic thoughts running through his mind. He had rehearsed everything with his father previously. He was glad that it actually came in useful.

"You are very courteous," Voldemort remarked.

"Thank you, my Lord," Draco said, faking gratitude, but faking it well.

"Stand up," he said. "And look at me in the eyes."

Draco stood up. This was a good time to use his skills to hide some thoughts that he did not want Voldemort to see. He camouflaged everything that had to do with Hermione and the Order into the background of his mind. One slip could cost his life, those of the Order's, as well as Hermione's. When he was ready, he looked at Voldemort dead in the eyes, almost saying, "Try me". The Dark Lord was a powerful Legilimens, but his mind had to be stronger to keep everything camouflaged. He could feel Voldemort's mind rummaging through his and he felt strangely naked, but he held strong. Fortunately, Voldemort did not find anything, so he asked a question, "What do you think of Muggles and Mudbloods?"

Draco could feel that Voldemort was about to enter his mind again, so he kept the camouflage and forced himself not to think about anything good about them, especially not think about Hermione.

"Mudbloods and Muggles are the disgusting scum of our great Wizarding community, my Lord," he said, faking repulsion. "They are ugly, stupid, and filthy. They stain our world. They should all be tortured and killed. They don't even deserve a look from us!" he finished spectacularly. Maybe he ought have been an actor or something.

Voldemort was once again looking inside his mind, but Draco was ready. He seemed satisfied and gave Draco a place in the circle. He had passed the first level of his initiation ceremony. He wondered what Voldemort was going to make him do now.

"Let's see if you stand by everything you've said," Voldemort said. "Bring out the Muggle!" he shouted to his Death Eaters.

They scurried frantically to open the door for the Muggle, whoever he or she was. The large, heavy, wooden doors creaked open. Draco kept his head lowered but he risked a peek at the person. He gasped. It was a little girl no more than five years old! What was Voldemort going to make him do?

"Kill her," the Dark Lord said simply to Draco.

As Draco reached for his wand, he could see his hand was shaking uncontrollably. How could Voldemort want him to kill a child? The little girl was whimpering in fright, and the Death Eaters were laughing at her. Shut up, he thought furiously. Shut up you heartless bastards. He had no choice. He'll just use the Avada Kedavra. It was virtually painless. It'll be terrible if he used a Darker spell on the little girl. The weight on his conscience would be unbearable. What would Hermione think when he kills that little girl?

He pointed his wand at the girl, steadying his hand and aiming. He closed his eyes as he shouted, "Avada Kedavra!"

He could hear the girl's body crumple unto the floor. It took all of his self-control not to let tears escape from his eyes. He can't believe it. He killed an innocent child. This can't be happening... He killed a child. Hermione would never forgive him now... The guilt was horrendous. No, no, no...

"How do you feel?" Voldemort asked.

"Great," he said, steadying his voice. "I feel no remorse. She deserved it."

How he hated Voldemort. How he wished that he could get his hands on him and tear him piece by piece. How Draco wished that he could poke Voldemort's red eyeballs out and feed it to the roaches. How he wished that he could rip his throat out. How Draco wished that he could feed his brain to himself. That heartless, cruel, evil...

"Stand up," Voldemort ordered.

Draco complied.

"Hold out your left arm," he commanded.

Draco did as he was told, knowing that he wouldn't and couldn't escape this.

"Repeat the vow after me," he said. "I, Draco Malfoy, vow to serve the Dark Lord..."

"I, Draco Malfoy, vow to serve the Dark Lord..."

"And only the Dark Lord..."

"And only the Dark Lord..."

"I will obey his every command..."

"I will obey his every command..."

"Or I will surrender myself without complaint to my punishment."

"Or I will surrender myself without complaint to my punishment."

"I will always remain loyal to the Dark Lord..."

"I will always remain loyal to the Dark Lord..."

"No matter what happens."

"No matter what happens."

Voldemort grabbed Draco's wrist and pulled back his sleeve, inspecting his flesh by running a finger down Draco's forearm. Draco shivered slightly.

"You have very good skin," Voldemort remarked. "The Dark Mark will imprint itself well. Morsmordre."

Draco felt a scorching burn on his arm. The agony was terrible, but he refused to utter a sound. He will not give Voldemort the satisfaction. And the Dark Lord was impressed by his ability to bear pain. Slowly, the burn faded away and Draco chanced a look at his forearm. It was there. The Dark Mark seemed to be mocking him. Its edges were black from his burnt skin. That was it. He was officially a Death Eater. Even the comfort of knowing that he was a spy wasn't enough to calm his nerves. It was a good thing that Voldemort dismissed everyone. He was not much of a party person. If Draco had been kept there for a minute longer, he would explode, and ruin the Order's chances of ever winning the Great War.

Draco was given a portkey, which took him back to his dormitory. He rolled down the sleeve of his Hogwarts uniform, refusing to look at mark on his arm. He sat on his bed, and buried his face in his hands. And for the first time since his infanthood, Draco Malfoy let his tears fall.

13