Chapter One.
The days were dragging by thoughtfully almost as if time knew a long summer break is what everyone needed. Through the enchanted window you could see the sun shining brightly in almost the exact replica of what it actually looked like outside. The witches and wizards bustled about, occasionally giving each other a small 'hello' while going onto their business. It was always like this in the Ministry of Magic.
"Hello." A smile rose onto Arthur Weasley's face, his eyes crinkling with fresh wrinkles as he greeted Orla Quirke, a young Auror in training. She gave him a grateful smile as she was just about to take her exam to get her official license. She needed all the support she could get.
After nodding his head once in awhile to greet some old friends, Arthur then made his way towards his office. As he opened the door he instinctively ducked away from an oncoming owl, and a pack of soaring letters that trailed past it. Some of the letters yelled out angry complaints, while others were just about to explode, and Arthur was grateful that the howlers never got the chance to show their fury in his office.
"Another day." He sighed. "Another uneventful day."
And with that, he picked up a quill and some ink and started his usual day of work. He had been busy lately because of the sudden promotion he had gotten from the Minister himself. It's not that he was complaining, for he could do with the extra money, it was just that he now had less time to be at home. Though the kids have all grown up and have left the house, he liked the quality time he had with his wife Molly.
Knock, knock. Arthur looked up in surprise, for no one comes to visit him this early in the morning, and called out pleasantly, "Come in!"
The door swung open, revealing a disheveled Ron, his youngest son. He gave his father a wide eyed look, and Arthur gave him one back, and they stayed like that for a split second until Ron had snapped out of it.
"Dad! I-He…Malfoy? And um…Something's happened, but I don't know what to do…oh bullocks…" Ron mumbled incoherently and Arthur looked at him, bewildered. With a chuckle he motioned for his son to sit down.
"Breathe Ron." He shook his head and handed his son some tea (which Ron gulped down immediately). "Now, explain whatever it is you're trying to explain to me again."
Ron gave a deep breath. He didn't know where to start, nor did he know what to think. He was hoping that this was all a big joke, one that Fred would definitely appreciate no matter how serious the idea of it was. He cringed as a slight pain hit his heart as he thought of his older brother, but he shook it away.
"Okay…it all started this morning…"
Walking down towards the Auror department, Ron couldn't help but smile happily. He was going over to go see if Harry and Hermione had made it in early so they could all go get a bite to eat. His training shift didn't start until noon after all.
Many people greeted him with smiles and nods, and even the occasional handshake. It was a normal day, or as normal as you could get in a world full of magic. He made his way down two floors, down a maze of hallways and a large courtyard, where young Aurors were currently training for their license. It was only a few years ago when Ron had gotten his.
"Weasley!" someone whispered making Ron jump in surprise and turn around, but to his dismay he didn't see anyone.
"Weasley, over here!" Ron turned in circles about three times before scratching his head confused, and the same voice seemed to have sighed loudly in exasperation.
"Over here you blind weasel!" Ron's ears suddenly turned red. He knew that insult all to well. Walking towards where the cold voice had come from, he let out a slight yelp when someone dragged him over from the hood of his cloak.
"God damn Weasley, I was right here."
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Ron didn't waste any time getting to the point. He stared at the tall man, nearly as tall as him, and a sudden wave of old grudges washed over him. Malfoy's face was as smug as ever, but Ron reasoned that it had probably been stuck like that since age 13. He nearly chuckled at the thought.
The blonde bit his lip, actually quite nervous to face his old school mate, or school enemy to be more precise. He didn't know where to start, and he doubted Weasley would ever believe him.
"Um…" he started off, and Ron was already tapping his foot impatiently. "I don't know if this is a big deal, well I mean it is a big deal. Quite a shocker really, it nearly gave me a heart attack this morning, but…"
"Oh get on with it Malfoy! ... I can't believe I'm actually talking to you!" Ron hissed and turned to walk away.
"Wait, wait, wait! I…I need to talk to Potter." Draco mumbled, hating the words coming out of his mouth. Potter…the man who had everything he wanted. The glory, the fame, the label of a hero, Malfoy admitted he was jealous. A waste of emotion he felt all throughout Hogwarts, and he regretted it deeply.
"What for?" Ron asked suspiciously. Malfoy was asking for Harry's help? It was like the world had gone topsy-turvy right before his very eyes. Draco pursed his lips, cursing his wife for making him do this. Though he loved the woman to death, he wondered why she was never a bloody Gryffindor, being so kind. She had fussed over the situation all throughout the morning, breakfast, and on there way to the Zabini's when finally, Draco gave in.
"This." He said simply, rolling up his loose jet-black sleeve revealing the Dark Mark glowing brighter than ever before. The surly tattoo swirled and swiveled around Draco's arm while throbbing bright blood red. Ron gulped, not believing what he was seeing. He hasn't seen, nor heard about the Dark Mark ever since the Final Battle. Ever since the traumatizing war had killed his older brother and many others. He would never forget it. Looking up at Malfoy, his lips parted to speak, but Draco had beaten him to it
"I have no idea what's going on Weasley. It just appeared this morning when I woke up, and it never hurt like this before. It doesn't make any sense!" he growled, frustrated. He pulled his hand over his fluffy blonde hair messing it up in the process. "That's why I need to talk to Potter. I..I think he needs to know what's going on."
"Blimey Ron!" Arthur shot up from his seat, nearly knocking over the already messy records. "Have you told Harry? Where is Malfoy? Is the Mark still searing through his arm?"
"Yes I've told Harry. I think we're all meeting over at Harry's place, but I thought you needed to know too. Malfoy is probably at home, I don't really know, and the Mark…well he said it hasn't stopped hurting since this morning. Say's the pain gets worse by the hour." Ron rushed out the words, also standing up with his father. The two Weasley's rushed toward the door, their identical red hair (though Arthur was still balding) bounced together.
Ron couldn't help but wonder what was to come. So many thoughts rushed through his head, but the only important thing that stayed in his mind were Hermione and their kids. How would they handle it? Rose was only going to be a 5th year, while Hugo was to be a 3rd year. They barely knew how to defend themselves in battle if needed…Ron's mind went blank. I have to stop thinking about it. There will be no battle. No one else will die, he tried to think, but the words only seemed to be hopeless prayers.
