The growing evening was cool and damp, a sweet relief from the sweltering day. Long shadows stretched along the almost deserted road, cast by the slowly sinking sun. A pair of hurrying figures strode up the road, careful to keep to the dark corners. They were constantly checking behind them has they moved. They turned in to a unwelcoming alleyway lit by a single street light.
"Are we almost there?" Asked the taller of them.
"Just shut up and follow." Said the other. "We apparate here"
"I was not told we would be apparating anywhere" Replied the shorter of the two.
"Quiet, Rephalus! Perhaps the Dark Lord deems you not important enough to know where we travel. Grab my arm, and quick. I don't want to keep the Dark Lord waiting much longer."
Rephalus reluctantly grabbed the womans arm and felt the pulling tug of magic as he traveled to an unknown location. They landed on moist grass and Rephalus looked up to see a Grand Manor, sparkling in the dark of night.
" The Malfoy Manor Bellatrix? Surely Lucius isn't in the Dark Lord favors after the incident at the Ministry?" said Rephalus
"Don't be such a fool Rephalus, tonight is Lucius' punishment."
The men walked up to the Manor. They faced a huge door, and Bellatrix knocked three times. The sound traveled silently through the night, audible to only them. Bellatrix then muttered a word and without any effort from either of the men the door opened. Bellatrix swept swiftly inside followed by her husband. They entered a huge hallway with a majestic staircase sweeping down into the hall. The Malfoy coat of arms, a snake entwined with a sword, was hung on the wall. Long velvet green tapestries hung down from the dark windows. The marble floor glittered in the light cast from the golden chandelier hanging from the high arching ceiling. There in the hall stood at three other tall figures in long black cloaks, Death- Eaters. And there in the middle of the floor stood Lord Voldemort.
"Ah, Bellatrix, Rephalus. I'm glad you are here. I figured since you were Draco's Godparents you should have the honor of watching as I give him the Dark Mark,"
"Anything you wish My Lord." Replied The Lestranges as they sank low onto the floor. Voldemort signaled for them to rise. They slowly got to their feet, keeping their heads down.
"Now follow me." Said Voldamort. "A hall is hardly a place." Voldamort swept out of the hall and down the hallway. Narssia hesitantly followed behind the Dark Lord. Rephalus was close behind. Bellatrix came up behind her Godson, Draco, who hadn't moved yet.
"Come Draco. It is time."
The room that Voldemort chose was Luicus's study. The sight of his empty oaken desk gave mixed feelings to Draco. He'd thought that he would have been glad now that his father wasn't around. Though he'd hate to say it, Draco somewhat missed his father.
"It is a pity that Lucius couldn't be here to join us." Voldemort said looking at the empty desk. But he seems to be detained elsewhere." Bellatrix laughed.
"Now Draco, Your arm." Draco slowly rolled up the sleeves of his robe. Bellatrix grabbed his wrist.
"What's the wait? I'd think you would be proud to finally be taking your place among us."
"Now Belle, Don't rush the boy."
"Be quite you fool." She snapped at her husband.
"Now Bellatrix. Lets behave." Said Voldemort, his voice icy smooth. He turned to Draco and pulled out his wand. Voldemort turned his wand on to Draco. Bellatrix still had hold of Draco's hand. He tried to pull it free.
"I'm not letting go because it is going to hurt." She said smiling at him. "You might squirm. And we can't have the Dark Lord messing up can we?" She said.
"Witness the initiation of Draco Malfoy, son of Luicus Malfoy." He pointed the wand at the exposed flesh and Draco's arm. Pain erupted through Draco's arm. He gritted his teeth against it. A thin black line appeared and started slithering along his arm. As the black snaked down his arm a line of fiery pain followed, more intense as it went on. Bellatrix was smiling as she watched. Draco finally let out a yelp of pain when he could stand it no longer. At this Voldemort stopped his work and said very softy, "Is this painful for you Draco?" Draco ignored Voldemort's comment.
"That is displeasing to me. You are being given the highest honor in the wizarding world and you find it painful?" Voldemort added.
Draco said nothing.
"I don't like to be ignored Draco. Crucio!" Draco cried out as he writhed in agony as the intense pain swept through his body. Over his excruciating pain he heard his aunt laugh with pleasure at his pain, and then more intensely he heard his mothers cry. Her tears begging to have the curse lifted. And then as suddenly as the pain came, it was gone. Draco fell to the ground. The cold floor felt inviting after the Crucitatus. He wished to remain there forever and not face the future ahead of him.
"Now Draco answer me. Is this painful for you?
"No." Draco replied
"Never ignore me again boy. Now give me your arm."
Draco didn't hesitate.
Draco spent the remainder of the evening lying beside his toilet. Every now and then the memory of the intense pain and his mothers scream would bring him coughing into the toilet. After a particularly long bout of vomit Draco sat up against the wall and wiped away the fluid from his mouth. He closed his eyes and tried to remember anything before this evening. But nothing came. All he could think about was the mark on his left arm, the pain, his mothers scream, and his task.
His task. A glorious task according to his aunt. To bring honor back to the Malfoy name, to clear his father of any trouble he put himself in, to prove himself. To prove himself worthy because he could murder Dumbledore. The last thought sent Draco hurling into the toilet again. His body was shaking so violently after he finshed that he barely noticed the soft touch of someone's hand against his head. He flinched at the touch.
"Shhh. Draco. It's alright." Spoke his mother in a very soft tone.
Draco moved away from her touch.
"Go away" he said without looking at his mother in the face.
"It's all right to be afraid of the task that lies ahead."
At this Draco sneered. " I am not afraid. I am proud, and ready to carry out this task that will bring me honor. "
"Darling, please. " His mother begged reaching out for him.
" NO! I am no longer a baby. I am ready to do this. I am ready to take on whatever the Dark Lord sends my way! And I don't need you trying to treat me like I'm 5. Now leave."
His mother tried her best to stifle her cry.
" I said go. GO."
She left the room with a cry. Draco knew it was because she didn't want to cry in front of him. In front of her son. She wanted to look strong. Draco felt a pang of remorse that sent him hurling into the toilet again.
An hour or so later Draco emerged from the bathroom feeling, if only, slightly better or else he had nothing left in his stomach. He checked outside the door, to make sure his mother wasn't waiting for him, before slowly walking down the hall. He wasn't sure where he was going. It didn't really matter. His feet followed the familiar walk down the hall towards the family hall. The room was reserved for the Malfoy family and they're various accomplishes. It had always been a favorite spot for Draco and his father. His father would take him there and tell him of all the great achievements the Malfoy's had done. Draco could remember feeling proud to be part of that family, but not today. How was he to accomplish everything that was asked of him? Ever since his father had been arrested he had been expected to take his father's place, a very large space to fill. The only problem was he didn't feel ready, he wasn't his father, and it all scared him. He sometimes wished he had been another's son, someone who was ignored by each side of those in power. Draco stopped in front of his father's portrait, a striking grown up version of Draco, except for the delicateness of his features, his mother's delicateness. Was his father as frightened when Dark Lord first commanded him as he was now? He didn't show it.
Draco sighed. He would never live up to his proud heritage. Malfoys stood with darkness and gain, not cower and turn away from it. Draco turned and left the room, disgusted with himself. He climbed a staircase at the west side of the manor. Halfway up he stopped and stepped up on to the deep-set window. He sank down, with his back against the wall. From here he had a breathtaking view of the manor grounds in the pale moonlight. It was one of his favorite places in the entire house. It was quite and no one ever bothered him there, not that any ever bothered him anyway, until now. As he sat in the window the reality of the next year sank in. He couldn't help but start to softly cry. He sat, with his head held in his hands, the moonlight shimmering on his pale features.
He didn't hear his mother softly come up the stairs. She had suspected her son would be there. He always went there when needed think and get away from the large role he had been born to. She carefully climbed up next to him and put her arm around him. He didn't push her away this time. Instead he leaned his head against her shoulder, tears still running down his face. They sat there, mother and son. Narssia silently comforted her son; just as she did when he was a little boy scared pf the raging thunderstorm outside.
"It will all turn out okay." She whispered. "We'll make it work. You'll always be my little boy. Draco didn't say anything. He was comforted knowing that there was someone who cared for him, just him, as he was.
