Chapter 1
This year at Hogwarts was going to be different but I wanted it to me as normal as it ever was. My wish wasn't granted. I have always loved Draco Malfoy, ever since my first year at Hogwarts. We like the same things and were both placed in Slytherin House. Our parents were also Death Eaters. This year I was to be branded with the dark mark and follow in my parent's footsteps. My allegiance would be to the Dark Lord. I sat in the drawing room of our huge mansion thinking of all the great time Id had with my fellow Slytherins and a tear rolled down my cheek. I picked up our copy of The Daily Prophet and looked on the front page. "BRIDGE COLLAPSE DEATH TOLL RISES" "HARRY POTTER 'THE CHOSEN ONE?'" "AZKABAN'S LATEST RESIDENT" Lucius Malfoy sat in a cell. Draco and Narcissa Malfoy stood in a courtroom the caption read, "FALLEN FROM GRACE MALFOY'S WIFE AND SON LEAVE TRIAL" I couldn't read anymore. I felt so bad for Draco and his mum that I couldn't bear to read it. I stared into the fire lost in thought. My mother's voice broke the silence, "Astoria, we had better get going. We don't want to be late." I turned in my chair and stood up slowly, "Yes Mother." Roody, our house elf, came into the room carrying mine and my mother's cloak. "Here is your cloak miss. Roody is sorry he didn't have time to press it. Roody had many other things to do, and Roody had no time to press it. Please forgive Roody's mistake." "Yes of course you are forgiven Roody. And it's fine. It will get wrinkled as soon as I put it on anyway." I turned to my mother, "Where is Father?" "He should be coming any minute." My father came downstairs wearing his fancy dark green cloak. "We should go. Borgin is probably getting anxious." We held onto his arm and apparated into Diagon Alley. It was darker and more deserted than I had remembered it to be. Not like the old Diagon Alley I used to know. I followed my mother and father down many dark passageways and walked down the stairs to Borgin and Burkes. I stood in dark Knockturn Alley, at the door of the dreary shop for a few seconds and then walked in after them. Once I had walked in I finally realized what I was really getting myself into, but it was too late to turn back now. I had to do it. My parents were talking to two Death Eaters that I recognized as Alecto and Amycus Carrow. Then I turned around and surveyed the dark shop. A large triangular cabinet stood in the corner. I had recognized it as a Vanishing Cabinet that could pretty much teleport objects or beings to another Vanishing Cabinet, almost like a passage. My father once had one but he sold it to Mr. Borgin and I thought this might be the same one. I ran my fingers over the beautiful glossy surface but was stopped short by a creepy, spine chilling cackle. It was Bellatrix Lestrange, "Well, well look what we have here. Young Astoria Greengrass. Are you ready for the Dark Lord's calling?" "Of course, I wouldn't be here if I wasn't ready now would I?" I said my face showing no emotions only that of superiority I was so used to putting on. She smirked and turned towards my father, "She has your attitude, Pius." "And her mother's beauty." He said putting his large hand on my shoulder. She stopped smirking, "Come on. I think everyone is here now." She grabbed my arm and pulled me into a darker room. Everyone followed me in the room. I looked at my parents in fear and my father nodded while my mother halfheartedly smiled. I turned towards Bellatrix and rolled up my left suit coat sleeve. I slowly stuck out my pale, shaky left arm out. Bellatrix touched her wand to my arm and I felt a burning sensation. My arm burned and ached and then I felt nothing. I lifted my shaking arm to eye level and a massive jet black mark, that of a skull and snake, was branded into my flawless skin like a tattoo, only worse. My heart was racing and my blood went cold. All the Death Eaters had left the room even my parents and I was left standing alone in the dark room. I finally left to room to find my parents waiting for me. "Thank you Borgin." Mr. Borgin bowed, "Always a please Mr. Greengrass. Always a pleasure." Once outside my father held out his arm for us to apparate. I looked around the corner, sure someone had followed us then grabbed my father's arm and we apparated. The drawing room appeared before us once again and Roody took our cloaks. I walked upstairs and threw my suit coat onto my bed. I took out my wand and pointed it at my fireplace and shouted, "INCENDIO!" A roaring blaze filled the fireplace and I threw myself into the chair that sat in front of the fire. I looked down at my left arm and suddenly felt a tear roll down my cheek. I started to cry and pulled my knees to my chest. My soft cries turned into sobs. What had I done? I had to be strong and brave, but I had no idea how. My sobs subsided and I stood up to look into my mirror. I saw my face tear streaked and scared and somehow thought of Draco. I then remembered I was to meet Draco at the train station tomorrow to go to Hogwarts. I packed the last of my things along with my new school robes and shoes. I closed my trunk and placed it at the end of my bed along with my small bag that held my books and parchment. I was ready to see Draco again. I missed him and I hoped he had missed me.
