About fifteen minutes after Harry had begun his quest for cleanliness in Snape's classroom, it was mercifully over. Though there were only a few less layers of dust caking the room than when he began, he believed he had succeeded in ridding the room of some of Snape's dreariness. Snape, who had left a few minutes into Harry's cleaning spree, had not been there to disagree with how and what he cleaned. Consequently, Harry picked up his books lightheartedly and set off for Gryffindor Tower in a much better mood than he had been in during class.
The corridors leading to the dungeon were unusually empty, even for this time of day, after classes and before dinner. The silence seemed ominous, but Harry paid it no mind because he had resolved to let nothing at Hogwarts ruin his mood.
It took him a second as he passed a side hall to register that there were heated voices coming from inside. Aware that this may (or may not) have held important information, Harry stopped behind the corner at the junction of the hallway to listen.
The corridor was dark, and both of the arguers were entirely distracted, so Harry ventured a split-second peek around the corner. The only light in the area was emanating from a wand pressed against a blond boy's neck, eerily illuminating his face, but casting shadow on the one beside it.
Draco Malfoy was crying, his tears shimmering in the wand-light. The second figure was merely an outline against the blackness, but the crisp, dark robe that swept the floor, the sharp nose and stringy, black hair left no doubt in Harry's mind that the wielder of the wand was Professor Snape. "Draco, I cannot cover for you much longer. He is getting impatient. You need to do it soon."
"But, I don't think I can. I don't want…..I…"
"You have to. There is no option. Either it is your life or his. I know you. You value your life above all others." Draco seemed to gain strength from this idea and nodded, "And why shouldn't I? I'm a pureblood. A Slytherin. I will do it. I have to. For my father. For the Dark Lord."
Harry's eyes widened at Malfoy's last words, and he almost gave away his position by letting out an involuntary gasp. So he was right: Malfoy was working for Voldemort. Snape put his wand away and stormed off through the other end of the hall. Malfoy slid down the wall and wrapped his arms around his knees and sat in stunned silence.
Harry pulled his wand out of his robe and pointed it at Malfoy. He whispered, "Incarcerus" and Malfoy was instantly bound by ropes that had seemingly erupted out of nowhere. He struggled against the ropes, but it was no use, as he could not reach his wand. "Who's there? You had bloody well show yourself!" He bellowed down the corridor.
Stepping out solemnly, Harry ignored Draco's hissing and struggling as he approached him. "I know. I know you're a Death Eater. I heard you arguing with Snape." Draco opened his mouth to speak, but said nothing as Harry's wand inched closer to his face. Malfoy's eyes hardened as he sized up every move that Harry made.
"Don't meddle in what you don't understand, Potter." Harry shot out his free hand and grabbed Draco's left wrist. "I understand perfectly, Malfoy. If I push back this sleeve, what will I see?"
Draco thrashed against the ropes in an attempt to free himself from Harry's grip. In the angriest, most piercing voice he could muster, he answered, "You will see fear."
Taking this as an invitation, Harry retorted, "Mine?" before pushing back the edge of the dark sleeve to reveal the Dark Mark impeccably emblazoned on Draco's marble-white skin. "Or yours?"
Draco set his jaw and refused to let Harry frighten him. "What is it that Voldemort wants you to do?" Harry asked, disgust dripping from his words like venom. Draco managed to yank his arm away and snarled, "None of your business, Potter. That is between me and my…Master. You tell anyone what you know, they die. Then you die."
Harry tapped his wand on the ropes holding Draco prisoner and they began to peel away as he fired back, "We'll see about that. Death Eater."
"Half-blood." Malfoy laughed as he took out his wand. Neither had the energy or the will, even in their anger to make this into a duel. They simply held their wands at the ready, eyes never leaving each other and slowly backed up to differing ends of the hallway. When they reached their opposing ends, they flung their wand arms out and to their sides, their robes flowing menacingly in the dead air, in a simultaneous curse and salute.
Malfoy turned sharply on his heel and strutted gracefully in the direction of the Slytherin common room. Harry turned and slipped his wand away before sprinting as fast as his legs would carry him. When he reached the portrait of the Fat Lady he had to lean on the wall as he panted, "Norwegian…*wheeze*…Ridgeback."
The Fat Lady swung her portrait forward and Harry skidded in front of the fireplace where Hermione and Ron were attempting a homework session. Luckily, they were the only ones around because Harry's entrance had been thoroughly disruptive. "Draco…is a Death…Eater." Hermione began to raise her hand in protest, but Harry continued, "I saw…I saw the Dark Mark."
