That night the campsite was alive with celebration. While the Bulgarian seeker, Viktor Krum, had managed to catch the snitch, Ireland still won with the score 160 to 170. Even from my tent I could hear the loud singing and occasional bang that I supposed were fireworks.
I knew I should be annoyed at the noise as I lay there in my large bed, trying to force my body to shut down for the night. But the truth was, I rather enjoyed listening to the fun and laughter. Something I hadn't heard for three years…
Suddenly, the door to my room flew open and the sound of footsteps flooded the room. I sat up and yawned. "What's going on?"
"Get dressed. We have to go," Draco said urgently.
"Wait – what? Draco!" But Draco had already left. I quickly climbed out of bed and pulled on my new blue jeans and green sweater from the previous day. Then, I hurried into the living room where Draco was waiting, fully dressed.
"Come on," he said, exiting the tent before I could ask any of my pestering questions.
"Why?" I said, but followed him out. "If this is your idea of some practical joke…" But my voice trailed off as I stepped outside the tent. The music and festivities were gone. As was the joyous atmosphere I had been listening to only a minute or so ago.
Then, the screaming started.
Spinning around, I had to place a hand over my mouth to keep from screaming. In the distance, I could see a tightly packed group of hooded wizards with their wands pointing upwards at four figures floating high above them in mid-air. They were moving across the field, not quite towards us but not away from us either.
"We have to get to the woods," Draco insisted, grabbing my arm and pulling me out my trance.
"What – how – who –" I tried to ask, but failing to get words out.
"The idiotic campsite manager," Draco answered bitterly. "As for what and how, I think you can figure that out for yourself. Now hurry up!"
That was when I realised something else. "Where's Mum and Dad?" I said in fear.
"Mum told me to wake you and then head for the woods, then she ran after Dad."
"Draco, where's Dad?"
Draco stopped running and turned to face me. "Where do you think?"
I think I knew exactly where he was, but was too afraid to voice my thoughts. Not because I was scared to be wrong, but because I feared I was right.
Draco and I had stopped at the very edge of the trees. Sighing at me terrified expression, he continued into the woods alone and I had to jog to catch up to him. I found him leaning casually against a tree. I could instantly see why he had chosen this spot. It was far enough from the commotion and the fire that was now spreading from tent to tent, but also with a clear view of everything.
I watched in horror as one of the Death Eaters flipped Mrs. Roberts upside down with his wand, which made her nightdress fall down revealing her drawers. Another one spun the smallest Muggle child around and around. It was by far the most despicable thing I'd ever watched.
But what was worse was that, while I was constantly cringing at the sight of it all, Draco seemed to be not affected by this at all. In fact, his manner made me feel like he actually enjoyed it.
We had only been watching the scene for a few minutes when we heard running footsteps followed by someone crying out in pain.
"What happened?" A girl's voice said anxiously. "Ron, where are you? Oh this is stupid – Lumos!"
Moments later, light illuminated the path landing on a large shape – Ron – sprawled on the ground.
"Tripped over a tree root," he said, getting to his feet.
"Well, with feet that size, hard not to." I shot Draco a warning look but it was too late, three pairs of eyes turned to face us and I recognised them immediately. I was about to say something apologetic on my brother's behalf, when Ron Weasley muttered something so faul, yet admittedly deserved.
"Language, Weasley," Draco said, clearly not having come to the same conclusion as me. "Hadn't you better be hurrying along, now? You wouldn't like her to be spotted, would you?"
"What's that supposed to mean?" The Granger girl said defiantly.
"Granger, they're after Muggles. Do you want to be showing off your knickers in mid-air? Because if you do, hang around… they're moving this way, and it would give us all a laugh."
"Hermione's a witch," Harry said angrily.
"Have it your own way Potter," said Malfoy. "If you think they can't spot a Mudblood, stay where you are."
"You watch your mouth!" Ron shouted.
"Okay, that's enough, Draco." I told him crossly.
"Never mind, Ron," Hermione said at the same time.
"Scare easily, don't they?" Draco said lazily, completely ignoring me. "I suppose your daddy told you all to hide? What's he up to – trying to rescue the Muggles?"
"Where are your parents? Out there wearing masks, are they?" asked Harry, looking between Draco and myself with such hatred that made my blood boil. He was judging me for something my parents were doing, something I am not at all for. Draco, fair by the way he was acting, but me? He doesn't even know me!
I had expected Draco to be somewhat offended by the teenager's abrupt accusation no matter how accurate it may be, but instead he just grinned. "Well… if they were, I wouldn't be likely to tell you, would I, Potter?"
"Oh come on, let's go find the others," said Hermione, sending us both a disgusted look as she dragged the boys back on the path.
"Keep that big bushy head down, Granger," Draco sneered after them. I watched as Hermione kept a firm grip on her friends' arms, probably to prevent them from doing something stupid.
When they had re-joined the crowd of people on the path, I turned to Draco and gave him a 'what was that for' look.
"You don't know them…" Draco said bitterly.
"But I know you," I argued. "You're not the kind of guy who bullies people for tripping over loose roots, or calls someone that name just because they're parents are Muggles! That's not you, Draco!"
"And how would you know that's not me?" Draco demanded, having to shout over the screams and bangs which I was trying very hard to ignore. "Cause, last I heard, you haven't been around these past few years. So face it, you don't know me anymore."
He was right. He had changed so much since we were kids, sometimes I didn't think I even recognised him. And I hated the thought that my once kind and devoted brother could turn out just like my parents.
"I refuse to believe that," I said stubbornly. "Draco, you need to stop this –"
"Hey, whose side are you on?" He demanded crossly before I could finish.
"On the side that doesn't call people Mudbloods!" I shrieked angrily.
"Great," Draco muttered, giving me a fake grin. "Wait here for you Mudblood friends then – I'm leaving."
Rage burning through my skin, I called out for brother before deciding it was probably for the best. Neither of us wanted each other's company right now and chasing after him would only make things worse.
Instead, I watched in fear – not for myself, but for the fearful others around me. There were children here. Families. Their tents destroyed along with their personal belongings.
And all because of my family. Even if it wasn't there idea per say, they were still involved. And I hated that. Hated how all this could be traced back to my family.
My family. All of this, the fault of my family.
And if that wasn't enough for my brain to handle, imagine how I felt when a sudden jolt of green light erupted from somewhere out in the darkness and flew up into the sky. I felt my jaw drop as I realised what it was.
The Dark Mark.