Priori Incantatem
By Mrs Grim
Chapter 6
Of Draco and Death Eaters
Draco continued to storm about the castle for some time. Luckily for him, the teachers were too busy preparing to depart the next day to pay any attention to wandering students. He entered an empty classroom and vented his anger and frustration by breaking a couple bottles of potion.
He sat down with his head in his hands. What on earth am I going to do? he asked himself. A year ago I would be enormously pleased with this...but now... now I am not so sure any more. If only she was here to tell me what to do! If only I had listened to her- if only.
~~*~~
Hermione entered the portrait hole alone. The common room was empty now and she was very glad for it. She sat down in a large, comfortable chair facing the fire and sunk down so that she could not be seen from behind. Her trembling fingers reached into her pocket and retrieved the piece of paper. It was folded in two. The first word that came to her when she had opened it was expensive. It was bordered in gold and bore a seal in that same color. The Malfoy family crest. It was from Lucius Malfoy.
Aided by the light of the fire, she began to read.
My dear son,
I cannot express how much pride and pleasure I feel as I pen these words. My hope and dream for you for all your life is coming true. You, my son, you have been chosen by the Dark Lord himself to become his ally. Yes, my son, you have gotten the chance of your life and at only age sixteen! I was not so blessed and honored so soon in my life.
The date is set for a week after you arrive home tomorrow. It may seem hard to wait, but soon- soon you will be among us. I am immensely proud of you. You are everything that I hoped you would become.
Father
Ginny could see Hermione's hair and walked towards the chair. She was surprised to see her here this late reading a letter. Ginny moved in closer. The letter was from Lucius Malfoy!
~~*~~
Wormtail was growing increasingly restless...when he was sleeping he would see their faces coming back to haunt him in dreams.
He would hear the voices of his former best friends... hear his own feeble protestations and then he felt the old guilt creeping back into him. "There's enough filth on my robes without you touching them!" He winced, recalling the harsh words. I am more than filth! He reminded himself again, I am more powerful than them all!! Sirius' words came back to him again..."When did I ever sneak around people who were bigger and more powerful then I myself?!" Peter scowled. He was just as powerful as Voldemort himself; he'd just never had the chance to prove himself. That was about to change.
He was possessed with a kind of maniac, insane energy. All the events of his life were building up inside his brain and it was about to explode. Perhaps he lost a bit of his mind. Only a crazy man would have attempted what he was about to.
~~*~~
Ginny stood absolutely still. What did Hermione think that she was doing!? For surely Draco hadn't given her the letter of his own free will!
Hermione gasped out loud as she read.
"Oh, no..."
"Hermione-" Ginny began.
Hermione whirled around in her chair and had her wand out in no time. Ginny's eyes were wide.
"Hermione! Wh -what do you think you're doing? That, that's Draco Malfoy's!"
Hermione clamped her hand across Ginny's mouth, "Will you hush up?" She hissed. Ginny was shocked at Hermione's tone of voice.
"Sorry," she whispered, sitting down.
Hermione sighed, "No, I'm sorry Ginny, I'm just...on edge." Hermione looked her in the eyes. "Did you read it?"
"No, I, I only saw the beginning. Hermione- what's going on?"
Hermione sighed, "I might as well tell you..."
"You'd better," Ginny said and she was only half joking.
"Read it yourself," Hermione said handing it over. As Ginny read it, Hermione explained how she came about it.
"...So I picked it up- I don't even know why!- and I, uh, read it."
Ginny's eyes were frightened, "What does this mean?" she asked. "I understand that he obviously is going to be deeply involved with You-Know-Who..."
Hermione frowned and then realized that Ginny wouldn't know about the Dark Mark. She hadn't been present when Snape had shown his to Fudge. The very thought of having that on her arm made her nauseous. She would have to explain to Ginny later. Right now, she had to go to Dumbledore.
~~*~~
Lucius Malfoy felt the dark mark burn in his arm. Immediately he dissapparated and appeared at his Master's hideout. Several other death eaters were gathered around something on the ground. Voldemort beckoned him to come closer.
As Lucius reached the group of wizards, he saw what they were gathered around. It was the body of Peter "Wormtail" Pettigrew. And he was dead. Unquestionably dead. Lucius felt a smile playing at his lips.
Voldemort turned to Lucius, "The fool was trying to attack me. Me! The greatest wizard of all time! Me! The heir of Salazaar Slytherin himself!" Voldemort put his hand on Lucius' shoulder, "Congratulations Lucius, my second-in-command."
Lucius couldn't hold back his cold smile, "Thank you, my Lord."
~~*~~
"He's gone!" Serena reported with a twinkle of pure joy in her eyes. "Now is your only hope- you have to go!"
Narcissa recognized the carefully chosen words.
"I have to go? No, my child, WE are getting out of here. I will not leave you here! What sort of monster of you think I am?"
"But-"
"Are you packed?" Narcissa asked quickly as she darted about her own room, throwing things into a bag.
"I have nothing, Mrs- Narcissa." Narcissa jerked her head up and cursed herself. She had 50 bloody robes and there were those who had nothing to their names. She could have cursed herself.
"Please, Narcissa!" the girl begged. "Now is the time! He is gone and no one is guarding the fireplace! I snuck some Floo Powder-"
She broke off as Narcissa threw her arms around her.
"You are a darling, do you know that?" Narcissa laughed. "If this works, I- I shall be very happy."
"And-" Serena blushed. "I got you your wand."
~~*~~
Hermione waved Ginny's question aside as she stood up.
"I'll explain later Ginny," she said quickly, clearly agitated. "I really need to see Professor Dumbledore now."
Ginny frowned, "If you say so...I'll go with you then."
Hermione smiled quickly and they both walked towards the portrait hole. They hadn't reached it yet when it opened and two boys walked in.
"Fred! George!" Hermione was surprised, "What are you doing up? I thought you told Harry, Ron, and I that you were going to bed."
Fred scowled, "We weren't tired, mother. Give us a break. What are you doing?"
Ginny answered since Hermione looked a trifle hurt, "Going to see Professor Dumbledore."
George shook his head after a brief pause, "He's not here. He left and he won't be back tomorrow morning either."
Hermione hesitated, "Why?"
"How should I know?" Fred shrugged.
Hermione gave up, "Er-, well, have a good night."
Without a word, Fred and George proceeded to sweep up the stairs leading to the boys' rooms.
Ginny looked curiously after them. If she hadn't turned away, she would have seen the worried look on Hermione's face. Something was definitely not right.
~~*~~
A/N: Thanks for the reviews, guys! I really appreciate the encouragement! Hope you like the chapter!
Review, please!
Mrs Grim
