Harry could not sleep. He had tossed and turned for the last two hours. Even Hedwig sensed his uneasiness and had flown off to the owlery for some rest after nipping Harry on the ear affectionately. It was now two in the morning when Harry shuffled off to the bathroom. Surprisingly he met Mark Ridgers there. Mark sat on the bathroom floor his head against the wall staring at the ceiling as though he was happening for something to happen. His eyes flickered over Harry as he entered and returned to the ceiling.
"'Allo Mark," Harry said sleepily. Harry suddenly realized something odd must be going on because Mark just seemed to ignore him.
"Um, is there something wrong?" he asked now concerned. Mark shook his head but remained silent. Alarm bells were ringing in Harry's head but he could not explain why. He continued to a stall. Moments later he heard Mark sigh deeply and pull himself off the floor. Harry went over to the basins and washed his hands watching Mark in the mirror. He was pacing up and down his hands behind his back still looking up. It was though he was in a trance. Harry quietly approached Mark and lifted his hand to wave in front of Marks face. As he did so Mark's hand snatched Harry's arm aggressively.
"Ouch you're hurting me," Harry said getting worried. He looked into Mark's eyes, which now were glaring on him, burning angrily.
"Well if it isn't the great Harry Potter?" he finally said in an awful tone that sounded familiar to Harry although he could not place it.
"Let go of me!" Harry said defensively. He thought of his wand that still lay in his dormitory under his pillow. What happened next Harry did not expect. Draco Malfoy entered the bathroom, closely followed by Ginny. Harry was about to ask what the hell they were doing there, but Draco put his finger to his lips. Mark had not noticed them coming in and was pulling his wand out of his robe. He was about to curse Harry when Draco struck from behind. Mark's entire body froze as he fell to the ground. Harry looked at the two shocked to find that Draco was actually smiling and so was Ginny.
"Malfoy what are you doing here?" Harry asked hoarsely.
It was Ginny who spoke, her voice warm and confident.
"Harry, Mark was acting on Lucius Malfoy's orders," she said her head shaking.
"But how, I mean, how did you know, he, I thought he was," Harry stuttered still full of disbelief. Draco remained silent for a moment and then spoke.
"Mark and I became friends over Christmas, but after I turned on my father he started writing to Mark, controlling him actually," Draco added dismissively poking Mark's solid body in the side with his wand.
"You turned against your father?" Harry asked surprised. Ginny actually giggled at this point, turning slightly pink. Harry ignored her, his mouth still gaping.
"Look I may not like you Potter, but I'm not about to become my father, I sick of him telling me what to do," Draco had now put his wand away and walked over to Ginny, and held out his hand. She took it and they turned to leave.
"Hey, where are you going?" Harry asked still confused.
"Harry, don't worry we know what we are doing, you will have some Slytherin support in a few days, now we really need to go. Keep an eye on Mark and watch your back," Ginny said lightly as Draco pulled her out the bathroom.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Hermione woke exhausted. Voldemort had spent the night putting dark thoughts into her head. She was amazed at his power as much as she hated to admit it.
The bed smelt of sweat and fear and she felt disgusted. She had been give a black robe to wear which she now pulled over her head and slipped out of the room down to the bathroom. She could not escape the house where they were holding her; Voldemort had made sure of that.
In the bathroom Hermione discovered there was only cold water, as she stepped into the tub. She shivered as she let it run over her body. If only she had her wand she could just do a freshening spell. Eventually she became num and even managed to wash her hair. It now was at her shoulders and regaining its wild look. She had just finished putting her robe on when one of the woman deatheaters burst in. She gave Hermione a look of disdain and seized her by the arm.
"You are wanted," she said roughly pulling Hermione out of the bathroom. Hermione's mind raced. Surely she was not going to see Voldemort, he had only left an hour before she had got up. The deatheater who's name Hermione did not know, opened a door two rooms down from Hermione's and pushed her inside, locking the door behind her. Alone, she looked around the room, a plush bedroom with a small lounge area and writing desk. Hermione felt slightly relieved, maybe they would leave her here for the time being. She knew that evening the ceremony would take place to make her a deatheater. She had almost resigned herself to it. Why not accept what you cannot fight?
"That's the right kind of thinking Hermione," A voice said from behind her. It was Snape.
* * * * * * * * * * * * *
"No way," Ron said angrily. Harry had just told him what happened the night before. Harry was not sure what he was more upset about. The fact that Ginny was running around with Draco, or the fact Mark has being controlled by Lucius. Now as they sat at the breakfast table eating a quick meal before training began, Harry could see no sign of Mark. He was not in the bathroom that morning when Harry had returned, now with his wand tucked up his sleeve.
"Ron, we will just have keep an eye on him, but we cannot do anything at this point," Harry had already told Professor McGonagall on the way to breakfast. She had nodded but had said nothing. Harry could tell that it concerned her greatly and that she would alert the teachers to watch Mark and himself closely.
Harry looked up at the doors just as Sirius, Lupin and Moody entered the hall. All three of them looked tired and hungry. Professor Lupin looked worse off but Harry knew that was because they recently had a full moon. Sirius had finally gotten some new robes and did not look like he had just escaped from Askaban.
As for Moody, Harry was sure his face was worse off than ever or was it the fact that he growling at student who had just pushed past him trying to get into the hall. The student was none other than Mark Ridgers, and Harry found himself wondering if Moody had sensed the not all was right.
Sirius hurried over and clutched Harry on the shoulder affectionately.
"What are you doing here Sirius?" Harry asked interestedly. Ron was beaming at them, obviously relieved that they had arrived.
"Come to give you lot a few lessons," Lupin interrupted before Sirius could answer.
"What are going to be doing?" Ron asked nervously.
"Avoiding that boy," Moody growled in a low voice. His one good eye was on Harry and Ron, but his magical eye was focused on Mark Ridgers, who sat alone at the other end of the table. Harry felt immediately relieved that he would not have to convince the three that something was not right with Mark, after it was Draco that pointed it out.
Professor McGonagall stood up and Lupin, Sirius and Moody looked up at her.
"I Believe lessons are about to start," a small smile creeping onto her face.