Disclaimer: I do not own any of the characters, except the one I created myself. All others belong to J. K. Rowling and Warner Brothers. I have only borrowed them for my amusement and hopefully yours as well.

A/N: My deepest gratitude as always for taking the time out to review.

Kisses & Hugs to you all

There are only 9 chapters left after this one. Oh no!

Chapter 48

McGonagall knocked on the door of the Arithmancy classroom and entered.

"Sorry for the interruption. Mr. Malfoy, I need to speak to you outside please."

She exited the room with Draco following closely behind.

"Mr. Malfoy, your father just contacted the school. He needs you to come home immediately."

"Is something wrong, Professor?  Is it my mother?" asked Draco, deep concern showing in his voice.

"He didn't give a reason as to why he wants you to come home, although it did sound urgent. Follow me; you can Floo home from my office."

Draco wasted no time and arrived in the living room of Malfoy manor. He stepped out of the fireplace, brushing the soot from his clothes.

"Father. Why have you called me home? Is there something wrong?" inquired Draco.

"No, not at all, son. I have called you out of school so that you can join me on this auspicious day," answered Lucius. Draco scrutinized his father closely. He had no clue what he was talking about.

"I don't understand, Father."

"The day has come for you to take the next step. I had always planned to wait until you graduated from Hogwarts, but today you will join our Lord as he triumphs over those who hold him down."

Draco felt a wave of nausea overtake him. This was the day he had been dreading – his father wanted him to take the Dark Mark. He began to tremble and grabbed the back of a chair to steady himself. For quite some time Draco had been unsure about taking this path. Now, as it loomed above his head like a guillotine, he knew that it was the last thing he wanted. He had the overwhelming urge to turn and Floo back to the safety of the school, but he quickly realized that it would do him no good. He had to face his father.

Draco stammered, "B-b-but Father, I don't think that I want to…"

He didn't have the chance to finish his confession. Lucius' eyes grew cold and menacing. He grabbed his son by the collar and pushed him roughly against the wall. His nose practically touched Draco's. There was the stink of Firewhisky on his breath.

"I'll pretend I didn't hear what you were about to say. No son of mine is going to be a coward. YOU WILL ACCOMPANY ME, DO I MAKE MYSELF CLEAR?" he screamed.

"Y-yes, Father."

Lucius stared into the eyes of his son for a brief moment and was quite pleased with the look of fear he found. He tightened his grip around Draco's neck, not to harm him, but just for emphasis. He had made his point; he knew he could still control the boy and make him do his bidding.

Finally letting go of his hold he said, "Come, we must leave immediately."

Lucius smirked as he put his arm around Draco and disapparated.

Jolicia and Harry finished their afternoon tea and started the journey back to Hogwarts. Gladrags Wizardwear was the last stop on Jo's itinerary. She pulled Harry into the shop and headed for the children's section. They carried so many nice items, especially for babies. Jo had a difficult time making her selection, but with Harry's help she finally picked out two little sleeper sets. He had been the one to find them, tucked neatly under a large pile.

Jo exclaimed when he held them up, "Oh Harry, those are the most adorable things I've ever seen! Leave it to you to find them."

Harry had found Quidditch themed pajamas! How could Jo resist? She happily paid for them, all the while cooing over the design. What could be better for the children of a Quidditch fanatic?

Jo took his arm once again and thanked him for spending a truly wonderful afternoon with her. The outing had lifted her spirits immensely, so much so that she found herself thinking that she wasn't going to mind those last two weeks after all.

They had just left outskirts of Hogsmeade and were heading up the path towards the school. Jo had just finished asking Harry if he minded if they stopped under the oak tree for a little break. Harry never had the chance to answer.

All of a sudden, Harry and Jolicia were grabbed from behind! A deep voice cried 'Silencio' so that neither could scream. They started to struggle against their captors, trying desperately to break free.

Jo felt the tip of a wand press into her neck as the same voice said, "Don't move or we will kill you right here."

Suddenly both she and Harry were bound by Magical Ropes! They were tied so tightly that neither was able to prevent their wand from being confiscated. Harry managed to glance at Jo and saw the terror in her eyes. They were pleading with him –please, do something! Harry was just as powerless as she and just as terrified. Kingsford and Smithson each held on to one of the 'prizes' and disapparated out of sight.