First off, I would like to say thank you to my reviewers, Luthien and LockedInYourHeart. Second of all, I would like to clear up something- When the chapter first opens, Draco says that both his parents are dead. Then, it says that only his father's dead. Well, to clear up this little problem, only his father is dead. Now, forward to the story. Oh, yeah. The intro? That's what Draco's dreaming about at the beginning of this chappie.

Chapter 2- Morning Arguements and The Dark Mark

Draco awoke from a good dream to a voice telling him to get up. He looked at his clock. "What?! It's too early to get up," he moaned, getting under the covers again only to have them thrown off him once again.

His mother sat down at the edge of the bed. "Come on, Draco. Please get up. I don't want them coming any closer to this house than they already have to."

Draco got up immediately, knocking over a picture of him and Hermione. He picked it up and set it back on his bedside table.

His mother saw the picture and said, "Is that the Muggleborn girl you're dating?"

"God, mom. Her name is Hermione." Draco said, wishing that his mother would accept that her pureblood son was in love with a Muggleborn.

"I know her name! You keep saying her name all the time and how much you love her and all this stuff. You're putting this girl's life in danger by even having a picture of you two together in this house."

Draco sighed deeply. "I'm in love with her, okay? I'm almost 18, I can make my own decisions. Besides, she'll be your daughter in law someday," he finished blushing.

His mother sighed. "Well, all I have to say is good luck." With that, she kissed her son on the forehead and left the room.

Draco sunk back on the bed. His mother was right. He was putting Hermione's life in danger. He looked at his clock and got up, muttering to himself about not wanting to go see Voldemort.

A half an hour later, after Draco had taken a shower to 'better prepare himself' and put on his school robes, he was downstairs.

"Now, remember," his mother said in a shaky voice, "answer with respect and don't show any signs of pain, whatever you do. It'll only make it worse."

Draco nodded. "I'll see you in a bit."

"I love you, sweetie," his mother whispered.

They hugged for a brief moment. "I love you, mum." With that, Draco apparated.

Draco walked down the long, dark road, his escort in front of him. He didn't understand why he needed a damn escort anyway. Maybe so he wouldn't chicken out at the last minute. His father had always said how happy he was that he had a boy so he could become a Death Eater.

And I suppose beating the shit out me was supposed to strengthen me? Draco thought to himself. He looked at his escort. Draco knew him from when his father was alive. Lucius would always bring Death Eaters to his house like they were fucking family or something. Draco sighed. He knew getting the Dark Mark was putting Hermione's life more at risk than it already was. He remembered the last thing she said to him before she left for India with the Weasleys. She had told him that she loved him and that she would never leave him. Unconditional love, Hermione had said it was called. Draco considered Hermione his first love because as a Malfoy, he was never taught how to love.

He sighed. Well, Mione, this might make you reconsider that, Draco thought to himself as he and his escort walked to the front of a large black house.

"This is where I leave you, Mr. Malfoy," the escort said, bowing to Draco and leaving.

Draco arched an eyebrow as he stepped inside the house. It was similar to the Manor. It took him a few minutes to realize he was in the Shrieking Shack in Hogsmeade.

"Good choice for a hideout, mate," Draco muttered under his breath. Just then someone came behind him.

Draco spun around. "What's going on, Wormtail?"

Wormtail stammered. "L-lord V-v-v-Voldemort wanted m-me to come g-get you."

Draco nodded. "Well, let's go."

Draco followed Wormtail into a room at the corner. "H-ere he is, M-m-m-master."

Voldemort said, "Bring him to me."

Wormtail grabbed Draco by the arm and led him to where his father's killer was sitting.

"Hello." Draco said politely.

Voldemort stood. Draco bowed and kissed the hem of Voldemort's robes like he had seen his father do so many times before. He could never understand how someone could do that.

Draco got up and sat in a chair that someone set up for him. Voldemort sat down as well and looked at Draco.

My God, he looks like a cartoon character, Draco thought to himself. He bit his bottom lip, fighting back laughter.

"So," Voldemort started. "Do you know why you've been brought here today?"

"Erm....to get the Dark Mark?"

"Hmmm...smart like your father. Yes, you are here to recieve the Dark Mark."

Draco cringed. "And...will you make me a Death Eater?"

Voldemort replied, "Well, you are 17, no?"

Draco nodded. "Yes, sir. I'm 17."

"So, if we see you fit, we shall make you a Death Eater when you graduate from school," Voldemort replied.

Draco nodded. He was starting to get nervous because his father had always told him that they burn the Mark into your skin. Draco remembered what his mother said about not showing any signs of pain.

Just then, two people carrying a large pot full of burning rocks were standing next to Draco's chair. He saw that one of the Death Eaters was holding something like a stamp thingie with the shape of the Dark Mark. Draco closed his eyes and then opened them again, as if to make sure he wasn't having a really sucky ass dream.

Voldemort himself was to do it. He rolled up Draco's sleeves and positioned his arm on the arm rests.

"Are you ready to accept the Dark Mark, my son?" Voldemort asked, a sick smile on his face.

Draco nodded. He watched as Voldemort put the stamp thing in the pot and pressed it against the burning ashes. Then, Voldemort pressed the brand against Draco's porcelain skin. Draco internally screamed in agony. His father used to use the Crucio curse on him just because, but the pain he experienced was nothing like this. He felt his eyes water with tears and he felt them leave his eyes. He thought of Hermione.

"Help me," he muttered right before he passed out.

Minutes Later, Draco woke up. He was in his bedroom, laying on the bed, and his mother was wiping his forehead with one of her washclothes.

"So...do I have it?" Draco asked his mother.

She nodded. "Two Death Eaters carried you back here. They said that you were calling out for help."

Draco whispered, "Please answer my question."

His mother gently rolled his sleeves up and sat him up. Draco looked over and saw the Mark right below his shoulder.It was there, clear as crystal.

"Oh, my God," he whispered.

"Are you going to tell Hermione?" his mother asked.

Draco sighed. "I don't know. Do you think I should?"

"Well, according to you, you'll be married to her someday, so eventually, she'll see it. You see, Draco, when you're in a serious relationship like you and Hermione, honesty is important. So, yes, you should tell her."

With that, she left leaving Draco with his thoughts. He looked at the picture of Hermione. They were at last year's Yule Ball. The ball was Draco and Hermione's way of telling the school they were a couple. He rested the picture on his chest and hugged it close to him.

"God, Hermione. I love you so much. But how to tell you?" he whispered softly to himself, regretting that he accepted the Dark Mark. As he fell asleep, he pictured Hermione's reaction. It involved her slapping him again like she had done in their 3rd year. He sighed, falling asleep.

Well, here goes chapter 2!! Please review!!