Chapter 3
Hermione was laying the grass, Ginny's head resting against her stomach. Both girls were staring at the clouds, just enjoying each other's company. Suddenly a small speck appeared in the sky and began to get closer and closer. It was one of the Hogwarts owls. Hermione sat up and grinned.
"Letters from Hogwarts" Hermione said in a tone of awe. Ginny smiled
"Do you think you got head girl?" She asked
"I hope so" Hermione replied nervously
"Who else are they going to pick?" Harry asked as he stood over the girls "Millicent Bulstrode?"
Ginny chuckled, Hermione frowned slightly "It's not as guaranteed as you may think" Hermione huffed.
The owl was now far more a speck and was swooping down on the three friends, dropping four letters with the typical green writing on the front of each. Harry and Ginny ripped theirs open quickly, Hermione eyed hers cautiously, Ron's letter lay on the soft grass, practically forgotten by the others.
Ginny looked up having finished scanning her book list "Aren't you going to open it?" She asked
"I'm scared" Hermione whispered, "What if I didn't get it?"
Harry snorted. Ginny smiled softly "You're insecurity is very cute 'Mione but we're getting impatient"
Hermione sighed and carefully opened the letter, a badge fell out and Hermione grinned, she placed the letter aside and stared at the badge. "I got it" She was grinning from ear to ear. Ginny squealed and wrapped her arms around Hermione and placed kisses on her cheek. Harry smiled and kept his 'I told you so' to himself.
Ron looked up when his mother came into his room. "Hogwarts letters are here, as expected, we'll be going out tomorrow so make sure you know what you need"
"Yes mother" Ron said, accepting his letter from his mother.
"Good" She glanced around his room. It was tidy; he was been quiet, sitting in his room. She had nothing to scold him for, it was an eerie feeling. She quietly excused herself from the room.
Draco whimpered quietly.
"Oh stop your snivelling" Lucius growled, "This won't hurt much"
Draco tried to stop, but he was scared, scared shitless. He felt like he would piss himself or something, he was focusing all his energy to at least save himself that dignity.
It happened, Draco screamed, pain seared up his arm and all over his body, it slowly subsided to a dull throb around the mark his father had just left on his skin.
"Oh shut up Draco, you're a Malfoy, show a little more dignity, there's a battle coming and it's time to show your allegiance"
Lucius then left Draco alone, rubbing his arm, tears dripping down his cheeks.
There was a sudden tapping at his window, Draco raised his head and wiped away his tears. A Hogwarts owl was tapping at the windowpane. Draco opened the window and the bird dropped his letter on his bed. Draco opened it up to find a shiny badge falls out. Head Boy. A smile crept across his face - he was head boy. The smile faded slightly as the burning on his skin reminded him of its presence.