Saturday morning Draco woke up to Hermione sleeping beside him with her back to him. The previous evening had been spent peacefully, with both of them catching up on homework and studying. After they finished all the work they had to do they had a small meal in their room. A perk they were both beginning to really enjoy.
Nothing intimate had happened between the two since their wedding night, not that Draco was bothered. He didn't expect the good girl of Gryffindor to turn into a sex fiend and, frankly, part of him was glad. All he had ever been with were girls that threw themselves at him and every other man that had a pretty face and was willing to drop his trousers. Even though they hated each other up until this point, he was pretty sure the other night still meant something special to Hermione.
Groaning as he rolled over to notice the sun breaking through the window, he decided he might as well go ahead and take a shower since he was up, that way Hermione could have it when she woke up. He glanced at her sleeping one more time before quietly slipping out of the bed and replacing the covers where she wouldn't get cold.
He shivered as he walked to the bathroom and quickened his pace, ready to get under the hot stream of water to warm up. The fact that the castle was already getting chilly made him dread when winter arrived. A whole season of freezing his bullocks off didn't appeal to him in the least.
As he stepped into the shower his thoughts drifted back to his wife sleeping in the next room. How crazy was it that he was married to Granger, well Malfoy now he corrected with a smirk, and didn't want to hex himself into oblivion? The past two nights they had spent together had ended up going rather pleasantly. Maybe the reason she always seemed like a stuck up know it all was because he had never given her a chance.
Not that he could have, his thoughts darkened. With her blood status and his father it would have been impossible. It still was, actually. The only reason he was able to give her a chance now was because it was all kept secret. It was a shame really, from what he had gotten to know of her the past few days she seemed like a girl anyone should be proud to show off.
A sudden crash and a loud screech, followed by scratching on the shower door made Draco jump out of his skin. Snatching the door of the shower open, he saw an owl glaring at him evilly with a letter tied to its leg. Draco suddenly got a chill that had nothing to do with the drafty castle.
Reaching to grab a towel, he wrapped it loosely around his waist before reaching down and untying the letter. As he read the letter, the chill grew more persistent. Grabbing his wand, he incendioed the letter before storming out of the bathroom to get dressed.
He was mildly surprised to see Hermione sitting up in the bed gripping her wand, but then realized she must have woken up to what sounded like him being attacked in the bathroom. Well, at least she cared about his safety, except she was still in the bed. Where did that so-called Gryffindor courage go? Ok, so maybe she didn't care that much.
"It was just a bloody owl. No need to worry."
As if confirming what he had just said an owl came swooping out of the bathroom and soared out of the window.
She looked at him confusedly before slowly relaxing her grip on her wand.
"What is an owl doing attacking you in the shower?"
"Urgent message, I have to be in the dungeons immediately."
Draco walked to the armoire ignoring the fact that Hermione was still starting at him and started to get dressed.
"Why are you being sent to the dungeons so urgently for? What about your studyinh?"
"My grades are the least of my worries at the moment." His face was drawn tight and he was trying his hardest not to let her catch on to his fear as he buttoned his shirt up. It wouldn't do to have her questioning him too much. She'd know what type of person he was after she saw what marked him.
"Draco, what is going on? What's wrong?"
Damn. How the hell is she so perceptive of things? Oh right, brightest bloody witch of her age and she was his wife.
Out of frustration, he snatched his wand off the chair he had laid it on and cast a spell causing the rest of his clothes to put themselves on him. He glanced up and noticed Hermione had tightened her hold on her wand again. Bugger it all. It would make her worry more in the long run, but if he didn't have to see her look petrified then it was worth it.
Walking over to her as his tie finished knotting itself; he took her face into his hands. Looking her in the eye he started talking, determined to forewarn her in some way without telling her everything.
"Everything is fine. We will talk more tomorrow. Do not forget what I said about you being my wife. I meant it. I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, no matter what the cost."
Lowering his face to hers he kissed her passionately before walking out of the room and exiting into the hall.
He hated this. He hated deceiving her. She was just getting comfortable around him. That wouldn't last when she saw the Dark Mark seared into his skin. She would be repulsed and ashamed of the monster she had for a husband.
He wanted to hex his father for paving this path for him. He wanted to hex Snape for not stepping in and doing something. Most of all he wanted to hex Dumbledore. The man had the power to keep him safe and his whole family, which was the reason for him agreeing to this mess. They already had Snape, why did they need him?
As his anger and fear hit its breaking point he threw a hex at a painting causing it to shout obscenities at him. He ignored it and continued down to the dungeons.
At last he arrived at Snape's door and was about to knock when it was snatched open and he was met with a hooked nose in his face.
"Where have you been?" Snape snatched him by the arm dragging him to the Entrance Hall.
"You interrupted me in the shower! Not to mention you woke Hermione up with that intolerable owl!" Draco snatched his arm back and adjusted his collar.
"I had to make sure if you were involved in other activities you would receive the message."
Draco snorted. "I'm married to Granger not Greengrass."
"I believe you'd best keep your mouth shut before someone hears you and leaks it to the whole bloody school!"
Everyone always thought Draco was so lucky to have the life he had, but he wondered how lucky he could really be considered if he had a godfather as ornery as Snape. They walked in silence until they made it out onto the grounds.
"You remember how I taught you to clear your mind?"
"Of course."
"Don't be cocky, Draco, your whole future rides on you knowing what you are doing tonight."
Draco felt his mouth suddenly go dry at the blunt reminder. "Yes, I remember."
They reached the gates and Draco suddenly wished they could have walked slower. He wasn't ready for what was about to happen, yet he had no choice. If they waited around he would have to deal with the Dark Lord's anger and that wasn't something he wanted to face.
Pausing for a second Snape looked at him. "Do not show pain when you take the mark, no matter how bad it hurts. I will give you some potions when we return to help with it."
Draco nodded mutely, fear running through his veins as Snape grabbed his arm and apparated to where he would face his worst nightmare.
With a sickening feeling of his stomach being left behind, Draco landed beside Snape on the ground. Quickly glancing around, he realized they were in the middle of a circle of death eaters. Apparently, they were the only ones besides Voldemort not wearing masks. He was glad he didn't have to wear the horrid mask yet. It gave him chills.
His exemption from the mask was about to end though once he got the dark mark. He heard chuckling and he chastised himself. He was supposed to have his mind clear, not allow fear to come to the front. Quickly, he imagined a still ocean that resembled glass it was so smooth and obsidian with its depth.
Voldemort was at the center of the circle standing in front of them and Draco repressed a shudder as the snake-like man edged towards them.
"Well, well, well, what do we have here? Another Malfoy? Hopefully you'll prove less disappointing than your father has been."
Voldermort sneered and looked to his right at what Draco assumed was his father. He couldn't be certain though, since everyone was dressed exactly the same.
"My lord," Snape started to speak, "I assure you the boy has gained Dumbledore's trust to the fullest. He will not disappoint."
Voldemort allowed a smile to spread on his face that made him appear more insane than his scowl.
"Yesss, so I've heard and you can be assured young Draco, without your Godfather vouching on your behalf, you would not get this opportunity to go straight to the top of the ranks. Especially, with that embarrassment of a family you call parents."
Draco kept the anger at Voldemort's words deep down in the ocean he had created. No emotion appeared on his smooth face. Potter could call him a coward all he wanted, and to a point he was, but he would be damned if his mother was harmed for his or his father's mistakes.
"Tell me Draco, what are you willing to do to keep that pretty face of your mother's untouched?"
Voldemort pointed his wand towards Draco's left and his eyes followed it to see his mother held by Greyback. Once again he locked the anger bubbling in his chest away. He forced himself to look away from his mother and back to Voldemort.
"Anything, my lord." The calmness of his own voice startled him.
"And you will do anything I tell you to, no matter the cost." It was not a question, but a demand.
"Yes, my lord."
"Just to show you what will happen to your beloved mother if you don't…Crucio!"
His wand aimed at who Draco assumed was his father and the curse hit him instantaneously. As the figure crumpled to the floor, withering in pain, his mask fell off confirming Draco's suspicions. It was his father and as he looked over at his mother he saw she was attempting to keep a brave face while her husband was tortured. Her body language suggested she would rather run to her husband though, giving her true emotions away.
His watched and listened as his father's body was twisted in pain and grunts emitted from his mouth. Still, he only felt a shred of pity. Unlike him and his mother, his father had chosen this path. His father had been the one to bring his mother into this mess, as well as himself and Snape. True, they already had their prejudices, but his mother could have simply been that; a mother and a wife, uninvolved in all the truly dark events going on around them.
Finally, Voldemort released his father from the curse and looked back at Draco.
"Are you ready to take the mark now, Draco?"
"Yes, my lord."
"I am glad to hear you are going to fully devote yourself to our great cause. Now, hold out your arm."
Draco did as he was told putting all his effort into locking away any fear he had. It would hurt, he knew that or Snape wouldn't have potions waiting for him, but how badly? He soon had his answer as Voldemort's wand touched his skin.
Pain that felt worse than fire spread through his muscles and nerves. It felt like his very blood had turned into acid. He felt his muscles seize and he plunged himself into the icy water that was in his mind. Nothing had prepared him for this. Snape never even hinted at what it would feel like. He probably had his reasons, knowing if Draco knew it was this painful he could never keep his nerves in check.
At the point where Draco thought he could not possibly take anymore, Voldemort pulled back his wand. The pain was still violent, running through his body. He assumed that was Voldemort's dark magic running through his system and he wanted to vomit at the thought.
"Look, Draco, look at your arm." Voldemort almost sounded proud and Draco guessed he was. "You are now one of the elite in our movement to erase our world of the disease that is muggles and mudbloods. When this war is over and we have won, you will be honored and revered."
No matter what Voldemort was saying, all Draco could think was that he wanted to rip the marked flesh off his arm as his eyes looked down at the tattoo moving on him. He forced himself to not allow thoughts to cross his mind. It was proving more and more difficult.
Snape must have picked up on him struggling with his emotions because he began to speak.
"My lord, if you don't mind, I believe it would be best to get the boy back to the castle before professors start to question our absence."
"Of course, Severus. We don't need our new spy's cover blown to begin with. You are both dismissed.
Draco felt Snape grab his arm and the same pull he felt earlier as they apparated away. When they landed the pain tripled what it had been when he was being branded. There was no holding back the scream of agony that escaped his mouth as he clutched his arm.
"Get up. It is because it's fresh and you aren't near him. Normally, there would be revels after your branding. Fortunately, I was able to make sure you didn't have to stay. Trust me, the pain is worth missing it."
Draco was ashamed to feel tears in his eyes and bit his cheek as he made to follow Snape back into the castle. Thank Merlin it was Saturday. There was no way he would be able to attend classes tomorrow if this pain kept up.
His finally allowed his mind to go back to Hermione. She would be disgusted when she saw it, and there was no doubt that she would, as she should be. He would have to have sex with her knowing the act itself was revolting towards her and only done for the good of the cause. Why did she have to be soul mates with him? She deserved better, he wouldn't have thought that even a month ago, but she did.
Pain seared through him again and he slumped against the wall before regaining his bearings and continued to follow Snape. He was thankful they were back in the castle, at least being in the castle meant safety. It also meant they were closer to the potions Snape had mentioned would ease his pain, but how much could something ease the pain when it was so blinding?
Finally, they made it to the dungeons and to Snape's office. Draco stumbled in before sitting heavily on a chair while Snape quickly snatched several bottles up, uncapping them, and pouring them into Draco's mouth without a word. Draco didn't care though, he knew even as rude as his godfather could be, he certainly wouldn't poison him.
Slowly, he felt the main stab of pain ebb away. His arm still felt like it was on fire, but compared to what he was dealing with, he wouldn't complain about that.
"Thank you."
Snape looked at him shrewdly for a moment. "I suggest you stay away from the Slytherin dorms tonight, if you catch my drift."
"What about Hermione?"
"It is Saturday, is it not? She shouldn't be in there and if she happens to be breaking the rules for once in her life she will see it eventually anyway."
"Of course."
"Take this balm and massage it into your arm hourly. I don't care if you have to stay up all bloody night doing it. Now, go to your rooms. If someone asks where you've been, you were having private lessons in potions."
Draco nodded and walked out silently. Snape was right; Hermione had no reason to break the rules Dumbledore had set so he didn't have to worry about her being in their rooms. He didn't know if he was thankful or disappointed. He never did well with pain, today was one of his strongest points with it. He wasn't sure if he would rather her be there to help him where he could rest or if he would be too embarrassed at her seeing him in such a vulnerable state.
Finally, he made it to the portrait and quickly muttered the password before stepping in. Looking around he realized the living room was empty and breathed a sigh of relief. She hadn't stayed. With a flash of annoyance, he realized she was probably off laughing with Potter and not even thinking about him.
It was with this thought, he crossed the room and snatched open the bedroom door and with shock that he saw Hermione still sitting on the bed where he had left her.
When he stepped in and closed the door her head snatched up and her eyes met his. A look of relief briefly crossed her face before being quickly replaced with anger. It was with great confusion he watched as she got off the bed and stormed over to him.
"Draco Malfoy, don't you dare ever leave like that again! You have had me scared half to death!"
It was with much confusion that he wrapped his arms around the girl that used to despise him. It was almost humorous that he was now having to comfort her from her fear that something could have happened to him, except it wasn't. Something had happened to him and any type of feelings that she had that were causing her to be so worried were about to be extinguished the minute he took his shirt off to apply the salve Snape had given him. If only he could tell her why.
It was then he realized hiding it would only make it worse. Not to mention, he would feel as if he was being completely dishonest with her. That, instead of just keeping something from her, he would actually be lying. No, he would show her upfront. He had promised her that as his wife he would respect her and he would, no matter what.
Deciding it was best not to put it off any longer, he pulled away from her slowly locking his eyes on hers. As she stared at him questioningly, he started slowly rolling up his sleeve and it was with great control that he kept his face smooth as he watched the gears clicking in her head. Once his sleeve was finally rolled up, he held his arm out for her.
"Look."
She knew what was coming, he could tell by her expression. She acted like she didn't want to look down, but finally her eyes lowered. As they fell on the gruesome mark burnt into his skin, a gasp escaped her lips.
The next words she spoke came out in a whisper, but Draco could hear them as clearly as if she had screamed them.
"Draco, no, not this. Anything but this."
A/N: ATTENTION: Please, please, review. The last chapter was not allowing some people to review so I want to make sure this chapter is fixed before I make a new PN. If you couldn't review on the last chapter you can include your thoughts on both it and this chapter in this review. Now onto other stuff.
This chapter was really hard for me to write. I don't believe any of us wanted to see Draco take the mark, but it is necessary for the plot. I hope I made the scene believable and not too dark, but enough to grasp how truly twisted Voldemort really is across.
Like I said, please let me know in a review what you think. If it does not let you review, please PM me.