The sun sank lower in the sky as Harry mentally prepared himself for the battle that was to come. He had everything ready, and all he had to do was go when the sun finally set. He wasn't worried about the Dursley's, because they had company, and as long as he was back before midnight, when they first came to check on him, he'd be fine. As the sun finally slipped down behind the horizon, he grabbed his broom and cloak, and opened the window. Then he disappeared into the gathering darkness.
I'm afraid, and I'm trapped. Lucius has put a charm on my rooms, and no matter how I try, I can't get out. I suppose he thinks I would try and stop him from damning my son, and he would be right. But it seems that he had taken care of that– except that he doesn't know that Harry's coming. Somehow, that gives me hope that everything will be alright, that the love and feelings we both share for Draco will be enough to save him, at least for tonight. I know he's coming, I can feel it, an almost tangible glitter on the air. I pray he's not too late as the sun slipps behind the trees and slowly the sky turns dark.
Harry swooped lower over the trees, guided by a faint light that he somehow knew was Malfoy Manor. And just as he knew that, he knew that they would have Draco a few miles away, an unwilling participant in being branded for the Dark Lord. For a moment, Harry wondered if Voldemort would be there, but he doubted it. After all, any dark witch or wizard could perform the curse to apply the Dark Mark, and Voldemort certainly wouldn't bother with the branding of a seventeen year old. Harry steeled his resolve as he flew nearer to the meeting place, then landed high in a tree and settled down to wait.
Terror. Draco felt panic well up in his chest, but he fought it back down. It wouldn't help him any to get sick now, not with his father walking on one side of him, his Aunt Bellatrix on the other. But he wanted to bolt, scream, cry, anything to make his father stop his demented plan. He didn't want to be a servant to the Dark Lord, nor did he want to die. But it was only the thought of being killed that kept him going. Life was better than death, right? And with no one to save him, what choice did he have. He looked back at the way they had come, wishing he could see his mother following behind, ready to defend him, but he knew she wasn't coming. She was a prisoner of his father, the same as he was. There was no hope, and he already felt dead inside.
Harry watched keenly from above as several people gathered in the clearing below him. He shivered as they put up protective spells, so that he couldn't do any more than watch. He blinked quickly as Draco was led into the midst of them. He could see, even from so far away, that he was terrified. He wished he could hear what they were saying, so that he would know when he should cause his diversion. If he was too soon, he would loose the element of surprise, but if he was too late– He didn't even want to think about it. He tensed as someone drew out their wand, and pointed it at Draco. Suddenly, there was a voice in his ear. "Now, Harry, now!" With a cry of outrage, he leapt and landed in the middle of the ring of death eaters.
There was panic for a moment, which allowed Harry enough time to pull Draco close to him. The two drew their own wands, and even though they knew that they were helplessly outnumbered, they stood their ground.
"Well, well, if it isn't Harry Potter." Bellatrix sneered. "It's been what, two years since we last ran into each other? And this time, it will be my pleasure to kill you!" She started to withdraw her wand, but Lucius stepped forward and grabbed her arm. "Not while he's got Draco." Bellatrix snarled, but backed away. "Draco, come here." Harry tightened his grip on the other boy's arm. "Now." Lucius demanded. "Then we can finish the Boy-Who-Lived together." Draco gulped and cast Harry a hooded look. Harry shook his head, but let Draco go to step forward a step. "No. I won't. I won't become like you... Never!" And he swung his wand upward, countering the curse his father threw at him. Harry turned to the others, all of whom seemed to be frozen at this blatant betrayal by their leaders' son. Only Bellatrix moved, and then, it was only to shove Harry aside and scream her own curse, which hit Draco before Harry could move. Draco screamed in pain, clutching his right arm. Harry stared in horror as Draco's sleeve fell back, revealing the dark lines etching the mark into his creamy skin.