Chapter 14: Dark, Darker, Darkest
In the wee hours of morning, Draco was standing outside the cottage. The air was alive with the salty smell of the sea and insects' music. The sea was calm in the morning; softly lapping against the sharp rocks. Draco sat down at the edge of the cliff, his feet dangling. They had to flee, his mother and him, and go into hiding because of that wretched man. They had to frequently move houses, but Professor Dumbledore had allowed Draco to return to Hogwarts. The dark sky lightened to an orange hue. Draco continued to sit at the edge and watched as the sky steadily became crimson, then pinkish and finally into a clear blue sky. He got up when his stomach grumbled and slowly made his way to the cottage.
Hermione and Harry were at the burrow. They had got their OWLs results earlier that morning. Hermione, as usual, had topped. Ron and Harry had got an armful of OWLs each. Overall, their results were more than satisfactory. The Burrow was the Order's present headquarters. The Weasley children and Harry and Hermione came down for breakfast. Remus, Tonks and Kinglsey were still there. "Wotcher everyone" Tonks greeted and hurried to hug them, stumbling upon chairs in the process. "Come now, get seated." Mrs. Weasley instructed them. Breakfast was cooking away while Mrs. Weasley supervised the fires and the self-stirring ladles. "So any word yet?" Remus asked Hermione kindly. Hermione shook her head, refusing to make eye contact with anyone. "I'm sure he's fine" said Harry. "As long as he stays with his mother" added Ron darkly. Hermione shifted uncomfortably in her seat. Ginny threw Ron a dirty look before putting a comforting arm around Hermione's shoulders.
"NO! HE WILL DO NO SUCH THING!" Narcissa screamed in the living room. Draco quietly came down the stairs and opened the door a crack. His aunt, Bellatrix, had come. "You dare to defy the Dark Lord? You dare?" Bellatrix took out her wand. Narcissa took out hers as well. Draco burst open the door, wand in hand. Bellatrix whirled around, and before he knew it, he was wandless. "HOW DARE YOU DISARM MY SON" Narcissa screamed, shooting a curse at her. Bellatrix jumped aside and the curse streaked past, hitting a painting on the wall. The painting burst into flames. "Wait, what in the world is going on?" Bellatrix turned to him. "Ah! My dear Draco, you have come at the right moment. The Dark Lord wishes to bestow upon you the honor of being one of his closest faithful servants." Draco went pale. "I already told you Bella, he's not going anywhere." Narcissa snarled.
Suddenly, an eerie feeling crept upon them. The room went dark. And then, they heard him. "But you see I have made my choice". His voice came no more than a whisper. A single orb of light floated to the ceiling, lighting the room with a faint yellow light. He was standing near the front door in black robes. Nagini slithered down his shoulder onto the floor. His eyes were fixed, unblinking on Narcissa's face. "You should be proud. Even after Luscious' stupidity, I have chosen is son." His eyes shifted to Draco's. Draco had been rooted on the spot ever since he had first spoken. His thoughts scampered here and there. There was no escape. All he could do was endure it. He gulped, his face became sweaty. Draco shifted his eyes to his mother's. Her eyes held fear and helplessness. Draco could also detect hatred, hatred for not being able to do anything. "Bella, would you escort him." He vanished with Nagini, restoring the room as it was before. Bellatrix went and grabbed Draco by the collar. She turned on the spot and the pair of them vanished from sight.
Draco was holding a broken tea pot, which had portkeyed him to a very dark and scary forest. The trees were so tall; he couldn't see their tops even if he lay flat on the ground. The ground was hard without any grass. There was no crunching sound of fallen leaves. A sharp cold wind began to blow, which ruffled Draco's hair and cooled his sweaty face. He strained his ears for any sound of rustling leaves. All he could sense was the pressing silence. A cloud shifted, and the silver light of the moon cleared up the mystery. The trees were all dead.
"At last" a quite voice right behind him spoke. Draco froze, unable to turn around. He slowly came in is view, his feet made no noise. After an eternity, he stood directly in front of him. "Your arm" he hissed. Draco's arm was stiff and refused to move. Draco felt his arm move to some invisible command. He came nearer and put the tip of his wand on Draco's skin. Draco squeezed his eyes shut. He felt cold, long fingers wrap themselves around his arm. And then, pain.
(After the attack at the Burrow)
Mr. and Mrs. Weasley had managed to restore part of the Burrow for all of them to spend the night. Ron, Harry, Ginny and Hermione were leaving for Hogwarts the next day. Remus and Tonks stayed and helped Mr. and Mrs. Weasley in putting protective charms around the Burrow. After they were satisfied with the protection, Remus and Tonks took their leave. Mrs. Weasley ushered all of them inside. "It'll be a tight fit. But I promise it will be fully restored by the time you will com back for the next holidays." "Honestly mum." Fred said shaking his head. "Ron and Harry that room. Fred and George, I'm afraid you'll have to sleep on the floor here. Hermione and Ginny, you have the room next to Harry's and Ron's. Off you go." "What about you guys?" George asked. "Don't worry, we'll be fine. Sleep tight kids." Mr. Weasley smiled. "Alright" Mrs. Weasley called, "Lights off." She waved her wand and the house was plunged in darkness.
Draco woke up on the floor of their present home with a throbbing pain in his arm. He looked over it. The Dark Mark was etched in his skin surrounded by streaks of dried blood. He slowly got up. His head was swimming. His mother came running to him. "Draco, are you alright? Talk to me!" Narcissa shook him. Draco looked up and said, "his voice…it keeps telling me to kill Dumbledore." Narcissa gathered Draco in her arms and let out a sob.