Year Four: The Goblet of Fire
The three magical schools of Europe compete for eternal glory in the form of the Triwizard Tournament. Death Eaters are rising, gathering followers to join Voldemort. Dark times are approaching, threatening everything Marie loves. It's time for bravery. To be the light in terrible darkness...
Chapter Three-Morsmordre
The campsite was alight with green fireworks and celebration. The Irish supporters were belting out their songs of victory well into the night, voices carrying throughout the grounds. Leprechauns kept dashing about with the glowing lanterns as they cackled in glee with their win. Of course no one felt like sleeping with all the noise going on around them, it was almost impossible. Marie and Draco stayed up talking around their magicked campfire, playfully debating about their teams and plays that were used while drinking hot chocolate. Narcissa had insisted on a few photos as well, declaring that they simply didn't have enough informal pictures of the family when Lucius gave a groan. Marie and Draco leaned in to take the photo, the blonde smirking and the girl smiling broadly. Marie then offered to take one of the Malfoys, all three blondes gathered by the fire as she pressed down on the button to capture the moment.
Honestly, she couldn't remember falling asleep, the memory a drowsy blur. She did, however, remember waking up in the dead of night. The bunk bed she was sharing with Draco squeaked sharply and she jolted awake, looking around to find the source of noise. The blonde boy was changed and tying his shoes, shoving his hair back after he grabbed his jacket.
"What're y'doin'?" mumbled Marie, rubbing her eyes clear. He flinched, caught in the act.
"Go back to sleep, Marie," he shushed, creeping toward the door. Blankets were rumpled as she tossed them off, swinging her feet over the edge.
"Draco, what are you doing?" she asked more clearly this time. "Why're you dressed? Where do you think you're going?" He huffed, looking back to make sure that his mother was still asleep and he whispered sternly,
"Just go back to sleep, Marie. I'll be right back." On that note, he disappeared outside. Not about to settle for such an answer, Marie quickly tugged on her shoes and pulled on her jacket over her night gown. Equally quiet, she rushed out of the tent to follow the boy.
"Draco!" she called once she was a fair distance from their tent. Her messy hair whipped as she looked about for her friend. His trademark hair should have been relatively easy to spot even in the dark but she saw no such blonde. Where had he gone?
The further she traveled in the woods it became more obvious that something was very wrong. There were a few dying fires scattered about and her skin started to crawl, the feeling of dread overwhelming. Suddenly there was a blast of magic sounding off like canon, making Marie jump in surprise. She looked from left to right, trying to find the source as multiple tents started to fall, catch fire and people filled the grounds in attempts to run away.
Then the screaming started.
The green light covered the area and gave the ground an eerie feel but it did provide enough illumination for the girl to see the group of hooded figures moving together, wands held high. There was a family floating overhead, bodies rotating and bending into grotesque shapes. The figures were laughing as more joined their group. Feeling sick, Marie's panic started to rise as she did her best to continue looking for her friend.
"Draco!" she called loudly. "Draco, where are you!"
Her voice was lost in the confusion, people pushing past her, shoving her aside if she was in their way. Next came the magic directed at the mass of people trying to evacuate. Flashes of colored light flew past the girl as she ducked, covering her head to avoid being hit. Her heart pounded rapidly within her chest as nearby people were pulled up into the air as well. The screaming only grew louder and she could feel tears prick at her eyes as her own fear increased, her determined feet leading her closer to the mayhem in order to collect her friend and bring him back. Reaching into her coat, she drew her wand, ignoring the underaged magic restriction that was in play while they were out of school. In a stressful and potentially dangerous situation, her safety came first.
"Draco!" she called, her voice cracking in fright. She dashed past the oncoming group of people, stumbling to a halt to avoid stepping into a dying campfire, wildly looking about. Now she was confused as to where she was, looking backwards she couldn't find where she had come from or how to return to the Malfoy tent for that matter. Breathing hard, she kept running about seeing as that seemed better than simply standing still, waiting to be caught by the hooded wizards.
"Draco!" she even tried calling for the boy's father. "Mr. Malfoy!"
She thought she saw a flash of long blonde hair and she followed, chasing the flicker in the hope it was Lucius so that he could call for his son and take them back to their tent. Rounding a plot of tents, she skidded to a stop when she became face to face with a group of shrouded figures. Eyes wide and forgetting how to breathe, one person raised their wand to target her, the end glowing red triggering her adrenaline to jump to new heights, flooding her system. Before the spell could be cast, the wand was blasted from their hand and Marie wasted no time in running away, not bothering to look back and thus oblivious to the fact that another masked person had stopped the attacker.
Then there was a sudden eruption of magic, a spell shooting high into the air. A symbol took over the dark sky and it was vast, glittering green and Marie felt the remaining color leave her face as she stared up in horror. How many times had she seen the very icon stamped on Tess' work files? To see it in person was a terrifying sensation, fear coursing throughout her body. She had to get back to the tent so to get away from it. As far away as she could.
The Dark Mark. A skull with a serpent tongue protruding from its mouth. You-Know-Who's 's calling card. It meant Voldemort, and he meant death.
The screaming only reached a new level of sound as the panic increased ten fold, Marie clamping her hands over her ears to try and mute the sound, doing her best not to scream as well. Just as she had turned around she was promptly tackled the ground by an incredible force, missing the blast of red light that had been sent in her direction. Her head had hit the ground hard, stars dotting her vision as she struggled to focus on the person pinning her down.
"Marie!" the person shouted to be heard over the noise. "What the bloody hell are you doing? I told you stay in the tent!" After blinking numerous times to focus on the person, she was able to notice the distinct blonde hair and the face of her friend. The very one that had her out in the chaos to begin with.
"Draco!" she gasped. He pulled them to their feet, gripped her hand tightly and took off further into the woods as the Ministry officials hurried past, trying to track down the mysterious figures that had scattered once the Dark Mark stained the sky. They ran through the woods, her gown catching on bushes and snagging on rough edges of tree bark, both breathing hard as Draco led them to their tent, fortunately, he able to remember the route unlike the wild haired girl. A few adrenaline fueled moments later, they barged into their tent and doubled over to gasp for air. Marie was the first to stand back up straight as she turned to face the boy fully, her distress easily conveyed across her features.
"Draco Malfoy!" she scolded in between breaths. "You...you reckless-! Overconfident-! Jerk-!" She couldn't even finish her lecture, struggling to find words and she settled for swatting him sharply after each insult.
"Ouch! Marie-!" His cry of pain was quieted as she threw her arms around his neck so to pull him into a tight hug, their difference in height obvious now. With a heavy sigh, he returned the embrace, feeling her shake from previous fear and his hold tightened.
"I couldn't find you," she whispered, hiding her face in his shoulder. "I couldn't find you...!"
"It's all right," he reassured, guilt starting to worm its way into his chest. "I...I'm right here."
They both froze when the glow of wand light was upon them and they slowly turned to see Narcissa Malfoy, sporting a positively frightening look in her sharp blue eyes that clearly stated that they were in trouble. So much trouble.
"Now, just which one of you would care to explain where you've been?"
The teenagers exchanged worried glances.
September first was a gloomy grey day the sky thick with clouds, pouring every ounce of rain down on King's Cross station. Quickly, they passed the barrier onto Platform 9 and 3/4 and loaded up their trunks in a timely fashion. As the minute hand of the clock ticked closer to eleven o'clock, the precise moment when the Hogwarts Express would pull away from the station, the two students returned to the leaders of the Malfoy family. A week had passed since the Quidditch World Cup incident, still playing the front page of the Daily Prophet at every opportunity, but at least Mrs. Malfoy seemed to calm down after the thoughtless stunt the two fourth years had pulled by running off into the trouble. Narcissa pulled her son into an embrace, kissing his cheek and Marie settled for standing beside Lucius, not wanting to feel too awkward.
"Do you think you'll be able to keep out of trouble this year, Marie?" asked Lucius, a faint teasing tone. Marie giggled at the fair concern.
"I can't promise anything, Mr. Malfoy. I don't think you're aware as to how acquainted trouble and I are," she teased in return. She saw him smirk at her banter, her spirits rising with his unspoken approval.
"Well, it's going to be a busy year," he warned. "Try not to be too overwhelmed."
She smiled. "I'll try my best." Narcissa then pulled the girl into a formal hug as well, the action a little stiff but well meant. Waving good bye, she and Draco stepped aboard the train in order to find an empty compartment or their friends, whichever happened first.
The train pulled away from the station at exactly eleven and the windows became coated with the heavy rain instantly. While they were looking around for a place to sit or even their Housemates, they met up with Blaise and the boys started up a conversation about the other wizarding school, Durmstrang. Their conversation faded away once Marie spotted an all too familiar trio with their compartment door open. Slowing down, the two boys didn't seem to notice her absence and she took a quick breath to call up her courage as she tapped politely on their door. She could feel her cheeks color lightly as all three sets of eyes focused on her. She gave a small wave.
"Hello," she greeted softly. "H-have a good holiday?" She could do this. She could talk to them if she so wanted. It was all right. After the Sirius Black incident, Hermione being privy to her secret, it could be all right to talk to them, couldn't it? Maybe it would make keeping the secret easier, not to mention help her keep an eye on Harry, an equal magnet for trouble if not more so. She could only hope.
An awkward beat passed before Hermione encouraged the conversation, giving the Slytherin girl a smile.
"Yes, we did." She scooted over, nudging Ron to move and she patted the seat beside her. "Have a seat, Marie. How was your summer?"
"It was pleasant, thanks." The boys were still watching her carefully, Ron as if he expected her to grow fangs. He still didn't trust her as far as he could throw her. She took a breath, calling on the next topic they had in common.
"What did you all think of the World Cup? Exciting, wasn't it?" As soon as the topic was brought up and it was clear that she was cheering for Ireland, all of the metaphorical ice had shattered, allowing the three Quidditch enthusiasts to delve into high spirited chatter.
"Did you see Ireland's Chasers-"
"-How could you, they were all so fast!"
"Then the Wronski Feint! Krum was brilliant!"
"It was so dangerous and poor Lynch!"
"But they came back, what was it-ten goals in ten minutes?"
"Something like that, it was beyond impressive-"
"-And Quigley sent that Bludger at Krum-"
"-He took it straight to the face! I couldn't believe he could still play!"
"And even catch the Snitch after that! I'm telling you, Krum's the best there is!"
As Ron busied himself with looking through his bag for his Viktor Krum figurine, Marie noticed that Hermione had opened her textbook The Standard Book of Spells, Grade 4, not as invested in the risky sport conversation as the other three. Deciding to try her luck at starting another conversation, Marie picked a subject that would be a common ground for the two.
"Hermione, are you taking Muggle Studies this year?" she asked. Brown eyes looked up from the page on Summoning Charms, appreciative of the change in topic.
"Yes, I'm still taking it. Are you?" She nodded, eyes brightening and Hermione gave a short laugh at the dark haired girl's enthusiasm for the subject. The Gryffindor could recall how the Slytherin had been positively floored by the concept of electricity, asking her fellow classmate numerous questions after class.
"Excellent! It's simply fascinating what Muggles can do without any magic," she swooned, excited for their future class. "Do you think we'll have the same class again? It'd be great if we can sit together!"
"I certainly hope so," she agreed.
Feeling as if her time was up and not wanting to overstay her welcome, Marie said good bye and left the Gryffindor compartment on pleasant enough terms. She made her way down the hall and looking about for her own friends, Millicent Bulstrode and Pansy Parkinson, fellow Slytherin fourth years. Side stepping a couple of younger students, the girl looked up to catch sight of a familiar figure sitting alone in a compartment. Smiling brightly, Marie knocked on the glass before sliding the door open.
"Hello, Marcus!" she chirped.
The over sized wizard looked up at the arrival of the girl, surprised that someone was freely speaking to him, but a slight smile pulled at his mouth when he looked at her. Of course, Marie had no qualms talking with the brute older student. Never really did, even before the family curse kicked in. He had yet to tell if it was a sign of kindness or naivety. His guess was both.
"'Ello, Marie," he returned. "How're you?"
"Good, and yourself?"
He gave a strained smirk. He was on the Hogwarts Express for his eighth year of school due to him failing his last term. His mother still looked at him with open revulsion while his father was swamped with Ministry work so he was always gone, and Vivienne, his little sister, was simply confused by him and the warped tension that was ever growing between him and his own mother. Strange looks followed him in public because his physicality was jilted somehow, abnormal to some degree but not entirely clear and it made people stare.
"You're not a monster, Marcus Flint. I've seen true monsters, ugly and beautiful. Trust me, I've seen worse."
"I'm fine," he managed. "Just fine." The younger student raised an unconvinced eyebrow and she glanced about the empty compartment.
"Is anyone sitting with you?" He shook his head, giving a small sigh.
"No, it's just me." She paused for a thoughtful moment before she gave another smile.
"Do you mind if I sit with you then?"
A derisive snort sounded at the suggestion. "You want to sit with me?"
"Yes. That would be why I offered," she clarified. "Do you not want me to?"
Marcus gave a shrug. "It's just not many people would want to sit with me."
"Well, you don't bite, so I really don't see the problem," she explained, removing her messenger bag from her shoulder. The compartment door closed behind her just as Draco strode past with Crabbe and Goyle in tow. Off to stir some kind of trouble, most likely. There was a brief silence and she looked back at the seventh year quickly, freezing in her tracks.
"You don't bite, do you?" It took him an extra moment to get over the surprise of such a concern and then for him to hear her joking undertone. His laugh was pleasantly loud as she took the seat beside him, smiling in return.
"No. Can't say I do," he promised.
"Good to hear," she giggled. The rain was coming down in sheets, making it almost impossible to properly look out the window and all was grey and gloomy, lightning splitting across the sky. Their compartment, on other hand, seemed a bit brighter.
REVIEW! Your reviews would be lovely as always, my lovely readers! Ideas, thoughts on pairings, Yule Ball and all the fun we get this book!
Sorry if it's a little short but we have all the Triwizard stuff coming up and that would have seriously blown this chapter up, so I figured a little drama with the Dark Mark and some nice-ness with the Hogwarts Express seemed fair, and within a reasonable time frame!
And oh my gosh guys, I was going through my copy of GoF and I was reading the last few chapters and everything just hit me, seriously visualizing what kind of Potter-riffic awesome drama is going to go down at the close of GoF. So excited! Though I should probably write my way to the end first, huh? Getting a little bit ahead of myself lol
Next time: The Triwizard Tournament/Mad-Eye Moody and everything in between!
Enjoy!