Long time no write peoples! I am sorry for those who are reading this fanfic…I kind of blanked out of writing for some time : ( I know, I was insane! I'm in love with this story and I hope you guys will like it : ) I will try to write better and update quicker but please remember I'm in year 11 now! It's not year 12 but it's still pretty hectic! But again I will try to write anyways 3 Thanks for reading about marina's story thus far! And now…without further ado, THE STORY!

I fidgeted under her gaze; she was taking down notes whilst keeping a watchful eye on me, a definitely uncomfortable experience. "You can stop squirming in a second dear, I'm almost done." I smiled weakly at the nurse, she had noticed. "Professor Dumbledore was coming to see you tomorrow after hearing about your collapsing incident five nights ago but after yesterday with Potter! I'm afraid you'll have to stay up a bit more to talk to him my dear." I nodded carefully at the sincere lady before me.

"Where is Potter? I mean Harry!"

"Where I always am, right in ear shot for whenever you yell for Malfoy." I cringed at the comment and turned in the bed to face Harry, who was in the bed next to me. "Funny, I normally get these attacks at the end of the school year." He looked at me with questioning eyes before opening his mouth, "Why did you fall?" I was waiting for the question to pop up, and I was sure it would be easy to answer but…having the dark mark isn't something I'd want all over the school. Not even if the Slytherins would like me better.

"I'm not sure, what was your attack like?" His eyebrows crinkled for a moment but he gave up and turned his face to the ceiling.

"My scar burns, like a warning telling me something evil is near." My eyes grew wide in shock, Well of course he would need something to tell him something near is trying to hurt him.

"So…anything evil other than Snape and Malfoy come your way?" I tried to keep the humour spree going with Harry but the guilt of knowing something quite important got to me. I should tell him…

"Ah Harry! Marina! Just the two I was looking for." Both of us looked up to see a tall wizard with a long white beard standing in our presence.

"Albus!"

"Professor!"

"I trust you both are well? Marina, two collapses in a row! My, my I wonder what's been put in the school's pudding this year." I looked to Harry in hopes that he understood the joke, but my puzzlement was reflected.

"I'm sorry professor but what exactly do you mean?"

"Light joke, the subject of the matter is a very dark one…thought I may as well crack a smile before starting but there is no time. Marina I have a guess as to why you fainted alongside Harry but if I'm right then you are in much danger and I do pray child that I am wrong. " Gazing into the eyes of the wizened headmaster I had come to the conclusion, he knew more than he was letting on. "May I speak to you in my office for a moment?" I shut my eyes and nodded gravely.

"Professor…what's going on?" The old headmaster turned to Harry and smiled gently.

"Ah Harry…sometime this week you'll be getting a message from me, just a normal visit to the headmaster's office. Chocolate Frogs are generally nice this time of the month." And with a wink in his direction he ushered me out of the room.

"Poppy, give Mister Potter something to drink now and I think he should be fine enough to return to class." I watched as the lively nurse's expression went from shock to pure outrage.

"Dumbledore, now really! This girl needs some more rest!" I bit my lips to keep them from letting out a giggle at her remark. She really was such a sweet lady.

"Oh Poppy I'm sure you'll find that this girl is a lot tougher than you can imagine." I smiled to confirm his views.

"Madam Pomfrey I really am fine, but if it makes you feel better I will come straight here If I feel ill at all" She gave Dumbledore a grumpy and unsatisfied look.

"Make sure you do! Very well Dumbledore, go and ruin my patient's recovery period. It wouldn't be the first time." Albus chuckled and led me off towards his office. Albus stopped in front of two morbid looking stone gargoyles and said two very playful words.

"Chocolate frogs!" The gargoyles sprung to life and a great winding staircase wound down into appearance.

"Wow! I really need to get me one of those for my room!" I stared in awe at the winding staircase wondering if it would take long to actually reach his office.

"If you do get one then I'm sure you'll soon find that it is a great pain if you do not remember the password, or so a few of my colleagues have said." He had a sparkle in his eye as he looked at me and smiled. His look intrigued me so that I couldn't help but picture my great aunt McGonagall quarrelling with the grim gargoyles to let her up. While I was daydreaming the scene Albus and I stood on the staircase as it wound upwards leading on into his premises. As we stepped out I gazed around the room in wonder at the beautiful things that stood in display. Not too far away in a golden cage was an ill phoenix.

"Sir…how long do you think your phoenix is going to take before she's resurrected?" The poor thing looked like it was in so much pain. There wasn't an answer to my question at first so when I tore my eyes away from the poor creature I was alarmed at the absence of its master. "Albus?"

I walked up a short uplift of stairs to find the headmaster sitting at his desk pouring over a giant book. He looked up and his intense blue eyes stared at me as if he truly could see right into me.

"I'd give her another two days." He suddenly smiled but it was not a look of joy but rather pity. I tensed and subconsciously pulled down at my sleeve, the only thing hiding the monstrosity that was burned onto me. "But what about you Marina? How long should we give you?" I could feel my face go blank.

"What do you mean…" He rose up from his seat and for a moment I could truly see his real age.

"Child show me your arm." I quivered where I stood and wiped away upcoming tears before looking to the floor in shame. I pulled my left sleeve up, revealing the mark.

"I see…"

"I don't know how it happened! Suddenly there was this snake and then this boy who…" I blushed despite the scenario I was in…oh man how I hated Riddle. "Next thing I know I'm screaming because he's burnt something onto my arm and then I pass out." I was sobbing now and felt horrible, the whole implication of having such a…such a thing on my body! "I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" he waited for me to calm down and regain a sense of false composure.

"Child, why must you apologise? It is quite obvious that mark was forced upon you..." I looked at the old headmaster through blurring tears which I wiped away at once. No more crying…I have to be strong! "This is something I could not have foreseen or imagine. You must understand first that Voldemort usually only allows willing and close followers to bare it. We must recall a connection…what connection do you have with him? What could possibly entwine you two together?" It took me a while for those words to sink in and when they had I was frightened once again.

"I'm sorry Albus, but what? That boy's name was Tom! Tom Riddle! Or was that…an alias of sorts?" I must have looked like I were about to faint for Albus motioned me to sit. I took the seat willingly.

"This…boy. Are you quite sure he said his name was 'Tom Riddle'?" He looked distressed and I wanted to ease his pain.

"Trust me Albus, I think I would remember the name of the guy who stole my first…Yes, yes I'm quite sure." I blushed for the second time and looked downwards quickly, attempting to hide the colour that sprung to my cheeks.

"Tom Riddle…Marina do you know that, that name belongs to a dark wizard? That it is his true name?" I looked up cautiously hoping he wouldn't see pink.

"A dark wizard? You don't think…" His eyes flicked to me with a sudden graveness.

"Yes, Tom Riddle is Voldemort's real name. But tell me…what did he steal? You seemed very worried and fidgety when you almost mentioned it." Uh-oh…how do you tell a close friend of your great aunt that a dark wizard stole her great nieces' first kiss?

"Umm…forgive me Albus but I'd rather not say. But believe it was nothing of importance! I don't even remember it!" TOTAL LIE! I laughed nervously whilst gripping my hands together.

"Marina…do you not understand the importance of ANY detail that has to do with him?" I stopped laughing and looked into his waiting eyes. Looks like I had no choice.

"He stole…" I watched his eyes look intently at me, he was waiting for something vital…"Well…he kind of stole my first kiss." My eyes looked away sharply as he coughed and cleared his throat.

"You say…he was a boy?" I could see he was uncomfortable but I'm quite positive not as uncomfortable as I was.

"Yes." He coughed once again.

"I see…and he kis…kissed you? While he…burnt the mark onto you?" Ooh…a stuttering Dumbledore.

"To keep me from screaming out loud. Yes sir." His eyes widened for a moment but were back to calmness before I could blink.

"I see…" He looked at me sharply before saying something quite unusual.

"A forced kiss is not a true kiss Marina, just remember that. You may go, I doubt you had much rest at the infirmary?" I stood up slowly, disbelief openly viewed on my face...did he know about my visitors? How could he let me go so easily? "I trust I don't have to tell you to keep that mark hidden?" I nodded slowly unsure of what to say. "Marina…you may be surprised to know that you are not the only 'death eater' who truly doesn't want to be a bearer of the mark in this castle." At this comment my mouth fell slightly.

"Albus…does Draco-"

"Mr. Malfoy's situation is a painful one, it would do well if you could perhaps…comfort him? His pride however may be hurt if you do so openly but a subtle reassurance wouldn't be too ill meant." My eyes opened rather largely. Painful situation? Blondie…no wonder he was crying on the train! I should find him…but the things he said…

"Would you like me to talk to him Albus?" If it was for Albus I'd probably do it…I liked Blondie but it would take effort to get over the things he said.

"As a friend? Yes." I nodded once and walked away from the headmaster, time to say bye to the gargoyles.

…..

Ooh…orders from Dumbledore to be with Draco…lolz! Kind of like Harry being told to be chummy with Professor Slughorn! Anywho…hopefully I'll be able to think of something awesome to write about next time…hope you guys will comment and review! Thanks again! =^_^= J-Walker =^_^=