Silver and Gold // Dramione

Return to Hogwarts

6th Year, September 10th

"Hogwarts, what a pathetic excuse for a school" Draco's voice echoed in the students ears in the tight confines of the train's cubicle. His tone cold and mocking as he recalled his earlier endeavours.

From his side Blaise choked on the black smoke that filled the cabin, knocking Draco away from his remberings.

The explosion was likely caused by one of those Weasley toys: thought Draco. The dreadful things had run rampant throughout the school since fifth year when the inquisitorial squad was enforcing Umpridges ban on wheezes of any sorts. Even with restrictions and outright bans, the redheaded gang of blood traitors found a way to wreak chaos.

"What are you on about Draco?" Pansy asked from across the table, and Draco was thankful she wasn't closer or he'd bet money she would place her rough hand on his shoulder and wink at him.

"Let's just say you won't see me wasting my time in charms next year" he snickered, drawing his attention out the window, and onto the white smog that crowded the train. A protection, he suspected, to hide the students' return to Hogwarts.

"In fact, I'd rather throw myself off the Astronomy tower than return for seventh year!" he whispered to himself. No one seemed to hear him, the rest of the car was too busy clearing their lungs from black smoke and pressing their heads in their hands with worry.

There was a vanishing cabinet at Hogwarts, and Dumbledore still assumed the student body was safe.

There was a direct line from Death Eater Head Quarters, and students as young as 10 were being permitted to enter the grounds (within reason of appearing to safety protocols). Safety was not assumed at Hogwarts, not anymore. But Dumbledore had ensured wizarding society that the castle's crumbling towers offered more protection than their homes would. That was assuming the headmaster knew of its existence, and place of dwelling. Pathetic; he thought. With his luck the headmaster wouldn't be the wiser and he could find it with no attachments or obstacles, and proceed with his mission earlier than expected of him.

He knew what he was looking for, a tall and dark coffin-esque cabinet that on command would transport any occupants or fixtures to Borgin and Burkes. Where, upon arrival, a death eater companion of his fathers would be waiting to receive or advance forwards themselves.

Draco's exposure to Voldemort's inner circle had grown significantly over the summer. With his parents on thin ice after Lucius many failures, the mantel had been given to him to appraise the family name and do right by the Dark Lord. Now his mission was clear, and Draco had to come up with a way to carry it out without being noticed.

He heard the faint mumbles of his friends in the background, but he continued to stare into the smokey void. He felt like someone was watching. Someone was always watching him, but this was different. He felt their presence in his immediate surroundings, not just his head.

The train ride went faster than Draco remembered. He seemed to only have time to avoid Pansy's stare and chat with Theo Nott for a few brief moments about Nott's prefect position before they arrived at the station with a hoot.

He laughed under his breath as he watched some first years some first years through the window struggle with their trunks on the platform.

"Draco, aren't you coming?" her voice felt like a whine in his ear.

"Go on. I have to take care of something". He was firm and she didn't question him.

He shut the car door harshly behind her, rattling the whole train car slightly as he did. With the flick of his wand the curtains snapped shut around him, providing the car with little outside light.