The Dark Mark (The Girl Who Lived part II)

Another Eventful Year

Here I was again, in front of the pillar that would lead to the platform 9 3/4 and in one of the luggage carts that the twins had shoved me in. "Alright Scarlet, are you ready?" They asked me. Fred and George often fought on who'd be the one to push the cart with me in it. And they finally reached a consensus. They would take turns. It was George's turn now. He backed up slightly and began sprinting towards the pillar. Every time I wanted to scream, if I didn't, that he was insane for running straight into a pillar. But sure enough, we magically appeared on the platform 9 3/4. 

I had to wonder how other people viewed this. The ones who watched as people sprinted straight into a pillar and disappeared simply into thin air. We took our seats along the Hogwart's express, anticipating an eventful year much like the last one, the year before that, and so on. We'd never had one dull year. In most cases, that's a good thing. But in our case, it was not. Harry ushered me to take a seat in one of the compartments where he joined me. Neville and Luna Lovegood soon joined us. She was a peculiar girl. She had some odd beliefs and habits, but perhaps from her perspective, my habits, beliefs, and behavior seemed strange. But she was a nice person nonetheless. 

"How did you spend your summer?" I asked them. "I spent it with Grandma. She finally allowed me to have a garden. I already know what I want to plant". Just by these simple sentences, Neville seemed overjoyed. "I spent a majority of my time distributing Quibbler's. There's been lots of news buzzing about now that He's back". Luna said. It seemed as though her attention was half in the conversation and half somewhere else. "Speaking of He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, it seems as though he's got another goon to do his dirty work for him". Harry said. "Who would that be?" Neville asked. Harry had never told me of his findings when he left to follow Draco. But it couldn't be him. Could it? I couldn't eliminate that possibility without concrete evidence. "Malfoy. I saw him. I swear I saw him with the Dark Mark. He's doing Voldemort's bidding. He's got something planned". Harry said. Why would Draco have the Dark Mark? I received this larger one that seemed to consume my left arm so he wouldn't have to. I put my arms around Harry's bicep. His pulse was quick. "Harry. Don't get yourself worked up. We don't know that for certain".

His pulse calmed at my touch. "I suppose not. But there's something fishy about Malfoy. I don't trust him and I don't want you near him". "Your speculation can't immediately be considered wrong". Neville said. "I agree. With Draco's father being imprisoned, He-Who-Shall-Not-Be-Named, will be down one Death Eater. And of course, simply replace a Malfoy with a Malfoy". Luna said, in her dream-like state. 

Luna checked the time. "I must be going. I need to distribute Quibbler's". She excused herself and left the compartment. I then spent a majority of the train ride sleeping. I was still recovering from the flu, cold, or whatever it was. I dreamt of things that had nothing to do with Voldemort, Death Eater's, or anything whatsoever. And then I came to a realization. I was dreaming. When was the last time I was able to sleep like this without a disturbance? Or more so, when was the last time I was able to sleep? The answer was, a long time ago.

When I woke, my head was leaned against something soft and comforting. Something that felt like home, wherever or whatever that was for me. I looked up expecting it to be Harry, which it was not. Neville. I separated from him and rubbed my eyes. "Where's Harry and Luna?" I asked him. It was only the two of us in the compartment and quite a bit of time had passed since then. "I'm not sure about Luna. I think she's still distributing Quibbler's. She most likely found Ginny and got distracted. Harry didn't want to wake you so he wanted me to tell you that he went to stretch his legs and that he'd be back soon. But it's been about an hour and he still hasn't returned". "Sorry if I did anything in my sleep. I'm kind of kicker" I said to him. "I talk in my sleep". He said. "Now that we're alone, I need to show you something". I removed my jacket and showed him my ink covered skin not covered by my short sleeved shirt. He traced the shape of the serpent that had wrapped itself around my arm.

"I've never seen something like this before. It looks like a much larger version of the Dark Mark". I slipped my jacket back on. "It may as well be. I can't even begin to imagine the effects of this when He commands me to do something". "How did you get it?" He asked me. "I was at Malfoy Manor for a few days. There was an initiation for Draco for him to become a Death Eater. He was supposed to get the Dark Mark, but I jumped in front of him. I suppose that had some reaction with the one I already had, and resulted in a larger one". 'But if you have a Dark Mark, then why would Draco have one?" "I have no bloody idea. But something in my stomach doesn't feel right. I'm going to go find Harry". I stood. "Let me go with you. You shouldn't strain yourself. You're still sick". I waved him off. "I'm not that sick. If I don't return by the time the train stops, come find me". I slid open the door to the compartment, and walked through the halls searching for Harry. Eventually I came to the compartment that Draco and his slaves.... I mean, friends were in. His eyes lit up when he saw me, but no other part of him demonstrated this. He stood. Pansy sneered. "What, you finally come to your senses and ditch Potter?" He smirked. Just then, one of the bags from above, fell and bonked him on that hard head of his.

"You wish. I'm actually looking for Harry. Have you seen him?" I was tempted to ask him about the Dark Mark. But I knew that this was neither the time nor place to ask him. "What if I did? Why would I tell you?" "Because I happen to have some information that I think you'd find very.....amusing". I laughed to myself, thinking about what Ginny had told me. "Alright. No, I haven't seen your rug of a boyfriend. Now what do you have to tell me?" "There's a rumor going around school that you're in love with green apples. They call it, "Drapple"". I exited the compartment and returned to Neville. "Still no sign of him". I said, sitting down. We took turns changing our robes and shortly returned to the compartment. The train came to a complete stop. "Looks like it's time to go". Neville said. "But we still haven't found him". I argued. "Let's get off the train first. We'll probably be one of the first ones out. We can wait for him. Besides, this stuffy train air isn't good if you're trying to get better". We exited the train and sat there until the train left. No sign of him. We gave up then. "Surely, we'll see him at dinner". He said to reassure me. "I suppose so".