The Purest Kind of Magic

- forty two -

I opened my eyes and stared at the white ceiling above me. I was no longer in the dark and cold graveyard. My left arm ached as I remembered the last thing that happened before I blacked out. 

I looked around and saw Draco asleep on the side. My lips curled to a small smile when I saw his hand above my right hand. I turned my hand around and held his, which led him to wake up. His face lit up when he saw me awake.

"Y/n!" Draco sat up as he smiled.

"How long was I asleep?" I asked bitterly, my smile fading away even when I wanted to keep it on. 

"Three days and two nights. You were in a magical coma from.. the Cruciatus Curse," Draco replied as his eyes glanced away. 

My heart sank as Draco mentioned the Cruciatus Curse. The memories of the pain I had endured came rushing back, and I shuddered at the recollection. "Three days..." I murmured, still trying to process the time I had lost.

Draco reached out and gently cupped my face with his hand, his expression filled with concern. "I'm so sorry," he said softly, his voice filled with genuine remorse.

"It's not your fault," I replied, trying to reassure him.

Draco's grip on my hand tightened, and he looked into my eyes with a mixture of emotions. "I should have been there to protect you," he said, his voice filled with regret. "I should have done something to stop him."

I bit my lips, "Did... anything else happen? When I was out cold?"

Draco hesitated for a moment before speaking, his gaze still filled with concern. "The... The imposter was Mad-Eye. Well, Barty Crouch used the polyjuice potion to infilitrate Hogwarts."

I nodded to myself, "So I'm guessing that he's the one that portkeyed me away too?"

Draco was silent for a moment, "It'd be a reasonable guess, but he was the one that took you back too."

"Why would he bring me back?" I asked, furrowing my brow. "If he was working for... You-Know-Who, why not keep me there as a hostage or something?"

Draco looked troubled as he tried to piece together the puzzle. "I'm not entirely sure," he admitted. "But my guess is that You-Know-Who ordered him to."

It made sense in a twisted way. Voldemort was known for his strategic mind, and perhaps he had some devious scheme in mind that involved me being back at Hogwarts.

My left arm ached at the thought of Voldemort. I winced in pain, it felt like something was crawling through my skin.

Draco's concern deepened as he saw me wince in pain. "Are you alright?" he asked, his voice filled with worry. I darted my eyes away from him.

"I'm fine, it's nothing."

Draco frowned, "I know when you're lying, Y/n. Tell me the truth."

I sighed deeply, I can't tell him. I can't even imagine how Draco will react to the Dark Mark that was forced onto me. I shook my head, "It's really nothing, Draco, let it go."

Draco's frown deepened, clearly not convinced by my attempt to brush off the pain. He knew me too well, and he could see through my facade. "Y/n, I can see that something is bothering you," he said gently. "You don't have to keep it to yourself. I'm here for you, no matter what."

"It's just the pain from the curse," I insisted, avoiding his gaze. "I'll be fine."

He didn't push further and I was glad. Instead, he squeezed my hand gently, offering silent support. "Alright, if you say so," he said, though I could tell he wasn't entirely convinced.

I shifted my left arm under the sheets so it wouldn't be too easy for someone to see the mark. Let alone someone else, I don't even want to catch a glimpse of it.

"Well," Draco started, "I wish I could just stay here with you until you fully recover, but I do have classes I have to attend."

He hesitantly let go of my hand while glancing at my left arm that was now covered up as he stood up. I watched as he walked out of the Hospital Wing, looking back at me every few seconds.

I sat up immediately after the door closed. I looked around to make sure no one was close enough to me to see anything in detail. I took my left arm and held it in front of me.

I gulped as I pushed up the sleeve. The anxiety that filled me was instantly gone and turned into confusion. 

There was nothing there. 

I can still clearly recall the moment where Voldemort muttered something and pain surged within me as the Dark Mark slowly formed on my arm. The Death Eaters that were holding me down had to use extra strength to keep me still.

I remember my screams echoing the night and my tears rolling down my cheeks nonstop. I remember feeling useless to be stuck in that kind of situation.

So why? Why is there nothing on my arm? What was the pain I just felt? 

Glamour Charm.

I muttered a spell to temporaily take off the glamour charm and there it was. The Dark Mark. Staring into my soul.

I stared at the sinister mark on my left arm, the dreaded Dark Mark. It felt like a grotesque stain on my very being, a reminder of the darkness I had unwillingly been a part of. 

The Glamour Charm had concealed it, masking the truth from everyone, including myself. But the pain I felt when the charm was lifted brought it all rushing back.

Voldemort's malevolent face flashed in my mind, and the fear he instilled in me resurfaced. I had been marked, branded as one of his followers against my will. 

I felt a mix of anger, sadness, and shame, wondering how I would ever be able to face Draco or anyone else with this abhorrent mark upon me.

Tears welled up in my eyes, and I quickly casted the Glamour Charm back on my arm, hiding the Dark Mark once more. I couldn't bear for anyone else to see it. I couldn't bear to see it myself.