The Purest Kind of Magic

- fifty eight -

I groaned as I slightly opened my eyes to the bright sunshine coming through the window I forgot to close the curtains on. I fumbled to the left, hoping that way I won't get blinded by the sun.

"You're finally awake, princess," Draco's voice grazed softly over my ears.

I rubbed my eyes as I looked at Draco's smiling face. "You're up early," I said.

"Good morning," He said in a soft voice.

I couldn't help but return his smile, despite the grogginess that still clung to me. "Morning," I mumbled, my voice still heavy with sleep.

Draco reached out and brushed a strand of hair away from my face. "You look beautiful, even with bedhead."

I couldn't help but laugh, feeling more awake now. "Flattery in the morning? You must want something."

He chuckled, leaning in to give me a gentle kiss. "Maybe," he said against my lips. He caressed my arm but instantly, immediately pulled away and sat up in shock.

"What happened?" I asked as I sat up sheepishly.

"Your..." Draco said as he looked at my left arm and reached out for it, "I think your Mark... The Mark... it's..."

His voice trailed off as he took my arm and unrolled my sleeve. My heart nearly skipped a beat when I saw the Mark just staring back at us.

"But the Glamour Charm," I said as I started panicking, "Snape just renewed it not long ago."

Draco's face was etched with a mixture of disbelief and concern as he examined the Dark Mark on my arm. "Something must've happened, the charm don't just randomly disappear like that."

My mind raced as I had an instant flashback to the previous night—the searing pain in my arm, the eerie feeling that something was amiss. It all made sense now; the Dark Mark was reasserting itself, and it was no coincidence.

"But why now?" I whispered, my voice trembling with anxiety.

Draco shook his head, his fingers tracing the dark lines of the Mark. "I don't know, Y/n, but we can't ignore it. The Dark Mark is His way of summoning his Death Eaters. If it's visible again, it means he's calling for his followers."

I felt a shiver run down my spine at the thought. What else could He possibly want from me?

"We have to ask my father," Draco said with a gulp, "It might not sound like the best idea but trust me, he knows what to do best."

I nodded, "It's not like we've got much of a choice right now anyway."

--

"My best advice?" Lucius Malfoy said with a raised eyebrow. "Find out what the Dark Lord wants, and just do as he says. It's the best solution."

"Father," Draco pleaded, "Y/n got the Mark forced onto her, she can't just..."

I sighed, "I guess this is a new way of torturing me. What will happen if I just ignore it?"

Lord Malfoy interwined his fingers, "You will possibly face greater pain."

"Is there nothing else we can do, Father? Y/n shouldn't have to go through this," Draco said as he looked at me, concerned.

Lord Malfoy's expression remained cold and unyielding. "The Dark Lord's commands are not to be taken lightly, Draco. Both you and Miss Y/n should know the consequences of defying him by now."

I glanced between Draco and his father, feeling the weight of the situation pressing down on me. It was as if I had been thrust into a nightmare with no escape.