Inferno | Draco Malfoy

082 | Tend to One's Needs

"Adriana Clarissa Harlow?"

My heart races with anticipation knowing that this is it. This is the practical Apparition test I have to take after weeks of having Wilkie Twycross as my instructor. The Apparition test is unlike any other typical school exam as it is seen as a significant milestone, signifying the newfound independence of a witch or wizard in the wizarding world.

"Yes, here."

The examiner authorised by the Ministry of Magic records my name on her clipboard, as I rise from my seat in the entrance hall. Giving Daphne a small nervous nod, she responds with an enthusiastic thumbs-up and a toothy grin, as I proceed to follow the examiner into the Great Hall.

Upon entering the hall, I am acutely aware of the mounting pressure, causing a surge of anxiety within me. Reflecting on my not-so-excellent performance in the theory exam, I am driven to do better in the practical assessment. The stakes are high, and I can feel the weight of responsibility bearing down on me.

"If you have not yet been informed," The examiner closes the door with non-verbal magic. "you will be Disapparating from inside this hall and Apparating to the Apparition test centre in the Ministry. It is important to note that only this hall and the test centre are temporarily connected, so if you accidentally Disapparate or Apparate elsewhere, rest assured that we will come and find you." The examiner holds her clipboard tighter, stepping back to give me some space. "Any injury, no matter how severe, can cause the risk of a failed test. In the event of Splinching, we will offer aid, so there is no need to panic. Any questions?" She asks, I politely shake my head. "Good. The other examiner will be expecting you at the test center. You have a maximum of three minutes. Other than that, the best of luck."

I take a deep breath in, visualising the test centre in my head. All the students who have taken the Apparition lessons have been in the test centre a week prior to the exam, in order to gain an insight on how it looks. But when one is attempting to paint a clear picture of the setting in their head while being in a whole different surrounding with their eyes open, it's a lot more difficult. As Twycross said, think of the three D's: destination, determination, deliberation.

After concentrating and centering my thoughts towards the destination I intend to reach, I focus on my determination, allowing my longing of wanting to depart from my current location to travel towards my intended destination through mental means. As my mind takes charge, my body naturally eases, while I carry out my last step, deliberation.

My vision goes black; the darkness envelops my sight, while my lungs tightens as if on the verge of exploding. Breathing becomes an impossible task, as I sense a constriction, compression, and contortion within my body, as though being squished, pinched and moulded into shape by the suffocating travel, as my jaw is forced to clench, grinding my teeth in absolute discomfort.

And just from the uncomfortable venture, I immediately recognised the sensation of this to be none other than Apparition, since the experience closely resembles Side-Along Apparition, albeit with a more enjoyable and pleasant journey as it does not affect one's sight as bad.

Suddenly, a sensation of falling occurs, causing me to lose grip of my concentration, for just the slightest second, as I start to slowly regain my vision again in a hazy blur.

I begin to feel a bothersome and irritating burning feeling in one of my legs, which I cannot differentiate between left or right just yet, but, judging from the feeling, I can discern that it is familiar.

In an instant, I find that everything in my field of vision is becoming clear once more, and it is in this moment that I realise that the burning sensation, now accompanied by a tingling feeling, is coming from my right leg.