Thicker Than Water {a Draco Malfoy story}

five.

- O L I V I A -

The stands had fallen silent, everyone's eyes on Harry draped over Cedric's body. After getting a look at Cedric's blank face, I pulled my eyes away. I felt sick to my stomach as I looked at the faces of the crowd. Fred, who stood next to me, covered his mouth with his hand, his eyes distant.

"He's back!" Harry shouted.

A few rows over, I caught a glance at Draco. He was staring down at his feet, unmoving. I had ever seen him look so emotionless, his signature sneer absent. He didn't look sad. He looked grim and barren. Even at the sound of Cedric's father wailing into the quiet, Draco didn't flinch. He stayed stone-faced like a statue.

"Get the students away, to their common rooms," I heard Dumbledore say to Professor Snape. Everyone slowly started shuffling out of the stands, still in shock. I followed closely behind Fred, grasping at his arm as to not lose him in the crowd. He turned to look at me to make sure I was alright, and for the first time, in all the years that we had been friends, I saw a tear roll down his cheek. He had never been particularly close with Cedric, but as they were in the same year, they shared many classes. I also assumed that the situation could be rather frightening for him. For the majority of our lives, we always assumed that it was the adults that got to deal with the dangers of our world, but it was suddenly very apparent that that was not the case. We had always been assured, no matter what was going on around us, that Hogwarts was the safest place on earth for us. But one of our classmates had been brutally murdered in a school-endorsed competition.

For the first time in a while, people's stares once again fell onto me. As we were ushered back to the castle, I felt the eyes. A strange fear started to build in my chest as my mind raced. If what Harry said was true, if Voldemort really had returned, then there was a chance that he could come searching for me. He would want me by his side. But I wouldn't allow that. I couldn't allow it. Previously, I had never felt as though I was in danger while at Hogwarts. It truly was a safe space for me. Even when students were being petrified by a basilisk in my third year, and when the danger of Sirius Black sent the whole school into a panic, I knew that everything would end up alright. Not only did I feel safe from the obvious threats of dark magic that came along with being a witch, but I felt safe from my own identity. The walls of this castle helped suppress the darkness that would always live inside of me, the darkness that ran through my veins. But now, I wasn't so sure. Students were dying, and the whole school knew who I was. It was no longer a sanctuary from reality.

As we marched up the many flights of stairs to the Gryffindor tower, the quiet remained over everyone. A few whispers buzzed about, mostly of reassurance and comfort, but for the most part, the only sound was the beat of our footsteps. And that is how the night remained. No one spoke to each other as we prepared for bed, though I wasn't sure how anyone would be able to sleep.

After a quick shower and changing into a comfy pair of shorts and a tank top, I made my way back down to the common room to find Ron and Hermione sitting on opposite ends of the couch silently. They appeared to be waiting for Harry. Fred and George were also there, sitting at one of the many small tables. They were talking to each other in low voices, but immediately stopped when they saw me. "Ollie," they both said quietly. Only they called me that.

My fears wouldn't be dissolved by their smiling faces this time. Clearly, they were both upset, as was the entire school. This time, the looks in their eyes made me want to cry. But, I didn't. I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. They both stood and their arms engulfed me. They seemed to have realized the same thing I had. I was on the top of Voldemort's Wanted list.

- D R A C O -

I felt a sharp burning sensation on my left forearm. The intense pain forced me to clench my jaw tight, suppressing a scream. Everything around me was dark, a few tall shadows off in the distance.

When I looked down to see where the pain was coming from, a bright glow erupted from my skin. After a few moments, it started to fade, leaving behind a black symbol. It was a symbol of skull with a serpent perturbing from its mouth like a tongue. I could feel my heart plummet inside of my chest. I had seen this symbol many times before. It was identical to the one on my father's arm, though his was much more faint.

I knew what it meant. I knew who it belonged to. And it terrified me.

The pain intensified. I couldn't hold back any longer.

Just as I opened my mouth to scream, my eyes shot open.

I panted as I tried to catch my breath, sitting up straight. I was no longer trapped in a void of darkness. I was in my bed, in the Slytherin dormitory. I pulled my arm out from under the blankets, examining it. The dark mark was no where to be seen.

If Potter was telling the truth and Voldemort had risen, that would be my fate.