Draco always dreaded the summer holiday. To others, it was the blissful escape from work, school and menacing teachers alike. For Draco, it was the hard return to a cold, overbearing father, a cowering, terrified mother and the ever-looming threat of Voldemort. And he had the most important choice to make, by the end of the summer. Whether to be a Death Eater.
From the outside, it looked to be a simple decision. To kill or be killed. However, it wasn't quite that easy. Draco had to think about his family, his friends – would he take the Mark to save them? He had to think about the impact on Hermione; his closest friend as of this year. He had to wonder whether he had that Gryffindor courage to prepare to kill another human being or the stomach to finish the act.
However, he knew Voldemort had something special planned for him. With his father in Azkaban, all he had protecting him was a weak and feeble woman, fearing for the life of herself and her son. And the Dark Lord wanted him to take Lucius Malfoy's place: to insert himself quite literally into his father's shoes and complete a task he hadn't even been informed about yet.
At Hogwarts, he had the protection of Severus. He'd always known that – he could count on the brusque Potions Master, as his godfather, to keep him from harm and trouble. And Severus just so happened to be Voldemort's right-hand man.
But Severus' influence only reached so far. Draco was nearly a man. He had to protect himself, and his family, and his friends. And he had to do it alone.
*
Hermione, on the other hand, was having a relatively peaceful summer, with the exception of the arrival of their OWL results. She had been side-Apparated to The Burrow by Fred and George, who were surprisingly helpful for once, with her trunk, only about a fortnight after they'd broken up.
The OWLs arrived on the same day as Harry and Hermione wasn't sure what she felt at either's appearance. Harry was no doubt grieving over Sirius' death, and Hermione had never particularly been good at comforting people. She always said the wrong thing at a crucial moment - for instance when Lavender's rabbit had died in their third year. She would never forget the iciness that remained in their dormitory for months afterwards.
Then there were the OWLs. Hermione was confident she'd done well, but she didn't know how good 'well' was. Would she be happy with 'Exceeds Expectations' or would she only be truly content with an 'Outstanding' in every subject?
"Mrs Weasley, you're quite, quite sure no owls have arrived this morning?" She asked, pacing the kitchen and twisting her fingers together.
"Yes, dear, I'd have noticed," Mrs Weasley replied patiently. "But it's barely nine, there's still plenty of time..."
"I know I messed up Ancient Runes," she muttered feverishly, "I definitely made at least one serious mistranslation. And the Defence Against the Dark Arts practical was no good at all. I thought Transfiguration went all right at the time, but looking back..."
Ron interrupted her testily.
"Hermione, will you shut up, you're not the only one who's nervous!" He barked. "And when you've got your ten 'Outstanding' OWLs..."
Hermione got increasing more hysterical, and even let out a scream when she saw the owls arriving.
"One for each of us," she whispered, terrified. "Oh no... oh no... oh no..." She gripped both Harry and Ron tightly around the elbows.
When Hermione finally got the letter off her owl (her hands were shaking so much she made the animal tremble), she bent her head over her results and tried to work out what she felt.
"Hermione?" Asked Ginny nervously. "How did you do?"
"I – not bad," she replied tentatively.
"Oh, come off it." Ron strode over and snatched her letter. "Yep – nine 'Outstandings' and one 'Exceeds Expectations' in Defence Against the Dark Arts. You're actually disappointed, aren't you?"
Hermione shook her head as Harry laughed.
"Well," exclaimed Ron, grinning, "we're NEWT students now! Mum, are there any more sausages?"
*****
A.N. The beginning of Half-Blood Prince! I never thought I'd even get this far, so thank you for all the support along the way. Special shout-out to Jenny (TheTheoryofaWeirdo).
Draco has a decision to make that will undoubtedly impact on his friendship with Hermione.
Thank you for reading and PLEASE, PLEASE COMMENT!
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