A Dark Surprise

            He stayed there for some time like that, until he heard the door open to the wing, and Dumbledore’s voice came ringing through the hall.

           “I do hear you Poppy, however I must see this for myself”, he exclaimed.

            The witch he was talking to drew open the curtains to reveal Harry sitting with Hermione, as he was before.

            “Excuse me Harry, but you’ll have to leave now,” said Madam Pomfrey, in a patronizing tone.

            “No, he should stay for this,” objected Dumbledore.

              She sighed and reached forward over Harry’s hands and up to the sleeve of Hermione’s arm. She pulled it back to reveal burn markings in a circular shape on her upper arm.

             Harry winced in terror at what he saw, as the memory of his duel with Voldemort came haunting back to him at this sight. Dumbledore turned to the shaking Harry in confusion.

             “What is it Harry?” he asked.

             “D-don’t you see it? It’s the dark mark! How could you not see it?!”

 *******

            The hospital was soon full of emergency. Professors were being ordered about the school, and all prefects were sent to bring their houses into the Great Hall. The markings on Hermione’s arm were looked at by all the professors in Hogwarts, but Professor Snape had been the only one to see a black skull with a snake writhing out of it’s mouth instead of the faint burnt marks that the others saw. Harry sat forgotten by Hermione’s bedside, while Dumbledore talked quietly with Professor McGonagall across the room. Harry had to do something, he needed to get back to sanity, he needed to talk to Ron. He was tired of waiting for the adults to figure out who had done this to his best friend, and so he picked up his things and ran out of the hospital wing.

         By the time Harry reached the common room, the Gryffindors were being ushered down to the Great Hall.

   “Bloody hell Harry, are you saying Hermione’s a death eater?” demanded Ron after Harry had explained what had happened..

          “No, not at all. This is Hermione we’re talking about, remember. I do think she was attacked by a death eater though.” explained Harry.

          “So why would they leave the dark mark on her arm? Wouldn’t that give away who they were?” asked a confused Ron.

          “I have no idea, there’s got to be something more to it.”