Swords (Edmund X Reader)

The Dark Mark

Long chapter, buckle up:)

Two weeks later, I was fully healed. There was a reason the Cruciatus Curse was an Unforgivable Curse. Although the physical pain was gone, it was harder to deal with the emotional pain. How badly I wanted to write to Harry, asking if he was okay. Asking if Newt was okay. And making sure to tell them I was okay too.

Unfortunately, I was not allowed to contact them in any way. Edmund had struck some kind of deal with Tom, one that they were going to explain today, to help me return to Hogwarts, to my friends, to home.

But these past weeks, I had been a glorified prisoner between these walls. Glorified because I had everything I could need, good food, nice bed, a house elf to talk to, and frequent visits from Edmund. Although they usually went by silently, I didn't want to talk to him much, but he insisted coming every other day, just to see me.

But I couldn't leave the room. When the house elves came to deliver my food, I would try and catch a glimpse of outside the room, but all I saw were more doors. I checked once in the middle of the night, but my door was locked. Even Alohomora didn't work.

So, I spent most my time on the balcony, looking out at the garden. There were so many flowers and a small courtyard too. I had sometimes seen Edmund use the courtyard to practice sword fighting.

Today I heard a knock and thought maybe lunch came early. Instead, it was Draco Malfoy. I was confused to see him. "C'mon then." He said dully.

"What's going on?" I asked, walking towards him.

"You'll see." He said. His usual remarks and teasing were not there. He seemed sad. I followed him downstairs, taking into account everything, to plan my escape. Downstairs, we went to the living room where everyone was. Tom sat in an armchair and everyone else was standing around.

I saw Edmund, he didn't meet my eye, instead looked down at the floor. But I also saw Tewkesbury. He didn't look at me either.

"Draco Malfoy, step forward." Tom said. Draco did as he was told and knelt in front of Tom. "Say the words." Tom whispered.

"Dark Lord Voldemort, I pledge my undying allegiance to you." Draco said, extending his left forearm. Tom took his wand and pressed it against the skin of Draco's forearm. Black ink spread on his arm. Draco grimaced in pain. As the ink took shape of the Dark Mark, Draco wailed in pain.

By the end of it, he was on the floor, clutching his arm. "Get up, boy." Lucius grumbled, helping Draco off the floor. Tom turned his gaze to me. "Y/N Y/L/N, step forward." I hesitantly stepped forward but didn't kneel. "Kneel." Tom demanded. I didn't.

He pointed his wand at me. "Imperio." He said. I felt some force take over me and make me kneel. The same force made me extend my arm out. The tension stopped and Tom lowered his wand.

"Now, I cannot force you to say the exact words, but I can...persuade you." Tom smirked. He tapped his chain, pretending to think.

"Now let's see, how do I say this...become a death eater or never return to Hogwarts and watch as I destroy everything and everyone you love." He said.

"You wouldn't." I snapped. Tom just smiled. He looked up and nodded to one of his death eaters. Instantly, Tewkesbury was pinned on his knees, a wand pointed at his head.

"Do you really want to go there?" Tom said. I looked over at Tewkesbury as he struggled.

"I don't care what you do to him." I said.

"Unfortunately, I'm better at reading thoughts and emotions then either of them are." Tom snapped his fingers and Tewkesbury was released but Edmund was now pinned. My heart hammered.