humm...good.

Oh, this is *excellent*. It's heartbreakingly angsty and so, so sad. You've portrayed Draco really well, and the emotional undercurrents are subtle, which really adds to it. The reactions are quiet - no histrionics, no weeping and wailing and gnashing of teeth - and that's what makes this a really powerful piece of writing.

So Angsty! So Short! I can tell you're a good writer though, if only from this short little chappie. I'd like to encourage you to do something longer, stretch your skill and really develop plots and characters. I think you would be really good at it. Then again, what do I know exactly? Maybe you've already written a novel length and I just haven't checked. I really liked how tangible you made the whole situation seem. And the description of the Dark Mark as black ash upon his skin was a very somber poetic way to put it that perfectly fit the scene. Good job!