Harry is convinced that Draco has been made a Death Eater. He believes Draco showed Mr. Borgin the Dark Mark (Voldemort’s mark branded onto the arms of his followers) to frighten him; it also explains why Draco flinched when Madam Malkin adjusted his sleeve. However, Ron and Hermione dismiss this theory.

At the end of the holidays, Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny are escorted to the station by Mr. and Mrs. Weasley to take the train back to Hogwarts; Ginny is beginning her fifth year, while the other three are in their sixth. Before boarding the train, Harry privately confides in Mr. Weasley about his suspicions regarding Draco.

Ron and Hermione proceed to the prefect carriage, and Ginny leaves to meet her boyfriend, Dean Thomas, at which Harry experiences a “strange twinge of annoyance” (137). He finds seats with Neville Longbottom and Luna Lovegood, friends of his who fought alongside him, Ron, Hermione, and Ginny, at the Battle of the Department of Mysteries. A group of girls led by Romilda Vane enter their compartment and invite Harry to sit with them instead, but Harry refuses. When Luna points out that people expect Harry to have cooler friends than her and Neville, Harry responds that they are cool: “None of them was at the Ministry.