Draco Malfoy's Death Eater initiation ceremony

This initiation ceremony was the ritual in which Draco Malfoy was branded with the Dark Mark and, consequently, was regarded as a Death Eater. It took place at Borgin and Burkes, an antiquarian at Knockturn Alley, on 3 August, 1996.

A group of Voldemort-sympathisers, including Narcissa Malfoy, Bellatrix Lestrange and Fenrir Greyback encircled an old cauldron and, in the centre of the circle stood Draco. As Draco extended his left arm, the cauldron exploded with light and, quickly, the group dispersed.

Behind the scenes

 * This ceremony was to be witnessed by Hermione Granger in the early drafts of the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. In the final cut, this scene differs significantly from as it goes in the script: instead of Hermione getting lost from Harry and Ron and stumbing into this scene, as it is described in the script, Harry, Ron and Hermione peer into the window of Borgin and Burkes together and see Draco and Narcissa perusing the Vanishing Cabinet, shortly before a suspicious Fenrir Greyback shuts the blinds obstructing their field of vision. The novel makes no reference to this event at all, aside from a supposition made by Harry.

Appearances

 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (film)
 * Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince (video game)