I have revised it! It's done! (mostly the same for first chapter, just a few touchups)
"Talking"
'thoughts'
"Parseltongue"
-88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888-
Marie Rosalina Potter woke up suddenly from her reoccurring nightmare gasping with sudden terror at the horrific images that still assaulted her mind.
She sat up quickly in her small dirty bed that the Dursleys had given to her after her first year at Hogwarts and she wiped the sweat off of her brow and rubbed away the stained tears.
It was just a week after her fourth year from Hogwarts and the horrible man named Lord Voldemort had been resurrected, every night giving her nightmares of what had occurred in the graveyard. The man had been frightening with pale, hairless skin, nails like talons, a flat slit nose and red eyes. He looked like something from a horror film. And of course when she had escaped the graveyard with Cedric's dead body, the ministry didn't believe her that the Dark Lord had returned.
Even though the evidence was right there in front of them, they didn't pay any attention to it, reporting her as crazy and stupid.
Marie had been angry and scared. Why didn't they believe her?
Did her friends even really believe her or were they just saying that they did because they were her friends?
'Knock! Knock! Knock!'
A fist pounded on the door followed by a harsh voice, "Girl! Get up right now! It's time for you to make our breakfast!"
It was Aunt Petunia.
"I'm coming, Aunt Petunia" Marie didn't dare to shout back at the woman in fear of getting slapped again. Of course she could handle a slap on the face but then the fear began when her Aunt told Uncle Vernon about her misbehavior. Things would get a lot worse then.
Marie swung her feet off of the bed and stretched quickly to get ready for the day. It was just like any other day at the Dursleys after all. Work, eat scraps, Work again then sleep. Then the cycle just continues until her next year to Hogwarts.
Marie got up from the bed and quickly dressed for the day in a big shirt, baggy jeans and a rope that she tied around her waist to keep the jeans from falling down. They were the hand-me-downs that belonged to her cousin Dudley. The Dursleys, after all, wouldn't waste their money on her. The only thing they actually bought her were her glasses a long time ago. Now she didn't need them, thank Merlin, because of Hermione's excellent charm skills to repair her vision.
Marie finished dressing and left the room to go down to the kitchen. Once she reached the Dining room, however, she was greeted with glares and hateful stares of disdain. It didn't bother her anymore, really though. She was used to their hate. She went into the kitchen to start the usual Sunday breakfast for the family of muggles. Altogether she had to make homemade coffee cake, 9 eggs, 10 thickly sliced pieces of bacon, 8 sausages, 5 slices of toast and a pitcher of hot coffee and fresh orange juice.
Nothing for herself of course. She would get leftovers if she was lucky.
When she was finished, she brought out the food to the family and set the plates of food in front of each of them.
"What is this?!" Uncle Vernon shouted and Marie just replied nicely.
"It's your Sunday breakfast, Uncle."
"No! It's not! It's a burnt Sunday breakfast is what it is! I can't eat this! Are you trying to poison me, you bitch?!"
This was one of Marie's worse days, she could already tell, "No, Uncle. I can redo it for you if you'd like."
Uncle Vernon dumped the plate of food in the trash and Dudley giggled as he watched the scene unfold. Aunt Petunia calmly ate her breakfast like nothing was happening.
Then the unthinkable happened as Uncle Vernon broke the plate on the floor and pushed her on the ground.
"Ah!" she cried out as her arm met shards of the broken plate with Uncle Vernon's foot on her head.
"You're damned right you will, bitch. Now get up and go fix me a real meal!"
With that unnecessary performance of dominance past, Marie quickly got up.
"And pick up this mess!"
Marie hurriedly picked up all of the shards and pieces and threw them in the trash before going back into the kitchen to redo Uncle Vernon's breakfast. When she was finished again, there was no complaint as Uncle Vernon gobbled up the food and left for work. That's when Aunt Petunia gave Marie her chores list.
"You'll do everything on this list or else I'll tell your Uncle. And you remember the last time what happened when you didn't finish everything before he got here."
Marie shuddered at the memory, "Yes mam"
The chores on the list were the usual impossibilities to do all in one day.
'Great' Marie thought, 'I'll never get all of this done in time!'
The list read as follows: Clean Dudley's room, dust and vacuum the house, weed and plant the garden, trim the bushes, polish the kitchen floor, wash the dishes, clean the whole bathroom, do the laundry, wash the windows and prepare lunch and dinner.
'I guess I better get started then.' Marie sighed in her head.
By the time Marie was finished with the indoor chores it was already 3pm and time for her own lunch. She had already prepared Aunt Petunia and Dudley's lunch at noon so Aunt Petunia let Marie have some water and a piece of leftover biscuit before making her go back to work.
Now Marie started on the outdoor chores like weeding and planting the garden and trimming the bushes. Of course this would normally take her three or so hours to finish but Uncle Vernon got back from work in two hours.
Marie was just finishing weeding the garden when Dudley came up from behind her.
"What are you doing freak?" he huffed much like his father. Marie turned around and faced her cousin.
"I'm doing the chores, Dudley." She answered shortly but when she reached her hand down to pick another weed, Dudley stomped down on her hand.
"Ah!" she cried out in pain, "Get off!"
Dudley laughed at her pain and stepped off of her hand, "You know what, why don't you make yourself useful later and join me and my gang for some fun?"
Marie stopped dead in her thoughts as she stared up at her cousin, "You're disgusting. I'm your cousin, you moron!"
"You're a freak. I bet I know what you do at that freaky school of yours. You're a whore just like dad says. So you're going to come to the backyard tonight and you're going to be our whore later. Got it?!"
Marie shivered in fear and disgust. Nothing like this had ever happened before. She had only ever been beaten and slapped around by her Uncle Vernon and Dudley's gang and him. Never had any of them stooped to violating her like Dudley said he was planning on.
Marie stayed silent and turned back to the garden to start planting the seeds. Apparently, Dudley saw that as a confirmation and he left without another word. Silently in the garden, Marie sat there planting the seeds with tears dripping down her cheeks.
-88888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888-
Earlier that morning Lucius Malfoy awoke just like normal on a Sunday. He turned to see that his beautiful wife, Narcissa, was still in bed with him and it was only 7am and his dark mark was burning like lava into his arm.
He had to get up.
"What does he want now?" Lucius whispered to himself and Narcissa awoke from his voice.
"What is it dear?" she whispered.
Lucius rubbed his aching forearm, "It's the dark Lord. He's calling me so you know what that means. No family breakfast and I get impossible missions and horrible lectures from a psychopath."
"Lucius! Don't talk about our Lord that way!" she giggled despite herself. Lucius smirked.
"I know. I'll see you later, dear. Tell Draco to practice his charms. He needs work on those."
With that, the Senior Malfoy got out of bed and waved his wand upon himself to place robes on his body. A quick scourgify and hair calming spell and he was ready to meet with his Lord. He walked over to the fireplace and grabbed some Floo.
"Lord Voldemort's chambers!"
With that, Lucius Flooed to Voldemort's chambers in a matter of seconds and walked out of the fireplace with dignity and class, "You wished to see me, my Lord?"
The Dark Lord was sitting in his chair with a wine glass of water in his hands. Lucius had to admit, his Lord was not the best looking man in the world. In fact, he just looked scary as hell when sporting the snake face. But Lucius would not be frightened into obedience like Wormtail had been. It was utterly disgusting and undignified for just a Pureblood like Lucius to behave so he kept his blank face.
Voldemort swirled his water in the glass and pursed his thin lips, "I have a job for you Lucius."
There was a moment of silence before Voldemort continued, "A low-ranking Deatheater has just informed me last night that they found where Potter was hiding in the summer. I want you to go to the address and . . ." the elder man paused, "Keep an eye on her."
"My Lord?" Lucius was confused, "But if we have found her, wouldn't it be better to just kill her straight away?"
Lucius had disliked the brat ever since she had stolen his house-elf from him. Not that it was actually a big deal or anything but it was a show of power over Lucius that he had preferred to not have happened. He didn't exactly hate Potter though. Even Lucius had to admit that the girl had courage to go against the Dark Lord in any way, shape or form. But even now, he couldn't tell his Lord that he didn't want her dead. Whatever his Lord wanted, it was to be his, after all.
"No." Voldemort replied, "It wouldn't. We can't just barge into the front door, Malfoy! For one, there are blood wards surrounding the area to keep anyone who wishes her harm away."
The Dark Lord paused again and licked his chapped lips quickly in his anger, "And besides, if we did attack anyway, the aurors would come and save her. Think before you speak, Lucius or I'll have you turned into a low-ranker like Wormtail."
Lucius shuddered at the thought of having to do the things Wormtail does like milking Nagini and he nodded to his Lord.
"So you want me to leave right away, my Lord?"
"Of course. The address is number 4 Privet Drive, Surrey in Little Whinging. Remember, though, just keep an eye on her. No killing or torturing muggles for fun this time." Voldemort smirked a toothy and scary grin at his follower and Lucius had to resist the urge to twitch.
"Of course my Lord but if this is such happy news then I'm surprised to see that you are not drinking wine, My Lord!" Lucius found a soft spot in Voldemort's mood and was rewarded with another smirk.
"It's much too early to be drinking alcohol, Lucius. Not that you would care but I'd like to keep this body clearer of contamination than my first body. That means no drinking in the morning. Have fun with your project." Voldemort took a sip of his water and waved Malfoy away.
That was all that Lucius needed to leave his Lord's presence and apparate down to the Malfoy gates. Then he thought of the address and apparated again to the location of a one Miss Marie Potter. Once he was finished apparating, he opened his eyes to find himself in a small little town with similar looking houses. Lucius quickly gazed around to check that no one was around and he disillusioned himself.
It was now 8am.
Lucius walked around aimlessly for a few minutes until he finally found number 4 Privet Drive and he walked all around the house around the wards until he found her by looking through a window. Marie was currently in the kitchen doing dishes the muggle way. However, Lucius was surprised by how fast the girl was moving to get the dishes done sooner.
'Probably her only chore she's trying to get done so she can go mess around.' Lucius thought but was astonished to find that he was wrong. Now the girl was even mopping and polishing the kitchen floor. But where was her Aunt? The last Lucius had found out about Potter was that she lived with her Aunt, Uncle and cousin and was spoiled rotten. At least, that was what he had heard from Snape.
Lucius watched Marie amazed as she went on for hours without a break until it was finally 3pm and she stopped to eat some lunch. He couldn't' quite see right from where he was standing but he saw what he thought to be a glass of water and a small piece of pastry.
'Is that all that she's going to eat?' he thought. Lucius had a feeling in his gut but he didn't want to be right in fear of what he would do.
His theory so far was that Marie was being abused by her relatives but is evidence was only minimal so far to not even count as real evidence. Soon, however, he watched as it came to be 3:30pm and now Marie was weeding the garden. Now at least because she was outside, he had a better view of her. He noticed now that Marie was wearing very heavy and baggy clothing, much too hot and loose to be wearing in late June.
Then a boy came into the front yard garden with her and Lucius thought that this boy must be Marie's cousin. He listened closely to their conversation.
"What are you doing, freak?" the fat boy asked and Marie calmly looked back at her cousin.
"I'm doing the chores, Dudley."
Lucius watched the scene unfold as Marie leant in to pluck a weed but Dudley stomped on her hand hard to where Marie cried out in pain. Lucius hated bullying and if he had anything to go by then he had to say that Marie was definitely not respected here. Lucius was getting closer and closer to his theory.
Then the fat boy began to speak again, "You know what, why don't you make yourself useful later and join me and my gang for some fun?"
Lucius was boiling in hatred now for the boy. Sure it was custom to marry your cousin in a Pureblood society and all but this was definitely not the same type of situation. Lucius knew that this boy was thinking of using Marie in the most ungraceful way imaginable.
Marie wrinkled her nose, "You're disgusting. I'm your cousin, you moron!"
Dudley leaned it a bit, "You're a freak. I bet I know what you do at that freaky school of yours. You're a whore just like dad says. So you're going to come to the backyard tonight and you're going to be our whore later. Go it?!"
Lucius was already having enough of the boy but before he could even think about doing anything, he left and Marie started doing her chores again.
'Wait.' Lucius thought, 'Why would I even think about helping the brat? She deserves everything horrible for destroying the Dark Lord her first birthday.'
But Lucius didn't really believe what he was thinking. Deep down he was a father and to see an innocent child like Potter being abused as such was just making him sick to his stomach. It was now 5pm and Lucius wondered whether or not he should leave now and return in the morning or not. However, his question was answered when Vernon Dursley pulled in the muggle driveway with his muggle car, looking very angry that Marie was still in the front yard trying to finish her last chore of trimming the bushes.
"Girl! I thought I told you the other day to always finish your chores before I get home!"
Lucius watched as Marie almost cowered in fear, "I'm sorry Uncle. I'm almost done, though. I just have to-"
But Marie was silenced when Vernon struck her in the face, "Come on, you bloody bitch. I wanted dinner done and on the table by the time I got home! Now go in the kitchen and make dinner!"
Marie nodded her head, "Yes Uncle Vernon."
Marie ran into the kitchen and started on the Dursley's dinner right away. Lucius was enthralled at how the Dursleys were treating her so far. It was so sickening to treat ANY child like this. Lucius was beginning to imagine was tortures he could inflict on all three of them.
For dinner, Marie made what it looked to be as Lasagna, garlic bread with cheese, fresh corn on the cob, peas, homemade applesauce and then cheesecake for desert. Of course, though it wasn't good enough for the Dursleys and they reprimanded her, making her clean up the messes and do the dishes. Then, she was promptly told to go to her room without anything to eat. Lucius then decided to move to a tree to be eye level with Marie's window to her room. He noticed that the window had bars on it but he could still see through it.
Now Lucius was sure that he could leave but was wronged again when 9pm came along and everyone was in bed. Lucius hoped he would be in bed soon that was for sure but then Vernon Dursley came into Marie's room while she was asleep. Marie must have thought that she was safe from her cousin if she was in her room now but she sure wasn't safe when around her Uncle.
The large man walked in carefully and Lucius began to boil when the man shook her awake and began to beat her. Marie made no noise as if it was a routine. This is what made Lucius the angriest. When her Uncle was finished with her, he left. Lucius thought that he should do something though. Anything to help the poor girl. After all, he wasn't just a deatheater sent on this mission by the dark lord, the man who had murdered Marie's parents and was trying to kill her, to watch Marie.
He was also the father of a magical child and to watch Marie, a wonderful magical being, being abused by filthy muggles maddened him to the core.
'What should I do?' he thought.
His question was answered when he saw Dudley Dursley bringing in a gang of muggle teenagers into the house.
The boy's threat was real and now if Lucius didn't do something quick then Marie Potter was going to be raped and violated by a gang of disgusting muggles and her cousin.
Before, the muggles could walk in the door, however, Lucius made a brash decision and leapt toward the wards. Although the wards didn't go off because he didn't intend to hurt Marie. That wasn't his plan though. He then cast a spell towards the muggles that would alert the Ministry.
"Crucio!" Lucius shouted and let the red lightening-like curse to shoot out from his wand. He watched in satisfaction as the muggles screamed and cried in pain. However, his joy was short-lived when his time ran out. He had to leave.
At least now he knew that Potter would be safe.
Even if the dark Lord would kill him if he found out.
'But he's not going to find out' Lucius thought, 'Because I'm not going to tell him quite yet'.
-8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888-
Marie lay on the ground in pain as she suffered yet another beating from her Uncle Vernon. Only this, time, she couldn't move and she was bleeding into the floor very badly.
But before she could escape into blackness, she heard screaming and saw a sharp red light form her bedroom window.
'Cruciatus?' she thought.
But then people barged into her room a few minutes later, hovering around her, murmuring that she was safe now. She didn't know any of the people but she could tell by their voices that she was safe.
She wasn't going to be hurt by the Dursleys ever again.
. . . .
Marie woke up a while later in a warm and much better bed than that at the Dursleys and she wondered now where she was. Marie tried to sit up but failed. That's when she realized that there were other people in the room around her.
"Dear are you alright?" A familiar voice said.
"Mrs. Weasley?" Marie asked, "I'm fine. Just a little sore. Where am I?" Marie's voice was a little scratchy but otherwise, she could talk.
Arthur Weasley answered her, "Marie, sweetheart, you're in St. Mungo's hospital. Are you sure you're alright? You took quite a beating you did."
Marie looked around and she began to see other people more clearly. A lot of people were there: Molly, Arthur, Ron, Hermione, Ginny, Fred, George, Remus, Tonks, Neville, Dumbledore, Sirius as a dog and even Professor Snape was there!
"What are you all doing here?" she asked, "What am I doing here? What happened?!" the questions tumbled out of her mouth all at once and Molly tried to calm her down.
Remus answered her, "Marie. You were being abused. Someone cast a cruciatus to make the aurors come to the Dursley residence. Did you fire the spell?"
"No." Marie answered, "Someone from outside did. I don't know who."
Remus sighed in relief that it wasn't her but Dumbledore came forward.
"What did he look like?" Dumbledore prompted but Marie grew angry.
"Gee, I don't know. I was too busy bleeding out on the floor to get up and look out my window."
Sirius' dog form barked once and laid his head on her lap. Gently as if to soothe him, Marie began to pet his head and Sirius whined whilst licking her other hand.
The group all looked tired now and Marie asked, "What's wrong with everyone? Did something else happen?"
Arthur answered her this time, "Marie, as of now the Dursleys' are being charged with child abuse. They are unfit to be guardians for you. Why didn't you ever tell us you were being abused, Marie?"
Mari stayed silent, refusing to answer so Arthur continued, "The ministry is having a mandatory court order tomorrow at noon, Marie. There is when an official magical guardian will be appointed to you where you'll be staying with them during the summer and holidays until your seventeenth birthday."
Marie nodded, "Am I staying with you guys then?" she asked hopefully and the Weasleys' frowned.
"Hopefully dear" Molly replied but didn't look too certain, "However it's not that simple."
"What do you mean?" Marie asked.
"Lucius Malfoy has asked Minister Fudge to adopt you, Marie" Remus filled in and Sirius growled at the name with hatred.
Marie promptly fainted.
-8888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888888-
R&R