Disclaimer: J.K. Rowling owns Harry Potter. I mean, if I did, would I be writing this?
WARNING: This is a hard "M" story: I use strong language and some adult scenes.
Ginny hugged herself against the chill of the underground prison. A wailing down the prison had woken her. She shifted uncomfortably in her sleep and pulled the remains of her clothes around. Something let out a whimper in her arms. Ginny put her arm around it protectively.
"Shut up!" A man called to a prisoner down the hall. There was a murmured curse and the prisoner down the hall, wailing, went silent.
There was a loud clanging closer to her and Ginny opened her eyes just the tiniest bit. The creature in her arms didn't wake from its slumber but merely stirred. There was a louder bang and Ginny shuddered.
She had been locked here for… two and a half years. But the witch couldn't count any longer as there were days where she lost track of time. They beat her so much that there were weeks where they could only sustain her magically. These hadn't been happening so recently.
Wearily, Ginny heard a key being shoved into its metal lock and the door swung open. She shifted and hugged the little one close. The last connection.
"Get the fuck up," The man grabbed her hair roughly. He was Ethan, with what she made out. That was good, he wasn't as rough or short-tempered. By listening, she knew that there were at least a hundred others. She only new six: four men and two women. One of the males included Ethan and then there was also Joe.
She shuddered, glad it wasn't… him. She still had the scars. The bruises. The wounds from last time.
She stood up slowly, careful not to wake the creature in her arms.
"HURRY UP!" Ginny looked up at Ethan just in time for him to slap her. This time, the little boy in her arms woke up.
"James, its okay." Ginny turned away with tears in her eyes and kissed the little boy's forehead as he looked up. Deep hazel eyes pierced her own, under thick black eyelashes. A mop of jet black hair remained unruly and thick even through… this. He was so young with plump pink cheeks, but a sharp handsome face even at the age of almost two. Ginny felt tears push at the edges of her eyes when she looked at him. His resemblance to Harry was unwavering. There was a small scar on his right temple when Ginny let her guard slip, something she had never been able to forgive herself for. His lower lip trembled.
James reached towards her chest instinctively, something he did every morning. A little cry left his lips. Ginny knew what he wanted and glanced towards Ethan. He didn't slap her but merely looked on in sick interest.
He gave a smirk and nodded. Ginny's lips curled into a disgusted frown, but she turned away. There was little to do, but slip down the poor excuse for a shirt and let him go. His second birthday was approaching and Ginny knew, soon, he would receive teeth. And then she would have to take him off.
Her uncomfort was eased slightly as James sucked. Ethan craned his neck but was disappointed when Ginny turned away again. He growled slightly but waited. Finally, when Ginny was done, he spoke.
"Give him to me. NOW! He is growing sick of this. He's going to come soon." Ginny was well aware of this: he hadn't visited in weeks. Liam. Liam expressed a sickly delight in Ginny. He was their leader. And he wanted James so badly. He was there when he said his first word. There when James started walking. It should have been Harry. Not him.
Ginny turned away from Ethan as he yanked her arm. James finished and she tugged the shirt back in place before stumbling after Ethan, down the stone walls.
The prison had belonged to an ancient Pureblood wizarding family. Who it belonged to now, Ginny could only suspect.
Ginny kept a watchful eye as they strode through the winding, stone corridors. Gradually, the stone turned to an elegant, pure black and white, swirled marble. Ginny stopped.
"Do you… take me a different way every time?" Ginny inquired, anger and frustration shaking in her voice. She had been trying to memorize her way out every time, to no use. Half the time, she was passed out or being blindfolded back. A hint of a smirk rested on Ethan's face.
Ginny cradled James and pulled him closer.
"Mummy," James whispered - they were not supposed to talk in the hallways. They had learned that after James started crying loudlt and got a slap across the face. That made Ginny furious, and well, she hit the bloke back. She got knocked out so hard, she was out for two days.
"Yes?" Ginny murmured her lips near his ear.
"Potty," James settled for an adorable pout. Ginny sighed. He was potty trained. With all of their free time, sitting in a dank chamber, Ginny learned that the smell of diapers was strictly intolerable.
Fortunately, James did not cry or fuss very much. But he did start talking early.
"Excuse me, James needs to-" Ethan stopped abruptly outside of two large, heavy, steel doors. A heavy knocker rested on the right door. With muscled arms, Ethan knocked loudly: three times. Ginny stepped back, just as the door swung open.
Who met then was Liam's wife, Cheryl Flint. She had large black orbs that were as dark as her black hair. Her hair was long, completely straight, and as black as oblivion. Her tan complexion contributed to this. She was a beautiful woman: with slightly curvy yet petite features. Despite all of this, she was not a woman to be messed with; long black nails permanently hooked around a glass of red wine; red, full lips displayed pearly white teeth; dark eyeshadow and eyeliner that gave her a sultry look.
Rumors had circulated, proving her evil nature. One of them being that she had murdered Liam's brother; another that she only captured Liam's heart by the deadliest love potion. All of these may have been true, for she was not as beautiful inside as outside.
Ginny particularly hated her. James was her only escape from this Hell. And every visit - she being one of the only women - she could touch James safely - at least that was what Ginny concurred. James adored her and she adored James. Even if Ginny did not like to admit it, jealousy often racked her heart. Ginny had sacrificed so much for James! But with a simple snap of her finger, she had James around her little finger.
"Nice to see you, dah-ling," With a wink and a wicked smile, Cheryl was back.
"I missed you… I missed you, Jamie!" Cheryl cooed, tickling James. Ginny sat chained to a chair, anger, and despair racking her body. She would have screamed if she had not been on the receiving end of a Silencing charm. Finally, Ginny worked free of the hex.
"Fu- go to hell Cheryl," Ginny panted, nearly saying the f-word - that's how mad she was. But James was still in the room.
"Oh, Ginny dear! Naughty (she wagged a finger playfully)... Jamie is simply adorable," Cheryl taunted before casting a stronger Silencing charm. She continued playing with James for a while, much to Ginny's frustration and unheard screams. James giggled ignorantly, unaware of his mother's silence.
Curiously, Cheryl suddenly sat James down and fed him a Dreamless Sleeping Draught. He passed out immediately.
Ginny found she could now speak: "What the hell do you want?!" This was a mild exclamation of what Ginny wanted to say.
"Ginny, I will be blunt - how can I get James? I am getting sick of these excuses! I want to touch him with getting… this." Cheryl motioned to her arms. That's when Ginny noticed something she hadn't seen before: Her previous suspicions that woman could touch James safely was wrong. Normally, if men (mostly) harmed her or tore Ginny away from James, they could not touch James. It was similar to Quirrell and Harry. But as Ginny stared, aghast, at Cheryl's arms, she realized her mistake.
Tan/crimson flakes of skin peeled and crumbled off of her arms and fingers where she had made contact with the boy. Cheryl pressed the wound with a pained expression. Ginny was speechless.
But as she watched, Cheryl removed an opaque syrah-colored draught. She downed it and sighed in relief, immediately. Ginny recognized it as a strong Healing Draught. Hard to make and extremely valuable, Ginny was surprised to see it. But before her very eyes, she watched the rash fade and the peeling skin melt back into her tan arms.
She snarled before walking over to the still bound Ginny. With a long, yew wand, she walked over to Ginny. A nasty smirk began to form on her face. Ginny squirmed as Cheryl ran the wand down her face slowly.
"Dah-ling, do tell."
"Never," (Truth was, Ginny didn't know how) - Ginny had barely finished the word before she was hit with a Crucio curse. Knives sliced through her head, fire licked her legs, her torso was being iced. Screams filled the chamber, yet James did not wake. Visions of James - dead - filled her which was the most intolerable.
"Bitch! TELL ME!" Cheryl hit her with another wave. Ginny screamed as pain racked through her body and sadness.
"Please!" Ginny cried, tears blurring the room. After what seemed like years to Ginny, the curses ended. Panting and sobbing, Ginny could barely keep herself from falling into an oblivion. But out of the corner of her eye, she watched Cheryl grip James' arm. Something crumbled from it - horrifically enough.
Ginny rested her head on the back of the chair, sleep beginning to claw to her. Cheryl looked up startled. She was, one word, mad. With a scream, Cheryl pulled out the Healing Potion - empty. With another blood-curdling scream, Cheryl through the bottle at Ginny. It crashed on her temple. Ginny sunk into unconsciousness. Everything. Went. Black.
Ginny awoke with puffy, swollen eyes. Her first instinct was to hug James, but her arms came around emptiness. People began to swim into vision. Liam, a Healer named Callie, Ethan, and one more man stood in the room. It seemed strangely crowded.
As Ginny's mind slowly woke up, she realized she recognized the man: Ian. Ian was the monster under the bed; the unnamed threats in your parent's voice; the boogeyman in your closet; the nightmares lurking and stealing away from the fingertips of dream catchers. Ian meant sleepless nights, bruises, cries and pleas, but it also meant that James was safe.
Because every time they hurt her, their defenses weakened because their men were becoming injured. Similar to Quirrell and Harry. The only Healer there, a woman named Callie, named it as the Interio Curse.
What no one knew was that when Ginny sacrificed and risked her life for James safety, he was ensured safety. The men's arms or face or point of contact began to crumble or wear away. The men keep this fear in the back of their mind. But there was always a greater fear: Liam.
Ginny cautiously cracked open her eyes as to not let them know that she was there. Unfortunately, Callie noticed.
"Master!" Callie pointed excitedly; Liam's expression grew darker. He snarled but undid the chains. Ginny thought this was odd nevertheless but stood up. She realized her mistake when Liam slammed her against the wall. Ginny crumbled against the wall in her weak state. Bruises and a large gash covered her body from the previous night (?). Callie rushed forward.
"M-m-master. She is weak," Callie trembled at defying him. He nodded slowly.
"Yes. I supposed so," Liam mused, barely concealing his anger and worry? "Let's go."
"Where?" Ginny panted, shocked at his sudden cease of anger.
"James and you need a shower," He smirked with a change of attitude. Ginny blushed. Ever since she had made an escape attempt, Liam had refused to even let her shower alone. It was mortifying, but Ginny was used to it. Somewhat. Well, most of the time, Liam sat in the corner, reading a newspaper. He didn't bother the two.
It made Ginnny uncomfortable because only Harry was supposed to see those parts of her. And Harry was the only person who had seen those intimate places.
Ginny shook her head. It hurt too much to think about him. But Ginny allowed herself one last thought: "Harry will find us".
Ginny ducked her head into the cold water. The cold water tended to wake her up and refresh her.
Water went up to her calves: the bathtub was in the shower. Of course, there was another one, but Ginny rarely allowed James out of her sight. Or reach.
"Close your eyes, James!" James squinted his eyes adorably and held in his breath. It was routine. Ginny squirted the shampoo on James fuzzy, little head. She kneeled, careful that her waist-long hair covered all of her private areas: in case Liam decided to send her a glance.
After gently massaging the shampoo on his hair and rubbing body wash on him, Ginny finished her part of the shower. Mostly, it was the same routine as James, but slightly more hesitant. Bruises and gashes often covered her body.
Ginny's hand searched for a towel, but when her hand closed on nothing, Ginny knew what she had suspected nervously was true. Every once in a while, Liam took her towel and made her go and get it - naked.
"L- Master!" Ginny called, cringing at the words leaving her mouth. He had ordered her to call him that.
"Yes? Ginny dear?" Liam asked sweetly when Ginny didn't answer. Angry tears pushed at the corners of her eyes.
"Where's my towel?" She spat.
"Oh, right here," Liam resumed reading his newspaper but patted to his side where the towel rested on his knee. Ginny's eyes widened. Usually, it was much closer, but he had played this trick before when he was angry or bored.
Ginny fumed but placed a reluctant toe on the bath towel. James continued playing: Ginny allowed him more play time in the bath.
Liam looked up, but her hands were covering her lower part as her hair covered her breasts. He sighed.
Ginny walked across the bathroom, quickly, but at the same time, tentatively. Finally, Ginny grabbed the towel. She seethed.
"Thank you, Liam-" Ginny had barely finished her rebellious statement when he yanked her hair. Ginny let out a quick yelp and released the towel into her pain.
"Oh honey, it's Master," With his free hand, he painfully gripped her other hand and pinned her against the wall.
Now keep this in mind: Liam was thirty-one at the time, fairly good-looking, but he had a wife.
Liam attacked her neck with a kind of vicious savagery. Ginny gasped in pain, not pleasure, but Liam imagined it was the other way around. He then bit her lips. Ginny licked them when she felt something gush down her chin. The metallic taste of blood met her. Ginny kicked and screamed and hit and fought, but it was of no use: he continued to rub himself against her and kiss her on the neck.
Finally satisfied, Liam licked his lips and left the bathroom. Very anger tears spilled down her cheeks. Ginny screamed angrily and kicked the door before remembering that James was still there. Sure enough, his curious hazel eyes peered over the bathtub. Ginny collapsed on the ground and let out a despair-filled sob. Soon enough though, she heard a little thump.
Bewildered, Ginny watched James climb over the bathtub rim and join her. James waddled over and plopped down on her lap with a shy grin. Ginny tried to smile back, but it didn't come. James giggled and patted her cheeks happily until she could afford a smile. Ginny even let out a chuckle even if it took a while.
Because even though he was not even two yet, James proved something to Ginny. She was never alone.
Harry A flash of ginger hair. A wink through hazel eyes. A tell-tale grin, full of happiness. Her.
"Another glass of Fire Whiskey, please!" "Only one more shot of arrow rum, bartender." "Keep on pouring…"
Home is where the heart is. But she was home. So Harry's heart was lost.
Confusion. Anger. Hope. Despair. Devastation. A deep pit of emotions.
He lost her. And he wasn't going to stop until he found her. Until she was in his arms again.
She lost him. And she wasn't going to stop until she was in his arms.
"James! Where would I be without you?" James nuzzled his mother affectionately as they giggled. "Guess what? It is your birthday tomorrow!" Ginny smiled.
It was hard to find a present or throw a perfect birthday when she was in a dank prison, only being released to be beaten up or to use the bathroom.
But this year, she had the perfect present: a wooden stag. Harry had given it to her before he had gone on his big mission. It was imperfect, yet perfect at the same time. Smooth, yet rough. He had blushed when he gave it to her, admitting to carving it himself.
Hermione had installed a charm that would allow Harry send her a message through it. Similar to the fake Galleons from the D.A. The most recent had been right before she disappeared: I will always love you. The always was etched a little deeper than the other words.
Ginny was sure that James would love it.
In addition to this, Ginny had managed to steal two little lumps of sugar and three chocolate chips from the kitchen. She was by no means a chef, and she had not managed to make a cake, so the two lumps and the chocolate would have to be enough. If she had stolen more, they might have noticed…
James laughed at her statement.
"Lights off!" A man shouted hoarsely down the stone corridor. The only dim light from farther down the hallway flickered off, and the two were doused in darkness.
James huddled closer to Ginny: the prison was ice cold. Ginny pressed a kiss to James toddler forehead and hugged him closer. She began to grow warm, not just on the outside, but on the inside too with the company of him.
"Love you, Mummy." James murmured, sleep tugging at his eyes. Tears welled in Ginny's eyes, and she barely managed a reply back before she was sobbing quietly, wishing he was there.
Harry … sobbing quietly, wishing she was there.
Hey! So this is my fifth fanfiction story, but I have stopped/deleted a couple of mine. Anyways, I am natafrata, a starting author! Check out my profile for more information about me.
So this is a bit shorter than how long my average chapter will be, but I am on vacation, and this is my first chapter of this fanfiction.
I actually planned on making this story the rewrite of Alone and In The Dark, but it isn't. In case some of you were wondering, because I know that's what I said before on that fanfiction.
Thank you so much for reading this. I will have the next chapter soon-ish (hopefully). Happy New Year and please review! (((;
Edit: I have had this chapter out for a while, but I just published now. Sorry!