A loud crash sounded from downstairs. I jumped out of my skin in fright. I'm not normally this scared but at the moment I'm harbouring the fear that the ministry are going to arrest me. Around twenty minutes ago I received my howler, informing me that I had promptly been expelled following my illegal activities.
It's not nearly as bad as it sounds. It wasn't even my fault, in fact, and it's not nearly as awful as when Harry inflated Aunt Marge, I mean, he was let off scott free! My magic imploded and the shock wave knocked my cousin and Uncle out.
I know that they're only knocked out as I can still hear their breathing. It was steady and regular, assuring me I had committed no crimes as severe as to be worthy of Azkaban as punishment. However, the dark of the room was beginning to numb my senses and with the loud, irregular noises sounding from downstairs I needed to be alert.
A deep gravelly voice resonated from outside the door opposite me. There was a muffled click and light peeped through the crack below the door. There was an exchange of words which I had extreme difficulty deciphering when I heard Harry. Harry! I haven't seen him in a while. Must be around two weeks, although my perception of time could be slightly off as I've been trapped in here and the cupboard with no regular anything to mark the passage of time. The light at the doorway expanded as the hinges creaked open. I shuffled back on the bed as far as I could, the handcuff preventing me from moving too far back, as was it's intention I suppose. I hunched over, attempting to hide my underwear clad body from the possible intruders.
Harry's face came into view. He was skinnier than I expected. He was privileged with fairly regular meals, and although they were bound to have been frugal, he shouldn't have lost this much weight in only two weeks. He blinked a few times, taking in the sight before him, I can only imagine what it looks like. He strode over to me and embraced me in a long awaited hug. This felt nice, The good kind of contact that only Harry could provide. Not dirty or wrong, just Harry. He stepped back and handed me his jacket. I raised my left hand to his expectant face and he frowned, fingering the chain.
"What..?" he questioned low.y, his voice thick with annoyance. I answered with a simple shake of my head. He draped the jacket on my shoulders, trying to give me some coverage.
"There are people, Stace. They're taking us away." he murmured, looking at the door way. There stood three people, two of which I knew. Professor Moody and my God father Remus. He looked much the same as ever but he looked more exhausted than usual, his brow wrinkled in what I imagine as confusion as he took in the sight before him. Completely understandable though. On the floor, a fat old man completely passed out. A large bed with a knocked out, overweight teenager half on, half off of it, The stench of alcohol and the empty beer bottles greeting him, which I'm sure he had no trouble smelling, even without his werewolf senses, Then me, Sitting in the middle of a king bed in my bra and knickers with Harry's oversized jacket draped over me, a handcuff on my wrist stretched to the limit as I subtly tried to scoot further away.
Remus looked at me, his mouth trying to form words, yet failing. I was saved from my telling off by Harry, who had caught sight of the official ministry seal on the tatters of paper on the floor.
"Stace, you got a howler! What did you do?" he exclaimed, rather stupidly as the answer was rather obvious.
"Under age magic." I whispered, cut short as my voice was unexpectedly quiet and rough from lack of use. I cleared my throat. "Obviously." I added with as much of a smirk as I could manage, "Definitely not my fault though, my magic imploded and knocked them out." I nodded to our unconscious relatives.
"Good aim." Harry grinned at me. "I've missed you. Not seen you all summer, we've only got a week left!"
I glared at him, alarmed and disbelieving "It's been five weeks? I thought it had only been a fortnight!" I whispered the last sentence, cautious of any adults over hearing. It's none of their business what happens at the Dursley's. In fact, it would only cause unnecessary complications for me, and Harry, if they were to understand. Harry nodded, confirming the passing of time. My meals had been far less frequent than I'd thought, which would mean that I must be incredibly ill looking currently. That's been a rather common occurrence throughout my childhood though, I'm just worried about Mrs Weasley's reaction.
Professor Moody's voice drew my attention back over to his side of the room, where Remus was still failing to speak. "Sorry to interrupt," he muttered sarcastically "but we need to be leaving." Harry immediately stood to leave but I remained curled up on the bed.
"Come on Stace." Harry called from the door, half way through.
"No." I uttered, causing the three adults and Harry to pause their movements and stare at me. I shifted uncomfortably.
"Problem, Potter?" Moody growled both his eyes glaring into me.
"Um," I stuttered, "I understand that you want to take us away but I don't... Where... How do we know we can trust you?" I finally finished, raising my eyes from my hands clasped in front of me to look at the group.
And odd look came over Remus' face, "It's me, Stace, Remus. Your godfather? I'd never do anything to hurt you."
I shook my head "No, I know that. I haven't lost my memory. I know who you are. I understand your intentions but how... how do I know you're who you say you are? No offence meant, of course, but I'm not going to be leaving here with a bunch of death eaters in disguise." I said this nervously. How would they react to my suspicions.
Professor Moody started chuckling, his magic eye revolving rapidly, "She's a lot smarter than you, isn't she Potter," he said looking at Harry. He looked back at me "Aye, it's good to have a suspicious mind in times like these."
Harry looked at me weirdly his eyes scanning my face cautiously. " You don't think that I-" he started before I cut him off.
"No Harry, obviously not." I turned my attention to my godfather. "How do you open the Marauder's Map?" I questioned him hesitantly, fearing his reaction. Moody was still chuckling to himself, nudging the woman with pink hair besides him.
"You tap with your wand and say: I solemnly swear I am up to no good." Remus answered carefully, confusion clouding his eyes.
I smiled, that was good enough. "Let's go then!" I made to stand up as everyone turned away only to be yanked back towards the mattress by the handcuff.
"Um..." I called awkwardly to the adults who were now making progress down the hall. Remus turned back, staring at me. I raised my hand, not really knowing what to say. He looked at my arm and as he comprehended what the issue was his eyes darkened, the creases in his brow deepening. He waved his wand and the cuff released. He lowered his wand but didn't turn away.
Remus continued to stare at me as he whispered "What's going on Stace?" I could barely hear him, his voice low and ever so slightly threatening. If I'm being honest I'd tell you that it startled me and that I drew my cold legs closer to my chest in a pathetic attempt at protection from the hypothetical attack. He made to step forward, raising an arm out to me beseechingly, when it happened again.
Raw magic ripped through me, a blinding flash shooting through my head, my lightening scar burning cold. My eyes clamped down sharply, not wanting to see the consequences of weakness. How could I do that? Why do I keep losing control?