Summary: Her parents were killed because of who she is. Her best friend died because she didn't interfere. She's losing herself in the war, and the only person that sticks around is the one she wishes would disappear. Now, the only thing she hates more than herself is him... and the toxic effect he has on her. How far will she go to escape her pain and forget everything that happened? A dark fic of lust, hate, and weakness set in several short scenes. Written in 2nd person POV.

Disclaimer: I don't own anything from the Harry Potter series, or anything that J. K. Rowling does. I do, however, own the plot and the words I've written in this story... which means you aren't allowed to steal any of it to put into your own story. However, if for some reason you would like to use parts of it, just ask and we can work something out. Also, starting with Chapter 3, some of the chapter titles are borrowed from songs. I do not use direct lyrics from these songs (unless noted otherwise), but if you are familiar with them you may recognize some of their influence in the scene. I do not own any of those songs, and no infringement is intended.

This disclaimer applies to all chapters in this story, so I will not repeat it again.

Story Warnings: Some violence, harsh language, angst, humiliation and non-explicit sexual scenes.

Read at your own risk.

CATHARSIS

Scene 1: Run

. : . : . : .

You keep hearing them calling your name.

Taunting... Mocking... Begging... Leading you that much closer to the darkness that has slowly begun to consume your soul.

You were whole once, you remember, before your parents died. You were halfway innocent then, when your biggest troubles were homework and silly boys.

But that was before the war, before your best friend was murdered in front of your eyes.

That was before him.

Abruptly, you push back into your chair and rise from your seat, feeling dozens of eyes burn white-hot patches of shame into the flesh of your back. The roar in your ears is harsh and discordant, grating on your nerves and hammering into your psyche one simple command:

Leave.

Your spine stiffens as the whispers in your mind increase their volume, beating a furious rhythm in your brain. You crush your eyelids shut and try, in vain, to block them out. But they are relentless, dancing at a whirlwind tempo, and it drives you mad that you can't keep up.

You need to leave.

The pressure's thickening, suffocating you like a heavy wool cloak on a scorching summer day. Beads of sweat roll across your sculpted brow as little pools of moisture begin to gather at the small of your back. Your clammy hands fumble desperately with your mountain of books as you slowly but surely start to make your retreat. Not too fast, because then they will stare even more as you will surely trip in your haste.

Make it stop, you tell yourself. Act like you don't care.

Each second stretches for a mile as you take one step backward, and another, until you are through the heavy wooden doors. As they groan shut behind you, you heave a sigh. Alone at last... but not for long. Relief never lasts long enough for you to relax. Your eyes, bloodshot and swollen, dart around nervously as you assess your surroundings. The halls are empty, but the pain is still there.

You abandon what is left of your pride as you begin sprinting through the halls. You will your legs to keep pumping a steady rhythm as they twitch and spasm from exhaustion. Don't stop. Don't look back. The sensible heels your mother bought you collide violently with the stone floor as you make your escape.

Don't stop. Don't look back.

You run like you're dying, like the coward you are and the failure you're doomed to be.

. : . : . : .

A/N: Some of the scenes are going to be short, like this one, but others will be longer. The length just depends on the scene and the mood. The chapters will not necessarily follow a traditional story structure.

Thank you for reading. Reviews are greatly appreciated.