My back slams against the brickwork, ridding the air from my lungs and causing my ribs to shudder in pain. I gasp for breath, hoping to catch some of the escaped wind though it does not return.
"Four Years" Lucius Malfoy yells at me from across the room. His wand raised in my direction with a glow of silver streaming from the blond haired death eater to my neck.
"Lucius" Narcissa pipes from the sideline of this one sided battle, which I was in no way winning. "Put her down" she demanded, a hint of sympathy playing in her tone. I wonder if she means it at all, or if something in me reminded her of her golden son, a trait she needed to protect.
The curse pulls away, allowing me to drop to the ground; I had once hovered over, in a ball of black cloak. I claw at my throat as though that would heal the slashes that marked my flesh, it doesn't.
"Do you know what you have done, Holly?" Lucius continues, his tone laced with rage. He places his wand back into his cane, talking down to me as he paced back and forth before me.
"Please. Enlighten me" I croak, the sarcasm had not been rid from me despite the beating.
Lucius shot me a foul look of pure disgust. "Do you know how Narcissa, Draco and I have been perceived due to your childish behavior? To have myself, a highly regarded death eater, looked down upon because he's good for nothing daughter decided to run away with the muggles" his voice poured acid as he spoke. If I had feared my father, I would be a sobbing, shaking mess.
"You-" I didn't get to finish, he silenced me with his continuous lecture.
"Draco and you were meant to board the Hogwarts Express that day and instead I find you've hopped on another train and simply left" he waves his hand around, giving his words a show, like a half hearted contemporary dance. "Not a trace of you to be found. Do you know how your actions made all of us look?" I felt the hatred burning into my skin. He had the effect of a Dementor on ones emotions.
I could not contain myself "And yet, you are still completely unaware as to why i left in the first place" I try to mimic his acidic voice, but i fail.
"No one will know" he yelled at me, threatening to raise his wand causes me to shrink into the hardwood floor. "We will stick to the story created" he pauses and looks at my mother, her eyebrows lifting in agreement. "You went to Beauxbatons because we believed it to be a better school for a girl" that sounded like an insult "and you've returned in preparation for the dark lords return" he touches the mark on his arm.
"No" I yell, he doesn't stop.
"You will go to Hogwarts with your brother, so I know you won't escape..." a large Deatheater, Cane, walked through the door as he spoke, His physique that of a muggle bodybuilder. "This time, Holly Bellatrix Malfoy, you will make the train" With a swoop of his cloak Lucius left the room, Narcissa close behind like they were attached by a strong magnet.
I swallow hard and slump my shoulders, unaware how stiff they were.
"C'mon" Cane grumbles, bending down and crushing my forearm in his oversized hands. He had been the one who found me, he was the one who dragged me back home yet I was still not used to the vice-like grip he had.
"Where are you taking me?" I sound childish, no longer full of confidence.
"Shut up" he warns.
I closed my eyes, taking in a deep breath as Cane's heavy hand crushes my shoulder.
We stood at kingscross station watching the hogwarts students run into the wall, trying to reach platform 9 ¾. I had yet to see Draco since being forcefully returned home, word was that he was with his minions over the break.
After my fight with Lucius, I was taken to my childhood room, locked up and watched by my vulture/guard Cane. I hadn't left my room for over three weeks, hadn't seen sunlight besides the small rays that were allowed through my bedroom window, hadn't breathed air that wasn't warm and dusty.
I had been given Draco's books from his 1st, 2nd and 3rd years at Hogwarts, they had kept me company during those boring days. I had missed three years of school, the most crucial years, the time when you learnt houses, met students, teacher and friends. It was a rare occurrence to start Hogwarts late, in fact unheard of. I am sure the headmaster would not have allowed it if Professor Snape hadn't been at Lucius's call. I should learn not to underestimate my father's abilities.
"Got ya stuff?" Cane questioned with his deep voice.
I looked down at the luggage before me, my wand in my pocket where it had stayed since I had abandoned my first year, years before. "I guess so" I replied, with that childlike voice that had found its way into me, before being pushed through the wall, onto platform 9 ¾
I looked up at the marvelous train, tucking my golden curls behind my ears as though to get a better view. My grey eyes scanning the Hogwarts express, getting a glimpse of the life I had given up. "Malfoy" the deep voice groaned. I tore my eyes from the train to Cane. "Get" he pointed his large head at the train.
I left my luggage at his side, knowing that he would take care of it. Stepping up onto the train was like stepping into a foreign country, children ran through the carriage chasing one another already in their house robes. I looked down at my jumper and jeans and knew immediately I was out of place.
I looked into open door to see a boy seated alone. I swallowed, hoping to relax myself even a little. "Excuse me" I muttered causing him to jump a little in his robes, he looked up at me dark eyes curious. "Do you mind?" I motioned to the seat across from him.
"No. No not at all" he fidgeted in his chair placing a cactus looking plant to the side so he could put his entwined hands on his lap.
"Thank you" I mumbled, stepping over his bag and sitting by the window.
"Sorry about that" he apologized for the mess.
"No problem" I smiled at him. His dark hair falling over his eyebrows in a messy heap, his chin showing a slight shade of beard greeting him with age, he was a good looking boy, not that I had ever considered someone as such and it was strange that I was now.
"I haven't seen you here before, surely you can't be a first year" he paused, stifling a laugh. "Unless your part troll, which you definitely don't look" there was a nervous smile on his face and he fiddled with his hands.
I giggled, partially trying to make him feel better and partially, well, I don't know. "No I'm a fourth year, not a troll" I smile.
"No way, I'm a fourth year as well" he smiled. "How come I haven't met you before?"
I gulped, my father's story would be regrettably used. "I went to Beauxbatons, but my family moved and Hogwarts just seemed-" i had to think, "more appropriate".
"Fair enough. Well i'm Neville Longbottom" he held out his hand for me to shake, not questioning my story further.
I smiled softly "Holly" I didn't need him to hear my last name. I was sure he knew Draco and I'm sure the last name had played it haunting game on this boy.
"So do you know which house you are in?" he cleared his throat, obviously wanting to continue the conversation.
"No, I have to be sorted" I wiped my hands on my jeans, unaware they were sweaty, truly showing my nervousness.
"Don't worry it's not as bad as it seems" he smiled warmly.