Those four hours passed. Then five. Then eight. Soon it was the middle of the night.
"Where is she?" Sirius asked more to himself than anyone. Molly, Arthur, Sirius, Remus, Fred, George, Ginny, Luna, Neville, Amelia, Fudge, Flitwick, Snape, Sprout, Minerva, Albus, Poppy, Ron and Hermione were the only ones still in the Great Hall. Everyone else decide it would be more comfortable impatiently waiting in their rooms. Everyone wished to be informed when she returned though.
Hagrid was sitting in his hut alone. He tried to sleep but was too concerned for Haley to do anything. He told them to come get him immediately if she showed up. So what he heard a knock at the door he hoped it was a professor with good news. He rushed to the door and opened it. He gasped at the sight. Haley was standing in front of him. She was in shorts and a tank top. She was covered in blood, bruises, and cuts.
"Oh god!" Hagrid yelled.
"Please," Haley whispered as she began to fall over.
Hagrid caught her in one hand and said, "I got ya, Haley."
He grabbed a sheet and quickly wrapped it around her. Then he picked her up and carefully carried her to the castle. Haley was awake but weak. She didn't protest to being carried. She just laid there grateful that she didn't need to move. Hagrid walked as quickly as possible without shaking her too much. He assumed that they were still in the Great Hall.
"Professors! Professors!" Hagrid called out.
In the Great Hall Remus raised his head quickly. "What is it Moony?" Sirius asked.
"Hagrid is calling from down the hall! He sounds panicked!" Remus stood up and began to run and was soon followed by everyone. When they got closer they could hear him also.
"Hagrid!" Albus bellowed.
They heard him yell, "It's Haley!" They turned the corner to find Hagrid carrying a large bundle in their direction. "It's her. She knocked on my door. She's hurt badly!"
Snape rushed to him, "Here give her to me."
Hagrid did as he asked and Snape ran off to the infirmary. When they all arrived Snape yelled, "Set up a bed!"
He looked down as he heard a small voice say, "Professor?"
"You'll be fine, Haley," Snape told her setting her down.
Molly and Poppy rushed to her side and gently unwrapped the sheet to find the bloody mess underneath. "Oh god!" Poppy gasped.
Molly helped through the tears. Poppy, Molly, and Severus took over an hour to heal the most of it. Haley would however have bruises for weeks and scars forever. A particularly nasty scar was burned into her left arm. I read 'The Girl Who Wouldn't Die'. Haley passed out somewhere in the middle of it.
Everyone watched tearfully. Flitwick went to inform the rest of the staff and the Ravenclaws. Sprout went to tell the Slytherins, Hufflepuffs, and Gryffindors. Sirius, Remus, Hermione, Neville, Luna, Minerva, Albus, Hagrid, Amelia, Fudge, and the rest of the Weasleys watched Poppy, Molly, and Severus work.
When they were done the three were exhausted magically and physically. They each collapsed on separate beds and fell into uneasy sleeps. Most of the room did. They slept in shifts. One would watch for an hour before waking someone else and having them watch. By morning everyone was rested enough and resumed staring at Haley.
"She will be alright, right Mum?" Ginny asked Molly quietly.
"I don't know, baby," Molly answered softly.
"What did they do to her?" Sirius growled.
Poppy sighed, "She has been though a lot. There were cuts, burns, a couple broken bones, and there was residue cause by dark curses."
"Residue?" Ron parroted.
Minerva explained, "All magic especially dark magic leaves traces. If someone were to use a dark spell on Haley it would have left traces behind."
"Can you tell which spells where used?" Ron asked.
Poppy nodded.
"Will you tell us?" Remus asked.
Poppy sighed again and said, "The one used the most often was the Cruciatus Curse."
Neville gave a small whimper.
"They also tried the imperious curse but I believe Haley managed to shake it off."
"Oh she definitely did," Hermione said firmly.
Albus looked at her, "How do you know?"
"Second year, that idiot, Lockhart tried to use the imperious on her. She shook it off immediately. It was funny because he didn't understand what was going on."
"What?!" Molly and Minerva shrieked.
"First the death eater! Then you hired someone that used unforgivables on children!" Molly shrieked.
"It's fine, Mum. Haley always outsmarts them," Ron told her.
"Yes but she shouldn't have to. She's only fourteen and she survived through more than most if not all of us," Molly stated.
Hours passed with no change. "When will she wake?" Hermione asked.
Severus shrugged, "No idea; could be hours. Maybe days. I've known bad cases that were out for months."
"That's helpful," Sirius muttered sarcastically.
Classes had been canceled again. It was a Friday so they wouldn't start classes until Monday. All day people stopped by to drop off get well gifts for Haley. She was given everything from candy to potion supplies. The room was full of flowers."
Dinner rolled around but Albus had the house elves deliver their supper to the hospital wing. They each ate as much as they could manage. Bill, Charlie, and Percy all came after supper. They had the weekend off work and wanted to be there for their sister in everything but blood.
Molly and Arthur were happily surprised and the Minister was impressed with Percy. Eventually Amelia and Fudge needed to leave but they made Albus promise to keep them informed. Night rolled around quickly. Albus took the first shift. Then Minerva, Severus, Sirius, Remus, etc. The night went easily. But unfortunately there was no change. The next day was very much the same except around five o'clock in the evening Haley began to stir. Everyone backed away to give Poppy, Severus, and Molly room.
"Haley?" Molly whispered.
Haley groaned in response. Her eyes fluttered open. Her breathing became fast and heavy. Severus took one of the many bottles off the bedside table and made her drink it. Her breathing went back to normal.
"Just a minor panic attack," Snape explained, "I gave her a calming draught."
"Haley?" Molly tried again.
Haley let out a small whimpered, "Mrs. Weasley?"
Molly smiled sadly through her tears and pet the girl's hair, "Yes sweetheart, I'm right here."
"Where'm I?" Haley said weakly.
"You're at Hogwarts, honey," Molly informed her.
"Can I see her?" Sirius asked Poppy quietly.
Poppy nodded.
"Haley?" Sirius said approaching her.
"Sirius?"
"Yeah, it's me, pup."
"But you shouldn't…" Haley began to panic.
"It's alright, pup," Sirius silenced her. "I've been freed. I'm not going anywhere."
"You're free?"
"Yep, so beware I will become the over protective god father I was always meant to be."
Haley gave a weak smile.
"Are you in any pain?" Poppy asked.
She answered so softly that only Remus heard.
"Her arm is burning," Remus told her.
"Remus?"
Remus approached the bed. "Hello cub."
"Hi."
Poppy pulled a cream out and began rubbing it on the words. Haley winced. Poppy said, "Sorry Haley. It's the only way to properly heal these burns."
Haley whispered something and they all looked at Remus. "She asked if they words are permanent."
Poppy gave a small sad nod, "I'm sorry Haley. They will heal but you will always have the marks."
Haley nodded, "I thought so. That's why I chose that one."
"What do you mean?" Molly asked.
"The man gave me options. He let me choose one of three things to have on my arm," Haley said getting her voice back.
"What were the other options?" Sirius asked out of curiosity.
"Bitch and Golden Girl. I would have chosen bitch because it was short but I needed something I could look at every day."
Sirius nodded sadly.
"Do you know who took you?" Albus asked.
"Headmaster?"
"Hello Ms. Potter."
"Who else was watching me sleep?"
Remus chuckled, "Well the minister and head of DMLE watched you sleep for almost twenty four hours before needing to leave. The people still here are Neville, Luna, Hermione, Snape, Minerva, Flitwick, Sprout, and all the Weasleys. Hagrid was here for a while. Plus most of the school has visited you."
"Oh hi everyone," Haley said sheepishly.
"How's the arm feel now?" Poppy asked.
"Numb."
"That's good."
"Can I sit up?"
"Of course."
Molly and Sirius helped Haley prop up into a sitting position so she could see everyone. Most of them were crying or trying not to.
"Wow Haley! You look like got hit by a herd of Racklesports!" Luna told her.
Haley giggled, "Good to know, Luna."
"You're okay?" Hermione asked.
Haley looked the bandages that covered her arms, "Um, not really."
"Do you remember how this happened?" Snape asked.
"Well, my relatives needed to go to London on the 31st and they weren't going to go two days in a row so they left me there over night. I was on my way to the Leaky Cauldron when it all went black. When I woke up I didn't know where I was."
"What time was this?" Minerva asked.
"Um, around four in the afternoon," Haley told her.
"Do you know who it was?" Snape asked.
Haley looked down and began fiddling with her sheets. "Haley?" Molly asked.
"He was wearing a death eater mask," Haley told them quietly.
Sirius looked at Snape, "Who could it be?"
"Why are you looking at me?"
"You were one. You should know them all."
Severus glared at him and said, "I only know of a few that are out and were a part of the Dark Lord for choice inside of fear."
"And their names would be…" Sirius prompted.
"Well Crabbe and Goyle are too stupid to pull this off. But there were two correct?"
Haley said, "I only interacted with one but I heard him speaking with another person in the other room."
"Another person?" Dumbledore asked.
"Yeah, I think it was a woman."
"Very few women were involved with the Dark Lord," Severus told them. "Aside from Bellatrix the only other women he came in contact with were wives of death eaters."
"So we're looking for a Death Eater and his wife," Arthur stated.
Ron snorted, "How much do you want to bet that it was Malfoy Senior?"
Haley's head shot up and stared at him open mouthed. Everyone saw this action.
"Haley?" Albus prompted.
"Blond."
"What?" Sirius asked.
"When he was burning me, I saw blond hair fall out from behind the mask."
The room was shocked. Was it really Malfoy?
"Do you remember anything else about the man or woman?"
"The conversation. The woman was angry. She didn't want any part of it but he sent her to pick up the money. She was screaming about ruining my life over unnecessary money. The torture stopped after that and he gave me some food that I assumed she made. It was actually good. I think he wanted to kill me but she wouldn't let him."
"Severus, is there anyone else you think it could be?"
"No blonds. Lucius is the only blond, married death eater that joined because he wanted to. He hates Haley and Narcissa would take pity on any child in pain," Severus said.
"Narcissa!" Haley yelled. "That was her name! When they were fighting the man yelled, 'Calm down, Narcissa'."
"I'll call Amelia and see if Lucius has been to work recently," Snape told them as he rushed out of the room.
"I'll kill Malfoy," Sirius growled.
"No you won't!" Haley snapped. "You just got out of Azkaban. You are not going right back in!"
"I can make it look like an accident."
"No!"
"Fine," Sirius grumbled.
"Good, I'm thirsty."
Molly filled a glass on the bedside table and helped her drink. "How do you feel otherwise?" Poppy asked.
"Most of my body is numb and I can't move my toes. I do still have toes, right? He had threatened to cut them off."
Sirius moved the sheet, "Yeah you still have all nine of them."
"Nine?!" Haley shouted.
"Just kidding. Calm down," Sirius said chuckling.
Haley glared at him, "Not funny."
"You should probably get some more sleep," Poppy told her. "We'll be moving you tomorrow."
"Moving me? Where? Not St. Mongos?" Haley asked.
"No, sweetheart, you're coming to the Burrow with us," Molly told her.
"Why?"
Poppy answered, "You are in no shape to go to classes anytime soon. By the time you are ready you will be so far behind that you would never be able to catch up. You should take this year off school altogether and start anew next year. You would be in the same year as Ginny and Luna."
"Oh," Haley said sadly.
"Cheer up, Haley," Fred said.
"You get a whole year off school!" George continued.
"And you get to spend it at the Burrow," Fred added.
"You'll be with Mum and Dad and Percy and I think Mum will be having problems kicking Sirius and Remus out!" George informed her.
"And we'll visit on the holidays," Ron told her.
"And we'll write you all the time!" Hermione told her.
"Plus you've never seen the Burrow in winter. There's a ski lodge not far away. You love skiing!" Ginny told her.
Sirius looked at Haley, "You ski?"
"Yes. My old school used to take us on ski trips every year. Best day of the year."
"We'll take you then!" Remus said happily.
"You can play with the gnomes," Luna said dreamily.
"You will go a whole year without a professor trying to kill you," Neville joked.
"Be fair Neville. Lockhart never tried to kill her," Hermione reminded him.
"No but he tried to obliviate me which to me is just as bad," Haley told her.
"Alright, well there's Remus."
"He may not have meant it but he did almost eat me."
Remus looked at her guiltily, "Sorry, Haley."
"No problem Moony."
"I'm sorry to be the soil sport but you should really get some sleep, Haley," Poppy told her.
"I can't."
"Why not?"
"I'm sitting up and my legs have gone numb."
Sirius chuckled and he, Remus, and, Molly helped her lay down. Poppy gave her a dreamless sleep potion and she drifted off to sleep. Once she was asleep Molly burst into tears.
Arthur hugged her, "What's wrong?"
"She seemed too normal."
Ron spoke up and said, "Isn't that a good thing?"
Luna shook her head, "No Ronald. She's hiding all of her feelings within her. She doesn't want anyone to see her feeling some ways so she tries not to have any feelings at all."
Everyone looked at her oddly and she shrugged, "I am a Ravenclaw."
"Will she be alright?" Ginny asked.
"Well the curse never drove her to the point of insanity but there will be after effects."
"Such as?" Ron quizzed.
"Mentally she is stable be she may have some personality changes. Also she may have flashbacks. She will often flinch at someone's touch," Poppy explained. "That's the real reason she should take the year off. She shouldn't be around to many people she doesn't know she can trust. Physically she will be fine in a few days but will have scars."
Ron and a few others nodded.
"Does anyone know what happened to her possessions? She only has her wand," Remus asked.
"Amelia informed me that the Aurors that were searching for her found it all in an ally and Hedwig flew here on her own. Everything is waiting for her at the Burrow," Albus informed them.
Severus quickly rushed into the hospital wing, "You will never believe what happened!"
"Is everything alright, Severus?" Albus asked.
"I went to Amelia and told her our suspicions about Malfoy. Well she decided to take me and two Aurors down to his office and question him under Veritaserum. When got there we heard a loud argument coming from his office with Narcissa. There was a flash of green light and when we entered we saw Narcissa standing over Lucius' dead body. When Amelia asked what happened she said that she found out the extent of the damage he did to Haley and said she couldn't be married to someone that rapes teenage girls. She was arrested right after."
"Wait! Rape!" Molly screeched.
Snape nodded sadly, "I already gave her an anti-pregnancy potion earlier just in case but now we are sure."
"Oh god," Molly began to sob again.
"I don't care about Azkaban. If he wasn't already dead I would kill him," Sirius growled.
888
Haley didn't wake up again until morning. "Oh morning, pup!" Sirius said casually.
"Mornin' Padfoot," Haley said sleepily.
"Oh good your awake!" Poppy said. "How do you feel this morning?"
Haley sat herself up, "Better. A little heavy and slow but better."
"That's good. Very normal."
Haley looked around the room. Everyone from the previous night was there along with two others. Haley recognized one of them as Minister Fudge but she didn't know the woman.
"Hello Ms. Potter," Fudge said crossing to her and shaking her hand. "It's good to see you up."
The lady followed him, "Hello Ms. Potter. My name is Amelia Bones. I'm head of the Department of Magical Law Enforcement. How are you feeling?"
"I'm fine, thank you. It is nice to meet you Madam Bones," Haley said politely.
"I took the lead on your case and there is something you should know," Amelia told her softly. "Last night I went to question Lucius Malfoy under truth serum but when we arrived I found that his wife Narcissa had killed him over what he had done to you."
"She actually killed him?" Haley asked shocked. "I knew she was pissed but I didn't think she'd kill him."
"She had just learned the extent of your torture," she said quietly.
"Oh," was all Haley could say.
"I do have a few questions if you don't mind. It will help with the entire case."
"Sure but do we even need a case anymore? I mean if he's dead," Haley questioned her.
"Oh right. You grew up in the muggle world. Wizarding laws are very different. For every crime committed towards someone the victim gets a large percentage of their fortune."
"Oh."
"First how many times did Lucius use the Cruciatus curse on you?"
"I'm not sure I stopped counting after seventeen but that was on my first day."
"Seventeen! People usually lose their sanity after five!" Neville yelled.
Haley shrugged, "Then again if you listen to Professor Snape I've never truly be sane."
A couple chuckled.
"Did he give you food or water?"
"Not until Narcissa made him. She also got him to stop the torture and she saved my life. Is she in a lot of trouble?"
"I'll try to get her a reduced sentence for justifiable killing."
"Thank you. I don't want her in trouble for protecting me."
Amelia looked at her sadly and said, "Well if you stand up for her in court I'm sure it will help her immensely."
Haley nodded, "I'll do it."
Amelia smiled at the girl's strength, "Alright. I think I'll take my leave now. It was nice to meet you Ms. Potter."
"You too, Madam Bones."
"Alright Haley, I want you to take a shower. I have some of your clothes waiting in the washroom," Poppy told her. With Molly and Sirius' help she got out of bed and crossed to the bathroom. She was happy to see that there was a rail she could hold onto to keep from falling in the shower. She was trying to go quickly but she was covered in blood and couldn't tell the difference between dirt and bruises in some cases. She was cleaning her arm when she was the burn. Now that she was alone she broke down. She dropped to her knees in the tub and cried until there were no tears left. She knew the others would start to worry soon so she rushed out of the shower and got dressed. She wiped away a few stray tears and tried to compose herself before leaving the washroom.
When she left the room Sirius and Molly rushed to her side to help her walk. "Haley, would you mind coming in my back office alone for a few minutes?" Poppy asked.
"Okay," Haley croaked.
The two left and Luna said, "At least she let out some emotions."
"What are you talking about?" Ron asked.
"Haley. She was crying in the bathroom," Luna informed them.
Sirius looked at the girl, "How do you know?"
"Her eyes. They were red and puffy. Her voice croaked as she spoke. She was crying."
Molly, McGonagall, Sprout, Ginny, and Hermione wiped away their own tears.
"She's too strong for her own good," Flitwick stated.
"What are we supposed to do?" Molly surprised several people by asking Luna.
Luna shrugged, "Don't push her into talking but make it obvious that she can talk to you if she would like to. Listen to her no matter how much or how little she has to say. She will be afraid to talk but you have a year to get her too. Just don't judge what she says."
Molly nodded. Poppy and Haley left the office and Haley was carrying a few potion bottles. "Alright, you can take Haley whenever you're ready. Just make sure she takes it easy for a few days."
"Thank you, Poppy," Remus said. "Here, Haley. I'll take those bottles for you."
Haley handed them over and Remus put them in a bag with the rest of them. Haley tried walking forward but began to fall. Minerva and Neville were fast enough to catch her quickly and help her stand up straight again.
"Are you alright?" Neville asked nervously.
Haley nodded, "Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just a little light headed for a moment." The pair helped her sit down. "Thanks."
"No problem," Neville said quietly.
"Just take a few minutes, Haley. We don't want you to get sick when we floo home," Arthur told her.
"If I may," Luna but in, "I don't think Haley should be conscious when you take her. Maybe you should stun her. It would be more comfortable."
Poppy looked impressed, "That is a very good idea, Ms. Lovegood."
"I can take her with me," Sirius offered.
