Severus watched his students as they all ate in the great hall. It was a noticeably smaller group than earlier in the year, and it was not because most of them decided to skip dinner. Outside, the cold winter was coming to a halt and was transitioning towards the summer. It was nice spring weather and the sun seemed to smile during the day. Unfortunately not the same could be said about the students. Without the new 'leaders' the herd was lost. The Longbottom boy was still around but without the help of the Weasley girl it did not seem enough. She was, according to rumours, sent to a relative in America, or was it Canada, for her own safety and hasn't been seen since the start of the winter holidays. While it please Severus that the Weasleys finally grew a brain and sent her away, leaving him with less troubles to deal with, the same cannot be said to the remaining students.
They were losing hope. Severus had not had any luck either, with looking for the Potter boy and giving him the damned sword. Every day was getting worse and worse. The students were fighting, yes, but it was difficult for them, Severus could see that. As much as people thought he was a cold arrogant bastard, he actually truly did care. It was his punishment, the constant guilt and pain of knowing what his students are going through and being unable to stop it, for his crimes as a death eater.
The conversations were quiet. Everyone was whispering, not because there was some juicy gossip, no, no one bothered with gossips anymore. It was because nobody wanted to garner too much attention to themselves. The Carrow siblings looked smugly at the students; they were the ones responsible for the solemn mood. Severus forced himself to look impassive.
His mark started burning, he glanced at the Carrows and their faces scrunched up in pain. The three of them stood up and made their way to their respective offices to floo to the Malfoy manor. The whispers lessened as they did, most of the students had relief written on their faces. Severus took a quick glance at the staff table; he saw the faces of Hagrid and Minerva look at him in distaste. They knew he'd been summoned.
There was a painful pang inside him when his eyes met theirs. He had spent many years bantering with Minerva in an almost friendly manner. She had forgiven him again and again, especially after he had accepted his post as Potions professor, she was the one who, despite the other staff being weary of him, welcomed him. He owed a lot to her, as a fellow co-worker and perhaps a friend.
He reached in office and stepped into the fireplace. He felt the familiar sensation of the warm flames licking his body. With grace and ease achieved only by years of experience, he landed on the Malfoy Manor fireplace and moved just in time to see Alecto Carrow land. He didn't bother waiting for the other one, the less he sees their faces the less nauseous he became.
Voldemort was in his usual seat. The Malfoy father and son sat next to him, the two of them seemed to be getting thinner and paler each time Severus sees them. Most of the other death eaters weren't present, only those from the inner circle. The Dark Lord remained quiet as he watched his followers take their places. Severus saw the malicious glee Bellatrix had on her face, whatever caused it couldn't be good.
"First off, I would like to inform you that I would be leaving the country for a while," Voldemort hissed. "I am sure you know well enough not to mess anything up." There was a hint of warning in his voice, just a hint but it was enough to send a cold chill in everyone's backs.
"Yaxley report." It was a simple request, well simple enough.
Yaxley looked visibly afraid. "My Lord everything is going as planned. We've faced some resistance from the auror department but we've issued a warrant of arrest to Auror Shacklebolt."
Voldemort nodded, his wand, which he had gotten from Lucius, in his hand. "What of Potter?" he spat the name as if it were a vile potion.
Yaxley started looking paler. "There were rumours of his sightings but once we investigated there wasn't anything concrete. Most of the leads are snatchers looking for money my Lord. They have been dealt with of course."
Voldemort sneered and looked at Bellatrix. A silent order was sent her way and she smiled, or at least her lips twitched upwards. "Girl, come here," she snapped at a corner.
The figure that Snape first thought was a pile of dirty rags moved and made its way to the deranged maniac. She didn't even have to look up; her hair was a big indication for Severus to know her identity. He knew he visibly looked shocked. It took great control for him to change his face back to its blank expression and clear his head.
Bellatrix flicked her wand and the girl fell on the floor shaking in pain. Her head bowed down as a hoarse scream echoed around the room. This was one of the hardest things Severus had to endure, harder than when he had to watch his co-worker killed in front of him. He saw Draco look visibly sick and worried. He knew that while Draco had hated the Weasleys, he had a soft, albeit reluctant, spot for the Weasley girl. Most of the boys at Hogwarts did.
"Weasley, bow to your master," Bellatrix ordered. Severus knew that the girl would rather die than bow to the Dark Lord. He expected a nasty remark from the idiot child and for her to get herself killed. He was already preparing himself with how to deal with the Weasley family when they find out that their girl is dead. Instead, the girl crawled towards Voldemort and kissed the hem of his robes.
"This is the child you were having difficulty with?" Voldemort asked Amycus. The Carrow brother nodded as he watched the whimpering girl.
Severus was astounded. They broke her. They broke Ginevra Weasley. This girl, who was so full of spirit and joy, was turned into that. It frightened him to think just what Bellatrix did to turn her to that.
"Draco Malfoy had informed us the Ms. Weasley here had a relationship with Potter," Voldemort said. Severus saw that Draco looked absolutely nauseous, as if he regretted every divulging that information to anyone. Severus knew the boy enough to figure that he was probably cursing himself at the stupidity. "She unfortunately does not have any information of his current whereabouts."
"I wonder though," Voldemort continued, pausing for effects. "How he would feel when he finds out that his little friend has joined ranks amongst us?" There was a pause, Severus' mind was reeling. He knew that it would be impossible for the Weasley girl to accept being a death eater willingly. "Severus."
Severus bowed, "Yes my lord."
"You will care for this girl and you will teach her our ways. Her blood is almost as pure as the Malfoys and she will be a great asset to our community," Voldemort ordered. "You have until the start of the new school year to prepare her for her initiation." His command was final, there were no excuses, Severus knew that. "In that time she is yours to do as you please," Voldemort said suggestively. "As a reward for getting rid of the old fool." It took all of his will power not to glare at the Dark Lord.
The discussion continued on to the werewolves and giants. There was also an issue in Gringotts, the goblins were being rebellious. Severus only half listened to what they were saying. His eyes wandered occasionally to the figure which sat in the corner like a house elf. His mind was too busy trying to figure out a way to keep her safe.
The meeting ended soon enough. Voldemort left and Severus took the Weasley girl, careful not to show any kindness while the others could see them. She was thin, very thin. She looked like she hasn't seen a bath in months, and her clothes were dirty with blood and grime.
"Quite the handful she was," Bellatrix said with unadulterated glee. "Bloody thing was very stubborn, had to make sure she was still sane unlike those pathetic Longbottoms. They were what, five, seven hours straight? Took a while to break her, but I did enjoy it." Severus was always disgustedly astounded by how brutal Bellatrix could be. She cupped his face; it took all his will power not to punch her. "She'll be so willing to do anything," she whispered. "She'll even suck your little-"
"That is enough," he hissed loudly. He looked at her as if she was dirt in his shoes.
Her smile only got bigger. "Maybe you're not so little are you Severus? Don't worry she'll like it rough. She'll cry and bleed and she'll love it."
Severus glared at her. He couldn't believe a person like her existed. He wondered who was more foul, Bellatrix or Voldemort himself. It was difficult to answer. Before he could make a move, Bellatrix grabbed the girl's head roughly and licked her cheek. For the first time, Severus saw Ginevra's face. She didn't even look disgusted or repulsed by Bellatrix's action, nor did she make a move to stop her. Bellatrix made a face of disgust and spat on the girl's face.
Snape roughly pulled the girl away from the maniac. He made his way to the nearest fireplace, where Amycus was waiting. The retched man had a malicious grin on his face as he looked at Ginevra; it made it easy for Severus to know what the man was thinking. "When you're done with her make sure you let me borrow her," Amycus said.
Severus lost control. He grabbed the man by the neck with his free hand and lifted him to the wall. His moved close to the man, and was pleased when Carrow's eyes dilated. "You will find that I can be very possessive. Lay one hand on something that belongs to me and you will find yourself regretting your very existence. Remember, I killed Dumbledore, you think you'll be a challenge?"
Severus let go of him, but he knew the other man enough to know that this wasn't the end of it. He would have to keep the Weasley girl close by.
He held the girl gingerly as the floo together. Her weak body was supported by him as they arrived in his office. She was very light, too light for Severus ignore. She was never big but now she looked malnourished. Her clothes also looked grimy. He wondered if she was even given a bath in those four months in captivity. He shuddered, four months. That was a long time, for anyone, to be under Bellatrix' mercy. He truly felt sorry for whatever she had to endure.
He carried her to the bathroom and set up a bath for her. He wasn't sure whether he should leave her on her own or help her. He wanted to leave her but she didn't look like she would be able to support herself. She sat on the toilet unmoving. "Can you do this yourself?" he asked her gently.
She didn't move. He repeated it louder and he saw her involuntarily flinch. He decided to leave her alone for the while and headed back to the office. She should know what to do. He had paper work to finish.
He had been staring at the same page for ten minutes, and while he normally would have breezed through the monotonous task, he was unable to concentrate. He had not heard a single peep from the Weasley girl and he was getting worried. He tried ones more to read the list, which was the school budget for the year; no success. He decided to check on the girl.
He knocked softly but didn't hear an answer, not that he was expecting one. He opened the door and saw the girl in the same position as he left her. She didn't move an inch. A year ago he would have rejoiced to find a student that behaved. He wanted to shake her, to instil any kind of emotion from her, anything that resembles her normal jovial self. But he knew it would do more harm than good.
"You need a bath; I'm going to give you a bath ok?" She didn't do move.
He sighed and waved his wand over the water to make it warm once more. He checked the temperature and found it suitable enough. He carefully unbuttoned her shirt. She whimpered. "I'm just going to give you a bath," he whispered soothingly. She didn't look like she believed him but showed a face a defeat. He didn't want to look at her face so he looked at her body instead; bad idea.
He couldn't help but let out a gasp as when he saw her chest. Her ribs were protruding from her torso, and her stomach was so thin. He gulped, as a death eater, whenever they were on raids he made sure to never take hostages. He killed them on the spot to ease their pain. For the first time in his life he was glad he did so, no one deserves what had happened to her. He removed the skirt and made a point to be professional as he removed her undergarments. Her shivers were noticed but ignored.
He carried her almost weightless body and lowered her into the warm water. He heard her inhale sharply, as if he was going to drown her. He took the soft sponge and lathered it with soap and proceeded to scrub her as gently as she could. He starts with her shoulders and arm. As the dirt, grime and blood are removed the wounds and scars became visible. He bit his lips to prevent himself from gasping as he uncovered bruises and cuts. He tried being as gentle as he could, barely even able to control his rage at whoever did this to her.
When he started with her back she let out a hiss of pain. It didn't take him long to figure out why. There were lacerations all over; it must have come from a whip of some kind. He wanted to vomit. He should be used to seeing those things but never on a girl that young and never on a student. The only consolation he had on seeing those kinds of inflictions on others was the knowing that they were horrible people. Ginevra wasn't a horrible person, yes she was one of those annoying Weasleys, her school ethics were appalling, she had the tendency to be snappy, and her taste in boys were atrocious but she was did not deserve this.
He stopped washing her when he felt her shaking. He saw drops of tears make their way down her cheeks. Her eyes were covered by her hair but he didn't have to see them to know the agony she was going thought. She let out a strangled sob. Severus did the only thing he could think off; he climbed in the tub and hugged her tightly from behind.
She tensed when he did this, but after a few seconds she started sobbing. Her cries were gut wrenching. He felt a few of his own tears fall on her wounds. They slid down the crisscross patterns on her back. With whatever strength he had left, he continued to rid her body of the dirt. He had to change the water twice because the first one was too dark. Her crying had stopped by the time he was finished.
He wrapped her in a towel and led her to the bedroom. He then went back to the bathroom to give himself a quick washing. He was too deep in thoughts that when he went back to the bedroom he was only wearing a towel around his waist. She sat on his bed, covered in the same towel he wrapped around her. She didn't move but he felt her eyes gazing at his body. He had scars similar to hers, but they were caused because of his own stupidity. They were 'battle scars' from raids and fights against aurors. He deserved them.
He sighed as he realized he had nothing for her to wear. Her clothes were irreparable and even if they weren't it would take a while to have them cleaned. The house elves were magic but they were no miracle workers. He rummaged through his drawers, looking for something she might fit in. There wasn't anything. He wasn't the type of person to keep things he didn't need. He pinched the bridge of his nose and pulled out a pair of boxer shorts and a t-shirt. He shrunk then enough to fit her figure. He dressed her up. The shorts were still a bit loose on her but he figured a good meal before bed should make it fit snugly.
A meal was prepared by the time he was done.
He supported a half limping Ginevra to the dining area and sat her down. He saw her eyeing the food in complete hunger. For a moment he wondered why she wasn't eating, but then he decided he didn't want to know the answer. "You can eat," he told her.
The table, which was usually occupied by only him, was small so she was within reach of all the food. She started grabbing and munching on everything she could reach as if it were the last time she was every going to eat. Her mouth was still full and already she was stuffing more into it. Severus knew that if she continued to eat that way she would get sick. "Slow down," he ordered gently. She didn't listen.
"Ginevra slow down," he repeated this time with more force. She didn't stop. She continued eating at that pace.
He stood up. "Ginny! Stop!" he yelled.
The reaction was instantaneous, she dropped the food she was holding, she swallowed whatever remained in her mouth, she moved back a meter from him dragging the chair along and she started shaking. He sighed. After berating himself for losing his composure, he placed a hand on her shoulder as gently as possible. She flinched. He moved closer to her when she vomited all over his shirt.
She looked absolutely petrified. She started to shake and was hyperventilating. He knew she was scared. "It's ok, it's fine, you're alright, I'm not going to hurt you," he whispered in a comforting tone. She didn't look like she believed him and turn her head as if expecting to get hit. He cleaned up the vomit with his wand and took a spoon full of the mashed potatoes. He placed it in near her mouth but she wouldn't open. Her eyes looked at it as if the food were poisoned.
"You were eating too fast, and your stomach couldn't take the amount of food you were putting in it." She didn't believe him and still looked at the spoon with disgust. Severus waited patiently and she reluctantly opened up wide enough for him to put it in her mouth. She had a thoughtful look in her face as if trying to taste whether there was poison or not. Her eyes darted at the food again. He took another spoon full and placed it in her mouth, this time she didn't hesitate to open. He repeated the process until there was no more food left.
A faint smile, it was barely visible but Severus saw it, graced her face as she patted her tummy.
Severus then fed her a few nutritional potions to help with her digestion and to improve the lack of nutrition she suffered from. Then he took her hands and applied a balm that would help ease the bruises and the wounds. He knew she was watching what he did intently, probably wondering if what he was doing was going to help her or hurt her. A sigh of relief escaped her lips.
"I'll put some on your back," he informed her softly. "But to do that I have to remove your shirt, I'm going to remove your shirt ok?"
He felt her tense but she didn't move. He removed the shirt and started spreading the balm on her back. She started breathing normally when it started to take effect, he could feel the rise and fall of her chest under his fingers. The cuts were closing and the bruises were fading but Severus could see faint scars replace them. He knew those scars would take a long time to fade, if they ever.
When he was satisfied that her physical scars were healed, he lead her back to the bedroom. There was only one bedroom and one bed. Ginny looked scared as if she was afraid the he might do something to her. He placed her on the bed and tucked her in. She lay there stiffly and kept her eyes on the ceiling. He knew what she was thinking; it didn't take a genius to figure it out. He took one of the extra pillows. "I'll be just outside the door if you need me. Just wake me up," he said, making sure she knew that he would not be sharing the bed.
He turned off the lights and closed the door. The moment he shut the door a reluctant tear escaped from his eyes. He allowed the moment of weakness to pass over. It was times like these when all the pain just seem to be on the brim. He remembered the carefree student who defiantly did what she wanted. He remembered the student who rose up even after being possessed by the dark Lord himself for a whole year. He remembered the student who received more detention from him than he cared to count. He remembered the student who won the Gryffindor the Quidditch cup last year and the year before that. He remembered the student who sat proudly with her friends after fighting off death eaters at the ministry. He remembered the student who smiled. Where was that student?
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A message from TemperedRose:
I wrote this story with this scene in mind, so I hope you enjoy. Thank you for the reviews and for Moi for the tip but unfortunately (or fortunately for you, readers) it's the thoughts that keep swirling in my head. Also, I'm cheap so I don't buy books, I read them in the bookstore (I'm living off instant noodles so don't bash me for 'stealing', I'm really on a tight budget)... but then again I should probably get a library card in the local library. Hmm, maybe I'll do that...
Anyway! I hope you enjoyed this chapter. I wish you all a very Merry Christmas and may plot bunnies invade your imaginative minds.
Until next time,
TemperedRose