CHAPTER 3

Authority

...

Auburn woke up to an alarm going off in her ear, and as she turned it off, she remembered where she was and why she has to get up early. She felt the chains around her ankles loosen and freed herself from her bed, rubbing her sore ankles and scurried into the bathroom to get ready. When she was done she turned on her light to read the housing contract and turned to the page that instructed her duties, and she wasn't pleased, to say the least, but decided against whining and complaining about how much her new life sucks because it won't change anything, but she feels that the Flint's may not be as dangerous compared to other pure-blood families.

She opened her closet to see it filled with a uniform for her to wear so signify her enslavement, and it was a gray, raggedy, almost sleeveless dress. She put it on and felt humiliated just wearing it, even though her room is dimly lit and everyone is asleep and won't see her in her outfit until later. She turned her head to see another door that she hadn't discovered before and with a raised eyebrow and a pounding heart, decided to open it and she was shocked to find a dark and cold staircase— almost like a secret passageway. She followed the trail which led her to a room with old couches and a table, which she guessed would be their break room and opened the door of the newly established room to discover the kitchen.

Her eyes roamed to see the dog, which she remembered that she has to walk it every morning and feed it once she's finished. She went back to her room only to find raggedy, tan slippers that she didn't see before and then freaked out since it will take some time to get used to everything popping up out of nowhere, shoved her feet into the slippers and proceeded to walk the dog in the chilly, cold, and dark air but didn't complain. Better to be cold than hot. I wonder how bad summers get here. She passed by a few other people also walking dogs and wearing a similar outfit to her, and they nodded at one another, understanding their predicaments but learning to accept it and by the time she got back to the house the sun began to rise.

She found her way back and closed the door to feed the dog, but heard footsteps enter the kitchen and turned to see one of the other girls from the day before. The girl has long blonde hair and big blue eyes and didn't look pleased to be stuck as a slave. Auburn glanced at her from her spot on the floor as she pets the dog who was eating quickly but said nothing to the girl. She isn't here for friends, she's here to do her job and survive.

The girl stared down at Auburn. "Who are you?"

"Auburn."

"I'm Pearl," the skinny blonde girl said. "What do you think about being here?"

I can tell she's trouble. I need to be careful of what I say and do around her. "It's...different. I just don't know why wizards and witches decided to kidnap muggles, as they call us, and use us as slaves."

"They're up to something," Pearl said. "We'll find out sooner or later because I'm not going to be a slave, I'm much more than an object. They can all go and kiss my ass. If they think I'm going to obey them, then they've got another thing coming. No one bosses me around and gets away with it."

Auburn began to feel a presence somewhere near them but wasn't too sure if someone is actually spying on them or if she's being paranoid. She turned to Pearl and narrowed her eyes, "Look, Pearl, I understand how you feel but I have a friend from our world who is a witch. She told me that they have taken us because they can use magic against us—their magic is nothing like the magic in our world, I feel an energy from all of them. They're powerful and extremely dangerous; I think you should be careful with what you say around here," the dog began to rub itself against her leg, "I feel as if they have their own ways of finding out information."

Pearl rolled her bright blue eyes and flipped her long blonde hair. "They don't scare me, and I'm certainly not taking any advice from you," then she walked off and disappeared.

Auburn rolled her eyes at how dramatic Pearl is.

She'll be sorry.

...

A few hours later, Auburn found herself helping Marcos pack his things for his last year at Hogwarts when one of the other girls came and told her that they need to go downstairs and that it's urgent. The two quietly went downstairs and followed everyone else into the basement, and Auburn felt her chest tighten. Something is about to happen. They gathered around Mr. Flint who has Pearl sitting on the floor in front of him, and everyone stood quietly as Auburn tried to go to the front just in case anything happened to Pearl, but Marcos grabbed her wrist and his large hand had a tight grip on it, and she stayed in the back with him. Pearl turned around and looked confused to why they're all gathered around her and the head of household, but her defiant eyes met him, and he smirked down at her and proceeded to talk,

"I've heard that you aren't going to listen to us, Pearl."

The girls shuffled nervously as Auburn's mouth widened. How does he know about that? Was he really watching us?

Pearl snarled at Auburn, her canine teeth sharp like a vampire's. "You told on me?"

"What? I did no such thing!" Auburn sneered. "I warned you about keeping your mouth shut around here."

"She was with me all morning, Pearl. There's no way she told my father about your terrible attitude," Marcos said.

"Do you blame me? You ruined my life!"

Morwen grabbed her by her dress and held her up, making her face him. "Let's teach you some discipline. I have a few spells that we can use on you mudbloods," he pushed her down. "Crucio!"

Auburn gasped, she recognized the spell and how he used it on her best friend. Pearl's body twisted and turned as she screamed and cried for him to stop and that she wouldn't disobey him again. One of the other girls went to aid her but he used a spell to paralyze her and she fell to the floor screaming and yelling for Morwen to stop, he used another spell on the paralyzed girl to keep her from talking. Auburn then knew their power and how dangerous they are. It scares her but as long as she does what she is told she won't have any problems, and Marcos doesn't seem too bad of a guy.

After what seemed like hours, the spell lifted off Pearl, whose face is bright red and he pulled her up. He took out a whip and whipped her at least fifty times before she got weak and fell to the floor panting for her breath and crying, her blood staining her pales like legs and arms, bruises appearing all over and her wrists swelling. Morwen put the whip back in its place on the wall and dismissed everyone but the two girls on the floor. Auburn followed Marcos back to his room to help him pack, but saw a whip of his own on the wall in the near corner of his room and knew that it was meant for her.

Now I really need to be careful.

After Pearl's beating, Auburn helped Marcos finish packing for school. She then found herself in the kitchen with two other girls with dark hair, since Pearl and the other girl were nowhere to be found and were guessed to still be in the basement and under punishment, the three girls were cooking lunch for Marcos and his friends that are supposedly coming over and Auburn felt nervous because she knows that his friends are most likely prejudice to her kind, and they will not be friendly, she already knew that. Her heart raced as she heard the boys enter the house and designate into the living room.

The other two girls brought out the food as she was preparing the drinks, and they sent her 'good luck' glances before she took a deep breath and carried out a tray of drinks out for the seven boys in the rather spacious living room. When she went to make an exit, Marcos wrapped a muscular arm around her waist and pulled into his lap and she felt extremely uncomfortable as his friends stared at her.

"This is my personal servant," he bragged, and Auburn noticed that he is much cockier with his friends.

The six stared at her, some with a glare, some with a cunning smile, and one whom she recognized as...Montague...leering at her. She bit her tongue knowing that saying anything out of place will get her into trouble and into the same predicament as Pearl and the other girl from earlier. They then began talking about Hogwarts and how they were happy that it's their last year and wanted to make sure that they win the Quidditch cup for the seventh year in a row. Auburn remembered Janice telling her about the game and Auburn telling her it sounded cool, but when the Gryffindor told her that it's dangerous, she opted out and told her it doesn't sound like that much fun after all.

For some odd reason, Marcos got on the topic about Pearl and Hadley (who Auburn guessed was the girl that was paralyzed) and why they were punished, and the boys laughed about how dumb mudblood girls are and how they should know their place. Auburn fumed with anger like a teapot boiling water but said nothing as her mouth would get her into trouble.

Montague turned to Auburn who remained quiet the whole time. "What about your personal, Flint?" Auburn narrowed her eyes, predicting that Montague must want her to be seen as bad for some odd unknown reason.

"Oh, her?" Marcos patted her leg, "No, she's fine."

"She knows her place," another added. This boy was rather short with light brown hair and blue eyes.

"Well Bole, it's supposed to stay that way," a tall boy with brown hair added but sent the girl a kind smile. Auburn guessed that he's the nicest one out of the bunch.

Montague turned to her. "So Auburn, what do you think about our world?"

They all stared at her, waiting for a response.

"It's nice," she shrugged.

"Just nice?"

"Beautiful," she said with a hint of sarcasm and Marcos' grip on her leg tightened, warning her to not stay out of place.

"That's more like it."

"Pretty sure you muggle girls have never heard of Quidditch..." one went on.

"Actually, I have a friend who goes to Hogwarts." she instantly regretted her words as they all stared at her in interest.

"Oh, really? Is she a Slytherin?"

"They can't be a Slytherin, we don't have mudbloods' in our house."

"Gryffindor," Auburn stated, wishing that she hadn't said anything.

"Who is she? Perhaps we know her."

"I'd rather not say..." Marcos sent her a warning look and she stared back at Bole. "Janice, her name is Janice."

The boys leaned back and laughed. "Janice, a mudblood herself. What a shocker." Montague laughed and Auburn felt her face get hot as the boys followed his lead.

Marcos snickered. "Hogwarts will certainly be interesting this year."

"Yeah, every time she opens her mouth you can just say you have her friend captive."

Marcos thought for a moment. "That's not a bad idea," he turned to Auburn, "go and get us more drinks."

"Yes...Sir," she added the last part and quickly left the room, her awkwardness leaving her as she prepared more drinks, but their next conversation shocked her.

The boys began talking about how she looks like a famous, but dark witch that was born in the 1970's. Since it's the year 2100, this witch was born one hundred and thirty-one years ago; she is obviously long gone. They were talking about the difference in their hair color, how the wizard named Caoimhe Dillon had brown hair and how she changed the Wizarding world for her story and her power. Auburn thought for a moment, Marcos must have a history book on this witch and decided that she will have to read it and maybe even contact her family about this Caoimhe girl, and she walked back out with seconds and Marcos made her sit on him again, and all she thought about was leaving and reading about this Caoimhe girl.

...

Later in the evening, everyone but one person was asleep.

The cloaked person made another Horcrux with the pet of someone who has defied them and used it to implant a part of their own soul into their school diploma. Once they were done they left the basement with the mutilated rabbit in their hand and threw it into the backyard, wanting everyone to see his or her power against all of them and how this said person should be feared. The mysterious cloaked person looked up to Pearl's bedroom window and smirked, seeing that the lights are out and that she will see her present soon in the morning, and decided to make their way to bed since they have a lot to do the following day. As they went to sleep, Auburn had a hard time sleeping. She began to twist and turn as she felt her eyes forced shut and her head began to hurt, and a visual was set before her.

June 30th, 1985

Caoimhe was laying in bed at her Aunt Karen's house at night, next to her two younger cousins: Will and Gia. Caoimhe spent her summers with her Aunt since she never saw her mother that much. Her parents divorced when she was seven, and she lived with her father, barely seeing her mother. Her mother remarried a man and they live in Florida as she resides in New York with her family. Her sister Lexi Athena was born five years after her and because she was so young when their parents divorced, the mother took her, so she barely sees her sister.

They wrote to each other and called each other on the phone, but it isn't the same. They are sisters, but completely different in looks. Caoimhe looked like her dad's side of the family, the Irish as her sister looked like their mother's side who are Russian and German. Caoimhe looks like her Aunt Karen, dark brown hair, olive skin, greenish brown hazel eyes, a turned up nose, and freckles. Lexi has lighter hair; a dirty blonde with blue eyes and pale skin, a longer nose, and no freckles. They're complete opposites also; Lexi is very shy where Caoimhe isn't as timid as her sister, but has a lot of ambition and likes to prove a point.

Caoimhe laid in bed, her cousins on the bottom bunk since her aunt liked her children sleeping in the same room, besides the fact they all have their own rooms. She was thinking of the argument she got into with her aunt earlier. Her aunt could be a witch sometimes, not to mention she always stuck her nose where it didn't belong. All of a sudden, the room got cold and the windows got icy and stiff. It was silent and cold. Caoimhe, being very curious and brave, decided to check the house to see what's going on. She stepped out into the hallway and into her aunt's room where there were two cloaked figures surrounding her. Caoimhe's eyes got wide. What could she do? She wanted to barge in, but her gut was telling her that'd be a bad idea.

"Why are you here? Who are you? And what do you want?"

"Oh, Karen. Did you think you could really leave the Wizard world?"

Caoimhe raised a brow? Wizards? That's what they are? It made sense. Strange things happened in the family and sometimes Caoimhe talked to snakes like her Aunt taught her. Karen made her promise to never tell anyone of her unique talent, and Caoimhe never has. Though, she always felt something...dark radiate off her aunt...and these cloaked figures might give her the answer to the question that she always left unanswered.

"I can't go back there."

"Oh, you can, and you will. Your niece will be going soon, I assume. Don't worry, Karen dear, she'll figure out who you really are," the other spoke, though, it sounded like a female's voice.

"You obviously don't take hints very well," she heard her aunt say with a slight presence of fear in her voice. Caoimhe's aunt is tough and extremely aggressive but was cowardly to certain people which made the young girl believe that her aunt bluffs a lot and isn't as tough as she appears.

"He's rising again...very soon you will be in his grasp. But for now, we'll put you somewhere where you won't escape, somewhere where no one will find you."

Then just like that, there was a bright light and Karen was gone, and Caoimhe's eyes widened in shock and in fear. Where they'd take her and how she will tell everyone else, who knows but she had the feeling that no one would believe her if she told the truth because no one believes the truth, so she decided to stay quiet, and no one had heard from Karen since. A couple weeks later, Caoimhe held a Hogwarts letter in her hand and found herself on the Hogwarts express and then was sitting on a stool with a talking hat on her head.

"I know...Slytherin!" It shouted and shouts and cheers were heard from the Slytherin table.

She shook hands with the older Slytherin's and they began to eat with a large amount of food gathered around them, and Caoimhe began to think about her aunt.

The vision faded and she jolted up into her bed, panting at the scene that was set in the mind. This is the girl that the boys were talking about earlier, however, the girl has dark brown hair and Auburn has red hair and a lighter skin tone. Auburn went into her bathroom, threw water onto her face and laid her hands against the edges of the sink. She looked into the mirror and stared at herself, wondering why she looks so much like this girl and how she got these weird and mysterious visions. She went back to bed and fell asleep thinking about Caoimhe and why the dead Witch is significant to her.

...

Auburn woke up the next day and continued her morning routine from the day before, and as she walked the dog she saw the same people walking their owner's dogs, and it made her sad to see how they were all living their lives one minute to only have it taken away, but she kept that thought to herself as she returned to the house and fed the dog. One of the dark-haired girls who revealed that her name is Raven, came down to make breakfast as Auburn went to go back upstairs to help Marcos with whatever he needs help with when there was a loud, curling scream from the back of the house and Auburn quickly ran with Raven through the dark house to the backyard to see a mutilated bunny by the door. Auburn seemed confused but saw Pearl crouched it, crying her eyes out, and realized that the bunny must be Pearl's, well, was Pearl's. Auburn began to ponder to why her bunny would be killed, but everything made sense when Morwen revealed himself from the darkness of his own home.

"My bunny...my bunny!" Pearl screamed.

Morwen smirked. "Maybe next time you'll learn some decency and respect your superiors."

The girls looked frightened as Pearl turned around and slowly stood up. "You...you went to my house and killed my bunny?"

"No, but it seems that someone knows of your ill behavior and decided to put an end to it."

Pearl sobbed harder and disappeared into the dark halls of the house as the others separated quietly, leaving Auburn to wonder about what Morwen said. It led her to the conclusion that it was him, but why would he kill her pet unless he was proving a point? or up to something of his own? Auburn then realized that their law and conduct are different from her world and that if someone of higher status or importance were to find out that he mutilated her cat, then they would most likely do nothing and it shows the power the pure-bloods have over everyone else. The redhead discovered that Morwen seems eviler than before and that the Wizarding world is hiding something, and that she herself needs to stay out of Morwen's way.

The rest of the day went quickly as it consisted of Pearl sobbing somewhere in the house, Mr. and Mrs. Flint at work, the girls doing their duties in fear, and Auburn helping Marcos with some last minute shopping in some place called Diagon Alley where she recognized his friends from a distance and hoped that they didn't see the two, or that Marcos didn't go over to them. She could tell who was a Muggle like her and they all looked annoyed, angry, or sad, but said nothing and all looked at their feet. Auburn took a deep breath as she followed Marcos back home with his new supplies and books in her arms, wondering what the next day has in store for her-and her visual of the next day faded when Marcos interrupted her own wandering mind.

"You should start packing," he suggested.

"Why?"

"Because you're coming to Hogwarts with me."

Auburn blinked. "What?"

"At the top of my school supplies list, it says that anyone with a personal servant must bring them to school with them. You aren't a witch so you will go through the fireplace to get onto the train."

"...The fireplace?" What is up with this world? They have odd ways of transportation. And Janice didn't tell me about the transportation used by going through a fireplace...unless she doesn't know about it. She is a muggle after all.

He smirked. "I'll show you tomorrow. Pack your stuff, and you have to sit with me on the train," he went to go to bed but he turned back to look at her. "By the way, I should add that my friends will be joining us, so I expect you to be on your best behavior."

She nodded and he smirked at her as she quickly entered her conjoined room and packed her things...again.

...

SEPTEMBER

The next day consisted of Auburn leaving with Marcos and even though she barely knows the other girls' they all but Pearl, wished her goodbye and she did the same. Marcos told her that the personal servants will be waiting on the train and he had her take some Floo powder and step into the fireplace. As she did what he told her to, he placed her suitcase into the fireplace with her and made her say, "Hogwarts Express," and after she said those exact words she let go of the Floo powder. Green and black fire surrounded her and before she knew it, she found herself staring in awe at a huge train, which she guessed is the Hogwarts Express. After waiting twenty minutes Marcos came over to her, grabbed her wrist, and dragged her into the train with her suitcase.

He led her through the sectioned train with different seating areas covered with doors. Unknown students gathered into compartments and closed the doors, giving themselves privacy. Marcos led her to a quieter section of the large train and they sat down in a compartment to see Montague who seemed happy to see his longtime friend and smirked at Auburn. The other familiar faces came into the small room with a few other girls sitting with certain boys which led Auburn to believe that the faces she didn't recognize were personal servants. Marcos and his friends began talking about random things as the girls sat in silence, not talking to one another. Eventually, the boys said the girls can speak quietly and all but Auburn huddled together and began whispering.

"Why aren't you with the girls, Auburn?" Marcos asked and she shrugged.

"What, are you too shy?" Montague sneered, mocking her aloof and distant nature. She doesn't know him and hates him; he makes her blood boil and makes her want to raze him with intense burns, but she has a lot of self-control and wants him to know that he does not intimidate her, not in the slightest.

"Kind of," she said quietly, but the second reason to her being shy is that she hates girls. Janice is her best friend but they have known each other for a very long time. Auburn always runs into trouble with girls and isn't going to deal with it now, especially since she knows Marcos will punish her for anything that she does and says out of place.

The boys stared at her but turned away and continued talking about some teacher that they hope to not get this year because the teacher doesn't favor the Slytherin's and always tries to take away house points from them. The train stopped and she followed Marcos to little wooden boats and as they were floating in the water with lanterns as a light source, she stared aw awe at a huge castle not too far ahead. She's never seen a castle so huge, or beautiful, for that matter. They were lead by the head of the school by the Slytherin common room and to the dungeons where rooms were closed off for the privacy of each person. He told them that they would remain here for the year and that they just continue their duties from home, and depending on their owner's Hogwarts house, they were all separated by colors. The girls all picked rooms and Auburn chose a room toward the back where the servants of Slytherin's proceeded to go by, unpacked her things, and went to bed, exhausted by the day's events.

The next day consisted of Marcos, Montague, and Malfoy (who is two years below the upperclassmen) walking to the main corridor from their Herbology class when they snickered at seeing Janice, Auburn's best friend. Rumors have spread that she fought Morwen and lost when he used one of the unforgivable curses on her, and it made the Slytherin's snicker at the thought of a Gryffindor losing. Montague and Malfoy stayed behind Marcos as Pucey came by and saw what was going on, and decided to join but was at Marcos' side. Marcos got closer to the sixth year Gryffindor.

"Hey Janice, long time no see," he mocked and she turned to stare at the four Slytherin's smirking at her.

She snarled and stomped up to him getting right into his face, but she didn't intimidate him. No one can intimidate Marcos Flint. "You...you better stay away from her!"

"How can I stay away from something that I own?" he asked with a raised eyebrow. The peers that were around gasped and turned quietly to see the argument between the Slytherin and the Gryffindor.

Janice's mouth dropped, "What...what did you just say?" she shouted.

"I said...how can I stay away from something that I own?"

The Slytherin's snickered.

"Wait, Auburn works for you?"

"She's a personal servant," he got closer to her, "and you aren't allowed to be around her."

"She's my friend!"

"And she's my property!"

"You aren't her boss! You can't tell her what to do!"

"I have authority over her. If I find the two of you sneaking around I will punish her, and then I will come after you. Are we clear on that?"

"You can't hurt me, Marcos! Your threats don't intimidate me."

"I'll have my friends hold you down and forcefully watch me punish your sweet, little friend."

The main hallway was silent as Janice sneered at him, but said nothing as pushed past the Slytherin's who mocked her and began to laugh. They proceeded to their next classes and went their separate ways, and as Marcos walked the hallway on his own he smiled to himself knowing that he has the authority over Auburn and knows that she will listen to him. After his classes, we went to visit her to tell her of his new rule. There are rules that the servants must follow but new rules can be added at any time, as long as they are made by the person in charge of them. He shuffled to the dungeons and opened Auburn's door to see her reading a book and she looked up rather alarmed to see him since she's off duty when he is attending classes.

He got close to her bed and slammed his hands onto the mattress, making her jump and move back. "I saw your friend, and you aren't allowed to see her because if you do, you both will be punished, and I'll make sure you are watched at all times if you decided to defy me. Are we clear?"

Auburn was shocked at his change in demeanor and how Bipolar he appears but decided that he's more comfortable with bossing her around and should have expected it earlier.

She nodded. "Yes, I understand."

He smirked. "Good, then we'll have no problems. I think that as long as you listen to me and remember who has authority over you, we'll get along just fine."

He left and closed her door, leaving the redhead shocked at what just happened. Auburn has come to the realization that Marcos isn't what he seems and that by how big he is, he can definitely snap her in half. She guessed that Janice must have said something to him to make him react the way he did just before he left the room. Auburn decided that she has to be different around him and show little disrespect, even if she doesn't mean to be disrespectful because if he thinks she is then he will punish her...just like how Morwen punished Pearl by using Crucio and whipping her, and Hadley by paralyzing her...or maybe even worse.