"Stace?" Sirius called to me, releasing Harry. Everyone turned. Tonks, Professor Moody, Remus, Mr and Mrs Weasley and Professor Snape all looked at me. I shifted slightly, looking at Harry nervously. He grinned and nodded enthusiastically, I assume to hint to me to follow his greeting of our godfather. I don't think so, Harry.
"Hi Sirius." I muttered, just loud enough for him to hear, not looking up to assess his or anyone else's reactions. There was an awkward pause until Mrs Weasley ushered us upstairs to our rooms. We were sharing with Ron. From our previous visits Mrs Weasley had learnt that Harry and I would be sleeping in the same room if we could, whether she placed us there or not. I pushed past the people in the crowded hallway to get to the staircase Harry was already climbing. I could feel the adults looking at me, judging me. As I passed Sirius I couldn't bring myself to look at him, not wanting to see the man that was the cause of all this pain. I hastily followed Harry, escaping before they tried to act on their judgements.
As I entered Ron's room I was greeted by Hermione speaking very fast in a very shrill tone about how we hadn't done anything wrong. Especially me apparently.
"Your's was a complete accident and they can't hold it against you. In fact, your age really works in your favour!" I tuned out after that. I hadn't thought much about the trial. Expelled. I've been expelled from Hogwarts. I've been kicked out of my home. I'll be left with the Dursleys all year round, no breaks.
My attention was brought back by the sound of my dear twin yelling. His face was tinged red, similar to Uncle's when he's angry... Focus. He seemed like he was reaching the end of a rant. Probably about how no one's contacted us. Well, they probably have tried but there was no chance of me receiving any. There was a loud crack. Fred and George appeared around the foot of Ron's bed. They looked as mischievous as ever, grins gracing their faces as they schemed.
First, they addressed Harry in, as always, complete synchronization "Lovely to hear your dulcet tones, Harry." They winked, then turned to the rest of us. "But we've got something much better to do." They both turned on their heels, Fred motioning for us to follow as they speedily walked away.
We followed them, leading towards the banister of the staircase Harry and I had climbed earlier. As we came to a halt George pulled something from his pocket, holding it up to us. It was an ear, I think, attached to a long piece of flesh coloured string.
"It's an extendable ear." they informed us, At the blank look on our faces they continued "Used to listen in on their," they nodded their heads at the door between us and the Order "meetings!" With that they slowly lowered the ear to the ground floor. Suddenly voices flooded around us.
"-thing needs to be done!" It was Remus but, surprisingly, he sounded angry. No, furious.
"How did you say you found her? And keep your voice down!" Mrs Weasley began with a questioning tone but became stern towards the end.
"In her underwear, handcuffed to a bed." Remus spat. "She's pale, she's thin - they haven't been feeding her, surely you can see that Albus?!"
"Aye, she thought it'd only been two weeks into the holidays, and they hadn't seen each other once." Professor Moody growled. Oh shit, are they talking about me? I glanced around at the others. They all seemed entranced by the conversation, even Harry. I shuffled away from them slightly.
"She keeps flinching when we touch her. Even when Molly hugged her! Molly, of all people! Hell, she wouldn't even look at Sirius!" Remus hissed.
Professor Dumbledore's voice floated around my head "Ah yes, Sirius, do you have any idea why she would be so reluctant to come into contact with you? I don't believe she's shown any signs in the past."
"I-I don't know! I mean, I'm her godfather for Merlin's sake! How can she be afraid of me, I've never done anything to hurt her, and I never will!" Sirius declared. Right, he knew exactly what he'd been doing. He must've been doing it on purpose.
"Be that as it may, Black, that does not stop her being afraid." Professor Snape's slick voice surrounded me. "And, as regrettable as it is, she is not entirely stupid. There must be something to support her sudden fear of you or she would not be avoiding you."
"Unless, of course, it's not sudden." Dumbledore interjected "Did you notice anything unusual about her behaviour after the maze last year, Sirius?"
"I didn't speak to her much. Remus was with her and I was with Harry... But I did notice, she wouldn't look at me. At all."
"Just to add..." Tonks interrupted "In that cupboard where Harry said all her things were stored, I think she's been sleeping in it. When she wasn't in that boy's room. And, as Mad-Eye said, they hadn't seen each other all summer!"
"Do you think, Albus?" Professor McGonagall whispered this so quietly that I had to lean closer to the others to hear "That, Stace, that they raped her?"
I heard Dumbledore sigh. "It's a possibility but we can't be sure until she tells us. I have a feeling that this may be a large amount more complicated than just that, though" he sounded tired, weary even "If we can get confirmation we'll have to act immediately-"
The rest of their discussion was cut off as Crookshanks pulled the Extendable Ear away. Rather than putting up a fight like I expected, George just allowed it to slide out of his hands. I looked up at my friends. They stared back at me in silence. Their expressions ranged, confusing me. I backed up slightly, my shoulder brushing against the dirty wall paper in the landing. They looked worried, I don't understand. What's wrong? I couldn't move any further away and I felt trapped. I looked for my safety. Harry. He looked at me, his eyes looking sad, the corners of his mouth turned down.
I pressed my back flat against the wallpaper, the damp smell intensifying. "Don't... Don't be sad Harry. Why are you sad? Talk to me!" I implored him. Is something wrong? I'd tried so hard to protect him, what had I done wrong.
"What?" he whispered harshly, his sad expression slowly morphing into fury. "Yo're worried about me?" he asked incredulously. I nodded, my eyebrows drawing together, trying to work out what was wrong. I looked to the others, hoping for some hints but they all looked the same, sad bordering on angry. Why? What's everyone sad about. Is it me? I haven't done anything wrong! They're all angry at me!
"Stace..." Harry started, stepping towards me slowly.
He was interrupted by Mrs Weasley calling us down for dinner. I still don't understand though, why are they looking at me like that?
During dinner everyone kept shooting me looks. Some were subtle and barely noticeable, but others, like the twins, Ginny and Hermione. But Remus, Sirius and Harry kept staring at me, searching my face, looking for something. I doubt they'll find what they're looking for. Dudley makes me wear cover up so he doesn't have to see too much of my my unattractive features and Uncle, well, I think he'd rather I wear a bag over my head, but then he wouldn't have access to my mouth... Focus!
I continued to pick at my food, not really used to the ridiculously large portion Mrs Weasley had given me. I discreetly looked towards Harry, who was stood with his back to the wall with Sirius and Remus facing him. They were talking about something serious, Harry had an intense look on his face and he spoke in hurried whispers. His face became defeated, his posture slumped against the wall, and Remus put a consoling hand on his shoulder. Was he hurt? Were they hurting him? I pondered what could be wrong with my twin for a few minutes until some one grabbed my wrist. I snatched it back and held it to my chest, my chair screeching slightly against the cool tiled floor. I looked up to see Sirius' eyeing me with concern.
"You need to come with me to the other room." he explained in a gentle voice. I promptly shook my head, lowering my gaze. If I looked at him for too long he'd get angry, just like Uncle. "All the others will be in there, including Remus and Mrs Weasley." He said as he ducked slightly so he could catch my gaze. I'm too scared to look away. "Would you like me to bring Harry in with you?" My eyes widened. He was threatening Harry! If I don't go now he'll take Harry in too. Uncle threatens it all the time. Okay. For Harry.
I shook my head and followed Sirius out of the Dining room, hopefully going unnoticed by the others. He lead me into a room that was slightly smaller than where we were eating. There was a table, smaller than the one in the dining room, but large enough to seat seven or eight people at least. Remus, Mrs Weasley, Mr Weasley, Mad-eye, Professor McGonagall and Professor Dumbledore sat around it with two seats spare. Sirius sat in the one opposite McGonagall so I was left sitting in front of the Headmaster.