Disclaimer: I'll just keep wishing...
Black is Our World
Accepting Comfort
We were forced to kneel there, our knees digging into the cold stone, our bodies going numb. But none of our agony was even close to what Weasley had to endure. Tears were streaming down his face, hissing as they fell into the raging fire that was slowly consuming him.
Beside me, Hannah Abbot, was sobbing loudly, her eyes glued to the gruesome scene being played out before us, wanting the dying boy to know she was with him. Tears were silently pooling in my own silver eyes, my entire being wishing that he wasn't the one that was up there.
I should be dying right now, not him... What has Ronald Weasley ever done to deserve this painful death? Nothing, not one single bloody thing. His sister needs him now, his brother too. They already lost one of their family today, why do they need another?
I'd felt his piercing blue eyes look into my own, and when he'd done that I'd felt... different. Like I'd been forgiven, like I was free. He seemed to be trying to convey a message to me, and although I didn't quite get it, I know someday I'll understand. But for now, I'm going to do something a Malfoy has never done before. I'm going to care for someone other than myself.
Minutes later, the dancing orange and red flames had made their way up to the top of the wooden stake and Ron's body was no longer visible. Marlin strode forward and muttered a spell under his breath.
At once, the fire disappeared and the only thing left of Ronald Weasley was the black and gray ashes resting on the platform. "Do you see this?" asked the black haired man, letting the ashes fall through his fingers. "This is what is left of your pathetic friend. Take them back to their cells, none of them will put up a fight."
And none of us did. We were all just...frozen. I was shoved roughly into my cell by Father who merely grinned and strode off down the hall. Potter was just led into his and all the rest were herded into theirs. I growled softly under my breath when they put the two remaining Weasleys in separate cells.
Pansy immediately went over to Ginny and wrapped her in a hug. The red head took the comfort and began to sob into the Slytherin's shoulder. Hannah joined them and put a hand on the Gryffindor's shoulder.
Across the way, Hermione had Fred wrapped in a tight hug, her tears mingling with his own. Neville was holding Lavender, offering what little comfort he could give to the distraught girl. Harry was openly sobbing, banging his head against the wall every few seconds.
And me? I drew my knees to my chest and allowed the tears that I'd been trying so hard to stop fall. And once I started, it didn't seem like I'd ever stop. I cried for Ron and George, both who had died so young...for their friends and family who had lost them...for all of the other victims of Voldemort's reign...for myself and what I knew was going to happen. I had sensed it when Father had looked at me after throwing me into my cell. And the worst part is, I can't avoid it...
"Listen up everyone," said Hermione, her voice shaky. Her hands were still wrapped around the remaining Weasley twin, his head buried against her thin frame. "I know we're all hurting and I'm not going to pretend everything is all right. But let's all go around and say something in remembrance of George and Ron Weasley..." It was then she broke down again, tears streaming down her face.
"I'll go first," said Ginny, wiping a hand across her face. "First of all, I'd like both of them to know they were the best brothers a girl could ever wish for. And that I love them both..." Taking a deep breath she continued. "George was always trying to make me smile, not ever wanting to see someone sad. Ron was always there for me, my playmate when no one was around, the one I could trust with all my secrets. And I'm going to miss them both so much!"
"Neither of them should have died here," said Pansy softly, her hands running through Ginny's tangled hair. "I'll admit, there were times I wanted to kill them both at school for a prank or when Ron would get house points. But now... Those things are in the past and if wishes did work, I'd be sure to ask for them back."
"Ron was a wonderful, caring person," said Hermione, her voice cracking slightly. "He always knew what to say to make me feel better and showed he cared in the simplest ways. I remember how I befriended him...he rescued me from a troll back in first year. I met George when I was at school and just grew to love him. He was so funny and comical but if you needed to talk, he was serious. I loved them both like brothers, and...and..." She didn't need to say more; we all understood.
"Both of them were wonderful people," said Neville brushing away a tear. "I'll never forget how I was the first person to test a canary crème made by the twins or how Ron encouraged me to stand up for myself. Hopefully with happy memories like these we'll be able to get through this..."
"I never knew either that well," said the Hufflepuff. "But from what I saw both were fiercely loyal to their family and friends and would do anything to keep them safe from harm...and they took that to the ultimate today..."
"I started to really get to know Ron in the beginning of sixth year," said Lavender softly. "I remember finding him curled up by the fire...crying. I asked him what was wrong and he said nothing. But over time I got to learn things about him... How he was jealous of his older siblings, his regret for not being able to help Harry... And we just talked about things at night... I remember George as a practical joker, always being yelled at for his experiments. And it's a shame that those two aren't with us any longer." Her piece said, she went back to leaning her head against Neville's shoulder.
"I'll never forget Ron's friendship," said the emerald eyed boy, his eyes red rimmed behind his glasses. "He welcomed me, the first person my age who ever showed me friendship. We've had our arguments throughout the years, but he's been there for me the entire time, not once leaving my side... And now he has..." Harry took a calming breath and then said, "And George was one of the people who carried my trunk onto the train the first day. He always had a light-hearted nature and just strived to have fun. He gave me Maurder's Map, which has come in handy countless numbers of times. And saying how much I'll miss them will never be enough.. Nothing will ever be able to replace them or make this pain go away. Because in a way, this is my fault."
"Don't say that, Harry," said Hermione softly. "Neither of them would have wanted you to blame this on yourself..."
"George was my second half... my best friend," whispered Fred. "We were always there for one another, whether it was taking a blame, pulling a prank, goofing off...We were inseparable. Mum used to joke we should just be joined at the hip and I remember him saying that that wouldn't be any fun, we wouldn't be able to cause as much trouble if there was only one set of legs. Then she started chasing us around the house with her rolling pin." A small smile crept onto his face at the fond memory.
"Ron was our only little brother. He was normally the scapegoat for our mischief but he knew we loved him anyways. During the summer, we'd always go out and play quidditch and just horse around. Both of them meant everything to me, and I love them both with all my heart..." More tears started down his freckled face.
"I'm not going to sugar coat anything," I said softly coming into the little conversation. "I still think George pulled too many pranks and Ron really wasn't that great of a keeper, but I won't argue that they were wonderful people. They both stood up for their family and I regret saying all of the things I did now...both were strong in both body and heart and for that I admire them."
Silence hung in the air after my words as everyone gained strength from each others. "Draco," said Hermione quietly. "Thank you..." Her honey brown eyes met mine and I gave a small nod, pushing away the tears. But she had already seen them and a small smile touched her face. "It's all right to cry... no one will say anything..."
"Oh really, Mudblood? Well aren't you just one to talk." Looking up, I was met with the icy glare of my father, his silver orbs brimming with disgust. "I've never known a Malfoy to have feelings, Dragon... Too bad you had to be the first."
His hand reached inside his robes and he came out holding a ring of keys. On instinct, I slid away from the cell door towards the back wall, my eyes wide in terror. There was no sense in denying it... I was terrified of Father and trying to persuade myself otherwise wasn't working. But hell if I let him take me again...
Inserting the key into the lock, he entered the cell, his tall form bearing down on me. "Are you afraid, Dragon?" he asked, running a hand through my blond hair. "There's no reason to be..." I sat perfectly still, my body rigid. So far, nothing dangerous had happened but I had to be ready to make my move when he made his.
When his right hand left my hair and started to travel down my arm... that was enough for me. Bringing my knee up, I kicked him firmly in the gut and attempted to move out of the corner I'd backed myself into.
Easily, he caught me around the left arm, his hand closing over the mark he had branded into my skin the night before. With a howl, I tried to wrench it out of his grasp but he slammed my head against the wall just like last time and prepared to throw me over his shoulder. But I wasn't done yet.
I sand my teeth deep into his arm, smirking inwardly at the shriek he gave. But before I could even enjoy my short lived victory he pulled me off his arm by my neck, holding me in the air.
Desperately, I brought my hands up to his and attempted to pry them off of my throat to bring in the air I needed. Limply, my arms dropped back at my sides as black dots began to cloud my vision and the only thing I heard was Father's laughter ringing off the walls.
His grip loosened right before I was about to pass out and he threw me once again over his shoulder. Exiting the cell, he locked the door and was about to go down the hall when an angry voice yelled out.
"Put him down, Lucius!" screamed Hermione. I raised my head and twisted it around, just enough so that I could see her. The brown haired Gryffindor was standing at the front of her cell, hands wrapped around the bars, an angry gleam in her eyes although still filled with tears.
"Let Draco go," said Harry quietly, rising to his feet inside his own cell. "He doesn't deserve this... Please just let him go..."
Lucius snorted and then chuckled. "And do you actually think I would listen to the likes of you? He is my son and I will do whatever I want to him."
"LEAVE HIM ALONE!" came her strangled cry, now joined with the others, as she slumped down to the ground. I attempted to give her a small smile before Lucius rounded the corner and they were lost from view.
A tear gently caressed my cheek before falling to the floor as I realized that they actually cared. They had actually asked my father to let me go, risking their own lives at the time. If he hadn't been looking so forward to the next few hours, I'm sure he would have killed one of them.
He brought me back into the same green carpeted room. Throwing me on the bed, ropes automatically bound my hands and ankles to the head and foot board. He moved over to a cabinet in the corner and came out with a bottle of wine.
Pouring himself a glass, he watched my futile attempts to free myself from the coarse bonds with a smirk of satisfaction. "Don't bother, Draco, no amount of twisting and turning is going to break those ropes."
I had to agree he was right. The movement was making the threads rub my skin raw, my wrists already aching. "Such a nice display today, wasn't it?" he remarked casually, glancing at me out of the corner of his eye.
"You bastard," I growled, trying to raise myself to a sitting position and failing miserably. "He didn't deserve that... no ones does. No one but you," I spat, eyes flashing dangerously. "And look at you. You're so weak you feel the need to tie me up so you can have your fun. Am I that much of a threat to you?"
"Oh no, Dragon, you're no threat at all," he said, setting the empty glass down and settling himself on the side of the bed. "I just don't feel like having to chase you all around the room again."
"How can you do this to anyone? To your own son?" I begged, tears streaming down my cheeks once again. "How can you just rape me and enjoy it? How can anyone even live with the feeling of hurting someone like this?"
"Simple, Draco," he said, lips brushing softly against my cheek. "Watching others suffer makes me and most others feel powerful... in control. And as long as the victim was pleasurable, the evening was not wasted."
"But why?" I cried hoarsely. "Why can't you just care about me? Love me like a father should? Why do you treat me this way?"
"Crying is not becoming of you, Dragon," he said, brushing the glistening tears off of my pale cheeks. "Dragon's do not have emotions and neither should you. So stop this crying now. As for your questions, I am not a normal father. I do things my way to gain my own pleasures. And if you make me happy, Dragon, then so be it."
His hands started to once again roam over my body, kisses being planted along my neck and I could do nothing to stop it. Squeezing my eyes shut tight, I wished I was anywhere but here... anywhere...
I felt material pool around my ankles and my eyes still remained tightly closed, imaging a happy place... a happy world. One with a father who taught me how to ride a broom, a caring, gentle man who I could talk to... A mother who would comfort me when I got hurt, was always waiting with open arms when I got off the train. If only a world like that existed...
Pain rippled through me, but still my eyes remained shut. If I could pretend this wasn't happening, then maybe I could get my brain to believe that small fact too.
Digging my face into the pillow I screamed, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of hearing my anguished cries. The thrill he already got was more than he needed. After a while, I became aware of being the only one left in the bed.
Removing my tear stained face from the piece of cloth, I saw Lucius sitting in a large armchair in front of the roaring fire, his hand once again holding a glass of blood red wine. The same color as the crimson liquid that surrounded me, soaking into the sheets.
After noticing my ankles had been untied from the footboard but still tied together, I brought them up to me, curling into a ball for my own comfort. The blond haired man looked over at my new position and smirked.
"What's the matter, Dragon?" he asked, "Was I too hard on you?" In response, I buried my head into the crook of my arm and winced as I heard him leave the chair and walk across the room towards my huddled form.
His hand gently picked up my left arm, his cold fingers running over the mark. "It is such a pity, Draco... You had such potential to be in service to the most powerful wizard on Earth and yet you turned him down. Why?"
Timidly, I moved my head out of my arm so I could speak clearer. "Because he treated me as a person, not a servant to do his bidding. That's why I'm loyal to Dumbledore, not Voldemort," my voice growing stronger with the more I said.
"I can not believe this is the son I raised," he snarled, hand slamming into my face. "Some pathetic weakling who puts his trust in some muggle loving fool. You're worthless boy. WORTHLESS!"
He untied my wrists and ankles knowing I was to exhausted to run and threw me my boxers. "Put those on if you want them," he growled. Hastily, ignoring the pain in my lower region, I pulled on the shorts. "But you don't get these," he hissed, throwing my perfectly good pair of pants into the fire. "Now come here, Draco."
Slowly, I got out of the large bed, now covered in blood, and unsteadily made my way over to him, not sure what he wanted from me. "Sit down, on the floor, Dragon. I don't want any of this expensive furniture to get soiled... We'll be having a visitor soon and you will talk if you value your life, Dragon."
"The problem is... I don't..." I said softly, hugging my knees to me. "I don't care if I live or die anymore..."
"Such strong words, but are they true?" hissed the new person who had just entered the room. I whirled around, my body strongly protesting with the movement, to look right into the bright red orbs of Voldemort.
"My Lord," said Lucius bowing. "I do hope this one will be of some use to you... The girl certainly wasn't."
"You're quite right, Lucius. And it seems as though you already have him partly broken to say the least, excellent." The long, bony fingers reached out and yanked me up with immense strength, surprising for one looking so fragile.
One of the skeleton looking digits traced a cut down my face, smiling as blood pooled underneath his finger. "Such a marvelous thing, is it not Draco?" he asked, licking his finger. "Such a mere liquid means so much..."
I didn't answer, not having a clue of what to say. "I can promise you this, Draco," he said, hand running over the traitorous mark on my shoulder, "If you cooperate, I can promise you no more harm will come to you... Where is Albus Dumbledore?" he asked after a moment's pause.
"I don't know," I said evenly.
"Where is Albus Dumbledore?" he repeated, nails brutally digging into the tender burned skin on my left arm. I turned my head away from him, my answer of I didn't know.
"You will answer the Dark Lord," growled Lucius, striking me across the face. "I am sorry Master, he always was a stubborn child."
"It is all right Lucius, please rise..." Father stopped bowing and instead stood a little to the right of his lord. "I understand that this boy has strong loyalties... unfortunately to the wrong side. Bring him to the ball room and give him a good beating. I want to go visit a little friend of mine."
"You leave Harry alone!" I shouted as I was thrown over Father's shoulder. "Don't you dare go near him!" Voldemort merely smirked, his scarlet eyes dancing before I was carried out of the room.
Harry's POV
The whole hall was thick with grief and sadness, and I feel that it really is my fault. Hermione says I shouldn't blame myself... I was only seventeen, not quite ready for an attack by a Dark wizard. It wasn't my fault I was marked as the victim, not my friends' fault for just wanting to be with me. What really got me though was when she said Ron wouldn't want me to blame myself... He'd want me be strong for the others.
Footsteps echoed down the deserted corridor, headed straight for us. A sharp pain exploded in my forehead and I knew at once who was coming. "It's...Voldemort," I gasped, hands clamped firmly over my scar.
The reactions of my fellow prisoners were quick. Pansy shoved Ginny into Hannah's arms and stood in front of both, easily being the strongest of their group right now. I couldn't see what was going on in the cell next to mine, but I know Neville or Hermione is up front. I myself drew back as far as I could, the pain starting to become unbearable.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" Voldemort was standing right outside my cell door, red slitted eyes staring into my own emerald, his face a large sneer. "And this is what has become of the famous Harry Potter? I must say I've done such a good job on you, Boy."
With a wave of his fingers, the door slid open and he entered the bare cell, his steps purposeful. I could do nothing... I was paralyzed by his maddening glare, terrified of his wand which was pointing casually at me, the absolute power he held. "Not the savior everyone expected, are you?" he asked, one hand gently touching the lightning bolt scar. "Such a shame... Letting down the whole world...I'm sure you must feel guilty, Harry... so very guilty..."
'Get away from me!' I screamed inwardly, flinching as his hand continued to stay on my head, the pain building with every second. 'Don't touch me!'
"Don't you just want to die, Harry? Even though you can't see it, all of your so called friends hate you... despise you. You failed them, Harry, you are the cause for their suffering.
"Stop saying that!" yelled Hermione. "It's your fault you ugly, disgusting, foul-"
"ENOGUH!" roared Voldemort, exiting my cell and going over to the brave Gryffindor's. "No one speaks to me like that girl... no one. Crucio!" Her screams bounced off the walls and I heard her drop to the ground.
That was the last straw. I feel guilty and now I feel worse... Leaping to my feet, I ran out of the cell and charged Voldemort, ignoring the bright agony that burst in my head as my hands wrapped around his throat.
But he merely smiled and with strength I never knew he possessed, I was thrown off, slamming against the bars of Ginny's cell. The only good thing was because he was distracted at least the curse was lifted off of Hermione...
"You've grown that weak, Harry?" he asked, picking me up by my raven black hair. "Torturing you wouldn't even be fun... You'd probably die out in the first few minutes. Besides, I don't want to kill you... yet."
Easily, he tossed me back in my cell and left cackling down the hall. First thing I did was start to massage my forehead, the pain gradually starting to lessen. Was he really going to kill me? Of course... the prophecy says that only one of us can live... I'll just have to get out of here before then.
"Are you all right, Harry?" came Lavender's soft voice.
"Yeah... How's Hermione?"
"I'm fine, Harry," she said weakly. "I'll live... It wasn't so bad..."
Once more the sound of footsteps came down the hall and defense positions were taken. But instead of the snake faced man, Lucius Malfoy came, an unconscious Draco thrown over his shoulder. After tossing him in his cell the man walked off, a satisfied smirk on his face.
It was pretty easy to tell what had happened... again. Dried blood was on the inside of his legs, just like last time, but it looks like Lucius decided to go all out in torture this time...
Long, thin lashes covered his back, worse than Hermione's had been. Long cuts ran up his arms and probably his chest, I couldn't see it, from knives of some sort, all bubbling the crimson liquid.
Nail marks were also all over his body as well as horrible blue and black bruises. His wrists and ankles were bright, shiny, pink skin... I could tell he must have had something wrapped around them. He was now only in his black boxers, pants having disappeared.
"He's not going to make it through the night," said Hermione. "He might if he had a small amount of treatment... but I don't think they're going to help him..." One of the guards strode down the hall, glaring into every cell.
"Time for you little brats to shut up and go to sleep," he snapped. "Lights are going out in five minutes."
"Excuse me," said Hermione softly, her voice wavering in fear. "Draco isn't going to live if he doesn't get some treatment and I was-"
"Are you trying to tell me what to do, bitch?" he growled, moving over to the cell next to mine.
"N-No...I just..."
"Let the girl treat him, Cameo," drawled Marlin, coming out of the shadows that fell over the hall. "If he dies I'm not sure Lucius is going to be very happy. He is his favorite you know..."
With a mumbled swear underneath his breath, the man named Cameo opened the cell door. "Come on girl, and no funny business..." Roughly, he grabbed her around the wrist and dragged her over to Draco's cell after locking hers. Throwing it open, he pushed her in and locked it. "I'll let you out in the morning," he growled before turning on his heel and storming away.
Marlin approached and handed Hermione a bowl full of water and a towel. "I'm only doing this because if that boy doesn't live... then neither do I." In my opinion, our best bet would be to let Draco die and then have Marlin killed. But the fact that we'd be killing an innocent strikes me as wrong...Who wants to have blood on their hands when the life could have been saved? The answer is easy. No one...
Hermione's POV
Kneeling down next to the bloodied boy, I gently rolled him so that he was lying on his stomach so I could treat his back. Even looking at the long welts made me nauseous... they were more than twice as worse as my own.
He gave a small moan as I lowered the dampened towel onto the injuries and I felt my entire heart go out to him. Looking at him now, I wasn't even reminded of the Slytherin bad boy.
His face was a mask of pain, the lips drawn tightly and eyes squinted shut. The blonde angelic hair fell over his forehead, the tips turning red where they touched the blood that oozed from cuts all over him.
"Shhhh, it's okay," I murmured, delicately washing each laceration. "Hermione's right here and isn't going to let anything happen to you..." Suddenly, the torches that lined the hall shut off and we were thrown into blackness.
Crap, how can I see what I'm doing? Knowing the bad luck Draco's been having, I'll probably just end up hurting him more. For the next few seconds, I allowed my eyes to adjust to the lighting until I was able to make out Draco's form.
Over the next three hours I continued to work on him at a steady pace... Washing and cleaning his cuts, tearing the towel into bandages to wrap around his bigger and deeper injuries, wiping away all the blood... Until soon he was practically blood free... Some of his slashes still bled as did the area between his legs. But no way in hell was I going to take a look at that without his permission.
Deep breathing filled the chamber around me, save for two. Ginny's was accompanied by small whimpers and I could only hope that Pansy or Hannah were holding her to comfort the small girl. Draco's breathing was also different... It sounded strangled, like he was having trouble getting air.
Currently, he was lying on his back, head resting in my lap as I leaned back against the rough, stone wall, the days events playing in my mind.
It had started off as normal...except then we had all decided to escape... George was killed in the attempt and Ron...tears came unbidden to my eyes at the thought of my friend. He'd been burned on the stake and we were forced to watch until he was but a mere pile of ashes. Then Draco had been taken away and this had happened to him. And just to finish the day, Voldemort had come by to pay Harry a visit.
I was dragged from my reminiscing by the movement of Draco's head as he began to wake up. Seconds later, his silver eyes opened, pain and fear filling every fiber. "It's okay, Draco...it's okay," I said comfortingly, my hands running through his silky hair.
"...Hermione?" he whispered after a moment, his breath catching in his throat. "Where's...Father?"
"Not here," I answered gently. "Just me... Don't move, okay? You got some pretty bad injuries and I want to make sure they seal up... What happened to you, Draco?" I asked after a pause.
He gave a short laugh, stopping when blood started to dribble out of his mouth. Picking up the towel from where I'd set it on his stomach, I wiped the mess away and waited for him to continue.
"Father raped me again," he said, wincing at the words. "Then Voldemort came and started asking me where Dumbledore was. I told him I didn't know and then Father took me away."
"He did this to you?" I asked, indicating all of the wounds.
"Yeah... A whips, some knives, and a wand go a long way, Mione... Do you mind I'm calling you that?" I shook my head, tears filling my eyes. The way he had asked was so innocent, so like a child...why would anyone want to hurt him like this? How could anyone gain such pleasure in destroying a person? "Why are you crying, Mione?" he asked hoarsely, looking into my eyes.
Sniffing, I wiped away the water that coated my cheeks and gave him a small smile. "I just realized how much I truly care for you, Draco... You and everyone else... None of us deserve any of this and I just feel guilty because...well, I'm alive and George and Ron aren't..." A tear dripped off my cheek and fell onto his face and he wrinkled his nose reminding me of a rabbit.
"Don't feel guilty," he said softly. "Do you think either of them would have wanted you to mourn over their deaths and wallow away in grief? No, they wouldn't have. They'd have wanted you to be strong for the others..."
Wow, I think that's the nicest thing he's ever said to me before. Longest thing too... "Why do you think they want to know where Dumbledore is?" I asked out of the blue. "What interest do they have with him?"
He gave a little shrug and grimaced. "Who knows...You should get some sleep Hermione, you're going to need it. But before you do... why are you over here?"
"You probably would have died if you didn't get treated, Draco. I've done the best I can, but I'm not a real nurse..."
"Mione?"
"Yes?" I asked, yawning and leaning my head against the wall again, almost ready to fall asleep.. It had to be past midnight by now..
"Thanks."
xxx
xxx
Author's Notes:
I almost forgot to update. I completely forgot that today was Saturday. I'm quite sick, so I guess getting BOW up wasn't on my top priority list. But I fortunately did remember, so yay!
As to a question of reviews...no, I will write a story no matter the review count. What dissapointed me was A. I know this story is better than that and B. on the webbie whereI had chapter two hosted, more people (many more) viewed it then actually left reviews. I know this because I have a counter enabled under site statistics and I was counting the people who visited. So that's the main reason why.
If you'll notice, I left the part with Lucius and Draco in here this chapter b/c it wasn't (in my opinon) graphic at all or explicit. And also, I might kill more people. I had someone ask if I wouldn't, but I'm afraid that since these chapters are already pre-typed and I have an outline, I have to finish with the deaths I have planned. Gomen. T.T
As always, reviews make the authoress happy! So if you'd like to press the pretty periwinkle button down there, I'd be much obliged. And any virtual cough drops you can send would be great too...I'm out and my throat is killing me. :P
