CHAPTER 7

Challenges

...

Auburn heard faint voices around her as intense pain shot through her back. She opened her eyes to see Marcos and his friends' by her bedside, looking down at her. They all looked relieved to see that she is okay, Montague, however, just smirked at her.

He just loves it when I am in tremendous pain or in huge trouble. What's his problem, anyway?

She looked around her to see that she is in the hospital wing and winced in pain after trying to sit up.

"Are you okay?" Pucey asked her. "My servant heard screaming from your room and found you on the floor with blood everywhere. She told Marcos."

Auburn remembered seeing Caoimhe; the malevolent aura that surrounded her; her smile that held an evil smirk. Caoimhe had true intentions to kill her for some reason.

"Do you remember what happened?" Bole asked, poking his head through his friends'.

"No...I don't." she lied.

They wouldn't believe me anyway.

Marcos nodded his head toward the door, indicating that his friends' needs to leave. They took one last look at the bedridden girl before leaving, Montague lingered behind as he sent her an evil smile. She sneered at him, but that made his smile turn into a grin.

"What's his problem?" she asked herself out loud.

"Montague? He's just an asshole. Don't mind him," Marcos answered her question. He gently sat on the edge of her bed with his arms crossed. "Auburn, what happened in that room? I didn't take you as someone who is suicidal."

"I'm not."

"What happened?"

"I don't think you would believe me..." Marcos' eyes narrowed. "Auburn, was someone in that room with you?" she nodded. "Who?"

"I...I heard a voice from my closet; it sounded just like me. I went to see who was there but when I turned around, I saw Caoimhe."

His eyes widened. "You saw her?"

She nodded. "Blood poured from her mouth. Next thing I know, I flew against the wall and felt something scratch my back." She looked up at Marcos. "Marcos, why would she attack me?"

"I don't know. Caoimhe isn't friendly, I know that."

"You can't blame her."

"I don't, but it wasn't right for her to attack you. Perhaps she's sending a message to everyone and is using you because she knows you're interested in her life, and it doesn't help that you resemble her."

Auburn nodded and took a deep breath.

"Rest. You'll need it. I'm going to put a spell around your bed so you don't get attacked again."

Marcos got up and enchanted her bedside and left as she stared up at the ceiling, a warm and tingly feeling flooded her body as she relaxed. She just couldn't bring herself to go back to sleep, a part of her was scared of what might happen to her in her dreams.

Caoimhe might attack me again in my dreams.

Marcos walked down the hallway as he saw Pucey and Montague waiting for him. Montague was leaning against the wall with his left foot supporting his weight on the wall. Pucey stood next to Montague, talking to each other until they saw Marcos. Montague crossed his arms, "Well, anything new?"

"Yes, actually. She saw Caoimhe," he whispered.

The two friends' looked at one another and then back at their brolic friend.

Pucey looked concerned. "Wait, what? Caoimhe was in the room with her?"Marcos nodded. "How?"

"She heard a voice from her closet, she said the voice sounded just like her. Caoimhe was behind her and blood poured out of her mouth. Next thing Auburn knew, she was thrown against the wall and felt something scratch her back."

"Why would Caoimhe attack Auburn?" Pucey questioned. It didn't make sense to him.

"Personally, I think Caoimhe is sending a message."

"A message?" Montague raised an eyebrow.

"She's coming," Marcos said. "The Dark Lord is rising. If a new Dark Lord rises, she will come back too. Rumor has it that she used to work with Voldemort."

"Well, what are you going to do?"

"I have to make sure that she isn't by herself. I can't risk her getting hurt again. If Caoimhe was in that room, she had the intention to kill Auburn. If it wasn't for Pucey's servant, Auburn would be dead," Marcos' eyes narrowed. "As much as you hate Auburn, Montague, she is my servant. She has friends and family that care about her. She isn't here to get killed. I have to make sure that she's protected until this whole thing blows over."

"Marcos...I don't hate your servant."

"Yes, you do."

"What makes you say that?"

"You have it out for her."

Montague snickered. "Not at all, my friend."

If anything, she'll help my family have a higher status. She will be the reason the Wizarding World grows in power.

The three heard footsteps and turned to see Janice walking by the hospital wing. She stopped when she saw the Slytherin boys.

"Oh, never mind. I'll just be leaving."

"Janice, wait," Marcos said and she turned to look at him, "you can see her. You have five minutes."

Janice smiled and ran into hospital wing to speak to her best friend.

"I forgot that news spreads quicker here than it does in Diagon Alley," Montague added. The three laughed, hearing Janice talking loudly to Auburn. "Gosh, she's loud."

"That's the typical Gryffindor for you," Pucey added.

Marcos bid them goodbye before leaving, telling them that he has to finish homework.

Pucey smirked at Montague. "You're a liar, you know."

"What do you mean?"

"You do have it out for Auburn."

"Not for the reasons you believe, Adam," Montague said, calling Pucey but his first name, which was a rarity.

"So, tell me, why do you have it out for Auburn? Besides your little crush on her."

"Please, you do realize that she holds power here, right? When the Dark Lord rises, Marcos and Janice will give their all to protect her."

"Where are you getting at?" Pucey was interested.

"I am saying that if we both bring her to the Dark Lord, our families will have higher statuses."

Pucey nodded. "Ahhh—I see. And you want me to help you?" Montague nodded. "But Marcos is our friend. We would betray him."

"Not exactly. If we do so, they will trust Marcos' family since she's their servant. Then, the Flint family will hold more power than the other death eaters. They'll trust us more because we are close to Marcos and reverence us with the same reward. Nothing like a true Slytherin who will give up what they have to have a higher status and be loyal to those who will give the status."

Pucey nodded. "I understand. What's your plan?" "First, I want you to go with me to get a new owl."

Pucey laughed, but then realized something. "Montague, what if Caoimhe was behind that attack?"

Montague's eyes darkened. "Then she will have to watch out also."

The two Slytherin's left, a dark figure lingering behind.

The figure smirked. You may have power, Montague, but the power I possess is much stronger than you and your Slytherin friends' combined. You'll be sorry. The figure disappeared, devising another sneak attack.

...

Summer hit quickly and Marcos is happy to say that he is no longer in school. He has graduated and has been offered a spot to play real quidditch. He tried out and got onto the team, family and friends' cheered him on as he got the letter of acceptance in the mail. Because of this, his parents have decided to throw him a party. Auburn helped put the party together since she decided to stay over the summer to make more money. She doesn't use her time during summers anyway. She and Marcos compromised her vacation time for two weeks rather than two months' since she didn't take off during the year, she is allowed to use her two weeks. She doesn't have much to go back to anyway. She felt safer with the Flint's rather than with her own family for some reason, but she speculates that it's because of Caoimhe. Alas, she hopes to find out more information about the new Dark Lord that is rising.

Perhaps he will attend the party.

Mrs. Flint handed Auburn a list of things to get a the grocery store for Marcos' congratulations party. She got the necessary items and found herself walking with bags of groceries. She walked down Diagon Alley and passed an alleyway, but was soon grabbed into the alleyway. She was pushed against the wall to see a man in a dark cloak that covered him head-to-toe. She looked up speechless, not knowing what to say or do. She is paralyzed. All of the things that this strange man could do to her in an empty, dark, quiet alleyway flooded her mind and made her fear for her life.

"Are you Auburn?"

"Yes. Who are you?" She looked down at his arm to see a snake tattoo. "That's the same symbol that the Flint family has..." she concluded, "I need to get going."

"I am not here to hurt you, but to warn you," he took off his hood. "I know that you feel safe around the Flint family, but you are sadly mistaken. You need to be cautious about their mere presence."

"Why?"
"They are using you, dear."

"Using me?" She thought for a moment. "Is it because of Caoimhe?"

This is my chance to find out more about her.

"Partly. The Dark Lord will rise again very soon. Caoimhe Dillon used to work for Voldemort, they were great—"

"—friends. Yes, I know," he looked confused. "I have been seeing visions of her past. I found her old room in the Slytherin common room. I took a lockbox that was in there; she had the Frankenstein book. Why did she have that book?"

"I don't know. But she was obsessed with saving herself, and I think Tom Riddle gave her that. He gave her back her life."

"But her curse made her destined to die."

"Not exactly. She found a way to revive herself by making a Horcrux, but she had to do something unthinkable. I don't know what it is that she did, but she had to commit a deed so wretched, it saved her, but made her purely evil."

"I saw her once. She hurt me."

"Perhaps you are a threat to her. You look like her and are interested in her private life. If there is one thing I know about Caoimhe Dillon, she does not like anyone knowing her private life. She held many secrets."

"So the Flint's have me because they think I am the key to her return?"

"Yes, since you have been here, the Dark Lord has decided to rise. You have something to do with her existence."

"I'm guessing she isn't dead."

"No, she can't die. No one has destroyed her Horcruxes. You need to find something that will kill her Horcruxes in order for her real body to perish."

"Wait...she is alive somewhere? Where? Do you know where she lives?"

"No, no one does. She will come back when the Dark Lord rises and you are in his clutches. And be careful of the Montague family's son. He got a new owl and wrote to his parents about you. They will be searching for you. They will be at the party that you are hosting."

Auburn thought for a moment.

That's all I am, a pawn. Why does this type of stuff always happen to me? People are always out to get me. I really do need to be careful, I need to gain Marcos' trust. I need to make him really like me so he won't hand me over. However, there is one thing that doesn't make sense...

"There is one thing I don't understand. How do you know all of this?"

"I work closely with the Dark Lord."

"Is it Marcos' father?"

He smiled. "No, but good guess. That is not important right now. You need to make sure that you are safe. Be careful, don't trust anyone. You can't trust your friend Janice either, you never know who will turn on you."

Auburn nodded, knowing that if she isn't careful, she'll fall into the wrong hands.

Is Marcos' father isn't the Dark Lord, then who is? Could it be Montague's family? They seem to know so much about Caoimhe, they must be up to this.

"How did Caoimhe get Frankenstein? It's a muggle book."

"She was obsessed with the muggle world. She wanted to know more about them and thought that using their knowledge and combining it with magic would make her powerful, and it did."

"She was smart, I'll say that."

"Extremely. That is one of the reasons why Voldemort wanted her to work for him. I have to go, heed my warning."

The man began to walk away, but Auburn stopped him with one simple question.

"How do I know that I can trust you? You work for the Dark Lord, after all."

He turned to look at her. "Some of us never wanted to be. We were forced too because of our bloodline," he pulled up his hood and disappeared, leaving her all alone in the dark, empty alleyway.

Auburn picked up everything and quickly went back to Flint manor. She and Mrs. Flint prepared everything and by the time they were finished, guests' began to come. Auburn got into her regular routine, greeting the guests' at the door and taking their coats. Soon, the familiar guests' filled the manor with laughter, chatter, drinks, and dancing. Auburn made her way to the kitchen to serve appetizers but paused when she saw Marcos, Montague, and Pucey in the kitchen.

Auburn quickly moved away and leaned against the wall, listening to their conversation. First, they talked about Marcos' new career and how happy they are for him since Marcos was never particularly great with school or spells; he usually resorted to violence—which will be an advantage for his team. Marcos then told them that he will have to move a couple of hours away to be closer to his team, and since they travel often will never have time to see them during Quidditch season; fall to very early spring. He will come back when the season is over to see them.

"Are you bringing Auburn with you?" Pucey asked.

"Yes, she's my personal servant. Why wouldn't I bring her with me?" Marcos smirked and the boys laughed.

"Why didn't she go home for the summer?" Montague popped the big question.

"I think she gets bored easily. She told me she doesn't do much during the summer."

"I'm sure that's why she is here," Montague seemed to be thinking to himself.

Auburn visualized herself punching him in the face and was content.

"Come on, let's go," Marcos said.

The three boys left the kitchen.

Auburn entered right after they left. She set the silver platter with what she made earlier and chucked it around the house. People either grabbed from the tray or ignored her mere existence as she passed by them; serving a whole house of people on her own stressed her out, but made time go by quicker. She made her way back downstairs and went to enter the living room but saw Marcos and his friends' occupying the space. She went to leave but Bole came out and took some of what she prepared. Then, the boys' noticed her and each took what was off the platter.

Montague was the last one to make his way over and helped himself to what was left. "How does it feel to serve a whole house of people all by yourself, with no one to help you?" he smirked, speaking in a mocking tone.

Auburn felt herself get angry but kept her composure. "I don't mind it. Muggles know the true meaning of hard work," she smirked at him.

Bole, Warrington, and Malfoy kept a distance as they quietly laughed at Auburn's response. Pucey stayed behind Montague as Marcos was between his best friend and servant with crossed arms, waiting for something to happen.

Montague smirked. "Why do my own work when I can pay someone less than what they are and less than what they need to do the work for me?"

Now, Auburn was angry. She doesn't have the best temper. If she is instigated, she will instigate the problem more than it needs to be.

It's on.

"Why pay someone to do your work knowing that they don't like you when there is a high chance that they will tamper with what it is you want them to work with?"

"Giles," Pucey began, referring to Montague by his real name, "just leave her alone." He glanced at Marcos who seemed amused at what Auburn said, but narrowed his eyes at her.

Montague sneered. "You should know your place, girl. Remember whose world you are in."

"Montague, dear, you mean nothing in my world. Where I'm from, no one would second look you," Auburn said smugly.

"Auburn," Marcos growled.

Montague stepped up to her, his eyes staring her down like she's his prey. Bullies never intimidated Auburn. She knows that she has Montague angry. "If you were my servant, you wouldn't be as outspoken as you are right now. Your bravery won't last when the Dark Lord rises. It will cease to exist when I'm finished with you."

"Montague, leave my servant alone."

She took a deep breath. "I see that your shit comes out the wrong way, that's why you're such an asshole. It must suck to be constipated all the damn time," she said sharply as gasps filled the room. She walked to the door, but not before turning back to her bully. "You know, be careful with how you eat your food. I've heard that your gag reflex is atrocious, your body won't help you if you end up accidentally choking."

She left the room and stomped down the hallway as the boys' laughter lingered behind her, giving her goosebumps and making her ears ring.

Auburn made her way to her bedroom and slammed her door, feeling her anger consume her. She saw her closet door slowly open and felt her heart race, forgetting her anger for the egoistical Slytherin. She stayed clear of her closet as she saw long, black fingernails reveal themselves out of the darkness, they grabbed the outside of the door, revealing rather small fingers from behind. Nothing came out, but the fingernails stayed out in the open. Whispers hit her ears, telling her to come over.

She sneered. "Listen, Caoimhe, I'm not in the mood for your bullshit." she spat. "If you have something to say, come out and say it."

The nails punctured her closet door, the dents visible. Marcos will be angry. Instead, the fingernails disappeared behind the door and the door slowly closed. Auburn blinked, making sure that she wasn't imagining things.

"Auburn," she jumped at the deep voice and turned to see Marcos, "are you okay?"

"Yeah...yeah, I'm fine. You just scared me."

He raised an eyebrow but didn't question her comment. He crossed his arms. "What you said to Montague was uncalled for...but I won't punish you."

She smiled in relief, "You won't?"

He shook his head, "No, he deserved it. I spoke to him. He will leave you alone."

Good riddance.

Marcos left her room and closed the door. Auburn turned around to see that the fingernail dents were nowhere on the white door. The door looks as if it hasn't been touched. She took one last look before leaving her own room, hoping that she gets to the bottom of Caoimhe Dillon and her true whereabouts, and hoping that Montague will leave her alone.

...

Later that night, Auburn found herself in the living room, reading a book. The party ended a few hours ago and she has just finished cleaning up. She decided to finish the book she started earlier in the week before going to bed; there are only twenty pages left anyway. After, she felt her stomach rumble and decided that going to get a quick snack will satisfy her hunger, and found herself in the kitchen. She rummaged around the fridge for something to eat.

She took out a sandwich and set it on the counter, but jumped when she saw the family dog sitting down, looking up at her. At first, she figured that the dog was hungry, but he seemed to be growling by the entrance into the kitchen. Auburn felt fear hit her as there was nothing there and decided that it was Caoimhe. She took a deep breath and felt adrenaline run through her. Caoimhe is asking for a fight, and she will get one. Auburn slowly walked to the dark corner as the dog growled. She felt her breathing stop as she reached for matched and lit the candle in the room; but to her shock, it was just Montague. She took a sigh of relief, forgetting that he and Pucey were sleeping over.

"Why are you down here?" she asked.

"I could ask you the same question," he said, leaning against the doorway with his arms crossed.

"I was hungry. Let me guess, you're going to tell Marcos that I am down here."

He sniggered. "No. Nothing like that," he got closer.

Auburn backed up as he lunged at her. She quickly dodged him and sprinted to the doorway. Montague sneak attacked Auburn as he grabbed her, digging his wand into her neck, trapping her in a headlock.

"If you make any noise, Marcos' servant or not, I won't hesitate to kill you," he whispered.

Auburn felt her face get hot, her heart pulsated as he led her out of the kitchen and through the dark house into the basement. He closed the door behind them and picked her up by her nightgown and pushed her up against the wall, she dangled in the air. He leaned close to her, his face up against her own.

"You shouldn't have retaliated earlier."

"Is that what this is about? Me telling you off?" she scoffed. "You deserved it."

She could feel him smirking. "No, just a warning for the future. Would you like me to tell you the one thing that I don't understand about my ancestor, Graham?"

Auburn didn't want to hear what he had to tell her, but she figured it would buy her time. Marcos and Pucey will come looking for him. If she complies, maybe he won't hurt her. "Sure, what don't you understand?"

"Well, Caoimhe was very smart, definitely beyond her years. Don't you agree?" he said in a high pitched voice.

He is either mocking me or up to something evil.

"Yes, I would say so. What does that have to do with me, Montague?"

"Sir, only my friends' can call me by my name."

"I apologize, Sir." she has never felt so uncomfortable in her life. "What does that have to do with me, Sir?"

"Well, he did have an affair with a girl in Slytherin house. What an ugly girl she was," Montague rambled. "He had a chance with a smart and beautiful girl. Unfortunately, even in my world, people always try to ruin and tear apart the most beautiful things."

"Yes, they do," Auburn agreed. "I...I know how she feels. I was never particularly liked—but I'm used to it."

"I don't hate you, Auburn," Montague got closer. It was dark in the room, but she could make out his silhouette. She felt nervous. Her veins tightened up from her blood boiling. Her face got hot. "I must say, you are much smarter than she ever was."

"Really? Thank you," she said. "How do you know that?"

"You're too curious for your own good; much more than she ever was. Caoimhe was inquisitive, indeed, but only for things that she could use. You want to know everything, more so than the maids here; they are stupid. They tremble under Marcos and the rest of us, but you don't. Very brave."

I don't like this.

"I must go, Montague. I need to go to bed. Your friends will worry, and I will get into trouble if I'm not in bed on time."

"You're not only smarter but much prettier." he got close.

His lips gently touched hers. Auburn grabbed his hands and kicked him in the stomach. His grip loosened and she fell to the floor with a thud. She winced in pain but got up and ran for the door. Montague grabbed her arm and threw her over his shoulder as she tried to get free. He threw her onto the floor at the end of the room and sat on top of her.

His wand was in her face. "You shouldn't have done that," he got up and pointed his wand at her. "Crucio!"

She turned her body to block the attack, but Montague was quicker. Her body bent in ways she didn't deem possible as she moved around in pain. She was screaming, but no sound came out. He silenced her as she screamed in agony, begging him to stop, even though he couldn't hear her. She felt like she was on fire like she just died and was being dragged to hell to suffer for all of eternity; the cold floor did nothing to aid her burning skin. She moved and shifted around the floor as her throat began to hurt and her tears covered her face.

All of a sudden, the agonizing pain was gone. She was sprawled out on the cold floor in her white nightgown, crying. He bent down and grabbed her by the collar of her nightgown. He held her up as she partly lay on the floor, drained of exerting.

He leaned close to her face. "Know your place, you little mudblood," he released her and her head lightly hit the floor. She began to cough and turned to the side, weeping in pain. He held her down and got on top of her.

"No, Montague. Stop!" she yelled out, though it was in a whisper.

His lips met her right ear. "No one will help you," then, he pointed his wand at her again. "Immobulus."

She couldn't move or talk. The pain she felt was agonizing, she felt sick; she felt ready to pass out—but she couldn't; she wouldn't. She didn't want Montague violating her while she lay unconscious.

Montague's lips touched hers. She had no energy to fight or kiss him back. Her hands laid out to the side as his larger frame overpowered her. His lips met her neck. She closed her eyes and pretended that it wasn't happening. She felt the heaviness of his body lift and she opened her eyes to see Montague hit the wall, a shorter figure behind him soon disappeared. Auburn's eyes widened, knowing who the shorter figure was, but couldn't make out any words.

Then, Montague grabbed her by her dress but he was quickly pulled away from he; Marcos and Montague were now fist fighting in the now lit room. She turned and held herself on the floor as the pain that she endured from Montague which felt like hours of torture hadn't lifted from her body. Pucey knelt down and took her arm, but she pushed his help away by moving her body and started to cry again. Marcos and Montague were yelling at each other and fighting with their wands out, booming sounds were heard as the two shouted spells at one another. They were so loud that Mr. and Mrs. Flint came down to see what the commotion was about.

"What is going," Mr. Flint began but saw Auburn curled up on the floor at the end of the room, Pucey sitting by her.

Pucey gently lifted her and carried her out as the yelling, cursing, threats, and dueling of the wands continued. Auburn was shocked at the fact that Montague was about to rape her, but even more shocked at the fact that Marcos was protecting her at this moment by fighting his best friend who he has known for years, while she has only been a servant for not even a year. Pucey brought her into Marcos' room and put her on the bed.

"He...he—"

"I know."

"He used crucio on me," her voice was hoarse. "He...he violated me," she whispered.

Pucey sat on the bed and placed her on his lap, cradling her. "It's okay," he comforted the hysterical girl.

"My body hurts," she sobbed.

Pucey held her tightly and took something out of his book bag. He held it to her lips. "It's a calming draught."

The substance violated her mouth and entered her esophagus. She felt tingly and closed her eyes as she slowly began to calm down.

Auburn then thought about something.

I don't think he knows anything about the new Dark Lord that is threatening to rise. It's just a coincidence that he knows so much about her, his ancestor being betrothed to her and all. Perhaps Pucey knows, but I shouldn't ask, not yet.

Meanwhile, Marcos and Montague were by the front door, fists clenched, sweat dripping, and blood on their faces. Mr. and Mrs. Flint disappeared, not wanting to get involved in a physical altercation, especially when their son was angry. Marcos snarled at Montague who sported his new bloody nose and a black eye while Marcos had a bruise forming on his cheek, but not as bad compared to Montague's black eye. Marcos has never felt this angry. Sure, Auburn was a muggle, but she was his property, and Montague had no reason to hurt her. Marcos doesn't respect guys who try to take advantage of girls. He may not be the nicest guy, but he has morals. He protects his own.

"Oh, come one, Marcos, get over yourself," Montague gasped for air. "She means nothing to you. She's just a—"

"I dare you to finish that sentence," he said slowly. "It doesn't matter what she is! You used dark magic on her, Montague. You knew that she wouldn't be able to defend herself against it. And muggle or not, you don't ever take advantage of a girl! She. Is. My. Property." he said the last part slowly.

Montague rolled his eyes. "I see. You've grown a soft spot for her."

"Auburn has done nothing to you. She belongs to me. I decide whether or not to punish her," he got in Montague's face. "Get out."

Montague scoffed. He collected his things quickly and left, but not before slamming the door behind him.

"And don't slam my door!" Marcos shouted.

He went upstairs to see Adam on his bed holding Auburn, who appeared to be sleeping.

Pucey was looking at Auburn as she slept but looked up to see Marcos, showing a straight face Marcos can be scary, but the yelling that just took place exceeded the list of all the times he was threatening.

"I heard everything from downstairs. I've never heard you raise your voice like that before."

Marcos shrugged and sat on the bed with his best friend.

"Marcos, don't blame yourself. It isn't your fault."

"I wasn't. It...it just makes sense now. The way he treated her. I think she instigated it by telling him off earlier, but that doesn't give him the right to hurt her like that."

Pucey nodded. "I understand. Do you want me to go also?"

"No, stay," Marcos laid down. "Place her in the middle."

Adam Pucey placed Auburn in between the two, Marcos' large bed having them fit together like a glove. The lights were out and the three slept there quietly, and this time, no dark figure stood by the edge of the bed or in the corner of the room. The dark figure decided that Auburn needed a break, especially with what happened earlier. However, the figure will be back to strike when Auburn least expects them too. They aren't finished yet.

Everything has just begun.