Author's note: Here is another chapter. I hope that you're enjoying this story, and please leave a review. I could always use some advice and want to you what you think. Thanks!
Chapter 9: Punishment
Dad,
Hope you, Andrew, and Lily are doing well. I think its funny that Lily is totally failing at containing her excitement about magic but am sad she doesn't seem to understand she can't share it with everyone. Just tell her to tell her classmates that I attend a secondary boarding school in Scotland that is a family tradition to attend. The homeschooling lessons with you and mum were excellent but I think the muggle-raised kids are better prepared for school.
I'm doing fine in my classes but I hate homework and writing essays is awful. Why do we have to use quills? I understand now why you and mum prefer muggle pens. Do you think I could use a pen without the professors knowing? Perhaps one of those fountain pens, they have pre-filled ones now. Anyway, this letter has a purpose.
My friend Martha told me a story recently about her childhood. Her mum murdered her dad and abuses her as punishment for not being into the dark arts like her sister. Martha said her mum is a former Death Eater. Martha is going home this weekend and said her mum is going to punish her for being sorted into Gryffindor. You have to help her, dad! Please?
-James
James quickly rolled the parchment and tied it to the leg of the waiting school owl. The bird took off through the tower window.
Harry looked up to the sound of tapping at the kitchen window. He recognized the owl as one of the school owls and opened the window, allowing the bird inside. After removing the letter, he offered the owl water and a frog. The owl hooted in thanks before finishing off the frog and leaving. Reading the letter, Harry smiled then grew concerned. He would not have trouble tracking down the girl's family. He quickly wrote a note to the Auror Office, requesting someone look into the issue. The department fire-called him quickly, telling him to meet Auror Tonks, with the plan to arrest the Death Eater.
Harry and Tonks walked up the path to a large, brown, manor house on the edge of a wizarding town. They had their wands at the ready but hidden. They applied disillusionment charms just before entering the house. The sound of a screaming child greeted them, along with the sight of a large woman standing over a crumpled shape on the floor.
"Mum, I can't help what house I was put in, and at least it wasn't Hufflepuff," Martha said trying to keep her voice steady but she was shaking in pain from the previous curses.
"You bring shame to the family! Slytherin is the only proper house and is family tradition. Slytherins understand the importance of power and knowledge of the most important spells. Plus, there are no unworthy magic users, only proper wizards and witches are allowed into the noble house," shouted the woman in fury, sending Stinging Hexes at her daughter to make sure her points sunk in properly.
"D-D-Dad was a Raven..." stuttered Martha, gritting her teeth as a particularly nasty cutting curse ripped her cheek open.
"Listen here girl, do not talk about your bloody disgustingly poor excuse for wizard father!" shrieked the woman. Martha looked scared as her mother pulled out her wand. "Crucio!" she snarled. Martha screamed and twisted in pain as her mum held the curse in place.
Tonks announced their presence by sending a silent stunner at the awful woman. The red light slammed into the large woman, knocking her unconscious and stopping the curse on Martha. Both Tonks and Harry cancelled their invisibility spells. Tonks moved to bind the woman, while Harry kneeled next to Martha, gently rolling her over and helping her sit up.
"Are you ok, child?"
"I-I'm not sure, everything hurts," said Martha, as tears streamed down her cheeks. She took the handkerchief Harry offered to her. "Who are you?"
"Aurors Tonks and Potter. Your mother will be standing trial and going to Azkaban for her past crimes as a Death Eater, the murder of your father, abuse of a minor, and use of the Cruciatus Curse on another human," said Tonks, in a very business-like tone. "We will also be escorting you to St. Mungo's Hospital for treatment."
"But who do I stay with over the summer?" Martha asked.
"Do not worry about that now, I'm sure something can be arranged. It is possible you may even be able to stay with James. You have a sister, correct?" Harry asked.
"You mean it? I could live with you? I have a sister but she is like mum and is very involved in the learning of the dark arts," said Martha, tears still falling.
"I will see about getting custody of you. For now, the Ministry will look for other living relatives and your temporary guardian will be your Head of House, Professor McGonagall. An Auror will contact your sister at Hogwarts."
Tonks floated the still form of Martha's mother out of the house, apparating with her to the Ministry. Harry carefully helped Martha to her feet but the girl was too weak to stand. Harry guided her to sit for a moment as he pulled a miniature stretcher from his pocket and enlarged it. He carefully helped Martha onto it, knowing her many injuries made every touch and move, painful. A crack of apparition outside announced the return of Tonks. The Auror knocked over a coat rack as she stepped into the house. With Martha secured to the stretcher, Tonks and Harry linked hands and each held tight to the stretcher before walking outside and disapparating to St. Mungo's.
The Healers healed her minor injuries from the stinging hexes and cutting curses. The effects from the Cruciatus would take more time to resolve but they gave her a potion to take twice per day for a week. The Healers instructed her to check in with Madam Pomfrey in a week for a check-up and to get plenty of rest. As she waited to be released from the hospital, she told her story to Auror Tonks, who wrote it down. Harry had to return to the Ministry but promised to be in touch soon. Auror Tonks apparated with Martha back to Hogwarts and walked with the girl up to the school where Professor McGonagall waited. Auror Tonks gave Martha a squeeze and wished her well. She greeted Professor McGonagall fondly before turning back down the path. Martha followed Professor McGonagall, first to her office for instructions on when to pick up her medication doses every morning and evening, then to the portrait hole outside the common room.
Martha found James in the common room, glaring at his potions textbook as though it insulted him. He looked up as she stopped next to his table.
"James, can we talk?" she asked.
"Sure," he said, shutting his book in relief.
"Thank you for telling your dad about my mum. He and another Auror arrested her today, stunning her as she was cursing me. They said she would stand trial and go to Azkaban. The Ministry is looking for relatives for me to live with but that I could maybe stay with you over the summer."
James listened intently; looked at the tired girl in front of him, before pulling her into a fierce but awkward hug.
