'How are you today, Mistress?'

Anne hit Rabastan on the shoulder, while he laughed.

'Keep it down, will you? Someone will hear you!' Anne whispered, infuriated.

Rabastan and Anne were sitting in potions class. They've gotten really close over the last couple of days. Some people were beginning to wonder why, especially Narcissa and Bellatrix.

'Do you think Narcissa's mad at me?' Anne asked. 'I'm usually her partner, but lately, I've been yours.'

'Of course not.' Rabastan lied. 'Anyways, once she finds out about you and Rodolphus, she won't make any effort to remain your friend...You do know that, right?'

Anne didn't say anything. She knew things with her and Rodolphus had reached a whole new level. Rodolphus has been constantly reassuring her that being his mistress would be no different than how things are now but already, Anne thought things were different. She wondered how everyone would react if they found out. Rabastan has been really nice to her, at times. The thing about him AND his brother is that they always love reminding Anne of her place. Lucius has also been acting differently. He's not as nice to her anymore. She knew that Rodolphus's reassurances were just going to waste. Anne knew that everything was going to be different.

'Come on, guys, FASTER!' Dolohov yelled to his teammates.

Anne just groaned. They've been practicing for hours. The match against Gryffindor was tomorrow and Dolohov wanted to take this final opportunity to go over all their strategies. Personally, Anne thought it would've been better if they had no practice today and just got rest instead. However, when she mentioned this to Dolohov, he got mad at her, yelled at her and made her run around the Quidditch field until she thought she was going to pass out. Now, she joined the other boys in practice, and she felt as if she were going to die.

'Sorelli, did you not hear? He said FASTER!' Evan yelled out, laughing.

Anne stuck out her tongue at Evan.

Smirking, Evan made a turn on his broom, and starting flying at a tremendous speed towards Anne. Laughing, Anne increased her speed and soon, the two of them forgot all about their practice. Evan began to chase Anne, who was trying to the best of her ability to out speed him.

Soon enough, however, Dolohov noticed his seeker and chaser were off doing their own thing. He did not take this well.

'Everyone down NOW!' He roared.

Slowly, everyone descended, Anne and Evan were last to reach the ground.

'Practice over? Evan asked, smiling.

Dolohov glared at Evan, dangerously.

'You think practice is just a JOKE?' Dolohov shouted, turning red. 'Our match is TOMORROW! Can't you go one second without chasing a girl? You fucking bloody arse!'

'Calm down, mate.' Evan said, his smile vanishing.

'Calm down?' Dolohov yelled. 'You wanna be captain next year? Then pick up your fucking act!'

Evan didn't bother with a response. Everyone on the team knew it was Evan's goal to become the next Slytherin Quiditch captain.

'And you.' Dolohov said, turning towards Anne. 'Haven't you already learned your lesson today?'

'Yes.' Anne said, quickly, not wanting to do more laps.

She was exhausted. The whole chase with Evan Rosier didn't help matters.

'Apparently NOT.' Dolohov yelled.

'I'm sorry.' Anne said, quickly.

'Not yet. But you will be. Dolohov said, pulling out his wand and pointing it at Anne.

Anne screamed before Dolohov even said the curse.

'CRUCIO!'

Anne screamed and sobbed and attempted to get some words out, but couldn't. The pain was absolutely unbearable. She felt as if she were on fire. White hot pain was hitting her at every angle.

Suddenly the pain vanished, just as quickly as it came.

Anne looked up to see Dolohov being flung off his feet.

'WHAT THE HELL?' Dolohov roared at Rodolphus.

It was then that Anne noticed that Rodolphus had his wand out. She suddenly realized it was Rodolphus who made Dolohov stop.

'You okay?' Evan asked, kneeling down beside Anne, who just noticed she was on the ground.

Anne concluded that she must've fell at some point while she was under the Cruciatus curse. She nodded to Evan and then the two of them turned their attentions back to Dolohov and Rodolphus.

'We've got a match tomorrow. Are you thick enough to send you own fucking chaser to the hospital wing?' Rodolphus yelled.

'You know VERY well, I KNOW what I'm doing!' Dolohov yelled back.

'Leave her alone. Rodolphus said, dangerously.

'Do you wanna take her place?' Dolohov asked, raising his wand.

'I'd like to see you try!' Rodolphus hissed, baring his teeth angrily.

Suddenly Lucius came in between the two of them. 'If you guys don't stop then someone IS gonna end up in the hospital wing! We need everyone present and well if we're gonna defeat Gryffindoe. Now lower your wands.'

Reluctantly, both Rodolphus and Dolohov lowered their wands.

'Tell me, Lestrange. Is Bellatrix right to be worried?' Dolohov asked.

Rodolphus just turned around and headed towards the change room. Lucius followed.

Evan and Anne now stood up, and everyone began to leave slowly. Awkward silence filled the air.

The long awaited Slytherin and Gryffindor match was about to start. Students were crowded around in the stands, anxiously awaiting the outcome. Three quarters of the stands were filled with supporters of Gryffindor. Almost no one wanted Slytherin to win.

'Alright team. We've practiced hard so now give it your all!' Dolohov said.

The team all agreed and were enthusiastic. They were fully confident that they were gonna win.

'Anne, a word?' Dolohov asked.

Surprised, Anne just nodded.

'You feeling alright?' Dolohov asked. 'I was careful not to hurt you too much yesterday.'

'Yes, I'm okay now.' Anne said. 'I'm sorry.'

Dolohov just shook his head. 'It's Evan's fault...Well yours too, but you didn't know any better.'

Anne laughed. 'So...we're good?'

Dolohov just smiled. 'I like you, Anne. I don't think anything could change that. Just... you're the only girl amongst all us guys. Be careful.'

Anne nodded. 'Too late.'

The team made their way onto the pitch and the game began.

Anne swerved around the other players and avoided the bludgers. This was a very intense game indeed. Slytherin however, was way ahead of Gryffindor. Thanks to Anne, the Slytherin Quidditch team knew all of their opponent's moves. From time to time Anne glanced at James and Sirius's faces. They looked utterly hopeless. All Slytherin had to do was hope that Evan can catch the snitch before Gryffindor's seeker.

And right on cue...

'Evan Rosier has caught the snitch! SLYTHERIN WINS!'

Anne let out a scream of triumph and quickly descended to the ground, joining her teammates. Upon seeing Anne, her teammates rushed towards her, high fiving her, hugging her and Evan even kissed her. Anne was happy beyond words.

She suddenly heard a familiar voice.

'Slytherin to the core, aren't you, Sorelli?'

Anne turned around and saw James and Sirius sanding before her, looking very livid.

'Hey guys...'

'You know, you Slytherins always were a bunch of cheaters, but I thought that even you guys had your limits.' Sirius said, angrily.

'We're not cheaters.' Anne said. 'I dunno what you're talking about.'

'Don't even try, Anne. Your I'm so innocent act doesn't work on me!' Sirius exclaimed.

James had been silent throughout the argument so far.

'It's not an act!' Anne said.

'Anne, don't bother with them.' Snape said.

'No one's talking to you Snivellus!' Sirius hissed.

'Well, I don't wanna talk to you, so GOODBYE!' Anne yelled.

'You sold us out, Anne.' James said, sadly. 'You sold me out, your own cousin.'

'James, it's not what you think...' Anne said.

'Anne, let's go! We got a victory to celebrate!' Evan said.

'James... I gotta go.' Anne said, reluctantly.

'What happened to you?' James asked. 'What happened to my sweet little sister?'

'She's not your sister.' Lucius stated. 'Now Potter, I hate to interrupt your little sob fest, but we need our star player to be a part of our party, so goodbye.'

'This is between Anne and I, will the rest of you lot leave us alone?' James shouted.

'James, I have to go.' Anne said turning around to leave.

Her teammates followed her, looking very smug.

'I wish your parents were here to see how you turned out, Anne!' James yelled.

Anne ignored the deep ache she felt in her stomach and continued to walk away, without looking back.

At the party, Anne was the centre of attention. None of her teammates tried to take the credit for themselves, they all made sure that everyone knew that Anne was the hero of the match. Anne had forgotten all about her encounter with James and Sirius. She was too happy to care at the moment.

'So who thinks Dolohov is an amazing captain for placing Anne on the team?' Evan asked.

The guys lifted up their drinks and cheered, as Anne laughed. 'Why thank you, Evan.'

'Have a drink, Anne.' Rookwood said, offering her a bottle of Firewhiskey.

'Err...' Anne said.

'Awww, the poor wittle baby can't handle a little dwink?' Bellatrix mocked as she took the bottle Rookwood was holding.

'I don't need to Drink, Bella.' Anne said.

'You're saying I do?' Bellatrix questioned.

'Well, I figure people can only stand to be around you while you're drunk.' Anne answered.

'Anne!' Narcissa groaned.

However, several others laughed.

'You smug little whore, you think you're all that, don't you?' Bellatrix asked, angrily. 'But we all still see you for who you really are, a filthy Bloodtraitor.'

'What's your problem, Bella? Relax already.' Rabastan said, coming to Anne's aid.

'Oh please, you all like her because you think she's some kind of beauty or something.' Bellatrix stated. 'But might I remind you, she's a traitor! She's gonna graduate and fight against us just like her parents did. I only hope she ends up like them as well!'

'Maybe people like you for your supposed beauty but the like me for everything else!' Anne yelled.

'Oh, such as?'

'My my intelligence, my talents, my personality, my Quidditch skills, my power, my –'

'Power, you say?' Bella interrupted. 'Alright then, let's see what power you have. Let's duel.'

Taking a deep breath, Anne started to get up, her wand in her hand but she was suddenly forced back down. Rodolphus had grabbed her and pulled her down.

'Don't be ridiculous.' He said, stoically.

'Come now, Rodolphus, if she wants to fight then let her. Bellatrix said, angrily. 'I'll finally put her in her place.'

'She knows her place.' Rodolphus said, giving Anne a warning look.

'Bella, come on.' Narcissa pleaded. 'Everyone's having fun, just enjoy the party.'

'You're the worst of them all, Cissy!' Bellatrix exclaimed. 'I can only imagine what Mother and Father would do if they knew you were so close to filth like her.'

'After I tell them how amazing she is, I don't think they'd care, Bella.' Evan said.

Bellatrix ignored her cousin. 'Come on, you little bitch, get up!'

Anne got up, ignoring Rodolphus's stern looks.

She pointed her wand at Bellatrix. Everyone looked on anxiously.

'One, two...three!'

A red light shot out of Bellatrix's wand, but Anne dodged it. Her heart was beating fast, but she wouldn't let herself lose to Bellatrix. She shot a curse at her, and Bellatrix deflected it with ease. Anne looked around and saw that everyone seemed to look very scared for her sake. She dodged more curses that Bellatrix sent her way, but she knew she couldn't dodge curses forever.

'Is that the best you're got, Bellatrix?' Anne mocked.

This only made Bellatrix madder. She perfectly aimed a curse, which hit Anne's stomach. She flew back and hit the table behind her. Anne groaned in pain and Bellatrix sent another curse at her. This time, Anne screamed as a huge gash appeared on her left leg.

Bellatrix laughed. 'Powerful, are you, Anne?'

Anne got up, stumbling slightly and sent a curse at Bellatrix, who dodged it. Bellatrix shot another curse at Anne, who conjured a shield. Finally, Anne shouted out a curse that hit Bellatrix, who was flung off her feet. Anne jumped at this opportunity and fired several stinging hexes at Bellatrix, who screamed.

'You stupid bitch!' Bellatrix roared.

Anne smirked, and gave Bellatrix a chance to get up.

Now the two of them were breathing heavily, waiting to either curse or be cursed. Bellatrix fired a curse at Anne, who deflected it.

'Do you know how mommy and daddy died, Anne?' Bellatrix yelled, as she dodged Anne's curse.

'Shut up!' Anne screamed, sending another curse at Bellatrix.

'You mommy lost against a Deatheater.' Bellatrix said. 'All bloody and begging for mercy!'

'SHUT UP!' Anne repeated, getting mad.

She blocked a curse Bellatrix sent her way.

'And daddy's heart broke. He gave up when he saw his wife lie limp on the ground! Bellatrix yelled, cackling.

Anne was shaking with rage by this point.

'Mommy and daddy didn't care about wittle Anne, did they?' Bellatrix mocked, cruelly.

'CRUCIO!' Anne screamed at the top of her lungs.

All the anger and power just rushed out of Anne and emitted from her wand. Bellatrix fell to the ground screaming and writhing in agony. Anne finally let go of her wand, horrified at what she had done.

'Bella!' Several people cried.

Rodolphus was at Bellatrix's side in an instant, followed by Narcissa and Evan. They were trying to console and soothe Bellatrix, who looked shocked beyond words. Rodolphus suddenly turned towards Anne, his eyes filled with intense hatred. Shaking, Anne turned and bolted right out the common room.

She didn't even know where she was going. She was just running to anywhere, anywhere where she'd be safe. However, it seemed that luck was not always on Anne's side. Someone grabbed her from behind and slammed her into the wall.

'You fucking bitch.' Rodolphus growled.

Anne realized Rodolphus must've run right after her and actually caught up to her.

Anne was shaking out of pure fear. Rodolphus closed his hands over her throat. She couldn't breathe anymore. Anne attempted to get Rodolphus away from her. Tears were forming in her eyes and her air supply was completely cut off. Her lungs were aching and Anne was terrified for her life.

Still grabbing her throat, Rodolphus dragged her to a classroom, where he finally let her go, throwing her onto the hard, cold floor. Ignoring the pain that Anne felt as she hit the floor, she just began to massage her throat and take deep, steady breaths.

'Get up!' Rodolphus yelled.

Anne did as she was told.

'I – I'm sorry!' Anne said, desperately. 'I – I didn't mean to! Please believe me!'

Rodolphus just slapped Anne and pushed her against the wall. Tears were rolling down Anne's cheeks. She was so scared.

'Please don't hurt me.' Anne pleaded.

Rodolphus ignored her and made some movement with his wand. Anne clothes fell to the floor and she was left in just her underwear. She was very confused until she saw what Rodolphus did next. He seemed to be fiddling with his pants and that's when Anne noticed that he took off his belt.

Anne screamed in horror and attempted to run. Rodolphus was prepared for this, however, and wrapped his hands around Anne's waist. He threw her to the floor and brought his belt on Anne's skin.

Once, twice, ten...twenty...

Anne lost count. She was screaming, sobbing and pleading him to stop.

'You STUPID whore'! Rodolphus yelled, bringing his belt down on Anne's skin harder and harder. 'NEVER EVER harm my fiancé again, understand me?'

'YES!' Anne screamed, while sobbing hysterically. 'Stop, please stop!'

But Rodolphus wouldn't. He whipped her, punched her, slapped her, and kicked her. Anne was bruised and bleeding all over. She was certain that Rodolphus even broke some of her bones. It was the worst punishment she has received as of yet.

She never thought he'd hurt her like did. She never believed anyone could hurt her like this.

After what felt like hours to Anne, Rodolphus stopped and kneeled beside his sobbing mistress.

'If you so much as say anything that upsets Bellatrix, I will torture you for hours on end, you hear me? If you ever do something against my wishes, you will receive the same fate AND if you don't learn your place in this world, I will kill you. Do I make myself clear?' Rodolphus yelled, angrily.

Anne nodded to the best of her ability.

'Good.' Rodolphus said getting up and taking out his wand. 'Crucio.'

Anne screamed and begged for mercy. She prayed to god that she could just die already. She prayed that she'd be able to join her parents and leave all her pain behind. She sobbed and shook with pain until her world went black.

When Anne woke up, she was in the hospital wing, surrounded by her uncle and several staff members, as well as ministry officials.

'Anne!' her uncle exclaimed. 'Anne, Sweetheart, what happened?'

Anne broke down crying.

Her uncle hugged her. 'It will be okay, Anne. It's okay.'

Anne didn't believe her uncle for even a second. She kept replaying everything in her head. She now believed that Rabastan was telling the truth. Anne believed she will tortured, raped and eventually, killed.

Unable to take it, Anne blacked out once again.