"Excuse me, Miss?... Miss?" A rather thin woman with dirty blonde hair pulled back in a bun standing behind a long counter and a sheet of plexiglass tried to get the girl's attention. She swayed on both feet, her hands out in front of her as she tilted her head, her brows drawing together. "Uhm… Miss… Would you please?"
The girl's dark grey eyes seemed fixated on something; when following her gaze, she was glaring at a poster behind the lady who was trying desperately to get her attention. The poster had illustrations on how to care for your newborn. How to change it, feed it, and how to lay it down for bedtime… there were so many instructions. She didn't realize there would be so many instructions… so many rules… so many 'What to do' and 'What not to do'. She barely follows any rules as it is! She couldn't imagine taking care of a baby and actually being successful at it. What if she forgot to feed it? Or it escaped its crib one night and left the house? She couldn't feel responsible for leaving the baby at a grocery store because she forgot about it. Worst of all, what if there is no resolution regarding he-who-must-not-be-named and she brings a baby… a half-blood into the kind of world that's been crumbling beneath her feet. It was all too much.
Victoria bit her lip, "I'm going to kill it," She said, rather a little too loud than she wanted it to be, the words spilling out from between her lips when they meant to be an inner monologue. She thought she would be the worse mother; how in the hell do they know how to keep other humans alive? She barely could keep herself alive. Heck, she killed Elise's ferret by uncaging it and eventually it getting ran over by a muggle vehicle.
The lady behind the counter blinked up at her in shock, "I-I suppose that's one way of putting it. However, we like to use terms like abort or terminate. It helps expecting mothers cope better with their decisions." Victoria broke out of her fixation, shaking her head and tucking a few strands of black hair behind her ears, feeling slightly embarrassed. The lady pushed her arm forward, a few slips of paper underneath her freshly manicured fingers that reached the small hole in the plexiglass. "I just need you to sign some forms before we proceed." She noticed Victoria's troubled features when she grabbed another smaller piece of paper and laid it on top of the forms, "This should also be of help as well. Support groups, great ones. I highly recommend you give it a read, okay darling?" Victoria slipped her fingers underneath the plexiglass and dragged the papers closer to her. She grabbed them and took a seat in the back of the office.
She slumped down on a dark blue bench that was almost as uncomfortable as how she felt currently. She clutched the papers to her chest, eyeing the occupants of the room.
There was one girl at the other end of the office, whose stomach seemed to be twice the size of Victoria's. It looked alien to the Black. Her stomach was nearly popping out from the bottom of her fitted top. She looked to be just slightly older than the Black, and a boy who was probably the father was sitting beside her, an arm around her neck. They seemed… content.
Another girl was standing at the counter talking to the other available associate behind the plexiglass. She had tears flowing from her eyes down her cheeks, grabbing tissues left and right from the tissue boxes that seemed to multiply wherever Victoria's eyes traveled.
It was kind of empty, which made it slightly more embarrassing. What if someone walked in and saw her who recognized her?
She took a deep sigh, pulling down the papers so they were in her lap and grabbing a quill that was on the table beside the bench. She eyed the forms nervously.
'St. Mungo's Witches Ambulatory Clinic'
The first few questions asked her to list her name, birthdate, and residence. "Easy," She thought to herself.
Scanning the next few lines, 'Please list reason for coming.'
"Not so easy…"
She decided to leave it blank, she couldn't think of how to put it down.
The next question,
'Are you thinking of receiving any of the following:'
She scanned the boxes that were waiting to be checked… Medicinal potions… Anti-transformation Potions… Birth control – little too late for that one… ah, there it is. She ticked off the box without hesitation. That seemed to be good enough, there really wasn't any need for more information. That was it, that was why she was here, and she's looking to get it over with. They didn't need her life's information, it could just be finished and forgotten.
"Victoria Black?"
Victoria's eyes darting upwards, looking at the nurse who was surveying the room for a Victoria Black. She stood on her two feet, papers in hand.
The nurse looked over and smiled politely, "Ah, hello Ms. Black. Please come on in." She opened the door for Victoria and introduced herself upon her entering.
"Follow me please. I'm nurse Jackie." Victoria gave a short-lived grin upon introductions. Jackie walked at a steady pace, her stethoscope slightly bouncing along her shoulders against her bright pink scrubs. "We'll just enter this room here on the left." Jackie gestured over to an empty room, tapping on the only bed in the space for Victoria to lay down. Hesitantly Victoria followed orders while Jackie closed the door.
The nurse pulled over a small tray and sat down on a tall stool beside Victoria who looked like a deer in headlights. "I've got to take some blood for the doctor, okay love? It's mandatory for these types of procedures."
Victoria shook her head nervously, not really knowing what to say but to just comply.
The nurse pulled on some latex gloves and took out a needle, applying it to the Black's veins. "I know it's a bit scary, but only a pinch." It took the nurse less than 30 seconds to actually draw the blood. "We're still trying to figure out ways to do this with our wands… however, the clinical studies have not been sightly." The nurse said casually, as if trying to make small talk might make what is happening to the poor girl in front of her less terrifying.
Victoria clutched at her papers still in hand, biting down on her lower lip.
The nurse reached over, "I'll take those from you, love. The doctor will take a look at your test and go over your results with you momentarily."
As quick as she appeared, she disappeared, closing the door behind her. She was left in that small room with nothing but her thoughts and the loud ticking of a clock on the wall above the door the nurse promptly left through.
Victoria played with the hem of her sweater, her legs swinging from under her as her eyes darted along the room. Her body started to tense up as she glanced at all of the posters in the room. She didn't understand it – why be in this clinic for her specific reason, and to put her in a room filled with 'Mother-To-Be' posters. Shame began to coil around her. She was making a huge decision…. A massive decision… and without telling Harry first. She just could not fathom being a mom. She barely had a mother herself, who was she supposed to model after? How would she know what to do? So many girls think about their futures when they are young, like how they want to meet the person of their dreams, fall in love, get married, and have kids – all while having the perfect life. Victoria never thought further than 3rd period transfiguration. Now add in being with Harry Potter and everything that came with that package deal… she could only think a few hours into her future because all the obstacles that came at her now a days seem to happen when she least expects it. She put her head in her hands, running her fingers through her shoulder-length wavy hair and pushing her bangs out of her face. She could not help but also think about the times Harry said he would always be with her, to aid her, to support her through it all. She would like to think that applies to this situation as well, and knowing him, it just might.
Reluctantly, she placed a hand over her stomach, a nauseating feeling bubbling inside her and it wasn't because of the elephant in the room. She hopped off the bed, scurrying towards the door and just as fast as her thoughts that came and gone, she left, slamming the door behind her.
A loud sound amplified through the empty room, forcing the Black's grey eyes to open – scanning the room on alert as she clutched at her chest as if holding a hand by her heart would make the beating go slower. She was cowered in the corner of the room, her legs were pressed against her chest and her head lolled to the side, resting against the walls that engulfed her. She brushed her hair out of her face softly, wincing at the pain that pulsated throughout her broken hand that was now wrapped up in an off-white fabric. She did not know who had done that or when, apparently, she had been knocked out for a while after the torture she endured for so long.
Her shoulder-length hair frizzed from the back, the front pieces of hair sticking to the dry blood that smeared across her face. Splotches of dirt painted her pale skin, as if she took a mud-bath and forgot to clean herself afterwards. Her clothes were soaked and heavy, inviting goosebumps to sprout along her arms and legs, leaving chilling sensations throughout her body as she cradled herself for warmth.
Her grey eyes, while on alert, were drooping. Her left eye was bruised, but it looked as if it was healing nicely. She blinked upwards, colour draining from her face as she watched the figure stand before her.
"For you." Draco said, standing just feet from the plate of food he had just dropped in front of him. He stuffed a hand inside his pocket, turning his neck towards the door that spilled the only light that was allowed in the room then presenting Victoria with half a sandwich that was wrapped in plastic wrap. He tossed it on the plate, and Victoria watched as it rolled off towards her feet. She looked up at him, hopeful yet skeptical. He rolled his eyes, heat staining his cheeks as he looked back once more at the door, "It's extra… you know… for…" He hovered his hand over his stomach awkwardly, immediately lifting his hand above his head and running his fingers through his blonde hair, scratching the back of his head as he broke eye contact with the Black who continued to hold her knees to her chest in a very reserved manner – afraid that if she moved just an inch to grab the food that somebody, anybody, would come and torture her some more.
Draco cleared his throat, "My mother, she ugh- she made it for you." His eyes gazed at her like one would a circus animal just waiting for that animal to do something, anything. She refused to move, her fingernails now digging into her legs as she stared at the man before her. "Listen, we're not supposed to be giving you this, so just… hurry up and eat. I'll be back in an hour to collect it." He watched her tentatively for another minute before realizing her silence would not be broken. He nodded at her, leaving, and shutting the door behind him. She could hear the lock on the outside of the door click twice before his footsteps faded down the hallway.
Victoria waited another minute or two before she finally emerged from the safety of her corner. Her slender arm reached out in front of her as she grabbed the plate and sandwich, dragging it along the carpet towards her feet. She examined the food in front of her. There were mashed potatoes with gravy, carrots and peas, and chicken covered in some sort of brown sauce on top of it all. The sandwich was the half of a ham and swiss. She gaped at the food in absolute delirium, not remembering when the last time she had an actual meal was. Her body felt like it was slowly decaying.
When Hermione apparated the group out of Grimmauld Place and into some random forest, the only food Victoria and Ron were able to find were what was available to them in the wild – such as berries or edible plants (thanks to Ron's better understanding of herbology than Victoria's). When they ended up in the hotel, Victoria could barely keep anything down, she was throwing up any real solid foods they had to offer. So, to be presented suddenly with a plate filled with what smelled to be delicious food, she didn't know how to control herself.
She reached for the potatoes, her fingers grasping around the mushy vegetable and shoving it into her mouth. She started off slow at first but picked up momentum as her stomach yearned for real food. Once the plate started looking scarce of scraps, she went for the sandwich, quickly unwrapping the item and stuffing her mouth. She fell back, her head leaning against the corner of the wall as she pressed her knees back up to her chest. She closed her eyes, her fingers clutching onto that sandwich for dear life – afraid that someone would come in any moment and try to pry it from her. Victoria held her eyes closed, taking a deep breath as if reveling in the current ecstasy she experienced from her first real meal that she felt she could actually hold down.
The next couple of weeks repeated itself with very much the same routine that only rarely changed if Draco felt someone was catching onto him. He snuck food in for her every night, once a day. However, those keeping an eye on her were completely aware that they could not keep Victoria captive and not give her food or water for this long, so Bellatrix eventually ordered Draco to start giving her small portions of water and left-over foods in the afternoon. She was not complaining, that was one lousy meal in the afternoon and one amazing meal from Narcissa in the evening. Victoria started waking up like clockwork around the times Draco emerged from the hallway. She could feel herself craving more and more each day as her stomach grew slowly as time went on. She had been couped up in this dark room for so long, she could barely remember why she was there, and what her purpose even was.
Draco eventually let light pass through the only window in the room, so Victoria could feel what sun would actually shine on her. At some point they even let her use a shower, with proper supervision. The feeling of hot water rushing down her bare skin was the most intense and comforting feeling. She scrubbed at her legs, trailing up her body to her face where the natural colour of her skin began to finally peak out from beneath all that dried up blood and smeared dirt.
She closed her weary grey eyes, her fatigued body resting on the wall of the shower as she let the water run down her head, pushing her short black hair over her face and down her shoulder. Her mind started to wander, longing for the days before all this happened, before she got kidnapped, before things started to get intense… and real.
The air grew thick as steam rolled out from the porcelain bathroom tub, and spilled into the room creating an oven-like environment for the Black to eventually rest in. She reached her arm through the grey shower curtain, turning the dial so the water that was rushing into the tub, filling it nearly to the brim had seized. She slipped her fingers around the wand that rested in the band of her skirt, flicking it just once for the candles in the bathroom to illuminate. Putting her wand down, she walked over towards the large, rounded mirror, running her hand along the glass so she could finally analyze herself through her reflection. She stood here, grabbing the hair tie that held her ponytail high, watching her long untamed black hair fall delicately around her reaching the bottoms of her ribs. Her fingers motioned towards the buttons on her white school uniform. She slipped off her shirt followed by her skirt and knee-high socks, tossing them in a pile in the corner of the bathroom. Turning around, she reluctantly dipped her toes in the warm water, retracting just a tad at the sudden high temperature but she got used to it pretty quickly.
Eventually, her whole body was submerged, and with one last flick of her wand, the lights in the bathroom went dark, only allowing the dozens of candles she illuminated to give light inside the room.
Victoria laid back, slipping down as she let the warm water crawl up her skin. She closed her grey eyes, her hair floating just above her breast as she sunk lower into the pool of comfort. It has been so long since she felt remotely relaxed. Since she could collect her thoughts, or even have none at all, considering all her thoughts do lately is bombard her about all the trauma she has gone through lately.
Remus was downstairs, sharing tea and biscuits with Tonks who decided to stay the night. Every now and then she could hear the faint laughter that was definitely owned by Remus – sometimes he would laugh so loud she could hear him from outside the house. The corners of her lips turned up at the thought.
Just as she began to lose herself in her own clouded mind, sinking deeper and deeper into the clutches of the warm waves that crashed just below her chin, the bathroom door creaked open.
"Victoria?"
Her steel grey eyes peeled opened slowly, mainly due to the fact her eyelids were so heavy from being so comfortable in her bath. Suddenly, her eyes were then blinded by the bright bathroom lights that were flicked on. She covered her face with her arm, squinting away at the source.
"Turn it off, please!" She cried out, trying to adjust her eyes.
"Sorry," He said sincerely, flicking the lights back off and stepping over towards the toilet where he took a seat. He rested his elbows on his knees, peering at her intently. "What are you doing?"
Victoria removed her arm, now readjusting her eyes to this more appropriate lighting. She gazed over at the boy sitting across from her. His white dress shirt was loosely tucked, the sleeves rolled up by his elbows. His rounded spectacles were slipping down the bridge of his nose as he looked down at her, and his unruly hair being pushed back by the swift movement of his fingertips.
Her lips curved into a smile, laughing as she tilted her head and pushed her long black hair behind her ear. "I'm baking a cake," She played sarcastically, "What does it looked like I'm doing?" She gestured her arms out towards the general area, an eyebrow raised.
"Obviously, you're taking a bath," Harry said, his eyebrows raised amusedly, "But why the candles? How can you see?"
"They're not so I can see, but to set the mood." Victoria turned her neck, relaxing her head back on the tub as she began slinking back down again, regaining her relaxed state.
Harry stood up, his fingers fiddling with the buttons on his dress shirt, "Mind if I join?" He smirked down at her, letting the shirt slide down his shoulders and into a pile on the floor.
Victoria looked up; her eyes fixated on the muscles so perfectly carved throughout his torso. She could feel her cheeks rise in temperature as she bit her lip, "Please."
Harry discarded his clothes and tossed them into the same pile Victoria had in the corner of the room. She pushed over, making room as he slid behind her in the tub, his legs on either side of her and his chest now becoming the new resting place for her head. He wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him as she relaxed herself on his torso. He rested his hands on her thighs, her hands laid delicately on top.
"You don't seem too surprised," Harry noted, running his fingers along the length of her legs.
Victoria shrugged, "You told me you might stop by this weekend."
"That I did," He agreed, trying to shift to a more comfortable position. They moved about in the water, creating waves that crashed over the tub, leaving a small puddle. They weren't used to this, they had never shared a bath like this before – only once after Fred and George's party, when they were offered to use the Head Student's bathroom. However, that bath was massive, and this one was really only big enough for one.
"You weren't at dinner last night," Harry broke their short silence, his voice sounding as if he was treading carefully on the conversation he was trying to start.
Victoria took a deep breath, "I wasn't feeling well."
"Have you not been feeling well all week? Because I haven't seen you in the Great Hall either." Harry replied altruistically. "…Or potions… or charms class…" His eyes trailed upwards, listing off all of Victoria's degenerate decisions to skip class. "Professor Trelawney is half convinced you've ran off to Wales."
She opened her eyes, staring directly at the faucet in front of her, watching the small waves of the water move by their feet. She didn't really want to talk about it, but she knew Harry would never let her off the hook. Technically she wasn't lying when she said she wasn't feeling well… Her attendance to things has been slacking, and more so than they have been even with her usual antics. It just felt so hard to do simple things, like sleep and eat, and even harder to attend social gatherings. She felt as if her thoughts had taken over her, and in the worse way. She never wanted others to see her at her worse, so she decided to just close herself out from the world for at least for a few days so she could collect herself. She felt stranded in her thoughts, making her feel despondent and discouraged.
For the longest time she was losing sleep because every time she would close her eyes, she could see him, just floating backwards into the veil. Her dreams were bombarded with the day of the Death Eater attack, when her and Lavender got caught in an explosion. It took her so long till she could finally mute the loud bangs and the crackling of the fire around them. She finally stopped running into the bathroom between periods to catch her breath, splashing herself with water till she collected herself and felt she could attend the next period.
Victoria thought she was doing a pretty good job, keeping these problems as just her own. It was stupid of her to think Harry wouldn't see it and ask about it. She just didn't want to throw more to the pile of shit he already had to deal with.
He sighed, sliding his hands around her waist, squeezing her just slightly. "You don't have to tell me anything." He paused, as if waiting for her to interject but it never happened. "But it might help if you do."
She turned her shoulder, looking up at the man she admired the most. She knew he was right… he typically was, but she'd never admit that.
"Can we just lay here a little longer… enjoy the company?" She suggested, her eyebrows raised as if silently pleading so she wouldn't have to talk about it just yet.
Harry nodded. Victoria could feel Harry's chest deflate as he took in a big sigh. His wet fingertips allowing droplets of water to fall down her shoulder as he motioned to move her long black hair out of the way, pushing it to one side. A prickling sensation tingled from her shoulder to her arm as he placed his lips on her neck, softly kissing her. "I love you," She could feel the words spill from between his lips on her skin.
Victoria cleared a fallen tear that escaped her rheumy grey eyes. She would give everything… anything… to tell him she loved him now. The only comfort with being in the position she was currently in was knowing that Harry was still out there, because if the worse had happened she would hear about it from anyone under this roof.
"Just a few more, darling, then it'll be finished." The tranquility in her voice spilled between her lips and it was unnerving.
Victoria's dark grey eyes went round, looking down at the woman whose hands so delicately held her arm. She looked up, her warm blue eyes assuring her just before looking back at the Black's hand. Her shoulder length blonde hair fell around her face as she repeatedly motioned to pull it back behind her ears. Victoria drew her lip behind her teeth, biting back the pulsing and sharp pain that accompanied each other.
She could have been an expert tailor in her past life, Victoria thought, as she watched Narcissa Malfoy weave the longest needle she had ever laid eyes on through her skin.
Victoria winced in pain, pulling back just slightly from the woman's grip.
She raised an eyebrow, "I know it hurts."
"Magic would hurt less," Victoria cried, watching at Narcissa closed the deep wounds the Death Eaters had created on her wand hand.
"They can't know I'm helping you," Her tone turned serious, yet she somehow managed to maintain the silvery calmness about her that made it easier for Victoria to allow her to stick needles in her hand. "He knows what spells we use. At least with this," She continued, finishing up her last weave just before she snipped the end of the thread, "It's more difficult to notice unless you're really staring at it." She put down the needle in a small bowl she had placed beside her.
Victoria claimed her hand back, examining the work that was done to her. It was swollen, but it looked better. Ten times better. "I don't know a witch who can do this… muggle remedies."
Narcissa didn't try to hide the smile that creeped up her lips, "As someone who aspired to be a healer, I wanted to know all of the techniques."
"You were a healer?" Victoria questioned as Narcissa took another look at the work she had done.
She nodded; her body now turned as she rummaged through her bag now placed on her lap. "I passed my NEWTS, I worked in Scotland for some time, practicing medicine."
The Black watched as Narcissa's entire arm fell into her bag as she continued searching. "Why did you stop?"
She froze for a mere moment, before finally lifting her arm out from her bag and brandishing a small container filled with what looked to be tiny, rounded candies. "I got married, had my boy… I was all set here in England, so no need to continue studying I suppose." She pulled the cap off, grabbing Victoria's unharmed hand and placing two rounded candies in her palm.
"What is it?" Victoria looked at the objects questionably.
"I brewed them last night," She pushed the cap back on, stuffing the item back into her purse. "They're for the baby."
Hearing somebody call what was growing inside her a baby made her wince. Obviously, she called it like it is… it was just easier to avoid putting names or even attention at all to the situation. It was easier for her to keep pushing back the responsibility, and to seize any acknowledgement of what her reality was. She felt she had bigger things to worry about…
She rolled the items around between her fingers, they were very squishy and slightly sticky. "Why are you helping me so much? I'm not anyone to you." Her expression closed up, crossing one leg over the other, the only noise between them being the creaking of the wooden chairs they sat on.
Narcissa replaced her purse back on the table in front of her, a light jingle coming from the deep depths of the purse that sounded from far away. "I love my son," Her brows furrowed as her light blue eyes trailed to her hands that were placed before her. "I would to anything for him. Anything to keep him safe." She rolled her gazed onto Victoria, a look of sincerity taking over her features. "I don't know the relationship you have with your baby, and I can surely guess whose it is…" She reached over, her hand laid softly on top of Victoria's, "But it's only fair I give you the chance to do the same." Before too long, Narcissa retracted, clearing a nearly fallen tear that strayed from her blue eyes – the mother in her was revealing, and it wasn't subtle. "Besides, we're family. Probably not the one you hoped for, but we can't change what runs through our veins. You are McKinnon, but you are also a Black." Her eyes hardened as her eyebrows drew together, she looked at the Black gravely. "I regret to know what will come of you should they ever find out…"
Victoria swallowed the lump in her throat, "Find out about what?"
"That you're carrying a half-blood. A Potter." Victoria couldn't begin to imagine what would come of her should anyone find out. She's in the situation she's in currently because she's been assisting him in doing what they know is right. She had been through so much, the bombing in Diagon Alley, the attack at the Burrow, being on the run and lost in an unknown forest for Merlin knows how long… now being kidnapped and held at Malfoy manor with absolutely no news from the outside world besides what Draco felt comfortable releasing. All because she had been by his side, and she would do it all over again – it wasn't like she regretted it or anything. However, everything that happened to her felt like nothing could possibly get worse, and yet the severity of her situations has proven to prevail those before it. She didn't think there was anything left to do, but to just kill her. Yet, if anyone who shared the roof she was under found out she was carrying Harry's baby, they would probably find something much worse than death to punish her. Chills danced through her body at the thought of it. As much as she didn't like the situation she was in, and even though it nearly scares her to death to even think about it for a split second… she wasn't going to let anybody make the decisions for her.
"I-I think I'm all set now, thanks…" Victoria choked on her words, her eyes darting along the nails on the floorboards.
Narcissa nodded, passing Victoria an old mop and bucket filled nearly halfway with dirty water. Reluctantly, Victoria grabbed onto the objects and Narcissa followed her out of the room. The door creaked behind her, a loud clink sounded as the door locked. Together they walked down the narrow hallways of the manor, passing by Death Eaters on their travels. The way they goggled at her made her uncomfortable. Most of them knew who she was, who she was related to. None of them could believe it – she could hear the whispers… well, most of them didn't try to hide the disdain they had for her… How they messed up somewhere in the Black family line, and how she is just like her father. Victoria knew they meant it in an unfavourable way, but she took it as a compliment. It was reassuring how they distinguished her and the rest of the family. However, she has been learning lately that not all of her relatives are as malevolent as she thought.
About a week later, Victoria started getting used to her new schedule at Malfoy manor. Many of the Death Eaters argued in the beginning of her time spent here on what they would do with her. She could hear the muttering from outside her room's door. However, it was Narcissa's idea to have to be the designated maid – if you will. Her suggestion was only to help her, not hurt her. She figured it would be better than sitting in that dark room and being tortured for days on end… and it would be a good excuse to walk around and help strengthen the muscles that were unused for a while. One of the major pluses was that she could finally see the outside… from large windows, but it was better than nothing. She had not received any sort of big punishments now that she has taken on this new role. Sometimes if the Death Eaters don't like the way she is cleaning something or are simply bored they would cast some charms on her, but it was never anything she couldn't handle. She had been through so much worse.
Victoria reached high, a grunt escaping her lips as she rubbed a slightly dirty cloth on the stained glass of a very nice antique hutch perched in the corner of the dining room. Her black hair, disheveled which about summed up her entire appearance, was growing longer. Her long fringe fluttering along the corners of her eyelashes for they were too short to keep behind her ear, but long enough to stay out of her eyes. She had found some scissors in a drawer in the kitchen cabinet. It was one of those drawers that people put things they don't care much about and forget about them entirely. When Alecto Carrow, one of Voldemort's allies found out she had done so much as cut her hair, she received punishment for it. Normally Victoria would entertain the Death Eaters, because she's just a stubborn, hot-headed girl – but she knew now she had to pick her battles. For the sake of what was growing inside her.
From afar, nobody could tell her body was changing, and it was changing faster than she expected. She had no idea how any of it worked, it's not like they taught the students a class on these things at Hogwarts. Narcissa helped her hide the bump as much as she could, giving her a robe she could wear that would safely conceal her stomach. She still kept her lissome figure, and her belly held high. Though Narcissa knew they couldn't keep this secret forever, she would eventually show to the point they wouldn't be able to do anything to keep it hidden anymore. The Death Eaters didn't pay attention to her appearance, but they weren't stupid – they would find out eventually.
Suddenly, she could hear a heavy set of footsteps storming down the hallway towards the dining room. The French doors that separated her from the rest of the house burst open and accompanied the man who originally brought her into this hell.
"Dolohov," Victoria quirked an eyebrow, stepping down carefully from the chair trying to make it not obvious she was already having back pain.
He snarled, his robe following his fast-moving feet as he quickly approached the girl. "You're making yourself too comfortable here."
Victoria shrugged, throwing the rag down in a pale that barely had any water in it. She rubbed her hands down the length of her robes, wiping off whatever dirt and dust she had on them. "I'm practically your house-elf, how else should I address you?" She scoffed; arms crossed against her chest.
"Let's go," an arm appeared through his long dark robes, his skeleton like fingers grasping on the neck of her robe. He pushed her forwards, gesturing towards the double doors and she reluctantly followed, nearly stumbling on her own two feet. "The dark lord requests you."
She never thought a sentence could bring her so much horror. Why would he request her? What could he possibly want from her, except maybe to tell her that they found Harry… or maybe they found her to be a nuisance and wanted to get rid of her? She swallowed the lump that formed in her throat, her fingernails piercing at the palm of her uninjured hand.
It felt like eternity till they reached the tall mahogany double doors. They towered over her, engulfing her with trepidation that wanted to etch her features, but she tried to remain calm and unwavering. She hated showing her weakness, especially to the people who would most certainly use it against her in the worse ways imaginable.
An arm reached from just over her shoulder, knuckles banging lightly on wood. The only thing she could hear were the echoes of the knock. For all she knew, the room could have been empty for she couldn't hear a thing from outside the room.
It took a few seconds, but the door finally swung open on the left side, leaving the Black standing there like a deer in headlights. This was definitely more petrifying than what she could have imagined. Before her stood her a burly man, his hood hovering over his features just enough that she could only make out his piercing grey eyes that struck hers. She had to remind herself to breathe, but it wasn't easy. Her heart began pounding fast as she scoped out the room before her. A long dark wooden table ran the length of the room, with a dozen chairs perched along the sides and one tall throne at the end. Each chair accompanied a cloaked body, all of which were staring directly at her except for one. She recognized the man immediately – frankly, it wasn't hard to. She had classes with him and detention a few too many times. Even though his long black hair fell in front of his face, she could still make out his identity, and although she knew about Snape from what Harry Potter told her that night in the Astronomy tower… she still found herself surprised to see him sitting amongst all other Death Eaters, and him.
"The girl, my lord." Dolohov pressed a firm hand against the base of her back, jolting her forward passed the threshold of the room. Lucius's eyes began darting between Victoria and almost everybody else in the room in a sort of panic.
"Ah, Yes. I am glad you are able to join us," His terribly tall and lanky body floated upwards on his feet. His arms gestured out towards the room as his robes fountained down along his arms and body. His muted grey face held thin snake-like eyes that fell over her appearance, almost graciously.
There was a moment of unnerving silence between them and those around them. She couldn't help but not keep her eyes off him, afraid that if she so much as even blinked, she would miss the flash of green light go through her.
"Where are my manners? This right here, is a McKinnon." He gestured his long fingers towards Victoria, his gaze now at his allies to which some didn't know of her yet. Victoria noticed some eyes widened, and some lips upturned. Just before he could continue, he was interrupted by a gruff voice.
"A McKinnon, aye?" Victoria glanced over to the man sitting across the room. He had a full curly beard that crawled up the sides of his face. His moustache nearly hiding the smile that played on his lips as he tilted back in his chair, his hood falling along his neck. Voldemort took notice. "Hadn't I finished all o'ya's?" He let out a rough laugh that was quickly silenced by a rope that appeared from the tip of his wand. The man struggled as the rope strangled him around his neck. His two hands pressing along the thick twine and trying to yank it just inches so he could let in some air through his lungs. Victoria watched in horror as Voldemort's wand snapped repeatedly towards the man, as if he was making it tighter and tighter by each second.
Victoria stumbled backwards, a haunted look on her face as her eyebrows skyrocketed. She bumped into Dolohov standing behind her, unmoving like a statue and blocking the only exit. It felt like eternity, but finally Voldemort's wand snapped to his side and the rope slipped off the man's neck, leaving a rash that nearly took over the width of his throat. The man fell forward, gasping to breathe while choking on his own coughs.
"I must apologize. It appears that Travers does not know how to treat a guest." His words held sincerity, and it was mind boggling to Victoria to have to listen to it. Bellatrix's eyes lit up from just a few chairs away from Travers. Her crooked smile revealed yellowing teeth at the pain he was enduring. "A McKinnon, indeed. But also a Black. A Pureblood." His voice echoed as the room grew quieter, Travers rubbing at his neck as his coughing began to subside. "You will treat her as one, for eventually she will be one of us. Because when all is through, she will have nowhere to go-" His eyes traveled back to the Black's possessively. "And noone to go back to."
Victoria did not dare speak, instead she kept her lips in a hardline snapped shut; mostly to control the trembling fear that wanted to show itself.
He turned his back to Victoria for a mere moment before raising a finger in the air in question, turning just slightly to look back at her. "Did his comment trouble you?"
Victoria stiffened, and anxiety swirled inside her. Was he asking her? A rough shove on her shoulder from Dolohov snapped her out of a momentary panic.
"Answer, girl." Dolohov grunted from behind.
Victoria shook her head, trying to grasp the situation at hand. "Um…" Everyone was looking at her, even Snape now. All awaiting her response. "I… suppose…"
He held a hand up, ceasing further commentary from the girl. With a swift motion of his hand, a very large scaley creature emerged from the darkness from the corner of the room. Its body moved swiftly, and Victoria's eyes were focused on it. She watched as the snake moved towards Travers, as if locked on target.
"Pl-Please…M-My lord…" Travers whimpered, pushing himself backwards so the chair screeched along the floorboards, slamming into the dark cranberry coloured wallpaper behind him. Bellatrix let out an audible laugh, drawing her bottom lip underneath her teeth.
It wasn't long till the snake bore its two sharp fangs and took its first lunge at its target. Victoria let out a loud shriek and gasp, her hands cupping her mouth, her body dropping in temperature from head to toe. With each strike, Victoria flinched. Her eyes snapping shut so all she could witness from the harrowing event was the loud, shrill cries of Travers begging for his life. It was slow… painfully slow… and she had to listen to it all unfold.
Finally, there was nothing more to be heard, and Victoria reluctantly opened her horror-struck eyes. The pit of her stomach dropped as she noticed the man laying across the room, almost unrecognizable. Blood pooling around him, painting the floors. He was barely held up by the chair behind him, his arm laying limply on the seat of the chair, while the rest of his body drooped to the floor, his head lolling forward.
She couldn't hold it in, she could feel it boiling up from the pit of her stomach to her throat. Quickly, she shifted over to the side of the room, holding her hair against her shoulders as she bent down and vomited on the floor, nearly missing her shoes, and thankfully Dolohov's as well.
Audible sounds of disgust and disapproval filled the room, aside from more snickering from Bellatrix. She wiped the corners of her mouth with the back of her hand, her eyes rounded and plastered on her shoes. She couldn't even see what was in front of her. She felt as if she was looking down on herself from the ceiling. It was like she was unwillingly escaping from the situation she was in, escaping from being in her own body.
Her hands were shaking, held just above her lips. She didn't know whether to laugh, cry, scream… she resulted in doing neither.
After the ordeal, she was ordered to clean it up. She watched as they took Travers' body outside of the room and left her with not only her mess to clean up, but also Travers' mess. She felt mechanical at that point. Her arms moved back and forth, the now completely blood-stained cloth just pushing the thick red mess along the floorboards. Every once and a while she would dip the cloth in the bucket of water, ringing it out. Her hands were stained, as well as her robes and parts of her face that she touched to push her hair back. It took her nearly all night, and when she finished, she sat in her room, knees up to her chest as she cycled through the many thoughts about the events that evening. She couldn't choose which thought to focus on. The cogs in her brain were working overtime. She began scratching at the base of her arms, something she had a tendency of doing when going through a surreal state of panic. She tried to focus on her shallow breathing instead, but it was difficult to blank out her mind when images of Travers kept creeping into her thoughts.
A/N: I kid you not I've been working on this chapter for so long. I've written a dozen versions, and this version was actually so long so I'm breaking it up in two chapters.. I've never stopped writing for you guys, even though you don't hear from me until I post! it's been a crazy year with CoVid, going back to school, and working as an essential employee, but hopefully you all understand!
Thank you all for supporting and sticking around, I appreciate every one of you!