Injured Not Broken – Chapter 1 (Darker Pasts)
Graham Montague was seventeen and in his final year at Hogwarts and his Soulmark still hadn't appeared. He didn't know if he should be bitter by that thought or not. His parents didn't need to worry about that, theirs had been early.
His mother and father had gained their soulmark way before they had graduated. Around their third or fourth year if he remembered correctly. He kind of hated them for it.
He was starting to doubt that he even had a soulmark or a soulbond to begin with. There were some witches and witches that never found out. And that sounded like a miserable life. Though he probably never helped matters with how he acted. Even to the Slytherins that knew him.
He knew that most people thought he was just a nasty Slytherin, and he didn't care. It didn't matter what anyone thought about him. The only person that mattered was himself.
Even on the Quidditch Pitch, he continued to let people believe that about him. The only one that wasn't fooled was Madam Pomfrey.
Which would make sense since he was training under her, and she was a fierce instructor. He knew she would expect nothing but the best which is why he had approached her.
The experienced Mediwitch had been quite wary the day he had approached her. But she had given him the benefit of the doubt. He hoped that hadn't regretted that day, obviously not since he had been training under her for years.
He knew that his parents viewed it as a weak career, but he didn't care. He had been surrounded by death and torture; his father was not pleasant to be around. It had gotten worse the older he got. He knew his father expected him to take the mark after he graduated. He would rather take death than serve under a creature like that. He was not looking forward to the conversation with his father about it. Hopefully his mother would be the mediator for that, she seemed to be the only one that actually cared for him. He never understood how she could stand to be with him.
Would that be him if he had a soulbond? To be doomed in a miserable marriage with them until he died. He would rather live and be on his own than be stuck in misery. He knew there had been a time that his father probably loved his mother, but that was long gone. Providing he had ever loved her to begin with. He knew he only saw her as a means to end and one of those was her giving birth to him. He was the sole heir to the House of Montague. He honestly didn't care about that. His House and his father could go to hell for all he cared.
If it wasn't for his mother, Graham doubted he would have returned to that house after his fourth or fifth year. Not that mattered much anyways but at least he knew that his mother wasn't dead yet. He knew she only stayed there for him and because he was underage. Like him, he knew that she would no longer stay there. He was already seventeen and of age, so he would never have to return. But it had been a constant fear that his father would finally kill her after she had become useless to him.
Even without a soulmark, he didn't want one either. Not if it led to the life that his mother and father lived. He didn't want to live in fear anymore. Though there was a deep want for someone to see past his life and parents. He knew that they didn't exist. He would either been seen as a Death Eater or be the son of one. If he wasn't viewed as that, he would always be known as a Slytherin, disgrace to his own house. He would even leave Britain if that meant escaping Voldemort. Denying his father meant death, he knew that. It wouldn't be a painless one either, his father would make sure that he suffered.
He didn't say anything, but he knew that Potter wasn't lying. But saying so would put his own life at risk. He knew that the Dark Lord was back and was in hiding. He may still hate Dumbledore, but Potter not as much. He was still a foolish Gryffindor, but he couldn't deny his talent on a broom. Just like he knew that; he knew what Umbridge was doing as well. But his status as a Slytherin seemed to be the only thing that protected him.
But the last thing he had expected to happen while on his way to the Common Room was to be shoved into a Vanishing Cabinet. He had seen the red hair of the Weasleys, because he had to duck their curses. But they had outnumbered him so he knew the only way he would win was to curse back. But he eventually got caught by a Full-Body Bind, that was before he was shoved into the cabinet.
From there he had lost track of time and where he was at. He couldn't think and began to feel himself going crazy. He even assumed that his father finally broke him.
Then he felt himself being dragged out by soft hands.
Harry felt his hand throbbing, but that was a typical occurrence. Umbridge had it out for him and refused to let him leave her office until his hand was bleeding. He had already swiped some Murtlap from Snape's private stores. He didn't even care if he was caught, he was in unbearable pain. What he hadn't been expecting was to overhear the twins talking about a Slytherin they had shoved into a cabinet on the first floor.
His memories flashed back to when he was still a second year and being dragged into Filch's office. He would have assigned him detention for bringing mud into the castle after he had cleaned. He wondered if it was the same cabinet that Peeves had smashed over his office.
So, instead of heading back to Gryffindor Tower and to bed, Harry went back down the Grand Staircase. He supposed that he could leave it for someone else, but he doubted anyone would know. Though he probably shouldn't have cared, it was a Slytherin. But he knew if someone had known and it happened to him, he would want help.
But he went back to the first floor, he noticed the cabinet, it was the same one. He opened the door, and you could sort of see someone there. You could only see only half of them, Harry even tried to grab at him and pull. He didn't even budge.
Harry sighed; he knew he wouldn't be able to do this by himself. With a gulp, he decided to seek help. To whom he knew would be the closest.
"Potter! What do you think you are doing here?" Snape's lips were twisted into a frown.
Harry wanted to make a retort but he knew it wouldn't help.
"Sir, there is a Slytherin stuck in a broken cabinet," Harry said.
Snape went from annoyed to alarmed, "where?"
"First floor, I overheard someone talking about shoving a Slytherin there. I had seen the cabinet before, but I can't get him out," Harry explained.
Snape didn't say anything before exiting the room, Harry following close behind. He took the lead once they were on the first floor.
Snape's cloak billowed as he studied the cabinet in question.
"Foolish boy, of course you wouldn't be able to get him out. This is a Vanishing Cabinet, broken from the looks of it."
Harry bristled; he hated the word, boy.
"Vanishing Cabinet?"
Snape didn't look at him, "If you had two of these connecting, you would be able to travel between the two. This one wouldn't be able to function correctly because of the damage."
Harry didn't say anything, just watched. He could see Snape muttering something under his breath. Was he trying to repair the cabinet?
Then whoever had been stuck in the cabinet came flying at them. Snape had not been in the way, so Harry had gotten hit. He had to push him off of him, though the wind had been knocked out of him.
It was Montague.
Snape crouched over him, his wand over his face.
Though it looked like the Slytherin wasn't even conscious. He had bruises and cuts over his face and parts of his robes were torn. The minor cuts started to heal and close.
Harry watched as Snape conjured a stretcher and knew he would be taken to the Hospital Wing. Why was Montague's eyes glazed over? Surely being stuck in there wouldn't be that bad? Though Snape had said it was broken.
He didn't follow after Snape and Montague, though he had been tempted to. He kind of wanted to know exactly what happened to him. There was a tingle that ran through him, but he ignored it. Placing blame on the day and high emotions. No doubt Madam Pomfrey would make sure he was okay.
With that, Harry made his way back to Gryffindor Tower, eager for sleep.
Harry had honestly forgotten about finding Montague in that Vanishing Cabinet over the next few days. Until he had seen a witch and wizard walking down the corridor and it was obvious that they were not students.
Snape was even with them, and he heard what they were talking about. He heard the word Vanishing Cabinet and knew it was about Montague and they were probably his parents. But they hadn't noticed him yet.
He was glad that his invisibility cloak was still stuffed into his bag before throwing it over him. He rounded the corner and carefully followed them. Making sure that he made it through the doors of the Hospital Wing before they closed shut.
Graham's eyes are wide with fear before he hid it once he noticed his father, who was being accompanied by his mother.
"Severus, what did I tell you, there are no visitors—"
"These are not students, Poppy," Severus said.
Madam Pomfrey had been frowning before nodding, "Lady and Lord Montague, I assume?"
"Correct Madam," Lord Montague said.
"Very well, I will allow you some privacy. You cannot stay very long though. Mr. Montague is still very confused from the ordeal, and I will have you thrown out if you cause any distress. He still needs to recover."
"Perhaps he will have better care at St. Mungos with a more capable Healer," he commented.
"Lord Montague, you may be a visitor here, but I can still throw you out. Do not test me. You are not a patient here. And I will make sure you will never step a foot inside of Hogwarts," she warned.
"Of course, Madam," he grunted.
Madam Pomfrey rolled her eyes before heading to her office.
Purebloods…
Graham's father instantly scowled once her door was shut. Graham could help the shiver of fear that went down his spine. He hated being alone in a room with his father, Hogwarts wards or not.
"How are you feeling?" Graham's mother asked.
Graham rolled his eyes, "how do you think, mother?" he said sarcastically.
She rolled her eyes, "forgive a mother for being concerned about her child."
"He shouldn't be whining about some minor scratch, Maeve," Lord Montague said.
"Cillian, it is not just a simple scratch that you can heal and be done with," she reprimanded.
Graham winced; he knew that his father would not tolerate that remark. He may here, but not later. The warning glare was proof enough. At least he still had the safety of the castle.
"Seems that even a dunderhead like you still can't do anything right," his father hissed.
Graham had to bite his lip so not to say anything, not soon enough apparently.
"Evidently—"
"You better watch your tongue, boy! Before it gets severed!"
"Wouldn't be the first time," Graham muttered.
His father's eyes flared, "be considered lucky that you are in Hogwarts! Others will not be as lucky with my mercy."
Graham had to gulp at that threat, he knew what he meant by that threat. He wasn't just threatening him, he knew he was threatening his mother as well. He never wanted to curse his father as much as he did at that moment.
He found himself wishing he could protect his mother; she had tried her best all his life. He was seventeen now and he wanted to step up and be the man of the house. To protect his mother, to prove his father wrong. But the scared child who grew up under Lord Montague's wand held him back. He hated himself for that.
He was pulled out of his thoughts by his father's snarl.
"You listening to me?!" He snapped, fingers itching to grab his wand.
"Good for nothing shit. If it wasn't for the fact Maeve couldn't carry again, you wouldn't be my heir." Graham felt himself wilt.
"Not like I ever wanted to be..." Graham muttered darkly.
"How stupid do you have to be attacked in Hogwarts?" He continued to rant, ignoring Graham entirely.
Graham sighed; he would never hear the end of this from his father. About how 'weak and useless' he was... His father didn't need to tell him that, he already knew it.
"Do you know who did this love?" His mother asked softly, leaning over to take his hand in hers. Lord Montague glared at his wife's back as she interrupted him.
Graham shared at glance with her and then a quick look at his father, not saying a word. He knew what his father would say that he had been cornered by two Gryffindors and lost. It didn't matter if he was outnumbered and was caught unaware.
"No idea." He finally got out. "They came up from behind me."
His father's scoff had him flinching.
"When you come home for Yule, we will be working on your awareness again. Merlin, I thought I had taught you better than that. Never let anyone get the drop on you. You are a pureblood heir, not a worthless mudblood!" Lord Montague spat, with an eye roll he turned away from his son. "Come Maeve. You have seen him now, it's time to leave."
"Oh, Cillian, do we have to?" Maeve asked softly her grip on Graham's hand tightening.
"I bought you to see him, wasn't that kind of me Maeve?" He asked sweetly, his voice was velvety and deadly. When he was silky like that, it was worse than him yelling. And he never gave anything for anyone without expecting something in return.
Callian didn't even look to see if his wife was following him. Maeve knew she only had a minute or two to speak to him privately.
"I'm not going home for Yule," Graham whispered to her. "I can't... I won't..."
"I know darling. It's time, I think. You are legally an adult now; I need you to stay away and stay safe love." Maeve whispered with a kiss to his forehead. "You have always been so strong my son. I am so proud of you and the man you have become."
Graham felt a tear fall down his cheek. His mother, she had always been there for him and yet she was going back where she wouldn't be protected.
"They were Gryffindors, mum. I'm sorry..."
"Hey, you listen to me, it doesn't matter what house they are in. Your father may believe no other house should be able to get a drop on Slytherins, but it is not true. You are not to blame or be ashamed of what happened, you hear me?" Maeve said firmly, it wasn't often she got bold or firm, but her son had always bought it out of her.
No doubt he had gotten her stubbornness and determination. But it also made her fearful for him. She loved him dearly and couldn't bear for anything to happen to him. The only joy of her life.
"Gray... when were you going to tell me you got it?" She asked her son.
Graham ruffled his brow in confusion.
"Your mark, its glowing," she elaborated
Graham's eyes widened in shock as they darted to his hip line. "No, no, no, no," he gasped. It couldn't be. "Fuck!" Graham cursed as he pulled back his bedsheet to reveal
It couldn't be, he couldn't have Fred or George fucking Weasley as a soulmate. They had been the last ones that touched him. His hands were shaking as he pulled his shirt up high enough to see his hip, there glowing beautifully was a bouquet of stunning lilies, a delicate snake with green eyes curled around them like a ribbon. He blinked once, then twice. It was more beautiful than he had thought it would be, he felt the urge to run his fingers over the image. His Mother smiling as he looked at his mark with an expression of true peace.
It was hard not to trace the new mark. But he didn't know who it could be. He didn't have it before he was shoved into the cabinet. Unless it was the person who found him...
"What if it's a Gryffindor!?" Graham asked in horror.
His mother rolling her eyes, "please Graham, it's not like you're being betrothed to the Dark Lord or anything"
Graham looked slightly pale at the thought.
"Thank you for that Mother," he grunted pushing his breakfast away from him.
She rolled her eyes before teasing, "you and your sensibilities"
"What if they're like father," Graham asked, fear leaking through his voice. That had been his greatest worry about getting his mark.
Maeve opened her mouth, to lie a pretty story or give him the hard truth, he wasn't sure. But she didn't have a chance to speak the first syllable before a stinging hex hit her side. Spinning his head quickly Graham paled at the sight of his father's furious expression.
"Maeve. When I say let's go. You follow!" He demanded, blue eyes glinting with coldness.
Maeve gave her son an apologetic look before kissing his forehead, "be safe," she whispered.
"I had to speak to the Mediwitch before saying goodbye to our son. I don't want him to be poisoned after all," she said to her husband.
"Hmph," Callian grunted. "If Dumbledore did anything right in this school, they would be having Snape make the potions. Hopefully, the school will have a reform in the next year or two. Merlin knows how pathetically Dumbledore has run this place." He grumbled as he led his wife out of the infirmary without a backwards glance at his son.
Graham let out the breath he had been holding once his father had stormed back in. He heard the lie his mother made. His father had gone from downright furious to colder and calmer. He had been expecting to be cursed by him, injuries be damned.
He felt the tension in him slowly relax. He had been calmer when only his mother was talking to him. He was just thankful he had been alone. Nobody needed to know about his life, ever.
That was when Madam Pomfrey entered back into the room.
"Good riddance, I say," she muttered.
Graham snorted at that; she wasn't wrong.
"How are you feeling today, Mr. Montague?"
Graham knew better than to lie, "bit sore. It's still hard to tell between everything."
The Matron made a small humming noise, "the potions will help, but won't make it completely go away."
"How much longer do you think I will be in here?" He asked as she checked over his vitals yet again.
"You still have another week or two of potions and then we'll see on how you're doing. If I'm satisfied, you will be released. But most will not have survived what you did. You are lucky you were found so quickly. You could have been trapped in limbo and would have never been found," Madam Pomfrey said to him.
"Who found me?" Graham asked, as if it just occurred to him.
"Professor Snape did not say on exactly who, only that it was irritating Gryffindor," Madam Pomfrey said not looking up.
Graham nodded at Madam Pomfrey's words, he always respected her. She never treated Slytherin's badly, never took sides when fights with other houses got bad enough that they had to come in. She was the epitome of a healing Hufflepuff. Of course, it had been a massive shock to his system to find out she had been a Slytherin. He found out when he first started his healing apprenticeship. Her office had a photo of her and her best friend, Professor Hooch of all people, in their school robes in the Slytherin dormitory.
"Alright, that's all I need to do for now." Madam Pomfrey said with a wide grin. "You are recovering well, Graham." a wave of fondness swept Graham, she had seen him flinch the first few times she called him Mr. Montague and called him Graham ever since. She had dealt with plenty of abused magical children. That wasn't to say she wasn't happy about that it happened, but she did what she could. She wasn't aware of the details, but enough that she adjusted herself around him. But Graham was an adult wizard, there wasn't anything she could do unless he reported his own father.
"Now, I believe Mr. Pucey and Mr. Higgs dropped off some homework and some of your personal books to give you things to do while you were asleep. Feel free to either nap or work on those. But nothing else, we need to keep you calm and relaxed while the potions work." She said briskly but with a soft smile, passing over the bag from the table beside him, before leaving to do paperwork.
She often said it was the only bad thing about being a Healer, but the reward of helping people made it worth every hand cramp. Graham let out a laugh as he opened the bag and his favorite muggle novels tumbled out. He left them with Adrian during the summer holidays as his parents were true neutrals and would Crucio their son if they found muggle books. At the sound of a creak, Graham's head shot up, instinct screaming to hide, but he suppressed it. The infirmary door was opened, he tilted his head as he watched the door close, he could've sworn he saw a glimmer. Shaking his head, he put the book down for later, 'apparently, I need sleep more than I thought, he then closed his eyes, and let his mind drift.