Disclaimer: I don't own Harry Potter. I don't even own Dudley.
Harry knew Malfoy had to do something. His leprechaun and effigy both backfired. Everyone else on the school seemed to be on good terms with him, despite everything that Malfoy tried. Gryffindor had taken the largest lead ever in the quidditch cup, and was ahead of Slytherin by 220 points, even with Slytherin's huge win over Hufflepuff of 240-50. And surely spending an hour as a chicken didn't help out any.
After yet another potions class where Harry failed to rise to his bait, Malfoy confronted Harry in the corridors. After turning a corner, Harry found himself with Malfoy's wand pointing directly at him. 'Accio' sneered Malfoy, and Harry was now defenseless as his wand flew out of his robes into Malfoy's hand.
"Tell me why I shouldn't just kill you here, Harry. I mean, at the worst, I'd go to Azkaban. How long do you think it will be before Voldemort liberates the prisoners there? And you'd be dead!"
Harry knew he was in trouble, and thought quickly. "You wouldn't kill me," Harry whispered.
Malfoy now grinned wickedly, "Oh really, Potter! Why wouldn't I kill you?"
Harry, hardly believing himself replied, "You hate me, Malfoy. I don't think you'd get enough enjoyment for killing me."
Malfoy, who now looked more like his father than ever replied, "You're right about one thing, Potter. I wouldn't enjoy just killing you." Malfoy's voice dropped to a whisper, and continued, "Did you know my dad taught me the cruciatus curse last night? Learning it is almost a rite of passage among the death eaters. And you're going to be the first person I try it on. But first I think we could use a little privacy. Mutus!" Harry knew that his screams wouldn't be heard by anyone. He looked at Malfoy, who was grinning maliciously. Malfoy whispered, "Did you know that the Cruciatus curse can kill as well? If it's done long enough, the victim's brain breaks down. They lose all their higher level thinking. That's what the Longbottoms got. And a little bit longer and the brain completely shuts down. Lucky you, you'll get to see what happens, first hand." Malfoy's voice built to a crescendo, before finally shouting, "Crucio!"
Harry had remembered the searing pain from last year, but remembering it was far removed for experiencing it again. His nerves felt like they were on fire. His breaths came in huge gasps, and his body twitched on the floor. Time seemed to freeze for him; he couldn't have said how long he was there, except that it seemed like an eternity. Eventually it got to the point where Harry would've done anything to prevent the pain, and he thought of Ginny. The thought that he would betray her made him feel even worse.
Suddenly, the pain stopped. Before Harry could look up hopefully, Malfoy's voice returned. "You know, by now most people would do or say anything to make the pain stop. But you know what, Potter? You're not even going to get that chance. You're going to twitch there until you die! Crucio!"
The pain returned, and Harry couldn't even seem to breathe. But the pain let up again almost immediately, and Harry simply laid there, not daring to hope. Seconds passed, and Malfoy still wasn't taunting him. Harry tried to open his eyes, and couldn't. He tried to speak, but couldn't move his lips. He had the feeling that even if he could talk, he wouldn't be able to hear himself. As it was, he barely felt it when he was lifted off the ground, and was asleep before he was deposited on a bed to rest.
Harry woke up, expecting to be in a death eater chamber, St. Mungo's, or the Hogwarts hospital. Amazingly, his body didn't feel in any pain, and he sat up and opened his eyes. Around him sat a large variety of objects, a lot of which looked like the same instruments the fake Mad Eye Moody had in his office. To his left looked like the exact same sneakoscope he had buried in his room. However, unlike Moody's room, the right side was completely occupied by books, most about combating curses. Harry presumed he was in Fleur's office, and his idea was quickly confirmed.
"Salut, Harry," Fleur's voice called from the door, "Are you feeling ok?"
"Yes, but, why am I here?" he asked.
"You underwent the cruciatus curse for a long time. You fell unconscious; I thought it would be best not to leave you on the stone floor," she answered.
"No, I mean, why am I not in the hospital wing?" he asked, suddenly suspicious. After all, almost every Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher they had turned out to be a fraud.
"Well, unless permanent damage occurs, cruciatus doesn't require medical care. Simple sleep will do it. And your stays at the hospital are quite well known. I figured I'd save you the trouble of waking up there yet again," explained Fleur.
"Wait, my hospital stays are well known?" Harry asked, puzzled.
"I have even heard jokes about it. Have you heard the one where you didn't go into the hospital for five months?" she asked.
"Er, no," admitted Harry.
"Neither has anyone else," Fleur finished.
Harry gave a groan, and Fleur admitted that most of them aren't very funny. "Well," Harry said, "I should be getting back to the Gryffindor commons. They're probably worried about me." Fleur nodded, and Harry left her office.
Worried wasn't quite the word, as Harry found out. He entered the Commons; only Ron and Ginny were waiting for him, and both where looking at him somewhat suspiciously. "So," Ron started, "where were you last night? You didn't sleep here."
"Malfoy came upon me in the corridor, and started cursing me. I ended up unconscious, and woke up in a professor's office," he explained.
"Why didn't they take you to the hospital wing then?" asked Ron.
"She told me that I didn't need to stay up there. She said she had heard all sorts of jokes about me and how I always ended up there, and decided to spare me," Harry answered.
"She?" prodded Ginny.
Harry gulped. He knew the hammer was about to fall now. "I was rescued by Professor Delacour."
Ginny trembled at this, and Ron spoke angrily, "So, let me get this straight. Malfoy cursed you in the hallway, until you were unconscious. And then you get saved by the only teacher with Veela Charm? And just happen to spend the night there?"
Harry's mouth moved wordlessly, and only managed to sputter, "But…" before Ron spoke again, "C'mon Ginny, let's get some breakfast." Ginny left silently, with a blank look at Harry.
Harry didn't know what to do. Why didn't they trust him? He aimlessly walked about the corridors, and finally went outside and sat next to the great lake. Simply sat.
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Thanks for all who have reviewed!
First, I have to apologize to Avide Reader, whose name I've truncated out of my own stupidity. See, my e-mail in Yahoo puts these annoying characters in every once in awhile. I thought the 'e' was just junk. My bad.
Also, I've got some criticism about Snape not being the center of it all, or at least not yet. Don't worry, the climax with Snape is coming up. So is the Two Draughts bit.
Please Review!!!