A/N: I LIKE REVIEWS!!! :) You all know that though, and I'm all bummed out b/c school starts in about 17 days :( okay, I'll have to write tons in that amount of time...mainly b/c, once schools starts, I'll be too swamped to make updates...I can always try to update at school, but I make no guarantees! Why am I thinking about school? I have 17 more days of freedom :) until all my dif. classes start! Okay, onto the rambling about the story! Uh, this isn't the best, and trust me, I, of all people am aware of that! But thank you for humoring me by reviewing! I need that! And so, I'm going on and gonna write this, and try and finish this, but I make absolutely NO promises. I am kinda stumped as to where I want this to go...Oh yes, the 4th chapter has been replaced, nothing changed, just typos I'd noticed when my friend was reading through it that I changed (I said her instead of him once, of instead of if....just simple things like that. If you had probs understanding b/c of that, reread it, its better now.)
yadrianne: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, it is really hard to write...I often find myself debating about things and thinking about it before typing it, then after I do type it, for a few seconds, I often wonder if I should do it that way....but thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it :)
Disclaimer: Chapters one and two say it all :) JK Rowling, this belongs to you, so don't sue me (Please? Pretty Please with Sugar and hot fudge and whipped cream and nuts and...a cherry....on top?)
~~Chapter 5: Hospital Wing~~
Draco followed Snape, who was carrying Allie, to the Hospital Wing, they had decided against reapplying the concealing charm, knowing that no one would be in the halls except for a few teachers, but just the same, Draco hated the thought of anyone other than himself and Severus seeing the wounds, knowing what she's had to go through. Draco stopped staring at his sister, not wanting to cry again. He hated seeing her in pain, he always had, but he never thought it would get this bad, he never stopped that she would stop eating just so that man would notice her. In the last few minutes, Draco had stopped calling him our father, or Father even, he now called him that man. He hated knowing that it was his father who had brought so much pain into other's lives.
Allie tossed and turned in Severus' arms, she didn't make any noise, and Draco knew what the dream was about, that man was raping her again, he was trying to steal everything from her, her virginity, her laugh, her heart, her childhood, every last thing that Allie had wanted to keep, that Draco wanted Allie to have. Allie and Draco both had been forced to grow up faster than they should have. Draco moved up and stroked Allie's hair, whispering soothing words, swearing that if anyone else ever saw him doing this, he'd be dead before anything could happen. He had never shown a caring side to anyone at this school, and suddenly, anyone could find out that he was one of the kindest persons.
Allie's eyes shot open and she looked around, struggling to get out of Severus' firm hold, he wasn't going to let her move, he didn't know what was wrong, Draco made him stop, "Give her to me."
Severus slowly handed Allie to Draco, and again, he noted how light she was, she should be at least five times heaver, 'I need to make her eat.' Draco told himself silently, "Shh, Allie, It's okay. It's Draco, he's not here, he won't hurt you."
Allie burried her head in Draco's robes, getting them soaking wet from the tears that were freely falling down her bruised and cut up face. Every time one of the salty tears hit a cut, she felt something stinging, she hated it, but she couldn't bring herself to stop crying. Draco whispered soothing words during the rest of the walk to the Hospital Wing, and when Madam Pomfrey saw them walking in, she gasped at the frail child in her arms, she'd seen Draco before, after quidditch matches, things like that, but she wasn't sure who the small girl with platinum blond hair, just like his, lying in his arms was. Draco was told to place her down on a bed, and he did as he was told, the only problem was that Allie was not going to let go of him, she was too scared.
"Allie, come on sweetheart, no one's going to hurt you, you've just got to lay down," But Draco saw her fiercely shake her head. He was sitting on the bed, holding her like you'd hold a baby. She was so small, he didn't understand how she could be old enough to start at Hogwarts.
Madam Pomfrey walked back over, "Mr. Malfoy, I thought I told you to lay her down on the bed, not sit on the bed an hold her." Draco noticed that the woman sounded upset and nervous. He figured it was because of the condition his sister appeared to be in.
He pulled his arms away from her and she immediately looked up at him, wondering why he'd stopped holding her, why he'd stopped trying to take care of her, "Allison Renee Malfoy," He hated using her full name, he knew it scared her, so he wasn't firm, but actually quiet and calm. "You have to stop holding onto me and lie down on the bed, I'll stay with you the whole time. I promise."
Allie dried her tears with the sleeve of her robe, "But, Draco-"
She was cut off, "Allie, no buts. Just lie down, please." He had such patience with her, patience Severus knew he would not be able to have with someone like her, as scared as she was, he knew that he would have been prying her off of him and laying her on the bed, getting up and walking away. But Draco just looked at her, remained calm and requested that she lay down, promising to stay with her and be there for her. Snape noticed that his bruises were beginning to become more evident and that Pomfrey would request to look at him too.
Eventually though, Draco had managed to get Allie to lay down on the bed and he moved more to the side of it and sat, holding her hand and stroking it with his thumb. She looked scared, and for the first time, Madam Pomfrey saw the bruises all over her face, "What did you say her name was, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco closed his eyes, he hated that name, he hated the name Malfoy. He stopped thinking and turned to Madam Pomfrey, "Allison Renee, she goes by Allie."
"What is her last name?"
Draco didn't want to say it, so he looked from Severus to Allie and then to Pomfrey, "She has the same last name as I do, she's my little sister, she's a first year."
He refused to say that name, and Severus hoped he could persuade Draco to not become a Death Eater this year, knowing that that's what Lucius wants, his son to join him and become a true follower of Voldemort. Pomfrey looked down at Allie and shook her head, "Allie, I need you to take off your shirt so I can look at the rest of your body."
Draco didn't know how she'd known about it, but then he looked at her clothes, they were covered with blood stains, Allie squeezed his hand tightly, "I don't want to."
Draco sighed and kissed her forehead, "I know, Sweetie, but you've got to, I'm going to be here, nothing will happen, I promise."
Allie slowly nodded her head, giving permission to have the shirt removed, Draco knew that she was too weak to do it herself, so Draco glared at Severus, who instinctively helped Allie slowly sit up and Draco removed the shirt, watching her face become twisted as he pulled it off, taking dry blood with it, he hated doing it, but he had no choice. Again, he looked at the cuts that now had pus running from them, her swollen body, he couldn't believe he'd let it go this far, that he'd let any of this happen. Severus helped the weak child to lay back down and then removed his hands from under her, where he'd gently been supporting her.
Allie held Draco's hand again, and Madam Pomfrey slowly touched her, applying something to each of the infected cuts, "Malnourished, too small for her age." Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "Probably broken ribs, yes, definitely."
Draco didn't hear any of what Madam Pomfrey had been saying, he'd had a horrible thought, rape, his sister could be pregnant, would that man have even considered the spell that prevented pregnancy? The one you could use right after making love to someone you love, not your own daughter, your flesh and blood. Draco decided that as soon as he and his sister had two minutes peace together and alone, he'd ask her.
"I need to turn her over, look at her back," Madam Pomfrey said, bringing Draco back to reality. He helped turn Allie over in the bed, watching her face the entire time.
"Shh, it's all right, Allie Cat, it's okay," He whispered to her, stroking her soft, thick hair, he'd never noticed how fine it was before, how much she had, but now, he was taking nothing for granted. Either Allie or himself could be dead by now, or insane from the Cruciatus Curse, but neither one of them was. They were lucky, very lucky.
Allie cried silent tears into the pillow, screaming in pain as Pomfrey gently touched the open wound on her back. She couldn't believe that his was happening, everything was so painful, she just wanted to roll over dead. Draco took off his concealing charm also, knowing that a few of his own cuts were infected, and he knew that he couldn't get the things he needed to heal them from anyone but Madam Pomfrey, not even Severus. Pomfrey looked at him and shook his head, but decided to tend to him later.
Draco sighed in relief and turned back to his little sister, the one he'd always tried so hard to protect, but couldn't, every time he'd try, he'd just be put under the Cruciatus curse or the Imperius Curse, one he still hadn't learned how to fight, and he hated that, but Allie had, Allie'd fought it more than once, although, every time she fought it, it took until she was ten years old, but she'd eventually learned to fight it. It had annoyed Lucius though, the fact that he couldn't put her under the Imperius and have her do everything that he needed her to do, it made him upset. But he still had to learn to fight it, he had to find a way to anger his father more.
Draco never wanted to see her put under the Cruciatus Curse, and thankfully, he never had, he only hoped it would stay that way. He knew that man would be angry with him for helping her, he always was, but Draco didn't care, he just wanted to see his sister survive everything she'd been through and still come out okay, although he was sure that she would.
Eventually, Madam Pomfrey looked to Draco, "How does all of this happen?"
Draco didn't answer, he was in his protective shell that he used so often at home, so he didn't have to talk with any of the neighbor children who also attended Hogwarts, so he could get away from his father, from his sister, from his mother, from everyone. But it rarely worked, although, he hoped that this time it would. Allie turned her head to look at her brother, she didn't want to say anything to him, she'd seen him like this before, and it was never pretty when he came out of it. All of his emotions that were kept inside, came out, he screamed, he hit things, he threw things, although, he never hurt anyone or anything. It was only small things like vases and pictures, not even their father, just things that really didn't matter too much to anyone.
Allie didn't answer either, she just closed her eyes and sleep took over her body, she was too tired, she didn't want nightmares, but she knew they would come. She just needed sleep, so Severus allowed that, he would allow it until she began to toss and turn, causing more pain than anyone her age should ever have to go through.
Draco moved himself to the floor next to Allie's bed, pulling his knees to his chest. He wasn't crying, although Severus could see tears glistening in his eyes, ready to be released at any moment. He wasn't doing anything besides sitting there, willing everyone and everything to go away, all the pain, all the sorrow, everything, all emotions except happiness, something he'd never truly felt, something he wanted to feel.
Madam Pomfrey helped a boy who had boils everywhere over his body, Severus had to force himself not to laugh, he'd recieved that hex from James Potter before, it was a pain in the arse actually, but there was an easy cure, a potion, it took no more than five minutes to brew and the boy would be just fine. But the boy, who was probably a first year and in Hufflepuff, was not understanding that he would be fine if he just took the potion, instead, he was frightened, scared of what Madam Pomfrey was giving him, but Severus was brought back to the bed he was sitting next to, when Allie started moving around.
Severus took action quickly, he held the girl down, "Allison, please, open your eyes and look at me, Allie, wake up." Eventually, after many minutes had passed, Allie did open her eyes, although, seeing Severus above her frightened her, she'd only woken up to house elves and Draco, sometimes Lucius, but there was always so much pain involved with that scenario. She pulled one of her hands free and shoved him away, kicking him also, Severus quickly backed up, "Allison, I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you, I just want to help, please, don't be so upset."
Allie rolled onto her side, facing away from Severus and towards Draco. She pulled her knees to her chest and ignored everyone, she wasn't sure if she could talk or look at anyone without feeling scared. To top everything else off, Draco was still was ignoring everything, just thinking to himself. Severus had never seen him pull away before, well he had, but not like this, not to the point where just talking wouldn't bring him back. Severus tried to call his name several times, but nothing brought the boy back from whatever state he was in.
Severus had no idea as to what to do to help the two children, both were in a nightmare they couldn't escape, and he couldn't decide who had it worse. Allison had been raped, betrayed, hurt, and had all of her childhood taken away by her father, to top that off, she watched her older brother and mother beaten constantly, and blamed herself. Then there was Draco, who watched his younger sister be tortured by his father, if that man could even be called a father, watch his mother endure the same thing, and then, himself having to go throug it. He coudn't protect his own sister, and he blamed himself also. He couldn't provide her with what he thought Allie needed, which hurt him. No, you couldn't put one above the other, both nightmares were equally horrible, just, in different ways.
Eventually though, Severus had to leave the two in the Hospital Wing with Madam Pomfrey, Draco still had a protective shell around him, ignoring even his little sister, who needed him at that moment more than at any other time. Severus swore to the two, even though he was almost positive they couldn't hear it, that he would return, but it was eleven and he had to go tell the rest of their house that it was lights out, even though he knew the rule wouldn't be followed. Allie stared at Draco blankly, unsure of what to do next, she'd tried and tried to pull him out of his shell, to talk to her, to hold her, to coax her to smile, to do something. Pomfrey had set food on a nightstand next to her bed, but it hadn't been touched, Draco's hadn't either, for that matter, and Allie was worried about him.
'His time like this never lasted this long at home,' Allie thought to herself. She refused to close her eyes, 'I wonder how long a person could last without sleep.' Allie knew that she couldn't go more than a few days without needing rest, but she assured herself she'd make it work, she didn't need to sleep, pah, who needed sleep? Eventually though, she saw Draco move a little, and she smiled inside, hoping he'd notice her, but he didn't, he just readjusted his robes and hugged his knees to his chest again, 'Draco, why can't you be here for me when I actually need you?'
Draco didn't pull out of the transe until about three in the morning, and by that time, Allie had decided against watching him any longer, so she began to watch out a window on the far side of the room, it was pitch black, and she could see nothing through it, knowing that everyone was asleep, but she didn't care, she wasn't going to watch Draco any longer. When he saw that she was still awake, he wondered how long he'd been like that, he moved to his little sister and kissed her forehead, she jerked away.
"Allie Cat, what's wrong with you?"
Allie just stared at the ceiling now, not wanting to know what he was doing, as far as she was concerned, he was as bad as her father, and there was no way, not one way that she'd allow him to touch her again. He wasn't there for her when she wanted to talk, she knew that she had to relive the nightmare sometime, or else she'd still have nightmares about that night forever. But no, he wasn't going to pay attention to her, he'd just wallow in self-pity and make her wait. She wasn't going to talk to someone who did that to her, there was absolutely no way. She didn't trust him anymore, and she wasn't sure why. He'd had every right to pull away, to hide behind something that made it easier for him to deal, but she wouldn't allow it, she was too self-centered to care about him. She only cared about herself, about healing her own wounds, she didn't care about how many open wounds her older brother had, the boy who had held her so many times, taking care of her and helping her survive brutal attacks. How many times had Draco carried her into their mother's bedroom to have her heal whatever she could and make sure that her own daughter lived one more day? Allie didn't know anymore, she'd lost count when she was five. But Draco didn't care, he just helped her, ignoring his own problems to save her from her fears. She had no respect, none, and she felt horrible for it, but still, she wasn't going to talk to him anymore.
'I thought he was my brother...He promised to never leave me alone, he did. I have every right to be upset with him. I have every right not to trust him, he didn't keep his word,' Allie told herself over and over. But she knew that it wasn't true, she knew that he loved her tons, and he would never leave her to dwell on her thoughts that might eventually kill her intentionally, but she wouldn't let it go. She felt like she'd lost her only true friend when he didn't respond to her, she felt like he was tryign to abandon her, like she was a burden, but that's not how Draco really thought of her. He thought of his little sister like a helpless child, a child who'd grown up living a life she never should have been forced to live. All he wanted to do was help her, but he couldn't, he couldn't take away the pain, the fear, the sorrow. He couldn't change everything that that man had done to her, but he knew, eventually, he would find a way to get her away from him, to make her feel safe, to make sure she wasn't forced to feel pain and sadness any longer. He was going to find a reason for her to live, so that she didn't have to hang on for him.
He wanted to help her, but at the moment, he didn't know how, until he saw a figure walk through the door to the Hospital Wing, he could see gray eyes shining through the dark and shoulder length platinum brown hair. The build was nothing like his mother's, it was that man.
"Draco, what did you do? Tell someone what I did? Haven't we had this discussion before? I told you to never reveal our secrets," And with that, Lucius Malfoy hit Draco with a curse that made it feel like the person was being whipped, it was a curse that lasted nearly ten to fifteen minutes depending on the witch or wizard's power, and unfortunately, Lucius was quite powerful and the curse lasted for 16 minutes, cause so many open wounds to appear on Draco's skin. Allie didn't even want to know what was in store for her, Draco didn't scream or cry out, but Allie knew she would. She just waited until he did something, "It's probably a good thing I've put a silencing charm on this room and around your bed Allie Cat." Draco cringed when he heard that man call her that, "Crucio." And Allie was put under the curse, all she could feel was pain, she tried to hold it in, but she couldn't, she was under for nearly five minutes. The convulsions caused her to fall off the bed and hit the floor with a loud thud. She screamed, and Draco watched in horror as his little sister was forced to feel the pain of the Unforgivable Curse. He wished it was him, he never wanted to watch his sister in so much pain, ever again.
As Lucius lifted the curse from his own daughter, he stared at Draco, "That, Draco Malfoy, will be you if you don't learn to keep your mouth shut. Although, I can guarantee you'll be under longer than five minutes."
With that, Draco watched that man walk away, he wanted so badly to run after him, to put the Cruciatus Curse on him and hold him there until it killed him, but Draco knew better, he could not get thrown in Azkaban, his sister needed him. He turned to Allie, who was lying on the floor unconscious. Draco carefully picked the frail body up in his arms and laid her on the bed, he could see her chest rise and fall, meaning she had to be breathing. He checked for a pulse and found one. He just hoped the young girl hadn't gone insane. How could anyone put a child under the Cruciatus Curse? How could anyone hold one there for five minutes? Draco didn't understand, but he saw Severus walk in the room.
"I saw Lucius in the dunge-Merlin, no," He saw the new cuts that had formed all over Draco's body, he hadn't noticed Allie yet.
"Worse, I'm not worse, Allie...he put Allie under the Cruciatus, he, he held her there for five minutes," Draco tried not to let his voice betray him and crack, but it didnt' work, it wavered and cracked more times than he could count as he said that sentence.
Snape looked at the girl, "Merlin, no." Was all he said, Draco stroked her long hair, whispering soothing words, even though he was well aware that she couldn't hear him. It wasn't safe for those two anywhere, not at home, not at school, not anywhere where Lucius Malfoy could get to them.
Snape quickly tended to Allie, he ran to where Madam Pomfrey kept all of her potions that she expected she'd never need, he found a few meant for post Cruciatus Curse, to heal the after effects. He walked over to where Draco was and Allie was beginning to wake up. Severus waited a few moments to see if she'd say anything. She didn't speak, she just looked around the room with glassy eyes, trying to figure out where she was and what was happening, five minutes under the Cruciatus Curse could have killed her, if it hadn't made her go insane, Severus would be amazed. Draco knew she'd been under for three minutes before, but that was the most.
Allie looked at Severus, "Pr...Pr...Prof...Profes...Professor." She stuttered and it took her a while to be able to say a word that she'd known basically all of her life, she looked at Draco, Severus silently hoped that she'd remember him. After looking for a few minutes, Allie spoke again, "Dra...Draco."
Draco smiled at her recollection of him, even if she couldn't piece together everything, she knew who two people were. Draco looked at Severus, who also had a bright glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Allison, I need you to drink a few potions for me." He tried to hand her one, but she was shaking horrible, and he knew that she wouldn't be able to hit her mouth if her life depended on it.
Draco noticed this too and took the potion, "Here, Hon, Let me help you." Snape gently held her up and Draco placed the goblet to her mouth, getting her to drink it. Allie felt nauseous, they gave her the rest of the potions and she fell unconcsious again.
A/N: Well, Well, Well, that was not fun to write...I was really debating if I should have Lucius come and put her under that, but I figured it was for the best...it gives me something stronger to go off of...poor Allie though, how much pain must she be in? I could never imagine...please review!
yadrianne: Thanks for reviewing! Yes, it is really hard to write...I often find myself debating about things and thinking about it before typing it, then after I do type it, for a few seconds, I often wonder if I should do it that way....but thanks for reviewing! I'm glad you like it :)
Disclaimer: Chapters one and two say it all :) JK Rowling, this belongs to you, so don't sue me (Please? Pretty Please with Sugar and hot fudge and whipped cream and nuts and...a cherry....on top?)
~~Chapter 5: Hospital Wing~~
Draco followed Snape, who was carrying Allie, to the Hospital Wing, they had decided against reapplying the concealing charm, knowing that no one would be in the halls except for a few teachers, but just the same, Draco hated the thought of anyone other than himself and Severus seeing the wounds, knowing what she's had to go through. Draco stopped staring at his sister, not wanting to cry again. He hated seeing her in pain, he always had, but he never thought it would get this bad, he never stopped that she would stop eating just so that man would notice her. In the last few minutes, Draco had stopped calling him our father, or Father even, he now called him that man. He hated knowing that it was his father who had brought so much pain into other's lives.
Allie tossed and turned in Severus' arms, she didn't make any noise, and Draco knew what the dream was about, that man was raping her again, he was trying to steal everything from her, her virginity, her laugh, her heart, her childhood, every last thing that Allie had wanted to keep, that Draco wanted Allie to have. Allie and Draco both had been forced to grow up faster than they should have. Draco moved up and stroked Allie's hair, whispering soothing words, swearing that if anyone else ever saw him doing this, he'd be dead before anything could happen. He had never shown a caring side to anyone at this school, and suddenly, anyone could find out that he was one of the kindest persons.
Allie's eyes shot open and she looked around, struggling to get out of Severus' firm hold, he wasn't going to let her move, he didn't know what was wrong, Draco made him stop, "Give her to me."
Severus slowly handed Allie to Draco, and again, he noted how light she was, she should be at least five times heaver, 'I need to make her eat.' Draco told himself silently, "Shh, Allie, It's okay. It's Draco, he's not here, he won't hurt you."
Allie burried her head in Draco's robes, getting them soaking wet from the tears that were freely falling down her bruised and cut up face. Every time one of the salty tears hit a cut, she felt something stinging, she hated it, but she couldn't bring herself to stop crying. Draco whispered soothing words during the rest of the walk to the Hospital Wing, and when Madam Pomfrey saw them walking in, she gasped at the frail child in her arms, she'd seen Draco before, after quidditch matches, things like that, but she wasn't sure who the small girl with platinum blond hair, just like his, lying in his arms was. Draco was told to place her down on a bed, and he did as he was told, the only problem was that Allie was not going to let go of him, she was too scared.
"Allie, come on sweetheart, no one's going to hurt you, you've just got to lay down," But Draco saw her fiercely shake her head. He was sitting on the bed, holding her like you'd hold a baby. She was so small, he didn't understand how she could be old enough to start at Hogwarts.
Madam Pomfrey walked back over, "Mr. Malfoy, I thought I told you to lay her down on the bed, not sit on the bed an hold her." Draco noticed that the woman sounded upset and nervous. He figured it was because of the condition his sister appeared to be in.
He pulled his arms away from her and she immediately looked up at him, wondering why he'd stopped holding her, why he'd stopped trying to take care of her, "Allison Renee Malfoy," He hated using her full name, he knew it scared her, so he wasn't firm, but actually quiet and calm. "You have to stop holding onto me and lie down on the bed, I'll stay with you the whole time. I promise."
Allie dried her tears with the sleeve of her robe, "But, Draco-"
She was cut off, "Allie, no buts. Just lie down, please." He had such patience with her, patience Severus knew he would not be able to have with someone like her, as scared as she was, he knew that he would have been prying her off of him and laying her on the bed, getting up and walking away. But Draco just looked at her, remained calm and requested that she lay down, promising to stay with her and be there for her. Snape noticed that his bruises were beginning to become more evident and that Pomfrey would request to look at him too.
Eventually though, Draco had managed to get Allie to lay down on the bed and he moved more to the side of it and sat, holding her hand and stroking it with his thumb. She looked scared, and for the first time, Madam Pomfrey saw the bruises all over her face, "What did you say her name was, Mr. Malfoy?"
Draco closed his eyes, he hated that name, he hated the name Malfoy. He stopped thinking and turned to Madam Pomfrey, "Allison Renee, she goes by Allie."
"What is her last name?"
Draco didn't want to say it, so he looked from Severus to Allie and then to Pomfrey, "She has the same last name as I do, she's my little sister, she's a first year."
He refused to say that name, and Severus hoped he could persuade Draco to not become a Death Eater this year, knowing that that's what Lucius wants, his son to join him and become a true follower of Voldemort. Pomfrey looked down at Allie and shook her head, "Allie, I need you to take off your shirt so I can look at the rest of your body."
Draco didn't know how she'd known about it, but then he looked at her clothes, they were covered with blood stains, Allie squeezed his hand tightly, "I don't want to."
Draco sighed and kissed her forehead, "I know, Sweetie, but you've got to, I'm going to be here, nothing will happen, I promise."
Allie slowly nodded her head, giving permission to have the shirt removed, Draco knew that she was too weak to do it herself, so Draco glared at Severus, who instinctively helped Allie slowly sit up and Draco removed the shirt, watching her face become twisted as he pulled it off, taking dry blood with it, he hated doing it, but he had no choice. Again, he looked at the cuts that now had pus running from them, her swollen body, he couldn't believe he'd let it go this far, that he'd let any of this happen. Severus helped the weak child to lay back down and then removed his hands from under her, where he'd gently been supporting her.
Allie held Draco's hand again, and Madam Pomfrey slowly touched her, applying something to each of the infected cuts, "Malnourished, too small for her age." Madam Pomfrey shook her head, "Probably broken ribs, yes, definitely."
Draco didn't hear any of what Madam Pomfrey had been saying, he'd had a horrible thought, rape, his sister could be pregnant, would that man have even considered the spell that prevented pregnancy? The one you could use right after making love to someone you love, not your own daughter, your flesh and blood. Draco decided that as soon as he and his sister had two minutes peace together and alone, he'd ask her.
"I need to turn her over, look at her back," Madam Pomfrey said, bringing Draco back to reality. He helped turn Allie over in the bed, watching her face the entire time.
"Shh, it's all right, Allie Cat, it's okay," He whispered to her, stroking her soft, thick hair, he'd never noticed how fine it was before, how much she had, but now, he was taking nothing for granted. Either Allie or himself could be dead by now, or insane from the Cruciatus Curse, but neither one of them was. They were lucky, very lucky.
Allie cried silent tears into the pillow, screaming in pain as Pomfrey gently touched the open wound on her back. She couldn't believe that his was happening, everything was so painful, she just wanted to roll over dead. Draco took off his concealing charm also, knowing that a few of his own cuts were infected, and he knew that he couldn't get the things he needed to heal them from anyone but Madam Pomfrey, not even Severus. Pomfrey looked at him and shook his head, but decided to tend to him later.
Draco sighed in relief and turned back to his little sister, the one he'd always tried so hard to protect, but couldn't, every time he'd try, he'd just be put under the Cruciatus curse or the Imperius Curse, one he still hadn't learned how to fight, and he hated that, but Allie had, Allie'd fought it more than once, although, every time she fought it, it took until she was ten years old, but she'd eventually learned to fight it. It had annoyed Lucius though, the fact that he couldn't put her under the Imperius and have her do everything that he needed her to do, it made him upset. But he still had to learn to fight it, he had to find a way to anger his father more.
Draco never wanted to see her put under the Cruciatus Curse, and thankfully, he never had, he only hoped it would stay that way. He knew that man would be angry with him for helping her, he always was, but Draco didn't care, he just wanted to see his sister survive everything she'd been through and still come out okay, although he was sure that she would.
Eventually, Madam Pomfrey looked to Draco, "How does all of this happen?"
Draco didn't answer, he was in his protective shell that he used so often at home, so he didn't have to talk with any of the neighbor children who also attended Hogwarts, so he could get away from his father, from his sister, from his mother, from everyone. But it rarely worked, although, he hoped that this time it would. Allie turned her head to look at her brother, she didn't want to say anything to him, she'd seen him like this before, and it was never pretty when he came out of it. All of his emotions that were kept inside, came out, he screamed, he hit things, he threw things, although, he never hurt anyone or anything. It was only small things like vases and pictures, not even their father, just things that really didn't matter too much to anyone.
Allie didn't answer either, she just closed her eyes and sleep took over her body, she was too tired, she didn't want nightmares, but she knew they would come. She just needed sleep, so Severus allowed that, he would allow it until she began to toss and turn, causing more pain than anyone her age should ever have to go through.
Draco moved himself to the floor next to Allie's bed, pulling his knees to his chest. He wasn't crying, although Severus could see tears glistening in his eyes, ready to be released at any moment. He wasn't doing anything besides sitting there, willing everyone and everything to go away, all the pain, all the sorrow, everything, all emotions except happiness, something he'd never truly felt, something he wanted to feel.
Madam Pomfrey helped a boy who had boils everywhere over his body, Severus had to force himself not to laugh, he'd recieved that hex from James Potter before, it was a pain in the arse actually, but there was an easy cure, a potion, it took no more than five minutes to brew and the boy would be just fine. But the boy, who was probably a first year and in Hufflepuff, was not understanding that he would be fine if he just took the potion, instead, he was frightened, scared of what Madam Pomfrey was giving him, but Severus was brought back to the bed he was sitting next to, when Allie started moving around.
Severus took action quickly, he held the girl down, "Allison, please, open your eyes and look at me, Allie, wake up." Eventually, after many minutes had passed, Allie did open her eyes, although, seeing Severus above her frightened her, she'd only woken up to house elves and Draco, sometimes Lucius, but there was always so much pain involved with that scenario. She pulled one of her hands free and shoved him away, kicking him also, Severus quickly backed up, "Allison, I promise, I'm not trying to hurt you, I just want to help, please, don't be so upset."
Allie rolled onto her side, facing away from Severus and towards Draco. She pulled her knees to her chest and ignored everyone, she wasn't sure if she could talk or look at anyone without feeling scared. To top everything else off, Draco was still was ignoring everything, just thinking to himself. Severus had never seen him pull away before, well he had, but not like this, not to the point where just talking wouldn't bring him back. Severus tried to call his name several times, but nothing brought the boy back from whatever state he was in.
Severus had no idea as to what to do to help the two children, both were in a nightmare they couldn't escape, and he couldn't decide who had it worse. Allison had been raped, betrayed, hurt, and had all of her childhood taken away by her father, to top that off, she watched her older brother and mother beaten constantly, and blamed herself. Then there was Draco, who watched his younger sister be tortured by his father, if that man could even be called a father, watch his mother endure the same thing, and then, himself having to go throug it. He coudn't protect his own sister, and he blamed himself also. He couldn't provide her with what he thought Allie needed, which hurt him. No, you couldn't put one above the other, both nightmares were equally horrible, just, in different ways.
Eventually though, Severus had to leave the two in the Hospital Wing with Madam Pomfrey, Draco still had a protective shell around him, ignoring even his little sister, who needed him at that moment more than at any other time. Severus swore to the two, even though he was almost positive they couldn't hear it, that he would return, but it was eleven and he had to go tell the rest of their house that it was lights out, even though he knew the rule wouldn't be followed. Allie stared at Draco blankly, unsure of what to do next, she'd tried and tried to pull him out of his shell, to talk to her, to hold her, to coax her to smile, to do something. Pomfrey had set food on a nightstand next to her bed, but it hadn't been touched, Draco's hadn't either, for that matter, and Allie was worried about him.
'His time like this never lasted this long at home,' Allie thought to herself. She refused to close her eyes, 'I wonder how long a person could last without sleep.' Allie knew that she couldn't go more than a few days without needing rest, but she assured herself she'd make it work, she didn't need to sleep, pah, who needed sleep? Eventually though, she saw Draco move a little, and she smiled inside, hoping he'd notice her, but he didn't, he just readjusted his robes and hugged his knees to his chest again, 'Draco, why can't you be here for me when I actually need you?'
Draco didn't pull out of the transe until about three in the morning, and by that time, Allie had decided against watching him any longer, so she began to watch out a window on the far side of the room, it was pitch black, and she could see nothing through it, knowing that everyone was asleep, but she didn't care, she wasn't going to watch Draco any longer. When he saw that she was still awake, he wondered how long he'd been like that, he moved to his little sister and kissed her forehead, she jerked away.
"Allie Cat, what's wrong with you?"
Allie just stared at the ceiling now, not wanting to know what he was doing, as far as she was concerned, he was as bad as her father, and there was no way, not one way that she'd allow him to touch her again. He wasn't there for her when she wanted to talk, she knew that she had to relive the nightmare sometime, or else she'd still have nightmares about that night forever. But no, he wasn't going to pay attention to her, he'd just wallow in self-pity and make her wait. She wasn't going to talk to someone who did that to her, there was absolutely no way. She didn't trust him anymore, and she wasn't sure why. He'd had every right to pull away, to hide behind something that made it easier for him to deal, but she wouldn't allow it, she was too self-centered to care about him. She only cared about herself, about healing her own wounds, she didn't care about how many open wounds her older brother had, the boy who had held her so many times, taking care of her and helping her survive brutal attacks. How many times had Draco carried her into their mother's bedroom to have her heal whatever she could and make sure that her own daughter lived one more day? Allie didn't know anymore, she'd lost count when she was five. But Draco didn't care, he just helped her, ignoring his own problems to save her from her fears. She had no respect, none, and she felt horrible for it, but still, she wasn't going to talk to him anymore.
'I thought he was my brother...He promised to never leave me alone, he did. I have every right to be upset with him. I have every right not to trust him, he didn't keep his word,' Allie told herself over and over. But she knew that it wasn't true, she knew that he loved her tons, and he would never leave her to dwell on her thoughts that might eventually kill her intentionally, but she wouldn't let it go. She felt like she'd lost her only true friend when he didn't respond to her, she felt like he was tryign to abandon her, like she was a burden, but that's not how Draco really thought of her. He thought of his little sister like a helpless child, a child who'd grown up living a life she never should have been forced to live. All he wanted to do was help her, but he couldn't, he couldn't take away the pain, the fear, the sorrow. He couldn't change everything that that man had done to her, but he knew, eventually, he would find a way to get her away from him, to make her feel safe, to make sure she wasn't forced to feel pain and sadness any longer. He was going to find a reason for her to live, so that she didn't have to hang on for him.
He wanted to help her, but at the moment, he didn't know how, until he saw a figure walk through the door to the Hospital Wing, he could see gray eyes shining through the dark and shoulder length platinum brown hair. The build was nothing like his mother's, it was that man.
"Draco, what did you do? Tell someone what I did? Haven't we had this discussion before? I told you to never reveal our secrets," And with that, Lucius Malfoy hit Draco with a curse that made it feel like the person was being whipped, it was a curse that lasted nearly ten to fifteen minutes depending on the witch or wizard's power, and unfortunately, Lucius was quite powerful and the curse lasted for 16 minutes, cause so many open wounds to appear on Draco's skin. Allie didn't even want to know what was in store for her, Draco didn't scream or cry out, but Allie knew she would. She just waited until he did something, "It's probably a good thing I've put a silencing charm on this room and around your bed Allie Cat." Draco cringed when he heard that man call her that, "Crucio." And Allie was put under the curse, all she could feel was pain, she tried to hold it in, but she couldn't, she was under for nearly five minutes. The convulsions caused her to fall off the bed and hit the floor with a loud thud. She screamed, and Draco watched in horror as his little sister was forced to feel the pain of the Unforgivable Curse. He wished it was him, he never wanted to watch his sister in so much pain, ever again.
As Lucius lifted the curse from his own daughter, he stared at Draco, "That, Draco Malfoy, will be you if you don't learn to keep your mouth shut. Although, I can guarantee you'll be under longer than five minutes."
With that, Draco watched that man walk away, he wanted so badly to run after him, to put the Cruciatus Curse on him and hold him there until it killed him, but Draco knew better, he could not get thrown in Azkaban, his sister needed him. He turned to Allie, who was lying on the floor unconscious. Draco carefully picked the frail body up in his arms and laid her on the bed, he could see her chest rise and fall, meaning she had to be breathing. He checked for a pulse and found one. He just hoped the young girl hadn't gone insane. How could anyone put a child under the Cruciatus Curse? How could anyone hold one there for five minutes? Draco didn't understand, but he saw Severus walk in the room.
"I saw Lucius in the dunge-Merlin, no," He saw the new cuts that had formed all over Draco's body, he hadn't noticed Allie yet.
"Worse, I'm not worse, Allie...he put Allie under the Cruciatus, he, he held her there for five minutes," Draco tried not to let his voice betray him and crack, but it didnt' work, it wavered and cracked more times than he could count as he said that sentence.
Snape looked at the girl, "Merlin, no." Was all he said, Draco stroked her long hair, whispering soothing words, even though he was well aware that she couldn't hear him. It wasn't safe for those two anywhere, not at home, not at school, not anywhere where Lucius Malfoy could get to them.
Snape quickly tended to Allie, he ran to where Madam Pomfrey kept all of her potions that she expected she'd never need, he found a few meant for post Cruciatus Curse, to heal the after effects. He walked over to where Draco was and Allie was beginning to wake up. Severus waited a few moments to see if she'd say anything. She didn't speak, she just looked around the room with glassy eyes, trying to figure out where she was and what was happening, five minutes under the Cruciatus Curse could have killed her, if it hadn't made her go insane, Severus would be amazed. Draco knew she'd been under for three minutes before, but that was the most.
Allie looked at Severus, "Pr...Pr...Prof...Profes...Professor." She stuttered and it took her a while to be able to say a word that she'd known basically all of her life, she looked at Draco, Severus silently hoped that she'd remember him. After looking for a few minutes, Allie spoke again, "Dra...Draco."
Draco smiled at her recollection of him, even if she couldn't piece together everything, she knew who two people were. Draco looked at Severus, who also had a bright glimmer of hope in his eyes, "Allison, I need you to drink a few potions for me." He tried to hand her one, but she was shaking horrible, and he knew that she wouldn't be able to hit her mouth if her life depended on it.
Draco noticed this too and took the potion, "Here, Hon, Let me help you." Snape gently held her up and Draco placed the goblet to her mouth, getting her to drink it. Allie felt nauseous, they gave her the rest of the potions and she fell unconcsious again.
A/N: Well, Well, Well, that was not fun to write...I was really debating if I should have Lucius come and put her under that, but I figured it was for the best...it gives me something stronger to go off of...poor Allie though, how much pain must she be in? I could never imagine...please review!