I Know This Is Hard For You
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, places, etc! If I did, I wouldn't be stuck in nowhereville high!
Rough hands touch my bruised shoulders. I flinch wondering what they are going to do this time. The blows never come. "Lily! Lily, open your eyes! It's okay!" The voice sounds oddly familiar and gentle, not like the Death Eaters' who are keeping me in this evil place. Am I dreaming? "Come on Lily! Open your eyes! We have to go! Quickly!" No, I decide, it can't be a dream. My body aches and screams in pain as I slowly lift my heavy eyelids. Everything is in a dark blur. The hands reach down and pull me upward and onto the shoulders of a strong male. "Stay awake, Lily"
The light is blinding, but comforting, as I am out of the torture chambers that I have been captive in for weeks. "Let's get you out of here. Portus. Ready... three, two, one." Vaguely thinking, I turn my head to see who is supporting my weight as we go flying through many places unseen, and land at the portkey's destination. "Dumbledore! I have Evans!" the voice gasps. James Potter. The very last person I expected. "She doesn't look very good." I force myself to swallow and gaze around. The kitchen of Number Twelve, Grimwald Place was as full as it usually is in the summer, around lunchtime: very full.
"Lily, can you hear me?" This time I know whose voice it is with out even looking, and I struggle to nod. I shudder in pain as I am lifted onto a table. People gasp, and I know that they are in disgust and in awe at the state of my open wounds. Then darkness comes on as Albus Dumbledore leans over my starved form.
"She's coming 'round," Madam Pomfrey says taking the damp cloth off my burning forehead. Opening my eyes, I see quite a few people around me. Their eyes are pale and bloodshot. Even Potter doesn't seem like his normal self, except for the fact that he is standing cockily in the doorway. All is quiet. My throat burns in thirst, and I am grateful when a cup is brought to my lips. But to my dismay, it is a pepperup Potion instead of the sweet cool water I was hoping for.
"Lily," Dumbledore starts and I shift positions gingerly to show that I am listening, "you need to tell us what happened in there sooner or later." I shiver involuntarily just thinking about it. "The sooner, however, the easier it will be for you. My goal is that by midnight tonight, you have given us the summary." He gives me an encouraging smile and leaves the room. I try to motion for water, but being as tired as I am right now, I just let out a feeble cough. Understanding, my best friend, Alice Emeren, asks Madam Pomfrey if I may have something to drink. She nods in consent, and starts redressing my wounds.
Later, after hours of sleep, I look up at Alice sleeping in a chair at my bedside. She is such a good friend. Sighing, I turn and look out the window and up into the periwinkle sky. I did not picture the end of my sixth year and summer prior to my seventh in the clutches of the Dark Lord or not even being able to sit up in bed.
"Many unwanted things happen, don't they," Professor Dumbledore says walking in, almost reading my mind. "Shall we talk now that dusk is almost upon us?" He smiles at Alice as she gets up to let us be alone.
"So what happened on that fateful Hogsmeade trip?" I clear my throat and reluctantly speak.
"James had been following me around... nothing unusual," I add, not wanting to blame anything on my rescuer. "And to get away, I went walking alone up to the Shrieking Shack. There... I only remember two dark figures with their wands raised before I was stunned." The easy part is over. I stare into Dumbledore's eyes and realize that they are coldly serious in concern, instead of having their normal sparkle.
"I know this is hard for you," he assures, "but it is necessary. Go on."
"A while later," I stop to take a deep breath, "I wake up to find myself in a small room with several--"
"How many is several?"
I wipe my eyes, straining my memory. "Ten or so people in white masks and dark robes. Death Eaters. Then... and then," the tears are trying to take over my will to be strong, "the Cruciatus Curse. All day, everyday, torture, illness and... death." I close my eyes remembering all the other prisoners, mostly older aurors, who came and went. My energy is used up, but I know I must finish. "The last thing I remember is being picked up by Potter while the guards were switching posts, and using a portkey to get back here." Dumbledore opens his mouth like he is going to say something, but Madam Pomfrey comes in. takes one look at my stressed pale face, and orders him out. She gives me a potion and I fall into a deep, and thankfully dreamless sleep.
A/N: Well, there you go! My first story! Review and tell me if I should continue!