Chapter 25

A Visit to the Imprisoned

Life back in Hogwarts was almost unbearable. Roxanne had fallen back into her old routine of not caring about her health or how she looked. Food was not important to her now, only hiding from the rest of the world. Slytherins' shouted and bullied her for apparently sending Malfoy to prison and the other houses spread rumours about her and bullied her mentally and physically. They whispered things as they went past like, "What's it like to be You-Know-Who's bitch?" and "Gone the same way as your parents, haven't you? Surprised you're still allowed to go to this school!"

Then one day, two weeks before the summer holiday, Roxanne snapped. A Hufflepuff passed her and said, "You-Know-Who rang, he wants you to scrub the floor in his kitchen!"

Roxanne spun around, messy hair flinging across her face and eyes wide and angry.

"If you think I'm Voldemort's wife then why do you bully me? I could get him to kill you and your whole pathetic family!" she shouted at him. The whole hall stopped walking and looked at her in silence. The Hufflepuff boy stared back at her fearfully.

"Roxanne, don't you dare threaten students!" came the voice of Professor McGonagall.

"Why the fuck not? They bully me and make my life miserable because of rumours they heard!"

"Miss Winters! Rude language is not necessary-"

"Do you know what I have to go through, Professor? Do you hear the things they say to me?" demanded Roxanne. She answered before the teacher could reply. "Of course you bloody well do! But you're too scared to do anything!"

"Come with me, Roxanne," said Professor McGonagall calmly.

"No!"

"Yes, Roxanne."

"No I'm not! I'm not going anywhere! I'm going to go back to my dorm and study and then go to sleep," she said, a final tone in her voice which was surprising tranquil. She turned on her heel and pushed through the crowd so viciously the smaller ones fell back, but the older students gave her a wide berth.

In the Slytherin common room she sank into a chair, fisted clenched and tears of anger welling up in her eyes. She glared into the empty fireplace and thought of Draco hugging her crept into her mind. She then started pounding the arms of the chair, releasing her anger on the defenceless furniture.

"You've been asked to talk to Draco Malfoy by the Ministry of Magic and Aurors Association."

A laugh rang out in the room. It was coarse and spiteful.

"Miss Winters, we are serious, we need more information," said Cornelius Fudge, twirling his hat nervously in his hands.

"He's not going to tell me anything!" stated Roxanne, in pure disbelief.

"Have you been reading the paper, Roxanne?" asked the Minister for Magic.

"No…"

"A family of five magical folk and three muggle families dead all because we have no idea where You-Know-Who is and he's playing with us. Don't you want this to stop?"

Roxanne's eyebrows furrowed slightly. Those poor people… But Draco would never tell her anything.

"Please Roxanne, you are, in fact, our last hope. Do what you must, even if lies have to be told," said Dumbledore, looking it her over half-moon glasses.

He clearly meant lie about what side she was on. As if Malfoy was that foolish.

"Ok then…but I'm not promising anything. And I don't want anyone to know, including Harry," she added, her face a picture of pure misery.

The two adults nodded understandingly.

"You will go this weekend, no one shall know. Disguise it as a visit to the Ministry to discuss what happened," said Fudge.

Roxanne nodded and left, a cloud of gloom hanging over her already laden mind.

Saturday. She had been dreading it. Harry clearly had his suspicions. Why talk to Roxanne and nobody else? It just seemed odd, and Roxanne seemed awful nervous.

A carriage collected Roxanne and took her out the gates until they were a mile from Hogwarts. Then she touched a portkey and got pulled into the darkness only to come out in a place worse than the swirling emptiness of portkey travel. The walls of Azkaban were a dull beige colour, greying and windowless apart from the occasional one which were barred and glowing a faint blue. The island had no greenery or grass but gritty sand and empty skies. Two Dementors stood at the entrance, straight and tall as if statues caped with material. They did not move when Roxanne went through followed by Cornelius Fudge and two Aurors but she heard a sucking sound, indicating they wanted this fresh life that was coming into their dead prison.

Roxanne wavered slightly as a stench of mold, decay and rot filled her nostrils. This added to the happiness being sucked out of her and the moans from the cells made her queasy and ill.

A dementor led her through corridors, swooping at prisoners that got up to reach out or cat call Roxanne. They soon fell back, groaning. They reached a cell right near the end that was guarded by another dementor. He fell back as Fudge and Roxanne got closer, probably scared of the Aurors.

At first Roxanne couldn't see Malfoy, but then her eyes grew accustomed to the darkness and she spotted a figure curled up in the corner, blonde hair sticking out from under a grey rag – supposedly a blanket.

"Let her in," said Cornelius. "We will leave you but the Dementors will stay, don't worry. If anything happens, they will stop it."

But she worried. The gate swung open, and Roxanne gingerly stepped inside, gulping in stale air nervously. Footsteps indicated her human companions had left but she still felt the presence of the Dementors.

She opened her mouth to speak but he got there first.

"I know why you're here."

The voice was raspy and was followed by a cough, but it did not sound weary nor drained. The figure pushed himself up, grey eyes blinking at Roxanne, pushing back long dirty locks of blonde.

"They were foolish to think I would talk to you," he added, putting the blanket around his shoulders.

"I - I didn't come to get information," she said, glad she was a good actor.

"Oh, missed me did you?" he said, smirking.

Why was he being so spiteful? She had thought he had changed, when he had scraped away the Dark Mark. She didn't understand…

She sank down to her knees, closer to him. "I want to join you, Draco," she whispered urgently.

He laughed, but it ended in a choking cough.

"Sure you do. You're not getting anything from me, Roxanne."

She knew this would be futile. But they needed information so badly…

"I'm serious. I've dumped Harry; he means nothing to me now. I want a life of power."

A shimmer of hope crossed Draco's face but he collected himself. She's lying. She's a deceitful cow, using my feelings for her against me.

"I don't believe you Roxanne. I am sworn to secrecy."

"Draco, please," she said, moving her body closer. Think of the families being killed… But she didn't need to. It was strange but Roxanne couldn't help but have feelings for Draco, even after all he's put her through. A prophecy wasn't made for any reason, but she couldn't help but blame it for this attraction she had for Draco. They were so similar in a way. Both parents Death Eaters and both caught up with the wrong side.

Anger swept over Draco and he grabbed Roxanne's wrist, the one closest to him. It was so warm and he was so cold… "You're lying Roxanne, they told you to lie and lying is what you do best. You're a deceiving bitch and I won't tell you anything!"

But he will take advantage of her being here…anyway, who knows when he was going to get out?

"I'm not lying! Why won't you believe me?" she said, her voice rising. She changed her tone, she couldn't help it. "We're destined to be together, Draco! Prophecies don't lie."

Draco pulled himself up and looked at Roxanne. She was lying, he knew it. He knew her love for Harry. He wanted to hurt Harry, and the only way he could do it was through Roxanne. He would turn this against Roxanne; break her by breaking those around her. She deserved it.

He pulled her closer, harshly, and pressed his lips against hers, not letting her escape. Roxanne was shocked but she let it happen, this uncanny desire taking over her body. Draco was harsh, he bit her lips, left marks. Squeezed her arms until they bruised but Roxanne did not try and escape. He held back a laugh. She thinks I am falling for her tricks!

She finally pulled herself away. "Do you believe me now?" she asked, actually hopeful.

A smile appeared on Draco's lips as he looked at the red marks around hers. Teeth marks that would not go for days. "No."

"What? Then what was that for?" she demanded, clearly shocked.

Draco grinned and launched himself at her neck, sucking on her skin like some vampiric leech. She cried out but it was muffled by his grubby hands. Her fists punched his back but he sucked harder and it hurt.

"Stop it!" she yelled, finally realising what he was doing.

He was caught up now; he had felt her touch and he didn't want to let go. Azkaban had denied him human company. He pushed her to the ground, kissing her face frantically, hands grabbing and groping anything…until she screamed.

"STUPEFY!" A red light hit Draco and he was thrown back, unconscious.

Roxanne pulled her jacket around her and half ran, half stumbled out of the cell. Why hadn't she expected this? She pulled the collar up around her neck to disguise the bruises but Harry would see… unless she found a spell to cover them.

She felt violated. Her top was ripped and only her jacket held her dignity, but it still managed to seep away as she went back to Hogwarts. She made her way to the Slytherin common room, crawled into bed and lay there until morning, dreading it and Harry's reaction. She had no idea how to get rid of them.

There was a week left of school and excitement was clear in the students, even if three of them had recently been kidnapped and one was currently in Azkaban. The sixth year Slytherins were very subdued, which cheered everyone up. Gryffindor had won the Quidditch tournament since the Slytherin team no longer had a good Seeker and some of them were constantly being taken away for questioning.

In the morning Roxanne put on concealer makeup, which was consequently rubbed off when Harry kissed her at the breakfast table.

"What's wrong Roxanne? You look like you didn't sleep a wink!"

"I didn't," she replied, collapsing into the chair and quickly putting food against her mouth and biting slowly.

Harry frowned at this weird behaviour. Why was she wearing a scarf at this time of the year? Why was she eating so slowly? Her mouth looked red…

"What happened to your mouth?" he asked, leaning closer.

She didn't look at him. "Nothing. I have to go to the library, drop back some books."

But Harry went after her, worried for her health.

"Roxanne, what happened? Did you have an accident?"

"No, I just, I need to go collect some stuff," she said, quickening her pace.

Harry frowned but he wasn't buying it. He ran in front of her and peered at her mouth.

"Why are there marks around your mouth?" he asked, wiping away the obvious makeup. "Are they teeth-"

"I-I didn't want him to! Its not my fault!" she cried, shaking. "I was trying to save lives!"

"What are you on about?" he asked, staring at her frantic face.

"They said the Dementors would stop him!" she said, choking back tears. People walking past were watching on but did not pause.

"Stop who, Roxanne? What are you talking about?" insisted Harry, holding her shoulders. She looked like she was going to collapse.

"D-Draco – they said if he moved-"

"Malfoy? When have you seen Malfoy?" demanded Harry, trying to control his voice to normal level, but it was hard, he felt so angry.

"I h-had to go to Azkaban to talk to him, the Dementors were guarding but when he came at me they didn't…they didn't do anything…" Roxanne froze, a sudden thought crossing her troubled mind. The three Dementors hadn't moved an inch when Draco had clearly started hurting Roxanne. She had screamed and they hadn't moved…

"The Dementors! He can control the Dementors!" she exclaimed, causing a few people around them to move away with a look of concern on their faces.

"Malfoy?"

"Yes Malfoy!" snapped Roxanne angrily. She glared at the people around her and grabbed Harry's hand.

"We have to go to Dumbledore – he has to know Draco has no one guarding him!" she said, dragging Harry down the corridor.

"How do you know this?"

"I was there, in his cell. Fudge and Dumbledore wanted me to question him," she said, her words rushed as she broke into a jog. "He…he got out of hand and started attacking me-"

"You mean by attacking, kissing?" scowled Harry. He stopped jogging suddenly so Roxanne almost fell over. "What really happened, Roxanne?"

She turned to face him. "I had to get information from him, and even you know there was a chance he may…let on to something."

"So you acted like you were with him in hope that he would tell you something to do with Voldemort's whereabouts?" he asked, a hint of sarcasm in his accusing voice.

"Yes."

"Roxanne, can I ask you one question?" he said, tugging her arm so she took a step closer.

She look at him in bafflement but nodded all the same.

"Can you stoop any lower than sucking up to the Dark Lord's heir?"

A look of furious shock appeared on her face and she pulled herself away from him. "How dare you! I'm trying to save lives-"

"By prostituting yourself?" snapped Harry.

"Prostituting – what the hell? What do you think I did with him?" she cried angrily.

"Or the question is – what did you not do with him?"

"I – don't – I didn't want to do anything!" she yelled. No one was around them, but her voice echoed through the corridor. "And I didn't! He got on top of me and starting sucking a-and biting and I screamed and no one helped!"

Harry looked away moodily. "I told you I didn't want you near him, he can't be trusted."

"And I know that – for a fact. But if he had told me something, it would have helped everyone," she said, her voice quieter. "Please understand, Harry."

"I guess I do," he murmured, avoiding her gaze. "Come on, we'd better go to Dumbledore."

"No – not you guess you do, you know you do," she said, holding her hand up in his.

"You can't blame me for being angry, Roxanne-"

"I know I can't. Just remember I…I love you, and I wouldn't leave you for him."

A smile crept across Harry's face. "I love you too." And before they set off to Dumbledore's office they shared a quick kiss, knowing it was a true mark of love if they could forgive each other this easy.

The gargoyle at the bottom of Dumbledore's stairs stood sock still, blocking their means of getting to the Professor.

"Um…Lemon Sherberts?" he said to the gargoyle. It didn't even blink.

"Fizzing Whizbees?" suggested Roxanne.

"Acid pops? Jellied slugs?"

"Chocolate frogs?"

"Fudge Flies? Ice mice? Ton-tongue toffees?" yelled Harry angrily. The gargoyle suddenly moved and stepped aside, his face expressionless.

"Must be a fan of Fred and George's sweets," said Roxanne, a faint smile on her face.

The stepped onto the moving staircase and entered the office without knocking – which they soon regretted. They caught a glimpse of Dumbledore sitting down, writing a letter with furious speed. He looked up at Harry and Roxanne as if they had been there all the time.

"Please, enter," he said, smiling.

"Sorry sir – its just Roxanne has something urgent to tell you," said Harry, gently pushing Roxanne ahead of him.

Roxanne couldn't help but blush under Dumbledore's piercing blue gaze. She always felt awkward around him and never felt that he liked her. She was wrong of course, for Dumbledore was very trusting.

"Well you remember me telling you Draco hadn't let up on anything?" she said, her voice strong though she did not feel it. Dumbledore nodded, silent. "Fudge said the Dementors would help me if he tried anything. And he did," she said, her fingers playing with the light scarf around her neck. She removed it, showing red and purple blotches on her skin that looked sore. "But the Dementors didn't do anything and – well I think he has control over them."

Dumbledore looked at her wordlessly for a moment while Harry stared at her neck, with a mixed look of shock and hatred.

"We are aware he may have some control over a few of the Dementors but remember there are also trolls guarding it and no way off the island-"

"But sir," interrupted Roxanne, "if he has the Dark Lord on his side then he will be able to get out!" She had no idea why she had just called the man she loathed the Dark Lord. Perhaps she had spent too long around Draco.

"I highly doubt it, Roxanne," said Dumbledore, who was annoyingly reassuring.

She didn't argue, but stepped back to Harry's side.

"Is that all?" asked Dumbledore, picking his quill up again.

"Yes sir – oh – is Hogwarts going to be open next year?" asked Harry. Dumbledore nodded serenely and they left.

"I don't care what he says, Harry, Draco has a good chance of getting out," muttered Roxanne, as they made their way to the hall.

"I agree, but there is nothing we can do," he said.