Author's note: I am sorry this took so long. Between a funeral, and a vacation along with preparing to return to school many things were set aside.
I hope you like the end of this story. It is now complete.
Please Read and Review please. I like and enjoy your comments. :)
00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000Dark Times
Part Three: Seventh Year:
It was now the final day for me to hand over my story to the Ministry of Magic. Not that I had ever wanted to or felt less inclined. I wasn't really fond of telling the tale on how Marcus got the better of me all these times, and all these years.
I again take my seat, waiting to be called upon by the Minister. I don't say a word, and I don't even look at Marcus Flint being escorted into the room. I just sit there looking straight ahead at the empty bench in front of me.
The Minister walks in his head held high as a stance of some importance I don't know, it always irritated me though, as he walked up and took a seat in the chair reserved for him. He looks over to me and nods. I know what he wants, and for the life of me I don't want to give it, but I must, I just must.
Sighing almost audibly, as I walk over to the chair that was now so familiar and sit down before looking at the people in the room, and my eyes fall most lovingly on Professor McGonagall.
"Could you please continue your story Mr. Wood?" The Minister requested, and I don't refuse, even though I really, really want to.
I take a deep breath and let it linger for a bit before letting it go and begin my tale of my seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
-
The holidays were great, to be home was marvelous, but my mother often times asked me about what happened, and I tell her nothing. I don't want her to know, because I don't want her to worry about my safety at school. That turned into an ugly bought of miscommunications all summer long.
It got to a point where I didn't even try as I grab my recently purchased Firebolt broomstick and kick off the ground, soaring higher than ever.
This was relaxing, perhaps the most relaxing thing there was. I spent countless hours that summer doing just that, and became a better flyer I presume along the way. The Ministry had confiscated Fido the fire breathing dog by this time, a real shame too, because I was finally starting to like that him.
I suppose my uncle was lucky not to be arrested.
The summer passed, quietly and without further word to my mother I boarded the train bound for school. Still having not forgotten, how Marcus tormented me last year, I even come with the same pendent that McGonagall gave me last year to protect myself from any of Marcus's curses.
I was pleased to know though that he had been reprimanded for his actions, which I found very comforting to know that Snape is as tough of Slytherin's as well. He doesn't hardly look happy as he boarded the train. Maybe the news that Sirius Black had escaped Azkaban prison had him in jitters, I know he was getting under mine, knowing that the ministry couldn't prevent an escape from the likes of him.
I don't think much more about it, until the train stops on the all too familiar bridge that emerges out of a small mountain range before we get to the school. The air became icy and cold; the lights were out, as these miserable creatures glided through the corridors looking for their quarry. Sirius though was not on board. And I doubt that a Dementor anyways could be any good seeing how he had already managed to escape from that dreadful prison right under their very noses.
Within no time, although it seemed like longer, the train went underway now free of the Dementors, and free of Sirius. I enter the great hall, quiet and self concerned. I don't talk much, not even to Katie Bell who was already enjoying quite a conversation with Dean Thomas.
I watch as Harry is once again missing from the beginning of term festivities, to hear that he was in the hospital wing getting chocolate from Madam Pomfrey yet again. And if the rumors were right he was of course suffering from a fainting spell caused by the Dementors that entered the train earlier this night.
I don't worry about him much, he has already proven to be a strong adversary to the darkest of foes in the magical world, and I am sure a Dementor will be no different.
Walking behind Fred and George, who were talking excitedly about some wall that wasn't really there, to some room that they can't even find on a map. And once again lost on their conversations, but this was the Weasley twins we are talking about.
I don't give them another thought as they disappeared on the stairs to the seventh floor. I should turn them into Percy the new Head Boy, but I just can't seem to let go of them from the quidditch team.
Quickly go with haste to the new seventh year dormitory to see my all too familiar room mates already there decorating the walls. I don't say anything to them, I just get in bed and quickly release my thoughts on better things of the world.
"What is wrong with you Wood?" I hear one ask. I don't answer.
"You haven't said two things since you have gotten here." He mentions. Which is true I suppose I haven't really been talking too much, or even hardly joining in on the festivities.
"I don't feel like it alright." I say angrily to them. I don't really mean to sound angry, I really don't, but I did.
It scares me even to know just how reserved and quiet I had become, I remember back when I was a second year and a third year how outgoing I was, and how I loved to be here. I wished those times would returned, I wished that I could have that innocence back. But it is gone, long gone, as I now loathe this place more than anything.
None of them understood, how could they? They weren't rapped here and left for dead in one place not regularly checked for visitors. They wouldn't know, and because I did my best to keep what happened to me hushed, I didn't find it necessary to talk to anyone. Even though the very images still haunt me to this day.
I roll over on my bed and just ignore their talk as I always have and went to sleep.
It was well into the school year before that even came up again. I was talking to them a little bit, but I had not been confiding in them nearly as much as I had in the past. But they seemed to enjoy our conversations when I had them.
Going down to the great hall for breakfast I notice that the clouds overhead look tormenting and worrisome for our quidditch game against the Hufflepuff team. I don't worry though because obviously we are quite prepared to fly in the rain if needed.
Breakfast was over and we walked down to the quidditch changing rooms, I give my normal pre-game speech, which Fred and George kindly mimic yet again. Harry seemed to be listening intently, and Katie Bell, seemed to have trouble tying her arm guards on.
I dismiss them and put my pendent in my cubby with the rest of the banned items before leaving for the game.
It was an awful game, just awful the rain made the balls hard to see, and I knew that finding the snitch wasn't going to be some easy thing. Although, and just like normal as well Fred and George are thoroughly enjoying themselves on this stormy day. They were laughing along with flying and hitting Bludgers out of the way back at their teams key players.
I look up to see the two seekers zooming off higher and higher into the clouds, I know they have seen the snitch, I know it, and block a goal just in time to see Harry tumbling to the ground. My heart sank; my breath became shallower as I watched him plummet to the ground at a high rate of speed. Thank goodness for Dumbledore who caught him a mere three inches from the ground.
The game ended and they had won catching the snitch of course. And our team, which had never been lower, returned to the changing room, to change back into our school robes.
I do the same, quietly and silently. There was no reason to comment on the game, people knew perfectly well that we have a great team, but it was a low day.
I finally finish the last string on my cloak and reach inside my cubby for my pendent only to realize that it was gone. Panic ran through my spine, it was gone my protection was gone.
This had to be the worst day in the time I have spent at Hogwarts this term. Harry was in the hospital wing after a frightful fall, our team is now last in the quidditch cup with little chances of catching the leading Slytherin's and Ravenclaw's. And then if all that wasn't enough, I lost my protection pendent.
I know he stole it, I know he did. Finally got a brain on him enough to realize that I had protected myself. I suppose I can expect to find him lingering near the Gryffindor tower. I don't hesitate to go back to the great hall to find little to no one there. But that doesn't stop me from taking a seat and opening up my transfiguration book to page four hundred and twenty six.
I read the page oh, must have been four times before I got comfortable enough with the subject to write McGonagall's hideously long essay. Just about as writers cramp set in, was the time the hall filled up with students all looking forward to dinner. I eat quickly and hastily, talking to Nearly Headless Nick, who I can't remember that he likes to be called Sir Nicholas.
I finally pack up my stuff to go back to the Gryffindor tower. And much to my surprise Marcus Flint was nowhere near to be found, but Draco Malfoy was. His glare was sharp and evilly placed low on my chest. It irked me and I drew my wand sending his flying down the hall way with my silent charm.
He yet still too young to summon his wand back to him; not knowing the appropriate words to say, I couldn't help but laugh at the slight of him standing there like a deer in headlights.
He was frozen right into place, I looked at his sharply placed eyes that was trying, daring me to attack him, maybe Peeves was just around the corner bouncing off some wall, or maybe Filch was waiting just for the moment that he did.
"Draco," I say, not really paying attention to the darkened hallway.
"Tell me, why does one look over their shoulder with every pin drop? Why does one, say nothing when he should be screaming? And why is one standing who should be running?" Draco said, his smile creeping further across that slimy face of his.
Two arms reached around me, I try to fight it I do I really truly do, but I find myself unable, trapped in a fucking bubble.
"A Gryffindor, who is too brave to know the difference." Draco said, his smile sinister plotting and scamming, but nothing compared to the rest of the Slytherin quidditch team.
They rolled me, as much as I despised that, they rolled me down the corridor and Peeves just laughed in a corner, before dashing off in fears of the baron. His laughs still haunt me to this day.
I was dizzy and disorientated from the constant rolling even still they stopped me, as I took note of a dog like shadow in the corner. I blinked though and he was gone. I did not trouble myself over it I had bigger concerns at present.
I watched as they rolled me into a poorly lit room, I readied my wand I knew the instant this bubble appeared that the moment it went down I would have to perform some seriously strong magic.
I knew exactly which one I was going to use. I readied a barrier I had it up just as they took the bubble from around me, as the group tried to stun me only to be blocked by my barrier.
"That's enough," I hear a cold voice I recognized immediately. I don't look around I just focus my thoughts on holding the barrier strong, as Marcus came into view.
"So Oliver Wood is back for more. Where have you been keeping yourself Wood?"
"Growing on a tree for all you are concerned." I answer.
"Ooo touchy." He said spitting at me, and for the first time I am really happy for the barrier that I installed.
"Now, when are you going to drop this act, and let us do our duty by you?" Marcus said placing his hand against my barrier.
I should drop the barrier and watch him fall straight on his face, but I refrain.
Readying myself for the fall of the barrier, I was aware they would ambush me the instant it fell.
I waited, patiently watching, and just as Marcus was no longer even aware he was leaning strongly on my barrier I dropped it, and down he went all the way to the floor.
I grasped my wand strongly, and watched as they all encircled me. I smile, and pull on a cloak that I found in the Gryffindor changing room.
I watched them as they walked around me, and I couldn't help but smile to realize that what I have gotten my hands on was an invisibility cloak.
Where it came from I don't know, but I have it now, and I couldn't have been more thankful for it.
I wanted to laugh but felt it best to keep quiet, as I begin fighting with them easily knocking them to the ground, doubled over in pain with the curses and hex's I put on them. They groaned and moaned, and I left, but not before planning a foot of my trainers to the balls of Marcus Flint.
He would say later that I had humiliated him more in that one little session than anyone has ever done to him before. I still say that he has always humiliated himself on the quidditch pitch every time he flew.
I found out in a few days time, when Harry was released from the hospital wing to rejoin the rest of the school that had without a doubt heard all about how I creamed Marcus Flint. My smile had never been bigger than it was in that single instance. The school was mingling wildly, and Harry leans over and asks in a straight voice.
"How did you do it? How did you beat all them Slytherin's without being caught?" Harry asked his voice excitedly wanting to know.
I told him about the invisibility cloak, and he told me all about it and how Dumbledore gave it to him, because it was once his Dad's.
I smiled and thanked him of course before handing him back the cloak. Reluctantly I must confess, it did appeal to me. But it wasn't mine to keep it was Harry's and he might need it more than I anyways.
I went home for Christmas, me and my mother still haven't been real vocal with each other, but at least we have said more than what we have for the summer holidays.
They were quite refreshing I assure you, and I was ready to return to finish off my seventh and final year at Hogwarts.
It wasn't an entire day that I was back on the school grounds that I found myself once again being taunted by Flint. I hated him, and he likewise to me.
"I'm gonna get you Wood if it is the last thing I do!" He threatened me. I didn't take it to Professor McGonagall like I should have, I didn't do a lot of things that I should have. I know that.
I should have taken it seriously I should have taken more caution when being around Flint, but I couldn't let him think I was a prat now could I?
It wasn't for months afterwards after that conversation that ended with a threat I knew wasn't hallow. I wasn't slacking around either. I was readying myself, no I was busy, learning new hex's and charms. I was ready for him.
With the recent event with the Dementors and the impending slaying of the Hippogriff, I though didn't concern myself with either I had to stay focused on my N.E.W.T.'s. They were quickly approaching and I felt anything but ready for them.
To make matters worse I am sure that Marcus is close to springing whatever plan he has formulated against me into action at any minute.
I don't do anything though, what could I do even if he sprung it now? I had to just go by life like normal. Granted I was always at the ready though for a trap to just spring into action at a second's time.
I wasn't without my own plans though, I knew all I would have to do is to just find someone to walk in on him raping me, and it would do everything I needed it to. And who better than Ginny Weasley? She of course was used to the aftermath of his brutal assaults. I could think of no other loyal friend either. She would often times drop everything and hear every word of my concerns even if it was gross and gruesome at best.
I wish that she were older though, so she might go out with me. But, I know that she will be happier with someone her own age. She has been tailing me since winter holiday, keeping her distance of course.
It was a nice April day, nicer than usual I would say out of the dreadful weather we were having as of recent. We were just wrapping up a quidditch practice for our last match.
He was there coming out of nowhere, and unlucky for me; my wand was back in my other robes.
He races his wand and throws me back. I hit the ground hard and look up at him. I don't say anything I don't even moan for my broken arm.
His smile was wicked, and he knelt down and waved his wand over me, and suddenly I found I lost the ability to move. I look down and realize as he is twisting my foot in an unnatural position that he used the same charm that Professor Lockhart used last year on Harry's arm. Except this time he used it on my entire body.
Limp and unable to move he easily undresses me, and yet himself only to the bare minimum. He assaults my body yet again I grind my teeth and watch as Ginny disappears from behind the pillar in which she had been positioned.
I wanted to smile and sing her praise, for everyone would know how rotten Marcus Flint really was.
Not sure on what was happening all I was sure of for sure was Professor McGonagall throwing Marcus off of me, and taking me up magically escorting me to the hospital wing.
Madam Pomfrey gave me some sleek grow, and it tasted horrible, absolutely bloody awful, but that was nothing compared to the pain it put me through to completely re-grow my entire skeleton, save my head.
Although, I heard my efforts weren't in vain. I heard the next morning in fact that Marcus Flint was expelled from Hogwarts just two weeks from taking his all-important N.E.W.T.'s. I found a certain amount of joy in that.
I held my head up high when I walked into the room for my test, which I still did not feel quite as ready for as I would like, but I do my best, and actually had a judge become quite impressed with my potion making ability, which I thought I was bloody awful in.
Apparently even the vile Professor Snape can teach something.
Relieved and relaxed I enjoyed the rest of my time at the school, which was quick approaching the end of term and my duration at the school.
At the end of term feast I heard that Sirius Black, and Buckbeak the Hippogriff were both captured and set to be put down, when they mysteriously disappeared. I looked over to Harry who was smiling of course, and I knew he did it.
I told no one though, and kept it with me even though the summer where my mother and me did finally come to terms with each other. With me of course profusely apologizing for my bitterness the previous holidays.
She of course understood, and with that my Hogwarts education came to a crashing end, just as my letter of acceptance was given back to me, to be on a world quidditch team.
I have never been more pleased.
-
I stare at everyone in the room once again, before looking at the Minister now looking directly at Flint.
"Thank you Wood, you may step down now." He said, waving his hand.
"Thanks Minster," I answer.
I watch the rest of the hearing from the audience benches and received a pat on the back from my mum who was in tears from the tale I told. It was understandable of course.
In just a few hours time the decision was final, Marcus Flint was being sent to Azkaban for the sexual assault on myself along with several others at the school of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry.
THE END!
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