Chapter 2
After talking with Professor Lupin, Ashley strolled out to the lake to think about her decision. She sat on an old log and stared at the reflective surface of the lake. Even though it was winter, the temperature was at a moderate level, so she didn't need a heavy cloak. She sat there for what seemed like hours when a shadow fell over her. She looked up at the person.
"Malfoy, what are you doing here?" Ashley asked, disgustedly.
"Just checking in on our Head of House's relative," he sneered. "Why are you alone, little traitor?"
"Because I want to be, so leave me alone," she replied, turning back to the lake.
"You shouldn't turn your back on me," he growled, grabbing her by the shoulders.
"Let me go!" she yelled as he turned her to face him.
She was struggling against him as he pulled her into a kiss. She fought with all of her strength, but he was too strong. He had a grip like a clamp on her shoulders.
She was finally able to pull her head away and scream. She kept screaming as he threw her down and took off running, but not before she caught him with a sharp kick to the shins.
She laid on the ground, her screams turning into sobs as Hagrid, Professor Sprout, and Madame Hooch came sprinting into view from three different directions with their classes in tow.
"Miss Snape, are you okay?" Madame Hooch asked.
"Wha' 'appened?" Hagrid demanded.
Cho Chang came over and tried to hug Ashley, but Ashley started to panic again as she felt the arms wrap around her again. Cho stepped back and looked up when Sprout told her to go and get the nurse and her uncle.
As Cho ran to the castle, the other students were told to go to their common rooms. Ashley stopped crying and looked at the concerned faces of the teachers that surrounded her. She took a couple of deep breaths to settle herself down.
"Miss Snape, can you tell us what happened?" Professor Sprout asked quietly of the fifth year Gryffindor.
"I…I…I was sit…sitting here, thinking of a problem, when Draco Malfoy came up behind me. I quietly told him to leave me alone. He then grabbed me and forced a kiss on me, holding me tightly. I was finally able to kick him and scream," she told them haltingly. "He then dropped me and ran. Then you all showed up."
By this time, Madame Pomfrey and Professor Snape showed up, missing the beginning of the explanation. Pomfrey gave orders that Ashley be taken to the infirmary, so when Ashley started to protest, her uncle picked her up and carried her to the castle.
"Uncle Severus, please let me go. I just want to go to my dorm and sleep."
"No, you'll let Pomfrey check you over then you'll tell me who hurt you," he replied in anger.
"Everything all right, Severus?" a gentle voice asked as they entered the castle.
"No, headmaster, it seems like my niece was attacked while sitting by the lake," Snape answered as he continued towards the Hospital Wing. "I mean to find out who did it."
When the group arrived at he Hospital Wing, all but Snape, Dumbledore, and McGonagall were shooed back to what they were doing. Madame Pomfrey went about getting Ashley settled in and the proper potions to calm her down.
"Now, Miss Snape, can tell us who attacked you?" Dumbledore asked kindly.
"Yes, it was Draco Malfoy," she answered as Madame Pomfrey handed her a goblet of the Dreamless Sleep potion.
"Are you sure?"
"Yes, he called me a traitor and said that I shouldn't turn my back on him," she stated firmly as her uncle's face filled with fury.
"Now, Severus, I'll handle this along with Minerva, you just concentrate on your NIECE," Dumbledore said, stressing that the victim was his niece.
"Why? He is in my house," Snape snarled.
"Because you won't be objective, Severus," McGonagall replied as she helped Ashley , who fell asleep immediately after drinking the potion. "You sit her with her so she doesn't wake up alone."
The two professors walked out of the infirmary to find Harry, Ron, and Hermione coming in. They were told to go back to their common room after assuring them that Ashley would be okay. They didn't want to leave but knew McGonagall was tough and meant what she said.
The two professors went in search of Draco Malfoy, whom they found in the Library. They took him to the headmaster's office to discuss Ashley's accusations. They knew if he denied it, that veritaserum would be needed to gain the truth.