Chapter Seven – No More
Rita Skeeter, who had become a deatheater due to her hatred for the boy-who-lived best friend, was currently verbally abusing Hermione. When Hermione had captured Rita in her animagus form, a bug, she had blackmailed her and treated her like dirt off her shoes. Now it was Rita's time to be the one with the power.
Rita loved how words could make a person crumble. They tore up our insides and drowned us in pain. She had already taunted Hermione about her parents and was currently making fun of her blood.
"You're a filthy mudblood!" She yelled while pulling Hermione unto her feet by her hair.
"Its no wonder no one loves you. You are a disgrace to wizards and witches everywhere."
Tossing her to the floor like a rag doll Rita stepped up to the girl she despised. Giving her a swift kick to the stomach she spat, "I hope that makes it so you never have kids. We don't want more of your...type around here." Chuckling Rita circled Hermione as she struggled to get onto her feet. Once she was up Hermione muttered through a bleeding lip, "I might be a mudblood, but at least I'm smart."
"What is that spouse to mean!" Growled Rita.
"If you were smart you would be able to understand."
"Shut up you filthy girl!" She screamed.
"But Rita, I think you know what I mean."
"I said shut up!" Frustrated she hurled herself at Hermione who feebly ducked out of the way, sending the older woman crashing into the wall. Taking the opportunity, Hermione hobbled over to the door, pulling desperately on the handle. When it didn't budge she threw her hands up and kicked the door.
"Why is this happening to me?" She cried into her hands as tears fell. Feeling defeated Hermione allowed herself to fall to the floor and cried out her frustration and pain.
While Hermione was crying Rita shook her head and brushed dirt off her robes. The fall had been painful and her arms throbbed from the hard impact. Not wanting to suffer through the immense pain Rita decided to continue what they were doing until later that night, and if the pain hadn't receded by then, the next morning.
Seeing her prisoner on the floor Rita smiled triumphantly and slowly strutted towards her. In a commanding voice she said, "Move."
Not wanting to fight anymore Hermione scooted out of the way, earning a satisfied smirk from the blonde. Unlocking the door magically Rita left, happily thinking about what horrible punishments she would use next.
While Rita went back to her chambers and Hermione cried herself to sleep, Harry was waking up in a room across the castle.
Harry woke up in a dark chamber where a single beam of light cast down across the room. Lying in his own pool of blood, Harry pulled himself out of the soggy mess and found his way over to a stonewall. The coolness helped Harry cool down his skin.
His body felt like it was on fire; a horrible fever of 102.3 was cooking him alive. Knowing the loss of blood had drained him of his strength; Harry remained still, just waiting for Voldemort to come back for more fun.
Wishing for a miracle, Harry closed his eyes and listen for a noise to shatter the absolute silence. When that noise finally came, Harry's eyes snapped open to be assaulted buy a bright light. After his eyes had adjusted Harry noticed that an unfamiliar person stood in the doorway. The beefy man with brown hair and gray eyes looked at Harry, calculating his cuts, then let his eyes wander over to the pool of blood.
"Potter." He said evilly. "The Dark Lord wants to see you."
Walking into the room and closing the door behind him, Harry backed up trying to escape the deatheater. When the man knew no one was around he scrunched up his face, only to have his features melt away into the face of Tonks, the metamorphmagus.
"Come on Harry, we can escape." She whispered.
Then changing back into the obese man from before Tonks yelled, "Get moving." She helped Harry to his feet and opened the door, holding tightly onto Harry's right arm.
"Now don't ask questions, we don't wan you to get hurt." She said, cleverly telling Harry that now wasn't the time to talk.
The two walked down long hallways until they arrived some time later in a room next to Voldemort's. Looking worried Harry asked, "Why are we here?"
"No questions!" She barked, as a deatheater walked past.
Once all the passing men and women had turned corners, Tonks pulled Harry into a room that he hadn't seen before.
"Floo powder." She bluntly said while tossing a plastic bag to him. Opening it up and grabbing a handful, Harry asked, "Where are the others?"
In a sad voice Tonks answered. "You are top priority. Its my job to help you escape."
"You mean to tell me," Harry said, voice raising slightly, "that the others are being left behind?"
Abashed, Tonks nodded her head before throwing a clump of floo powder into the fireplace. When the flames became green Tonks told Harry that they must go. After some arguing Harry was grabbed by Tonks who hauled him into the warm fire and yelled out, "Grimmauld Place."
An angry Harry and tired Tonks arrived in a clean room surrounded with comfortable chairs and grotesque paintings. Near them was a staircase that lead up to the other three stories. Along the staircase rested dead house elf's heads, all placed lovingly next to their relatives.
Feeling a hand touch his shoulder Harry shrugged it off and walked into the kitchen, desperately needing food and medications. Plopping down into a seat Harry waited to see if Tonks would follow. And sure enough she did, coming with an arrangements of pills and potions that he would need in order to gain his strength.
Thanking her he swallowed the disgusting tasting potions one after another and washed them down with painkillers. Harry felt the medication begin to affect him and closed his eyes. He barely heard Tonks say, "You can find me in my rooms if you need anything." With a slight nod of his head he happily let himself be pulled into a deep sleep.
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I wanted to thank everyone who has reviewed. You guys make writing this story fun.
Writers worst nightmare – Your name is cool…very original. Later on in the story (I don't know how much later) Draco will start to be nicer to Ginny.
Louey31 – Ginny wont lose her will to fight Draco. Sadly though, Draco is going to have a fabulous birthday part (his dad is an evil rich guy after all) and a BIG surprise.
Draco'sGirl05 – Draco isn't OOC now, but later on will start to change. It wont be too drastic though, so it wont be too shocking.
Lauressa – Thank you for the comments. I'm glad you think I have a good story so far.