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Chapter Twenty: Slavery
Turning over slightly, she groaned, a sudden urge to be sick over taking her as she gagged a little, opening her eyes in shock, only to be terrified further by what awaited her, "WHOAH!" She sat up rapidly, shuffling back at the same time, intent upon punching whatever had disturbed her, only to stop herself at the last moment, realising that what had greeted her so suddenly had been a particular, familiar head,
"Oh Hermione!" Arm's suddenly engulfed her, squeezing unnecessarily hard, threatening to pop her head clean off of her shoulders
"Carla. How are you?" She gasped, pulling at her stranglers arms desperately, who seemed to only suddenly notice what she was doing, let go immediately, blushing brilliantly. Giving a slight chuckle she intertwined her fingers and sat back in a chair next to Hermione's bed, shuffling a little in an attempt to make herself comfortable. Sighing and then smiling widely, she tried to ask in an airy a way as possible,
"Me? I'm fine, what about you? I heard you were really injured." Pulling a concerned face, Hermione raised an eyebrow at her, inwardly laughing at her attempts to over exaggerate her own emotions, to show her that she truly cared.
"No, no, I'm fine." She replied, but in truth, she ached all over, her body feeling weaker than it had in years, screaming at her for rest and for sleep. She could barely even remember what had happened to her, purple flashes dancing before her any time she strained her memory to retrieve the images that were now lost to her, stored carefully away in her mind where even she could not reach them. The door opened suddenly, grinding as it swung inwards, a battered bespectacled boy walking in, unsteady upon his feet. "Master Harry? What happened?" She asked quietly, seeing the solemn look upon his face, his crestfallen nature struggling to even keep face,
"Don't. Not now Hermione. Just don't." He said hoarsely, passing her bed, not even looking towards her, giving his own slave no acknowledgement.
"Sir." She said miserably, looking to her hands sadly. Shuddering a little, realising that she was wearing only a long red camisole and pulling the covers up over her shoulder. Glancing towards Master Harry, her stomach clenched suddenly, her own Master should be beside her, somewhere close, and seeing Master harry heading towards a curtained off bed a little way from her own, "Wait, Master! Is he in there? Is that him?" She made a sudden lunge as if to leap from her own bed and rush over, but was dragged back into a seated position by a slightly angered Carla, who glared at her profusely,
"Don't you dare move! You're very ill!" Pointing a finger at her, Hermione shook her head, giving a small laugh and raising her eyebrows in contention,
"I'm fine! Stop fussing woman!" Batting her away, she sat back, shrunken and dejected, collapsing back in her chair and twiddling her thumbs ferociously.
"Sorry...I just don't know what I'd do without you." She muttered, quieter than Hermione had expected, and she felt a little guilt upon her part for having snapped so suddenly. Placing a hand upon her knee, the two of them smiled a little; there moment interrupted as a shrill voice reached their ears, a new shadow appearing behind the curtain.
"Come on Potter, out of the way!" The elderly woman bustled Master Harry out from behind their cover, dragging the curtain along with her, unveiling her Master who was laid in his bed, not moving, barely breathing, his face beaten badly, ligature marks lining his arms and neck. "Honestly boy! He'll be perfectly fine! He's the last one to take care of now." Her chest swelling, she fought back tears, making another dive in a vain attempt to reach him,
"Ron!" She cried, making it halfway towards him before being dragged back by Carla, who was clinging to her furiously,
"Hermione!" Yet she ignored her, instead focusing upon the woman before her who was blinking furiously in confusion, straightening her robes and readjusting the cloth in her greying hair.
"Madam Pomfrey, is he alright? What's wrong with him? Can he hear me?" She asked furiously, giving no time for any kinds of answer, causing her to become ever more stressed with Hermione, her lips tightening, her face straightening,
"Please, Miss Granger! Back to your bed! Mr Weasley is in perfectly good hands. To. You. Bed!" Pointing viciously, Hermione nodded at her, backing slowly into her own bed, watching as the nurse walked around the side of her bed, giving her a strict glare and heading for the door, exiting swiftly. Yet her voice still travelled back into the room, obviously standing as close to the door as possible, "Ah, Master Malfoy. What bring you to my Hospital Wing?" A cold a drawling voice met hers, an edge of sweetness to it, as it trying to sound more polite than he was capable of,
"I require a moment with the Granger girl."
"Please, go right ahead." Footsteps indicated her retreat as the door opened once more, a chill crawling up Hermione's spine as in stepped three boys, the infamous Crabbe, Goyle and Malfoy of Slytherin House.
"You there." He addressed her directly, startling her a little, causing her to respond automatically,
"Sir?" She sat up straight, almost regretting her decision immediately as a small smile graced his lips as he moved closer towards her bed, yet not coming near, simply standing opposite the vacant one to her left, closest to the door.
"You're not Potters slave at all are you? You belong to Weasley." He asked, eyes her a little, and then flicking to Carla and back to her suspiciously. She withdrew a little feeling the venom pulsating from him like pure darkness, flooding the room and suffocating her, choking the very air she was attempting to breathe.
"Yes Sir." She ungracefully spat at him, wanting him to leave immediately so that she could hide under her covers and shut out the world, draw his voice from her mind, silence him in any way that she possibly could
"And this is?" He sneered, gesturing flippantly to Carla who suddenly became terrified as he stared at her,
"Carla. She...She helps Master Harry." Hermione answered for her, knowing that it was unfair to ask her to respond to such an address, knowing that fear would only leave her paralysed and unable to move or respond, possibly send her into temporary shock.
"You're Potters slave? I must confess, I had assumed it a little odd that I had heard so many tales of a bumbling buffoon, and then you appeared, and you were not so. Perfectly less absurd now." Hermione suddenly became enraged, disgusted by how he dared to speak to such an innocent girl in such a way, her face burning with anger over her friends embarrassment.
"If you won't mind me saying, Sir, why have you come here?" She said, rather harshly, addressing him directly, glaring in his direction, not caring for the consequences, only for protecting her friend, whom she knew deserved no such treatment, no less from a boy who thought so little of either of them.
"Well, Grunge, Granger...whatever...you appear a strong character, would you agree?" He turned back to her, his arms now folded casually, a glimmer of a smile plastered upon his face, shadowing his pale features. Her eyes twitching unintentionally, she straightened herself, drawing herself as tall as she could without having to stand, elongating her neck beautifully and majestically, ignoring his snide comments, choosing to answer in a manner beyond her years,
"I am who I am, whether courageous or not, what is right is done and what is wrong is avoided." He raised an eyebrow at her smugly, taking a step forwards and placing his hands upon a small table that lay in front on the adjacent bed,
"Perhaps, but I have seen a strength in you, one that many females do not show. Where does this come from, such a pathetic Mudblood such as yourself, surely you should be worn down by now?" Mocking her, she seethed at his arrogance, wanting only to strangle him violently, to make him understand that if he were to treat people in such a way, he should also pay the price for his own insolence,
"If there is nothing within me to crush, then my own ambition will out. I do what I am set, as any slave should." As he eyes involuntarily flicked towards her Master, his followed, igniting as they both realised what she had done,
"Is it then perhaps, that you feel something for Weasley? Or is it a matter of pride? Of honour?" Grimacing, she retorted painfully, pushing her attraction to the back of her mind, dealing instead with her lack of affection,
"I harbour nothing for him, but the duty I must follow." His lips fell downwards, his eyebrows shooting upwards as he nodded his head from side to side,
"Really." He said, in a matter of fact tone, "You have settled it then." He stood up straight, a sudden smile appearing as he clapped his hands together gleefully, "Crabbe, Goyle." Snapping his fingers, the two burly boys made towards her, taking her forcefully by the arms,
"Wait, what?" She cried as they dragged her from her bed, "What are you doing?" She screamed ever louder as they pulled and pulled, her body suddenly defenceless, "Let go of me!" Yet they dragged her further, not caring how she had fallen so loudly from her bed, stumbled over her own feet as she was heaved roughly across the floor and thrown in front of Malfoy.
"Struggling is pointless, you know what has to be done, and it shall be. I can see it in your eyes, Muggleborn, you were meant for courage, knowledge and bravery."
~x~x~x~
Ron stirred feebly, his stomach churning, his head banging as his eyes peeled open, his vision blurred and difficult. A hand fell upon his arm suddenly from by the side of his bed, Harry peering over his sheets, clearly wanting to remain hidden, "Shh." He whispered, a finger to his lips, "Don't move, just watch. And don't give me away." Pointing towards the door, past Carla who was stood at the end of the next bed to his, he stifled a gasp, he eyes shooting open suddenly, and then closing them into a squint. Hermione, his slave, was busy being manhandled by Crabbe and Goyle, who were making her kneel before Malfoy, who was smiling down at her cruelly. His hearing still fuzzy, he could barely make out any of what they were saying, until her voice broke out over them loudly,
"I won't. I won't do it. Not for you, you selfish, arrogant boy!" His fists clenched tightly as his had lifted, smashing into the side of her face with a deafening crack, throwing her backwards, only still being held up by the other boys. He heard her drawn a great shuddered breath trying to smother her sobs, not show her weakness, trying to give a little laugh. The anger within him was strong, boiling over as each second passed by, his arms shaking with anticipation and helplessness. He had already allowed her to put herself in danger for him, had her injured, cursed in front of him, his own mind lost to helping her when she needed him the most, when he should have protected her. Now, here Harry was, asking him not to move to her aid, asking her to restrain the urge to drag her away from such an awful boy, send her away, back to her home, where no one else could touch her.
"Oh, you'll be good...Better get on with it then," Malfoy said, kneeling to her height, concealing himself behind her, only his voice reaching Ron's ears drawlingly. There came a sudden creaking and shuddering as the doors opened once more, an unfamiliar Slytherin boy entering, one that he had clearly never had the displeasure to meet. Though Malfoy stood, a pleasant smile upon his face as he pulled back from Hermione as she was dragged from her knees and to her feet, facing away from him. "Just in time Higgs." Malfoy extend an arm towards her, the boy nodding furiously, his eyes bulging with eagerness and enthusiasm, "So, let's get going." Higgs knelt slightly a small box clutched to his chest, doing something to her that Ron could not quite make out; only see her hair moving around rapidly as she shook her head, trying desperately to get away from him, her feet pushing against the floor as she withdrew in desperation. She suddenly gave a blood curdling shriek as she writhed in pain, being allowed to collapse to the floor, clutching her head desperately as Higgs stepped back and exited the room swiftly at a wave of Malfoy's arm, screaming louder than he had ever heard her before,
"NOOOO! NO! NO! NO!" His eyes slipped from her, not wanting to witness her pain, even if he did have to hear it, his eyes falling upon Carla was visibly shaking as she stood, looking so lost and unsure about what she should do, obviously fighting the same internal battle her was, resisting the urge to floor them, take Hermione's hand and run, far away, as far as needed, just to release her from such pain and cruelty. Yet as she gave a great gasping sob, Hermione's head suddenly spun around in her direction, seemingly remembering something that she had to do, drying her eyes quickly and pushing herself to her feet. Sprinting as quickly as she could she ran for her friend, throwing her hands over her shoulders as her knees failed, the two of the collapsing in each other's arms, hugging tightly, causing his heart to sink as he watched them.
"Hermione, Hermione what's going on? I don't understand!" Carla had begun to cry, shaking at the little clothing Hermione was wearing, she trying desperately to stay strong, hold back her tears to save Carla from herself. Pulling back, she took her hand, shoving something into her palm quickly and then forcing her fingers around them quickly and as tightly as she could.
"I've had enough of this." Malfoy stated blankly, giving a click of his fingers and both Crabbe and Goyle made the short distance towards her. Staring behind her quickly, Hermione turned back to Carla, taking her by the head and pressing her lips to her forehead forcefully,
"It'll be alright, I promise, I promise you!" She was suddenly dragged upwards and backwards forcefully, the crooks of her elbows being painfully seized by her powerful Slytherin assailants. Clutching her close hand to her chest, Carla held out the other towards her, crying devastatingly,
"Hermione!" Making to run after her, Hermione shook her head furiously as she was spun around to face the door, looking back over her shoulder and shrieking,
"Don't! But don't you give up either. Promise me you won't give up! Don't you dare give in to any Pureblooded fool who thinks he can control you!" Struggling desperately to pull away from the boys, digging her bare heels as far into the floor as she could do, seemingly unable to even hear Carla's reply,
"I won't, but..." Then he saw her, she looked directly to him, saw his eyes were slightly open, witnessing everything that was happening to her, and her face suddenly lit, causing her to struggle even more, furthering his desperation to run to her,
"Ron? Ron!" She was calling to him, in her most desperate time of need, calling his name. Not relying upon her 'Master', wanting him to come to her, and all he could do was lay there, pretending not to even be conscious, his body aching and barely able to move as it was, under instruction from Harry, undoubtedly for a very important reason. Yet she called out to him again, hysterically now, realising that her options were dwindling. He was awake and not helping her, not even raising his voice in protest. He saw her face fall, obviously crushed that he had officially abandoned her, abandoned her to an oncoming punishment that she did not deserve, and no doubt would not live through, "ROOON! Ron, please, stop this!" Yet still, he did not stir, not even as she was dragged over the threshold, Crabbe and Goyle still visibly struggling with her violent protests, his hand upon the door, dragging them closed, Malfoy laughed at her sobs,
"He can't, and he wouldn't anyway. You are worth everything to me and nothing to them." The doors grinded shut, leaving them in silence but for the echoing of her screams drifting back to them painfully,
"Please. No! NO!" Her voice fading, finally falling to nothing. His stomach churned, not allowing his mind to free itself from thinking that the last time he would ever hear her voice, see her face, and she had been pleading for her freedom, maybe even her life, and he had simply followed orders, stayed put, and allowed her to be taken. Harry sat up, reappearing beside Ron as if he had Apparated back into the room. He was staring at Carla, as she still sat on the floor, silently crying to herself, only raising her head when her Master stood, staring at her sceptically, and asked her a shattering question,
"Carla? What did she give you?" Her sobs stopped immediately, as though she had only just remembered that she clutched something, the last thing of Hermione's, tightly within her hand. Gingerly, stumbling to her feet, she stared at her closed palm, and Ron understood why. He neither did not want to know what was concealed within her small fingers, the fear resonating from his body immense and overpowering, willing her to throw whatever it was out of the window, never looking even once. Her mouth opened several times, struggling to even string a sentence together,
"I...I don't understand. What...What..." Harry moved closer towards her, standing at the end of his bed, looking at her suspiciously, and then to her hand, ever more apprehensive about what was inside it,
"What did she give you?" Ron sat up a little, resting on his elbows, the dread that filled him as her fingers began to unfurl, her eyes widen as one word escaped her breath,
"Hermione..." Dropping the objects suddenly, as though they had scolded her, she watched as they fell, hitting the floor with a soft clinking as she gasped, her head lifting towards the door in pure horror, suddenly running towards it, pulling at the handle in desperation. "Hermione! Wait! Please! Hermione!" As the door shut behind her, Harry knelt down, picking up the fallen objects and turning to him, his face white and staring. Ron was panicking furiously now, his breathing rapidly increasing in pace as a glint of gold passed him by, as he realised exactly what they were. The objects he had become so accustomed to over the past five years, had seen them every day, had admired their beauty and ravished in their symbolism. She had been his with them, and now as Harry held up her earrings, their shine now dull and paling, he knew that he had lost her. His eyes screwed up tight and a hand to his head, he leant back into his pillow, crushed inside, only just able to expel,
"Shit..." A single tear slipping from his eye, just as Carla rushed back through the doors, her chest heaving as she lamented, collapsing into the door as she shut it, screaming manically,
"She's gone."
Japan's Arc Angel x
