It was the beginning of a new school year at Hogwarts school of Witchcraft and wizardy and Willow Morgan was dreading every moment of it.

It wasn't the school itself that made her weary.After all ,she was beginning her fourth year and so knew what to expect.It was the fact that,for another year,she would be turning up,battered and bruised,something which was beginning to spark the suspicions of her teachers.For Willow had a secret.A secret that was sure to turn her world upside down if anyone were to find out.It filled her with shame to know what would go on behind closed doors in her home.

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It was with a heavy heart that the school carriages began their descent up to the castle.Willow had managed to obtain a carriage to herself.Mainly because the other students didn't seem too willing to have anything to do with her. Why did I come back here? I can't take another year of their taunts.She sat,chewing on her nails nervously and stared out of her window at the rain that was lashing against the glass.She had to fight not to push the door open and run back down,hoping to catch the train before it headed back to Kings Cross station.

It had been ten minutes before she realised that the carriages had stopped and the students were clamouring out,eager to get out of the rain and into the warm entrance hall.Shaking,Willow climbed out of her carriage.She shivered and pulled her robe tighter around her as a gust of wind rattled through the trees.

"Come on! Hurry up!I don't want to be stood out here all evening waiting for you".Argus Filch,the school caretaker and resident squib yelled from the gate.

Willow shook from her reverie and sighed as she walked up the path.The other students had made it into the castle so she was left alone with her thoughts.She climbed up the steps,trying not to make a sound,although she wasn't quite sure why.Slowly,she pushed open the doors to the entrance hall.

She noticed that the entrance hall was empty.They must all be in the Great hall.Great.My chance to escape.Quickas a Cat,Willow ran up the marble staircase towards her dormitory.She ran fast,although wincing on every other step as stomach came under attack yet again.She stopped,her heart in her mouth,as she saw a pair of feet stood motionless at the top of the steps.

"P-professor L-l-lupin" She managed to stammer.Oh Shit shit shit! Hes going to ask questions.I know he is.Why didn't I cut through the Trophy room?

"Willow" Professor Lupin stared at her inquisitively,taking in Willows injuries (the exposed ones anyway). "What happened" He stroked a severely bruised area of cheek,gently,and stared into her eyes with a mixture of hurt and disbelief. "Who did this to you?"

Willow forced herself to climb up the last few steps and leant against the wall for support.Lupins eyes ever watchful on her in case she ran away.She felt tears prick at her eyes as she struggled for words. "I cant tell !" She finally choked, knowing this would only invite further questioning.She gave Lupin one last,tearful look before making a run for the stairs.Lupin followed in hot pursuit."Willow please!"Please just leave me alone.You cant know.You don't know what hell do to me if you found out"

Convinced that she had lost him,Willow leant against a door,gasping for breath.She tried to run on but a searing pain in her stomach forced her to her knees.Finding herself unable to move she lay there,curled up in a tight ball as her stomach screamed in protest.Unable to hold back,she let out a cry before passing out with the pain.

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