A/N: Hello all! This is my first adventure into a crossover story. I REALLY hope you like it, I have been working this for about a month. I would love your opinions, reviews, thoughts, what you like, what you didn't.
-Summary: 13 years of pain, suffering, & a wish for death is suddenly taken away when a man with slate/blue eyes gently grabs my wrist and just gives me a smirk.
-Story revolves mostly in normal London, with some mentions of the WW, maybe an 'adventure' to it later on. fem!harry, nonromantic john/sherlock, differentish Mycroft (to a point) and Greg just being Greg.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but original characters. Duh. That is all I will say.
A/N: OH MY GODDESS! Thank you for all the love! I really appreciate all of you. I will warn you, this one is kind of dark, but it will give you a reason why she left.
I always hate Hogwarts at this time of year; it's cold no matter how many layers I wear or warming charms I use or how many cups of tea I drink. Deep in the Scottish hills in the dead of winter actually made me wish for Surrey again. I wrap my scarf again around my neck before I head out the entrance to the Gryffindor common room, on my way to Potions. I'm surprisingly alone today, normally Neville waits for me but he had Herbology instead. Sometimes Hermione or Ron try to walk with me, but I think that they have finally gotten into their heads that I don't want anything to do with them. After the disastrous 1st year and them not even ready to believe that I had nothing to do with the attacks happening this year, I washed my hands of the pair of nitwits.
Granger thinks she is all high and mighty just because she is top of the 2nd years. Ron thinks that by being friends with me, he will somehow become famous; how, I have no clue. If he wants the fame, he can have it. I never have time for myself, as everyone wants a piece of the girl-who-lived, idiotic wizarding world and their need to hyphenate everyone with power and/or fame. Really, who wants to famous for something that I can't even remember, wasn't even me it was my mum, and is the result of my parents dying?
I'm happy that the holidays have passed; spending Christmas by myself in the old, giant castle was always super creepy. The twins offered to stay, but if they did, then Ron and their weird little sister Ginny would stay too, so I declined. Having classes start up again and having the student body back was nice; it broke up the silence of the castle that let me think too much.
Another set of stairs passed beneath my feet as I continue my journey to the dungeons, not paying attention to my surrounding. I don't see the forms come up behind me, but I do notice when I suddenly find myself being dragged into an empty classroom. The door was closed and locked before I was thrown to the floor, finally getting a look at my assailant. The term quickly multiplied as I found three males standing over me, 5th years by the looks of them. Two were Ravenclaws while the third was Slytherin. I didn't know their names and that frightened me even further because the first two were leering at me while the third was simply staring at me.
"What is going on? What do you want?" I ask, backing up until my back hit the large desk against the far wall.
"We've been watching you Potter, gotta say, you are a very interesting girl." The Slytherin replied, moving forward.
The Ravenclaws chuckled before shrugging off their robes while the Slytherin walked forward until he knelt down in front me. Before I could respond, he had my hands in his, hand cuffs clicking close.
"There we go, don't need you using those little hands of yours now do we?"
Panic began to well up in my mind, my eye darting around the dusty room, but the other two sneers at me before blocking the door. I'm suddenly thrown down, hands tearing my robes off before a loud ripping noise reveals my blouse had been torn off. I begin yelling, but my voice cuts off when the Slytherin back hands me, my head whipping back. He then gags me with my own blouse before continuing. I'm soon bare to the world on a dusty, freezing floor and I begin to shiver as the cold seeps into my core. The look in the boy's face is frightening.
"There's a good girl, look how you're responding. Always knew precious Potter wasn't as saintly as they say. You know you are enjoying this."
He whispers all this while his hands begin moving over me, causing bile to rise in my throat, but I try to keep it down. With the gag, if I vomit, I'll suffocate; but that might preferable. I try to move away, which just earns me another hit, this time into my abdomen. Screaming into the gag, I watch with horror as he undresses.
'No…no…NO!'
That…that was my last coherent thought before…before those monsters…somehow during another round of one of them continuing what the others left off, the gag fell out and I found the strength to let out the loudest scream I can muster, again earning a new bruise, but I don't stop. I keep at it until the door is blasted open and the dust is stirred up. The oaf on top of me is blasted away, allowing to frantically move away into the corner, dragging my knees up while trying to get my arms out from behind my back. My whole body hurts and my muscles are convulsing as I finally get my bound wrists over the heels of my feet. I'm not paying attention as the three ogres are bound and gagged, nor do I see the shoes of their capture move toward me.
But I do see them when they stop in front of me, freezing my movements. I don't look up, but I suddenly feel a warm cloth drape over me. Out of the corner of my eye, I see the Slytherin crest on the robe; but all that matters is that I have cover, so I pull it tighter around me.
"I know you aren't alright, but can you move?"
My eyes snap up to see a familiar blonde kneeling down in front of me.
"Malfoy?"
"Yes, Potter, me. Now, can you move? We need to get you the hospital wing."
I'm not used to hearing him talk like a normal person, nor am I used to him even talking to me without spite. But his silver eyes are watching me carefully, his hands held out to me, offering support. My eyes dart over to the three idiots, but they were out cold and bound up really well; but why was he helping. The wariness must have shown because he scoffed before he stood.
"Potter, I don't care what you're thinking right now. What matters is that I need to get you to Madam Pomfrey." He sounds frustration, but his eyes are locked on the trio of clots.
I hesitated before I agreed. "Please, can you look away?"
He only nodded before turning, facing towards the door. I quickly located my skirt and underwear, but my blouse was ruined, so I just wrapped Malfoy's robe tighter before somehow standing. I don't know why, but the bastards had kept my shoes on, so there was one less thing to worry about; now if only the world would stop tilting. The world suddenly snaps back into focus as hands land on my shoulders, but is quickly out of sorts again as I lurch away from the touch.
"Don't…don't touch me."
"You can barely stand on your own, let alone attempt to walk the three floors up the infirmary. Potter, please, let me help."
"Why are you helping? I figured you would take great pleasure in seeing me like this." I snap, the shakes raking my frame.
"No one deserves that, let alone you." His reply freezes me.
His eyes were so bloody emotional! I just knew he wasn't pulling my leg, but his last comment throws me.
"What does that bloody well mean?"
"Look Potter, despite what you may think, I don't hate you. I was very miffed at you not wanting a friendship, because believe it or not, I honestly wanted to be friends. I made a bad show of myself in Diagon last year and I know it. All I have ever known before that was what my father wanted me to hear. I'm tired of fighting, aren't you?"
He pauses, letting me take in what I just heard. This is not the spoiled prince that everyone else knows; no this is a different Draco Malfoy. After a few moments, I nod in response.
"I…I understand…Draco." My voice is hushed, feeling even more vulnerable.
I see him let go of a held breath before he gave a sad smile.
"Right then, Pot…Stella, we need to get you to Madam Pomfrey."
With Draco gently guiding my foggy steps, we make to the hospital wing, where the matron went into a tizzy, pulling me into a secluded room as soon as she saw me, her face paling as she soon realized what happened. She summoned Professor McGonagall, the headmaster and Professor Snape, for Draco, who she tried to blame this…this thing on. But after my insistence that he actually protected me, she let it drop and began the process of trying the help me. I remember looking out the now open door to see Draco pacing, hands shoved into his pockets & then having Madam Pomfrey inform me that I would need to be put into a forced sleep before the world went dark.
All I could do is stare at the headmaster with my mouth hanging open like Weasel did when eating. What did he just say? He cannot be telling truth, this has to be a bad dream. Draco quickly voices my thoughts.
"What do you mean they aren't being charged? How could they not be?" His silver eyes were lit up with anger, fist shaking harshly at his side.
"There just is not enough evidence to charge them, Mr. Malfoy." Dumbledore's voice cuts through me.
"HOW CAN THERE NOT BE?" Draco's voice rang harshly through the infirmary.
"Mr. Malfoy, take that tone again or I will be forced to take action." The headmaster's ice blue eyes watched Draco before he turned and left the room.
That left me with an angry dragon, a quiet Neville and two VERY pissed off twins. My small group of friends…yes somehow Draco moved into that area in the past three days, turned towards me at the same time, but I don't look up. I can't stop shaking; my heart is beating so fast I swear I can hear it through my chest.
"I can't do this anymore."
My voice cracks as I say this, tears streaming down my face. After three days, most of the physical pain was healed, but the mental & emotional scars reopened every day when Madam Pomfrey tried to help me sit or move and I can't stop the violent flinch that are produced when the twins want to hold me when I cry and I just can't.
"I'm done. This world only wants me around to fight their bloody battles and I'm sick of it. When I need help, no one with the power to even tries. Those monsters attacked me and NOTHING is being done about it! I want to leave, I can't stay here anymore, and I don't care what the world will think!"
"Okay."
Draco's voice is soft, but his eyes hold a fierce conviction. Whipping his wand out, he transfigures my gown into warm clothes.
"Get dressed. Anything you need from the tower that the twins can get? Or maybe Longbottom, no one will suspect him."
I don't even hesitate; I know that look in his eyes. "My trunk, it has everything important to me in, along with the red journal on my nightstand."
"Ok, please go retrieve that somehow and meet us by the stairway to the Potion's classroom." Neville nods after Draco says this and bolts out of the infirmary.
"Stella, I will get you away, I promise." Draco whispers, staring into my eyes before he too leaves the room.
Without touching me, the twins help me into my shoes and quickly, we start to leave.
"Miss Potter!"
Freezing in place, I turn my head to see Madam Pomfrey standing in the doorway. Thinking my plan was thwarted already, I was surprised to see a small satchel in her hands that clinked gently when she moved forward.
"There are several potions that you will still need to finish healing. I do not approve of you leaving, but it is for the best. Be well and do well by yourself my dear."
With that she went back to her office and closed the door. The twins prompted me out of the infirmary and we somehow made it to the staircase without meeting anyone. But again, the cold was beginning to seep into my body, the shivers starting up again. Five minutes later found Neville with us again, handing me my shrunken trunk which was big again for a moment when I grabbed my warmest winter jacket, my favorite one; it was lined with soft fleece that was charmed to keep heat in, no matter how long it is worn in even the worst conditions. With my trunk re-shrunk and stuffed into my pocket, we waited for Draco. The blonde showed up after another five minutes before he led us back the way he came before stopping before a painting of a rather irritated Salazar Slytherin, who only glared when Draco whispered the password, letting us into what I now assume is Professor Snape's office.
The dour looking man only gives me a small nod before turning to Draco.
"After you go through, you have ten minutes before the connection closes again. Do not be late. But, I'm afraid that it would not be in your best interest for you three to follow."
With that said, he left us alone, the door clicking close behind him. I look at Neville & the twins, trying to find the right words, but they just give me sad smiles. Despite the flinches it caused, all three kiss my cheeks and whisper goodbyes.
"Don't forget about us, love. You will always be our little sister." The twins spoke at once.
"Just because you're leaving the world doesn't mean we stop being friends."
That was all Neville had to say, his brown eyes sparkling.
Before I could start sobbing, I turned to Draco and nodded.
"We need to go in together. It will be a tight fit, but a quick trip ok?" He whispered, looking at the fireplace, already green from the floo powder.
I nodded and stepped in with him, letting him grab hold of the outside of the jacket before he whispered
"Malfoy Manor."
I hate floo travel. Not as much as I dislike traveling by port key, but it is right up there on my list of wizarding world oddities that I hate. I never fail to fall over, vomit or pass out when I port key and the floo network just makes me feel wrong for a while after I exit. DO NOT get me start on apparating; that is the worst. Who in their right mind wants to be squeezed through a tube every bleeding time they travel? Not this girl, nope, no thanks.
When we arrive at the manor, my stomach is rolling, but I somehow gracefully exit the fire, my hand gripping cool marble as my mind stops free falling. I hear Draco talking behind me, but I let it sink in that I just left the 'safety' of Hogwarts to the home of a man who once supported the creature who attacked and murdered my parents. But it is a woman's voice that I hear respond to Draco before I heard
"Miss Potter?"
Stiffly, I turn to find Narcissa Malfoy five feet from me, concern in her blue eyes. She looks me over and frowns, but does nothing more.
"You are welcome to stay here for the moment until you figure out the next stage of your escape."
"No, thank you, but no Mrs. Malfoy. No, think I best be off back to…to my aunt's home. I do not want to linger. I need to leave the wizarding world completely. Please, I do not know what you might have told your husband, but let him know that I want no part in this world's fight anymore. If he and his friends leave me alone, I won't bother them and they do want they want to. Draco, thank you, for all your help."
He smiles.
"School won't be the same without you. Who am I going to bicker with, if not you?"
"Just torment Weasel and Weaslette for me, which will keep you busy for a bit."
"Please let me create a port key for you then, my dear. I know it's not the most…wait no. Let me teach you how; it is simple. While thinking of your location, simply tap your wand on the object of choice and say portus."
Narcissa handed me a silver spoon, a graceful M carved into the handle. Thanking her, I turn to the task at hand and whisper the spell while thinking of the park three blocks from number 4 Privet Drive. The spoon glowed blue before it went back to its normal shine. After thirty seconds, I felt the familiar tug at my navel before the entrance parlor of Malfoy Manor disappeared.
A/N: Ok, wow. 7 pages, over 3K words. Plus, all the love! You guys do not understand how much motivation it gives me when I get 500+ views overnight. Ok, again, reviews & opinions are nutrients good for my soul.