Chapter 22: When the madness stops you won't be alone
A/N: Can you tell all my homework is slowed down? That's a lot of chapters I pumped out. Soo anyways. Here's the final chapter.
ANND big big thanks to everyone for reading it. And a thanks to all who reviewed, like Nizuna Fujieda, Overcastcrystal, xXMizz Alec VolturiXx, forbiddenluv, PromiseToForget219, Fleursouh, Snarkilicious and anyone else that reviewed and favorited the story! Means the world :)
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry of zee Potter
"I should probably go find my brother." Crystal let out a sigh and was about to crawl out of the compartment, but Neville stopped her by holding onto her hand firmly.
"I wouldn't—" Neville stopped himself for a moment as Crystal turned around and raised an eyebrow at him. "I mean, the train's almost at the station." He shifted a bit in his seat, knowing exactly what happened to Draco, Crabbe and Goyle. He just didn't want her to find them on her way to her brother. She wouldn't appreciate that.
"Nevs" Crystal rolled her eyes and looked at her friends in the squashed compartment. She smiled over at Harry, Ron, and Hermione then turned to Neville, Luna, and Ginny.
"Just sit back down" Ginny commanded as she patted Neville's lap, where Crystal was sitting before.
Crystal gave Ginny a tiny laugh before taking her seat. "With a look like that how could I argue with you, Ginny?"
"It looks like mothers more and mo—" Ron started but Ginny quickly snapped at him.
"Hush up Ronald, you bloody prat." Ginny growled with a shaking finger at him.
"I'd say Ron's onto something there." Harry grinned over at Ron.
"Not you too Harry" Ginny didn't growl at Harry, rather she pouted earning herself a laugh from the group.
"Ron and I are mates, we stick together." Harry shrugged after a quick fist pound with Ron.
"And what are we?" Ginny crossed her arms over her chest glaring playfully.
"The sidekicks of course" Crystal laughed and looked over at Harry with a wink.
"Mmm" Harry thought for a moment. "Just Ginny, the rest of you are heroes" Harry teased.
"That's not fair." Ginny pouted over at Crystal for defense. She knew she wouldn't get it from Luna, who was busy reading the Quibbler, so she turned to Crystal instead.
Crystal couldn't help but let a smirk play on her lips. "Sorry Ginny," Crystal shrugged "You and me make a great team, but when it comes to Harry both your only a side-kick."
"I know who's not getting a letter from me this summer…" Ginny muttered as she glared at the friends around her.
"That's okay Neville promised me one every day." Crystal's smirk turned into a broad grin as she grabbed onto Neville's hands. "Right Nevs?"
"I have no idea what you are talking about." Neville shrugged lightly.
"That was me you were thinking about." Harry looked over to Crystal and let his emerald eyes catch on Crystal's blue orbs. Both of them let a smile form on their lips as they read each other emotions. Crystal knew he would write her, she didn't doubt that for a second. She was just happy he understood how much the friendship they all shared meant to her. "Under the code name The Lighting Count."
"How come you get an awesome code name? Mine was Bloody Pumpkin." Ron looked angrily over at Harry.
"Bloody Pumpkins? That sounds vicious." Neville laughed. "Crystal gave me a pretty decent one. We thought Pureblood of Summer sounded pretty wicked." Neville poked Crystal who laughed as the nights events ran through their minds. They all spent it together coming up with different nicknames they could use to write Crystal, it was a night well spent. Everyone had so much fun picking them and it kept their mind off of other things.
"It's not bloody, it's just Pumpkin." Ron pouted.
"That's your own fault for not speaking up last night." Hermione finally peaked up from her book. "I'm pleased with mine." She smiled over at Ron before setting her book down completely. "The train's slowing down we better start saying our goodbyes to Crystal."
Crystal let out a longing sigh and looked out the window. They were slowing down fast and the station was coming into view. The smiled dripped off her face as she stood up to stare at the group before her. She couldn't look any longer. She tore her eyes away back towards the window as she stifled back tears.
"Crissy?" Neville stood up noticing at once her eyes were watering. He couldn't help but reach out and hug her tightly from behind. "Everything alright?" He questioned.
"Yeah, I just—" She stopped and turned around to bury her face in Neville's chest. "I feel like when I leave you guys, I'm leaving a part of you behind."
"We will only be a letter away." Hermione smiled and put her arms in the air for a hug. Crystal smiled back as the tears slowly started escaping and reached out to hold Hermione tight. "Try not to worry too much."
Crystal nodded "Of course not."
"And we will be pouring over the Daily Prophet waiting for any gossip of you." Ron laughed. "Personally I am looking forward to these engagement photos of and Malfoy."
"Why would you be looking forward to that?" Crystal shot Ron a glare.
"You of course" Ron grinned "I can't wait to see your horrid reaction."
"Don't listen to Ron he's just a bit insensitive about these sort of things." Ginny got up off her seat and pushed her brother roughly causing him to crash on the seat. "I'll miss you." Ginny smiled warmly and threw Crystal into a tight hug.
"You too Ginny" Crystal held on tightly and didn't want to let go "I wish I would have befriended you sooner."
"We make a pretty good team don't we?" Ginny sighed as her memory rushed back to the moment in Umbridges office. She couldn't help but the let the tears flow from her eyes now too.
"Decent" Crystal nodded as she wiped her eyes. She looked away from Ginny and her eyes found themselves caught on the beautiful emeralds. The pain that was exchanged between the two of them could not be put into words. Neither of them said anything. They didn't need to. They both were thinking the same thing: You'll be home soon enough…And in that single thought, brought both of them to unspoken tears. Crystal couldn't take it anymore. She gave one final nod to everyone before she grabbed her trunk and put her hand on the door.
"Bye Luna" She smiled to the Ravenclaw who sat there engrossed in the Quibbler.
"Goodbye Crystal" Luna looked up for a moment with a warm smile. Luna wanted that smile to convey her gratitude. Another friend she could add to her list. It made Luna happy to know that Crystal was there, but Luna was a bit fearful for her friend. She may have been a happy carefree girl, but she still had worries. She hoped for the best for her friend as she watched her head out of the compartment.
"Bye" Crystal gave one last wave to everyone as she dragged her way to the door. It didn't take her long to get the nearest door. Everyone else was still lingering in compartments not wanting to say their goodbyes and were waiting, saying their last goodbyes. But not Crystal, she couldn't be seen with her friends. If she was surely she'd be hexed worse than a disobedient house elf. But she tried not to think of that. Instead she tried her hardest to compose herself. She'd see them again next school year. She'd be able to write them. She wasn't going to be in trouble with her family. Everything would work out well. The ball…that would get her through everything, then she could prove she's a pureblood.
The train came to a complete halt. Crystal plastered the biggest smile she could on her face and waited for the doors to magically open. The minute she did, she engulfed herself with the waiting parents and began to make her way through the crowd. Everyone seemed to be calling out for their children and welcoming them into open arms, but Crystal couldn't find her father anywhere. Her heart began falling as her eyes darted around to no avail. She walked deeper to the back of the train station still wondering where she would go. She'd have to find Theo, he'd know where they should go.
She let out a soft sigh and carried on through the train station. Slowly she walked through picking a spot where she would rest. On her way she could have sworn she saw a flash of red that reminded her so much of her beloved twins, but she ignored it and carried on. She was almost to the spot where she planned to wait, when a beautiful woman caught her eye.
"Malfoy" she muttered and directed her attention to where Mrs. Malfoy stood with her lips pursed and narrowed eyes at all the displeasing people around her. "Guess I know where I will be tonight." Crystal carried on muttering to herself as she made her way over to Mrs. Malfoy. She lifted her chin high and smiled as wide as she could, all the while keeping to proper pureblood standards. She ignored everything around her and walked on as her mind wandered to the many letters shared with Mrs. Malfoy. How could she forget she was staying at the Malfoy's all summer? How could she honestly forget all the training she'd be going through? She bit her lip, this was going to be worse than she imagined. Forget her sins going against the Dark Lord, torture is nothing in comparison to what she was about to face this summer.
She was so into her thoughts, she hadn't even seen the tall figure approaching her till she was already on the ground grumbling.
"I am so sorry Miss Nott" The voice said in a silky smooth voice as they extended a hand out to her. "Are you alright?"
Crystal glanced up slowly to notice not one but two handsome redheads staring down at her. She barely smiled, fear that Mrs. Malfoy would see, as she grabbed the hand Fred out stretched to her. A small gasped escaped her lips as her hand found its way around Fred's. He was hiding a small box within his hands, Crystal knew at once it was for her. She just wished she could say thank you, but she didn't know how. "Yes, I'd be a lot better if blood traitors didn't touch me but fine none the less." Crystal growled as coldly as she could.
"You are the one who got in our way, you pureblooded freak." George responded with a small wink.
Crystal tried not to giggle. It was honestly great to see them. She had missed them more than she realized. Her heart was instantly becoming warmer and warmer with each smiled the graced her with. "Then I will do us all a favor and leave you two in your own filth." Crystal snarled, but threw a wink at them as she pocked the little box given to her. She walked away as swiftly as she could, but oh how she wanted to linger. She wanted to be like Ron and Ginny and going home with them to that warm family, but she couldn't. She was going home to something much more important. She was needed. Draco needed her, so she would stay.
Crystal smiled broadly as she finally made it to Mrs. Malfoy, who seemed to have noticed the little 'accident' with Fred and George. "Those filthy blood traitors didn't hurt you did they?" she spat the minute Crystal was standing next to her, sending a harsh glare over at the whole family of Weasley who gathered with Hermione, and some Order members from the looks of it.
Crystal bit her tongue so she didn't send out a moan of longing. She shook her head quickly. "No not at all Mrs. Malfoy" Crystal reached out and pulled the woman into a warm hug.
Mrs. Malfoy gladly accepted and held her tight as if she were her own child. "Good, you'll need your strength for tonight." She muttered grimly.
"What do you mean?" Crystal pulled away from the hug with wide eyes. Mrs. Malfoy knew something, but what did she know?
"Never you mind." She waved her hand and looked through the crowds. She didn't want Crystal to worry and besides she wanted to see her son more than anything. "You didn't leave the train with Draco. Where is he?" She questioned thinking that it was odd Crystal wasn't with Draco. It wasn't just that, she was just hoping that even though Crystal was in Gryffindor she wouldn't really be friends with those blood traitors. She was just hoping deep inside that those rumors where just rumors and not the truth. If they were just rumors, she'd be saved from tonight's torture.
"Oh" Crystal looked at the train as she bit her lower lip. She needed to think of a lie. She wracked her brain for a second then smiled over at Mrs. Malfoy. "I thought Parkinson could use some time alone with Draco. She's going to be so heartbroken this summer." Crystal let sympathy play in her eyes as she looked at the train. It wasn't true. It was far from the truth but Mrs. Malfoy seemed to have bought it.
"You are just the sweetest thing." Mrs. Malfoy reached out and grabbed Crystal arm giving it a gentle squeeze.
"Hardly" Crystal muttered and kept her eyes on the train. "I hated to do it, share Draco that is."
"Your father will be thrilled to hear." Mrs. Malfoy smirked. Her father had been using Mrs. Malfoy to find out more information about his daughter, which is why Mrs. Malfoy wrote Crystal every week. Usually Crystal had nothing important to say, but she did mention Draco a lot. That pleased both the Dark Lord and their families. The plan would work.
"I think I see Draco heading out with Theo, Crabbe and Goyle." Crystal said quickly changing the subject. She didn't want to bring up her father. Not in the slightest. She knew from Mrs. Malfoy's words she was in deep trouble, though she didn't need words to tell her that. She knew she screwed up so badly she just hoped her words could be better and she could slither out of it.
Draco and Theo headed over after a quick good bye to their friends before they made their way over to Mrs. Malfoy. The hugs were short and the conversation even quicker. Mrs. Malfoy wanted to get away from prying eyes, the sooner the better. Despite all that has happened though she still held her head up high as she led them out of the station with their trunks. As they walked Draco reached out and held Crystal hand with a soft smile.
They headed a little bit farther into muggle London until they reached a high well to do wizarding pub nearby called The Unicorn Tea Garden. They all were familiar with the tea shop, but they didn't linger to have tea. They gathered in the lobby where Mrs. Malfoy ordered some tea to be shipped to the house before they headed over to the grand fireplace and flooed to Malfoy manor.
There was no time wasted. Mrs. Malfoy quickly commanded them into their best dress robes, which they were already in over the top dress robes, they just needed better. They nodded regardless though, knowing the drill and headed to their bedrooms. Crystal and Theo had stayed here many times and their rooms never changed. Together the three of them made the hike up the staircases to the fourth floor of the manor and went straight to their rooms.
Crystal couldn't help but gasp as she entered her room. It was completely redone in beautiful spring colors of pink and lavender. She hadn't expected a complete renovation of her room from her conversations with Mrs. Malfoy, but here it was. Her room was stunning. The beautiful bed was raised up on the three stair case in the far part of the room and was carved in Elven wood. The bedding on it was a simple white with lavender flowers. Over to the left was a door for her own bathroom and not to fair away was the fireplace which had been re-done as well with more Elven wood with careful designs of magical creatures on it. She couldn't help but walk past the couch in front of the fire place and stare at the design on it. She shook her head, she didn't have time for admiring Mrs. Malfoy's handy work. She had to head down to parlor in her finest dress robes as asked. Letting out a sigh, she walked to her bathroom to her closet that held all her dress robes from home. She quickly looked through knowing exactly which one she wanted, her beautiful dark green dress robes. It was the last present her mother gave her and she would wear it proudly to whatever she was about to face.
Once she had finished getting dress and priming her hair ever so slightly she left her room holding her head up high.
"No promises this won't get ugly." Draco said softly as he held his arm out for her. She took it gladly knowing it would give her courage to do this.
Crystal nodded "I am prepared. I made my mistakes." She gave Draco's arm a reassuring squeeze. She knew it wouldn't help though. He was already prepared for the worst and for once he would see the worst happen to her. He was scared and almost terrified of what would come, but he didn't voice it. He was hoping deep down inside that he could prevent any pain or harm to her. But he knew that wouldn't happen. She'd be hurt no matter what he and Theo could say. They both had thought of several things to say to better her situation, but nothing seemed to be believable. Nothing could save her. She was at the mercy of her father and the Dark Lord.
But yet she didn't seem scared at all, not even as she knocked on the parlor door.
"You may enter." The Dark Lord's voice called out sending shivers down their spines. Crystal shook the greatest but she ignored it and led the Theo and Draco in proudly. Her courage didn't even waver when she saw the room had been cleared and the only light that was being produced in the room was the candles that lined the wall. She completely ignored the circle of Death Eaters that were formed around them, Voldemort being front and center.
"Malfoy and Nott take your place next to your parents." Voldemort growled when they had made it to the center of the circle. "But you, you stay here." He commanded with his long white finger out stretched at Crystal.
She nodded and let go of Draco's arm, who didn't y leave her. He wanted to protect her. But Crystal didn't want that. She threw him a harsh glance before scolding him. "It would be wise to do as your Lord commands of you." Crystal felt like a hypocrite as soon as the words came out of her mouth, but she meant it as she pushed him lightly towards his mother and Aunt Bellatrix.
Voldemort let out a cruel laugh. "Listen to this one" He carried on as Death Eaters joined in the laughter. "Betrays her family and me" He pulled out his wand and pointed it at her. "And has the nerve to direct young Draco Malfoy what to do. That is rich, truly rich."
Crystal took in every word and even caught her father's eyes. He looked beyond angry as he followed the Dark Lord who began pacing around her. She quickly pulled her eyes away and focused on the Dark Lord.
"Is there anything you wish to say for your crime?" He narrowed his eyes as he pushed his wand into her chest.
Crystal swallowed hard and closed her eyes. What could she possibly say to fix this? Was there really anything? She knew she screwed up in their minds. But in her mind she did the right thing. She was fighting for good. The side she always wanted to be on was not this one. It was with the Order fighting against the 'person', if you could even call him that, standing in front of her.
"Well, blood traitor is there anything you have to say?" Voldemort questioned with a sickening grin.
His voiced seemed to snap her thoughts. "I am not a blood traitor." Crystal said proudly as she looked Voldemort right in the eyes.
"You aren't a blood traitor?" Voldemort laughed richly as he pulled his wand away and turned to the group of Death Eaters.
The Death Eaters whether they found it funny or not began to laugh as well. The sound of them laughing began to make Crystal feel sick but she still held her ground.
"I saw her at the Ministry! There's no way she's not a blood traitor fighting among blood traitors and mudbloods!" Bellatrix shrieked causing several nods from Death Eaters who weren't caught but were at the ministry. Her father didn't nod his head though. He remained still even if he saw her there. He didn't seem to be admitting it.
"Crystal" Voldemort turned to her and raised his wand to her. "I'm not sure if you are away, but Bellatrix is one of my faithful Death Eaters. Why would she lie?" He questioned narrowing his eyes at her.
"I have no reason to lie to you either." Crystal said flatly as she crossed her arms over her chest. Her stomach was beginning to twist and turn. It wasn't making her feel very good. She felt the urge to vomit, but she knew she had to be strong. She had to keep her composure. "Did you ever think that Bellatrix just doesn't know my side of the story?" Crystal questioned raising her eyebrow slightly.
Voldemort ignored her last comment "Except that you are a blood traitor" He growled focusing on her first answer. He had enough. She had nothing important to say in his mind. He let out a sigh. "I have high hopes for you and I hope this punishment will put you in your place. I need you and you will understand after this summer that your place is among us and not among blood filth." He threw her what she assumed to be an sympathetic look before raising his wand high. "Truly I am sorry." He said. But Crystal wasn't sure he meant it as his wand swished and he cried out "Crucio!"
Crystal watched with wide eyes as the spell hit her square in the chest. She didn't cry out in pain and didn't move. Her mind was set on not screaming out, but the pain was beginning to worm instead of her bones and light them a blaze. Before she could control it she was on her knees panting as she attempted not to scream. The pain was growing deeper and deeper with in her. She wanted nothing more than to scream. But she wanted to seem like she did nothing wrong. She wanted the Dark Lord to know she was right and he was wrong, even if he'd never see it that way.
He let go of the spell and started pacing around her again as she held her body close. "I think she hasn't learned her lesson." He shook his head and kicked her roughly in her side. "Tsk tsk tsk, I do not of course blame you Nott" He stood tall and looked over at Crystal's father who nodded. "From what I understand this girl has a big heart. Her biggest flaw" He kicked her once more "Love will kill her one day, you see." No one said anything. The Dark Lord seemed to be rambling. "Stand up" he commanded to Crystal who nodded weakly and stood up. Her legs were shaking slightly but she ignored it and stood as tall as she could. "Bellatrix, your knife if you would" He put his wand away and held out his hand waiting.
Bellatrix didn't take any time. She quickly scrambled proudly for her knife and handed it to the Dark Lord happy that she could please him.
"We need to let the message sink in." Voldemort's eyes flashed dangerously as he walked behind Crystal.
Crystal stood there letting her eyes widen in fear. Last time she heard the words 'let the message sink in' she had written 'I must not tell lies' over and over again in Umbridges office. But that's not what was scaring her now. What was scaring her now was the fact that Voldemort was standing behind her with a knife. After years and years of being hit with the cruciatus curse she knew how to fight it, but after years and years of getting her skin marked with a knife she couldn't fight that pain.
Her eyes darted around in fear as she waited. After a while her eyes rested on the familiar ice cold grey orbs. They held nothing but she still locked on as the knife ripped the back of her dress letting it fall gracefully to the ground. She let out a tiny sob as she stood before the Death Eaters in her undergarments.
"One more word fitting of your betrayal, should suffice." Voldemort smirked as he tossed the knife in his hand. He couldn't help but read the rest of the words that traced across her back from years and years of abuse from her father. Most of them had faded over time but the strongest still was worthless. He let out a cold laugh before he dug the knife deeply into her back.
Slowly the words began to form digging deeper and deeper into her back until they spelt out Blood Traitor. As each letter was spelt Crystal began to sob. She couldn't keep them in any longer. She finally tore her eyes away from Draco's and let the tears flow down her cheeks. She had nothing left right now but to succumb to the Dark Lords punishment. But even if she was crying, she was still standing tall. She didn't want to seem so weak. She wanted to make her mother proud, even if she was no longer on earth. And she wanted to prove to Draco she didn't always need protecting. She wasn't as weak as he believed.
"Blood traitor" Voldemort spoke loudly as he finished spelling out the words on her back. He stared a bit longer as the words dripped blood down her back, trickling onto the floor. He smirked "Though I'm not sure the message is there yet." He walked around to look into her eyes. He wasn't satisfied. She was crying but she wasn't beginning for forgiveness. He wouldn't stop until she did.
He glared at her and threw the knife at her dress trapping it to the ground. He then pulled out his wand and looked Crystal straight in the eyes. He didn't mutter the spell out loud, but with one quick glance at her, he sent her flying. The curse hit her with a light blue ray of light and pushed her body from where she was rooted.
Draco cried out as her body flew up against the wall and watched in horror as blood smeared down as her body crashed lifelessly to the ground. "Crystal!" He screamed only to be held back by his mother. He turned to Theo who looked pale, but wasn't moving. Draco then turned to his mother and ripped her hands away. He went to run towards Crystal but Voldemort had stopped him.
"Leave the blood traitor be for now." Voldemort spat as he pushed Draco back among the ranks.
But Draco fought and stood her ground. "She isn't a blood traitor!" Draco cried out screaming. He didn't care who was here or who was watching with. All that matter to him was to protect her and to get her into medical care. She hit her head pretty hard and she was just getting over a concussion. The last thing Draco needed was for her to be feeling worse. She was terrible at taking care of herself. The fact that she wasn't using her cane today was proof of that.
"Enlighten us then" Voldemort turned to Draco in curiosity. He wasn't too thrilled with the Malfoy family right now, but the boy showed promise unlike his father who was in Azkaban. Besides this boy and that Nott girl were a part of his plan. He needed them on his side.
"She didn't tell anyone, but she's been befriending Potter and his groupies to get closer." Draco said quickly. He felt he had to get it out for someone to hear. He knew it wasn't true, but no one will know the difference once he's done speaking. "She wanted to get any information she could from them to relay to you." Draco said in the strongest voice he could as he watched Crystal who seemed to be stirring slightly, but that could have been his eyes playing tricks on her.
"Is that so?" Voldemort turned to Draco and attempted to read his mind. Draco knew what was going on and immediately made his mind flash a false conversation he had with Crystal. Voldemort believed the memory because he smiled sickly. "I should give this girl more credit. Why did you not speak up earlier?"
"Because she let that blood traitor Weasley kiss her. She got too into her own game." Draco narrowed his eyes as the memory flashed through his mind. He remembered it clearly, but he didn't hold it against her anymore. The only thing on his mind was saving her. "I am afraid she had some feelings for him."
"Then it's best that it should now be washed from her." Voldemort turned to Crystal who was still lifeless on the wall. "We shall met again tomorrow my fellow servants." Voldemort said loudly to his Death Eaters before he swished his cloak and left the room. Many followed him out, but several stayed and cleaned up the blood.
Draco stay right by Crystal side as tears slipped through his eyelashes. "Crystal please wake up" he cried, but she didn't move. She was unconscious to the world. "Crystal" He cried. But he couldn't do anything. He failed to save her once more. He would never be good enough for her. He was a failure no doubt.
No, he had to uphold the family honor. He would protect Crystal and take on whatever task the Dark Lord had planned for him and he would do it with as much pride as he could, even if he sold his soul to the darkness.
A/N: That's it! I hope you enjoyed it. The squeal will pick up when Crystal wakes up but here's the thing, there will be two squeals. They will both be "If this happens then this is her future" kind of thing. I will write the two at the same time, so I release a chapter for one, then the next time the other. You'll catch on. I'm doing this so if you don't like one but the other one better, you can enjoy the story still. Or if you like both it's a bonus. Anyways…I'm rambling.
One story will be named: Knowing there's more beyond the pain of today.
The other will be named: Theory of the Bitter one.