Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU to everyone who is reviewing. It means so much to me, truly. Here is a new update! RxR!
(Sunday, November 16th)
The battle raged on in Aubrielle's head as the week ticked by. Emolly made sure to tell her everyday to not say a word to Neville either, which caused the conflict in her mind to worsen. Emolly still told her everything about Blaise, about how sex was pretty much the height of his control over her and that he actually hadn't physically abused her…yet. The Ravenclaw still kept her eyes on the Italian asshole like a hawk with the secret intention to hex him into oblivion if he hurt her best friend in front of her.
The Army was getting complicated with the upcoming holiday break. For one, about 7 members were planning on going into hiding with their families during the break, which meant that their numbers were dwindling. There were a good amount of members staying at the school for the break, however, so they would have plenty of free time to sharpen and perfect their spells. On top of that, it would be good to just spend time with their friends since they didn't know exactly how much time they had left. The only person that Aubrielle really missed was her mother. She missed getting advice from her about things, especially when she was on her break from Neville. Sure, her mother was never really home much anyway because of her job at the Ministry, but it was even worse with the death eaters ruling the school because the students weren't allowed to take the occasional and cherished weekend trips home. Her mom also wasn't allowed at the school, no parents were, and had no reason to come anyway since Quidditch was no longer allowed. She didn't hear a lick of news from her either, which made her worry, but her mind was soon put at ease. One Sunday morning, while Aubrielle was helping out in the hospital wing, Madame Pomfrey pulled her aside.
"Ms. Song, I have something for you. Last weekend I absolutely had to go into Hogsmeade to buy more medical supplies; it's the only thing that Headmaster Snape lets me leave the castle for, and I ran into your mother. She gave me this and she asked me to give it to you. I would have given it to you sooner but I forgot."
She held out a tightly folded piece of paper with a single string tied around it. Aubrielle gladly accepted the note and stuffed it into her robe pocket. She would read it later in the safety of the Room of Requirement along with Nielah. She smiled at the elder witch kindly and thanked her for the information.
"Thank you Madame Pomfrey."
"Sure thing dearie."
o.O.o
Aubrielle and Nielah were sitting on the latter's cot, staring at the piece of parchment. They were skeptical about opening it, unsure if it was good or bad news. Nielah finally mustered up the courage to read it and she slid the string off the paper. Her hands were shaking a little as she opened the letter up. She cleared her throat before reading it out loud.
My dearest daughters,
I know you are both intelligent girls so I understand that you know the state of the wizarding world right now. As it turns out, the Ministry is starting to do blood tests and punishing anyone who is anything less than a pureblood. Obviously that is a problem for me since, as you know, I am a half blood. I wrote this note to inform you that I am going into hiding. Please do not worry or fret about me for I can guarantee you that I am safe. You needed to know, though, so here it is in writing. To not sound cowardly, I am informing you that I am still active in my resistance group and we will fight when this whole thing explodes.
I hope you two are doing well in school and that life isn't too terrible. Please be safe with everything you do and look out for each other. I have all the faith in the world that you two can make it through this. Hold those that you love close to you during these times. I want you to both stay at the school, even though it is being run under death eater control, simply because I know that the students are safe there. Keep your heads high girls.
I love you both so much. XOXO
Love, Mum
Nielah finished and the sisters were silent for a moment, taking in the words that were written on the parchment. Their mother was going into hiding and they had no clue where she was. She could be in mainland Europe or even Asia for all they knew. If the Ministry is doing blood status tests, then that meant that most Aubrielle's family on her mother's side were in danger as well. Aubrielle could hear her kid sister choke back tears and she instinctively brought the fifth year into her chest. Nielah buried herself in her older sister's robe and clung to the fabric like a lifeline. She was sixteen now but she was still the youngest Song girl and while she tried to mask her fear, Aubrielle knew better. The seventh year scooted back on the bed until she could rest her back against the wall, dragging her sister with her. Nielah still gripped to her unmercifully and clung her to clothes. Aubrielle started humming the lullaby that their mother use to sing to them when they were little. Aubrielle could feel Nielah growing drowsy and soon the tears stopped and she was asleep on her sister's lap.
(Tuesday, November 18th)
Aubrielle absolutely dreaded going to Defense Against the Dark Arts. Her only saving grace in that class was the fact that Neville was in the same period as her. Neville and the professor had a very strained relationship, however. Neville usually disagreed with the lessons and therefore, he never held his tongue. It got him in trouble frequently, but he had always managed to stay strong. Half the time he didn't tell anyone either because he didn't want his friends stressed about him. Aubrielle was usually quiet and did as she was told. The spells were nothing too severe, yet, and since the class was mostly made up of Army members, they all knew where her true support was.
She walked into the classroom and sat at her usual desk next to Padma Patil. The class was divided by the houses, but Neville and Aubrielle were able to sit at the divider line so they were as close as they possibly could be. At the front of the classroom was the teacher's desk as well as a large fighting platform for demonstrations and duels. The most nerve-wracking thing about the class was that Carrow picked who fought whom at random. He would strut into the room, point at two people and yell, "You two! Platform! NOW!" and that was the end of that. If anyone argued, it was the threat of detention. Today was no different in that aspect, except for when the teacher picked the two students, Aubrielle's heart leapt out of her chest.
"Song! Longbottom! I believe you two have not fought each other yet…"
'You have no idea…' thought the witch as she nervously stood up from her seat and sulked onto the large, wooden stage. She turned to face Neville, who was equally as terrified, as the professor came up dangerously close behind her. He leaned down so his mouth was towards her ear and whispered to her.
"Your spell to use is…"
He always did this. He would go up behind a student and whisper a curse in their ear and they had to perform it or else they would wind up in detention. It was unjust and unfair, considering that the opponent had no idea what was coming at them. She took a deep breath as he dragged out the suspense.
"Incarcerous."
The Ravenclaw's breath hitched in her throat as he told her the spell. The memory of her binding Neville and cursing him instantly flooded her head and she felt a wad build up in her throat. She stood there, looking at her boyfriend, frozen. Her wand was still at her side and her arm felt like a dangling cinderblock. She shook her head, no, and stayed rooted at her spot. Neville's eyes widened as he saw her hesitation and there was a collective gasp from the rest of the students. She knew the consequences and she knew that he would, of course, forgive her for hurting him, so why was she being stubborn about this?
"No?"
The professor came in front of her and towered over her. She shook her head again and the frustration soon creeped into Carrow's cheeks. Neville took a single step closer with a puzzled look on his face.
"It's okay Aubrielle. I can take it."
She shook her head again and her eyes started to sting with the formation of tears. She had history with this spell and this opponent. The last time she had used this curse had resulted in the end of their relationship. It was too sensitive of a spell for her and she didn't care about the punishment. All she could imagine was her yelling and screaming at the Gryffindor. She was going to hold her ground for once.
"No."
"I'm going to give you a warning Song. Raise your wand right now."
"Aubrielle please do it-"
"No!"
"Please Aub-"
"No Neville! I'm not doing it!"
Neville was walking towards her now but stopped dead in his tracks when the teacher's hand made contact with her face. He stood there with a mix of emotions running through his body. He was shocked, furious, upset, and confused. Carrow had physically punished students before, Neville had a couple scars to prove it, but he had never done that to a female. Aubrielle touched her hand to her mouth as the taste of blood reached her tongue. She drew her hand back to see the red liquid running down her fingers. She looked up at her professor with tears now freely flowing down her face.
"I warned you, you filthy girl. That's what happens when you go against my teachings. Now, perform the spell."
Aubrielle's eyes narrowed, "No."
"You stubborn little-"
"Expelliarmus!"
Just as the teacher was raising his wand at her face, it flew into the air and out of his reach. He angrily spun around to find Neville with his wand held high. How dare he defy him!
"Both of you, detention, tonight. I'll see you here at 8."
He stomped towards his wand and bent over to pick it up. He picked two new students to duel and they quickly took Neville and Aubrielle's spots. The Ravenclaw stepped off the platform and Padma immediately rushed over to her with a small towel. She held it gingerly to her mouth to help control the bleeding. Neville looked over at her, wanting to just run over and help her, but that would just cause more issues with Carrow. Dean came up behind him and gripped his shoulders tightly, begging him to relax.
"She's okay mate. She can handle a little blood."
"I want to kill him."
"Carrow?"
"Yeah. He hit a girl. My girl. I want to kill him Dean."
"Calm down Neville. It's not worth it. You'll get your chance but now isn't the right time. It'll just make things worse."
The Gryffindor stood there, fuming, as he watched the teacher give the new students their spells. He watched as Parvati, crying, shot ropes out the end of her wand and started to 'gently' strangle Michael Corner. Now he understood why Aubrielle wouldn't do it and he couldn't blame her. He put his focus on her again and saw that most of the blood was gone, but her lip was swollen and red. He clenched his fists at his sides; detention was going to be interesting.
o.O.o
The classroom was dark and eerie without the usual amount of students. Aubrielle and Neville walked in moments apart from each other, to not seem like they went together since that was against the bloody rules, and Carrow lifted his head up when they both entered. He gave them both a disgusted grin, which caused chills to shoot up Aubrielle's spine. Neville looked unfazed.
"The stubborn cry baby and the defiant rule breaker, welcome to detention. I believe the latter is familiar enough but you, Ms. Song; you're in for a handful. Sit."
Both students did as they were told and the teacher walked out from behind his desk. He had his wand gripped tightly in his hand and there was a hint of blood lust in his eyes that freaked the Ravenclaw out.
"Curious, you two. It's curious that Neville would defend you so quickly, Ms. Song."
Neville gulped as he caught on to what the death eater was saying. He was implying something; something that would get him and Aubrielle is some serious trouble. He caught a glimpse of her and noticed her hands shaking in her lap. She knew what was happening as well.
"Ms. Song, what's one of the most important rules at this school about the houses?"
"You're not allowed to talk to people out of your house…"
"Correct. So, why would Neville defend you if you're not allowed to talk to him?"
"We've been friends for almost a year professor."
"Friends? That's it?"
Her head was spinning as the teacher came closer to her. His face was only inches from her's as he bent down. He was beaming at her, a terrifying sight, and she fidgeted in her seat.
"I'm not dumb, dearie, and I know your little secret."
"There's no secret-"
Whack! His hand made contact with her face for the second time that day. Neville quickly stood up but Carrow pointed his wand at him threateningly until he sat down. The teacher turned and smiled at the witch.
"You're not fooling anyone you stupid girl."
He stepped back and looked between the two of them. Aubrielle was sweating with fear and she had no idea what Carrow was going to unleash on the two of them. He pointed his wand at Neville calmly and fired off a spell.
"Incarcerous."
The ropes quickly bound Neville to his chair and he was helpless. The teacher went over and took Aubrielle by her sweater collar and yanked her from her seat. She whimpered as he stomped up to the platform, dragging her behind him. He forcefully threw her to the ground and stood over her. She looked at him through angry eyes to find him pointing his wand at her.
"This is what you get for breaking so many rules you bitch. Crucio!"
"AHH!"
Aubrielle screamed as the pain hit every bone and nerve in her body. She twisted and turned, praying that it would stop. Her chest started burning in pain and she could tell that her old wound was acting up.
"STOP PLEASE!"
Neville was screaming at the professor from his seat as he thrashed and fought against the ropes.
"She's been tortured before! YOU'RE GOING TO KILL HER! STOP!"
The professor stopped and turned to Neville. He was panting from trying to break free of his confinements and his face was red with rage. His eyes were on his girlfriend, who was crying and curled into a tight ball.
"You want me to stop?"
"Please, please, I'll do anything! Just…don't hurt her! She been cursed before and she almost died last time! Please!"
"Oh I know all about her little run in with Mr. Nott. Oh, I won't kill your precious half blood girlfriend. Oh no, she'll survive, just barely."
He turned around and pointed his wand back at the shaking witch.
"Crucio!"
"NO! STOP! STOP IT YOU BLOODY BASTARD!"
"CRUCIO!"
Aubrielle let out blood curdling screams as the teacher laughed at her. He was truly wicked, Carrow, and he was wholeheartedly enjoying himself.
"STOP! STOP! TORTURE ME! NOT HER!"
He drew his wand away again but Aubrielle kept whimpering and sobbing. She wanted to die. She was in so much pain and she just wanted it to all go away as quickly as possible. She was gasping for air and thrashing on the hard floor, trying to fight against the excruciating hex. Carrow stood over her for a moment, grinning proudly, before making his way to her boyfriend.
"What did you just say?"
"Torture me, not her. Please! You can do whatever you want to me but please…just let her be! Please-"
The death eater smirked and released Neville from his bindings. The Gryffindor immediately shot out of his seat and sprinted to his girlfriend's twisted and exhausted body. He knelt next to her and ran his hand over her cheek to wipe away the tears.
"Aubrielle-"
"Crucio."
Neville was quickly on his back as Carrow calmly recited the Unforgivable Curse. The wizard writhed on the ground as his professor stood above him. Aubrielle's eyes widened as she watched the horror in front of her. She wanted to scream out but there was no energy left in her body and she was fighting to stay conscious. All she could do was look at her boyfriend get tortured in order to spare her. She started crying harder as she saw his face twist into a picture of pure agony. Now she understood why Neville had been so beside himself when watching her. Neville was gasping and sputtering, now comprehending everything that Aubrielle had gone through not only moments ago, but last year as well. He gripped his shirt tightly, not knowing what to do, and could finally take a deep breath when Carrow released the spell. Neville was gasping for air and turned to look at his girlfriend. Her lids were heavy on her eyes and he could tell that she was going to lose consciousness soon. He reached out and took one of her hands in his and used the rest of his energy to give it a squeeze.
"Look at you two…lying there. A couple that gets tortured together, stays together, I guess. You're both pathetic."
He let out a maniacal laugh that echoed throughout the empty room and rang through the Ravenclaw's ears. He snapped his fingers and a frail house elf appeared. It was the one from the medical wing, Marbles, and it was trembling as it apparated into the room. Whenever one of the Carrows snapped their fingers, it was ordered to come immediately because it meant that students needed treatment. The elf, which knew Aubrielle well, looked at her limp body and started shaking harder.
"Y-yes Master C-Carrow?"
"Get these idiots out of my sight. I'm sure Madame Pomfrey will be delighted to have two new patients."
"Yes, M-Master Carrow."
Marbles went over to the two students just as Aubrielle's eyes closed and her body slipped out of consciousness.
o.O.o
Aubrielle woke up and went to turn to her side but quickly stopped when a sharp pain shot up her back. She let out a small yell and Madame Pomfrey came hustling to her bed.
"Shh, shh…it's okay Ms. Song. Don't move, it'll only make things worse."
She let out a long groan as she repositioned herself. The healer went to work on her wounds, new and old, and the Ravenclaw felt a powerful cooling sensation wash over her body. She shivered as it hit every inch of her being but before it got too intense, it stopped just as quickly as it started. She fell limp against her pillow and automatically reached her hand to her chest. She winced as she lightly lifted her gown up to see that it was nearly black in color. It looked as if there was a new wound on top of her existing one as she examined the various colors on her body.
"Don't touch it. It needs to heal on its own."
"Where's Neville? Is he okay?"
"He's right here."
Madame Pomfrey pulled back the curtain on Aubrielle's right to reveal her boyfriend. He was also lying on his back, but he was still asleep.
"What is the extent of his injuries?"
"He's a little worse than you but he'll be okay in due time. You both need to take it easy for the next couple of weeks. I'm also bringing Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick down here tomorrow to talk to the both of you. This is the worse that Professor Carrow has hurt any student and I want you both dis-enrolled. If I remember correctly, you both did well enough on your O.W.L.S to get it wavered."
"Madame Pomfrey, no disrespect to you, but Neville is going to want to stay in the class. He's too stubborn."
"We'll see. But for now, I just want you both to get your rest."
Whew. To be 100% honest, I wasn't planning on writing any of that. All of the sudden, I started typing and the words just flowed. Hope you enjoyed it! Review!