Chapter 19: Troll in the dungeon missed?

People had said that the pain of the Cruciatus Curse was worse than having a thousand white-hot knives pierce ones skin. That was an understatement. Zoey's body was indulged by mind numbing pain when the curse was casted and it still felt the same after it was lifted. She could feel knives piercing her skin and through her skull. Zoey felt tears flow down her face as she lay limp on the cold, hard floor. Her head throbbed painfully when her aunt's shoes clacked on the floor making it echo in her ears.

"So, are you going to tell me where it is?" her aunt hissed

Zoey did not reply, she could not reply. She could not speak, think, breath. Zoey felt like she was merely a rag doll who was tossed aside because her owner, who once loved her, had found a new brand new toy. The only flaw Zoey could see in this comparison was that her aunt never loved her. She let out a pained whimper as she felt her aunt's nails scratch her scalp as she grabbed a handful of her hair.

"You're not going to tell me… are you?" her aunt whispered, "Let's see if you'll talk when you're dangling from two-hundred-fifty feet from the ground"

Before Zoey knew it her aunt's grip tightened and everything around her darkened. She felt as if she was being pushed around in different places. She felt her chest tighten, her eyeballs being forced back into her head and her eardrums being pushed further into her skull. She also felt as if she were being squeezed through a very tight rubber tube.

As all the awful feelings ran through Zoey it was just worsened when she felt a sharp pain on her left arm.

Zoey felt the surface beneath her change to a rough and jagged one. Her aunt still had a full grip on her hair but it wasn't enough to hold Zoey up. She slumped down as a wave of pain shot through her body.

She let out an ear-piercing scream

"Oh poor baby," her aunt cooed, "Did you get splinchy winchy?"

Her aunt grabbed hold of her injured arm and jerked her upwards. Zoey let out another scream.

"Now then," her aunt said as she let go of her hair and pulled out her wand, "Should we do this like witches or muggles?"

Zoey did not reply. She whimpered and cried as she tried to free herself from her aunt's grip. The grip tightened.

"Stop squirming you little brat,' her aunt murmured as she walked towards the big gaping hole in the stone wall. Zoey felt the cold harsh wind blow by her and she hissed. Her aunt held tighter on her arm as she forced her wand to her neck.

"So are you going to tell me now?"

Zoey said nothing. She felt weak, she was draining blood fast. Her aunt's grip was tight but it was not strong enough to fully hold Zoey up. Zoey's body slumped and her head bobbed to the side. Almost half of her was hanging out of the hole. She could have fallen if her aunt didn't hold on to her.

Zoey felt the tears in her eyes overflow and fall down her cheeks. She was frozen to the spot as her gaze was focused on the ground beneath her. She was so high up that it was hard to distinguish what was below her. It was late at night that was what Zoey knew for the sky was dark and the wind was cold. Down below her she couldn't tell if it was cement, grass or the ocean. A thick opaque fog covered her view. A tear drop fell and woke Zoey up from her trance. She started to squirm.

"Let me go!" she yelled as she tried to break free, which wasn't much of a good idea seeing as she would fall.

"Alright," her aunt said maliciously as she loosened her grip. Zoey felt herself slipping and her eyes widened. Without much choice she gripped onto her aunt's arm.

"Aha," her aunt cackled, "Afraid of heights now are we?"

Her aunt released her hold on Zoey's arm before quickly catching it again. Zoey let out a scream. Her head lolled to the side and her eyes were once again focused beneath her. This could not be just two-hundred and fifty feet, Zoey thought to herself in fright.

"So…where is it?"

"I told you! I don't know! I don't know where the box is! I don't know! I DON'T KNOW!" Zoey screamed with all her might. She felt her face burn from her screaming and her head throbbed, "Please! Please! Get me out of here!"

Zoey took in large gasps of breaths as her tears continued to flow down her face. Her aunt stayed silent.

"So it's a box then?" her aunt whispered with a malicious smile on her lips. Zoey felt herself falling.


Zoey's leg jerked causing her to wake up with a gasp. Her eyes shot open and stared into a dull, white ceiling that looked an eerie gray from the dim light emitted by the lamp on Zoey's bedside table. Zoey's head throbbed as she groaned. She slowly turned her head to the side and caught sight of her glasses. They were crooked and broken beyond fixing.

She turned her head to the other side and saw a white curtain that separated her from the other beds, it was the same at the foot of her bed and on her other side. She was trapped in a white-curtained box. Box Zoey shuddered. She brought up a shaky hand to wipe away the sweat from her forehead. She looked down her arm and saw a long scar.

She frowned.

Zoey tried to sit up but regretted it deeply as she felt her neck and shoulders were stiff and shot a numbing pain through her body. How long has she been asleep? She wondered.

"H-hello?" Zoey called out, her voice was hoarse and it was barely loud enough to make an echo in the room. Zoey guessed she was in the hospital wing. She hoped Madam Pomfrey was awake. "Hello?" she tried again, "A-anyone?"

Zoey licked her chapped lips as she waited for some sort of sound of acknowledgement. Nothing.

What time is it? Zoey wondered. The room was dark and she felt a cold wind blow. She bit her lip as she tried to get a comfortable position under her blankets.

Zoey felt her eyes drop.


Zoey was thrown harshly at her bedroom wall. She and her aunt had apparated back into her house and her aunt threw her away like she was last season's witch's robes. Zoey gasped for breath as she tried her best to sit back up. She managed to get into an upright position and leaned against her broken cabinet.

"So, it's a box then," her aunt said as she twirled her wand in her hair and paced around the room, her shoes clacking on the marbled floor.

Zoey made no sign of hearing the question; she simply stared at the cabinet door that hung pathetically on its hinges.

"Now tell me," her aunt said as she squatted in front of her, "What's in the box?"

Zoey mumbled.

"What was that?" her aunt glared.

"I don't know," Zoey said a little bit louder as she glared at her aunt from under her lashes.

Her aunt raised her hand and slapped her, her nails making long red lines on her pale cheeks. Zoey felt tears well up in her eyes but she did not let them fall.

"You should learn your place," a high girlish voice that seemed to be flavored with poisoned honey said from behind her aunt. Zoey focused her eyes on the newest person in the room. Her aunt wore an evil smile on her lips as she stood up and turned around.

"Do-"


"MISS EMERAUDE!"

Zoey's eyes opened again and this time it was greeted by a soft sunlight. It was morning but the sun wasn't fully up. Zoey was glad she didn't wake up to a blazing light. She breathed in deeply before focusing her gaze to the figure holding her down.

"M-Madam Pomfrey?" Zoey stuttered out. Madam Pomfrey gave a nod before releasing her hold on Zoey. She then placed her hand underneath her and helped her up. Zoey had no choice but to let Madam Pomfrey help her for her body was as stiff as a statue. Zoey held a rather uncomfortable look when she realized she couldn't move her neck properly or feel her legs and arms.

Sensing her discomfort, Madam Pomfrey waved her wand and Zoey felt a little pressure on her numb limbs before the stiffness disappeared. Zoey rolled her head in a circle before smiling softly.

"Thanks," she said.

"You're Welcome," Madame Pomfrey said before taking a bottle from Zoey's bedside table and handing it to her, "Now drink up"

Zoey took the bottle and sniffed it. She made a face. "What's this?"

"A Calming Draught"

"For what?" Zoey asked before blushing, "Oh Calming…sorry… but why do I need a calming draught?"

Madam Pomfrey tucked in her wand. "I would say to calm you but that isn't the answer you're looking for is it?"

Zoey shook her head.

"You were thrashing in your bed. Screaming all sort of things like "I don't know where the box is" or "Let me go!" it really gave me a fright," Madame Pomfrey said as she drew back the curtains that made Zoey feel like she was caged a bit.

"H-how long was I asleep?" Zoey asked nervously as she brought the bottle to her lips but not exactly drinking it.

"About four days"

"Four days?" Zoey asked in shock as she brought the bottle back down. In her dream it just felt like one day.

"Yes, four days," Madam Pomfrey confirmed before telling Zoey to drink the potion. Zoey made a face that could be compared to a child who was being forced to take his cough syrup. She tilted the bottle to her lips and gulped it all down before handing the bottle back to Madam Pomfrey and trying to keep her gag reflexes in check.

"What happened exactly?" Zoey asked.

"Maybe I can take it from here Madam Pomfrey," a voice said making Zoey gasp and look behind Madam Pomfrey. There stood purple haired, golden eyed, Ravenclaw girl, Echo.

"Miss Beaumont," Madam Pomfrey asked in slight surprise, "Shouldn't you be at breakfast?"

"I already ate, Madam Pomfrey," Echo said plainly through sleep-deprived eyes.

Madam Pomfrey gave her a suspicious look before walking away to put away the bottle. Zoey watched as she disappeared behind one of the shelves that held most of the potion bottles.

"So what happened?" Zoey asked when she was sure Madam Pomfrey was out of ear shot.

"I served detention. Stupid gidiots," Echo mumbled as she rubbed her eyes.

"Detention?" Zoey asked, "Echo, what happened? What happened in the tower? Tell me everything, please"

Echo breathed in and exhaled, "Well, you almost fell of the Astronomy Tower. We saved you from falling to oblivion. Then you began screaming and trashing around. Professor McGonagall heard and saw us. She got you to the hospital wing. After that, we got another detention for skipping detention and loitering after curfew"

"Screaming? What was I saying?" Zoey asked as she started to busy her hands with twisting her blankets.

"You said you didn't know where the box was," Echo raised an eyebrow

Zoey licked and bit her lip as she looked out the window. "What happened during the four days I've been asleep?" she asked, changing the subject

"Been a blur actually. You should ask Bridgit. My head is throbbing from catching up in homework. Which reminds me, I have to go now," Echo said in a rush before handing her an envelope, "This came for you today."

Zoey flipped the envelope and saw her name written in a slightly rushed scrawl. She looked up and caught Echo waving at her before leaving the Hospital Wing. Zoey looked back down at the envelope and carefully tore it open. She pulled out the piece of parchment inside and unfolded it.

My dearest Zoey,

I hope you are doing alright now. You gave Remus and I quite a scare when we heard what had happened to you. We were just about to floor to check up on you but were advised that it wasn't the wisest of decisions at the moment. We hope that you are doing alright and pray that you haven't been having those awful nightmares again. If you do, you know you can tell me about it right? I'm sorry but I have to keep this letter short for Remus and I have to get going. We are in a rush. We hope to see you again soon.

Love,

Aunt Maria.

P.S. Remus had signed your Parental approval slip for your Hogsmeade visits. Sorry it's a little late. Hope you have fun. I know your mother and I did ;P

Zoey smiled softly before pulling out another piece of parchment from the envelope. She held it up high as if checking to see if it were real. She admired her Uncle's penmanship; it was neat but yet had its boyish scrawl to it. She placed the envelope and parchment back on the bedside table before Madam Pomfrey came back out. In her hand was another bottle.

Madam Pomfrey had waved her wand several times to see if anything was wrong with Zoey. Zoey had to opened her mouth and stare straight at a wall while a light shone in her eyes. She also had Madam Pomfrey press a hand on her back as she had to take deep breaths. After several minutes Madam Pomfrey held the bottle to Zoey's face.

"What's that?" Zoey couldn't help but ask as she took the bottle.

"Dreamless Sleep Potion," Madam Pomfrey answered, "From my observation you have been having very disturbing nightmares. Having a dreamless sleep would do you some good"

Zoey looked inside the bottle and noted that the potion was purple in color. She shrugged her shoulders and drank it all. She slowly handed the bottle back to Madam Pomfrey before falling back onto her pillows and closing her eyes. She felt that her slumber would last longer than an hour


Zoey felt herself waking up and once again felt a slight stiffness in her neck. She didn't know how long she had been asleep, for all she knew she could have slept the entire day or more. Zoey didn't particularly care how long she slept though, she was actually glad. She could not remember how long it's been since she felt so calm after a sleep. She felt her bed shift slightly.

Zoey opened her eyes and was one again greeted by a dimly lit room. She moved her head slightly to the side and gasped at the sight.

"Fred!" her yell was muffled for Fred had swiftly covered her mouth almost as if he knew how she would react.

"Shhh," Fred whispered as he released his hold on Zoey, "You want me to get caught or something?

Zoey shook her head, "What are you doing here?"

"Visiting you of course," Fred grinned.

Zoey blushed, "B-but why?"

"Well," it was Fred's turn to blush, "I feel sorta responsible for you being here so…yeah. Sorry about all this," he made a hand motion, "I shouldn't have come up with the idea to prank Trelawney-"

"Professor Trelawney," Zoey couldn't help but correct

"- yeah, that one. Well, it was just… an idea gone too far. George and I never dreamed you would get hurt."

"You mean you guys wouldn't dream that there would be a fight and I would get caught in crossfire?" Zoey offered as she raised her eyebrow and offered a small smile.

"We figured there would be slight disagreement but never would have thought it would get so…intense," Fred said as he looked around the room. Zoey grinned when she saw Fred nervously ruffle is hair.

"It's fine Fred," Zoey said, "I mean… you didn't plan on jinxing me…right?"

"Never would dream of it!" Fred said in his loudest whisper, "But…blimey… you forgive pretty easily…not like- never mind"

Zoey cocked her head to the side, "Well… yeah… I guess I do… but… what do you mean?"

"Let's just say me and George should steer clear form Echo and Bridgit from now on"

Zoey gave a laugh. "They're that mad?" Fred made a face as he nodded his head.

"What happened while I was asleep?" Zoey couldn't help but ask.

"Nothing much. Well, there was that troll that broke into the Dungeons," Fred said with a shrug

"What?" Zoey gasped

"It's nothing to worry about. Ron, Harry and Hermione took care of 'im."

Zoey stared at Fred in disbelief. How could three First-years 'take care' of a violent troll? How did the troll break in? How'd they stop him? Question after question filled Zoey's minds as she tried to visualize what had happened. Soon enough another question popped into her mind.

"Hey, Fred?" Zoey whispered, "How did you get here? You know without running into Filch or anything. How'd you know you wouldn't accidentally walk in on Madam Pomfrey while she's checking up on me?"

Fred raised his eyebrow, "The Marauder's map. What else would I use?"

"The what?" Zoey asked clearly confused.

"The Marauder's map," Fred repeated.

"Just because you repeat it doesn't automatically make me know what it is," Zoey laughed.

"The Marauder's map. The map George and I nicked from Filch back in first year. You know the map of Hogwarts that shows everyone, what they're doing of every minute, of everyday," Fred said, "How could you not know it? We showed it to Echo and-"

"Bridgit"

"Bridgit," Fred whispered, "We showed it to Echo and Bridgit…Zoe, I'm so-"

"No need to apologize," Zoey said, "There was no need to showing it to me. I mean, you guys would have more use of it. Not telling me would be the same as telling me. Either way, I wouldn't use it."

Zoey looked down hiding her quivering lip. She knew she had no use for such map but it still hurt that they didn't show it to her. It hurt that they actually forgot about her. Zoey kept her head down even when she felt Fred's hand graze her cheek and moved up to brush her hair away from her eyes. He moved his hand down to her chin and tilted it upwards so she would meet his eyes.

"You have very beautiful eyes," Fred whispered.

Zoey felt her blush return as she stared deeply into Fred's blue orbs. She desperately wanted to say "No, your eye's are beautiful," but she kept it to herself. She thought it was far too cheesy. She breathed out a "Thank you," instead.

She felt Fred's hand leave her chin and instead brought it to the back of her neck. He pulled her towards him and lightly kissed her cheek. Zoey's eyes widened and her blush intensified as Fred realeased his hold on her and stared back into her eyes. After a minute or two, thought felt like a year to Zoey, Fred abruptly stood up.

"I-I should get going now," he stuttered out not quite looking at her.

Zoey didn't reply. She watched as Fred quietly brisk walked towards the Hospital Wing's doors. He placed his hand on the handle and looked back. He gave an awkward wave before leaving. Zoey's mind seemed to be going in slow motion for she waved back five minutes after he left. She was brought out of her trance when Madam Pomfrey approached her.

"What are you doing up?" she asked

Zoey jumped a bit before scurrying under her blanket covers, hiding her red face.

"P-please don't look at me," she stuttered out

"What are you talking about?" Madam Pomfrey asked

"I- err- he- map- visit- angry- troll- kiss- awkward- arrg!" Zoey rambled as she reached for her pillow and placed it on top of her head. She pressed it to her face muffling her voice as she continued to ramble.

"What are you doing, Miss Emeraude?" Madam Pomfrey asked slightly bemused at the thirteen-year-olds actions.


Hey! Hello! Wazzap!

Before anything I would like to apologize for my typos in my previous chapter and if ever this chapter.

And with that out of the way. I did not put the Troll scene here because I did not know how I could squeeze Zoey into that scene. Yeah.

This chapter is rather long. Sorry about that. Sorry also if any of the characters are kinda OOC.

Anyway, test week right now. I might die tomorrow due to my tests and my HELE project which I still haven't done. I still have to complete my math project too. Shizz.

Now, most of you were asking for more fluff or in other words "Fred/Zoey" moments and here it is! Near the end of the chapter! Yey!

A lot of you have also been asking when Zoey was going to tell them about her past. Please be patient! She will in time :D

Well, I have to finish my requirements now. Sigh. I wanna cry.

Thank you all for reviewing, asking, alerting and favoriting! YOU ARE ALL SO AWESOME!

Please don't forget to review and ask questions!

I only own what I own