"You were quiet at dinner." Salazar said, I felt his cool eyes lingering on my back as I continued to comb through my hair. I felt a cold shudder run down my spine.
"I had much to think about. There is much to prepare for next year." I said. I kept my eyes focused on my hair, but heard the grate of the chair as he pushed it backwards and stood up. His steady footfall neared my side. He drew aside my hair and placed a long finger against my neck; gently drawing a line down from my ear towards my throat, his hand lingered on my chest, his thumb resting on the small dip of my throat.
"I'm surprised at you, Helga. For all you have sworn that you are a terrible liar, you attempt to lie to me."
I turn my head quickly and Salazar dug his thumb deeper into my throat, his face was contorted by flame and shadow, his features sharper and longer. As his tongue quickly flicked out between his lips, I could see why the Slytherin's bore the emblem of a snake.
"Salazar!" I gasped in surprise, my hand reaching for his as it tightened on my throat. His face neared mine, dark grey eyes glinting in the firelight.
"Tell me who he was? Who did you see today? You've let some bastard peasant touch you, you've got his smell all over you."
"I didn't…"
His hand tightened and he shook me with each word, "Don't lie to me. You've got his sweat on your skin, you wouldn't look at me at dinner. It is a dangerous thing to lie to a man like me."

Salazar pulled me from the chair and pushed me face down into the bed, I struggled in his tight grip, but for all his body was lean, he had surprising strength in his arms and legs. I heard the hiss of his wand removed from his belt and then tight cords wrapped around my wrists. As I tried to free my hands the rope cut hard into my flesh. I heard him undoing the laces on his breeches and then the air in my lungs vanished. No, he would not do this to me, he would not hurt me. I had seen him weakened and afraid.
"Salazar, please…" his hand dug into my neck, forcing my face into the covers. Salazar pushed apart my legs, tearing my skirt in his haste to get it above my waist and I felt his naked cock pressing against my entrance. Despite the terror that had seized my chest and salty tears running miserably down my face, I pulled away from his grasp, trying to get myself onto the bed and away from him. An arm came round my waist and dragged me back.
"No." I said, my voice coming out stronger. I twisted round to face him, hoping if I somehow saw his eyes and he mine, he would realise what he was doing. A sharp, ringing slap made my cheek burn. He forced my hands over my head, gripping them painfully, while his other tried to pull my legs open. There was not enough air in my body to scream and I had no strength left to fight him, I said the only thing that came into my mind. Something that I could only hope would make him realise what he was doing.
"What about your mother?"

He stopped, his eyes losing that glazed look of anger, his hand still holding my wrists. I felt myself shaking, deep gasps of air being pulled into my lungs.
"Salazar…?" I whispered, wanting some response from him, rather than his body hovering over mine. His eyes flicked to mine, they lowered to my lips, which trembled despite my best attempts to stop myself crying. He released my hands, his fingers deftly stroked my cheek, down to my neck and I closed my eyes as my body felt repulsed by the sensation rather than any desire. I opened my eyes and he was hovering a few inches from my mouth, the gap could have easily been closed by a kiss. Instead he looked confused and sprung away from my body, leaving me prostrate on the bed. He swiftly pulled on his breeches and tied the laces once more. He would not look at me and I did not want to move. When he had finally pulled on his shirt and tunic, he pulled his wand out, lazily flicked it at my wrists and the rope disappeared.

I carefully sat up and rubbed the sore marks on my arms. I pulled my knees tightly into my chest and wrapped my arms around them. My whole body felt numb and strange to me. I risked a quick glance up as he left the room, no word of apology or even a defence of himself passing from his lips. The door shut quietly and I buried my face into the pillows, wrenching sobs pulled from my lungs. I hated myself, my heart still ached and longed for him, I didn't want him and yet I still did. But he had tried, tried to ravage me, punish me for something I had not done. I wondered if I could feign illness, but I knew if I even complained of a mild headache or cold, Rowena would insist on visiting me.

I fell asleep curled up in one corner of the bed, all my dreams had me waking up, a scream nearly in my throat. I had an intense desire to run down to Hogsmeade and seek Isaac, he did not seem a man who would hurt anyone. But if Godric and Rowena knew, it would cause such pain amongst our houses. Godric would defend my honour, every noble aspect of his nature in defending the poor and weak coming out to the forefront; he would drive Salazar from this place if it was the last thing he did. Rowena's fury would probably be worse. I was almost certain Rowena would murder Salazar if she found out and if she ever got the chance. I should surely keep this secret, it would hurt too many if they knew.

A/N: Shorter than average and apologies for my time away. Lot on my plate right now. Thanks for reading and reviewing :)