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Chapter Text

You don't know how it happened. It just did.

---

You woke up as normal in your dorm. It was coming into the depths of winter, the cold settling into your bones. You ended up sleeping with a few more blankets than usual and your dorm mates started to leave the fire on throughout the night.

You got dressed in your casual clothes, being the weekend you had no classes, and met up with Poppy in the Great Hall.

You scanned the area for the Sweeting girl. The friendship you never wanted to lose. Poppy had shown you a different perspective on the world of animals and the dangers that came with knowing them. A small shiver went down your spine when you remembered the battles with the Ashwinder Poachers. Mix in the Scouts and Assassins and you were both lucky you escaped with your lives.

A hand suddenly waved in your face startled you out of your stupor. You settled slightly when Poppy's face came into view.

"Poppy," You smiled at the Hufflepuff. Her bright toothed one almost blinding you. "Are you ready for our adventure?" She asked. "With you every day is an adventure." You reply. Poppy barely containing herself from jumping in excitement, grabbed your hand and pulled you through the halls of Hogwarts.

You reached your destination soon enough. A small clearing by the river on the outskirts of Hogwarts, although it was nearer to Arnshire if anyone asked you.

Poppy crouched low to the ground and motioned for you to do the same. She had heard rumours about a new species of toad were making a home around that area and had begged for you to go with her.

Not that you would have said no.

It took a few minutes, but, sure enough, there was a smaller species of the Giant Purple Toad family hopping around the clearing.

You and Poppy looked at each other in excitement and wonder. Poppy huffed out a gentle laugh of amazement.

"Look," She patted your arm, "Can you see them?" Pointing to the smaller toads with her other hand.

You nodded as words had escaped you. The wonder of nature always finding a way was something you had deep admiration for.

Simply looking was enough for Poppy. Once she was satisfied, she shuffled back a little and rose to her knees. Her smile never fading.

You followed to do the same and instantly felt uneasy. It was as if someone was watching you.

You looked around and saw nobody, except for Poppy, but she wasn't looking at you at present. You brushed it off as you didn't want to spoil this moment for the Hufflepuff.

The day was soon losing it's afternoon light. You both headed back towards the castle in an easy silence. Upon walking through the entrance, you soon saw Sebastian and Ominis. Your two best friends, apart from Natty and Poppy.

Sebastian waved you over as you said your goodbyes to Poppy. You bounded over with a smile that could light up the darkest of rooms. Gripping both their hands in excitement you couldn't contain yourself from telling them about your adventure with the Hufflepuff.

"Woah, what has gotten into you, my dear friend?" Sebastian chuckled.

"I went for an adventure with Poppy and we saw a new species of toad!" You rushed out, "They were so adorable. They had a darker shade of purple but in the right lighting it didn't look purple, it was more of a nights sky of blue. But that doesn't matter, I wish we could've brought them here."

"I'm sure Black would've had something to say about that." Ominis mumbled, as if simply speaking his name would summon him.

A clearing of the throat made the three of you jump, "Don't you three have classes to be attending to?" Speak of the devil.

"Sir, it's a Saturday." You softly replied.

The Headmaster looked suddenly sheepish, "Ah, well, yes. All the more reason to be studying." He made a shooing motion with his hand. "Now, off with all of you."

"Yes, sir." You all replied in unison and made you way to the Slytherin common room. The other house mates knew you visited frequently to see the boys, having no qualms, they left you alone.

You still couldn't shake the feeling of being watched. You felt it at the river, you felt it on the walk back to the castle and now you felt it to one of the places you felt most safe.

Ominis took hold of your hand suddenly, as if sensing your unease. Sebastian didn't notice, too absorbed in his story of finding a new book in the Restricted Section in front of you.

"Are you alright?" He asked. His voice sounded like honey, soft and sweet.

"Yeah. I think so." You mumbled back.

Ominis opened his mouth to say something but Sebastian's voice cut through the small peace you both created. "We have arrived." Bowing down next to the Slytherin entrance to allow you in first.

"Why thank you, kind sir." You giggled.

"Well, I am known for my smoothness, of course."

Ominis scoffed, "You couldn't be smooth for your life, Sallow."

Sebastian's jaw dropped in mock offense, "I got you, didn't I?"

"Oh, please. You don't even know how you got me." Ominis raised an eyebrow, "Do you?"

Sebastian stuttered and stumbled over his words before a resounding, no, was released.

Turning to you, Ominis spoke, "He tried to ask me out before you joined. He almost fell down the stairs in the Grand Staircase because he forgot to tie his shoelaces."

A laugh escaped out of you. How Sebastian ever made it without supervision was beyond you.

"What happened after?" You asked.

"We don't need to go into it," Sebastian said hurriedly.

"The only thing blocking his fall was Professor Sharp. Luckily, they were on the first flight but Sharp didn't care for that." Ominis chuckled, "Sebastian got a whole month's worth of detention. That's pretty lucky if you ask me."

"He just had to be there, didn't he? It wasn't my fault." Sebastian rebutted, feeling a little put out.

"There, there, Sebastian. It's all over now." Ominis patted his shoulder in mock pity before entering the common room.

Sebastian went in next and you hung back for a moment. The unease was more intense, the feeling of eyes on you was the most unnerving. You took one final look around and saw a shadow of a tall man behind one of the pillars. You forced your feet to move as you hurried into the common room.

The shadow retreated backwards and apparated into an abandoned room hidden at the top of the castle.

Chapter Text

"Crucio," Victor hissed, his grip on his wand tightened. "Crucio."

You screamed and screamed until there was no noise able to project itself. Your body contorted violently, and your head slammed back onto the concrete floor repeatedly til your vision began to swim.

In a vague moment of clarity, you asked yourself why this felt different from the time Sebastian casted Crucio on you in the Scriptorium.

Maybe because he wasn't filled with hate. You thought bitterly.

You couldn't linger on the thought for long as the Ashwinder took his turn at hexing you. You gasped as Diffindo was cast on you.

"You shouldn't have gotten involved with matters that above the integrity of a fifth-year," The Ashwinder snarked.

You managed to catch his gaze as he looked down at your crumpled figure. His eyes were filled with animosity, and yours were set ablaze.

"Well, forgive me if I was unaware that I possessed an ability your small-minded brain couldn't handle," You sniped.

You didn't regret it, though, not even when you were bombarded with Diffindo in rapid succession.

The assault relented sooner than you expected. A raised hand from Victor and the Ashwinder stopped. "I need them alive, not in pieces."

The Ashwinder scoffed and huffed his way to his chair in the corner of the room.

The Detention Chamber was cold, especially in the throes of spring. You thought the books stacked precariously around the room would've brought some warmth. Taking a quick look around the room, you noticed the chairs and desks were pushed back to the sides. The cages rested on either side of the teaching desk, doors open.

You swallowed harshly as you realised those were meant for you.

He never meant for you to rest on the ground.

Tears burned your eyes, and your cheeks flamed as the realisation and humiliation hit you full force.

Victor held out his hand, "Come with me, child. You'll be more comfortable in there. I assure you."

You shook your head, almost being mistaken for an after shock tremor from the unforgivables. Victor's mouth drew thin, his brows creasing as he bent down and grabbed your wrist.

Kicking and attempting to free yourself from his vice-like grip as he dragged you towards one of the cages.

---

Unbeknownst to you, the two Slytherins and Professor Sharp were still searching for you. Or the fact they were searching for you at all. You had lost track of time since you were snatched from the dungeons.

In your mind, you had given up hope. All belief that you could escape from this room filled with hurt.

You opened your eyes slowly, the world just barely coming into focus. You looked around and saw you were still trapped in your confines to the cage, kept high above the floor.

Your back and legs screamed at you, unable to move or adjust yourself in the tight space. You sighed deeply, your chest rebelling against the harsh movement. Your lungs felt like they were on fire from the onslaught of abuse from the kicks and stamps previously.

"Well, well, well. Look who's finally awake," A deep, smooth voice rumbled.

You looked down at the shadow of your tormentor, "Wish I didn't. Then.. I wouldn't.. h-have to see your ugly f-face." You gasped out.

Victor's eyes narrowed, and his nostrils flared. You felt proud of yourself even though your smart comment earned you a curse.

"You should learn to respect your elders, little one," He sneered. "It would bode so much better for you."

You huffed out a laugh, "Better than being locked up in this cage? At least, I'm a height away from you and your minion."

Without any warning, the cage dropped and crashed to the ground with a resounding clang. You choked out a scream as your bruised body clattered to the floor.

The cage door swung open. Your ankles were grabbed, and your body was harshly pulled out of the cage. Attempting to kick out at the Ashwinder responsible, he flipped you onto your back, straddling your chest. His masked face inches from yours. Tears rushed forwards in your eyes, feeling even more hurt and dirty.

"I'll teach you not to call me a minion, brat." He growled, his grip tightened painfully around your wrists. You whimpered in undisguised fear.

You could feel your Ancient Magic tug at your core, ready to protect you. You pushed it down as the Ashwinder was hastily pulled off of you by Rookwood.

Watching all of this from above was an unsuspecting animal. An owl. More importantly, Sebastian Sallow's owl perched on the highest window in the chamber.

Hearing your screams as Crucio was casted on you, she pecked the window open and flew to her owner.

"Hold their arm," Rookwood ordered the Ashwinder.

Struggling in his grip, you gasped sharply as you felt teeth clamp down on your arm. As Victor bit down harder, you started thrashing in the Ashwinder's hold.

"Please! Please, stop!" You sobbed as trickles of blood followed his attack on your arm.

The pair moved onto your other arm. Only this time, Rookwood took out wand and roughly pressed it into your clammy skin.

"Bastard," He hissed, ignoring your cries and pleas. The word began to write itself into your skin.

He pressed down onto another patch of skin and whispered, "Brat."

This continued until your arm was covered in words like orphan, unloved, mud blood, dirty, and other words you couldn't quite make out through the haze of tears flooding your vision.

With one last slice of Diffindo, they left you alone, in a heap on the cool floor blood trickling out your wounds and into a small puddle under you. Groaning as your body protested even against breathing.

You prayed and prayed for salvation.