The Light in the Dark | Neville Longbottom

Chapter 38: The Plan

*CW: Child Abuse, Violence, Character Death, & Suicide Attempt *

Disclaimer: Scenes including the underlined content warning(s) have the first and last words bolded. Please read at your own risk.

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"NO! NO! LET ME GO!" I pleaded as Bellatrix dragged me out of the Floo Network.

I recognized this room, we were at the manor. Bellatrix had brought me back to the manor. I screamed as she dragged me out of the Floo Network and into the middle of the room.

"SHUT UP!" Bellatrix shouted, pulling out a knife and holding it up to my neck, "ONE MORE WORD, AND I WON'T HESITATE!"

I immediately stopped talking as more panic filled my body. Tears heavily fell down my face as I wept against her arms. Why me out of all people? Why did she need me? Why did this happen to me? What about my friends? What happened to my friends? What about Neville? What happened to him?

"CISSY!" Bellatrix shouted, "CISSY, WHERE ARE YOU?"

If today wasn't already enough of a disappointment, I watched my mother slowly enter the room from the hall. She had a look of concern on her face, but not one significant enough to ease my nerves.

"Bella, let her go..." Mother said coldly, approaching the two of us.

"She'll run..." Bellatrix spat, "You know she'll run."

Mother tilted her head as Bellatrix sighed annoyedly. She quickly took the knife away from my neck, letting me drop to the floor. The knife nicked at my neck and was now dripping blood, but I had my chance. It was a stupid chance, but I had my chance to book it back into the Floo Network and get the hell out of here.

I quickly stood up, running over to the Floo Network on the other side of the room.

"CRUCIO!" Bellatrix shouted at me.

I fell to the floor as excruciating pain spread through my body once more. My body was falling tired and giving up on itself. I didn't know how much more of this torture I could take.

"Bella, stop..." Mother ordered. Bellatrix didn't stop, "BELLA, STOP!"

The pain came to an end as Bellatrix put away her wand, cackling loudly. I stayed limp on the floor, but I was able to listen in on the conversation.

"What do you want from me?" I spat harshly, gathering my breath.

"Bella, I'm going to need you to stay very still while I do this..." Mother hesitated, reaching for her wand.

"What are you talking about?" Bellatrix scoffed.

I watched as my mother cast a spell at Bellatrix. A long blue light came out of her wand. Bellatrix's eyes closed as the spell took its course on her. The bright blue light shined one last time before dissipating from the room.

"Do you remember?" Mother asked, tucking her wand away.

Bellatrix shot me a couple of odd looks before facing my mother again. The looks were filled with disgust and confusion. Her demeanor changed ever so slightly, but she still scared me nonetheless.

"I remember." Bellatrix spat. 

Mother gestured her head towards me, causing Bellatrix to groan annoyedly. She pulled out her wand, walking over to me.

"NO! NO! PLEASE NOT AGAIN! PLEASE!" I begged, backing away from her on the floor.

My body couldn't take anymore of the pain the cruciatus curse caused. I was filled with panic, stress, anger, sadness, and fear; I was giving up on myself.