A Serpent's Heart

Chapter 15. Detention.

It was Wednesday. This afternoon I had to attend detention. I hadn't told Draco because I did not want him to feel responsible for it.

It was lunch break and Luna, Emma and I were on our way to the Great Hall. "Shall we study for Charms together this afternoon?" Emma asked.

"Sorry, I can't. I have detention," I replied. Emma stared at me wide-eyed.

"What?" I asked.

"Lewis told me it's really horrible. They use physical punishments," Emma said timidly.

"I have a high pain tolerance," I said, trying to hide my fear.

"I hope that's enough," Luna said.

Emma's warning made me nervous and I could barely swallow any food. "Here, have some roast potatoes," Emma said, pushing the bowl under my nose. Reluctantly I ate some.

***

After my last class I had nearly forgotten about the detention all together, but when Luna wished me good luck I felt like I had to throw up.

Angrily I entered the Dark Arts classroom. Professor Carrow was sitting at the desk. I saw some first years who quietly waited for what was going to happen. They looked fearful, and I wondered if they knew they could be physically punished. There were some older students as well. Some of them had clearly been there before. They sat with their arms crossed and angrily stared at the ground. Shyly I sat down on an empty bench.

Professor Carrow rose and proclaimed: "Have a look around this classroom. Everyone here has misbehaved one way or another. Dumbledore may not have been strict on misbehavers, but headmaster Snape will not tolerate scoundrels. If you've been here before" - professor Carrow intently looked at some of the attendees - "you will know your punishment consists of Unforgivable Curses. I have chosen some excellent students to perform them today. Come in, boys!" 

The door opened and Crabbe and Goyle entered the room. I was not at all surprised, but when a third student entered the room my heart skipped a beat. It was Draco. He had never told me about this unusual extracurricular activity and I was quite upset about it.

"Mr. Crabbe, mr. Goyle, mr. Malfoy, welcome," professor Carrow said maliciously. Crabbe and Goyle looked like they were totally ready for it. Draco stared at the ground, but when he looked up his gaze met mine.

He stared at me for a second. Then he frowned and mouthed "what have you done?!" I smiled wryly and shrugged. Draco's gaze flew in all directions, as if he was trying to find a way out.

Professor Carrow picked up a list and read aloud: "Mister Scarry?" A young boy in the back raised his hand. "For throwing wads of paper through the classroom mister Crabbe will perform the Cruciatus curse on you. When it's done you can leave," professor Carrow explained. "I trust that after this measure you will think twice before throwing projectiles through classrooms," he added.

Crabbe walked to the centre of the room. The tables were pushed to the sides to create an open spot for whatever was going to happen there. The boy in the back did not move.

"Come here!" Crabbe demanded, while pointing at the space in front of him.

"Go fetch him," Carrow instructed Draco and Goyle.

They grabbed the boy by his shoulders, pulled him to his feet and pushed him forward. The boy struggled a bit, but eventually willingly came along.

Draco and Goyle stepped back. Crabbe pointed his wand at the kid. I held my breath, was this actually happening?

"Crucio!" Crabbe yelled. The boy collapsed and convulsions went through his body. He screamed like a pig in a slaughterhouse. He uncontrollably hit the floor with his arms while his back arched and straightened.