|In The Dark|

32

Welcome Back... To Hell

ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

"Are you guys ready to go?" I asked. I had just finished levitating my trunk down the stairs and now I sat on the couch, twirling my wand in my fingers waiting for Draco and Theo. "Hold on!" Draco yelled. Then they both came down the stairs. "Took you long enough." I teased. "Draco rolled his eyes and Theo kissed me. "You love us." he said. "Let's just go, we are gonna miss the train." I said. They nodded and we went outside. I was excited because I was meeting my dads at King's Cross. I haven't seen them for a few days, since they left to handle the whole incident with Harry. Harry wasn't expelled. The hearing didn't even last an hour.

"Ready?" Theo said. "Ready." Draco and I replied. We all took each other's hands and spoke "Apparate." I said. The world spun and we landed just outside Kings Cross. "You guys go ahead and find a seat on the train, I'm going to find my dads." I said. They both nodded and I gave Theo a kiss on his cheek. Theo took my stuff and I began to look for my dads. Then I heard a dog barking. Oh dad, smart move. I followed the sounds and saw them. Harry, and Remus stood in front of a door with a big black dog next to them. I laughed and ran over. I hugged Harry and Remus and scratched dad's fur. "We weren't sure you would find us." Remus said. "Barking in a train station is one way to get my attention." I said. They chuckled and we went inside this room. Dad transformed back and we sat down. "We wanted to show you both something." Remus said. Sirius pulled out a picture and showed it to us.

"That's-" Harry started. "That's your parents, and the rest of the original Order Of The Phoenix." Sirius said. "21 brave witches and wizards made up the order, they fought-" Remus started. "How many are left?" Harry asked. "Harry-" I said sadly. "How many?" he repeated. "8, that we know of for sure." Remus said. "13 died!" Harry exclaimed. "No." I said. They all looked at me. "Frank and Alice Longbottom were tortured into insanity because of my-" I paused. I didn't know what to call them. Bellatrix and Crouch aren't my parents. "Because of those people-" I said. "What's important is that the order is still going. We haven't given up and we won't. Not until we've won and Voldemort is dead." Sirius said. We both nodded. Then we heard the sound of the train. "You should get going. I'll see you at school." Remus said as he walked out. We both hugged Sirius. "Look out for each other, alright?" he said. "Don't worry dad, I'll keep him out of trouble." I said. Harry nudged me. "Me?" he exclaimed sarcastically. "Harry, the school year hasn't even started yet and you almost got expelled. That takes a certain type of stupid." I said. "Ah, like his father always said, No Guts, No Glory." Sirius said. "Were you 4 ever scared of anything?" I asked. "Yes, dying alone. That's why we did everything together." Sirius said smugly. We all laughed. "I reckon that's where we get our recklessness from, don't you think Harry?" I said. "Definitely." he said. Sirius laughed. "You best get going, I can't have you flying a car to school again." he said. We laughed at that memory and headed for the train. Harry and I made it just in time. "Go find Ron and Hermione, I'll be there in a moment." I said. "Where are you going?" he asked. "The lavatory, wanna come?" I said. He rolled his eyes. "You are definitely Malfoy's cousin," he said. Now I rolled my eyes. "Piss off." I said and he just laughed. I headed to the bathroom and changed into my uniform. I was washing my hands when someone knocked. "I'll be out in a minute!" I called out. "Alohomora," the voice muttered. The lock clicked and the door began to open. Before I could even grab my wand, Edmund was inside with the door shut and his wand pointed at me. "Don't even think about it." he spat. I took a breath and raised my hands in surrender. "Ok, ok, fine. My hands are up. What do you want, Edmund?" I asked. "Where's your wand?" he asked. "In my robe, left pocket." I said. He smirked as he reached over. He dragged his hand up my side and his thumb swiped the underside of my breast. I clenched my teeth and he took my wand. "What do you want?" I snapped. "You think you can just humiliate me and there wouldn't be any consequences?" he said. "What are you talking about?" I said. "First, you disrespect me when we are dating, then you refuse to have sex with me, then you break up with me and tattletale to your faggot daddy-" he started. "Don't you talk about my father-" I started. He just dug his wand deeper into my neck. "Then you go and start dating that snake! It's vile. Tell me, did you sleep with him?" he asked me. I stayed quiet. He glared at me. "Answer the question." he spat. "I'm not afraid of you anymore Edmund." I said calmly. He smirked and I felt the sting as he slapped me across the face. I clutched my cheek and he pointed his wand again. "You should be," he said. My eyes watered and my cheek began to swell up. "Now answer my question. Did you sleep with him?" he asked. "Yes." I said. He shook his head and laughed darkly. "You fucking slut." he spat. His fist connected with my ribs and I doubled over coughing and gasping for air. "Edmund, stop." I said in between coughs. He grabbed the roots of my hair and yanked my head up to face him. "I thought you weren't afraid of me." he said smugly. "You win ok, you win! What do you want?" I said. Tears fell down my cheeks as I felt the fear take over. "Break up with Theo and come back to me," he said. I shook my head. "No." I said. He laughed. "No?" he questioned. "I won't do it. I will never ever go back to you, you sick bastard." I yelled. Another punch across the face and I fell to the floor. My nose started bleeding and I was backed up against the wall. He knelt down in front of me and smirked. "I guess if you won't break up Theo, I'll just have to make him break up with you." he said. "Please Edmund, why are you doing this? You could date any girl at this school, why are you doing this to me?" I asked. "Actually I can't. Before, I could. But once everyone found out what I did to the precious professor's daughter, no girl would even talk to me. You ruined me. Now I'm going to ruin you." he spat venomously. "You hurt me." I said. "You deserved it. And you deserve everything that's coming." he said. Then he stood up and threw my wand at me and walked out.

I quickly locked the door and silenced the room. Then I let the tears fall and the sobs escaped my chest. I lifted my wand in a shaky hand to my face to cover the bruises with a glamour spell. Then I tried my best to heal my ribs. It still hurts like hell to breathe. I didn't know what to do.

I stayed hidden in the bathroom until we arrived at Hogwarts. Then I sat straight down at the table and ignored everyone. Well, I tried. "Annabelle-" Harry whispered. "What?" I said. "Where did you go? We looked everywhere for you." he said. "I-um-I got lost." I lied. "On the train?" he doubted. "Yes, I just got caught up talking to people." I lied again. He gave me a strange look and nodded. "Are you sure you're ok?" he asked. I nodded. "You are breathing funny." he said. Why is he so observational? "I'm fine," I said. He poked my ribs and I winced. "What the hell Harry?" I exclaimed. "What happened?" he asked. "I fell." I lied. "No, you didn't. Tell me what happened or-" he started. "What? Or what?" I snapped. Before he could answer, Dumbledore began his speech. Then he was interrupted by some creepy lady in all pink. "What the hell is she wearing?" Angelina whispered. Even my dad and Snape gave each other a confused look. She is going to be observing classes and reporting to the Ministry. "I'm sure we're all going to be very good friends." she said. "That's likely." the twins mumbled. We all chuckled and she gave us a look. I already don't like this chick. Once she sat back down, Harry turned to us. "She works with Fudge, at the Ministry. She was at my trial." he said. As the feast started, we continued talking. I didn't say much. "You know what that means..." Hermione said. We all looked at her. "It means that the Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts." she said. Oh great.

"Welcome back to hell." I mumbled.

Later that night, I was sitting in the common room waiting for my dad to stop by. He always does on the first night, before the full moon. I heard footsteps and I looked up to see Harry instead. "Anna-" he said as he sat down next to me. "Yes, Harry?" I said. "What happened?" he asked. "Please leave me alone." I said. He shook his head. "Not until you-" he started. "Nothing happened!" I yelled. Suddenly, he reached over and yanked up my shirt just high enough to see the bruises. "What the fuck!" I yelled as I stood up and pushed his hands away. "Who did that?" he demanded as he stood up and faced me. "I fell on the stairs." I lied. "No, you didn't. Tell me the truth." he said. "I am." I said. "Annabelle, tell me the fucking truth!" he yelled. "I did! I fell on the stairs like an idiot. What do you want me to say?" I yelled. He sighed. "You promise that is the 100% truth. You aren't lying." he asked. "I swear." I said. "Swear on your magic," he said. My heart started to pound. I hated lying to him, but I had no other choice. "I swear on my magic. The stairs changed and I tripped and fell. I already feel like an idiot so can we drop it?" I said. He nodded. "I'm sorry, I just get worried about you." he said. I shrugged. "I get it. I'm fine." I said. "Ok, goodnight." he said and he left.

I sat on the couch a bit longer and then the portrait opened. I saw dad and I stood up and hugged him. "Hey kiddo, sorry I'm running late. Is anyone here?" he asked. "No, Harry just left. Everyone else is in their dorms." I said. He nodded. We don't have much time till the full moon but I wanted to talk to you." he said. "Is everything ok?" I asked. "I'm not sure. I just want you to be careful of who you talk to and about what. The Ministry is interfering at Hogwarts, that's why Umbridge is here." he said. "That's what Hermione said." I replied. "Be careful where you talk about the order and our members and activities, alright? Keep it within the inner circle. We can't risk it." he said. "Ok, I'll be careful. I'll tell Harry too." I said. He nodded and kissed my forehead. The sun started to go down and we both looked outside. "You father is probably already at the shack, I have to go," he said. I nodded. "I love you and be careful." I said. "Remember, no visiting until all your lessons are over. I don't want you missing any school." he said. "I promise, now go. You need to be careful too. If Umbridge finds out about you then she'll find out you aren't on the registry." I said. He smiled. "Get some sleep, I'll be fine," he said. Then he left. I went upstairs and tried to sleep. It's always hard when I know my father is going through a horribly painful transition and there's nothing I can do to help. "Annabelle-" Hermione whispered. I sat up and so did she. "Are you ok?" she asked. "Full moon tonight." I whispered. She nodded. "Do you want me to lay with you?" she asked. I smiled. "Ya." I whispered back. She came over and I laid in her arms. "Just remember Sirius is with him. He won't let anything bad happen." she whispered. "Thanks Mione." I said. She nodded and I dozed off.