I was so exhausted. I was exhausted by the secrets, the lies, all of it. I was tired of laying there every night under Edmund, his weight crushing me while I waited for it to end. I was just tired.
I let my dad take my wrists in his hands. He lifted up my sleeves and stared at the bruises and the cigarette burns. Then he slowly reached out and lifted my shirt up just enough to see the bruising that had just started to heal. "Who did this to you?" he asked. I stayed silent. "Annabelle Lupin Black, tell me who did this right now or I can have Severus dig through your memory," he said. Tears fell down my cheeks. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. I didn't have a choice, dad." I cried. He hugged me and sat me down on the bed. "Just tell me the truth and we'll figure it out together." he said with a small smile. "I don't know how he found out but he did. He knows dad. If I don't do what he says, he's going to tell everyone. He's going to tell Umbridge." I said in between sobs. Harry and Remus exchanged nervous glances. "What happened Annabelle?" Remus said. He knew. He just needed me to say it. "Edmund, he found out about you." I said. My dad exhaled a shaky breath. "He's been blackmailing you?" Harry asked. I nodded. "What did he make you do?" Ron asked. Hermione elbowed him. "He- he made me break Theo's heart, and he made me ruin my friendship with Blaise and Pansy and Draco. And he- he- he made me-" I started. I hugged my dad tightly and buried my face in his shirt. "He made me do it dad, I didn't want to, I swear. Every night, he made me do it. I couldn't say no or he'd tell everyone about you." I said. "He raped her?" Ron whispered. Hermione nodded. "No, it's not- it's not that. I didn't fight him and I didn't say no. I couldn't. It's not-" I started. "Listen to me Annabelle. What that boy made you do, was rape, regardless of what you said or did." dad said. "Blackmailing someone into having sex with you is rape Annabelle. And it isn't your fault." Harry said. "He's going to tell them. Everyone. What do we do? They could hurt you dad." I said. He smiled. "It'll be ok," he said. "We don't even know if he's told anyone or if they'll believe him." Harry said. "Don't be an idiot Harry. Of course Umbridge will believe him. She'll do anything to get my dad fired." I said. They all looked at Remus. "She's not completely wrong. Umbridge doesn't respect me or particularly enjoy my company but she will need proof to fire me." he said. "We are so screwed." I mumbled. "Why don't you just focus on getting some rest?" my dad said. "No. I need to-" I started. "Rest, you need to rest," he said. "He's right Anna, you haven't slept more than 5 hours since we got here." she said. I nodded. "Fine." I mumbled. Hermione and I went back to our room and I went straight to bed. I fell asleep fairly quickly considering how much was on my mind. All I could think about was my dad and Theo and my friends and what I did to them.
TIME JUMP: 2 DAYS LATER
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It's been strangely calm. Dad got me put on the bedrest so I have stayed in my room for the past 2 days. Harry, Ginny, Hermione, Ron, Fred and George all take turns bringing me food and checking on me. I'm getting worried though because it's 10 o'clock and dad usually comes to check on me by now. Plus it's Saturday so he doesn't have classes. I saw a crowd forming and I ran towards it. "Annabelle!" Harry yelled.
I turned around and he ran up to me. "You shouldn't be here," he said. "What's going on?" I asked. "We tried Annabelle. We really did. We tried everything. Your dad-" he started. I pushed past people and Harry held me back as I watched Filch carry out my dad's suitcases. He stood in the middle of the courtyard and every student watched with tears in their eyes. Umbridge walked over and handed him a paper. "Dad." I whispered to myself. My dad looked calm. I tried to go forward but Harry held me back. "You can fire me and file for as many hearings as you'd like, but I know the real reason you want me out." he said. "That has nothing to do with this. You cannot teach here. You are a monster and a danger to the students here." she said. Then I lost it.
I ran over and stood in front of my dad. "He's not a monster, you are. The only person at this school that harms the students is you. If anyone should be fired and thrown out, it's your sorry ass." I spat. "Annabelle, it's alright kiddo." he said. "No, she doesn't get to do this." I said. I choked back tears. My dad nodded at Harry and he came over. I hugged my dad one more time. "If you ever harm my daughter or any of these students ever again, I'll make it my personal mission to have you thrown in Azkaban for the rest of your days." he said. Then Harry dragged me back over. "Apparate." My dad spoke. Within a flash, him and all his things were gone. Harry pulled me into his arms and I cried. Everyone just stood there. "Don't you all have studying to do!" Umbridge yelled. As the students left, everyone was mumbling about my dad.
"Didn't deserve that." "Best professor we ever had." "I'll miss him." "I feel bad for Annabelle"
Harry and I headed for the great hall and sat down to eat lunch. It was quiet. My dad's firing obviously hit everyone hard. I was pushing my food around my plate when I saw him. Edmund strolled into the Great Hall and winked at me. I've never been more furious. I've never hated anyone more. I stood up and stormed over to him. I slammed him against the wall with my forearm pressed against his chest and my wand digging into his throat. "You fucking bastard! Are you happy now?" I yelled. He smirked. "Very." he said smugly. "Why? I did what you asked. I did everything you wanted exactly how you wanted it. You told me to break Theo's heart and I did. You told me to ruin my friendships with Blaise and Pansy and Draco and I did that too. You forced me- you raped me every night for almost a month and a half and I couldn't do anything about it. And still, you told them about my father and ruined his life. Everyone loved my dad. Why?" I asked as tears poured down my cheeks. Harry, Hermione, Ron, Ginny, Fred, and George all stood behind me with their wands trained on Edmund. "I was going to make up a lie. I wasn't going to tell them. You ruined my life but you didn't have to ruin his. My dad never did anything to you. He should have sent you to Azkaban for what you did. Instead, he gave you a second chance. How could you do this? Why?" I asked. I wanted an answer so badly. "Because I can," he said. I stepped back and pointed my wand at him.
"What are you going to do? Are you going to torture me like mommy and daddy did? Are you going to make me just like Neville's parents?" he taunted. I couldn't breathe. I could feel everyone's eyes on me. I looked behind me and Neville was standing at the table. He was watching everything happen. He looked in shock. I turned back to Edmund. "No. I'm not going to torture you. No matter how much you deserve it." I said. "It doesn't matter because we are taking you to Dumbledore. He can deal with you." Harry spat. Fred and George each grabbed an arm and began to drag him out. Then he said one last thing. "It doesn't matter anyway! Theo and those snakes will never forgive you. And even if they do, Theo won't want my sloppy seconds." he yelled. His voice echoed through the Great Hall and everyone stared. I turned around and Hermione and Ginny looked at me. "Is that true?" I turned around and faced him. Theo. My Theo.
