|In The Dark|

58

Defenseless

THEODORE NOTT

When Enzo walked into the house alone, I just figured Anna was out getting drunk somewhere in Diagon Alley. But then I saw the look of worry and fear on his face. "Where's Annabelle?" Professor Lupin asked. Everyone was sitting throughout the living room and they turned to look at him. Enzo sighed and put the supplies from Diagon Alley down on the floor. "Enzo, where is she?" Pansy asked. "She's not here." he said. We all exchanged looks of confusion. "Mr. Berkshire, where is my daughter?" Mr. Lupin-Black said. His face was pale. "There were too many of them. We didn't stand a chance. She has my wand, I put it in her jacket-" he started. My stomach lurched. "Enzo, what happened? Where's Belle?" I exclaimed. I could feel myself panicking. I looked around frantically and my heart started to pound. "Here, sit down." Blaise said. Enzo sat down and his leg bounced up and down. Then he began.

"We were in Diagon Alley and it was a ghost town. We had just finished seeing her friends, Potter and some others at a joke shop. Then they saw us." he said. "Who?" I asked. "Mr. Greengrass. And some other death eaters." he said. My face fell and Astoria squeezed my hand. "They tied us up and brought us to this store. There were a bunch of death eaters. But Draco and Narcissa were there too. Draco tried to let us go but then Bellatrix Lestrange got there." he said. "Is she ok? Did Bellatrix hurt her?" Professor Lupin asked. "No- I- I don't think so. She's still with them." he said. "How did you escape?" Pansy asked. "I didn't- I mean- They let me go. Bellatrix said I could go. Annabelle told me to go and tell you she was ok and she would see us tomorrow at Kings Cross." he said. "Are you mad?!" I yelled. I grabbed Enzo's collar and slammed him against the wall. "You just left her there? Alone?" I yelled. "I gave her my wand, Draco told me he'd protect her-" he stammered. "She's with a bunch of death eaters and not even Draco can protect her from them. She could die and it's your fault!" I yelled. "Theo, enough." Blaise said, pulling on me. "No! It's not enough! If anything happens to her, and I mean anything, I'll kill you!" I screamed. He flinched and turned his head away. Then I felt someone pull me back. "Theo!" Pansy snapped. My chest was heaving and I felt sick. "Go cool off, mate." Blaise said. I looked at Enzo and he looked terrified. I walked outside and sat down on the porch. I felt guilty. It wasn't Enzo's fault. I wasn't even angry at him. I was angry at myself. If I wasn't so busy snogging Astoria, I could have gone with her. I could have protected her. How the hell did I lose her again? I need her. Even if she doesn't need me.

THE NEXT DAY...
ANNABELLE LUPIN-BLACK

I didn't sleep a wink that night. I just stroked Draco's hair as he slept. His head rested on my lap and I watched the sun fall and rise. That morning, there was a soft knock. Draco shot up and looked around frantically. "Draco. It's ok." I said. His eyes settled on me and he sighed. The door opened and his mother came in. "It's time to leave for the train, children." she said. I nodded and stood up. Draco stood to his feet and winced. "Is it your arm?" I asked quietly. He nodded. "It burns." he said. I nodded. "Can I see it again?" I asked. He nodded. I reached for his arm and pushed up his sleeve. I stared at the ink swirling on his arm. "I'm sorry, Anna. I'm so sorry." he whispered. I forced away tears as I looked at him. "We should go." I said. We walked down the stairs and I stayed close to him. When we got to the living room, Bellatrix was waiting. "Dahlia, dear. Sweet dreams?" she asked. I looked down. She walked over to me and jerked my chin up to face her. "You aren't going to tell anyone about Draco, correct?" she asked. "I told you already I wouldn't." I snapped. She backhanded me across the face and I stumbled to the side, clutching my cheek. "Bella-" Narcissa started. She grabbed my hair and pulled my head up. "Watch your tone when you speak to your mother." she said. "You aren't-" I started. She yanked on my hair and I cried out. I sighed. "I'm sorry." I mumbled. "I'm sorry, who?" she taunted. Tears filled my eyes and I stared at her. "I'm sorry, mother." I choked out. She grinned like a maniac. "Good girl." she said. "Bella, the children are going to be late." Narcissa said quickly. She scoffed. "Fine. Go on," she said. Draco grabbed my hand and led me outside. The second the door shut, he faced me. "Are you alright?" he asked. I nodded. "Merlin, Anna." he sighed. I paused. "What?" I asked. He moved my hair to the side and drew his wand. "Your face." he mumbled. He whispered a glamor spell. Then we apparated to Kings Cross. I stood on the platform, scanning it for my dad. "I'm sorry, Annabelle." he said. I nodded. "Can you say something?" he said. I sighed and looked at him. "What do you want me to say?" I asked. "Tell me you hate me. Tell me to jump off the Astronomy Tower. Tell me I deserve to rot in Azkaban. Just say something." he pleaded. I forced a smile. "I don't hate you, Draco. I know you didn't have a choice." I said. Then I heard my dad's voice.

"Annabelle!" he called out. I turned around and he hugged me. "You're ok!' he said, relief evident in his voice. "I am. I'm fine." I said. "Mr. Malfoy, are you alright?" he asked. "Yes sir." he mumbled. Just then, Theo, Blaise, Pansy, and Enzo came running over. "Belle, thank Merlin!" Theo said. He pulled me into his arms and for a moment, everything felt right. I was back in his arms and it felt like home. Then he put me down. I cleared my throat and he looked down. "I'm glad you're ok." he mumbled. Then Blaise and Pansy hugged me. "You gave us a right good scare." Blaise said. "Yeah, what were you thinking?" Pansy asked. "I don't know." I said. "Did they hurt you?" Enzo asked, stepping forward. Memories of my own mother torturing me as I screamed and begged for her to stop flashed through my head. "No, they just locked me and Draco up." I said. He nodded. I smiled and handed him his wand. "Clever." I smirked. He smiled. "You didn't really think I'd just leave you there defenseless." he said. I hugged him and he froze. "You're a good friend." I said. He hugged me back. "Alright everyone, you should get on the train." dad said. I nodded. I hugged him one last time and then we boarded. We all found our compartments and I sat next to Draco. Everyone started to talk about this year. They seemed somewhat excited. I wasn't really paying attention. I was trying to figure out what the hell I'm supposed to do. I have to lie to my friends, my family, my professors, everyone I care about. And I have to figure out how to help Draco. I'm fucked.