The Depth of Deception // H. Potter

v. the slug club

"Miss Malfoy?" Professor Snape asked the young girl, "Can you hear me?"

"Y-yes." Amara answered, as she began to sit up. The professor was sitting next to her, in an empty infirmary. Amara was confused, but Snape began to speak once more.

"Miss Malfoy, I know you know who cursed Miss Bell." Snape's voice echoed quietly through the infirmary. Amara felt her heart stop.

"Professor-"

"It is imperative for your secret to remain a secret, for both you and your brother's sake. Think about who will be most displeased if anyone finds out." Snape stressed the magnitude of the situation. He knew of her task as well as Draco's, as he was present for their assignments. 

"Yes, of course Professor." Amara confirmed, making sure to express that she understood. Snape worried for the young girl, feeling as if a fifteen-year old was not old enough to handle such stress.

"How's your head?" Snape asked, looking for any sign of further injury, though he was sure that Madam Pomfrey was thorough enough.

"It's fine, I think." Amara rubbed her head, to feel anything but couldn't find anything that worried her. Snape ever so slightly smiled.

"You get to feeling better," Professor Snape stood up, "Someone is here to see you." He spoke, opening the door, revealing a very worried Harry Potter.

"How're you feeling?" Harry spoke, as he jogged his way over to her. He had not heard the prior conversation, his thought were only of her and her safety.

"I'm okay, really." Amara answered, watching as he let out a sigh of relief. She held his shaking hand in hers, hoping to reassure him that she was indeed alright.

"You gave me a right good scare, Amara." Harry spoke, his fingers intertwined with hers. Amara smiled at the feeling and pulled him closer to her.

"I know, I'm sorry."

"It's okay, Amara," Harry spoke, running his hands through her blonde hair, "I just care about you so much."

~X~

Slughorn's Christmas party was going well. Amara had Narcissa pick out a dress and send it back to her for the party, and it was the perfect shade of black. It seemed to hug Amara's curves in the best way, and showcase her figure. For some reason, it felt weird to be wearing a dress. The last time she had worn a proper dress, it was the Yule Ball.

Amara smiled her way through the party, making sure to speak to those who spoke to her. She was a bit uncomfortable in her own skin, but was happy to have came with Harry.

"Hey, you're Amara Malfoy, right?" It was Cormac McLaggen. She had seen his father in the Ministry.

"Yes. You must be Cormac McLaggen." Amara smiled politely. She was secretly glancing around the room for Harry, but couldn't seem to find him.

"I am indeed." He smiled, "Have you tried the punch? It's actually really good." He suggested, pointing at the table that stores the punch. She hadn't ventured out that far yet. Mostly Amara had been watching everyone else from the corner when Harry wasn't with her.

"Really? I hadn't had a chance to get any yet." Amara says, trying to make friendly conversation. She looked around once again, but no Harry. Maybe he stepped out for some air?

"Here, have mine. I haven't drunk out of it yet." McLaggen offered, but Amara was suspicious. She decided it was best to decline his hefty offer.

"Oh, that's alright-"

"No, I insist. For the lady." Cormac smiled, but Amara was a bit uncomfortable. She was here with Harry Potter. Did he not know that?

Amara waited a few moments, trying to figure out what words she would use to break the news to him. As the moments passed, her brain began to go fuzzy, like she couldn't think straight. Her vision quickly began to blur, as her heart rate slowed, and her legs began to lose feeling. Before she knew it, her knees were buckling beneath her.

"Hey, hey, hey..." McLaggen whispered in her ear, putting his arm under hers to support her weight, "Let's get you some fresh air." He spoke, carrying the young girl away from the party. She tried her very best to move away from him, but she couldn't seem to lift a limb.

She had felt McLaggen drop her body, but not before breathing heavily as he unbuttoned his shirt. Amara tried to move her legs, but couldn't. He then began to undo his belt. She felt the fear begin to grow inside of her, and she desperately tried to scream but nothing came out.

"S-stop. P-please..." Amara mustered out, but the only things that came out were weak pleas. She had hoped that someone would find her. Anyone.

"Shhh, this will be over and you will be mine." He whispered in her ear, pulling up her dress. She tried to squirm away from him, but his arms blocked her from moving. She was completely trapped. Amara let a single tear slip down her cheek as she looked down the darkened hall.

"Amara!" She heard Harry's voice ring out from the darkened hallway. Her eyes widened, as did McLaggen's. 

"Get the hell away from her, you sick bastard!" Harry shouted at McLaggen, and pulled his wand out. Amara pushed her dress down, as she began to regain some of the feeling in her legs. Amara watched as Harry let go of his wand, and pounded McLaggen's face with his bare fist.

"What-" The man froze, seeing what was happening, "Potter! Get away from Mr. McLaggen. Now!" The man yelled, Amara recognized his voice as Professor Snape. She sent him a worried glance, and Snape looked at the young girl on the floor. He saw the state of her dress and the terrified look on her face. He knew in an instant what happened.

Before she could say anything, Harry had tackled the deranged boy to the floor. Professor Snape pulled the two apart, as Draco came running down the hall. 

"Amara?" Harry shouted, as he crouched down beside of her. Amara grabbed his face, and looked him in the eyes.

"Oh, Harry...." Amara began to cry, "Thank God you came." Amara was not pretending anymore. She really was hurt. Not only did McLaggen attempt the unspeakable, Harry had saved her life from the evil man. She would forever be grateful for him.

"Of course I did," Harry comforted the girl on the floor, "I will never let anybody hurt you. Ever." Harry held her face in his hand, as he spoke to her candidly. She locked eyes with him and pulled him into a hug, not wanting to let go.

"You were her date! Why did you let this happen?" Draco yelled, standing just feet from the two on the floor. Harry did the same, in fear of what Draco might do if he stayed down. Amara's hand stayed connected with Harry's as she looked between her brother and Harry.

"You think I let this happen?" Harry was confused, so he fought back. Amara attempted to stand up, and struggled as she did so.

"S-stop fighting..." Amara spoke feeling dizzy, Harry's hand found her waist and he began to support her weight against his body. He took his eyes from Draco to her, and watched as she began to lose control of her body.

"Well, obviously! Why on God's green Earth would you let her out of your sight?" Draco spat, looking between Harry and Amara. Amara's dress had been pushed up and the top of her dress had been torn. The blood that leaked from her head became more prominent. Not to mention, Draco hated the way that Harry was holding her.

"I stepped out for a moment-" Harry tried to explain, but he knew couldn't. He had left so he could spy on Draco and Snape. But he couldn't let them know that he was onto them. He just couldn't.

"Stop it, both of you," Snape interjected between the two arguing, "You're fighting and Miss Malfoy has suffered a great deal. She is unwell. Both of you are going to help me get her to Madam Pomfrey."