Don't Save Me

Chapter 62: Questions

"Alright, let's begin," Bagnold said, moving some papers around.

"When did the abuse start?"

"When I was seven."

"Can you state the nature of the abuse?"

I cleared my throat, focusing on keeping my voice steady as I began. "It started with beatings and then he began using the cruciatus curse... five minutes at a time... every day." Bagnold made notes on the paper in front of her as I heard gasps from around the room.

"And no one noticed anything?"

"No. I hid the bruises with long sleeves before I learned a healing spell." I couldn't help the anger I felt rising in me as she had said 'no one noticed anything.' No one noticed anything because I didn't let anyone notice anything...because the first person I had trusted told me 'little girls mustn't tell lies.' I remained calm, keeping my face expressionless as she continued her questioning.

"How often did the abuse occur?"

"Every day until I started Hogwarts... then it was during the summer." Once again I could hear murmurs from around the room as the words left my lips and several members of the Wizengamot had tears in their eyes.

"Order! Order!" Bagnold shouted, banging her gavel against the podium, trying to maintain control of the room. Everyone fell silent and she continued.

"That is all the questions I have for you, Miss Y/l/n-" She was immediately interrupted by a member of the Wizengamot speaking up.

"I have a question."

Bagnold nodded, allowing the person to speak.

"The Daily Prophet mentions you tried to speak publicly about the abuse but were shut down... can you state why that was and who you told?"

Fear flashed in Bagnold's eyes as the question was raised. Her eyes locked with mine as she waited for my response, though I didn't know what to say.

"I'm not sure how that is relevant to the case. We all know the Daily Prophet can't seem to report anything truthful," Bagnold replied, chuckling as she tried to change the subject. "If no one else has any useful questions for Miss Y/l/n you are free to step down, dear."

I stood up from the chair, nodding, though I could feel my anger rising at how easily she had changed the subject, but I knew better than to argue. I walked toward my seat; Severus and the Malfoys stood up, allowing me to take my seat in the middle, Severus's hand instantly wrapping around my body as he pulled me closer to him, his warmth engulfing my body.

The next hour was Bagnold presenting the evidence they had found in the home: photos of the basement, my blood covering the walls, the rope that had once tied me up, his wand and the spells he had used. By the time she finished presenting the evidence, there was not a dry eye in the room. The members of the Wizengamot were wiping their eyes. Albus, Minerva, and the Malfoys were fighting hard to keep their own tears in. I could see Narcissa gripping Lucius's arm as his hands balled into fists in his lap.

"The evidence in this case is quite clear," Bagnold said, looking around the room. "All those in favor of a life sentence in a\Azkaban?" She raised her hand and instantly every member's hand shot up. "All opposed?" Not a single hand raised.

"Take him away," she ordered, and with a bang of her gavel, the trial was over. Two guards moved to the chair where my uncle sat, slowly unhooking his chains from the chair.

What happened next happened in a flash. Albus and Minerva stepped in front of me as they noticed the commotion across the room. My uncle writhed away from the two guards, screaming as he lunged toward me, trying to get to me, though he was too far away. He had just barely crossed the room when Lucius raised his wand, the two guards quickly running toward my uncle. I didn't even hear what spell Lucius used before my uncle was flung backwards, his body falling to the ground, breathing heavily. The two guards, followed by three more, ran toward my uncle, grabbing his chains and dragging him from the room. My heart was pounding in my chest and I felt Severus's grip around my body, squeezing me as close to him as possible. It wasn't until they had dragged my uncle away, kicking and screaming, that I felt his grip finally relax, slightly. I turned my body toward him, pressing my face into his chest as his arms moved around my back, holding me firmly against his body.

"Are you alright?" he whispered in my hair. I couldn't form a sentence so I simply nodded, not letting go of him. One hand moved to the back of my head, gently stroking my hair as I felt his lips press against the top of my head. From across the room I heard the doors burst open, loud voices filling the room, as cameras began flashing. Instantly, I was surrounded by Albus, Minerva, Lucius, and Narcissa, blocking me from view as several reporters came rushing into the room. Lucius began pushing through the sea of reporters as Severus held me close to his side. We walked through the room, making our way toward the door. I heard my name being shouted but I didn't pay any attention and we left the room without a second look.