REBEL

9. SEPIA BLACK - PIANO BLACK

9. SEPIA BLACK - PIANO BLACK

Tonight is the night, my inner voice whispers. Your time is up.

Frankly, it was bound to happen sooner or later. For years, I've recklessly pushed my luck and ruthlessly squandered all my good karma. That being said, this time it's entirely my fault because I wasn't 'watching out' — at least not for myself.

It was Malfoy in front of whom I mainly held up my shield. Malfoy who I watched out of the corner of my eye while he was duelling. Malfoy for whom I whirled around with another Protego on my lips as his opponent prepared to hurl a Killing Curse at him. It turned out to be quite superfluous, because he didn't need my help at all. But that brief, unnecessary, inane bout of concern ultimately allowed Greyback to disarm me.

How stupid can you get?

I don't even know what triggered it. Maybe the fact that Malfoy kept his word and actually led me to Greyback. Or the way he offered me that we could take turns Apparating so I wouldn't be so exhausted when we got here. Maybe it was because, deep down, I've known since that night in the tree house that everything he's said so far is true. In any case, I suddenly realized that I couldn't bear it if something happened to him while he was out with me. Especially on such a selfish mission without any prospect of backup, let alone rescue, if something went wrong.

So here I am: wandless, stomach rumbling wildly and palms damp with sweat. Outmaneuvered, vulnerable and absolutely defenseless. And as if that wasn't bad enough, it's Greyback of all people who will put an end to my life. An irony of fate that feels like a double defeat.

"Granger, look at me," Malfoy's voice rings out.

His tone is pleading, but I can't bring myself to tear my gaze away from Greyback's face. The fear that he will pounce on me as soon as I do is too great. I feel like a deer caught in the headlights.

"Shut the fuck up," Greyback snarls through his bared teeth. "I should tear you limb from limb for fooling the Dark Lord, Malfoy, but I've just changed my mind. Whatever farce the two of you were trying to pull off here, now you will be the one watching the grand finale!"

Without further warning, he takes a step forward and wraps a hand around my neck. Although he doesn't squeeze, my next breath catches in my throat and a whole series of carefully repressed memories flash through my mind.

My knees threaten to give way. Again. Suddenly, I'm back on my hands and knees in a concrete grey corridor, only this time there's no Neville crouching in front of me to help me regain control of my body. I try to remember the technique he used to bring me back. What was that again?

A calm sea, the gentle sound of waves, a parting surface, deep breaths.

In, out, in, out.

It works to some extent.

"Didn't know you missed me so much, Mudblood," Greyback whispers, his stinking breath brushing my face.

I desperately fight back the resulting gag reflex, because if I throw up now, I'll choke on my own vomit, I'm sure of it. Although... that would probably still be better than dying at Greyback's hands. He ignores my obvious disgust and just keeps talking.

"You could always have come back to me after your little friends separated us. I would have welcomed you with open arms, you know? After all, we had so much fun together."

And suddenly events come thick and fast.

I feel Greyback's tongue on my jaw and the memories strike again. This time successfully. In spite of myself, I start to whimper.