Forbidden

17

Lessons went back to usual after Christmas, I continued to help professor Snape with his potions. Unfortunately, no weird behaviour caught my eye. So each week he asked me, I had no information to give. Who would want to use polyjuice potion so much?

The next task was at the end of the week. Harry had been preparing for it. He's figured out he's got to be able to breathe under water for an hour!

Fred's been focused with the skiving snack box. They've successfully created the puking pastilles, my pox poppers, fever fudge, and now are currently working on nosebleed nougat!

I sat in the Slytherin common room, collecting my homework for defence against the dark arts, when Draco came bounding up to my desk.

"Scarlett, we've got a problem..." he spoke, his face was even paler than usual as he held up the bright red envelop. My stomach dropped at the sight of the howler. This could only mean one thing.

"Is it..." I couldn't speak, my stomach was in knots. I knew this could happen, but still the sight of it hurt my soul. The memories of Lucius's last beating flooding my body.

"You need to open it," Draco urged, placing the letter in my hands. It felt cold, the energy radiating off it sent a shiver down my spine. I shook my head. I couldn't do this here.

"We need to go to Snape. He needs to hear this too," I grabbed Draco's hand, leading him out the common room towards the potions classroom.

"Why Snape?" Draco sounded confused.

"He promised to help me," Dracos eyes still looked concerned as I pulled him into the room where Snape was sat marking papers. He didn't look up as his monotone voice spoke, "Scarlett, it's not time for a our next meeting."

"I know, sorry professor, but this is urgent," my voice was rushed, starting to fail me as I placed the howler down on the desk in front of him. His facial features moulded into the same expression mine held when I saw it.

He stared at the howler, no one daring to open it.

He stood from his desk, swiftly locking the classroom door with his wand. Draco looked confused as he watched the professor pace in front of us.

"I'm assuming this is from your mother and father?" Snape asked Draco, to which he nodded in reply. Snape stopped pacing, glancing down at the letter, "Open it."

I picked it up, my stomach twisting in knots, bile rising up my throat as I opened up the howler. It flew from my grasp! Up to my face, turning into a malevolent smile.

"Well well well,

It seems my little punishment didn't teach you anything!" It screeched.

"How dare you go against me! I have had numerous reports from parents about you dancing with that disgusting scum of a boy! Well if the last beating didn't teach you then just you wait till you get home! I will kill you! Do you understand you vile girl! I will kill you!"

The letter tore itself up, the last words repeating in my head... I felt like I was going to be sick. And I knew he was capable of it. I remembered what he did to muggle-borns. He would do the same to his blood traitor niece! I felt my head start to spin and my knees became weak. Draco managed to catch my arm as I stubbled slight, steadying me while Snape watched me concerned.

"What do we do?" I spoke quietly, Dracos arm still around my shoulder.

"We need to find you safe accommodation for when you finish this year, you will not be returning to Malfoy Manor." Snape stern voice spoke.

"What! No she has to come home! Where will she go?" Dracos eyes looked worried and angry at the same time. I felt sorry for him. He loves his parents so much. But despises them just as much.