𝐚𝐥𝐥 𝐡𝐞𝐫 𝐠𝐥𝐨𝐫𝐲 | 𝐝.𝐦.

fifty two

A kick in the gut is all it takes to humble the young girl as she rolls down the familiar pebbled stairwell and hits the cooling ground of the basement.

The darkness below swarms Betty's vision as the metal door squeaks shut. The lock whines, and she hears the footsteps of two women fading away.

Bellatrix's cackles mix with the creepiness of the dungeon, makes the goosebumps at the back of Betty's neck rise.

She hasn't been down here in almost a whole year. Never thought she would find herself back in here. But then again, she had also assured herself she would never step foot in this lonely manor again, yet she had been wrong.

Strays of hair fall over her face, being drenched in the murky water of the dungeon. She feels the bile rising to her throat, the nausea returning again.

It is painful everywhere, every crevice of her body. She is still trembling from the effects of being crucified. Not to mention her abdomen is hurting tremendously from where Bellatrix's heel had landed. But most of all, her dignity has been wounded.

Upstairs, Narcissa is talking to her sister hastily, almost disapproving but Bellatrix argues back patently, as if offended she is being chided.

Betty hasn't done anything wrong. If this was anywhere else, she wouldn't be punished. But she cannot deny it; in this treacherous place, the right is the wrong.

Indignantly, she gets to her feet, although her legs feel as if they might buckle beneath her. Her breathing is ragged, just like the first time she had been in this mouldy, dire part of the manor.

"Betty?"

She hears a voice call from the darkness. Her eyes are just barely adjusting to the dimness. Only a single candle is lit in here, and the light seems to be drawing nearer to her.

Betty pulls down the hem of her dress, sweeping at her bruised knee. Fear engulfs her and she backs away, towards the stairwell again. "W-Who's there?"

Then the light is brighter. A face is illuminated by it. The girl's long, locks of blonde hair fall over her shoulders, wrapping around her waist, soiled with dirt. She wears a knitted sweater with loose threads, surely impotent against the cold.

Betty is filled with shock. "Luna?"

She does not know where she finds the strength to pounce forward, to hug the girl. Only that this is the first time she has ever felt such comfort the complete month.

Luna is taken aback by the warm, yet strong embrace. She drops the candle in her hands. "Hello to you, too, Betts."

"W-What are you doing here?" Betty finally says when she releases the girl, tears are brimming at her eyes, threatening to spill. "God, how didn't I know you were here?"

Luna takes in a deep breath of relief. "I've been here since winter's break," she says, oddly calm despite the circumstances. "I was brought here after death eaters hijacked the train back to Hogwarts."

"What?" Betty exclaims, "That was weeks ago. How... Why? I have so many questions."

"Ok, but answer me this first. What are you doing here? Dressed like that especially," Luna asks, her eyes go over the girl once peculiarly. "I ought to take you home once we get out of here. You need a little something from my wardrobe."

A laugh escapes the brunette's lips. "It's something I got yesterday. Mrs Malfoy paid for it."

A flash of surprise crosses the girl's plain expression. "She paid for it?" she repeats oddly.

"It's a long story," Betty tells her. "Why did they put you here? And is there anyone else?"

Luna shakes her head miserably. "Just me. I've been alone this entire time. Come with me, I'll show you where we can get the freshest air."