just for me ⚘ a Fred Weasley Fanfiction

99. that one time Juniper almost joined a cult

cw~

Juniper's time as a hostage at Malfoy Manor wasn't spent entirely alone. Garrick Ollivander, the wizard Juniper bought her wand from, was thrown down into the cellar with her at some point between October and December. Like Juniper, he didn't speak much and retreated into a dark corner to wait out the violent questioning and abuse they faced, losing the shred of hope he held for someone rescuing him after the first two days.
Draco left for Hogwarts again on New Year's day, Narcissa ensuring he spent as little time as necessary in the Manor, and a few hours after his departure, another living body was tossed down with Juniper and Ollivander, this one actually making noise.
They stood up and mumbled to themself under their breath, dusting the dirt off their pants, eyes squinting as they tried looking around in the dark.

"Jones... right? Juniper?" They squeaked, a kindness and purity in their voice that Juniper hadn't heard since Bill and Fleur's vows to each other. "We were in that 'secret club' together."

"Mm." Juniper croaked, her vocal cords scratching together. It could've been the torture, the dehydration, or just plain delirium, but Juniper couldn't recall any memories of Hogwarts at all, barely recognising this person.

"Luna Lovegood." They whispered, inching closer to sit across from Juniper, trying their hardest to hide the disgust and pity that crossed their face. "I spoke to you and Fred at his brother's wedding."

"I can't-." Juniper squeezed her eyes shut, cradling her head in her hands at the mention of Fred's name, feeling a sting in her chest and the hand of Bellatrix coming down to strike her.

"You're still wearing the dress you wore to the wedding." Luna continued, barely noticing Juniper's reflex. "I've heard they've been planning on how to get you out for months. As in the Order."

"Luna, I don't think they are." Juniper forced the words out of her mouth, her heart fracturing at the thought. "I'm sure you're lovely, but I can't talk to you."

With that Juniper mustered up all of her energy to scoot across the floor, making distance between her and Luna, watching the hopeful smile finally drop off of Luna's face.
Luna didn't try to speak to her again, all three of the prisoners sat in the cellar, waiting day in and day out for something to change. Juniper was the only one that was ever taken out of the cellar and was the only one who was tortured and beaten, and she never understood why.
Juniper always thought the pain couldn't get worse, that there was a limit to her suffering. But each time Bellatrix summoned her from the cellar, the Cruiciatus curse tore her apart in ways she'd never imagine.
It was the first Thursday in March that Bellatrix finally got bored of the same routine, rising from her chair that she sat so proudly on, to kneel down face-to-face with Juniper, whose body convulsed uncontrollably, writhing in pain.

"It's been months. And you're still resisting my gracious offer to join us." Bellatrix'a voice was a purr, but there was still venom in her tone. Her dirty fingers reached out to yank Juniper's hair back, forcing her lifeless gaze up. Bellatrix smirked with a sick pleasure, leaning in close. "You were pretty when you got here. Now you're strong. Resilient. A raw kind of power we admire and respect here."

Juniper bit down on her lip, clearing her mind as Bellatrix prodded at her thoughts, her magic feeling like sharp claws in her brain. Juniper couldn't help the grunts and groans of pain as she fought against herself to keep her mind entirely blank.

"Perhaps your precious Order aren't as noble as they seem, if they really cared for you, you'd have been rescued by now. Safe in the arms of that Weasley." Bellatrix's smile grew deeper as her sharp fingernails dug into Juniper's cheeks. Her voice dropped into a taunting lullaby, pouting mockingly. "I think they've abandoned you, my dear."