It's a Long Story

Chapter Ten Rivalry

Charlotte POV

The large dinning hall was empty and still this time of night. Every step sent eerie echoes around the room. They were especially creepy right now, since I knew the footsteps weren't my own.

"Well well, if it isn't the youngest Potter herself?" Bellatrix cackled.

"I won't let you hurt anyone." I stood my ground, cautiously waiting for Bellatrix to show herself.

"Oh, you silly little thing! Like your pathetic attempt at the Dark Arts could stand a chance against me?" She laughed.

"I have to try. I can't let you hurt those I love."

"Love? Oh...you mean that little Muggle family of yours, don't you?"

"Leave them alone!" I yelled. "This is our fight! There's no need to get them involved!"

"Oh...see, it's a little late for that." She cooed as suddenly Bella was pushed into my sight from out behind a pillar.

"Bella!" I cried, rushing to her quickly.

She was tied up and bound at the mouth, silent tears streaming down her face. She was only twelve years old and I've already allowed her to be tormented like this.

"Reducto." I cast the Reductor Curse that disintegrated her ties.

"Charlotte!" She cried, latching onto me tightly.

"I'm so sorry Bells, don't worry, everything will be alright. I have to get you to Dumbledore." I soothed her, grabbed her arm, and turned to leave.

But Bella held on to me tightly, almost crushing my spine.

"Bella, Bella, you're hurting me." I squirmed under her grasp.

I managed to push her shoulders back enough to actually look into her deep brown eyes...that weren't brown at all.

They were a bright and terrible red.

"Crucio" she cast and suddenly I was thrown back from a sudden force of pain.

I screamed in extreme agony, I had never been put under the Cruciatus Curse before, it felt like knives were ripping me apart slowly.

"Charlotte!" I was vaguely aware of someone shaking me, but it only made the pain worse.

"Charlotte!" Bella screamed and I shot up off the couch and unto my feet.

"Charlotte, sweetheart, it's alright. You were just having a nightmare." Carlisle took my hand and tried to calm me down.

"It, it felt so real. Like I was actually there again." I mumbled.

"What happened?!" Harry burst into the room, hair a wild mess, panicked look on his face, and his wand held tightly in his hand.

"Nightmare." I responded.

"Oh." He slouched. "That bad? I could've sworn it was a Cruciatus Curse there for a minuet."

"It was. I was dreaming of a Bellatrix encounter, again." I sighed.

"She's hit you with one of those too?" He asked and my head snapped to look at him.

"Multiple times. You've been hit?" I asked.

"Yeah, rather not relive it. She's hit you multiple times with a Cruciatus Curse and you're not completely insane?" He asked astounded.

"I guess she enjoys torturing me so much she wants a chance to do it over and over again." I laughed bitterly, earning some worried looks from Bella and Carlisle.