The Abuser

Cold Hands; Colder Heart

Cause when I was young, somebody took me, and they thought it was fun to go and shake me.

- Feel My Love by Phebe Starr

.........

I rest my hand on my forehead and roll my eyes. So what if Harry Potter fainted? Those dementors were horrible! I feel like screaming my mind to the entire Slytherin table, but decide against it for the sake of remaining at least someone inconspicuous. He's still better and more powerful than you lot of gits, even with your filthy rich death-eater mummies and daddies! It's no secret that many of my fellow house-mates have parents who were heavily involved with the Dark Lord; though some-how or another they seem to have been cleared of all charges. I sigh as another gale of laughter rolls past me. Honestly, Slytherins are so immature.

"If Malfoy thinks that pretending to pass out is going to make him popular, then he really needs to get his little blond head out of a cloud." I mutter bitterly under my breath. Glancing towards the Gryffindor table, I see Harry eyeing the tittering Slytherins, while Draco continues his ridiculous impersonations. Pathetic. I'm not an angry girl, but I can't stand injustice, and personally, this is the absolute worst. I know what it's like to be teased and humiliated in public, so my heart really goes out to Harry. I smile and wave at Fred and George who are seated next to Potter, trying to catch their eye as they look over in our direction. They don't see me, but turn and say something to Potter. He cracks a bit of a smile.

I stand and weave my way past Crabbe and Goyle, who are posed in their typical "bodyguard" stances. Brushing against Draco, I hiss, "Oooh! Dementor, Malfoy! I hope that you don't start crying and almost wet your pants, again." I scurry quickly away, not wanting to wait for his possibly dangerous response.

.....

Huffing up the steep stairs, I pull out my schedule for the umpteenth time, reviewing my list of classes. New for this year are Divination, Care of Magical Creatures, and a few others which I am not taking this week.

I step onto a tiny landing, which is already crowded with other students. I try to ignore a rude comment from Malfoy about my "obscene weight gain", but my face burns as many of the others chuckle. Have I really gained weight? Do I look bad? I bet that I do; I bet that I'm the ugliest girl in school! I should go on a diet... I think miserably, wrapping my arms around my waist and hoping that my pants don't make me look overweight.

At that moment, the Golden Trio bursts onto the landing, panting from a long run up the winding and narrow staircase. I attempt to avoid their attention, stepping back into the knot of other students. After the antics put up by the other Slytherins a few minutes ago at breakfast, I don't particularly want to face my friends.

Suddenly and without warning, cold hands clasp my shoulders and the back of my neck. "Something wrong, you filthy little excuse for a witch?" Draco's chilled hands move to my jaw, holding me still in their crushing grasp.

I take a deep breath. Crabbe and Goyle have stepped in front of us, blocking Malfoy's actions from view. To be perfectly honest, I had never thought that he would dare to touch me; especially not like this. I'm not sure why, but the thought of this actually pains me more than his rough hold.

"Hands off, you ass." I choke, trying to sound tough. Evidently this was the wrong move, for he forcibly wrenches my head to the side, pressing it in an agonizingly unnatural position. "Malfoy! Please... Draco, stop! You're hurting me! Please..." I manage, my voice hardly more than a whisper as he applies more pressure to my jaw. The bones feels like they will break! Tears well up in my eyes and my head spins; the shame of begging for his mercy is nearly unbearable, but I have no choice. "I beg of you... Draco, please..." The words are no more than a croaking whisper as I tremble under his grip.