The Abuser

The Dead Girl

Older than water, stubborn as stone. There'll be no forgiveness for all that you've known. Oh these days oh these days get heavy. Hotter than friction subtle as sound. There'll be no forgiveness for you to come around.

- Second Chances by Imagine Dragons

........

I sigh, leaning up against a slivery birch to stare out at the surrounding woods. It's our second trip to Hogsmeade and as I can't seem to find Ron and Hermione anywhere I've come out to the woods around the Shrieking Shack. It's chilly out but I don't particularly care.

My days have been a bit happier since Harry and I broke up last month, yet I'm still suffering from severe pangs of depression. I wonder about his parting words to me: "your heart belongs to another." What did he mean by that? Does he think that I like someone else?

I wrap my black down jacket tighter around me, listening to the soft calling of pigeons. Suddenly another sound reaches me, causing my body to stiffen instinctively. Loud voices and heavy footsteps alert me to the presence of others and I duck behind the tree, praying that I remain unnoticed.

"-not even scary. There's no way that the old place is even haunted, anyway." The cold drawling voice of Draco Malfoy causes shivers to run up and down my spine.

"I guess not..." Goyle grunts. "Hey, I'm bored. This town is a lot duller than I imagined. What do you want to do, Malfoy?"

Draco is quiet for a moment as the footsteps grow louder. "Well, I could use a laugh. Hey, let's go find DeLuce! We could...I don't know...push her around or something."

Crabbe's voice is full of hesitation as he replies. "If you want. Are you sure that's a good idea, though? I don't want to hurt her or anything."

Malfoy laughs, sounding very close indeed. "Nah, we won't hurt her. Just give her a good scare- maybe make her cry. Plus, I really want to talk to..."

I swallow, not daring to move as they pass right by my tree. To my utter horror and dread, they stop short within a few paces of my hiding place. "Hey Malfoy, looks like we won't have to find her after all!" Crabbe chortles as they approach me.

I start up, attempting to run, but they close in; the two larger boys encroach on my right and left and Malfoy lazily blocks my escape with his arm. I back up against the tree, managing a small smile. "Lovely day, eh?" I say quietly.

"It's about to get better." Malfoy grins maliciously while Crabbe and Goyle chuckle. He leans in, resting his elbow on my shoulder and laughing. "What do you think that you're doing out here in the woods, all alone?"

"What do you think that you're doing out here in the woods, touching me like this?" I respond coolly, shaking him off of me.

"I think that I'm going to teach you a lesson." He snarls.

"For what, exactly?" I whisper. Dear God, please help me! Don't let him hurt me...please!

"For being such a rude little prat." He snaps, pushing me violently.

My head knocks against the tree and I wince. Please don't let him hurt me...please don't let him hurt me! I pray desperately. Malfoy grabs my shoulders, shaking me; banging me against the tree until my ribs are bruised black and blue.

I turn my beseeching eyes on Goyle and Crabbe, but they look away sneering. "Please, stop it, Malfoy!" I gasp as he pauses. "Please, you've done enough."

"Ha! I don't think so!" He laughs, gripping my arm roughly. "You'll get what you deserve. You ought to be punished, you muggle-loving-disgusting-little-failure." He gives me another hard push with every slow word.