The Abuser

Emerald Demons

I know the season's ain't been changing, and everyday it looks like rain, but I keep hoping for that sun. The streets are filled with demons. Lord that's never gonna change, but I still wanna be with everyone.

- In This Life by The Strumbellas

........

I sigh wearily, re-reading the open letter in my hands. The parchment is crisp and new and there is such a harshly official tone to the words that I can scarcely identify with the message.

"Miss Hazel DeLuce,

(Sole proprietor of the DeLuce estates and fortune, sole proprietor of the Auseen estates and fortune, student at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry)

We regret to inform you of the death of your legal guardians the Auseens. You are now the sole proprietor of the complete Auseen estates and fortune, as the last living relation and only registered name under the deceased's will. Please remember that underage witches and wizards must stay with a legal parent or guardian at all times when not in school.

Sincerely,

Ludia VanHoppensmith, Department of Natural Deaths and Mortuary Affairs, the Ministry of Magic"

So. Every family figure that I've ever had is dead. I don't cry; I have enough on my plate, and honestly, the Auseens and I were never close. I am, of course, regretful for their death as they were lovely people, but the effect is not as great as some would assume. Funny how they both contrived to snuff it at the exact same moment; I'll bet everything's not as up-and-up at the Ministry would like us to believe. For a fleeting moment, I worry if the Dark Lord might have discovered Draco's breach of trust and decided to punish my "family" first. That terrible thought seems rather unlikely, so I push it away. Well, now I'm an heiress of two fortunes. I have more bloody money and property than I'll ever know what to do with! This is not a comforting thought. I turn 17 the week school lets out, so I'll be of age. I guess I'll just have to choose the least stuffy manor and go live there. I'll be alone... My thoughts wander aimlessly. I fold the letter, and stuff it into my book-bag. I should go see Draco. Maybe bring him some food or something.

My boyfriend is still slaving feverously away over the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Requirement, but he claims to be making head-way. It's been hard knowing that I'm helping the Dark Lord, but for the sake of Draco, I will continue. He wants the power and glory of the promised reward, and I don't want our relationship to crumble. Neither of us wants to die, so the conjoined motive helps speed us along our way even faster. Well, I should say Draco's way. He's not letting me help at all. He wants all of the responsibly, and all of the consequence, but I'm afraid that he'll die before the Cabinet even gets repaired, at the rate his health is declining!

I grab my book-bag and hurry towards the Room of Requirement. I've visited it so often of late that I practically can run all the way without getting the least bit lost; quite a feat, when it comes to maneuvering Hogwarts. I halt at the familiar stretch of wall, nodding to the mousy-haired girl who is lurking in front.

"Crabbe, you know I'm on the side of the Dark Lord. Let me through." I lie smoothly, as he prepares to block my path. It's downright creepy that Draco's making his Hench-men transform into girls, but he says that no one will suspect a couple of first year witches, giving them a clear path to guarding the Room while he's inside. The girl nods, and I pace in front of the strip of wall, focusing on my desire. I need to get to the Vanishing Cabinet in the Room of Hidden Objects.

Ever since Draco explained how to work the Room, I've been utterly fascinated with it. I'd like to try it out for other purposes, sometimes, but Draco's nearly always inside, so I haven't had a chance. I open the now-visible door, and step inside. "Draco!?" I call, maneuvering around wobbling piles of jetsam and flotsam, from decades of past students.