devils snare [phan]

Chapter 25

It was weird having a party in my honor. People drunkenly parading me around like some prize, giggling and stumbling over themselves as they spoke to me. It got to the point where I flinched every time someone walked near.

"Hey," someone whispered in my ear.

I screamed and nearly smacked the source of the voice but relaxed at the sight of Dan. He giggled and gently took my hand in his, leading me from the crowded room to the courtyard near the greenhouse. Shyly he raised his head up, placing a quick kiss on the crook of my neck. I smiled and pulled him into a hug, my arms snaking around his hips while his went around my neck.

"I'm so sorry." I buried my face into his shoulder.

"You did nothing wrong." Dan sighed. He held my cheeks and stared at me intently. I pulled him closer until our chests were practically pressed against each other. His thumb subconsciously ran over my bottom lip and he leaned up towards me, his eyes closed. I was about to lean over as well when someone cleared their throat beside us and we broke apart quickly. It was McGonagall.

"Dumbledore and I would like to speak with you too." She said formally. Her stance was rigid but her face was sincere. Although I wasn't in the mood now, as anger from earlier began to resurface. Dan rubbed my hand and I squeezed his, almost dragging him to Dumbledore's office.

We walked in stiff silence all the way to Dumbledore's office. I continued to glare at McGonagall's back the whole walk.

We got to Dumbledore's door and I pushed past them immediately, letting go of Dan's hand.

"What the hell is wrong with you?" I screeched.

Dumbledore raised his eyebrows at me.

"Don't you know?" I hissed.

He pursed his lips together and shook his head.

"The whole reason Dan and I are friends is because I found him tied up and gagged in a closet. You wanna know what he was tied up with?" the office stayed silent so I continued. "He was tied up with devil's snare. Now why is something I don't know but I haven't pushed Dan to try and find out who would hurt him but if Hogwarts had more control over what students did to one another we would know and be able to prevent shit like from happening, just like the panic attack Dan underwent when you put him in the second task. And another thing he was the only one bound and gagged with something gold and I am wondering why you would cause someone I love so much terror. Tell me, please."

When I had stopped ranting the only noise was my heavy panting. Now realizing everything I had said, I looked backed at a very shocked Dan.

"Phil, sit please." Dumbledore said smoothly.

I cautiously sat down in the chair in front of him, my heart thumping in my ears.

"We were having the same concerns about Dan's safety." Dumbledore stated, interlocking his fingers on his desk.

"Wait, why?" I leaned forward.

"Because we didn't put the gold bindings on Dan." Dumbledore said. "In fact, he was supposed to be unconscious until he touched the ground. I was about to ask who would want interfere with Dan's safety but I think you already answered that."

We both turned to Dan who was as white as a sheet of paper. He swallowed visibly before answering.

"Don't worry about the students, professor." Dan mumbled, sitting down next to me.

"I'm not sure I understand, Dan." Dumbledore furrowed his eyebrows.

"The students," Dan bit out, keeping his eyes locked with his lap. "weren't the ones who caused the incident."

"Are you saying..." I trailed off to avoid showing the hiccup forming. I bit my lip to keep a sob from escaping. I stood up and walked away. I rubbed my face in an attempt to keep from cry. I turned back to them but stayed in my spot.

"Dan, why didn't you say anything." Dumbledore asked. His body looked tense and his voice held a false calm.

"He said... he said he would hurt my family. He said he would never leave me alone if I told anyone. He made sure I remembered that. I was so scared. What he did to me... I can't—" Dan choked up, a sob escaping his lips, his head still hung over like he was ashamed about.

"Could you tell me which teacher did this to you?" Dumbledore almost hissed the words out.

Dan shook his head.

"You know he can't—"

"He wiped my memory." Dan said quietly. "Parts of it at least. I know he wasn't a student, so he had to be a professor. I was walking to professor Sprout's class but then... I remember bits and pieces. The way he grabbed my tie and stuffed it in my mouth. His hands wandering, grabbing, hurting. His voice... whispering threats into my ear." I cautiously sat back down with him and placed my hand on his back, rubbing circles with my hand. Dan sighed, relaxing into my touch, and kept going. "I woke up in that closet. My hands tied together there were a group of teens looking down at me laughing."

"I thought you said the students weren't apart of it?" Dumbledore cocked his head inquisitively.

"I said they didn't cause it." Dan almost hissed. "They might as well have though. They laughed and taunted me taking turns hitting me. They wrapped devils snare around my wrists, when I started screaming they used their ties to shove into my mouth. Then they left me with the ties in my mouth all alone." Once he finished he began to sob. "And— and I— I just wanted to die. I felt like I was on fire and I—I just wanted it to stop. But they—they didn't stop. Why wouldn't they stop..." Dan leaned into my chest, letting the tears flow freely. I wrapped my arms around Dan and pulled him closer, placing a kiss on his forehead.

I glanced Dumbledore before turning my attention back to Dan.

"I'm so sorry that this happened to you Dan." Dumbledore said. "Is there anything we can do?"

"Find the asshole." Dan hissed through his tears.

"Will do." Dumbledore nodded.

"Anything else?" I asked.

"No, you may go." Dumbledore said, pursing his lips together.

I helped Dan to his feet and we walked hand in hand out of Dumbledore's office. With Dan's head rested lazily on my shoulder, we walked to the Hufflepuff common room. I lead Dan to the couch before walking over to the cold fireplace. I murmured a quick charm under my breath to light a fire and laid down next to Dan on the couches.

His fingers ran over the bruises on his wrists, bright red like permanent bonds holding him back forever. His eyes wandered around his wrists, deep in thought. I went to place my hands over his to cover the bruises when he stiffened.

"Dan?" I tried to hold his hand but he stood up and began to pace back and forth. "Dan?" he didn't answer me, suddenly freezing in his spot. His eyes darted rapidly between his wrists before looking to me with tears trickling down his cheeks. I stood up and took his hands in mine. "Dan, what's wrong?"

"I had one tie my mouth when you found me but they all stuffed there's... or they took them out... I can't remember." He groaned and flopped down next to me. "No matter how hard I try I just— I just can't..." he trailed off, tears dribbling down his cheeks. "What if it didn't happen? And it was all just implanted in my head by some students? What if I'm lying to everyone? What if—"

"What if you are?" I placed my hands on either sides of his face and Dan's mouth snapped shut. "I would still love you just as much." Tears dribbled down Dan's face and his bottom lip quivered. "Come here." I wrapped my arms around him. Dan snuggled into my chest with a sniffle. I began to run my fingers through his hair. "It'll be okay, it may not be okay now but it will be... I promise."

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I only have one more chapter pre-written and I'm worried that my updates will be really far apart... so yeah, another warning.

But it would be awesome if you keep reading.

Thanks.

~Ellie