Chapter 8: A Little Too Far

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   Two months. Two months we have been here. A few things I have realized: This is not the home I grew to love. It went from the most amazing place on earth to the most terrifying. The halls are often filled with torturous screams. No one really asked questions at this point. We just know it probably has some to do with the twisted siblings, Amicus and Alecto.
   I was on my way to their class right now. I have never dreaded something more in my entire life. I used to think my adoptive father was bad. He was nothing compared to this. The siblings had been doing awful and cruel things. Practicing curses on students, making us duel until someone ended up in the infirmary so badly mangled it was a shock to Madame Pomfrey herself. Not to mention looking into the face of Amicus all the time makes me want to jump from the Astronomy Tower. Grandfather is surely rolling in his grave after seeing what has become of his beloved school. Amicus is always taunting me. Sometimes he'll walk by me and play with my hair. I've contemplated shaving my head bald. Other times he'll brush his fingers over my body when he walks by. I've started taking showers so hot it nearly burns my skin. I never feel clean anymore. But I can't wash it off. I can't wash any of it off.
   Two weeks ago he had first years practicing curses on me. If you've never been hit by a curse from a first year here is what you need to know. Usually you know what to expect from a curse. But when it's being thrown by someone who has absolute no magical training you never know what will happen. Nine times out of ten it hurts worse than a normal curse. Needless to say, I kept Madame Pomfrey very busy that night.
   When I arrived at class most everyone was there. Including Derek. The boy had watched me like a hawk since the day he arrived. But even more troubling than that there were three first years lined up at the front of the class. I wonder how long Poppy will be patching me up tonight. Amicus and Alecto were sitting at the front of the class looking smug, as always. When the last of us filed in they both stood. "Today we have a particularly fun lesson." Amicus chirped.
   "Who should be first, Amicus?" Alecto turned to her brother.
   "Hmmm, Alex, step forward." Damnit! I did as I was told and looked at him. "Donovan, step forward." A small, terrified first year moved from his spot, closer to me.
   "Amicus, what the bloody hell could you possibly be making us do now?" A wicked look flashed in his eyes.
   "Well, I can make you do a lot of things, can't I Alex?" My stomach churned at his words. I felt as if I may vomit. Amicus then turned to the class. "How many of you know what the Cruciatus Curse is?" You could cut the tension on the room with a knife. No one said a word. Amicus hated when we didn't answer him. "HOW MANY?!" He yelled. A majority of the class raised their hands. "Good good. Now how many of you have seen it being used?" Again no one said a word or moved an inch. "How many?" He turned to me and I let out a small sigh while raising my hand. There were a few audible gasps around the room. "And how many of you have experienced the torture of the curse first hand?" I kept my hand in the air. I saw Derek stand a little straighter and look at me questioningly. "Well, what a coincidence." Alecto let out a small chuckle. Bitch. "Alex since you're so experienced why don't you give us a little example on Donovan here?" The small boy shook in fear. I looked at Amicus wide eyed.
   "No! Hell no! Not going to happen, Amicus."
   "I don't think you have much of a choice." He snorted.
   "I'm not going to do it! Forget it, Amicus!" The little vial man shook his head and turned to his sister.
   "They never really learn." With that he raised his wand and pointed it at me. "Crucio!" My knees buckled and hit the floor. I felt every muscles in my body cry in pain, but I didn't. I refuse. He liked when we screamed. While holding the curse, he addressed the class, "Now, you see the effects of this curse are rather extensive." He flicked his wrist and the pain doubled. I fell over t my side, my head hitting the ground so hard I saw black dots. My jaw clenched and I was unable to move. "The muscles in the body contract so violently your entire body feels as if it were caught on fire. It also triggers pain receptors. Tricking your body into thinking you've suffered a massive trauma. As you can see it's rather amazing." The curse stopped and I sucked in a deep breath I forced myself to my knees and then finally after minutes of struggling I was on my feet again. My body still screamed with pain. "Now, Alex, why don't you show Donovan the effects."
   "Go fuck yourself."
   "Later. First you will perform this curse, Alex!"
   "Fine!" I raised my wand quickly and pointed it directly as Amicus. "Crucio!!!" The twisted man his the ground like a ton of bricks, letting out a blood curdling scream. I put everything I had into that curse. His nose began to bleed heavily into a puddle on the floor as he pleads of me to stop bounced off the walls. "This is what you wanted!!!" Out of the corner of my eye I saw Alecto raise her wand in my direction. Before she cold utter a word I turned to her, still torturing her brother, I imagined doing the same to her. Suddenly the woman fell, screaming just like her disgusting partner. "We're really teaching them now aren't we guys?!" I asked the both do them.
   "Alex stop!" Derek screamed.
   "No, they want me to teach you. I'm teaching you!" I was so distracted by Derek I didn't see Alecto manage to grab her wand. She pointed it at me. Everything went black.
   I woke in a dark room. Quickly I scrambled to my feet and tried to see anything. But it was so dark. I reached for my wand. It wasn't there. "Where am I?" I mumbled. Suddenly the lights went on and the sight before me was horrifying. Greyback, Bellatrix, Severus, Draco, Amicus, Alecto, all stood around Tom. All looking at me. Seven wands were pointed at me. Seven curses were shot. All different. All equally painful.
   **Severus' P.O.V**
   Alex, please hold on. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry. Another curse, another scream. I didn't know if she'd live through this one.

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