You Handsome Devil

Valentine's Day

Waking up, Jylian sighed. She looked around her room, searching for her dorm mates. As her eyes wandered from bed to bed, she noticed that only one other person remained sleeping. Noticing the Chudley Cannons poster above her bed, Jylian resolved that the girl sleeping in the other bed was Madison, a shy and quiet girl. Jylian and Madison had never formally met, but she knew who she was due to the fact that they were in the same year at Hogwarts School Of Witchcraft And Wizardry. They were both in their sixth year, and had all the same classes. Jylian also shared those classes with a boy and his friends; Draco Malfoy, the leader, and Crabbe and Goyle, his cronies. The group absolutely hated Jylian, and would do anything to cause her pain. They would beat her mercilessly until she was unconscious. Though, Jylian never did anything, because when she would try, the boys would always somehow appear out of nowhere. (They couldn't apparate, it can't be done at hogwarts) so Jylian just took it. It had been going on since the beginning of their second year at school. Draco and his friends showed up to talk to Jylian (they were friends at the time) and began beating her. This went on for days, transitioning into weeks, and months, them years. And that brought them to today. Jylian was afraid to get out of bed, because they usually were extra mean on Valentines Day. But Jylian still got up, and went to the bathroom. Climbing into the shower, she let the warm water rush over her battered body. When she climbed out, she looked into the mirror. Seeing bruise lining her back and arms, she sighed as she dabbed on the concealer. Pulling on her clothes, she instantly dried her hair with a spell she had learned from Madam Pomfrey. She had taught all of the fifth years last year some spells that would come in handy later in life. Walking out of the bathroom, she made her way down to the great hall. Sitting down at the slytherin table, she began drinking pumpkin juice and waited for her owl to bring her the newspaper. She raked her eyes across the ceiling, she spotted a dark brow tawny owl flying her way. Landing gracefully on the table, Toby stood proudly and waited for Jylian to take the newspaper from his beak. Patting him lovingly on the head, she took the paper. Taking a bite of bacon, she handed the rest of the piece to Toby. "It's ok Toby, you can go now." He nipped her affectionately, and fluttered away. Looking back at her paper, she heard a voice from behind her. "Still talking to the only friend you have, eh, Porter?" The sneer couldn't be mistaken for anyone else's. It was Draco, and he wasn't here to eat. Jylian slowly turned to him. "You wouldn't dare do anything in front of all these people. You're powerless here." Jylian smirked. Draco returned the smirk. "Imperio." And then, she was powerless him. She followed him to the boys bathroom. As he relieved the curse, he cast another. "Crucio!" And then the beating began. As the curse climbed up her spine, and spread through her body, it felt as if someone had taken a knife and was slicing away her skin. He then began punching and kicking her simultaneously. This particular session lasted about 10 minutes, a quarter of the normal time. She was just glad to get out of there. Crawling into the girls bathroom, she mopped up the blood and covered up the cuts. After no marks were able to be seen, she made her way to her next, and favorite class, potions. Coming into the classroom, she felt all eyes on her. She was 20 minutes late for class, and Prof. Snape was never happy when someone was late. Today he was particularly cranky, and decided to give her a quiz in front of the class. "Tell me, Mrs. Porter, where would I find a bezoar?" She knew this. "In the stomach of a goat, sir." Jylian heard him mutter 'first year rubbish', and continued. "What would I need you to use the bezoar for, I might ask?" Knew this, too. "It's a remedy for most of the common poisons, and must be inserted into the throat to take effect." Shape sighed, and waved her to sit down. Looking around, the only empty seat was next to Draco. Great. She thought. Taking her seat, she tried to pay attention, but the whole time, Draco was poking her with his wand. Ignoring him, she continued taking notes. After class finished, Draco dragged her back to the bathroom and continued his beatings. This time, he didn't hold back at all. After the grueling half hour, he let Jylian go. Looking in the mirror, she cleaned up herself as best she could, and made her way to care of magical creatures. She actually made it through class without dealing with Draco, which was very strange. Limping to the great hall, She sat down at the table. Eating as little as she could, seeing as she didn't want to throw up with the next beating, she finished her meal. Draco came up behind her, and tapped her on the shoulder. Turning to her bully, Jylian faced not one, but three faces. Crabbe and Goyle grabbed her, while Draco trailed behind them. Throwing the poor girl into the hallway, the began beating her again. But this time, Draco didn't join in, but watched. It was disgusting. Jylian looked up to her former friend, and found his eyes. Staring into the greyness of them, she pleaded with hers to make them stop. She felt something roll down her cheek. She wasn't quite sure if it was blood or a tear or sweat, but it was there. Draco looked into her eyes again, and bent down to his friends, and grabbed their collars. Pulling them up, he dragged them away from her. Her pleas had been obliged, and she couldn't believe it. Why would he do it? She questioned. Clambering to her feet, Jylian ran to the common room. Going up to the dormitory bathrooms, she looked herself in the eyes. It had been blood running down her cheek. Washing up for the final time that day, she struggled out of the bathroom and down to the last hours of the day. Draco wouldn't even glance at her the rest of the day, not even at dinner. It made Jylian wonder: what changed his mind?