Uncanny Snake

XXII - Torture

My head throbbed, a discomfortable feeling that I was getting used to lately. Although, I suppose that was a good thing, or maybe not, I wasn't sure. There was too much uncertainty in my mind. The bedsheets were warm and comfortable, but I remembered vividly what had happened the night prior, and my heart would not stop skipping. Fear, this was definitely fear. Light filtered through the open curtains to the left of the room. The room itself was unfamiliar, and my heart sunk, breath catching as air refused to enter my lungs.

I was no longer wearing my clothes, but a short black dress with a belt around the waistline, embed with a skull that looked a lot like the Death Mark. I groaned in frustration until it turned into a silent sigh and threw my legs over the edge of the bed, sitting up. A dull room covered in gloomy tones, charming as always. The second I got up, I felt a breeze against my legs and looked down. The dress reached midway down my thighs, and I frowned, well they sure let themselves in, and now I felt violated. At least that part was expected.

A house-elf stood near the edge of the bed, her head peeking above the footboard. I jumped at the sight, reaching for my heart, and eyed the creature warily. I couldn't catch a break. How long had she been there? She offered no sign of life as she stared at me, her body still as a rock until I frowned, offering a small wave. "The master wishes to see you," the elf finally said stalking to my side of the bed, tugging at my arms for me to follow. She fixed my hair, taming my curls with a wave of her hand while my hands roamed down the sides of my body, and I shuddered.

"Where am I?" I asked as softly as I could but received no answer. She seemed uncomfortable with my questions and ushered me out the door, leading me down the grand staircase. I was barefoot, and the tiles were absolutely freezing, it was taking all my willpower not to hop from foot to foot. However, my reasoning quickly changed as I was met with scores of Death Eaters. I glanced down at my dress and fought back my anger; this was embarrassing. The dress was low cut revealing more than I would like, I might as well not bother wearing a top piece. This was a whole new kind of humiliation, my eyes unable to meet those of the Death Eaters ogling me like caviar at an elegant soiree. The image was too disturbing to envision.

I slipped on my poker face as I reached the bottom of the stairs, coming face to face with the Dark Lord himself. Or at least, what he had become, I still couldn't stand the sight of his face, he was inhumane. No nose, no hair. He was just the face of a man that I couldn't recognize anymore. When I was growing up, Tom had always seemed a bit odd to me, and Horcrux by Horcrux, he changed, but now it was drastic. "I've brought her, my lord," the elf said meekly, her hands clutching onto my dress, wrinkling it. She too was afraid. I wanted to take hold of her hand and squeeze it, to reassure her, but I wasn't sure where today would lead. Perhaps somewhere in the ground about six feet deep.

Tom waved his hand as a gesture to get this show on the road, and one of his many Death Eaters stepped out from against the wall, marching in my direction. He was a big guy, and I visibly flinched as he raised his hand, but didn't hit me. I heard a small whimper to my side, and the elf immediately let go of my dress. I watched helplessly as she was beaten and dragged out of the room.

"Please, please, sit," Tom motioned. "Let this not ruin our breakfast." A Death Eater pulled out a chair from the foot of the table and patted the back of it. I was wary but took a seat anyway, my gaze lingering on the man curled up and tied atop a silver platter surrounded by food, an apple in his mouth. Mr. Smith, the poor man had nothing to do with this...why does this always happen? Why do I always involve those who haven't done any wrong? Smith stared at me long and hard, and I felt a pang of guilt, a feeling that was also becoming too familiar as of late. "How long has it been since we had breakfast together?"

My eyes shot up to the owner of the voice, my eyes trailing from Tom to Smith, unsure who deserved my attention. I stared at the plate set before me, the food looked appetizing, but the circumstances had drained me of my appetite. Everything felt so bleak. I didn't want to be here anymore; I just wanted to close my eyes and never open them again. A Death Eater grabbed my hair by its root, tugging harshly as he spoke, "The Dark Lord asked you a question, answer!"