4 Turns | Dramione

11 | trigger word

1 1

t r i g g e r w o r d
Aug 18 1612 (Saturday)

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Draco punched the table fiercely; his cup was knocked down while the tea spilt everywhere.

He was having his breakfast when the inn owner informed him the news that Grantham had been suspected of witchcraft the previous night. "Why didn't you tell me last night? Where is she?"

"Sir, I'm not sure—"

He howled, "Where is she?"

"Probably in Lancaster Castle. Most suspects are—"

Draco didn't wait for the man to finish. He seized his cloak and ran out of the inn.

Unfortunately, he'd never been to the castle before. He couldn't apparate to a place he didn't know. Draco cursed under his breath as he dashed to the entrance of the village where people could take carriages. Before he hopped on a carriage, he shoved a pound coin into the coachman's hand and ordered him to drive as fast as possible to Lancaster Castle.

Rhythmic steps rang out as the horses took him into the forest. He glanced out of the window as a train of thoughts flowed to his head. His parents had told him about witch trials and how barbaric Muggles could be.

After an accused had been arrested, his or her body would be stripped, shaved and searched for any peculiarities. Muggles believed that all witches and wizards had a witches' mark waiting to be found. A witches' mark was believed to be the permanent marking of the Devil on his initiates to seal their obedience and service to him, therefore it's called "a devil's mark" as well. If unusual marks were found, the spots were pricked, and if no pain was felt or they didn't bleed, it was surely the mark of the Devil.

Those who didn't admit to being a witch and under heavy suspicion were usually induced to confess by way of torture. One method was dunking, in which the accused would be held underwater repeatedly until they were successfully broken down.

Another means of torture designed to make the accuser talk, but made it impossible for them to talk, much less breathe. Called "pressing," the subject was placed beneath heavy stones, meant to literally crush you into submission.

Last but not least, bound submersion; essentially the alleged witch would be bound at the hands and feet—with heavy rocked attached—and thrown into a body of water. If the body floated to the surface, that was proof that the accused was indeed a witch. If she sank to the bottom—and inevitably drowned—she was innocent. Under this test, even if the accused was innocent, they'd be drown to death.

None of these practices was actual punishments, they're only examinations. However, they were already much worse than a Cruciatus Curse. The true torture began after one was proven to be a witch. They used several different types of penalties, but they were very likely to end with death. One of the most common sentences for a witch would be hanged or being burned at a stake.

He finger-crossed and hoped she hadn't gone through any of these yet.

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She'd never been more humiliated before. But she didn't cry.

Her clothes had been taken away by the group of women for another round of investigation. Sitting naked in the corner, Hermione pulled her knees tight to her chest. She stared at her left forearm—the blood had dried up already, her old scar had become red and new again. Last time, in Malfoy Manor, she had Harry and Ron; this time, she had no one. No one would save her.