Transfixed: A Draco Malfoy Fanfiction

Chapter 58

The third floor of the castle was expansive: a wide open area with arched windows along the far wall. Cots were sprawled along the floor, where the students sat. Candles floated in midair, casting a reddish hue across the room. The students were nearly all seventh years, but there were a smattering of younger students throughout.

"This is the isolation wing, where we keep the Unfavorables," Alecto said to Draco and I. "If a student gets too disruptive or unruly, we bring them here. They don't get to leave for mealtimes. The house elves bring them scraps after dinner. They only leave for classes."

Alecto began to weave between the cots, and we followed. In the back lefthand corner of the room was the door that led to what was once Fluffy's room, the three-headed dog. She opened the door, and we peered inside. It seemed empty at first.

"This is our punishment room," she said. "We have only used it twice so far, when a student proves to be an exceptionally difficult case. The first time was with Seamus Finnigan, right after the start of term. And the second time was today after the scene in the Dark Arts class."

It was then that I noticed Ginny in the corner of the room, eyes closed, leaning against the wall. Physically, she looked fine, but I could tell from the look on her face that she was anything but. It was from the torture curse, I could tell. My sister looked just the same after it was used repeatedly on her. My stomach churned as I looked down at her, thinking about what Amycus said to her as he dragged her out of the Dark Arts class. "We've been going easy on you lot since term started, but you've proven to be a special case. I would administer the torture curse myself, but I'll let my sister have the two of you. She will be so pleased..."

"Solitary seems to be the only way to keep them quiet. We administer the torture curse as long as necessary, and then leave them in here until they prove they can behave themselves. Isn't that right, Weasley?" Alecto said, flashing an evil grin at Ginny.

Ginny nodded, but didn't open her eyes. I felt like I was going to be sick.

"So, what do you think?" Amycus asked, looking at Draco and I. I was glad the room was dark enough to mask the horror on our faces. Neither of us managed to say anything.

Luckily, the Carrows seemed to interpret our silence as approval. "Needless to say, it's a lot of work to act as Deputy Headmaster and Headmistress, teach classes, and make sure the Unfavorables behave, so we were hoping you two would be able to help," Amycus said.

"That's right," Alecto echoed. "As Junior Inquisitors, Headmaster Snape has given you authority over students, and we want you to keep an eye on them. Make sure we don't have a rebellion on our hands."

I swallowed, hard, and my throat was as dry as sandpaper. "Of course," I managed to croak.

"Good," Alecto said. "I thought you would be pleased to see that this school is finally treating these traitors the way they should have been treated a long time ago. Can you believe the way they used to let the students get away with anything? What a shame."

"Yes. A shame," I muttered.

My head began to spin as I struggled to think of a plan. We had to set up a safe house and get the students away from these evil people. But before we could move anyone, we had to get the injured students strong enough to make the journey. It was a Herculean task, and it would be impossible for Draco and I to manage it on our own. I needed my sister's help, and fast.

...

After supper, when the sun began to disappear beneath the mountains, I set out to meet my sister at the Room of Requirement. It was time to put a plan together.