the dragon's daughter

Chapter 6: Spells and Screams

Unknown

Aquila POV

I slowly fluttered my eyes opened, my head hurt.  Well, everything hurt.  Why?  events came flowing back to me.  I looked around, I was in a cement brick room with a small window towards the ceiling.  I was on the floor with a chain at my ankle,  still wearing the same clothes from my party.  I don't know how long I've been out but it's day right now.  The room had one door, a wooden door that looked heavy and probably locked.  I sat there wondering.

Is my family searching for me? Is James okay? Was anyone else hurt? Is Teddy back a Hogwarts? Are the guests at home? Does anyone else know about this? the Ministry? 

What did he want with me?  Why did he take me? Why me? Was it for Daddy's past? Was he a follower too?  What will happen? What if I never leave? What if he kills me? What if I never see my family again? 

I must have been thinking for a long time because the next thing I knew the sun was setting.  A light shown through the gap at the bottom of the door lighting up the room.  I heard footsteps near the door, they got louder and louder.  Someone was coming.  Was it Greyback?  I heard a set of keys clinking together and then the lock of a door.  It creaked open to reveal a man I know I never wanted to see again. 

"Ah look, the princess is awake." he sneered, baring teeth and  letting out barks of laughter.

I leaned as far as I could into the cold wall.  

"Are you afraid little girl?" I wanted to nod yes, but I stayed still.  He terrified me.

"Oh, you don't have to answer me if you don't want.  But I can tell." He started walking aimlessly around the room in a stalking manner.  "I've had many people fear me.  I know the look, the mentality, the act.  I can tell your scared."  he laughed.  "You see I took you, for my own enjoyment.  I need to make some Malfoy heir strong.  Your father has gone astray, this is how to correct it.  He hasn't been living up to his name and is a shame to the Malfoy name, to be called a follower of the Dark Lord."  he stood directly in front of me grinning down at me. "So lets start, shall we?" I stilled. Start?

"No matter,"
"Crucio!" 

Immense pain spread through me.  I felt like a thousand knifes were repeatedly stabbing me.  I couldn't breath, I felt myself thrashing around.

He kept going for another half hour.  I eventually blacked out.

Every time I woke up, he'd walking in say something and then start.  Using, spells, jinxes, curses, hexes.  Anything that caused me pain.  

I still kept onto that sliver of hope that my family was looking for me, that they would find me, I couldn't give up.  I'm a Malfoy, we don't  give up.

3 weeks later

Blaise POV

We were sitting in a conference room at the Ministry going over evidence and plans on how to find Aquila.  Aquila.  It's been a month since their birthday party.  The Malfoys are at different stages at this point.  Draco has put all of his time and effort into this case, Astoria distracts herself by redecorating, buying things, going out with the girls, baking and cooking.  I. Have. Never. Seen. Astoria. Greengrass-Malfoy. Cook. Or. Bake. Ever.  I don't think she knew how to do basic housework like dusting, let alone baking.  But I learned early on, never to underestimate the girls.  Anyone of them.  Ginny, Hermione, Pansy, Maria, Astoria, Luna, Hannah, especially Lia.  Cal tries to do whatever he can to keep his mind off her.  Like Gabe.  The boys, minus Teddy, spend every second together.  Usually playing quidditch, wizards chess, exploding snap, muggle card games, muggle chess, brewing basic potions, that last one shocked me.  They were all excited to go to Hogwarts, but none of them liked to learn.  At all.  I'm surprised the wing of the manor wasn't blown off yet.