This chapter contains scenes of abuse. Please read with caution.

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'' You will always have me, deal?''

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Her eyes rolled at the brown-haired boy holding in front of her, '' Don't tempt me, Theodore,'' She smiled as he placed closer. His bushy brows furrowed, a smile climbed his lips.

'' Or what, Amelie?'' He snorted, '' Will you hex me if I do?''

Hermione shouldered him away from Amelie as laughter escaped his throat, " Relax, Granger," He caught a step pack, his hands stretched in the air for surrender.

" Don't you know what a joke is? You don't have to be that uptight all the time," Both Amelie and Hermione rolled their eyes at the smirking boy before them,

'' Funny thing, Nott,'' Hermione mocked, her books firmly hugged to her chest, ''You won't think it's funny anymore when I am the one hexing you.''

Her tells earned a chuckle to fall of Amelie's lips as Theodore scratched the back of his head in theory — the two girls always toyed with him, and he loved it.

He always cherished the power of making people around him happy.

Theo grumbled something underneath his breath as he shot Hermione a glare, and she returned it with a proud smile. Her eyes flickered over the busy hallway until they caught on to something — something that made the amused look on her face fall. Her shoulders sunk,

'' Hermione, what are you—'' Amelie rose, concerned for her friend. She was just about to turn around when his hand touched her shoulder,

Her heart stopped.

Amelie didn't even have to look at the boy standing behind her to understand who it was.

The large hand on her tensed shoulder tightened, '' Standing a bit too close, are you, Nott?'' His words tore through her ears as she stood frozen in time. She didn't dare to move.

Her eyes matched Theodore's, looking terrified at her best friend as he once again scratched the back of his neck,

'' Calm down, mate. It's just a conversation, isn't it, ladies?'' He sought to be funny, but Amelie couldn't find any pleasure in his words. She was too frightened, almost shaking as the hand on her shoulder yanked her back.

'' Amelie has somewhere to be.'' His voice held dark, vicious as he continued to pull her away from her friends.

She felt the drowning sensation chew at her bones as he dragged her across the hallway, in a way he always did when he had his mind set — away from everything and everyone.

Amelie knew what was about to happen to her. She held the truth of what he was about to do — something he had done so many times before, and all she wished for as he dug the tips of his fingers deeper into the skin of her arm,

Was for this to end.

She suffered her oxygen as he shoved her into a closet at the end of the corridor. He liked this cabinet. It was distanced from the classrooms and the part of the hallways where students usually spent their time.

He rose his wand towards the wooden door, mumbling '' Muffliato '' beneath his breath before he turned around to face her,

'' Not a sound, darling.''

She had no strength in looking at him. She didn't dare to, in the awareness of how much worse things could get.

He stared at her, evilly, in a way he always did before the pain was to be welcomed. The crease between his eyebrows exposed her gravest nightmare because she had seen it — felt it so many times before.

'' Adrian, please,'' Amelie begged, the pitch of her voice broke in desperation, '' I wasn't doing anything.''

Her eyes pleaded his in the complete need for mercy but to no use. His curled-up fist collided roughly with the cage of her chest, and the wind in her lungs missed her altogether.

Amelie dropped to her knees as he shouted, '' Get up—''

His eyes flared in violence, his voice spat in malice, more than ready to hurt her again.

'' I said — get up.''

But Amelie couldn't move. The beat he granted her hit closely to where she received one last night, and the pain it brought was unbearable.

After years of abuse — you could think that it wouldn't hurt anymore. That it would get easier, that the pain and the constant haunting of your mind would sense a tiny bit of peace, but it didn't.

It didn't get easier. That was hardly wishful thinking because every time his hands were to be placed on her, it ached even graver.

Adrian was close to losing his temper at her disobedience. The blood flushing through his veins fumed at her, not obeying him by standing up again.

An amused, devilish curve appeared on his upper lip as he stared down at her weak, trembling figure, '' Suit yourself then.'' He grinned with pure spite dripping off his tongue before the front of his shoe booted her stomach.

The vile act made a cry flee her lips — a tear rolled down her drained cheek as the blasts of bleak pain shredded throughout her vessels,

'' Adrian—'' She pleaded, '' I didn't— I didn't do anything.''

Amelie nearly choked on the tang of her own blood, '' Please—''

He ignored the spoken words like he usually did. He looked down at her again, enjoying the view of her breaking at the tips of his fingers.

The wickedness of his mind swirled as he gripped her by her throat, narrowing his sinful green eyes in hers, '' You know better than to disobey me.'' He growled at her, making her flinch by the harsh tones in his speaking,

'' And you know better than to be that close to Nott.''

Her lashes battled the tears she felt coming, the salty liquid poured down her cheek as he gripped it, in a coarse hold of her jaw — Adrian shoved her back, right into the brick-covered wall behind her,

'' You're worthless, and you're aware of that, isn't that right, Amelie?''

Her spine struck heavily with the stone as a whimper left her throat, and slowly she slipped down the wall, drawing her knees up to her chest, as she always did.

In this position, with her knees hugged to her chest and her arms tightly wrapped around them — she felt safe, small. She felt as if he wouldn't hurt her if she made herself invisible, tiny.

She nodded, agreeing to what he had called her, even if she didn't catch it.

Amelie's vision was dizzy in tears, her mind clouded as he caught a step closer, kneeling down beside her, '' I want you to say it, Amelie. I want you to tell me just how worthless you are.''

Adrian's head tilted to taunt her shaking figure, '' Say it—''

'' I am—'' A cough hewed her off as he rolled his eyes at her weakness,

'' Well, go on, continue.'' He spat at her eagerly, once again grabbing her chin to bend her face closer to his, '' Say it.''

His eyes stared viciously into hers, his jaws gritted.

''I'm worthless,'' Amelie cleared, her breaths in flutters as her bones crumbled in pain,

And with that — the severe hold of her chin loosened. The cruel gaze softened as he stared deeply into her eyes,

'' You see, love.'' He held, stroking the spine of his hand over her tear-stained cheek, '' That wasn't so hard, was it?''

Amelie released a shaky breath as his thumb stroked the salty liquid off her skin, '' I love you, you know.'' He whispered, placing a gentle kiss on her forehead.

The words spoken made her insides twist, her blood iced as she forced a smile through the torture, '' I know. I love you too.''

Adrian shot her a slight nod, tucking a curl behind her ear, '' You understand why I had to take you in here? Why I had to do this?'' He asked her,

'' I do.'' She kept a brave smile on her lips, '' I understand.''

And she did. She did understand why he did this. She had mistreated him. She had gone against everything he had taught her.

Her vision cleared as she forced herself off the ground, " Go clean yourself up. I don't want you to look like that at dinner."

He gestured towards her numb body as she smiled, courageously wiping the drip of blood falling from her lower lip.

" Of course." Amelie held her breath, taking a trembling step past him, and as she did — he roughly gripped her by the neck,

" Let me be clear, love. If you as much as look at Nott again—" Adrian's breaths fanned her shoulder as his grip hardened,

" Well, you know what happens if you don't do as I say."

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She slipped down to her seat next to Adrian, sending him a sweet smile to hide the fact that she had been crying all afternoon,

Amelie always crawled up on the tile floor of her bathroom, feeling the heated water from the shower jets soaring over her bruised skin after Adrian's punishment.

Her body was covered in them. Bruises, marks, cuts — yet she couldn't find the strength in hating the boy who constantly brought torture upon her.

She loved Adrian — at least that's what he always told her. That he loves her and that she loves him. That they are meant for each other, and that the life she was living was the way it had to be.

She has to love him. She had promised to do so. She had taken a vow to one day marry the heartless boy, and if she ever broke that promise — she would die within the consequences of it.

Amelie looked at her lover, '' I missed you.'' He smiled down at her, planting a kiss on her cheek before stretching back up,

'' I missed you too.'' She greeted him back, nearly wincing by the hand he placed on her thigh. He gave her a light squeeze below the table as he gawked warmly into her eyes,

Theodore cleared his throat for attention as he stretched over the table,'' Did you hear about Malfoy?'' His voice scored low, '' The date is set.''

Amelie's brows furrowed. Her face fell into a confused grimace, '' What date? For—''

The two boys huffed at her question, rolling their eyes, '' Hush down, will you? We don't want the whole hall to hear about...'' Theo's tells quieted, '' About, you know, the mark.''

Amelie nodded, stretching her spine, not to pay her best friend more affection than she needed to. She was scared of her boyfriend and what he would do to her if she did.

The words Adrian had spoken to her prior to them going to dinner scored severely through her mind, ''Let me be clear, love — if you as much as look at Nott again, you're dead,"

'' Well—'' Adrian sighed, '' She's nothing more than a pretty face, aren't you, love? You never fitted well in Ravenclaw.''

Adrian's words hurt her as she swallowed thickly in an attempt to ignore the cruel statement.

'' But yes, Nott. I heard. Too bad Malfoy has the habit of being impatient.'' Adrian continued, rolling his tongue on the inside of his mouth, '' Being greedy isn't a good look on a man.''

Theodore pushed his lips into a firm line, shooting him an annoyed look, '' Don't say that out loud, Pucey. It's Malfoy you're talking about.'' He leaned back in his chair, nervously towing the ragged wood of the table,

''Only a fool would be scared of Malfoy. I'm not even sure that he'll manage to become one,'' Adrian mocked through gritted teeth, his hand around Amelie's thigh tensed as the other one rushed through his hair.

There was no secret in how much Adrian and Draco loathed each other — everything had always been a battle between the two rivals, a never-ending game for the throne as the most powerful Death Eater.

Her hand settled upon his, tenderly stroking the spine of it in an effort to calm him down — she was terrified that he was on the edge of losing his temper,

'' Adrian.'' She pleaded, '' Look at me.''

He did as she asked, his green eyes narrowed in hers, '' Should I sleep in your room tonight?''

'' Why? Did you plan on sleeping somewhere else?'' His voice deepened as he gripped her hand, crushing it in his hold, '' Did you?''

Amelie bravingly smiled at his words, seeking to pry his hand off hers before he had the power to crush it entirely, '' Adrian, of course not.''

She whimpered, feeling as her bones caved in his grip, '' Adrian, please — let go of me,''

He huffed as pain sprayed through her veins. Her face fell into a grimace of hurt before she managed to pull her hand back. She hid her bruised hand underneath the table, not for her best friend to see what he had been doing to her,

Amelie wanted to cry. She tried to speak against the boy who constantly hurt her so badly, to freely talk her mind — but she couldn't. She was a slave to his abuse.

'' Bloody disgrace,'' Adrian muttered underneath his breath, and she once again swallowed the words he had spoken to her. She grasped at her sore fingers, striving to not let her pooling eyes fail her.

She was ashamed. She was ashamed of what he had done to her.

Her sight dragged over the table, avoiding every set of eyes she felt burning onto her, and just as she was about to force her chair back — to take herself out of the situation she found herself in, she flinched.

She felt Theodore's foot nudge hers underneath the table, making her eyes snap to his — he shot Adrian a quick look, only to see that he wasn't paying attention to them anymore. He used the opportunity by mouthing the words, meet me outside, and by that, he stood from his seat, marching out the Great Hall.

Amelie's sights grew wide in hesitation, not wanting to make her boyfriend mad. Still, she could use the company of Theo right now.

She could use the safety she knew he would bring her. He was always the one soothing her in times of need. That's why she kept on going — that's why she didn't give in to her troubled mind, because she needed her best friend, and she knew that he needed her too.

An unsteady breath fled her lips as her neck snapped to Adrian's, '' I'll be right back.'' She spoke quietly before rising from her seat. He ignored her words, even when she knew that he caught them.

Amelie quickly marched out of the Great Hall. She stopped right outside the doors as she looked around, searching for Theodore,

'' Here—'' Theo whispered, snapping his fingers to earn her attention.

He stood hidden in a corner, waving his hand at her, '' Come with me.''

She walked after him as he disappeared into a deserted corridor. His hand grabbed hers to pull her into a hug,

'' Don't do that, Theodore.'' She hushed down, burying her head into his chest, '' Don't ask me to follow you like that. You scared me.''

A peel of laughter left his lips as he watched down at her, '' That's the point, Amelie,'' He hissed, playfully poking her to the side.

Her brows furrowed, glaring at his face — the thick layers of brown hair fell messily over his forehead as he rose a brow, noticing how something was wrong with her,

'' Amelie, are you alright?'' Theodore asked her, arching his head to see her correctly, '' You seem—''

He cut himself off, knowing how much that question could trigger something within her. Instead, he placed a gentle hand on her cheek. His thumb stroked over her soft skin.

She couldn't form a word. Her eyes tore from his, not wishing to break down in front of her friend. She just stood there, gathering the strength she knew she would need to tell him about what just had happened with Adrian,

That he hurt her in silence, just inches away from him.

She knew she had to tell him — because lying to Theodore wasn't something she was comfortable doing.

Theo was aware of the cursed relationship she had with Adrian. He knew everything, and the number of times he had tried to stop it was uncountable. He wanted to help her. He tried to end her misery — but she refused to let him.

Every time he sought to convince her to leave, to save her from the devil himself — she rejected it. All of this, all of her and Adrian was about so much more, and to just walk away wasn't an option for her.

Her father had promised her hand away to the Pucey's at such a young age, and with a vow like that, there wasn't anything to be done.

Amelie's eyes leveled his, sending him a sweet smile before her hand stretched in between them,

'' He—'' She choked on her own saliva,

'' He did—''

'' Mhm.'' Theodore hummed, gently taking her hand in his, '' I can see that. If you just let me—''

His other hand shoved into his pocket as his fingers grasped around his wand, '' Here.''

He rose it, mumbling something below his breath, and the bright light of the healing magic he used trapped the air in her lungs.

The pain she felt pounding slowly dripped away, and it was as if she could breathe again.

He pulled away, shyly smiling to himself, '' There you go.''

It was a remarkable thing — Theodore and his eye for healing. He was quite good at it, and he loved helping people who found themselves in need.

'' Thank you.'' Amelie smiled, taking a shoe closer to her friend as her head fell against his shoulder. He held her closely for minutes, and the both of them became just a little less broken of that.

'' I'm scared, Amelie.'' He whispered into her hair. '' I don't know how to do this, any of this. I know it's just a mark, but—''

She could feel his body tense as the relieving scent of honey filled her senses — that was something she always loved about him, that he scented like honey.

'' But I didn't know if I—''

'' I know.'' She whispered back, her arms clung around him, '' I am too, but we have each other, alright? I'm not letting you go through this alone.'' She encouraged him,

'' You will always have me, deal?''

She could feel her heart slightly breaking — he didn't deserve this. He didn't do anything to deserve any of this. He was pure, kind, gentle. Theodore was the best person she knew, and still, he was doomed to the life his family had picked out for him,

He was fated to be a Death Eater.

Theodore nodded, still keeping her close, ''Deal.''

The sound of harsh footsteps echoed through the hallway, making both of them quickly jump apart. Their necks clocked the blonde-haired Slytherin walk closer, with a cruel smile arched on his lips,

'' Well, well, well. Cozying up to each other again, are we?'' Draco laughed, narrowing his grey eyes in hers, '' Tell me, Avery. What would Adrian think if he were to find out about this?''

She could practically feel her veins ice. Her breaths hitched as she felt small by his large towering.

This wasn't something rare to her — to be trapped in the conquering of the two Slytherin rivals.

'' Easy there, mate.'' Theodore broke the silence as he stepped in front of her, shielding her from the blonde,

'' No need to be rude, Malfoy.''

Her eyes fell over Theodore's suit-covered back before hitting the ground. She wished for the floor to swallow her whole — she was terrified of Adrian finding out about any of this.

Draco let out another chuckle, catching a step closer to her as his eyes gazed over her, and as they did — they clocked her swollen, still bruised hand,

'' That's a nasty break you have there.'' Draco mumbled, snatching her wrist in a sudden move, '' Make sure to take care of it, will you?''

Amelie's bottom lip sucked in between her teeth as her head bowed. He dropped her hand out of his, eyeing the two friends down before he rose his chin, continuing his walk down the hallway — leaving both Amelie and Theodore doubtful behind.

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Amelie walked her way down the Slytherin dungeons, proud over herself that she was for once — on time to meet her boyfriend.

Even if she was a Ravenclaw and a brilliant one at that, she could never keep track of time. It was one of her most significant flaws, as her mother used to say.

Her knuckles collided with his door, over and over, patiently waiting for her lover to open it, but nothing. Not a sound from inside his room — and that made her doubtful, suspicious.

Amelie's hand dove into her pocket before she brought out her wand, whispering, '' Alohomora,''

And the instant the door clicked open, her eyes pooled.

She watched Adrian, naked, on top of Pansy.

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