"What did you do?" hissed a woman's voice.

 "I did nothing!" snapped a cold and angry voice. My eyes fluttered open, and I found myself laying on the couch with a wet cloth over my forehead and my hand bandaged.

 "How long have I been out?" I asked and my voice was raspy. Narcissa came into view, running over and kneeling next to me.

 "Oh, Leah, it's only been twenty minutes. I only just got here," she said, taking the cloth. Father walked into view and he was looking at me with hatred in his eyes. 

 "What did you do to your hand?' Narcissa asked worriedly.

 "You aren't depressed are you?" she asked, on the verge of tears. I tore my frightened gaze from father and looked at Narcissa.

 "That's what Umbridge made me do in detention. I wrote lines and it used my blood as ink," I said, feeling a panic sweep over my body. Father wanted to curse me; I could feel it in the air.

 "Why did you faint? Too much blood loss? Maybe it was too much stress for the baby," Narcissa mused and my eyes widened. My gaze quickly went to father, whose eyes were a bright red. I flinched and shook my head frantically.

 "I am not pregnant!" I shrieked and Narcissa frowned.

 "Ariana came in and told us what you were saying to Pansy and Blaise," she said and I sat up...well actually...father grabbed my collar and pulled me up, throwing me on the floor. Narcissa gasped and stepped back.

 "You disobedient child!" he said, striking me across the face. I cried out and held my cheek.

 "You have dishonored me and the rest of the Death Eaters! I asked you to do one simple task and you went and did this!" he yelled, striking me again. I sobbed and couldn't meet his gaze.

 "Crucio!" he yelled, and excruciating pain filled my body, making me arch my back and scream bloody murder. I couldn't even cry so I saw when Lucius ran in along with Bellatrix and Barty.

 "Father!" I yelled, and then I felt more pain, to which I screamed even louder.

 "You deserve worse!" he hissed, and his anger showed through the curse, making it intensify.

 "Please!" I screamed, my nails digging into the floor and I screamed so loudly and painfully that everyone covered their ears.

 "Narcissa?" Barty asked in a panic, and Narcissa was sobbing. I screamed again and a tear actually slipped out.

 "My Lord, please she didn't do anything!" I heard Draco yell.

 The curse ended. I sobbed on the floor and then saw father point his wand at Draco. I stood up weakly and just as father started saying 'Avada' the adrenaline set in and I ran over to Draco. I hugged him tightly so the curse would hit me instead.

 "Leah, no!" Draco and Narcissa yelled, and I waited for death, though it never came. I looked back at father who still had his wand pointed at us, but the word 'Kedavra' seemed to be stuck in his throat.

 "Leah, move," he said angrily.

 "No," I cried, and Draco had to support me so I didn't collapse. I felt so weak.

 "My Lord, the child was telling the truth, she isn't pregnant," Bellatrix said wide eyed and I realized she used occulemency. Father paused for a moment and I felt myself dropping. Draco caught me and picked me up.

 "I looked in Ariana's mind, what she said was true. She heard Leah say it," he said and I shook my head.

 "No, I said I didn't need to be in order to be happy," I said with a raspy voice.

 "Why would she tell me that if it wasn't true?" he asked and I felt my head getting heavy.

 "She threatened me, and when I didn't do what she asked, she said she would make my life a living hell," I said, my head falling onto Draco's shoulder. Father jerked his chin towards me and Barty walked over, taking me from Draco. I watched with worry as father approached Draco.

  Father drew his hand back and backhanded Draco so hard that a sickening crack echoed through the room. I whimpered and Draco shouted out, but quickly clamped his mouth shut and met my father's gaze.

 "Now you know what the consequences will be for Leah and yourself if this happens in the future," he said coldly and Draco bowed.

 "Yes my Lord," he said.

 "Take her back to school and to the infirmary," he said coolly and then walked off. In the silence Draco took me into his arms and kissed my forehead.

 "I am so sorry," he whispered and then he used Floo Powder to get back.

***

"Oh my God, what happened?" Pansy shrieked and Draco walked past her. I heard her following and then I saw Blaise follow as well.

 "Draco what happened to your face?" Pansy asked worriedly and then she looked at me.

 "Oh Leah, you too!" she cried and I saw Ariana watching. I will definitely deal with her later. Draco started running down to the infirmary when we ran into Dumbledore.

 "What happened?" he asked briskly and my eyes grew heavy.

 "Her father, please don't ask, she really needs help," Draco said quickly and Dumbledore escorted us down, pushing through the students who were gawking, just leaving dinner. Dumbledore burst into the infirmary and Draco set me down on a bed. I saw five faces surrounding me; Dumbledore, Draco, Pansy, Blaise, and then Madame Pomfrey who quickly ran up to us.

 "A Cruciatus Curse from the Dark Lord himself," Draco said worriedly and Madame Pomfrey got straight to work as I passed out.

It seemed like seconds when I woke up, and maybe it was.

 "Oh thank God," Pansy said, hugging me.

 "How long?" I asked, my voice barely a whisper.

 "About five minutes, but we thought you died. Madame Pomfrey was just giving you the healing potion so you wouldn't die when you passed out. I'm so glad you're okay," she sobbed, and I felt sore all over.

 "Draco went to get you some food and water, he'll be back really soon okay? Blaise is right over there," Pansy said, and I looked over to see Blaise helping Madame Pomfrey restock her potion.

 "Ah Miss Riddle, I am so glad you're alright," Madame Pomfrey said when she looked over.

 "Define 'alright'," I muttered. Pomfrey gave me a sad smile and walked over with a potion.

 "Take this, it'll reduce the soreness," she said, and I downed it with a grimace.

 "Pansy, I did something really stupid," I whispered.

 "No, Ariana lied, you didn't do anything," she said firmly.

 "That's not what I mean...I jumped in front of a Killing Curse," I said and she gasped.

 "It was for Draco, but it was so stupid...I could've died," I said.

 "Would you rather have Draco dead for something he didn't do, or have you dead for getting him into this mess?" she asked and I sighed.

 "I would've done that a million times over to save him," I admitted.

 "So yes it was stupid, but it was also the right choice," Pansy said and the doors opened.

 "Leah," said Draco, sounding really relieved. He set the tray of food down and hugged me tightly. I saw a gash in his cheek, but it was reduced to a red line that will heal eventually.

 "Do not ever do that again," he snapped and I frowned.

 "I'm sorry," I said and Pansy scowled.

 "Draco you would've done the same for her and then Leah would be yelling at you," Pansy glared and Draco sat on the bed next to me.

 "Leah I don't know what I would've done if you died," he said quietly, and then the doors opened. I didn't look away from Draco, who seemed like a miracle at the moment. I'd have to remember to thank Bellatrix later.

  "Leah," yelled someone, and then I was hugged tightly.

 "Ouch!" I yelled, the soreness not going away. Madame Pomfrey you are such a liar.

 "I'm so sorry," he said and then pulled back. I saw Potter standing there and then Granger and Weasley rushed in, panting.

 "I know what you said earlier, but we had to make sure you were okay," Potter said, looking apologetic.

 "I am perfectly fine!" I insisted.

 "No you aren't," Draco rolled his eyes. I narrowed my eyes at him and shrugged.

 "Yes I am, look," I said, sitting up. I threw the sheets back and stood up wobbly, and then felt pain sear through my legs. I gritted my teeth, but managed a smile.

 "See?" I asked, breathlessly. Draco crossed his arms, looking at me skeptically and then I was falling.

 "Jesus Leah!" he yelled, and caught me. I grimaced and Draco tightened his grip around my waist.

 "Stop trying to be strong, you're only human!" he snapped.

 "It's your fault Draco!" Pansy yelled and I put my hand to his cheek.

 "Pansy, stop it. It's not Draco's fault, it's Ariana's," I said, and Draco took my hand.

 "No it is my fault," he said quietly.

 "You are the reason I'm alive," I said firmly.

 "Oh is he?" Potter sneered.

 "If you didn't show up he wouldn't have stopped," I said, tears welling up in my eyes. Pansy put a hand to her mouth and Blaise held her other hand.

 "Miss Riddle, sit back down! Mr. Malfoy I expected you to be more resistant; you don't need to be holding her every two seconds," Madame Pomfrey scowled, walking over in a huff. Draco narrowed his eyes, but let me go so I could sit back down.

 "How are you feeling?" she asked, fussing over my face.

 "Wait, what's wrong with my face," I asked, feeling terrified. 

 "You have two gashes on your cheek," she said, not looking at me in the eyes.

 "Will they heal?" I asked, my mouth feeling dry.

 "I couldn't fully heal any of this, I think your father put a spell on you so it would be difficult to fix," she frowned.

 "But will they heal?" I asked.

 "Eventually," she said uncertainly. I saw a mirror on the table next to me and I grabbed it. There were indeed two gashes on my cheek that were cleaned so they were only two red lines. However, there were bruises around them.

 "Guess I'll need cover up," I muttered and Pansy took my hand.

 "It'll heal, okay? You still look great...considering," she sighed.

 "You are so shallow," Granger snapped, and then stormed out. I shrugged and then turned my gaze to Potter and Weasley.

 "Could you, I don't know, leave as well?" I asked and they glared, but left.

 "Here, take this and then you can leave," Pomfrey said and I started drinking the potion when I gagged and almost spit it out.

 "Well it isn't going to taste like Pumpkin Juice!" she snapped and I scowled. I forced the potion down and Pomfrey helped me up. I was a bit unstable at first, but then the potion kicked in and I could stand.

 "Help her to the dorm and make sure she rests. Do not get in any fights until tomorrow," Pomfrey said with a small smile.

 "Okay, let's go," I sighed and Draco wrapped his arm around my waist. We started walking slowly down to the dungeons and when we walked inside the common room, it grew silent. I untangled myself from Draco and walked confidently up to my dorm with as much dignity as I could manage. I am too tired for this shit.

***

-Shay