As the sun sets

They have been gone for two hours. What could he possibly want with Scarlet? She isn't marked and neither are her parents. She shouldn't even be part of this war. She isn’t like them, like us. Cruel and evil. She is friends with the stinking golden trio for bloody sake! 

She is one of the good ones. 

With a crack I whip my head over to where Draco and Scarlet left hours ago. Loud, ear shattering screams are coming from the girl in Draco's arms. “Muffliato now Theo!” 

Draco is covered in blood as he rushes over and places her on my bed. She is without a shirt, screaming. It's then that I see the blood is hers. Her arm is covered in what looks like cigarette burns, cuts and a large scar across her left eye. More scars are littered across her chest. 

My heart stops. I am frozen. I can't breathe… 

“THEO NOW!” Draco's yells bringing me back to reality. I take a deep breath and occlude. Then grab my wand to cast the spell. 

“Wh… What happened?!” I finally find my voice, trembling, while Draco is trying to heal the large cut across her collarbone. She's thrashing around on the bed and he can't get her to lay still in order for the incantation to work. 

“You're going to have to hold her down Theo. She was splinched... Please. Hold her down.” 

I run over to her but as soon as I reach down to hold her other arm, her screams intensify. 

“NO. NO PLEASE.” She's begging, fear clear in her eyes. “DON'T TOUCH ME. DON'T TOUCH ME.” 

I jump back, hands in the air and eyes wide looking from the bloody girl to Draco. “I- I didn't…” Draco stops trying to keep her still. Gripping his wand so hard that his knuckles are white. 

He then looks at me for a second with a frown. He bends down slowly and whispers something into her ear, which seems to calm her slightly.

“You're going to have to do it Theo. I have to hold her down. She's not going to let anyone else touch her.” Draco sits next to her on the bed, leaning over her to hold both of her arms down and whispering in her ear again. 

“Shh you’re safe. He's not here. I won't let him touch you.” Confused, I come to stand near and start the incantation. 

Slowly her laceration closes and her screams become quieter. Her labored breathing slowed down so much so that you can barely tell she's breathing. 

Draco lets out a shaky breath before hesitantly getting up to get a washcloth in order to wash all the dried blood off her chest. 

Once the room is quiet again and she is asleep (or passed out) I can finally start to piece together what just occurred. 

“What the fuck happened…?” I ask quietly while eyes glued to her chest, watching it  move up and down ensuring that she is still breathing. 

“She was…” He gulps. “She was punished…” Draco looks towards me, his face is sullen. “Since we haven't fixed the cabinet yet. He went into her mind--” He takes a shuddering breath before he can continue. 

“He had them Crucio her till he could get through.” He sighs deeply. “She fought so hard, but I could see her start to break… They just wouldn't stop…” 

Tears slowly cascading down the blonde boy's face as he looks over to the girl who has always been like a sister to him. 

He leans with his elbows on his knees and his head in his hands. Voice going quiet. “I just sat there. I sat there and did nothing…” 

I walked over to her and put a blanket over her bra-clad chest and sat next to Draco. Putting a comforting hand on his shoulder. 

“Why wouldn't she let me touch her?” I ask quietly, scared to know the answer. Knowing the types of people who occupy The Dark Lord's inner circle, I can only imagine what they would do with a beautiful girl like Scar. 

“They all were there, looking at her. Drooling over her.” Draco's voice is rough. “I couldn't stop them, Nott.” His voice breaks recalling the events of the last couple hours. 

“If we don't fix it.” He hesitates before looking over at Scar asleep and then back to me. Completely void of all emotion. “She will be punished far worse than you can imagine.”

Swallowing hard, I look to the boy next to me and I muster “How can I help?”

Draco POV

It's been three days since the meeting at the manor. Scarlet hasn't really talked about it, just spends all her free time in the room of requirement. Theo offered, no, insisted that he help us, but Scarlett refused. She told me that she didn't want him to get caught up in this with us. That he doesn't deserve to be punished if for any reason we can't get it to work. 

I tried to reason with her, tell her that three minds are better than two but she has been adamant. She loves him too much.

“He's smart Scar. We could use him.” I say from the couch that we transfigured weeks ago. We have been in here for hours and nothing. We successfully got a bird through, but it was dead once it was sent back. We are so close I can feel it. 

“No. I don't want him involved. The less he knows the better…” She has been flipping through the same book for about 30 minutes trying to figure out what went wrong. 

“Scar… I know you care about him.. But look who his father is… He is in the middle of all of this just as much as you and me.” With a slam, she throws the book she was reading across the room. “WE care. WE care about him, Draco. You heard the Dark Lord said. He was talking about marking him! I didn't want it for you and I certainly don't want it for him.” 

She made me promise not to tell him everything that happened the other night.. With the others...With his father..  I reluctantly agreed because it would do more harm than good. He would do anything for Scarlet, even if it meant getting himself killed. 

“He would do anything he can to help us.” I say calmly trying to hold back my annoyance at the stubborn girl in front of me. 

“When we showed back up at the dorm after… everything…. I had to charm him to the chair. He wanted to go to the Manor and take your place, Scar. He doesn't know you're already marked. He thinks he can save you.” I look at her. “It took two hours to convince him that it was a horrible idea to go to The Dark Lord without being summoned.” 

I sigh as I get up from the couch to stand in front of her. “I can't keep lying to him, Scar.” I say quickly. 

I have known Theo loves Scar since he accidentally let it slip last year when Scar first started seeing Adrian. It was right after Theo found Adrian snogging Daphne Greengrass in an alcove by the potions classroom. I had returned to our dorm seeing it utterly destroyed. 

He told me everything after that. Finding Adrian cheating, the years of him fighting his feelings for her. Which all made sense seeing how calm he always was around her. As if she was the only thing in his life keeping him afloat. 

He has been going crazy sitting back and watching us struggle with this cabinet. The late nights, constantly being gone from meals. Rarely joining the group on late night outings to the Lake. 

It took awhile but he agreed that it isn't a good idea to go to The Dark Lord. 

The Dark Lord is not a fan of his followers talking about the meetings to outsiders… No matter how much I want to tell him. Risking them finding out that he has feelings for her, or Salazar forbid, that I told him what happened that night, it will just put all of us in more danger. Who knows what they will do to her then. 

A look of sadness eclipses her face as I walk over to her wrapping my arms around her. After a moment of silence I speak up. “Were you ever going to tell me?” I whisper. Nervous that I will scare her away. 

She takes a deep inhale and exhales slowly. “There isn't much to tell. You know who my parents are. Just as I know who your father is. Is it really all that surprising how they would treat their unwanted daughter?” All I can do is nod in understanding as I hold her tighter. 

She ended up telling me everything. Her entire life outside of Hogwarts and the Manor. She explained all the horrors of living with her parents. She reluctantly removed her disillusionment charms showing me all of her scars including the Mark. 

She then told me how she got it. I thought my ritual was traumatic. I never knew what my poor cousin had gone through. I wish I would have known sooner so I could protect her as much as I could.  

We ended up staying in the Room of Requirement after she cried herself to sleep. I tried to console her, promising everything will be okay. But it's hard to do when you do even believe it yourself. 

Scarlet POV

“Earth to Scar.” pansy is waving her perfectly manicured hands in my face. “Are you even listening? Theo, Blaise and I are heading down to Hogsmead. Are you coming?” I have been in the library all morning searching for something to help us get that cabinet to work.

“What? Yes, I'm sorry.” Today is the day Draco will put Madam Rosmerta under the imperius curse in order to give it to an unknowing girl in the bathroom, who will then give Dumbledore the necklace. I have been up all night anxious that something will go wrong. Triple checking that the necklace is wrapped so he doesn't touch it. Going over the plan multiples times so he doesn't miss a step. 

Adrian meets me outside the castle to walk with us to Hogsmead. He is talking to Blaise and Theo about the upcoming quidditch game. Our hands intertwined while walking down the windy path. With a squeeze of my hand, Adrian gets my attention. “You’re coming to the match right? I even washed my spare jersey for you so everyone knows who you belong to.” he gives me a wink. 

“Yes of course. I wouldn't miss it. Me and Pans will be the loudest in the stands.” Smiling back at him. 

Theo lights a cigarette and takes a long drag making rings of smoke appear above his head. “Oh dang. I was hoping you would wear mine. I will just have to settle for a good luck kiss.” He teases while handing me the cigarette. 

Inhaling deeply I laugh out “Well it's only fair.” I move to playfully kiss his cheek when my hand is squeezed hard, pulling me closer to Adrian, stopping me from reaching over to kiss Theos cheek. 

I look over to Adrian and his face is red with anger. “That's enough Nott.” He grits out. “Don't need anyone to think Scarlet here is easy, do we?” He pulled me forward to walk ahead of the rest of the group. 

“That was uncalled for Adrian. I have been friends with Theo since we were 11. We were only kidding.” I whisper. “Kidding? Salazar, Scarlet. Stop acting like a pathetic slut.” 

Lowering my head in shame,  I stay quiet for the rest of the walk. Though I could swear I heard murmurs from the group behind me. 

Making our way into The Three Broomsticks we find a booth in the back corner. “Where is Dray? I thought he was going to meet us?” Pansy questions while scooting into the booth sitting next to Blaise leaving me to sit in the middle between Theo and Adrian. 

“Oh he is on his way. He said he wanted to stop and get some sugar quills.” 

Before Adrian sits down he starts to walk off. “I'm going to get a Butterbeer.” 

“Oh I--” I tried to ask him to get me on too but he's already out of earshot. Pansy is looking at me sadly. 

Leaning over the table Pansy asks me, “Does he treat you like that all the time?” I send her a confused look before replying “Like what?” at the same time that Theo responds “Yes”.

I turn to look at my curly brown haired friend for the first time since Adrian pulled me away earlier. He looks pissed. 

“What are you talking about? He didn't say anything rude to me?” “Just because he didn't say anything, doesn't mean he isn't being an asshole.“ Pansy said matter of factly. 

Blaise is nodding his head in agreement. “Oh, whatever you guys. You have never liked Adrian. He's just upset about the kissing Theo comment.” I say rolling my eyes. “What about the slut comment?” Theo says while looking across the table at Blaise while flexing his hands. 

“He was joking. Like I said he was just upset.” I reassure the group while grabbing and squeezing Theo hand. “Oh! Look. There is Ginny.” I say changing the subject. 

Everyone's head turns at once to look around the pub for her. Adrian comes back and plops next to me with his butterbeer in tow. I quickly drop my hands from Theos effectively gaining a scoff from the boy. 

“What are we looking at?” Adrian asks eyeing Theo and I closely. I giggle quietly “Just Ginny and Dean Thomas.” 

Turning to look at Theo I wiggle my eyebrows up and down.. “Too bad you missed your shot.” He laughs slightly while shaking his head. A ghost of a smile on his lips “I guess I did”.

“Look there he is!” Pansy says rather loudly “Oh Dr-” “Shh.” Theos stops her from yelling his name “Just wait a second.” Looking at Theo then back to me she with confusion written on her face she stops talking. 

Watching, I see Draco head to the back room where he will find Madam Rosmerta and make her give the package to the next girl in the bathroom. Who, just so happens to be Katie Bell. I hold my breath. 

He has only practiced the Imperious curse one other time, on me in the Room of Requirement. It worked, but it was an awful experience. Makes me feel bad for Madam Rosmerta. 

Once I see Draco re-emerge from the back he makes his way over to our table and sits next to Blaise at the end opposite of the booth. He gives me a small nod and I finally release the breath I didn't know I was holding. 

After an hour of jokes and subtle insults between Adrian and Theo we all make our way back to school. Draco and Blaise had stayed back to look in Quality Quidditch Supplies before heading back. 

We hear screams come from up ahead of us. Running to the sound we all come to a full stop. There is Katie Bell on the ground. Necklace next to her unwrapped, laying in the snow. Then a woosh and she is picked up by her ankle and suspended in the air. Her eyes dart open at the sky and she lets out an ear piercing scream. 

I absentmindedly gasp into Theo who immediately wraps his arms around me, pulling me into his chest to comfort me. Silently crying, I hear Harry, Ron and Hermione go to help her down. 

“Step back! Don’t touch that. Only the wrappins” The voice of Hagrid is loud. When she lands he picks her up and carries her back to the castle with the trio following closely.

When I finally get control of my emotions and let go of Theo to see that Adrian is seething. Walking up to Theo he pushes him. Hard. “What the hell, Nott. Keep your fucking hands off of her.” Another push. Pansy and I are standing to the side shocked, as Theo's face reddens with anger. 

“Don’t touch me again Adrian. I promise you will not like the outcome.” Theos words come out calm but I can tell he is holding everything back. “I’m not scared of you, Nott.” Adrian throws the first punch causing Theo to fall backwards into the snow. Blood was already starting to drip out of the corner of his mouth. 

Wiping his mouth slowly and looking at the blood that was transferred to his hand smiling, Theo stands up and swings at Adrian. A loud “crack” is heard. I think it’s his nose. Theo is on top of him. One swing after another. 

Me and Pansy are yelling at him to get off Adrian. Trying to pull him off of him but it’s no use. Theo is stronger than both of us combined. 

“Theo Stop!” I cry out trying to grab ahold of his arm. His eyes are dark. “Please Theo.” I pull harder. I feel his muscles strain against my hands. “Theo, look at me. Look at me please!” I cry. 

With that he turns his head towards me. Once his eyes meet mine, they lighten and he is slowly backing off of Adrian. Once Theo is fully off of him I run to Adrian dropping to my knees next to the bloody boy on the ground.

“Adrian. Are you okay? I'm so sorry. Are you okay?.” His face is covered in blood. Grunting in pain he pushes my hands off of him. “Get off of me.” 

Slowly standing up he looks at me. “How are you friends with him?! He’s insane!” Leaning his head up and holding his nose “You need to pick Scarlet. Right here. Right now. Me or him.” 

I’m frozen. “Adrian please, Theo and I have been friends since we were kids. There is nothing going on between us.” I looked to Theo for some support, but he was already storming off towards the castle taking Pansy with him.

“You don't act like you're just friends, Scarlet. He is always touching you, looking at you like you’re his! I know you're a whore for his attention. You don't think I see the little touches you give him when you think I'm not looking? He has a thing for you and you him. I will not be second to Theo.” He shouts spitting Theos name as if it's dirty. 

Theo has been my best friend for years. He’s one of the most important people in my life. It is true that I like Theo more than a friend, but he's more than that, he is my family. 

“You need to choose. Now Scarlet.” He's inches from my face now. Anger coming off of him in waves.

With tears in my eyes I look at Adrian “Please don't make me choose.” I say pleadingly “Why not Scarlet. Because you would choose him over me?”

I hesitate for a moment. “Yes. I would choose Theo…” Anger flashes through him. “You really are just a pathetic whore, who will hook up with anyone who says a few nice things to you.” He laughs in amusement. “We are done.” With that Adrian storms towards the castle, leaving me crying alone in the snow.