Damaged Goods

Damaged Goods

Part 19

No man, for any considerable time, can show one face to himself and another to the multitude without finally becoming bewildered as to which may be the true. -Nathaniel Hawthorne

****

Severus entered the main hall of the manor and his heart skipped a beat. Fuck. Percy Weasley was lying prostrated at Voldemort's feet, trembling, small whimpers emitting from his throat. Malfoy, Macnair and Rookwood stood to the side watching in amusement. Wormtail was at his usual place standing behind Voldemort's chair.

 “Milord,” he said bowing low. 

“Ah, Severus. You have arrived at a most opportune moment.  It seems our young friend here has broken a promise to me.  Most unfortunate would you not agree?”

 “Yes milord.”

Promise? And then it dawned on him.  He could almost hear Weasley telling Voldemort to leave it to him.  `Harry always stays at the Burrow during the summer.  I can deliver him to you.'  Severus knew that Voldemort's lack of interest in Harry was only a ploy.  The boy had bested him four times now and Severus could feel the underlying hatred, the need for revenge.

 “So Severus,” Voldemort's high voice broke through his thoughts, “whatever shall we do with him?  He does not seem to be aware of what happens to those who cannot deliver what they owe me.”

 Severus chose his words carefully.  “Yes milord, the punishment for disobeying must be severe. However I do believe that Weasley has potential though he has most definitely not learned his place.” He allowed a sneer to cross his face as he looked at Percy.  “Perhaps he has not tasted enough pain in his sheltered life to understand what it means to be a Death Eater.”

 “Very good Severus,” Voldemort said gleefully.  “I take it you would like to be the one who teaches him what real obedience means?”

 Breathing steadily Severus answered. “I would be honored milord.”  Severus' eye caught Lucius' smirk. 

As Percy was being stripped and tied to the banister of the stairs, Wormtail handed Severus a nine foot bullwhip. 

Severus cracked the whip several times getting the feel of it.  It had been many years since he had used one, and he gritted his teeth at the noise, knowing that in a moment he was going to have to use it on Percy's white skin. 

`No mercy, do not hold back', he intoned to himself, trying to keep his hand from trembling as he fought against the pain.

“Enough!” Voldemort commanded after the fifteenth jagged stripe had been cut into Percy's back.

Severus wiped the sweat from his brow. He curled the whip up, handed it to Wormtail, who in turn gave him a black pot with a putrid green salve in it. It was an ointment Severus had created for this very purpose many years ago when he had first joined Voldemort. It stopped wounds such as the ones on Percy's back from becoming infected and prevented them from being healed by magic. They were to be a reminder as they scarred over.

Severus walked swiftly over to Percy, cut his bonds and watched as the young man slid down to a kneeling position on the floor. Percy lifted his head to glare at Snape with pure hatred, blood running freely down his chin and throat.

Percy had bitten through his lower lip as he had tried to keep from crying out.

“Welcome to the family.” Severus' voice dripped with venom as he rubbed the salve into the fresh open wounds. Percy's screams echoed throughout the room as the stinging salve touched him, its pain impossibly worse than the sting of the whip had been. He slumped to the floor unconscious.

“Revive him Snape and bring him to me,” Voldemort demanded.

Severus enervated Percy and put his hands under the younger man's arms as he half carried, half dragged him across the room. He dropped him in front of Voldemort's chair and stood back. It was only then that Severus noticed Rookwood and Macnair holding a girl between them; Rookwood with his hand firmly clamped over her mouth. Damn. Penelope Clearwater, Weasley's fiancée.

“Do you promise to never disappoint me again?” Voldemort asked Percy, as he gripped the red locks, pulling the man's face up to look at him.

`Fool,' Severus thought, `do not look into his eyes.'

“Yes milord.”

“Liar! You are too soft, too caring to be of any use to me. I know about your betrayal. You sent a message to your brother that night, to spare him. Did you think I would not find out?”

Percy's mouth sagged. “I did not try to…”

Voldemort gripped Percy's hair tighter, turning his face towards the Death Eaters who held Penelope. “Look what we have here Weasley. Perhaps another person who claims your loyalty more than I do, hmmm?”

Penelope was looking into Percy's eyes, begging, pleading for him to help her. Percy closed his eyes and forced his head around to look at Voldemort. “No milord. She does not mean more to me than you do,” he said coldly, ignoring the sobs from the girl.

“Good Weasley, very good.” Voldemort said softly, releasing his grip on Percy's hair.

“Then you will not mind if my Death Eaters have a bit of sport with her.”

“No milord,” Percy said evenly.

“Very well, then proceed. Lucius take the girl.”

“Milord,” Lucius bowed, “I will gladly enjoy participating in a bit, but I would ask that you bestow the favor on Severus first. He does so protest if someone sullies the women first, especially one so young.”

Voldemort and the others sniggered. Severus eyed Lucius with contempt when Lucius winked at him. “Now Severus, you know you often use that as an excuse not to participate in the fun at my `parties'. Just want you to be comfortable and with no excuses.” The last part hung in the air, the malice of the dare unmistakable.

Still cackling mirthlessly, Voldemort waved his hand at Severus. “Granted. Get on with it Snape.”

Rookwood and Macnair shoved Penelope towards him.

Severus grabbed the girl by her hair as he pulled her to him. His anger for Lucius burned bright in his eyes and Penelope gasped. “Please…Professor Snape…”

“I am no longer your Professor Miss Clearwater,” he growled, wanting desperately to be done with this as he tore the girl's robes from her body.

“No…Professor, please,” Penelope cried, trying to cover her body with her hands. Severus slapped her hard across the mouth with the back of his hand knocking her to the floor. He tried not to wince as he split her lip.

Kneeling down, he murmured an engorgement spell as he tore the plain cotton knickers from her. His breath was labored from trying to control the disgust and rage that welled up in him as he parted her legs and thrust into her.

Though he had relished raping victims when he had first became involved with the Death Eaters, Severus had never enjoyed being watched. It was meant to humiliate the victim, knowing that others were encouraging the act and waiting to participate, yet he felt on display, being judged on the performance. It felt tenfold worse now.

He wanted this over with as quickly as possible, but he felt like a machine, detached and unaroused. The crying girl only added to this and Severus searched his mind to find a memory that would help speed up the process of nature.

Ella.

She was a prostitute Severus had frequented in Hogsmeade during his first years teaching at Hogwarts. Ella had been different from other ladies of the evening, for she was an odd little thing, very petite with short-cropped dirty blonde hair, large dark brown eyes and a small upturned nose. Her too wide mouth was always in a lopsided grin whenever she saw him, giving her an almost fey quality. Yet Severus had visited her often for she seemed to truly enjoy his company, often refusing his money, though he would leave it while she slept. It had been the first time he had truly enjoyed sex, though it had lasted less than six months. Ella had been killed by a drunken customer who had gotten overzealous, breaking her fragile neck.

Severus closed his eyes and thought of Ella's bright face, imagining it was her beneath him. He saw the crooked smile; the freckles across her nose and gazed into her rich brown eyes…

And saw another face replace Ella's, a fuller face, accompanied by a mass of bushy brown hair and he saw Hermione's face, the softer brown eyes looking at him not with fear but with trust and pleasure.

Severus grimaced as he forced the image away, mortified that it had accomplished what he had wanted as his body shuddered. Sitting back on his heels, he adjusted his clothing not looking at the sobbing girl. Rising he walked over to Lucius who held Percy's arms, keeping the younger man from collapsing.

Staring into Percy's eyes, Severus felt the hatred emanating from them. Severus gave him a sardonic smile as he took his place beside Lucius. Severus stared, unseeing of the horrors unfolding in front of him as each man took his turn.

When Lucius had finished, he dragged the semi conscious girl over to Percy. “There you go Weasley. Thank you for providing the entertainment for the evening.” Percy did not look at the girl lying at his feet.

“I trust Weasley,” Voldemort's voice was soft and low, “you will not fail me again. I will not be as lenient as I have been tonight.”

“I will not fail you again milord,” Percy said bowing low.

Wormtail walked over to Penelope and cast Obliviate on her. The girl passed out.

“Take your fiancée Weasley and think about what has happened tonight.”

Percy bent and gathered Penelope's limp form in his arms, his face contorting in pain as the muscles in his back screamed from the effort.

After Percy had left the hall, Voldemort dismissed the Death Eaters. “Severus, a word before you go,” Lucius said as the others disapparated with small pops.

Severus walked out of the hall, not wanting to be around Voldemort as Lucius fell into step beside him.

“What do you want Malfoy?” Severus growled, heading to the stairs that led down to the makeshift potions room.

“Do you fancy the girl Severus?” Lucius asked slyly. Severus knew he was not speaking of Penelope but of Hermione.

“Are you speaking just to hear your own voice?” Severus asked acidly. “You prattle on so.”

“Come now old boy. I know you've been taking a few liberties with the chit. What, think you can't do any better than a Mudblood?”

“I could ask you the same Lucius,” Severus sneered, angry that he had allowed the man's baiting to rile him.

“I want to destroy the high minded little bitch who thinks because she is a freak of nature, she has the right to call herself a Witch. While you on the other hand, just want to fuck her, though that prudish nature of yours won't allow you to touch a student while at Hogwarts. Shall I bring her here so that you can have your jollies without remorse?” Lucius teased, thinking of `why' he truly wanted Hermione.

It had been so delicious as he watched her fight her arousal.  He knew she hated herself for succumbing to the delights of the flesh.  And he had bade her not to enjoy, punishing her for each time her body responded. 

Their last night together, Lucius thought he had broken her.  There had not been a part of her untouched that night and he had to punish her many, many times for `enjoying' it.

That is why he wanted her.  She hadn't broken. She had been defiant in spirit if not physically, for she did submit a little easier than he liked for fear of her parents death. He liked them to fight physically but so often they did not fight mentally, just gave over, broke like fragile glass and were like limp dolls when he used them.

She had matched him, had fought him every step of the way in her mind and he loved it.  The challenge, the response.  If she had not been a Mudblood he would have asked Voldemort for her, to train her to join them. 

Originally he had meant to take her to Voldemort after he had used her.   It would have been a coup, the brightest student at Hogwarts, Potter's friend, delivered to the Dark Lord, yet he found he didn't want her destroyed, not yet.  He wanted her, to take her into the darkness, to own her until she could not resist him, then he would let her go, no longer a person of any means.

“Now do not be coy Severus. I could tell by the innocence in her eyes when I saw her the other day she hasn't been broken yet. Not that I expected you too. You always were a bit too soft.”

“Flattery Lucius. You will make me blush,” Severus said sarcastically, trying to control the shiver than ran down his spine. He knew now why Lucius wanted her so badly. The innocence in her eyes…

How many times had Marius told him that as he led Severus into the darkness? “They are yours, you have broken them Adrian, destroyed their spirit, when you have stolen the innocence in their eyes.”

****

Hermione was walking through a dark, damp hallway. Her senses were assaulted at the pungent smell of rotting flesh, mingled with the fishy, salty smell of sea air. Shivering, she walked tentatively down the rough stone corridor.

“Is someone there?” Hermione stopped, eyes wide as she heard a voice. It was a woman's voice, an older woman by the deepness and quality of it.

“Are you there? Please, I need to know.”

“Yes, I am here. My name is…”

“No,” the woman's voice broke in, “do not tell me your name. He may hear you.”

“Who?” Hermione asked, moving slowly down the corridor.

Silence. “Are you still there?” Hermione whispered, flinching as her voice echoed in the hall.

“I knew you would come. I felt you awaken but was afraid to hope…” the voice sounded very sad now. “Could you tell me what day this is?”

Hermione told her what day she thought it was, unsure of it herself. “What year?” There was a sharp cry when the woman heard Hermione's response.

“So long.” The woman was sobbing now.

“Are you a prisoner?” Hermione asked, trying frantically to figure out the direction the woman's voice was coming from.

“Much more than that. So much more…”

“I can help you, if you tell me where you are,” Hermione said, a chilling dread flowing over her.

“It's too late,” the woman said urgently. “You must go. Hurry.”

“No, tell me how I can help you.”

“Go, now! You will be caught.”

Hermione looked around fearfully and though she saw nothing she felt as if someone, or something was approaching.

“Please, go.”

“At least tell me your name,” Hermione said desperately.

“No…go now before it is too late…”

Hermione took one last look around the corridor before she began walking swiftly in the opposite direction of the presence she felt nearing. The darkness began to press down on her as her steps turned into a lope. She turned a corner in the hallway, stumbling into something solid...

Hermione jerked awake, sweat pouring down her face. The strange dream frightened her, though she was glad that it had not been one of Lucius again. `Those' dreams had returned with a vengeance since she had seen him in Hagrid's hut.

Walking over to the window, she plucked at her gown, which was stuck to her with sweat. A large full moon seemed to hang low in the sky illuminating the grounds in a soft silvery light. The shimmering light danced on top of lake. It was too tempting. Making up her mind, she slipped her gown off, put on her swimsuit and headed to the lake.

****

Bill was making his rounds across the grounds when he noticed someone in the lake, swimming gracefully barely breaking the surface. Though he could understand why someone would want to take a dip on such a hot night, he headed towards the lake to order him or her out.

It was a bit dangerous to swim alone in the lake. The creatures who lived there were not all as friendly as the gentle giant squid, and it would only take seconds for an unsuspecting swimmer to be pulled under. The figure broke the surface and Bill smiled as he recognized Hermione. He watched her as she neared the bank, almost wishing he could join her, the muggy air curling his hair.

She climbed out and wrapped her hair in a towel. Picking up another towel she began drying herself. Bill approached her, opening his mouth to greet her, but then he saw her back in the moonlight.

“My gods!”

Hermione spun around, her eyes wide as she saw Bill staring at her, his mouth open in disbelief. They stood there, both too shocked to move. “Hermione,” he finally said, “What…” he began walking towards her and she bolted.

Running after her, he overtook her in a few strides, grabbing her arm and jerking her around to face him. She moaned in protest as he grabbed her shoulders forcing her to turn her back to him. “Lumos.” Bill held his wand up to her back and swore once more as he looked upon the rows of raised flesh that ran up and down her spine.

She was trembling now and kept trying to jerk away, as his left hand clamped tightly on her upper arm. “Let me go Bill,” she finally choked out, “You're hurting me.”

Bill released her, flinching as he saw the red marks his fingers had made on her flesh, knowing he had bruised her. She rubbed at her arm, her head hanging down. “Hermione,” he said softly, a slight tremor in his voice, “who did this to you?”

Shaking her head, she muttered, “It's nothing, just forget it.”

Bill grabbed her shoulders, turning her back to him. He gripped her chin and forced her face up. Tears were running down her cheeks and she adverted her gaze. “It is damn well something,” he said angrily. “I want an answer. Who did this to you?”

Hermione shook her head again not saying anything. “Very well,” he said sternly, “we will go see Professor McGona…”

“She already knows.” Hermione's voice was barely a whisper.

“Then whoever did this has been punished?” She shook her head. “And why the bloody hell not?”

Hermione looked at him, fire flashing in her eyes as she yelled at him. “Because no one would believe a filthy lying Mudblood! Not over a Pureblood, Ministry official, especially when…” she closed her mouth, a look of horror crossing her face. She had said too much.

Bill's face turned red as the anger welled up. “It was Lucius, wasn't it? That was why he sought you out the other day. It was him, wasn't it Hermione?” Bill's voice hardened as he shook her.

“Yes,” she admitted, her teeth chattering from the cool night air and the emotions flooding over her.

Bill released her a look of disgust on his face, disgust with Malfoy. Hermione flinched, thinking the look was for her, for her scarred back, for what he must be thinking.

“When did this happen?” Bill asked quietly.

Hermione told him about her abduction over the Christmas hols skirting around the sexual abuse.

“Was it because of Harry?”

“No, it was personal,” Hermione said dully, wishing she could just go back to the castle.

Bill studied her watching the way her hands had begun moving over her arms, stomach clenching and unclenching as they clawed at her skin. He reached out and took her hands, looking into her eyes. “Did he rape you Hermione?” he asked gently.

“What do you think?” she spat, jerking away from him. “ He took me, cut my skin, strangled me, whipped me and fucked me in every way imaginable! Is that what you want to hear? Does that give you a thrill? Just leave me alone Bill.” She turned and ran.

He watched her go as he stood there breathing hard his emotions raging. Bill couldn't stop the tears that formed in his eyes.

****

“There is nothing we can do Bill,” Minerva told him. “Hermione is right. No one would believe her as it would be her word against Lucius'.”

Bill sat in Minerva's room, ignoring the cup of cocoa that she had placed before him. Even in her housecoat and hair in a nightcap, Minerva was still an imposing figure. He felt like a delinquent child sitting there now.

“Then someone should take matters into their own hands,” he said bitterly, thinking that he would like to be the one to do that. “A little old fashioned retribution, an eye for an eye.”

“And what would that accomplish Mr. Weasley?” Minerva asked, her stern Professor's voice firmly in place. “If you were to attack Lucius Malfoy you would wind up dead or in Azkaban. It may seem harsh but the wisest course of action is to take none.”

Clasping his hands in front of him, Bill felt defeated. “It is so bloody unfair isn't it?”

“Life is unfair,” Minerva said firmly, placing a hand on his. “And it will become more so now that Voldemort is back.” She removed her hand and took a sip of cocoa. “How is the family?”

“They are holding up. I think dad is becoming suspicious about Percy, believing he is doing more than just disagreeing with him and Mum. Ron and Ginny weren't too happy about spending another summer at headquarters, but all in all I guess they're okay.” He knew she was trying to divert his attention from Hermione, but he was persistent.

“So what do we do about Hermione? She was clawing at herself as if she wanted to tear the skin off her flesh.” Bill flushed. “I don't know much about it, but surely she needs to talk to someone about what Malfoy did to her.”

“She is,” Minerva said calmly. “Trust me, Hermione has gained much ground since her abduction.”

Bill sighed. “I am glad she has you to talk to…”

“Not me. I do believe her confidence has been favored on Severus.”

Pushing his chair back, Bill stood up abruptly. “You have to be joking! Have you and Albus lost your minds? Allowing her to confide in another bloody Death Eater after what one did to her!”

“William Weasley, sit down now. “Minerva waited for him to sit before she continued. “Maybe Severus is not someone you can trust, and I must admit it was hard at first for me to believe in his reformation, but he is the person Hermione has chosen to open up to. Perhaps it is because he is a Death Eater and he knows what happened; the physical and mental torture Malfoy used, that he knows how to help her through it. Whatever the reason I am thankful that he is there for her.”

Studying her a moment Bill nodded. “I just feel so damned helpless. I want to help her and I don't know how.”

“Just be her friend. That's what we all need, to know that someone cares without judging.”

****

Percy Weasley eyed the man who sat gingerly down on the sofa in Percy's small flat. He was in no mood for company especially from Lucius Malfoy.

Lucius gave him a sly grin as he watched Percy squirm in the chair trying to find a comfortable position for the stinging wounds in his back. “Nasty business, especially that salve Snape used.”

Percy glared at the smug looking man. “What do you want Malfoy? I know this isn't a social visit. Have I done something to `displease' our Master again?” The sneer in his voice was new and Lucius was pleased to hear it.

“Right to the point. I like that in a man though it does make for poor conversation.”

Lucius looked around at the simple furnished room. “Needs a woman's touch Weasley.”

“Get on with it,” Percy growled. His back hurt so much he had a hard time fighting back the tears. He would be damned to break down and cry in front of Malfoy.

“Such uncouth manners Weasley,” Lucius' grin widened as he enjoyed the look of hatred Percy was giving him. “In polite society it is customary to offer a guest refreshments.”

“Go to hell. This is not polite society and I really couldn't care less about offering a drink to the man who a few hours ago fucked my fiancée.”

Lucius tutted. “Technically I sodomized her Weasley, Snape fucked her as did Macnair and Rookwood.” He watched the young man pale, biting at his lip. Lucius waved his hand. “She will be sore in the morning but no worse for wear. Tell her you just got carried away.”

Percy's face went even whiter. “That will not work. We have never…”

“Dear Merlin,” Lucius could barely contain the chortle threatening to erupt, “are you telling me you never shagged your own fiancée?”

“She wanted to wait until we were married,” he mumbled.

Lucius' eyes glittered with amusement and triumph. This was getting better and better. “So, old Severus got himself a virgin tonight. He should thank you Percy.”

The look of hatred in Percy's eyes grew. `Excellent,' Lucius thought.

“Well then, as you said, I need to get down to business. I have a proposition for you Weasley, one that I think you will be very interested in.”

“I highly doubt it,” Percy said skeptically.

“No? What if I told you I had a plan that would smooth over your `indiscrepencies' with our Master and at the same time cause Snape tremendous pain? Would that pique your interest?”

Lucius laughed at the gleam of malicious hunger in Percy Weasley's eyes.