Somewhere I Belong

On a cold late night so long ago

When I was not so strong you know

A pretty man came to me

Never seen eyes so blue

You know I could not run away it seemed

we'd seen each other in a dream

It seemed like he knew me

He looked right through me, yeah

- "Magic Man" by Heart

Alex woke from her dreamless state of unconsciousness hoping she'd had a simple nightmare. She knew, all too soon, when she inhaled and the pain coursed through her, that it was very real. Her breath came in short, hurried, uneven gasps. She felt like everything inside her was broken, Above her physical injuries, her heart hurt worse of all. She grew tired of forcing herself to sit up, so she remained face down on the dirt floor, where she lay. Lucius entered, looking troubled about something. He noticed Alex stirring slightly on the floor.

He kicked the dirt, that covered the floor, into her face saying, "Here Mudblood. Lie in the filth you originated from." She choked on the dirt, sending the pain through her again. It was almost unbearable. She, in the state she was in, couldn't identify the cause of Lucius's sudden attitude change. Either he was annoyed, or his happiness came from the pleasure of watching Pettigrew beat the hell out of her.

"Father?" Draco said, coming to where Alex could see him, where she lay on the floor.

"What is it now?" Lucius snapped.

"Is she dead?" he asked timidly. Alex cringed, having heard it. She wouldn't listen to that voice.

"No, she's fine. Just leave her there," Lucius said, unsympathetically.

"Are you sure? She must be in a lot of pain," Draco said, looking down at her almost sensitively.

"Why do you care? I said leave her. What does it matter if she dies?" Lucius asked cruelly. Draco didn't answer, but he knew he could have answered that last question. It meant everything to him. More than Lucius could ever comprehend.

Pettigrew entered after a tall, cloaked figure. Alex shivered. The figure reminded her of the Dementor she'd seen on the train in a previous year. Pettigrew slinked back timidly when the figure spoke.

"Where is she?" it said, the voice raspy and cold.

"Here," Lucius said, pointing to where he was standing. Alex began to gasp again. She was uneasy, and her ribs ached excruciatingly. The figure moved so that she was visible. Draco stepped back. He was afraid of Voldemort, but he stayed close enough in case Alex was in danger. Voldemort looked down at her, his glowing eyes studying her.

He suddenly said, "What is she doing down here on the floor?" Lucius stammered, not being able to answer his direct question.

"Draco, bring her upstairs," Lucius said quickly. Draco stared at his father, but his straightforward glare stopped him from whatever he might say. Voldemort started up the stairs, Pettigrew, and Lucius following. Draco just gawked at Alex, still on the floor. He stood hastily, and made his way to her. He carefully slipped his hands under her, one around her waist, and lifted her in his arms. She gasped, not expecting it, and the pain shot through her chest, causing her to slip a little. She tightened her grip on his arm, and he put her other arm around his neck. He walked carefully up the stairs, into a room where his father and Voldemort were speaking silently. They stopped when they saw him standing there holding her.

"Lay her there," Voldemort said, pointing toward a sofa opposite him. Draco did as he was told, and then took a seat in a chair next to where he'd set her.

"Who is responsible for the girl's injuries?" Voldemort asked Draco.

"Master, I would like to..." Lucius began, but was cut off when Voldemort interrupted.

"I was asking Draco," he said sounding irritated.

"W-well, Peter grabbed her, and hit her, but my father didn't stop him," Draco said, avoiding his father's eyes. Voldemort looked to Lucius, obviously infuriated.

"Lucius, I asked you to bring her to me, not kill her. She's of no use to me dead," Voldemort retorted. Lucius nodded, staring daggers at his son. Draco looked down to Alex, listening very little to what his father was saying to Voldemort. Her face was tranquil, despite the dirt from the cellar floor scattered on it. She looked so pure in her sleep. He was disturbed when he heard his father explaining the pendant.

"She had it with her. She must know of it's value to us," Lucius said handing the box to Voldemort.

Draco intervened saying, "No, she doesn't know. She told me she didn't understand the engraving on the box. She only thinks it's an heirloom." Lucius gaped at his son puzzled, and angry. Voldemort seemed to be more interested in what Draco was saying.

Lucius ignored it and began again, "Surely her mother or father told her something."

Draco once again interfered, "No, she doesn't understand any of it. If she knew, she wouldn't have...trusted me." Lucius looked at his son fuming.

"The boy is right," Voldemort said, shortly. Lucius nodded in agreement but, again glared at his son.

Lucius stood and said, "Well then, we ought to let her get her rest. Come Draco." Draco stood and followed his father and Voldemort out. Lucius grabbed his son aside and whispered harshly.

"How dare you undermine me in front of my master. If you know what's good for you, you'll keep your damned mouth closed," he said giving Draco a sharp look. His father went into the other room to speak with the other Death Eaters. Instead of following his father, Draco went into the room in which Alex lay. Her eyes were open now, but she didn't move. It didn't look as though she was even breathing. Draco came to her side, and looked down at her. There were tears in her eyes, but she remained still. She didn't blink, as her tears slid down her face. Draco sat down beside her and took her hand in his.

"I'm not going anywhere," he whispered, just enough for her to hear him. She didn't answer, but he knew, when she squeezed his hand slightly, that there was no objection.