The Three Keys

A/N: I do not own any Harry Potter Characters, just my Laurel, her family and anyone you don’t already recognize.

A/N: PLEASE BE WARNED THERE ARE SCENES OF MILD VIOLENCE IN THIS CHAPTER. IF YOU ARE OFFENDED, PLEASE SKIP.

THANK YOU!

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CHAPTER 4 – DEATH AFTER DINNER

Dinner was strained and uncomfortable no matter what Don did. He just could not get Laurel to smile or relax at all and he was worrying about her wanting to leave exactly after dinner. She’d already said it twice during their meal.

Don had to try another tactic quickly. “You know, I am feeling much better after eating. Maybe we could just take a quick walk on the beach before going home. What do you think?” His voice was light and casual, he took her hand and gave it an affectionate squeeze.

It was really a beautiful evening, a cool breeze stirring, the moon shining brightly and bouncing off the ocean, showing off its midnight blue color.

Laurel was resigned…..for some reason this guy just didn’t want to go home tonight. ‘Maybe there’s something happening at home?...Maybe his parents are fighting?’ “How is everything with your family?” Laurel asked, hoping for a little insight.

Again, he stiffened clearly and hesitated, “They’re just fine, thanks for asking.” He was swiftly leading her back to the car. “Do you mind if I drive?...I have this great beach, it’s right by the school, beautiful…”

She tossed him the keys and they arrived a few minutes later outside Pacifica, Laurel’s school.

“You weren’t kidding when you said it was right by the school huh?” Laurel joked as they got out on the small frontage road that ran just below the main highway, Pacific Coast Highway, and lead directly into the school grounds.

Pacifica was etched into the cliffs along the Malibu coast line and had been there for about 200 years. It was so well warded and unplottable that even if you knew where it was, you still had to look to find it, but it was vast and extensive. The towers soared out over the ocean, jutting from the cliffs like a massive sand castle with turrets and gables sticking out wonky and in every direction. The school

ran deep into the earth of the cliffs and down them with some of the classrooms at shoreline or just below in the “caverns” as they were called. These were the least favorite classrooms to be in as they were cold, dingy and the walls were slick with moss and water seeping slowly thru the massive, thick stone walls.

Don just took her by the arm and began guiding her toward the school.

“Where are we going?” Laurel asked now a bit confused.

“Well, the beach is in front of the school, so I thought we would just cut through the school to get to it.” He kept his eyes forward, propelling her into the main hall, it was quiet and deserted, leading her purposefully toward the stairs winding down to the lower levels.

As most of the students lived in or near the area there were very few who actually roomed at the school itself, so it did have a tendency to be empty after hours….but still it seemed oddly quiet.

‘The school beach?’ - “Are you kidding?” Laurel said, looking at him like he was crazy. “We can’t just go running through the school with no one here..”

“I’m sure it’s quite safe and I bet there are a ton of teachers around.” Don still leading her down the very long staircase, winding and jutting out over the ocean with huge glass windows soaring up ward at each landing. The landings were wide and deep with large comfortable couches, cushy chairs and little tables where students could sit and gaze out at the ocean or study at any level leading down to the bottom of the school and the private beach.

Each landing was deserted and she began to get a knot in the pit of her stomach. Quietly she put her hand to her pocket to feel for her wand, it felt reassuring against her thigh and she decided the evening had gone on long enough.

Laurel stopped walking and pulled her arm out from his grip and looked up at Don now. “Don” she began, but he was already expecting this.

He steeled his shoulders and took her into his arms, holding her close to him and began kissing her hard on her mouth, it felt empty and impersonal she thought. His kiss grew intense and it made her gasp for air. She tried to pull her head back but he held her by her hair firmly and kissed her hard again, forcing her mouth open and darting his tongue in and out hotly.

She was so surprised she didn’t move right away, she felt the knot grow bigger in her stomach and yanked her head back from his hands, shaking and glaring at him.

“What the hell was that about?” she fumed.

He looked taken aback, “What do you mean what was that about? I thought you liked it when I kissed you?” he shot back angrily.

“I like it when you kiss me, not force me to kiss you.” she snapped.

He looked really angry and she took a step back now.

“Don, what’s going on? What’s gotten into you tonight? You’re not acting like yourself.” Laurel’s eyes remained trained on him, wary.

Don’s eyes blazed, but when he spoke he surprised her again. “I know, I’m so sorry, I, I’ve just been feeling like you maybe don’t like me so much anymore,” he cast a quick glance at her face, saw what he wanted to see and continued, “and, and well I really like you a lot and don’t want you to break up with me before….before you get a chance to know the real me.” he finished and looked up again, hopeful.

Laurel tilted her head and looked at him. She sighed then and shook her head. “I’m sorry Don. I really don’t know what it is…but I just don’t think it’s working out….Do you?” She turned and walked over to one of the couches and sat down on the edge looking up at him. “Maybe we should just, you know go our separate ways and try to stay friends?”

Don walked over to the couch and looked down at her as an ugly sneer came over his face. ‘Finally’ he thought, glad now for the pretence to end. “I don’t think so.” he said softly, menacingly.

She immediately tried to get up but he pushed her back down on the couch with a terrible force and she hit it with a thud and gasped.

“What the FUCK do you think you’re doing?” she yelled.

He pounced on her so quickly she was surprised and he moved her easily down on the couch flat, pinning her below him. “Exactly.” he sneered.

Terror and shock began to flow over her in waves as she bucked and reared trying to get him off her, but he was just too strong. He had her hands pinned up against her head and she couldn’t get them free. She struggled harder, ‘If I can get my hands free I’ll blast him down those stairs to the beach myself’ she thought angrily. “DON, YOU ASSHOLE GET OFF ME THIS INSTANT!”

“No, I don’t think I will just yet.” His voice was cold and soft. “I’ve got a messy situation on my hand’s Laurel and your bad attitude isn’t going to help you much.”

“What does that mean?” She forgot for a moment to struggle and looked up at him. He looked like a completely different man, and for the first time she could look deep into his eyes….

She gasped with the horror of what she saw in those eyes and turned away quickly. His soul was black and she felt the cold begin to pulse out of him and over her. She shut her eyes quickly and shouted “GET OFF ME BEFORE YOU REGET THIS!”

At this Don simply chuckled and shook his head “I’m sorry Laurel. You know I don’t much like mud-bloods, not at all actually…but you are so damn beautiful that I guess for you I will make an exception since you’re moving and thrusting so invitingly up at me.”

She looked up at him horrified. “WHAT DID YOU CALL ME?” Laurel was getting very, very angry now and from her jacket pocket her wand lit up inside as it began shooting out little sparks, responding to her anger.

“Ahhh, there it is, I was wondering where you’d put it…Now that’s no fun at all, I won’t be able to search you to find it.” Don’s eyes had grown lustful and it really began to scare Laurel.

Don began forcing her legs apart now, edging them apart with his knees..

‘Take one hand away to get the wand’ she thought, ‘Come on now, do it’….

He moved one arm to secure both her hands and reached down between their bodies to get her wand…when she broke one free and shouted “EXPELLIARMUS!” thrusting her palm flat at his chest and he exploded off of her vaulting high into the air and landed with a crack on the floor in front of her.

He lay there flat on his back, stunned for a moment, then sat up and looked dizzily at her, his mouth

a gape. As he began to get up off the floor he looked warily as she stood there, feet planted firmly apart, wand pointed square at his chest.

“You, you can do wandless magic?” He managed out, his eyes beginning to shine again in unjust anger and fear.

Laurel’s eyes narrowed, “Surprise” she said flatly. “Now get up!” she said, her voice shaking, hand steady, holding her wand at his chest. She wanted nothing more than to be home safe with her family at this moment. She would have apperated out on the spot, but you can’t apperate out of Pacifica – way too much magic, it’s built that way.

“Laurel” Don began.

“Save it.” She said icily. “I don’t want to hear another word.” She motioned her wand at the stairs – “Let’s go.”

Don gritted his teeth got up and began walking slowly toward her.

“Uh –uh.” She snapped, moving away from him “Up – you first – slowly – keep those HANDS UP!” she yelled.

He looked at her, Don was sure she would kill him if she had to. Wordlessly he turned and began climbing the stairs. He had to think fast, he had to be successful, failure was not an option.

As they reached the threshold of the next landing Don turned and sharply, in one fluid motion, kicked Laurel’s hand hard – her wand flying out and disappearing down the stairs, losing her balance Laurel was sent careening backward. She screamed as she fell, tumbling back, rolling down the several stairs to land with a crash to the landing below.

She heard him laughing as she looked up groggily – her head already throbbing, she’d hit it sooo hard. She tried to get up, but her back hurt terribly, she screamed out in pain and sank back to the cold marble floor.

“Laurel, you didn’t think you’d get away from me that easily did you?” Don chuckled, he had a foot firmly on her chest, pushing down and she squirmed and cried out in pain again.

“Why?” she breathed, “Why?”

Don shrugged, “Too many questions, you’re too damn nosy for your own good.” He had no intention of telling her he was only an errand boy, sent at his Master’s request. He shook his head and leaned over her, pulling her up by her sweater, her head lolled to one side and she looked at him blurred…

‘I’m not afraid for some reason’ she thought…. Next thing she saw, a large fist coming at her jaw…then a painful crack – then blackness.

Laurel awoke slowly, her head lolling forward, her neck hurt so much she was afraid to move it. She moaned in pain and heard a stirring near her, but no one spoke. She was vaguely aware she was standing – but she knew she could not stand. Her arms were aching, tied to her sides?...she thought for a moment, she tried to move them, no luck – yes definitely tied to her sides, then she noted she was leaning heavily against bindings that were cutting into her arms and chest – her whole upper body ached.

A wave of nausea washed over her and she had to fight it back for several minutes before she could muster the strength to try and lift her head.

She was struck with how cold it was, and the smell – it made her feel sick again, as she had just barely contained her last wave of nausea, she knew instantly where she was, she would know that smell anywhere….she was in the caverns under the shoreline at school.

Somehow this thought comforted her. At least she was on familiar ground. She knew how to get out, once she managed to escape. Laurel needed her hands free, she’d lost her wand and in her present condition she was sure she did not have the strength to do wandless magic…but, she tried to focus her eyes now…yes Don was there, idly looking down at his shoes, his wand in hand…her only chance to get out alive, she knew was to get that wand.

Laurel thought again for a moment, wondering if she had enough strength to use wandless magic, she couldn’t do it with her hands at her sides, but maybe if she could just get free…

Don looked up now and eyed her with a cold glare, “Sleeping Beauty awakes, FINALLY.” He groaned. “I would have done this long ago – you’ve been out for quite a while, but you need to be awake…” he laughed a little hysterically.

‘Awake for what?’ Laurel thought ‘He’s lost his mind, can I reason with an insane person?’ “I’m awake now, why, why don’t you untie me and we can talk this over?” her voice was dry and cracked as she spoke.

He looked amused, “No, I don’t think so.” Don shook his head and strolled closer now, wand idly held in his hand..

Laurel eyed it longingly, “You want to have sex with me?” she said finally, her voice uneven, quivering.

He looked at her startled and suddenly began to laugh a cold, crazy laugh.

She looked taken aback.

“No,” he said, same hysterical laugh, “I don’t need you awake for that.” Shaking his head and standing very close to her now. “Although it’s more fun when you participate.” Don sighed, his hands lightly stroking her neck, fingers trailing lower over her chest.

Panic struck Laurel and she looked down quickly at her pants.

He grinned a knowing smile, “Don’t worry little mudblood your virginity is intact…” He looked at her face again, his suddenly lustful. “For now.”

‘How does he know I’m a virgin?’ she thought indignantly – she was, but still… Nonetheless, relief flooded over her, her mind thinking quickly, Laurel had a bargaining chip, her only one to play, she tossed it down at the betting line. “You can have me.” She said, her eyes becoming clear and set as he looked at her.

“Tell me something I don’t know” Don said idly, his hand now holding one of her breasts and squeezing painfully. She blanched, but kept her eyes on him. Still not convinced this wasn’t just about sex. “You know why I was going to break up with you, don’t you?”

Despite himself and the urge at the back of his mind, telling him to get it over and done with and get out, he shook his head.

Don really was very arrogant.

“You weren’t moving fast enough for me.” Her eyes never blinked, despite the fact she still was leaning so hard into the ropes they burned her skin beneath her sweater.

“Really? Huh.” He said.

“I wanted you so badly,” she managed a look over his body and back up to his face, ‘believe me, believe me’ she willed him. “I just thought it would be better to break up with you than to have you reject me……Even after what happened tonight.” Laurel looked down quickly, hiding her face, she managed a whisper, “I still want you….”

Don looked up at her and was at her instantly, smashing his mouth against hers, forcing her mouth open and biting her soft lower lip hard, his tongue raving her. Laurel shuttered and quivered, very real trembling from fear.

He raked his hands over her body, running them up and down her front, squeezing her thighs and pressing her hard against the mossy, cool stone wall. She felt the icy cold of the stone and groaned from pain.

Don pulled back, misunderstanding all her reactions, thinking she was responding to him and his desire grew. “You want me now?” he growled.

“Yes.” She simply said.

He continued assailing her body, raking her sweater up so he could stroke her cold skin beneath, letting his hands run all over.

‘Now is the time.’ she thought.

“Don,” she moaned, “I want you now, please let me touch you…” she looked up at him and he froze.

“This is your game huh?” he said coolly.

“No!” she breathed, “I want to be able to touch you too, I want to see all of you, touch all of you. You didn’t need to force yourself on me like you did in the tower. I wanted you, you just had to let me know you wanted me too.”

“You pushed me away!”

“You surprised me.” Laurel looked down now and spoke truthfully, though not speaking about him. “Every girl wants her first time to be romantic, special, exciting…” she trailed off. “Something you remember your whole life.”

At this Don laughed. Laurel looked up – “What’s funny about that?”

He looked at her, his clear green eyes cold, although the desire still burned. Laurel could still feel the cold seeping from his soul….she looked down again, it scared her so.

“Why would I untie you?”

“You can see I can’t even stand up – you have the advantage.”

“True.” Don had a taste for her now and wanted more. And, besides, she’d not be around to tell anyone anyway. His sick mind was not worried about abusing another person, no, he was just worried that someone would find out he had been with a mudblood!

He raised his wand, “Finite Incantatem.” Laurel’s ropes vanished and she collapsed into his arms.

Don lowered her to the floor, it was dank and puddled sea water sat in the crevices of the stone floor. He was on top of her instantly, unbuttoning her jeans, his hands everywhere. She knew this was the moment to act, and willing her strength to return a little tried to move, he had her hands pinned above her head with one hand.

She moved quickly, as he stretched himself over her, jerking her knee up hard once then again stronger between his legs, Don screamed and rolled over her in pain, keeping his arm around her. Laurel wasted no time, her body reacting on instinct and basic survival, she began kicking, scratching and biting whatever she could grasp at. He was screaming profanities at her as they rolled over and over the hard, uneven ground, his wand, her goal, was lost in the struggling.

Laurel tried desperately to grab the tender flesh under the corner of his jawbone and chin, he was hitting her blindly where he could, both breathing hard and struggling with dire force. Laurel felt her strength ebbing, but Don moved his face close to her hands and success – she grasped his neck, where she sought and he began chocking and gasping for air. She dug her nails in and hit him hard as she could, rolling on top of him. His hands grabbed her one and she reached up and banged his head into the hard earth until his eyes rolled.

She was up in an instant, running as fast as she could down the dark, slippery corridors – her heart threatening to burst from her chest. ‘RUN- DON’T STOP! – RUN, RUN FASTER!’ She was gasping for air, a stitch growing with every second in her side, her back hurt so terribly tears of pain blurred her vision, yet she never slowed, she felt the cold air sinking into her bones.

Laurel was guided by instinct toward the main cavern hallway that would lead to wide wooden doors that opened to the beach and to the beach landing, that lead to the main staircase up the cliff. If she could get outside she could jump into the ocean. If she made it far enough out to sea she could apperate from there…. She HAD to make it there. Then she heard it, feet pounding close behind, Laurel turned another corner, a long corridor was before her and she broke into a sprint ‘almost there’ her feet pounding heavy thunks and splashes from the floor.

“BITCH!” Don screamed from behind – “YOU CAN’T GET AWAY!”

‘RUN!’ her brain screamed as cold fear settled in her soul.

She heard the words clearly, she had no where to hide, no escape “LACRIMA COR!” as a blast of black jets exploded against her back. Laurel screamed as she fell flat on her face rolling and screaming, she grasped her chest over her heart. Her screams echoed through the halls, the sound of absolute pain.

Don skidded to a stop next to her wreathing body, landing on his knees, he grabbed her and pointed his wand at her heart again.

“NO!” she screamed thru gasps of pain “NOOOOOOOOO!”

He was shaking, “Shut up – SHUT UP!” he held her close and raised his wand again, “Semper Clerpere Laurel Cor A Ego.”

She screamed a new – even louder, the pain was so intense, it felt as if her heart was being shredded, torn apart, piece by piece. Laurel felt the life ebbing from her body, she could no longer stand the pain, she was going to die.

Everything inside her screamed ‘NOOOOO, I don’t want to die like this!’

Panic stricken flashes of her family raced across her mind, ‘I’m not going to see my parents again…I won’t see my sister or my family! Laurel was surprisingly, unbelievably mad that she would never find true love, and sex! She wanted to have sex! She wanted to get married, have a couple of kids and grow old with her partner! For a moment, it was just the blink of an eye really, she saw a flash of a tall, handsome white-blond haired boy, looking at her, smiling at her…then he was gone… Laurel’s body was shutting down and her mind was fighting with everything it had...’LIVE…LIVE…LIVE’ it willed her body….

Don stood up now on shaky legs and looked down at her, ‘How long will it take?’ he wondered. The blood was rushing through his ears so loud he could barely hear and Laurel’s screams were deafening, he covered his ears. “STOP SCREAMING” he raged.

She did not hear him.

Don had thought bringing her down here was a good idea at the time. It was remote, and it was late on a Friday evening, so surly there would be no professors or students about - it would be deserted….perfect. He would have plenty of time to escape and by Monday, when they found her body, he would be long gone – gone to join with his Master and take his rightful place by his side!

Don raised his wand to perform a silencing charm when he turned suddenly, inclining his head behind him….was that something he heard? Could it be?

“NO!” he bellowed, he was sure now, it was footsteps, and they were coming this way….fast. Don moved away from Laurel, creeping around the corner to hear better above her screams…they were running now. “SHIT” he breathed. He couldn’t apperate. He couldn’t get Laurel up if he tried, she would be too heavy to carry and she was rolling around all over. ‘Think, think’ he raged, he could levitate her out, but that was a cumbersome task at best and he would not be able to get away fast enough himself…. Don looked at his watch it was after midnight…why was someone here!

Not a moment to waste, Don had to come to a decision now…

He made up his mind – he ran.

Don just hoped that enough damage was done already. Giving Laurel one final, cold glare he turned and vanished around a corner as the footsteps neared.


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A/N: THANK YOU DEAR READERS FOR TAKING TIME OUT TO RE-READ AND REVIEW MY STORY! YOU KNOW HOW VERY MUCH IT MEANS TO ME!

If you haven\'t read my other fict - \"IT HAD TO BE YOU\" wander on over there and take a peek. I think you may like it. Just hit my name at the top of the page to go to my author page and access the story from there!

About the Spell: The Amatore Blasphamare (or Lover’s Curse) spell is my own. If you plan on using it in another story, please give credit where credit is due! THANKS!