Breathe

A/N: Thanks for the reviews, they keep me up to date that people are reading and would like more. Sorry my updates for the past year have been random, I blame it on a combination of school and my problem with chasing too many plot bunnies. Updates should be more regular until it’s finished.

Ever since the war had begun, Katie had been in some pretty horrible situations. But this one, was definitely up there. Not only did she have to be surrounded by her sworn enemies, that had brutally murdered her friends in front of her face, but she had to be polite to them. She had to bow to them. And now, thanks to Marcus, she had to be silent. Whatever shred of humanity she had thought was left in him had now vanished, and all for the better, less to feel bad about when she finally escaped. And Draco Malfoy!? That just meant she needed to speed things up, if at all possible, in order to avoid that fiasco.

She ate slowly to enjoy her meal. They were all the spawn of Satan but she had to give them credit, they knew good food, and ever since Marcus had gotten angry with her she had been eating scraps. He sat next to her, laughing and discussing professional quidditch with Pucey. It made her stomach turn that not only was she in this situation right now but that she had actually kissed Marcus Flint, and enjoyed it. As if he had read her mind, she felt his hand grab her leg under the table. She looked up at him in annoyance.

“I believe its time for a dance” He grabbed her hand and forcefully pulled her up and onto the dance floor. He pulled her closer to him then she would have preferred, and to make things worse she could smell large amounts of firewhiskey on his breath. Once he had chosen an adequate place on the dance floor he quickly spun her to face him and one hand took hers while the other forcefully grabbed her hip, inevitably leaving bruises. She tried to wriggle herself from his tight grip but he only clamped down harder.

“Please Bell, just do what you’re told. Don’t try to pretend you aren’t having fun.” She could feel his breath on her ear and she cringed slightly. He was obviously more drunk then he should have been. She swayed slightly with his fumbling movements and couldn’t help but let out a silent sigh. Had this been some other time she would have been happy, at a fancy ball, in a beautiful gown, surrounded by exquisite food and decorations. Instead she felt like she was trapped in a nightmare she couldn’t wake up from, where she could scream as loud as she wanted to and literally no one would be able to hear her. A tear started to roll slowly down her cheek and she quickly reached up to brush it away before anyone would notice. But just as she reached up, Marcus grabbed her shoulders and pulled her away, looking her in the face.

“Bell are you crying?” she looked to her left quickly. He grabbed her chin and twisted it to face him.

“Pull yourself together, you’re making a fool out of yourself.” It was ironic coming from his drunken mouth.

“Well, I guess I could let you see Angelina, but just for a second.” Katie’s eyes lit up, she immediately began to look around to find her.

“Ah ah Bell, over there.” He pointed to the corner where she saw Angelina’s distinctive form reeling away from Higgs as he got uncomfortably close to her. It earned her a good smack in the face. Katie turned back to Marcus and tapped on her throat.

“Well, I suppose so, but if you start acting up again, there will be hell to pay…Gorgio”. He grabbed her hand and led her to the corner of the room. As soon as she saw Angelina she immediately perked up.

“You’ll have to go with me,” he said before she had time to run over. He slid his arm around her waist and pulled her close while they walked slowly over to the table. As soon as she got close enough to see Angelina’s face, she knew she was feeling the same remorse. The tumbler in Angelina’s hand was getting consumed just about as quickly as it was being filled. Katie supposed that was one way of dealing with the situation, although probably not the healthiest.

“Katie Bell!” Angelina almost jumped up from her chair.

“Johnson, SIT DOWN!” Pucey grabbed her by the neck and smashed her face into the table. Katie was a little thankful that Angelina had been drinking to excess; it probably didn’t hurt her as badly. Pulling out a napkin, Katie sat down and offered it to her friend.

“You have no idea how good it is to see you.”

“I actually think I have a very good idea,” Angelina signed while she blotted her bleeding forehead with the napkin. Higgs and Flint were laughing in some drunken conversation, which gave them enough time to exchange words.

“I have a plan” Angelina said very softly.

“I overheard Higgs awhile ago talking about how frustrated he was that no one was monitering the Floo Networks after midnight. There’s a safe floo location just outside of London. I say we meet there and try to regroup with some of the others.”

“That sounds great Angie but how do you suppose we access the Floo without getting caught? My room is locked at night.”

“I don’t know Katie, that’s what you’ll have to figure out yourself. Higgs…” She stopped and tried to compose herself, “Higgs keeps my room unlocked at night so he’ll be able to get in when he’s been off drinking. He goes out with some old Slytherins every Friday night, so I know he’ll be gone. You’ll just have to figure out a way by Friday. Go at midnight.” Angie quickly scribbled an address on a napkin and then handed it to Katie under the table.

“I hope Marcus had been treating you better Katie. I can’t take anymore. I have to get out…they’re looking over here…The mansion really is lovely though, I couldn’t ask for better” Angie escalated her voice once Higgs stared her down.

“Very good, see Marcus? You can keep their pride in tact while still teaching them to show at least a little respect.” Marcus snorted. Suddenly the music stopped playing. People slowly began to rise out of their chairs and head for the exit.

“That time already? Alright Johnson, be a good girl and grab my coat,” Angelina slowly got up and with her head down grabbed his coat and folded it over her arm. Katie hated seeing her like this. It was horrible to see her so submissive and hopeless. Marcus grabbed her arm and pulled her out of the hall. His carriage promptly pulled to the semicircular drive outside and Marcus gently shoved her inside.

As soon as the door closed he was on her. It happened too fast, all of the sudden she felt his lips on hers, his hands trailing up her legs, and the taste of firewhiskey he was breathing into her mouth.
She tried to push him off of her but he only responded by grabbing both of her arms and pinning them over her head.

“You are MY property Bell, and I’ll do as I please!”