Breathe

Author’s Note: This is AU, since we all should know the outcome of the seventh book by now :o), however, in addition to that I’ve kind of put in my own take on things. I realize not all of what I write is alluded to in the books. The background is that during the war there were generals and other officials as are in most wars, and that Marcus was an Admiral for Voldemort. The evil side won the war and forced the remaining good witches and wizards into hiding amongst the muggle world, which had yet to be attacked on. Britain is the main headquarters for all the action. While colluding to attack the muggle world, Voldemort’s side still is intent on finding and punishing the remaining good witches and wizards.
All belongs to JK, please enjoy! I also love reading fanfictions so if I accidentally have similarities to other works, I apologize.

It had been three years since Voldemort’s triumph in the wizarding world. But the war was far from over: Voldemort still had plans to break off to the muggles. He bided his time however, because the larger scale of the muggle front required excessive amounts of planning. The majority of the “light” wizards were dead or imprisoned, however a few were unaccounted for and it was assumed that they were in hiding. Voldemort’s followers however were living the high life, as promised they were greatly rewarded. High power positions, money, and fame were given to the most loyal. Marcus Flint joined with the Deatheaters as soon as he was of age, he had provided valuable information and proven himself to be quite a vicious warrior in battle. The Dark Lord valued him greatly and thus gave him all he desired following the war. Marcus was now captain and chaser for the Falcons, lived on a grand estate, and currently served as head of the committee in charge of locating the hiding witches and wizards in the muggle community. With all of his money, power, fame, and newly fixed teeth, he was considered one of the most eligible bachelor’s among the wizarding community.

Marcus showed up to the Malfoy’s ball in style, proudly emerging from his silver and emerald encrusted carriage.

“Hi Mr. Flint!”

“Will you save me a dance Marcus?” Marcus ignored all of the witches’ star struck comments and walked towards his good friend Terence Higgs.

“Thank God Terry. I don’t think I could stand these things if I didn’t have someone to talk to who wasn’t after my money.”

“I’m afraid they’re after more than that my friend” Terry added with a smirk and motioned towards a few witches in the corner who had their eyes fixed on Marcus’ quidditch toned ass. The two friends entered together, bowed to the Malfoys and proceeded to walk to their table comprised mostly of the Dark Lord’s prestigious inner circle. Marcus rolled his eyes at the hoards of bloodsucking vultures hovering around the wealthy trying to suckle onto whatever they could, mostly those who were not rewarded due to their inability to choose a side during the war.

“I’m getting a drink I’ll be back in a second,” Marcus walked across the room to the bar and ordered a straight firewhiskey. Before he had time to turn around and proceed back to his table he felt someone touching his robes.

“Marcus, if you take me home with you tonight I’ll do anything, and I mean anything you want,” It was Millicent Bulstrode, he shook his head and sighed.

“How many times do I have to tell you…NOT INTERESTED!” He pushed past her and continued back to his table. He sat down, took a large gulp of his drink.

“What’s wrong Marcus, you have a rather intense scowl on your face?” Higgs asked.

“It’s just too easy, you know? I don’t even have to try anymore, it takes the thrill away. Everyone agrees with everything I say, they throw themselves at me…I almost miss having those bloody Gryffs to tiff with all the time. At least then I actually had something to work for.

“Ahh yes, the Gryffs…I could never forget the Gryffindor quidditch babes. Do you remember that one night we snuck off to spy on their practice?”

“Only too well Higgs”

::Flashback::

Terrence, Adrian, and Marcus walked cautiously to the quidditch pitch. It was late Saturday night and they had overheard that Alicia, Angelina, and Katie were going to be practicing. Always trying to one up the competition the boys felt it was beneficial to spy and look for any plays that might trip them up come game day. It was still quite hot outside and the boys found themselves sweating profusely, they found a good place to hide under the bleachers where they still could get a great view of the pitch.

“Try dodging left next time, you’re right handed so they expect you to move right,” Katie Bell’s voice rang out and the boys looked out.

“Wow…” Pucey murmered, it seemed the girls were quite hot as well, and all of them were playing in nothing more than sports bras and shorts. Alicia swerved deeply to the left before throwing the quaffle into the hoop.

“Nice” Angelina stated before diving down, spinning, and throwing another quaffle into the hoop. Katie went last, she zigzagged slightly, rose upwards and then zoomed down towards the hoop before shoving it through. The girls continued to practice maneuvers while the Slytherin spies watched in awe.

“Do you see the rack on Angelina!?” Higgs said, but Marcus’ eyes were fixed on Katie Bell. He had always picked on her the most in the hallway and on the pitch; she just had something that he found irresistible as all hell. The fire in her spirit, her intensity on the field, her cute innocence she always tried to shield through her scorching insults, all of it put together.
::End Flashback::

::Katie Bell:: Marcus thought to himself.

“…It’s a shame they’re all dead or imprisoned…” Marcus muttered.

“Not exactly, I would have thought you’d be on top of this in your department. Alicia was the only one killed. Angelina and Katie are two of the seventy still unaccounted for.” Marcus felt a tinge of…excitement…something he had not felt in a long time. He tried to hide it however.

“Nevertheless, we’re making progress on those seventy, they’ll all be found and dealt with eventually.” Marcus said nonchalantly.

“Well my friend, if you ever find Angelina, give me a call, she was a fantasy I never got to live out.” Dinner was dreary as usual, and after a significant number of drinks to cause some sort of entertainment, Marcus decided it was time to go home.

Two months came and went quickly and Marcus found himself thinking more and more about Katie Bell. He sat at his desk when an owl carefully landed on his desk. Large and proud, it had to be Higgs’. He opened the fine parchment which read:

-Marcus:
During one of my world renowned torture sessions on one of the newly captured seventy, I found out a great gem of information. However, I think it would please you to look into the matter personally rather than send one of your little errand boys on it:
1441 East Carriage Ln.
I think I deserve a reward for this too

Terrance-

“This better be worth it” Marcus said aloud and his put the parchment in his robes and apparated to an approved area closest to the address. He quickly murmured a spell to put him into muggle clothing, a black t-shirt and a pair of jeans. He found East Carriage Ln. and looked for 1441. It was a strip of shops, on an average road. Marcus wondered if it could be Katie Bell

::Katie Bell::
No she was too clever to stay in Britain, she would have fled.

“Here we are then 1441,” Marcus said looking at the shop, “Lion’s Sports Supplies…must be Gryffs, no wonder Higgs sent me”. He walked in the store smelled like leather and it reminded him of quidditch, and of course quidditch reminded him yet again of Katie Bell.

::Katie Bell:: Why couldn’t he stop thinking of her! She was long gone, a memory of his adolescent fantasies, and an enemy. He picked up a black and white designed ball and inspected it.

“May I help you sir?” He turned around, and the woman gasped.

“Miss Johnson, oh it is such a pleasure.” He had his wand under her neck before she could grab for hers. Unfortunately the store was empty and there was a rustle coming from the back room.

“Your wand Johnson, and don’t think I’m afraid to crucio the hell out of you” she did as he said and stayed still.

“Tina I need your hel…” A blonde emerged from the backroom holding a shoe and looked up before stopping dead in her tracks.

“No, it can’t be” she said softly.

“Katie Bell” he said with an evil grin. With lightening fast reflexes she pulled her wand out and shouted

“Immobulus!” But Marcus quickly deflected it.

“Please Bell, I was an Admiral in the war” his smirk quickly faded as Angelina kneed him in the groin.

“Same old Marcus, always letting his cockiness debilitate him.” Angelina spat before grabbing her wand. She quickly used it to close the blinds on the store and put up the close sign. She kicked Marcus’ wand out of his reach, and pointed hers at him threateningly.

“How the fuck did you find us? We covered up all of our steps…”

“You’d be surprised what some veritaserum and torture does to a man” he groaned still rolling on the ground in pain. Then he started laughing.

“What’s so funny Flint? Amazed by the fact that your demise will come from Gryffindors?” Bell spat.

“No, actually” He quickly called their wands to himself.

“More like, amused that you two never thought I was capable of wandless magic”. He then picked up his wand and cast a spell on both of them so they found themselves bound by invisible restraints. He walked over to Katie Bell and picked her up easily, she smelled intoxicating, a scent he remembered from his past.

“Put me down you freak of nature, I’m not being captured without a fight”, same fiery spirit too. He smiled, putting her down and holding the both of them with a powerful hand before apparating back to the office. He called over a couple of his assistants.

“Take them to be interrogated, I will go speak to the Dark Lord to see what shall become of them afterwards.”

“We won’t say a word, we hold true to the ways of Dumbledore and Harry Potter!” Angelina shouted out.

“Maybe Voldemort will ice your balls for you” Katie shouted at Marcus before spitting on him. He wiped it away slowly before backhanding her.

“Do not think you are worthy enough to speak his name, it’s a different world now, and you are on the losing side.” The two wizards pulled the women down the hallway to the interrogation rooms. Marcus found himself with a large bulge under his robes, the sight, smell, and essence of Katie Bell was too much for him to handle. He had been missing it for way too long.

“My Lord, I have a request,” Marcus said as he kneeled down before Voldemort.

“Rise my prized servant, what is it that you desire?”

“Katie Bell, one of the two women captured, after she is interrogated and followed all of your requests, I want her to be my slave.”

“It shall be done. I take it this one got to you at Hogwarts?”

“A Gryffindor”

“Always the most rewarding to break.”

“Also, my Lord, I know Higgs would greatly appreciate the other, Angelina Johnson.”

“I will look into it”

“Thank you my Lord,” and with that Marcus exited the chamber, smiling.

A week later Marcus sat in his study idly thumbing through papers when a green flash appeared in his fireplace and the body of Katie Bell fell out onto the floor. He jumped up from his desk then lightly strolled over to her curled up body. There were cut and burn marks all over her, dried blood on her mouth and arms, and one of her eyes was swelled closed. She looked up at him, obviously her body was in so much pain that was all she could muster.

“Not you…” came out a small whisper before she passed out on the ground.
::Earlier::

“Where are the rest?” Crabbe’s unintelligible voice boomed.

“Up…my…ass!” Katie was immediately rewarded with a crucio. It ripped through her body, the pain so intense the only thought penetrating her mind was white hot pain, and the urge to vomit. It stopped and she instinctively curved up into a ball once more.

“Proud until the end aren’t you? There’s nothing left. When will you realize it?”

“When will you realize that you should close your mouth and spare the world the horror of listening to your drabble!?” This time pain like knife blades cut across her, and a swift punch in the mouth left her with the metallic taste of fresh blood. Crabbe growled in frustration and grabbed her mouth. He called for assistance as they forced a clear liquid down her throat. The rest of it became a blur, somewhere in the mix she had passed out. She woke up slowly, rolled over and coughed as bright crimson showered the cold hard cement floor. She wheezed gently, most likely from a broken rib or two, and then blackness surrounded her once again.

The last thing she remembered was feeling catapulted and catching a brief glimpse of Marcus Flint.

“…not Marcus Flint” she thought aloud. Anything but Marcus Flint would be fine for her right now. Give her the Malfoy’s, hell, give her Voldemort himself, NOT Marcus Flint.

She opened her eyes and found herself in a large bedroom chamber. Green and silver tapestries…typical. The bathroom door had been left suggestively open, and with one look down at herself Katie understood why. Not only was she covered in her own dried blood, but the stench of being tortured and unclean for 7 days surrounded her. Immediately she walked in and started a bath, as she stepped in she winced at the terrible pain that shot through her body as the hot water touched her many open wounds. She proceeded to lather herself thoroughly and clean her hair…which took quite a few rinse and repeats. As the bathtub drained and she stood on the cold marble floor draped in a towel she caught a glimpse of her reflection in the mirror. She suddenly remembered what was going on you, Katie Bell, have been tortured into giving the location of two of your friends, and to top that off you are right now in the home of Marcus Flint, Angie could be dead…or worse.

“Shit” Katie spat out loud. What the hell was she going to do? Before she had time to think she heard the door to the room opening, and then to the bathroom. She clutched the towel tighter to herself. She felt like I deer caught in headlights, and those headlights were none other than Marcus Flint. He stared at her for a second, his eyes trailing over her partially covered body before resting on her face.

“Well, I’m glad to see that you’ve cleaned yourself up a bit, would you like anything for your wounds?”

“I don’t want anything from you!” she hissed back at him.

“Hmm, I was going to offer you some clothes, but if you’d rather walk around the manor naked well, that’s just fine with me”

“No! I mean, yes, I would like some clothes…please”

“Please…?” He cocked his eyebrows at her.

“You can’t be serious. I’m not going to call you that!”

“Guess no clothes then. You’re in my world now Bell, and you’ll do as I say” he talked to her as if scolding a small child.

“Please…Master Flint,” she winced as she heard the words escape her lips.

“See now, that wasn’t so hard was it? You’ll find clothes in the armoir, and you will meet me downstairs for dinner in an hour,” he started to walk away but then he stopped and turned around, “oh and Bell, Angelina is fine.”

“Where is she!?”

“With Higgs”

“Higgs!? Fine!? Are you mad!?”

“Trust me I know for a fact he doesn’t have any intention of hurting her”

“Well what intention does he have then?” Marcus grinned and shrugged his shoulders.

“Oh my Gods, I think I’m going to be sick” she said as she put her hand to her mouth.

“Just make sure it isn’t on one of my rugs,” he said as he swiftly left the room. She stood still in shock for a few minutes, in silence save for the trickle of water droplets hitting the marble floor. Then she decided to do what she did in all situations that seemed almost out of her control: she approached it like quidditch. She knew quidditch, lived and breathed it, and using quidditch logic she could survive any situation.

“Time to put your game face on Katie.” She said to herself. She had already lost so many friends, she wasn’t going to lose Angie. The first thing she had to do was beat the defense: Marcus Flint. How does one defeat the defense? Address their weaknesses and attack. She needed to feel him out first, get into his head for a few days. It had been years since she had seen Marcus, well, interacted with him at least, and she needed some time to read him. Dinner seemed like the perfect first opportunity. She opened the armoir and found some rather fancy and noble looking robes. Green and black. Again, typical. She picked one out that seemed to be the least Slytherin of them all and put it on. She was absolutely miserable, in excrutiating pain, and in the last place she would rather be in the entire world. But Katie Bell was a fighter, she pushed all of the horror to the back of her mind and addressed the situation. Beat Marcus Flint, save Angelina, save herself.

About an hour later a house elf came to the room and led her to the dining room. It was an atrocity of lavish, showy, and in Katie’s opinion, unnecessary decadence. Black and white marble floors, large chandeliers, elaborate paintings, and a large dining room table, with Marcus’ sly grin at the other end. She sat down at the place setting she assumed was for her.

“I do think this seems a bit pointless,” she barely heard Marcus from the other end of the long table. He lightly tapped his wand in front of him and the table suddenly shrunk so that he sat a few feet in front of her. Great. He looked at her, again with his traditional mocking grin, and then his expression suddenly changed to a cringe.

“Honestly Bell, at least let me fix your face so I don’t have to look at it all mangled”

“Do whatever you want, but I’m not going to beg you to. And let’s be honest Flint, I know you won’t unless I do,” Katie spat.

“You know me too well.” Marcus motioned with his hand and food filled the plates. She was starving. It could be poisoned, she knew, but the hunger ravaging through her only intensified with the mere sight of food, not even to mention the glorious smell.
She gently tried to get as much food in her mouth as possible without causing too much pain. Marcus chuckled from across the table.

“Oh Gryffindors, you try to act so superior but when it comes down to it, your human just like the rest of us.” She ignored his comment and ate until she could no longer fill her stomach. Her chest stung, it felt as if she were being stabbed with every breath.

“Wh…Wh…Why…am I…he…he…h” she could no longer take another breath and her world went black again.

Marcus watched as she tried to talk, and realized a little too late what was going on. Katie passed out, ever so elegantly, face first into her food. He rushed over to her, carried her to the sitting room and laid her on a couch. His hands gently traced over her ribs and he immediately found the problem, as he suspected. With a few incantations the broken ribs, and everything else, were fixed. She tempted him not to mend her, but he couldn’t deal with her injuries making her pass out all the time. Plus her face was so much more appealing when it wasn’t battered beyond belief. As she slept, she looked so innocent, so harmless, so helpless. He longed to feel her small defined lips on his. Longed to run his hands over her body…but this wasn’t how he wanted her. He wanted her fiery passion, her curt remarks. Her eyes fluttered open, at first the look remained angelic, but it quickly turned to anger.

“Get off of me you son of a bitch!” Her small fists pushed forcefully against him. She stopped momentarily, confused, realizing there was no more pain. Checking, one hand slid up and touched her face, not feeling any wounds. She just looked at him, stunned.

“You’re lucky that I learned a few tricks during the war. If I hadn’t known you had broken ribs you could have not woken up. And I wouldn’t want a dead little Griffyndor slave with so much potential now would I?

Slave. There was the answer to her question. Cut and dry.

“And what exactly am I supposed to do?” she asked with a hint of sarcasm.

“Whatever. I.Want.” His eyes glowered at her menacingly and she immediately knew Marcus’ weakness.
::It’s me. He wants me.::