Title: Rumours4

Pairing: Harry/Draco.

Rating: NC17 Usual stuff- RAPE. (I really thought this would be a nicer chapter, but isn't really turning out that way.) This chapter is really quite dark and depressing but if you can wade your way through it, there is a pay off at the end.

Authors Notes:

Regarding the last chapter, I realize it was rather graphic and horrible (even for me, who wrote it! J ) but I felt that it was pertinent to show what was done. ‘ailstar’ is right- I didn't want to ‘pull any punches’. I wanted to redefine rape as the ‘torture’( rather than a ‘violent sexual act’), that I believe it is. Unfortunately, some particularly ‘vicious’ rapes ( vicious being in quotation marks as IMO all rape is 'vicious') literally tear the victim's insides up. L

More AN at bottom.

Prologue

Lucius had been proud of his son, right up until about half-way during Hagrid’s testimony. Before this, Draco had not displayed a single vestige of emotion, had simply gripped the edges of the podium until his fingers trembled from the effort and appeared to concentrate his attention on the polished wood before him, as though the shiny coating was of more interest than the half giant himself. Lucius had found it difficult not to snort in annoyance. He felt no gratitude for this man for finding Draco. After all, had he stopped the assault? Had he intervened at all? As far as Lucius was concerned, he had been most probably helping himself to yet another bottle of cheap old wizard's gin while his son was crying out for help, merely a hundred or so feet away.

His attention was turned to his son, when he saw him shudder and place is face in his hands. Lucius bent low to whisper into his ear.

"Come, come, now, Draco. This is not the conduct of a Malfoy. You can't allow them to see you beaten. You mustn't cry."

If Draco had heard him, he didn't acknowledge it. He simply continued with the tiny sobs that grated on Lucius’ nerves. He wanted so badly to slap Draco. To slap Percy. To slap someone. Anyone. This feeling of absolute defeat was leeching onto him, also. And that couldn't happen. Not ever.

Only it was happening, and continued to happen.

After Hagrid, came Madam Pomfrey. The old bat had tried to make herself presentable for the trial. She had been to Hogwarts when Lucius was there, which in his mind, made her too old to be trying to look young and pretty. The photos of Draco's hideous injuries were each a separate jolt of excruciating pain and shame, as though Lucius, himself, was victim. A hint of self blame was instantly squashed. He had to be strong, for his son's sake at least.

And now Draco was continuing to tremble and cry, as the teeth marks on his body in the photos were matched to those of Marcus's. A wave of anger, confusion and helplessness washed over Lucius and he gathered Draco to his arms. His son stiffened, initially. The Malfoys did not display affection often and never physically. But the need for comfort exceeded the awkwardness and Draco eased into his arms, trembling softly against his chest. Lucius enveloped himself completely around him, as though his fatherly physical presence could protect him from his anguish.

Draco, ironically, saved the life of his own rapist, that day. For when the extent of his injuries were read out to the court (For all to hear and mock! Lucius inwardly raged) Lucius came to an epiphany. He didn't consider the consequences, it was simply a rash decision prompted by the wave of intense rage that swept over him upon hearing that the rapes had torn his beloved son's insides to shreds.

He would kill Marcus. A simple curse would do it. Of the Unforgivable type. He would simply take out his wand and-

"Daddy."

He could barely hear it. But the tone ceased all foolish thoughts of direct vengeance. It was full of such heartache and turmoil that he had never heard from Draco. Indeed, to hear such a proud boy steeped to such shame concentrated his attentions only on his son.

"I'm so proud of you." He whispered into his son's ear, tenderly brushing away a few strands that covered the lobe. "You're so strong. You keep being strong for your Dad, all right?"

The boy didn't answer, simply continued to sob quietly against his father's chest.

Lucius had been called over to speak to Dumbledore, after the court session. The old man stood by the door leading out, nodding at people as they passed. Lucius was not surprised to see Harry Potter pass with Remus Lupin and a very obviously hooded Sirius Black.

Do they really think I am that stupid?

Lucius considered letting it slip to the ministry where Sirius Black was but dismissed it. Sirius Black was no longer a priority, now that all the Death Eaters knew he wasn't the one who had killed the street of muggles all those years ago. The recapture of Sirius would be fun but altogether unnecessary. Fun to break up the team once more, however. For it did seem that Harry had stepped up into James' shoes. Indeed, he was a dead ringer for his father. Draco did seem very taken by him, which angered Lucius more than he allowed his son to see. For Draco to use him purely for experimentation into sexuality, was fine with Lucius. As begrudged as he was to admit, Harry was beautiful, like his father. Therefore, Lucius could extrapolate that Harry was also a slut, like his likewise worshipped father. Lucius did not have any personal dealings with James but had heard from plenty who did. Whereas their veracity was doubtful, Lucius still liked to believe that his mortal enemy bedded often.

Ah, Severus Snape.

Lucius hadn't ever really liked Snape. Nor did Snape like him, but at Hogwarts, they considered themselves ‘friends’ for convenience of having an alliance in the school. Snape nodded at Lucius as he passed and continued on. Lucius was amused to see that Severus hadn't changed in the few months since Voldemort's meeting. He was still in need of a radical new personality. Crispin and Lucius had laughed together after the ‘incident’ in which Snape's disposition, according to some of the few students who found out about it, changed him to the crusty bastard he was now. Both Crispin and Lucius knew better, however. And, they suspected, so did James, Sirius and perhaps even Remus and Peter. For, though Severus was involved with the ‘incident’ (for that was what it was always referred to as) and had not stopped it ( this was compounded by the fact that the person involved just happened to be the one that Severus was madly in love with), he had been a tired old miserable git BEFORE the ‘incident’.

The one involved, as far as Lucius knew, never told anyone who it was. But Lucius had his suspicions. Anger covered real shame now when he remembered how he had been one of the ones to mock the victim.

A sudden awareness of a cleared room suddenly drew him back to the present, to Dumbledore smiling benignly down at him. Lucius bit down his rising annoyance. The fact that he was forced to rely on this man for help made him uncomfortable. His house was currently covered by a Protection Cloak of Dumbledore's making, to cease any one entering. He was concerned for Draco’s safety, particularly after Crispin Flint had decided to pay them a visit and after hearing Voldemort not exactly denouncing what had happened. The fact that Draco’s prosecutor was from the side against Voldemort was also causing tension within the Death Eaters. They were unaware of Dumbledore's involvement and Lucius was a little concerned as to the consequences if they did find out.

"Lucius." Dumbledore nodded at him, then smiled at Draco, standing as a statue beside him, gripping his father's arm as though he would collapse without it.

"It is unfortunate such terrible events take place. But to have been so strong in the face of such adversity. Perhaps you would have been more suited to Griffindor for sheer bravery." He winked at Draco, then laughed at the mortified look on his face.

"That insults both him and me." Lucius said, testily which made the Head Master laugh even more.

"I am sorry." There was still an amused glint in his eye. "I must tell you news of great importance." His face changed within the once sentence to deadly serious. "I have decided to change prosecutors."

"What?!" Lucius raged.

"Remus Lupin will now act as prosecutor for Draco."

"Remus Lupin!" Lucius couldn't believe this. "Why Remus Lupin?"

"He studied Wizard Justice as an extra-curricular subject at Hogwarts and has kept abreast of the latest developments. I feel he will be a fine prosecutor."

"You can't just change prosecutor half-way through the trial."

"Yes, you can." Dumbledore assured him. "If you like, we'll go visit Percy and he will read you a list of cases in which this has happened."

"What was wrong with Percy?" Draco finally spoke.

"Nothing. In fact, he was a very fine prosecutor. I have simply suddenly come into knowledge of a few facts that mark him as being more useful in other aspects of this case."

"What are you blathering about?" Lucius demanded.

Dumbledore simply regarded him a moment. "It would be better if Draco discusses it with Remus Lupin. He knows more about this than I do."

That said, the old wizard apparated out of the room.

Lucius apparated Draco to Hogsmeade in an attempt to cheer up the sulky boy.

"I think a new silken shirt is in order, don't you, Draco?"

He didn't answer but Lucius was quite sure Draco didn't want a new silken shirt, new robes, the latest Quidditch stick or even the entire supply of lollies at Honeydukes. Lucius ran his hands through his own silver blonde hair in frustration.

"What do you want then?"

"Nothing, Father." Came the weak reply.

"Fine." He lead Draco over to a bench by the side of the street and sat him down. "I am buying you twenty galleons worth of chocolates whether you like it or not. Stay here."

It was on the way back from the store that Lucius literally bumped into the smiling face of Crispin Flint, bags flying out of his hands and over the ground. Cursing, Lucius took out his wand to converge all the fallen lollies back in the bags once more, as Crispin looked on, amused.

"You certainly are getting clumsy in your old age."

Lucius tried to brush past him but was surprised to have his sleeve tugged. He reluctantly allowed himself to be manoeuvred into a tiny alley, away from the prying eyes of Hogsmeade visitors.

"It is obvious you were mistaken, Crispin. There is no doubt as to your son's guilt, now."

"I still contend that he was set up. My Marcus wouldn't do such things. Indeed, Lucius, have you honestly looked into Draco’s behaviour at Hogwarts? It is well known around the school that he was a slut-"

Crispin looked surprised at Lucius’ laughter.

"Believe whatever you need."

Crispin leant closer to whisper. "There is rumour that the Dark Lord is getting a little sick of your pathetic quest for vengeance. You will be asked to make a decision between him and your son."

"I don't believe things heard second hand." Lucius scoffed.

"Then believe this. For this is the absolute truth. Now that Draco has been broken in, he definitely looks worthy of doing again." Lucius stared at the man, disbelief marring his features. This swiftly turned to anger as the man continued. "I am quite sure that our Dark Lord would not stop us. Little Peter Pettigrew has quite the crush on Draco, did you know? I think most of the Death Eaters wouldn't object to a good time with your son. In fact, I'm quite sure the Dark Lord himself would even have a go."

Rage raced past boiling point and spilled over as Lucius launched himself at the man, knocking him to the ground and placing his hands around his throat. The previously quiet street was now getting quite a bit of attention. Lucius squeezed his hands, joyful at the choking sounds emitting from the man's throat. Hands grabbed at him, pulling him back. He cried out like a wild animal and lunged forward once more, only to be pulled back again.

"You are an animal!" He spat at the frazzled man before him. "Get off me!" He shook off the wizards holding him, reached down for the dropped bags and pushed his way back through the crowd to the bench where he had left Draco, panic flaring as he realised he was staring at an empty spot.

***

Draco continued to stare at the flustered raven haired Griffindor. Harry had gone over in his head what he would say to the pale boy when he next saw him. But the words seemed to die in his throat. A look passed over the boy's face, almost akin to disappointment and he slumped his head. He looked so fragile in his current pain, spun of glass and teetering on the edge of a high place.

"You went to the courtroom." He didn't look up to see Harry's nod. "Then you saw what he-"

He suddenly turned, peering into the growing darkness behind him, as the sun sunk behind the horizon, spreading velvet across the sky. Harry looked about. He had heard nothing. The silver blonde turned back to him, averting his eyes.

"All I wanted to do." Harry spoke softly. "Was to jump of the tier and take you into my arms and-"

"Don't say that, Harry."

"You're right. I haven't the right."

Draco looked up to him, grey eyes swirling with emotion. "I thought about it a lot. And I considered that maybe it was karma. Because I was always so horrible to you, it was apt that you grab my heart and rip it to shreds."

"I didn't mean what I said." Harry whispered. "I was just frustrated."

"You made me feel like a whore. Your whore. Well, I don't need to belong to anybody. Least of all you."

He spun on his heel and this time Harry didn't stop him. He watched the boy get smaller and smaller as he continued to climb down the hill. Movement turned him.

"Harry?"

It was his friends.

"Didn't go so well, did it?" Ron asked, cautiously.

"You were listening?"

Ron turned an attractive shade of red. Hermione smiled.

"What should I have said?" Harry asked Hermione in particular. For once, she didn't have an answer.

Harry was unsure of where to go, once they had climbed down the hill to the Haunted Shack. One thing was for sure, he wasn't going back to the Dursleys. Seeming to sense Harry's distress, Ron gingerly turned to him.

"Hey, Harry. Do you want to go over my house for dinner?"

Harry looked up to him hopefully. "Shouldn't you ask Mrs Weasley?"

"My Mum adores you! You know that. Come on. I can tell you're dieing to go back to the Dursleys but come back for dinner, for me?"

Harry considered it. He was unsure whether the Dursleys were overjoyed that he had been missing the past few days, or annoyed their favourite pet wasn't around to be tortured. He pictured muggle police, roaming the streets, looking for a certain raven haired, green-eyed boy with glasses. This bought a smile to his face, in contrast to the knot forming in his stomach. He was most certain to be punished when he arrived back home.

"Would that be all right?"

"No." Ron shook his head and rolled his eyes.

"Harry Potter!"

As soon as Harry entered the door, he was engulfed by Mrs Wesley's hug. Ron managed to duck out of the way of his mother's arms.

"Here for dinner?"

"Ah…"

"Yes, he is." Ron answered for him, not so subtly pushing him to his room.

"How's Draco?"’

Harry turned an instant shade of red and turned to Ron, flabbergasted. Ron was sporting an identical colour.

"Mum!"

"I was just asking, dear."

"Ah…"

"Oh." Mrs Weasley suddenly looked very awkward. "Dreadful thing that happened. Dreadful."

"Hello, Harry." Mr Weasley stepped out from the lounge room, carrying a teapot in his hand.

"Arthur! What is that?"

Mr Weasley tried to hide the object behind his rather slender back.

"Come on, Harry."

Ron tugged at his sleeve and moved him up the stairs to his bedroom as Harry faintly heard Mr Wesley's murmurs behind him.

Harry was amazed at how much more warmth the Weasley household held compared to the Malfoy Manor. Indeed, it occurred to him that wealth couldn't buy closeness. But then... that Draco loved his father was without question and Lucius… Harry detested Lucius but begrudgingly admitted that he did seem to really love his family in his own, rather odd, way.

Harry could hear the twins in their own room, up to some tomfoolery, from the sounds of whizz bangs and laughter. A dishevelled Percy marched up to their door and knocked.

"I am trying to rest!"

"Percy."

The boy turned, a little startled.

"Harry."

"It's four o'clock in the afternoon. Why are you sleeping now?" Ron smirked.

Harry was unsure of what to say. "You… er… did a great job today."

Percy frowned a little. "I could have done better."

"Is that why they got rid of you?" Ron's smile grew bigger.

Anger suddenly flashed in his brother's identical blue eyes. "As a matter of fact, they didn't get rid of me."

"You're no longer Draco’s prosecutor." Ron countered.

Percy audibly sighed, frowned a little, looked down at his feet and then regarded the two boys.

"Some things are more important than that."

He stalked away into his room and slammed the door shut before either could answer.

"What is with him?" Ron asked as they continued down the hall to his room. Harry laughed.

"He's your brother.Shouldn't you therefore have more of an idea than me?"

As soon as Harry stepped into the room, he was reminded once more of Draco's bedroom, slicing a hole straight into his chest. The Quidditch posters, the mess, the oversized dressing table, all aspects of a certain Slytherin's personality. Harry was intrigued as to how he managed to find a friend and a lover with almost identical bedrooms.

Ron sighed and closed the door behind him.

"Let me guess. Draco."

Harry turned and looked quizzically at him.

"You're obsessed, Harry. Admit it."

He sat down at the edge of the bed to take off his sneakers. Harry settled down into a chair opposite him.

"If I'd ever thought you and Malfoy…"

"He's not the way he appears, Ron." Harry said. Ron said nothing, continued to concentrate on his shoelaces. "Ok, he used to be a prick, sort of."

Ron looked up at him.

"Fine. He was very much a total git."

Ron held up a hand to stop him. "You know, it doesn't matter what I think."

"Yes it does. You're my best friend. Of course it matters what you think."

Ron laid back on the bed. "I'm happy if you're happy."

Both were silent a moment.

"Harry. Why didn't we ever experiment?"

Harry looked at him, amused. "Are you trying to tell me something, Ron?"

"I don't know. You're a really good looking guy. It's just, I've never been attracted to you in that way."

Harry laughed. "Well, that's why. In order to ‘experiment’ there has to be some attraction."

He regarded his friend solemnly, feeling a stab of angered pity. As far as he knew, Ron was rather naïve in terms of exploring his sexuality. In fact, Harry was quite sure Ron was still a virgin.

Just like Draco, before Marcus, of course.

"I'm never going to get laid!" Ron moaned. "I'm going to die an old virgin."

"Shut up, Ron. You're only eighteen."

Ron laughed. "Only eighteen! I bet I'm the only virgin in the entire school! Even Hermione and that idiot Krum have done it, I bet."

Harry smiled a little to himself, remembering that Ron used to be the biggest fan of ‘that idiot Krum’.

"It could be worse."

Harry's first clumsy sexual encounter with Seamus had been short, sticky, a little painful and, all in all, not that satisfying. The best bit was the entire carton of Butterbeer they shared after, making the second encounter somewhat better.

But, to have one's virginity taken in such a ruthless way as Draco’s was. Harry shuddered at the thought.

Yes, it could definitely be worse.

"It's not that important, Ron." He said.

Ron stared at his bare feet a few seconds, deep in thought.

"Actually, I'm sort of glad I'm not in a relationship. No offence."

"Nor am I, remember?"

Ron raked his fingers through his flaming hair. "He'll come back to you. Oh come on, Harry." Harry was staring at him with disbelieving eyes. "I've seen the way he looks at you. You're both mental. I mean it."

Harry's heart beat a little faster at the thought.

Ron laughed. "You're looking better already."

Harry settled himself next to Sirius on the last tier. He noted a few people were missing this time. Dumbledore and Remus had been replaced by Percy and (at Harry's request) Ron and Hermione. Snape was glaring down at Remus below in a peculiar fashion that reminded Harry of when the werewolf had first come to Hogwarts to teach. Harry would occasionally catch Snape's eyes drifting towards him more than was necessary in the dining hall.

He really does hate him.

It occurred to Harry that perhaps the reason why Snape was looking down was to avoid looking ot the side at him, Sirius, Ron, Hermione and Percy. That seemed a more reasonable explanation to Harry.

Remus had stolen Percy’ cravat and completed it with maroon robes and a black cap. Sirius turned to Harry and smiled proudly, as if to say

Is my man divine or what?

Harry concurred, to a certain extent. Both Remus and Sirius could wear rags (as, indeed, they used to) and still look good. The one that drew Harry's attention, however, he would most prefer to wear nothing at all. The obviously new purple robes were enough to cause Harry to physically ache for him.

Draco suddenly turned and looked up to the final tier, straight at Harry, before facing front again. Harry wasn't sure if he could actually see him, from where he was standing, but he was certain he was looking for him. Ron nudged him and pointed at his brother. Beside Harry, Percy was frowning and resting his head against his hands as though he had a headache.

"He's been doing that all morning." Ron whispered.

Hermione gently touched Percy's arm. He jerked a little, as though startled.

"Is everything all right?"

Percy managed to smile but there appeared to be no humour behind it. "Sure. Everything's fine."

It seemed to be a stock answer. Ron looked at his brother and frowned, before Lupin clearing his throat turned his attention to the front.

Lupin seemed to lack the confidence that Percy had. Indeed, he appeared nervous, shuffling from one foot to the other. Harry caught Severus' mocking smile and frowned himself.

"All right everyone. Let's start." He seemed to pick up more confidence as he spoke. "I only have two people talking about the case today. The first is a Hogwarts student. Calling Vincent Crabbe."

Ron and Harry looked at each other, alarmed. The wide, muscled boy had completely shaved off his pudding basin haircut and was practically ripping through a suit that was about two sizes too small for him. He sat down on the chair next to the already bored looking Marcus and started jiggling his foot nervously.

"There's no need to be nervous." Lupin said, softly. Crabbe looked to Draco, as if for support. Malfoy simply looked back, expression unreadable.

"You're friends with Draco Malfoy, aren't you?"

The boy nodded, glanced at Draco again then ran his fingers over his scalp.

"Sorry?"

"Yeah. I mean, yes."

"And how long have you been friends?"

"Umm… since we were ten."

Harry suddenly realized this was the first time he had actually heard Crabbe have a proper conversation with someone. Everyone was sitting a little forward in their chairs, wondering where this was going.

"Now. Things are going to be a little bit more difficult now. Ok?"

The boy nodded unsurely.

"What happened on the day of the attack?"

Crabbe shifted his feet a little. "Well, we was going into the Forbidden Forest. We'd followed Marcus into there. And, um, Draco thought it would be fun to you know, scare him a little. Well, we couldn’t find him anywhere cause, he'd turned into Sirius-"

"Just what happened, thanks." Remus smiled at him.

"Then we saw Sirius ahead…" He was silent. Everyone waited. The silence ensued for a while.

"Yes?" Remus prompted.

A big fat tear rolled down his plump cheek. "W-we r-r-han." A sob escaped his lips.

"Who?"

"Me and Goyle." The boy wailed. Harry glanced down at Draco. He could almost feel the angered vibes he was sending from where he was sitting. Lucius looked no worse than he did the previous day, however, in that his expression held ‘KILL’ all over it.

"Did you go get a teacher?"

The boy sobbed louder and shook his head.

"Why not?"

The boy shrugged his shoulders. Remus waited.

"Because we were scared we'd get into trouble."

Hearing a distinct chuckle beside him, Harry turned to see Severus' lips curved up, though his eyes still held their coldness.

"So what did you do?"

"We just went back to the Slytherin common room and got unchanged and went back to sleep."

Remus regarded him a moment. "What happened after that?"

"Well, I woke up at 8.20, I know 'cause I set my alarm and Marcus steps into the room…"

"And what did he do?"

"Well, he took off his wet shoes and rain cloak and then he bends right down next to me and he whispers…"

A pin dropped on a piece of carpet could conceivably be heard in the room. This was abruptly broken by the boy's sob.

"He says ‘I just fucked your pretty friend. You tell Draco that he was the best I've ever had.’" The boy abruptly burst into tears once more. Harry couldn't close his shocked open mouth. Ron looked equally surprised.

"I don't fucking believe it!"

It was loud enough for everyone to hear that Draco Malfoy himself was surprised.

"You little son of a bitch!" Lucius glared at the boy, who visibly cowered a little.

"All right," Remus said loud enough for everyone to shut up. "So this happens the day that you find out your friend has been attacked and raped. You left him in the Forbidden Forest. He got attacked in the Forbidden Forest. You saw Marcus enter the Forest but not return to Hogwarts until two hours later, at which time he made that remark about Draco. After that, how long was it until you found about about the attack?

"Snape came into the room to tell us maybe a few minutes later, maybe." Crabbe looked as if he was afraid someone was going to curse him. From the looks on both Draco and Lucius' faces, it was probably an apt expression.

"So why didn't you tell any teacher about what Marcus had said to you?" Remus asked, softly.

"I just didn't put it together. I thought it was Sirius. That's what he said. That it was Sirius." Crabbe wailed. "Besides, I thought he was bragging. A lot of guys do that. We all knew Draco thought he was an idiot or something. So, I figured he was just, you know, making it up."

Remus considered this. "You know. That does make sense." He admitted, wearily. "Ok, you're excused."

The large boy stepped off the chair with a loud thud and sauntered out of the room, deliberately not looking in either Marcus, or Draco and Lucius' directions. Marcus held the same placid expression as he had the day before.

"Ok." Remus adjusted his hat. "Calling Albus Dumbledore."

Dumbledore had bought a new purple robe for his interrogation. Harry noted that while Draco’s new robe highlighted his beauty, Dumbledore's showed off his distinguished manner. He smiled genially at Remus as he sat down.

"You look tired." Dumbledore remarked.

Lupin laughed. "This doesn't exactly encourage sleep."

The old wizard nodded.

"You wish me to show you what happened the day of Draco Malfoy's attack."

"If you could."

Harry was intrigued by this bizarre conversation between the two. He felt that rather than amongst the wood and polish of the courtroom, they should have been sitting on a back porch, drinking muggle beer, as his Uncle did whenever they visited his disgusting Aunt Marge and her husband.

A flash of light distorted his vision and he gripped the edges of his chair. Pain throbbed across his forehead, down to his nose, as though some malicious bastard had placed tiny pieces of glass into his flesh. The light cleared and he gasped in surprise as the shiny wood of the courtroom was replaced by sterile white of the Hogwarts Infirmary.

Ah, I apologize for that. I should have warned you.

Harry turned, or tried to turn to find where the voice had come from. His body appeared not to want to comply however, as he rushed forward to the bed at the end of the room.

That probably was a little shocking for all of you.

Harry concentrated all his might into moving his eyes down to at least see who he was. He was quite certain this wasn't Harry Potter's body. The headache still pounded in his brain in a monotonous beat.

His aroused suspicions were confirmed with the next words, seemingly spoken all around him, yet also within him as well. Both thoughts and external stimuli co-existing at the same time.

You are currently seeing things through my personae, on the day of the attack. Please don't try do anything. You can't even if you tried. But, it would be good if you wouldn't.

It was as when Harry had visited the boy. His two goons, Crabbe and Goyle at the end of the bed, Draco himself practically blending in with the white sheets, but for the dark bruises and cuts, which were more pronounced than when Harry had seen him.

Dumbledore/Harry apparated a chair to sit beside the youth, who was staring up at the ceiling, grey eyes unusually blank.

"Draco?"

Harry almost jumped (if he could) and wondered where the voice had come from. It took a moment to realize Dumbledore sounded different from the inside of his body. The boy continued to stare at the ceiling as though comatose. Dumbledore/Harry turned to Crabbe and Goyle, who were both looking apprehensively at the Head Master.

"Can I have a few minutes alone with Draco?"

The two boys nodded and quickly scuttled off. Dumbledore/Harry swished the curtain closed around him.

"Why?" The word was spoken so quietly, Harry could barely hear it.

"I don't know, Draco."

"You failed me." He turned his eyes to face Dumbledore/Harry. Harry struggled against his inability to reach out and touch him.

" I do not deny it." Dumbledore/Harry continued to look the boy in the eye. Momentary rage glittered in Draco’s eyes but dulled quickly.

"Draco. I need to hear what happened."

The boy looked away. "I can't do that."

"I have been told of your injuries but I must know what caused them."

Harry/Dumbledore could see a shadow outside the curtain, in the corner of their eyes. He turned and recognized the heavy bulk of Rubeus Hagrid awkwardly standing outside.

Draco looked down at his hands, a blush of shame colouring his pale skin over the tears that ran down his cheeks.

"I think it is obvious what happened."

"You claim that it was Sirius Black."

Draco’s eyes blazed once more. Fury gave him courage to snap at the Head Master. "In what sort of school, can a known felon just walk into the grounds and attack a student? My father will have you sent to Azkaban for this."

Dumbledore/Harry waited patiently for his anger to cease. Realizing he was not eliciting a response, Draco eased back into his bed.

Dumbledore reached over and patted the one arm that lay outside the covers. "Would it be easier for me to hypnotize you?"

The boy did not answer.

"Draco?"

"Must you know what happened?"

"I must."

Draco sighed loudly. "I would rather not relive it. I can't, not now." The viciousness was returning to his voice. "If you feel compelled to hear all the details of my torture and rape then go ahead. Hypnotize me."

All Dumbledore/Harry did was twinkle their fingers in front of the boy's eyes. He was instantly asleep.

"Tell me, Draco. It's about six o'clock in the morning. What do you see?"

"Damned Potter and his little nancy friends on the way to the Quidditch field for early practice. They do it every morning"

Harry started at the mention of his name.

"Forget about them. You're going into the Forbidden Forest. Why?"

"I've spotted Marcus Flint walking in there. It would be funner to see what he's up to than spy on the Griffindor team. But, once I'm inside, I can't see him anywhere. Crabbe and Goyle and I are looking everywhere. I don't like it in here. I'm beginning to regret coming. I spy Sirius Black ahead." He laughed. "Crabbe and Goyle are gone. Bloody fools. They just took off! I'm not the least bit concerned. I take out my wand to bind him but he rebounds it back to me. I am lying on the ground, all bound." Harry was surprised by the lack of emotion in the boy's voice. He wondered if it had something to do with the hypnosis spell. "He walks over to me and unties me. I begin to realize I am in trouble. He snapped my wand when I was tied and I realize I can't protect myself. Physically, I am no match for this man. I have a split second to decide to try and run or stay and fight. He makes the decision for me. He starts slapping and kicking me. I feel panicked." Harry was growing more and more disturbed by the carefree way in which Draco was talking. It was as though he was describing a pleasant jaunt to the Three Broomsticks. "I manage to get a few ones in at him, bruising his shoulder and stomach. There's no way I'm going to let him win this without a few bruises of his own. I don't know what he has planned but I'm rather sure it isn't going to be fun for me. Overall, though, he overpowers me, forcing me to lie on the ground. He starts tearing at my robes. My first thought, strangely is anger at the thought of him destroying robes that had literally been bought the day before. I think I'm a little in denial as to what is happening."

Harry was suddenly beginning to feel very claustrophobic, despite the relative openness of the room.

"The more he rips at my clothes, the more I panic. He is is scratching his nails against my skin in his haste, cutting me and hurting me. Then he tells me he's enjoying my struggle. ‘Fight me, little dragon.’ He says. ‘It only makes me more hot.’"

Harry could feel his heart beating rapidly in his chest, panic of his own starting to grow. He suddenly realized he had to get out of the room.

"I don't do anything, then, simply lay still. I'm not sure why. I think a part of me thinks if I don't move. Not a single muscle, then he can't hurt me. It makes no sense. I'm cold, freezing in fact. My clothes are lying around us torn to shreds. It's odd. I know what he's about to do, yet the thing that's concerning me is the fact that I'll have to go back to Hogwarts naked. He has taken his wand out and is muttering a spell 'Dislucius' or something. The air is instantly warmer. He's taking off his own clothes now and it's strange. For while I am inwardly panicking, I can't even blink even if I try, even when he starts pinching me, hurting me. He straddles me and says ‘Do you know what you do to me, pretty Draco? I’m gonna fuck you so hard, I'll tear you wide open.’"

Yes. The room was definitely getting stifling. Why wasn't Dumbledore or Draco noticing?

"Strange that all the birds seem to flock to the one tree… He's doing something to me, now, rubbing his penis all over my body. I am bought back to the situation instantly. And I am shamed because I am crying. I can't seem to stop. It is all too much. Daddy taught me that Malfoys don't cry. But to have someone touch me like that… He turns me over. I don't even struggle. I'm pathetic."

Get me out. I need to get out. Harry's thought displayed his anguish of not being able to move, or dispel his hearing.

"He shoves my face into the mud. This time I do panic and struggle. The need to breathe has broken through my paralysis."

Get me out. Please. I can't… just get me out!

"He's on me now, inside of me. It doesn't occur to me to, you know, clench up. I don't think it would have made a difference, even if I did. The feeling goes beyond shame or degradation. It is emotionally excruciating, that's the closest I can come to describe it. I am shaking my head. There's also this absurd disbelief that this can be happening. He releases my head and I take great gulpfuls of air. The physical pain is excruciating. He isn't content with just using his penis as a weapon to tear my insides, he also is using his fingers to scratch all over my body and his teeth to tear into my neck.I am shamed at my cries but can't help it. I don't understand why he has declared so vicious a war on my body."

GET ME OUT!

Harry opened his eyes and jumped a little, startled to find himself back in the courtroom. He looked around himself. Ron was comforting a weeping Hermione. Percy caught Harry's eye and looked away. Harry noted the wet tracks down the boy's own cheeks. Sirius had his eyes closed and was twitching, obviously still under whatever spell Dumbledore had used to transport him back to Hogwarts at that day. Snape was staring at Marcus and twirling his wand in his hand. Harry was forced to look away. He could all but read the man's dark thoughts. They were too evidently displayed on his face. On the stage, Marcus looked simply bored. Harry took out his own wand, not knowing that his thoughts currently paralleled both Snape's and Lucius' the day before.

I could just stand up and say it. No. It would be too quick a death.

Dumbledore and Remus had retired to sit beside Lucius and Draco. They had been spared the reinactment. Draco was kneading and unkneading his hands in a guesture that Harry knew from experience indicated nervousness and worry.

A gasp beside him signalled Sirius returning.

Harry looked about him. He could not see anyone now under the spell. On the stage, Remus stood up and walked to the centre to stand beside Marcus.

"It is as we thought. The details of the attack are so sickening, that to hear the victim, I should say survivor, himself talk of what happened is too unbearable. None of you could last five minutes. Now, consider this. There is about two more hours of testimony from Draco as to what happened that Dumbledore has record of. In that time he was repeatedly sodomized, beaten and forced to participate in a number of disgusting sexual acts. He also had an item inserted inside him."

Everyone was stilled to shocked disgust. Remus closed his eyes.

"Marcus Flint has done it before. And he will do it again, unless we find the best solution to remove him from our society."

"You're a fool, Lupin." Snape stood up and snapped. "The only solution is death."

Harry looked down to catch Dumbledore's frown.

"Perhaps that would be Voldemort's solution. But we are above such simple forms of vigilante justice. The first step for punishment is exposure. I think Percy and I have both proved without a doubt that Marcus is the culprit. And we have, if anything, underplayed the sheer viciousness of the attack. Next, I intend to expose Marcus Flint as being a man who did not start his carrier in rape with Draco Malfoy."

He looked to Draco a moment. The boy stared back.

"That will be all for today. I think we've seen and heard enough."