Chapter 9 - The Carrow's

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Third-Person POV

8th September 1997

The first day back at classes for Tilly had been pretty typical so far. No one wanted to call her out or draw any attention to her unless necessary. Luckily Tilly hadn't run into The Carrows yet, nor had classes with them today, so she hadn't had to worry about them; yet. Tilly had stayed with Neville most of the day as they had all their classes together, along with a few other students in their year, including Draco. This was both a positive and negative, as Draco could at least made sure Tilly is safe and alright, but it would also mean that they are bound to get a few questions or opinions once in a while.

But surprisingly, Tilly's first day had been perfectly fine and regular, well until dinner. Everyone sat quietly at dinner; even though Tilly was in Slytherin, she sat with the Gryffindor's, as not many Slytherin's smiled at her anymore. Not because of her public stance on Voldemort; in fact, most of them, at least those with Death Eaters as parents, know she's The Dark Lady, no it's because of her last name being changed. They all saw her as they're Slytherin Princess, A Snape; now that she's going by Potter, it makes her relationship with Harry seem even more prominent.

In the middle of dinner, Snape stands up, walking over to the podium and start to speak.

"Sorry to interrupt your meal, but I have a few items of news I wish to announce." Snape looks to Tilly, watching for her slight nod, giving him the all-clear to share the changes to the faculty. Tilly had managed to connect to Voldemort the last night, letting him aware of her plans, and he supported her; this gave Tilly peace of mind for her Dad. But the little communication resulted in hours of nightmares for Tilly and, most likely, Harry. All Tilly could gather of importance was Voldemort searching for a wand taken from the old wandmaker Gregorovitch. "I have decided to change a few things. Professor Minerva McGonagall with be taking the title of Deputy Headmistress, effective immediately, if she wishes to accept." Three of the four houses start to clap, while half of the Slytherin table quietly clap.

"Thank you, Severus." Minerva slowly smiles at her old friend, who smiles back, happy to see her eyes light up slightly once again.

"That was my main announcement, other than a more personal note." Snape looks down, taking a deep breath, steadying his voice. "I know, no one was expecting me to become Headmaster, and I don't think I could ever do justice to the man who stood here before me. But what I can do, is try to keep the life he had built in the school." Snape looks out at all the faces of students, who for once aren't glaring at him, but looking at him with smiles and hope. "We all know there are dark things in this world, now more than ever, but for now, this castle will be how it was years ago. Lively." Everyone starts to clap now, out of the whole room, only two people can be seen not clapping for the Headmaster speech. The Carrow siblings; both have deadly glares on their faces as they think of why this is all happening.

As the siblings try to find a reason, both lay eyes on one particular girl in the crowd. Matilda Lillian Potter, or Snape. The person they hate most in this world. Alecto turns to her brother, whispering under her breath to him.

"She's the reason this is happening, and it's only going to get worse." Amycus nods, growling in agreement.

"We have to do something. Make it clear anyone who stands beside her will be punished."

"Yes, brother, exactly. We can't hurt her without reason, and I know exactly how to get her to strike first." Alecto smirks evilly, coming up with a sinister plan to ruin Tilly.

9th September 1997

Tilly stood next to Neville while the two were giving a quick talk to the rest of their house.

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"Alright, you all know the way by now; stay away from the Carrow's when possibly. Don't speak against them unless you have to. And that is a life or death situation." Neville starts.

"I'll take most of their hate. I know I will. This means you don't have to worry as much, but it doesn't mean you can talk back to them; there's only so much I can do." Tilly leads on.

"Okay, remember, be early, be quiet and stick in two's at least. Now go!" Neville finishes, sighing as so many students buddy up and make their way to their class.

"That was amazing. You were great." Tilly smiles at Neville, giving him a pat on the back.

"He always is," Luna says sweetly as she and Ginny walk past, both giggling before becoming serious as they leave.

"As good as you were, you shouldn't have to be," Tilly says.

"You shouldn't have to take their hits." Neville fires back, evening the playing field. Tilly smirks before a thought come to mind that darkens everything around her.

"Neville, they are going to target me. Anything I do, they will use it against me. And I fear they may hurt those who choose to be around me. That means you, and Ginny, and Luna, and so many others." Tilly sighs, looking to the ground. "I don't want to be the reason anyone gets hurt." Neville rests his hand on Tilly's shoulder, giving it a light squeeze.

"It's not you; it's what you symbolise... Hope. And even so, we can take a hit almost as well as you can." Tilly smiles at Neville's words. "We're here for, just as much as you're here for us." Without a second thought, Tilly hugs Neville, holding him tight.

"You're so special, Neville. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise." Neville blushes at Tilly words.

After a few more words are spoken, the two make their way to the first-class— Defence Against the Dark Arts with Professor Amycus Carrow.

"Tilly, I should warn you, sometimes the Carrow's like to teach together. If one doesn't have a class, or punishment, at the time of the other class-"

"They join their sibling, adding more danger for students and more possibility of punishment. Great." Tilly's voice drips with sarcasm at the last word. The two walk into class, unfortunately being the last two in, as Amycus waits at the front and Alecto is standing at the back. Both pairs glare at each other. Tilly is locking eyes with Alecto, while Neville does the same with Amycus.

"You're late," Amycus smirks from the front. "Last students get punished." Only two minutes into this class, Tilly felt they wouldn't be learning anything about the subject, but only how much she could take.

"Go to the front." Alecto snaps, pushing the two to her brother. Tilly and Neville stand before the Professors' if you can call them that, waiting to hear their sentence.

"You were both five minutes late," Tilly looks over at the clock on the wall, seeing the time turns back to the teacher, knowing they are doing this for show. For themselves. They still had seven minutes until class was scheduled to start. "So, you will both receive double the amount in strikes." Amycus scolds, grabbing two rulers from behind him and handing one to his sister.

"Kneel." Alecto grunts, putting pressure on both Tilly and Neville's shoulders. The boy falls to the floor, resting his hands on the table in front of him. Neville knew it only gets worse if you fight. That's why they have a rule only fight if it's between life and death. But Tilly had other ideas; no matter how much pressure was against her, she stood tall and proud.

"I kneel to no one." Tilly's voice is calm and cold. Alecto pulls her hand away, almost feeling the chill on her hand.

Draco watches silently from the back of the classroom, hoping to god, Tilly doesn't get herself into too much strife. His heartbeat could be heard from a mile away, and he knew everyone would be able to hear his panic if it wasn't for the tension filling the room.

"If you don't kneel, he will take your hits," Alecto says, placing her hand back on Tilly's shoulder, trying to push her down, but her stance doesn't falter. Amycus tries to help his sister by putting his hands on Tilly's other shoulder, also using his full strength, but nothing happens. Tilly slams her hands on the table, sliding them closer to the male teacher.

"I can stand, thank you." The sibling sigh, giving up forcing Tilly to her knees, and just carry on with the punishment.

"For you lateness, Mr Longbottom, and Ms Potter, you shall receive ten strikes. And Ms Potter you with receive...." Amycus pauses, wanting to have input from his sister and to hold the tension of the room. "20 more for your resistance." The man smirks, expecting to see Tilly recoil or shudder, but no, nothing.

Only five hits in Neville's hands were on fire from the pain. He has to bite his lip to stop making a noise, while Tilly only stares into The siblings' eyes as they deliver the smacks. Once Neville's hits are over, the two alternate hitting Tilly; going one after the other meant Tilly had no Time between each hit to recover. But by the looks of her, this is child's play. With only five hits left, Tilly yawns, angering the two even more at the fact she can take 30 wacks, without as much as a whimper. Once it was finally over, Tilly went and took her seat next to Neville, grabbing her quill and starting to write notes faster than anyone can, even faster than the Professors' can teach. The rest of the lesson went the same as the beginning for Tilly. Anything she did, they punished her for it. Answering a question, not answering a question, breathing too loud, anything Tilly did, they didn't let it slip, and they have no intention of going easier in the future.

Once the school day had ended, Tilly needed some time alone, after everyone she ran into either wanted to ask if she was okay, congratulate her, or question her on 'How could you survive that?' So, wanting to be alone, Tilly standing the library knowing no one come in there anymore, well, all but one person. Draco stood at the door watching Tilly silently for a while before walking to her, leaning down to her ear.

"That was pretty ballsy. Oh, and not to mention terrifying." Draco snaps with slight humour.

"Oh, I'm fine. I just want to go to bed, to be honest." Tilly sighs. Draco jumps up, packing Tilly things up, before picking her up and walking back to the Slytherin Dooms, all the way to their room. He places her on their bed before slipping out of his clothes besides his boxers and Tilly wearing one of Draco's shirts. "What if someone catches?"

"Then, oh well. I want this, and so do you." Draco says lightly, pulling Tilly into him. "How are your hands?" Draco asks his concern taking over.

"Honestly, fine. You coursed more damage than them. You remember?" Tilly laughs.

"Yes, yes I do. Well, you liked that." Draco says, rolling on top of Tilly.

"Yes, I did, but I still could sit for a solid week!" Draco chuckles at the pout on Tilly's lips.

"You let the pain in that time. You turned it off this time." Tilly tenses at Draco words. Tilly had found a way to help her get through painful situations is to turn off any feelings and emotions. But the problem with this meant she fell into more darkness than before. "Hey, it's fine. I don't care how you cope, as long as you do. And I'm always here for you after, to bring you back." Draco smiles, caressing Tilly's cheek as she slowly shuts her eyes. Rolling onto his back Draco hold Tilly on top of him, pulling her closer as they fall asleep after a really long day.

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