solemnly mine ▫️ g.f.w

f o u r t e e n

After Professor McGonagall and I were done talking it was time for me to get back to my dormitory. We bid our goodbyes and I walked out of her office. The door closed softly behind me as I headed down the hallway. I wrapped my robe around me tightly as the cold, rainy air hit my body as I turned the corner.

As the rain fell to the ground I could hear its echoing sound throughout the cobblestone walls. Thunder rumbling in the distance as lightning lit my way for a little bit before dying down. Breathing in the cold air as I reached the common room doors.

When I reached the door I whispered the password and the door swung open. I slipped myself through the little opening and heard the door close behind me as I came walking around the corner. Taking my robe off my body as I was ready for bed. Practically hearing it call out my name. As I came around the corner I saw Marie, Lee, Fred, and George seated around the coffee table as the fire roared.

"I thought you were in bed?" Fred asked as I folded up my robe and stood a few feet from them all. They seemed surprised to know that I was still awake. George looking in my direction instead of tending to the fire.

"Oh right," I mumbled as I walked closer towards them all, "I guess I got carried away on my walk back."

"Are you okay?" Lee asked, "You look like you've been crying."

"Yeah, I am fine," I said as I watched George make his way over to sit next to Fred.

"Come and join us, we were about to play a game of cards," Lee said as Marie had made room for me next to her by the coffee table. I looked at all my friends who I knew wanted to hang out with me and the staircase that led up to my dorm room and to my bed. Wanting to sleep after talking with Professor McGonagall. Wanting to write to my father.

"Come on," Marie said batting her eyes at me, "Just one game."

"Please?" George asked as he looked over at me as I stood there debating. His brown eyes growing larger as he batted them at me. Pressing my lips into a straight line as the corners of my mouth twisted into a smile at him and he sent me a friendly wink.

"One game, that's it," I sighed as walked over towards Marie and took a seat closer to her than Lee. As I settled into my seat Fred began to deal out the cards. I looked over at George who sent me a soft smile as he picked up his cards off the table.

One game ended up turning into four. A full night of laughter and jokes as the twins managed to cheat their way through the games. Trying to win.

"No, Georgie," I protested as he looked over towards me from the stack of cards, "You take two cards. Not three. Put one back." Lee and Marie laughing in my ears as I had caught him taking more cards again.

"Honestly," George sighed as he gave me the stick eye, "You're worse than our mother."

"Hey!" I exclaimed as he put one card back on the pile, "I am supposed to keep an eye on you two."

"I'm sure she meant with our pranks," Fred said.

"Not with us cheating at a card game," George bantered.

"So you admit it," Lee said as he slapped a few cards on the table before reaching to grab more cards to put in his hand, "You are cheating at the game."

"No!" Fred tried to protest as the three of us began to giggle.

"Nice going, Daisy," Lee said as he touched my shoulder.

My body quickly reacting by pulling away. Out of the corner of my eye, I watched Lee's hand fall from my shoulder back towards his body. I looked up and saw Fred and George looking at me as Lee had his attention turned towards me as well. I drew my eyes over from Fred and George. Mostly George and looked over at Marie.

"Sorry, Daisy," Lee said as I now looked down in my lap at my cards in my hand.

"It's okay, Lee. Honestly," I said as I laid my card down on the table. I felt the tears pool in my eyes. I hate that I was getting so emotional over this. When I know I shouldn't. I should be better.

"You okay Daisy?" Fred asked as the room had fallen silent.

"Yeah," I said as I muffled my tears, "I'm okay." As my eyes stayed focused on the floor. I could feel the energy in the room change as they were all now focus on me and I didn't want them to be.

"Oh man, would you look at the time," Marie exclaimed as she stood up, "I think we should head to bed. What do you think Daisy?" Her gaze now on me as I looked up at her.

"Yes," I said as got up off the floor, grabbing my robe, wrapping my arms around my torso as I walked around the corner of the table. The boys watching me as I now stood next to Marie.

"Thanks for a great night boys!" Marie said quickly as she was already walking towards the staircase.

"Goodnight Marie," They all said awkwardly.

"Goodnight boys," I said as I followed after her.

"Goodnight, Daisy," Fred and Lee said as I reached Marie.

"Goodnight Daisy," I heard George say. I turned back around to see him resting his head on the back of the couch. My arms dropping to my side as I felt my heart sink. I wanted to run over to him and hug him. Cry in his arms and tell him everything.

"Nighty night Georgie," I said softly as I sent him a quick smile. I turned back around and followed Marie up the stairs to our dorm room.

The other girls were in our room. Sitting over by the furnace gossiping with each other. There conversation dying down as Marie and I came walking in. Watching us as we entered the room as if we didn't belong in here. Marie closing the door behind us as I walked straight to the bathroom. The girls in our room eyeing us as Marie followed.

"Are you okay?" Marie asked as she closed the door.

"No," I said, "I know it's not Lee's fault but, I can't. Marie, I don't know what to do."

"Tell them," She stated as I sat down on the toilet.

"No, I can't. I just can't. They are going to blame themselves for not being there to help me. They are going to see me differently."

"If you keep holding this in and away from them. You are going to make things worse. I know you have to do it on your own time. But the twins have been your closest friends for years," She said as she sat down on the edge of the bathtub near me, "you've known Lee since your 1st year. None of those boys would lay a finger on you, to hurt you in any way for form. They want to help. Just like me. If you have more people in your corner. When he comes around again you don't have to fend for yourself."

"But I do. I have to prove that I am stronger than he thinks I am. I have to show that he has no effect on me."

"He is going to, for who knows how long. That is not your fault," She said as she placed her hand on my shoulder, "That is his fault. You don't have to prove anything to him. Ever. Not ever again. Tell them. That's how you make yourself feel stronger."

"I just don't know how much longer I can hold on," I cried as I leaned into her.

"It's okay, Daisy. I am here for you. I will have your back no matter what. Just cry it out," She whispered as I cried into her shoulder.