Because I - George Weasley

6: Because I Won Over Monroe

*Important*If you didn't know, Vincent Van Gogh painted something called The Potato Eater 

Nothing felt remotely okay in that moment. From my perspective, everything was rotating like some kind attraction in a Halloween madhouse. The corridors started twisting and turning into directions which I knew weren't real, but it still made me stumble on straight paths.

At some point, I'd focused enough to recognize the painting that I'd walked past before. I tapped the wall with my wand and practically fell into the passageway before it was even completely open. I slumped onto my knees and clutched the stitch in my side.

My skin felt almost fuzzy from nerves and my nose was dripping with blood. I ran a shaking hand through my hair and let out a cry of pain and anger. My body was only now taking the toll of the Cruciatus Curse, and my brain ached from Moody forcing himself into my thoughts.

There was a dull burning covering my limbs but that was nothing compared to the burning on the inside of my body. It felt like inhaling fire. My lungs felt like they were melting, and my eyes started to burn from the internal heat.

Somehow, I managed to pull myself to my feet and drag myself away from the entrance of the passageway. I wanted to be as far from Alastor Moody as possible.

I could hear the bell that dismissed classes ring, however dull it was. There was a sudden rush around me due to people walking on every side of the passageway. I took a random turn that I suspected would take me up towards Gryffindor tower as there was a long stairway that most likely lead up to the next floor.

My legs became weak in the first twenty or so steps. I refused to let myself stop though. I couldn't be there.

Then, my knees gave out, and I tripped, falling forwards and slamming my face against the edge of the step. The bridge of my nose split open, and my lip started to swell.

"Hey, stay there," whispered someone from behind me.

There were hands wrapping around me and pulling me to a sitting position. My eyes were so full of tears that I couldn't see who it was.

"It's Fred," said the person. He used his robes to clean the blood from my face. "Winters, it's Fred."

Fred was sat on the step next to me, brushing the dirt off me, and untangling my rucksack from my arms.

I think I gave up the whole tough act in that moment. I'd only ever been the tough version of me to the twins. Lee had seen me vulnerable before but that was when we were young. It had been years since anyone had truly seen me in a state where my walls weren't built up higher than my self doubt.

I felt a single tear slip from my eye.

"You can have emotions beside hate around us, Winters," said Fred quietly. "And I'm going to assume that the natural human thing to do in this situation is cry and I promise not to tell anyone if you cry."

My lip started to quiver, and I let out a small sob and leaned into Fred's arms. He held me against his chest, rubbing my back as I cried.

"What you did in there," muttered Fred into my hair. "Was bloody incredible. But I am so so sorry."

I could hear his heartbeat speed up.

"Because I know that something really really awful had to happen to you for you to be able to even function under the Cruciatus Curse."

I put my hand over my mouth in shock of what he had just said and in turn I cried even harder. Fred tightened his hold on me and rested his face against the top of my head.