The Untold Reborn

Chapter-11 : The Price of Loyalty

Aurelia sat in the modified classroom, the once-familiar space now feeling more like a cage than anything else. McGonagall had done her best to make it livable: a single bed pressed against the far wall, a small desk where she was supposed to keep up with her schoolwork, and a private bathroom. But no amount of comfort could ease the oppressive weight of isolation.

The door remained locked, only opening for teachers who briefly summarized lessons she was missing and the house-elves who delivered her meals. It was all so detached, so impersonal. The world outside her four walls felt distant, muffled, like it didn't even exist anymore.

Aurelia sighed, running a hand through her blonde hair as she paced the room for what felt like the thousandth time. She had tried to distract herself with homework, but without any real connection to the outside world, it was hard to care about her assignments.

Was Harry alright? Were more students getting petrified? What were people saying about her? These thoughts consumed her daily, yet no answers ever came.

One afternoon, the familiar pop of a house-elf appeared with her lunch tray, but this time, something was different.

"Here's your lunch, Miss Potter," the small elf squeaked as it placed the tray on her desk. But behind the elf's small frame, a familiar face slipped into the room.

"Aurelia," George Weasley said with a grin, leaning against the wall casually. "Hope you don't mind, but I thought you could use a bit of company."

Aurelia's heart leapt. "George! How did you—" She paused, looking at the elf, who gave a knowing wink and then disappeared with a snap. She turned back to George, a smile breaking through her gloomy expression. "I'm just glad to see you."

George chuckled, stepping closer. "I'm surprised you knew it was me, not Fred. Most people can't tell the difference."

Aurelia raised an eyebrow, her smile turning playful. "You may be identical, but Fred walks with a bit more swagger. Plus, you have that look—you know, the one that says you're up to something."

George blinked in surprise, then grinned even wider. "Blimey, you're good! I'll have to work harder on my disguise next time."

Aurelia laughed, feeling a bit lighter already. "Nice try, but I don't think there's any hiding from me."

George walked over, flopping down onto her bed like it was the Gryffindor common room couch. "Can't have you going stir-crazy in here, can we? Figured I'd sneak in and see how you were holding up."

Aurelia sat next to him, the loneliness that had been suffocating her for days slowly dissipating in his presence. "I'm fine, I guess," she admitted, though her voice betrayed her. "But it's so quiet, George. No one comes except teachers and house-elves. I don't even know what's happening out there."

George raised his eyebrows. "Well, let me fill you in then. You won't believe the state of things. Harry's been acting all weird lately—no surprise, I mean, Hermione's been petrified, and now you're locked up. It's not sitting well with him. Ron's even worse—he's convinced something bad is going to happen soon."

Aurelia frowned. "I feel bad for them. I wish I could help."

George leaned forward. "Don't get me started on Percy and Ginny. Percy's been acting more pompous than usual, like he's hiding something. And Ginny—something's off with her too. She's quieter than normal, barely talks to anyone."

"That sounds...strange," Aurelia murmured, her thoughts drifting to her last conversations with Ginny. "Do you think something's wrong with her?"

George shrugged, though his expression was more serious than usual. "I've tried talking to her, but she just brushes me off. Fred thinks it's nerves because of everything going on. I don't know. Anyway, the good news is the mandrakes are almost ready, so Hermione and the others should be un-petrified soon."