I love you, I'm sorry - G.W

Fault Line

"You're the drug that I take when I want to forget how I'm feeling"

The sharp air bites at me from all directions. Wind whipping through the trees and a cool breeze lifts from the lake.

The dirt track beneath my feet kicks stone into my 'All Stars'. I blindly follow the steps of the little trio I collected for the Second Task. Fred and George led the way down the hilly terrain to the Black Lake.

I trailed behind as they carried a large wooden chest, shouting to anyone who would listen about bets. Personally I had no part in it, tagging along simply because I dated one.

Approaching us fast was Ginny, rushing to get into the spectators decking. Her shoulder crashed with

Fred's. Interrupting his heinous shouts.

She turned from the force, shouting out to him. "Don't be so mean!"

I couldn't help but agree with her. The words coming from their mouths were cruel to be talking about our classmates.

The boys did not agree however. Ignoring her and continuing on with their proclamations.

Part of me wanted to catch up to Ginny. Walk with her and let her know she said the right thing. But she walked fast to escape her brothers, getting lost to the crowd.

By the time we made it onto the brittle wood of the spectators deck, the stands were packed. Full of rowdy teenagers waiting for the 'game' to start. Our late arrival was entirely the boys' fault. Concerned with making as much money as possible at the downfall of the contestants.

Despite my morals about using others suffering for profit, I did want the boys' to succeed. George had confided in me about the past summer's loss to Ludo Bagman. The trickery they faced resulted in their entire savings being gone. The savings that they planned to create their futures with. The loose idea of a Weasley owned joke shop had been on their minds for years. So, if their last resort was gambling I couldn't judge them for it. Too heavily. I still didn't agree with it.

We sat in the very last few seats available. Giving us a horrid view. Ultimately I blamed them.

I turn to them both, "Happy you gave us shite seats?"

George gives a shrug of nonchalance and Fred goes to speak. Boredom clear in tone.

"They're gonna be underwater so really what is there to see?"

He silenced me with that one. I turned back to staring out across the endless lake. Jet black water rippled for miles.

I wondered if selkies truly existed. In all my years I had never come across one. Luckily I suppose, opting to keep my head rather than have it torn off viscously.

My own monster came into view. Perfectly styled hair, not a wrinkle in his robes or a single dark shadow under his eye. Completely clean of the night before.

Washed each trace of me away. I tried too. I tried so hard. Scrubbing raw at my skin under the burning water. Itching to get last night off me. Out of my skin, out of my memory.

I hadn't known I was under the influence of toxins. Or that he was. We all were. Maybe that's why I felt so victimised by him. By his comments, his looks. The mortification set deep in my bones. George had to then see me being abused, bullied. I caused their fight. His bloody hand. His anger and pain was my fault.