Annabella The Sidekick (Sequal To Defiance)

Chapter 31

    The first day of classes. Worse than that, my first class is Defense Against The Dark Arts. I walk into the room to see that I have class with the Hufflepuffs. Perfect. They have those happy personalities that make me want to puke. "Good morning children!" Umbridge greets us. Only the Hufflepuffs reply.
    "Now for your first lesson, please copy the ministry approved text five times." She says with that sickly sweet smile. "We're not using magic today?" I ask. "My dear child, you won't be using magic at all." Umbridge replies. Everyone looks at her. "Then how will we learn to defend ourselves?" I ask, outraged. "What could you possibly need to defend yourself from?" She asks. "Voldemort." I tell her. The entire class laughs at me. Even the Hufflepuffs. "You-Know-Who has most certainly not returned." She says. "Oh and I suppose that I was hallucinating Cedric Diggory's dead body along with Voldemort nearly killing my cousin and I?" I demand. "No hallucinations were involved, Dear. You are simply lying in order to get attention." Umbridge says. "I am not lying!" I scream. "You are!" Umbridge yells. "You already have detention tonight Mrs. Black. You wouldn't want to extend it." She warns. "Bring it on." I challenge. "Extended detention!"  She  shouts.
    That night after dinner, George and I walk hand in hand to Umbridge's office. "You two will be doing some lines. I want you to write, 'I will not cause chaos just for amusement.'" She says. I go to get a quill, but Umbridge stops me. "I have quills." She says.
    George begins to write first. I pay no attention at first, and begin to write. A moment later, I feel a burning in my hand. I look down and see the words "I will not cause chaos just for amusement" written in my hand. "Is there an issue?" Umbridge asks. "No." I say, and continue writing. Now I understand. I'm writing in my own blood.
    Ten minutes later, blood is dripping down my hand. I try to seem strong in order to beat her, but a whimper escapes my throat. George looks over at me and stands up. "Yes Mr. Weasley?" Umbridge asks. George holds my hand out in front of her face. "This isn't a punishment! This is torture!" He shouts at her. "She's done writing." He snaps at her. "I think I'm the one who authorizes that." Umbridge says angrily. "You can hurt me all you want but you can't hurt her!" He yells. "I am the teacher and you are the student! It is not your place to tell me what I can and cannot do!" She screams. "Keep writing!" I grab George's hand and pull him down. "I'm fine." I whisper. I know he doesn't believe me.
    I keep writing. I see George's eyes glance at my hand every few minutes. The burning has increased, and the wound is getting bigger. Whimpers come from my mouth every few seconds, and tears stream down my face. "You survived the crucio curse. You can do this." I tell myself. Finally, after two hours, we're allowed to go. George immediately takes me to the hospital wing to get bandages, although I refuse to say what for.
    "Sleep in my room tonight." George says. "I don't have pajamas or anything." I say. "We'll go get some. I need to know you're safe for tonight. Please." George says. I sigh, but lead him to the dungeons where I grab some pajamas and clothes for tomorrow. We ascend the stairs to Gryffindor tower, where Harry, Hermione, and Ron are sitting by the fire. "How was detention?" Ron asks teasingly. "Don't mention it!" George demands angrily. "It's fine George." I say. He explodes. "Look at your hand and tell me it's fine! Think about what happened in there! Is it still fine Bella?" He asks. I step back. He doesn't call me Bella. Ever.
    "I'm sorry Bells." He says, realization coming to his face. He wraps his arms around me and buries his face in my hair. "I'm not mad at you Bells. I'm mad for you." He says with a sad laugh.  "What did he mean about your hand?" Harry asks. "It's nothing important." I say quickly. "It has to be important if George blew up like that." Ron says.
    George grabs my injured hand and holds it out. Slowly, I take the gauze off to show the trio. "Bell!" Harry exclaims.   "Does it hurt?" Ron asks. "Badly." I say. "Do you have one?" Hermione asks George. He holds his hand up beside mine. "She's vile." Hermione says disgustedly. "Agreed." I reply.
    When we go upstairs, Fred and Lee are playing exploding snap. We explain about the scars to them, who get almost as angry as George. Around eleven, we all lay down. I can't sleep. George is comforting, yes, but I just can't sleep. From the open brown eyes beside me, George can't either. I lay my head on George's chest and listen to his heartbeat, his arms still around me. "I'm still sorry." He whispers. "I exploded on you earlier and I shouldn't have." He say says guiltily. "I'm not upset George. I've exploded on you before." I say. "I called you Bella." He says. "It was your temper talking." I say. He grabs my scarred hand that I removed the bandage from. He holds it up to his lips and traces them along the scar. He lets his lips brush my hand as he whispers. "I've imagined our future." He says." "You have?" I ask. "Yes I have. You and I are going to get married when we're older, and buy a big, nice house." He says. I close my eyes and imagine it. "And we'll have kids later." I say. "Lots." He says. I can tell he's smiling. "I love you." I tell him. "I love you too." George replies. "Just go to sleep!" Fred yells. So I do.