Call Me Em

Hurtful Words

Chapter Ten: Hurtful Words
***Embry's POV***

"Lu," Hermione came up to me almost two weeks after the champions had been chosen while I was working on my Herbology homework in the library.

"Yeah?" I put down my quill and looked up at her.

"I found an owl going crazy in the Great Hall," she handed me a letter before sitting down next to me at the table. "He kept pecking at Ginny and Ron until they took the letter. It's for you so I don't understand why it'd be pecking at them."

"Thanks," I opened the letter and smilies right away as I recognized the handwriting as Lupin's. It read:

Embry,

I'm sorry for not being able to write to you recently, we've been constantly moving and I haven't had time to stop and write until now.

So Harry's name was pulled from the Goblet? I agree that he wouldn't put his name in it even if he were capable of it, he isn't a fan of fame. Keep an eye on him, I'm sure Hermione is already doing this but it's better safe than sorry.

Please congratulate Harry and Cedric for me though and wish them both good luck for me. We'll both be moving closer to the school in case anything should go wrong.

How are things going with George, are you two still not speaking? I'm assuming not seeing as how you're as strong headed as your father. Don't get me wrong, what he said was wrong. Please write your father for me though, he worries about you, no matter how often I assure him that you're fine.

Love always,

Moony

"What did he say?" Hermione asked as I folded the letter and stuck it into one of my books.

"That he believes us about Harry and to keep an eye on him." I ignored the part about George and writing Sirius too. I glanced around the library, it was pretty empty since most people had gone off to Hogsmeade today. Cedric had gone with his friends but I had stayed to work on all of my homework. Out of the corner of my eye though I could see someone sitting in the corner, trying and failing to hide himself behind a book as he watched us.

"I need to go and find Harry," Hermione stood back up. I guessed from her glancing that she'd noticed our observer too and was anxious to get out of his sight. "Ron wants me to deliver a message to him from Hagrid."

"He does know that you're not an owl, right?" I chuckled as she headed towards the doors. She only gave me a shrug in response before disappearing into the hall. "Are you just going to keep staring at her?"

"Vat else am I to do?" Krum tossed his book aside and walked over before sitting down across from me.

"Talking is always helpful." I suggested. "If you're having problems with any lessons that could be an icebreaker, she cares a lot about schoolwork. She doesn't go for the 'famous seeker' persona."

"Vat else?" He looked at me eagerly.

"Just try talking." I patted his arm before starting to gather my things up and heading towards the door while he stayed and thought. I took my things up to the Tower and put them away before heading back out to walk the grounds.

It was starting to get chilly but I'd left my jumper up in my room so I just wrapped my arms around myself as I walked down the hills. Without paying attention to where I was going I found myself standing a few meters away from the Whomping Willow, its branches swinging around like usual. I hadn't been back here since the incident last year. Now that I was here though I felt as if it were all happening again before my eyes. I don't know how long I was there before I heard people coming up behind me.

"Lu?" I jumped at the familiar voice. I turned around to see Fred, George, Lee, and Angelina standing behind me. I hadn't spoken to Angelina much since I came to Hogwarts but I knew that she was nice and that Fred had a thing for her. I was surprised to see the them all there though, I hadn't spoken to any of the boys since George's sort of apology that I'd denied.

"Yes?" I looked at Fred since he'd been the one to speak up.

"What are you doing down here?" He looked at the thrashing branches wearily. "You shouldn't be here alone, it didn't end up too well last time."

"I wasn't alone then." I rolled my eyes as I looked back up at the branches.

"Yeah you had a criminal with you and a werewolf on a full moon." I heard George mutter under his breath. I turned to glare at him just as Angelina hit him upside the head.

"Don't you dare say anything bad about Lupin." I snapped at him. "He was an amazing teacher and friend, he doesn't deserve to be talked about as if he's nothing. Or are you starting to take after Malfoy?"

"Why are you friends with that git too?" George spat.

"George!" Angelina hit him upside the head again.

"You've gotten quite cozier with Harry and Krum, haven't you? Is Cedric into sharing?" He continued as I felt my hair changing colors, from the pieces hanging in my eyes I could tell that it was a mixture of blood red and a dark blue to show my conflicting emotions. I didn't know whether to be mad or hurt by his words.

"Incarcerous!" I flicked my wrist and watched as ropes sprang from my hand and tied George up, causing him to fall to the ground. I didn't say anything else before running away as fast as I could to get back to the castle. Tears were blurring my vision as I ran through the main door. I didn't understand how George could keep saying these things to me and hurting me over and over again. He was supposed to be my friend. I wasn't paying attention to where I ran as I collided with someone full force and fell onto my butt.

"Are you alright?" A hand appeared in front of my face.