It hurts when you're gone (Ron Weasley Fanfic)

Chapter 27- This Beginning

'Muggles are crude. They do not have a brain- they are stupid. Wizards, are meant to rule over them. Understand? Muggles do not deserve our sympathy, they ought to be put down and killed. Yes, KILLED!' Alecto yelled, saying the words with cruel relish. I had never felt so angry before. My hand was in my robes, curled around my wand- I really had to resist the urge to curse that mad woman.

How dare she, how dare Voldemort put such ideas in our minds? We, being older might not believe her, but what about the younger ones? Young, unsculpted, innocent children to be subjected to such unrefined teaching? She was really testing my levels of tolerance.

If Muggle Studies was horrible, Defence against the Dark Arts was the worst. Amycus leered at us all as he closed the door of the classroom. 'All of you will now LEARN the dark arts! Defence is rubbish! If you dare contradict me, (a Hufflepuff boy had raised his hand tremblingly) you will learn what happens. Come here, boy!'

The Hufflepuff boy looked shocked and he tried to slither down into his bench, at which Amycus yelled in anger.

'Crucio!'

The boy writhed terribly, clutching his head and crying in pain. I stood up at once, my face showing utmost anger. 'Don't! Stop it! What wrong has he done for you to punish him like that?? Stop it!' Amycus stopped at once, looking at me.

'You will also learn what happens to people who try to support wrongdoers.' My heartbeat speeded up instantly. What was he going to do? He beckoned me forwards but I took my stand stubbornly. I felt a little scared, but I did mould my face into an expression of extreme anger and irritation. He wasn't going to get things done out of me. His anger mounted. A split second later I noticed his mouth wide open and those dirty teeth and chapped lips forming a word..

'Impe-'

'Protego!' Someone else had yelled, creating a shield between him and me. I looked up quickly at the door, from where I'd heard the shout. The face seemed blurry (or was it because my eyes were still struggling to open?) because of the strength of the spell. McGonagall stormed into the room, looking thunderous and shocked. She spared me a glance; I nodded weakly. 'Him' I mouthed, gesturing towards the Hufflepuff boy. Her eyes became even wider as she rounded back to face Amycus. 'How dare you- how dare you use Unforgivable Spells on the students?'

Amycus jibed hotly, 'Shut up you old-'

'Don't give me any of that! Don't! Just because your Master reigns now and Severus has accepted you and your sister-'

'Your opinions don't matter here anymore' he said spitefully.

I knew McGonagall's anger had flared, but she kept it in check, sweeping out of the room, not before saying 'Snape will hear about this.'

Amycus laughed a cruel, callous laugh before shutting the door on her heels. 'Just saved eh? Of course Snapey won't say anything. Stupid woman.'

I took slow and steady breaths, trying to calm down, when all I wanted was to rage and yell.

Mum's words resonated in my head- 'Don't ever let go of your courage. Use it only when the time demands.' I understood then that this was not the time. There would have to be a better way to revolt.

I sat through the rest of the lesson, absent- minded. Thankfully Amycus didn't demonstrate any spells. As soon as class ended, I rushed out, swinging my bag over my shoulder.

'Ouch!'

I looked behind my back to see whom I'd hit.Neville, massaging his temple with his fingers.

'I'm sorry..'

'No, it's okay! Honestly, that was really brave of you to stand up to that idiot!'

'Why thank you' I said, a little sheepishly. I thought what I'd done was pretty dumb, and here was Neville complimenting me on it.

The Hufflepuff boy speeded across to me, trying to hitch a smile onto his features. 'Thank you. You're brave.' He took my hand, shaking it vigorously. I tried to smile back, pleasantly surprised. I did not deserve to be told I was brave; when at the moment three of my best friends were battling it out in the unknown- facing unnamed dangers and whatnot. Oh no, 2 friends and a so-called boyfriend, my mind corrected me, at which my smile faded away as soon as it came.

I didn't notice then, how Neville looked at me, worried.