Ginny's Sixth Year

Chapter 6

"Hello, Miss Weasley," said a voice from inside the Dark Arts room. "Are you ready for detention?" The false sweetness of Professor Carrow's voice reminded me of Umbridge. 

I repeated the words of George's letter in my mind over and over again. The Carrows can't make you do much more than write lines, the Carrows can't make you do much more than write lines. For the first time in my life, I was truly scared for a detention.

"Come in and sit down," Carrow ordered. I noticed the exceptionally high arms on the chair he had gestured towards. I wasn't going to fall off the chair!

Carrow proceeded to cast the Imperturbable Charm. How loud did he think I was? Something wasn't right.

"You know why you are here, don't you, Miss Weasley. You were out past curfew. I spent much time last night trying to think up an appropriate detention plan. We will jump right in with one of the hardest detentions in these next two weeks." The look on his face proved George wrong. "Crucio!"

Now I understood the Imperturbable Charm. I tried not to show any signs of pain. I would not give Carrow the satisfaction he desired. I knew that eventually, however, I would burst.

Searing pain cleared any thoughts out of my mind. I couldn't move. I could feel myself start to tremble and sweat. No matter what, I wouldn't cry. I wouldn't scream. 

The pain continued. I don't know how many times he cast the curse, but it was torture. At some point, I started to cry. I started to scream soon after. I knew how Neville's parents went insane. I was screaming, crying, and shaking uncontrollably. Carrow wouldn't let up. At some point, I started to go limp. I slid out of my chair and onto the ground. After what seemed like days, Carrow stopped.

I was barely aware of what Carrow was saying. He pulled me up by my hair and looked me in the eyes, a look of satisfaction on his face. "It's 6:45," he sneered, spitting in my face. "I hope you learned a lesson today."

I was barely able to pull myself up. I leaned on the wall for support until I found Luna wandering in the halls.

"Ginny!" Luna called, running towards me. "What happened?"

"Don't ask questions, I don't want to talk about it yet, just help me. Please," I choked out.

"Alright," Luna agreed, her worried expression not leaving her face.

I don't know how I was able to stay conscious. The pain never left me. I gave Luna directions to the Gryffindor Common Room. She helped me get though the portrait hole, but had to hurry back to Ravenclaw. It was 6:57. I was able to avoid questions. I got myself to the stairs to my dormitory, and I was rather proud of myself. I pulled myself up the stairs. I knew that if the wobbly railing broke, I would be in serious trouble. 

It took me about five minutes to climb the small flight of stairs. Once I reached my dormitory, I rushed to the nearest mirror, which was hanging over the sink. I didn't look too terrible, except for the bruises from when my face had hit the floor. My hair was a mess , but I didn't have the energy to fix it. I would leave Fred and George's letter until the morning. I splashed some water on my face, letting go of the sink with both hands to do so. This gesture pushed me over the edge, and I passed out.