American Teen [George Weasley Love Story]

She's Broken

*George's Pov*

"Where's Mags?" I asked. She wasn't at dinner and I can't find her in the common room.

"Umbridge called her in for questioning" Some 4th year said.

"What?" She can't. Umbridge has a reputation now of being absolutely ruthless. "Why was she brought in for questioning?"

"I'm not sure, but I heard Umbridge was mad someone undermined her punishment by making a way to ease the pain and therefore the punishment. She's been bringing people in all week, and I heard the other day that someone told her they saw Margaret with it last."

"Thanks, kid" I sit down. If Umbridge really has brought her in, then will she able to convince her that she's innocent? I know Umbridge is horrific, but Mags is strong. I'm still scared. If it comes out that she is the one who made this potion, then that'll be a big problem.

Of course, anyone with common sense could figure out it was Margaret. One-she's the one that gives people the potion when they come. Two-she's brilliant at potions, so of course she could make one of her own. Three-she has access to all the supplies she needs due to her extensive ingredients list and the fact that she's Snape's favorite.

Fred sits by me and comforts me as I go through a list of the worst possible things that Umbridge could do to her. Umbridge is headmaster now, so there's no one stopping her. Fred has to stop me from marching down to her office, explaining that even Umbridge has some limits. She works for the ministry after all. But I could tell, even though he was trying to calm me down, he was freaked out as well. I might be dating Mags, but he's her best friend.

It's hours and hours by the time she comes back. Lee, Katie, Angelina, and Alicia have all joined us by then. They're equally worried for her. They all drift off to sleep after about 1 am, but I stay up. I stare at the portrait hole until I see it open.

"Fred! Fred! She's back!" Fred wakes up, and so does everyone else. But before any of us comment, we're stopped by what seems to be a complete 180 of her personality. She looks dazed. Like she's not really there. She stares straight ahead and doesn't even acknowledge us. She's rigid and her face portrays no emotion. Whatever Umbridge did, it's worse than I imagined. I expected her to, at worst, come back sobbing. Or angry. Or her usual, joking self. But not this.

"You should probably move the potion." And with that she walks off. She didn't even look in our direction.

"What was that?" Katie whispered.

"Yeah, what's wrong with her?" Alicia echoed.

"I have no idea" I replied.

---

The next morning at breakfast she's not any better. She's not better for the next 3 days. She comes down, grabs food, eats it, and leaves for her classes. She doesn't talk to us and has a vacant look on her face. In classes, she never asks questions or raises her hand. In the common room, she always sits down, does her homework, and leaves for her dorm. The only time I hear her talk is when she answers a question in class. She answers in a voice that makes it seem like she's faraway, dreaming.

"She's no better on the quidditch pitch. She's not aggressive anymore. But she still manages to score on Ron a lot. I'm keeping her in, but she lacks the passion she once had." Angelina comments. We've all racked our brains for what we could do to help her, but nothing works. We pull pranks in front of her, ask her to help us study, joke with her, plead with her. Nothing works.

"She's fully functioning, but it's like she's a robot." Fred says.

"I just wish I could find out what Umbridge did to her. Maybe we could help her then." I say, desperate to get even a glimpse of the old Margaret.

"Maybe we should talk to McGonagall. She has lunch with her every Friday, and might know what's going on since she's a teacher." Katie stated.

"That's brilliant. After Transfiguration today, we should talk to McGonagall. If that doesn't work, I don't know what will."

So after Transfiguration, we all line up to talk to McGonagall about Margaret.

"Oh yes, I have noticed quite a transformation in Miss Hughes. Sadly, I do not know what happened to her. Just that Professor Umbridge did not seem to get what she wanted, as she was very upset the next day. I will talk to her, thank you for bringing your concerns to me." Professor McGonagal stated. I could see in her eyes that she's genuinely concerned for Margaret. I know how much Margaret likes McGonagall.

That night, I couldn't sleep. I haven't been able to sleep for the past couple of nights either. But tonight was different. I felt like if we didn't fix this soon, it would be too late. I cried silent tears in my bed, praying that Margaret will come back to me.