American Teen [George Weasley Love Story]

Lighthouse

Things changed when I found myself at McGonagall's office for our weekly lunches on Friday. It had been almost a week exactly since Umbridge broke me.

"Margaret, are you alright?"

"I told you professor, I've never been better. I'm feeling quite refreshed actually. I'm sleeping better than I ever have before."

"That's great. But I'm not talking about your sleep or physical appearance. You have changed, personality wise. You no longer joke around or smile. Your confidence and curiosity has faded away. All your teachers have come up to talk to me. Your friends too. Mr. Weasley, George that is, seems particularly concerned. He is close to failing all his classes because of it."

She must think that mentioning George will get me to open up; it doesn't. She sighs.

"I know Umbridge brought you in for questioning one day. I don't think it's a coincidence that after that you become aloof and withdrawn. What did she do to you?" I hear concern laced in McGonagall's voice.

"I got what I deserved, ma'am. Nothing more nothing less." I'm staring straight at the wall. The manner in which McGonagall is speaking to me reminds me of my mother. I find my sadness for my mom the hardest to push down.

"Ma'am? Margaret, you have never called me that in your life. I think you should see Madame Pomfrey. Possibly go to St. Mungo's."

"Professor, that won't be necessary." I couldn't go.

"Margaret, I think you should go. I will escort you to Madame Pomfrey now and she will evaluate you and make the last decision."

So I went with her. I had no choice. I passed the twins in the hallway; they gave me sad looks. I just stared straight ahead. I couldn't go to St. Mungo's. I couldn't leave everyone behind. I needed to make the potion. I needed my friends. So, just like that little Hufflepuff made me want to fight back, the reminder of my friends made me want to fight again.

When I got to Madame Pomfrey's, I talked with her. Begged her to let me stay if I was willing to try harder. She agreed. She said she'll give me a week and if there are no improvements she will send me to St. Mungo's. But I knew I would get better. Because it wasn't technically a medical problem. This was my choice to recede into my own little bubble, so it must be me who gets myself out. I have no doubt that a mental health specialist and maybe some potions would help, but do they even have those in the wizarding world?

---

I decided to start by being more social. It was painful, not going to lie. I hadn't had a conversation in a few days and I still wasn't feeling up to it. But I went to dinner and ate more than I usually did, which did not go unnoticed by anyone. I didn't talk to them, but I made an effort to tune into their conversation. In my defense, I did plan on talking, but it was too much. I decided to start with George. I pulled him aside after dinner.

"George, I'm sorry for being so...distant. I guess. I'm trying, I really am. But it's so hard. With Umbridge doing whatever she wants and my mom gone. Distancing myself and cutting myself off emotionally is how I'm dealing with it. Or was how I was dealing with it. I even sleep better because I no longer have nightmares when I do this."

He cut me off with a kiss. This was quickly becoming "our thing". Cutting off our pointless ramblings by kissing the other. "Mags, I'm just happy you are okay. I'm here to work you through it." With that he held me close and kissed my head, which is one of my favorite things in the world. In his arms I felt so protected and vulnerable so I shared my secret.

"She used the cruciatus curse on me. I didn't break in the way she wanted. I didn't tell her I brewed the potion that helps everyone with their scars."

"She did what? Did you say-"

"yes I did" The shock in his voice was immeasurable. It was quickly replaced by anger. "You have to tell someone. you have to tell McGonagall."

"No, George. McGonagall can't do anything. She'll just make things worse for everyone. Umbridge can do whatever she wants, and I can guarantee the minister will believe his little plaything over any Hogwarts staff. Please, don't do anything stupid. Just hold me."

"Well, shit. This is going to make this really hard then."

"What?"

"Mags, Fred and I are planning on leaving Hogwarts in two weeks." Well here comes a surge of emotions. They blast the fog out of the way, leaving my mind brighter and more aware than it has been in the past week. Like a lighthouse, lighting a path for all the ships.

"What? You can't. What about your NEWTs? What about me?"

"We don't care about school you know that. We have a variety of elaborate pranks set up. We bought a place in Diagon Alley over Christmas. It has a flat above it and everything for us to live in. We did our part for Dumbledore, but he's gone now. Now we're free."

"You didn't answer all my questions. And I think you know that"

He sighed "I want you to come with us. I know you want to be a healer, so you need your NEWTs, but you can take those at any time. I'm sure any of the teachers here can vouch for your success in all their classes. Plus, you study with Madame Pomfrey. You're practically a healer already. I mean, look at the potion you brewed from scratch to counteract the blood quill!"

"George, I can't go. I need to stay for my NEWTs. Plus, I don't think McGonagall and Madame Pomfrey are letting me out of their sights. Someone here needs to watch out for everyone."

"Look what Umbridge did to you! You really want to stay? I know you're strong, but Mags, she broke you. Really, truly broke you. Do you really think you can take her on?" His voice was breaking. Tears were welling up in his eyes.

"I have to, George. For me. For my mom too. She would want me to finish school." His face softened at the mention of my mom. "What brought this on anyways?"

"One night we got out of detention and there was this little first year sitting on a bench crying from the pain. We thought that's enough. We both decided that our future lay outside the world of academic achievement. She's traumatizing little kids, running rampage all over school. So we decided that we would make a big show of things. We don't want to leave, but we know we'll be expelled. So we decide to leave before she can practically kill us. But now I can't. Not with you like this."

I feel myself sinking. How weird is it that the thing that prompted them to stand up to Umbridge was the same thing that made me. "I'll be alright, George. You should go. I want to see what you come up with. I have other friends here besides you and Fred. And we still have two weeks."

I might have wanted to disappear back into the fog, but as George held me the emotions I've been repressing hit me hard. They washed away the fog almost immediately. I cried. I cried for my mom, who I haven't heard from in months. I cried for Fred and George, who would be leaving me. I cried for myself, and my pitiful life that never seems to go right. I cried for my weaknesses and imperfections. I cried until I couldn't anymore. Then I slept. I feel asleep sitting on a couch in the common room with my head on George's shoulder and his arms around me. The nightmares didn't come that night, but it wasn't because I shut them out.