The Daughter of Phoenix 2 [George Weasley]

Chapter 12

She slams it off and it scares everyone.

"Woah what's that for???" Ron exclaims.

"There you are. Miss Kenwood."

An old squeaky voice slips in everyone's ears. It's Umbridge.

Jessie looks at her in fear. The worst thing must be happening. No, not the suitcase.

"I'm afraid I will need to keep your suitcase for checking-"

"I'm afraid that won't be possible." She holds her suitcase tightly, suppressing her fear and anger.

"You dare to be against the ministry? We take it for everyone's safety-"

"I do not understand why the ministry can just steal students' properties when we're not even against the law-"

"Stealing? There will be nothing for you to worry if you're innocent, dear."

"Of course I'm innocent. It's you who doesn't look innocent." It's everyone's first time seeing Jessie defending herself so hard that she'll attack the opponent.

"You better cooperate before I've lost my patience. This is a ministry matter you don't seem to have any rights to reject any of our requests." Umbridge shouts and she points at Jessie, whose hands are grabbing her suitcase even tighter, switching it to muggle mode by pressing a secret button hidden in the handle.

Umbridge suddenly whips her wand and successfully gets the suitcase by hurting Jessie's hands.

"...You can't do this!"
Jessie speaks with her trembling voice and emotional explosion suppressed, feeling as hopeless as she can be.

"Actually, I can." She walks to her and whispers right to her face.

How about I fight back? A fist would definitely fit the situation. Teachers are mentors they say. There are thousand duplicated conversations flowing in Jessie's mind right now, but all she could physically respond is nothing but freezing.

"I'm warning you all. Anyone losing his mind will too regret with what he's done." She has her final shout bursted out and rushes out. Jessie simply stands and stares at her staircase being carried away for one last time.

Seeing Jessie being scolded and her suitcase being taken away forcefully, Jessie's friends are well aware of how broken she would be.

"Jessie it's ok-"
"She can't do anything about it-"
"Jess don't feel too bad-"

Water starts filling in her eyes that she keeps looking up and avoid any eye contact. She resists any touch from her friends and finally leaves the room with her fist held tight after acting cool in front of Umbridge

The room is filled with dead silence. You know things have really changed now when a random confiscation is actually happening in front of you.

Looking at her back, George sighs with his brows frowned. He then follows her out of the common room.

"Hey-"

They've stopped at the courtyard.

"It's ridiculous-"
"Isn't it?"
She says looking at the tree in the middle.

"What am i even doing here?" She whispers as George tries to touch her shoulder. Tears finally roll down her cheek.

George originally wanted to confess about his feelings for her today, but it seems like this can't be a worse timing now. He wipes her tears with his fingers and cleans her glasses with his clothes.

"That's the only one thing he gave me. I lterally have one job. " She sighs and looks away, trying to sound calm. "What on earth have I done-"

"It's obviously her fault mate, don't be stupid. " He says as he sits her down on a bench and massages her shoulder trying to loosen her up a bit.

It's easy to imagine how horrible this can be, losing the most precious thing Augustus has ever given her. How is she gonna face him? George couldn't think of anything else that can cheer her up.

"Hey don't." He grabs her hands which are pinching her arms. Jessie couldn't stop hurting herself when she's feeling bad. Feeling pain seems to be her only distraction, and not allowing her to do so could be a disaster for her.

"Do it, love." He offers her his arm, letting her pinch his so she won't pinch hers. She's instantly so touched by the move that it makes her eyes water again. But of course she won't do that to him, so she gently pushes his arm away and stares at somewhere else.

He puts her glasses on her and his arm over her shoulder carefully so she won't resist him too much. Gradually she puts her guard down and leans on his arm.

"She can't just take it."
"Agree." He looks at her face and puts his arm around her shoulders. "We'll get it back for you, it's not even that hard."

"Seriously? Don't die because of that-"
"Of course I won't who do you think you are?" He pulls her ponytail which immediately triggers her stare and smile. George has really got his way to cheer her up despite her gigantic guilt.

She suddenly takes off her blurry glasses and looks at him.
"You've made them worse. Never use your clothes to wipe glasses."

A few days later, it is the Quidditch matchday with Gryffindor playing against Slytherin. They are having breakfast at the great hall as usual but this time Angelina and Lee have joined them.

"Hello~" Jessie greets two of them and sits down.

"HeLLO it's really been a while."
Jessie hasn't really met Angelina much since last year. They often talk about quidditch and stuff she isn't really interested in.

"Don't worry, we are still gonna make it without you." Harry is currently banned from Quidditch by Umbridge.

"Slytherin's newbies aren't looking great though. Really impressive if they walk back in alive after flying." Angelina makes them laugh out of reasons Jessie couldn't understand, so she smiles awkwardly without looking at her.

Angelina suddenly pauses and looks at her seriously, realising something.

"...Don't tell me you still can't fly."