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Astrid had not attended dinner the night before, making all of her friends quite concerned. That was until Casey saw Astrid lying in her bed asleep while everyone was congregated in the common room. Astrid had went straight to bed after bandaging her hand after detention. Casey left the girl alone as she crawled in her bed, going to sleep as well.
The next morning Astrid woke earlier than usual and decided to go outside and get some air. It was hard to do that in a room below the water so she put on her uniform and left the dorms. She quickly headed to the astronomy tower, passing a few teachers who looked confused to her as she walked the halls in the early morning. Astrid quickly made her way out into the courtyard, the crisp morning air nipping at her nose. She continued through until she reached the astronomy tower, the one place in Hogwarts she knew could always give her peace. It was only dawn and the sun hadn't made its way over the horizon yet, only a soft glow filled the morning sky as she made her way up the stairs of the astronomy tower. Once she reached the top she walked onto the beautiful balcony, not seeing the boy sitting on the bench at first. That was until he coughed softly. Astrid jumped with a squeal before turning and seeing George smiling sadly at her. His eyes immediately fell to her bandaged hand, the girl looking to it as well. The girl felt regret fill her as she saw the boys sad eyes, lingering on her hand. She knew he had only wanted to help and she had been so rude to him.
"I'm sorry George" she spoke, breaking the silence. "I was just so frustrated yesterday and I don't know why I took it out on you. I didn't mean to hurt you."
"I was worried about you Astrid" he spoke softly. "I still am. What's wrong with your hand?"
"It's nothing-" the girl said quickly, pulling it closer towards her chest.
"Astrid stop" he said sharply, the girl was shocked at the authoritative tone in his voice. "You know you don't have to keep things from me right? Just show me, please."
Astrid bit her lip before making her way beside the boy and sitting down quietly. She reached to her right hand and began unwrapping the bandage slowly, the cut stinging as the bandage pulled at it. Once it was removed her eyes filled with tears once more as she looked at the cuts. They were no longer bleeding but bruising formed around them and the words were still deeply etched into her flesh. George's eyes widened as he reached forward, the girl flinching as he gently took her hand. He lifted it towards him, looking over the injury as his face fell into anger.
"Did she do this to you?" He said through gritted teeth. "Astrid I swear-"
"George" she said softly, tears streaming down her face. She hated crying but she couldn't help it, the pain still moved through her hand with every movement of her fingers. The skin just pulled at the cuts, the wound wanting to open once more. The boy noticed her tears and his anger turned into sadness. Quickly he wrapped his arms around the girl, placing his hand on her head and stroking it as she cried into his chest.
"I'm sorry I was so rude" she said through tears and sniffles. The boy shushed her and continued stroking her hair before pulling away and placing his hands on her cheeks.
"I understand now" George replied sadly. "It's okay Astrid I promise. We have to tell someone about this."
"No" she replied quickly. "It's fine. Let's just move on from it please. I don't want to start a big fuss and I don't want her to know it's bothered me this much."
"Astrid I-"
"George, please. I promise I'll be fine."
"Okay" he surrendered reluctantly. "But if she does it again I'm saying something and you can't tell me not to."
A small smiled formed on the girls mouth as she leaned forward and kissed the boys cheek softly.
"And please Astrid, if something ever happens like this again don't keep it from me. I want to know what's wrong. I spent the whole day thinking you hated me for some reason and I never want to feel like that again okay? I love you and I don't want you hurting."
Astrid's eyes widened as the boys did the same, realizing what he had just let slip. His face broke into a smile, Astrid's following.
"Yes i said i love you" he said quickly. Astrid leaned forward, resting her forehead against the tall boys as she smiled and bit her lip in excitement.
"I love you too George" she said before placing her lips against his. Her hand rested in his hair as his traveled onto her cheek, rubbing it softly. The two broke apart, the biggest smiles on both of their faces. Astrid couldn't even think about the pain in her hand or the anger of the day before, George made it all subside. The two turned to see the sun now above the horizon, glowing across Hogwarts and shining on the pairs smiling faces.
"Let's get that bandaged up and get to breakfast" George spoke suddenly as the morning bell rang out.
"Okay" Astrid replied softly, slipping her hand into George's as the two stood and headed down from the astronomy tower to the great hall.
||
"Pardon me Professor but what are you insinuating" the pair heard Umbridge say as they approached the great hall.
"I am merely requesting that when it comes to my students you conform to the prescribed disciplinary practices."
A group began gathering around as the professors argued on the stairs.
"So silly of me but it sounds as if you're questioning my authority in my own classroom, Minerva"Umbridge began as Astrid tightened her left hand around George's, the boy returning the favor.
"Not at all Dolores, merely your medieval methods" the woman replied quickly.
"I am sorry dear" Umbridge retorted. "But to question my practices is to question my ministry, and by extension the minister himself. I am a tolerant woman, but the one thing I will not stand for is disloyalty."
"Disloyalty" McGonagall said in disbelief.
"Things at Hogwarts are far worse than I feared" Umbridge spoke, looking down on the students below. George began to shift, Astrid rubbing her thumb over his hand. "Cornelius will want to take immediate action."
