"So leg's all better than ay' bro?" Fred asks happily.
"Yeah, Pomfrey fixed it in a matter of seconds, just like that - " I say as I snap my fingers. " - That Bludger from Bronston was a defiantly a knocker, but hey that's beauty off Quidditch. Painful.....but worth every second just to Play" I say making him laugh.
"Yeah, but it would have been better if we won though. Wood weren't too happy, when he found out that both Harry, and Sabrina, weren't playing" Fred replies with a face mocking Wood's anger.
"Too true bro. But Harry will be happy when he finds our toilet seat present" I say making us both roar with laughter, as we climb the Grand Staircase towards Gryffindor tower. "Would have been nice if McGonagall told us why Alicia had to play instead of Sabrina though. I ain't seen her anywhere for the last few days. Nelson said the last time he saw her was in their Ancient Runes exam. So she ain't with the Ravenclaws" I finish, with the sound of concern clear in my voice.
"Don't worry about her. I'm sure she just sitting around somewhere with a good book" Fred adds, making me smile at the thought – She does love reading.
"GEORGE! HEY! GEORGE BLOODY WEASLEY!"
I spin round to see Ashley Nickerson, running towards me shouting my name loudly.
"Yes, Nickerson?" I retort mockingly.
"It's Sabrina!" she snaps quickly.
My face hardens.
"Where is she?" Fred interjects popping up from behind me.
"The Hospital Wing! She was found early this morning apparently" She explains as she begins to lead us to the 4th floor corridor. "She was lying there apparently unconscious in the Arithmancy classroom, and - "
"And what Nickerson?" I snap angrily, as we break into a full scale run towards the Hospital Wing.
" – and she doesn't look good" she adds quietly. I speed up overtaking both Fred and Nickerson, bursting through the doors, running to her usual bed. The curtains were drawn, but I could hear her voice.
"No don't look. I don't need you to fix it. I'm alright. Can I just go please" Sabrina snaps quickly – She sounds odd.
"No! You cannot leave Miss Lupin. Professor Dumbledore has given me strict instructions not to let you leave! Now stay still!" Pomfrey snaps from behind the curtain.
"No I don't want to stay still I want to leave!" Sabrina snaps again.
After a moments silence, Madam Pomfrey speaks again.
"Alright. You can leave. If you take this calming draught first" Pomfrey snaps calmly. Sabrina must have downed it in one, as her shadow plops backwards laying down, fast asleep – Pomfrey must have given her a sleeping draught. Why didn't Sabrina realise it was a sleeping draught? This is Sabrina! The best in Potions out of everyone! Even including the years above her. So why didn't she recognise the sleeping draught? – Could she really have wanted to leave so soon, that she didn't even realise what she was drinking?
I hear running footsteps from behind me. But I can't bring myself to look. I just continue watching Sabrina's shadow from behind the curtain – What happened to you, Sabrina?
Fred's POV
I explain, in a whisper, what Nickerson told me and George, to Alicia, Angelina, Oliver, Percy, Lee, Katie, Ron and Hermione.
"She didn't come up to bed last night, or the night before, or.......the night before that" Alicia whispers back worriedly.
"We thought she was with you two, like she always is" Angelina explains.
Lee and I look at them worriedly.
"She hasn't slept in our dorm since Christmas. She didn't think it was right since she was dating Bronston" I pause looking round "Hey!......Where is Bronston?"
"I'll go and see if I can find him. He should know Sabrina's here" Ashley answers worriedly, before running off. Just as Ashley leaves, Cedric enters followed by a very angry looking Professor Dumbledore.
"All of you leave. Except Mr Fred and George Weasley.......Now!" he snaps angrily. They didn't need telling twice. Everyone nods to me, before quickly hurrying off. "Explain Mr Weasley"
"I'm afraid we don't know anymore than you do sir. Miss Nickerson said she was found early this morning, unconscious, in an empty Arithmancy classroom" I answer quietly, looking over at George who is frozen stiff.
"Nobody reported her missing?" Dumbledore asks curiously.
"No. The girls in her dorm, thought she was with us. But we were in detention till late, and went straight to bed afterwards" I explain.
"Well I knew she was missing. As did the other Professor's. We grew suspicious when she didn't turn up for breakfast. She was expected to come and see me in my office. She was there that night that Harry and his friends, defended the stone" he pauses taking a glance over at Sabrina "She was the one who truly stopped Professor Quirrell. She - "
" - In here Connor.....Oh! Er......sorry Professor" Ashley answers looking very uncomfortable in Dumbledore's presence.
She'd brought Bronston with her – He seems pretty composed for someone who just found out his girlfriend's in the Hospital Wing. He sends me a glare and I send him one back.
"WHAT ARE THEY DOING HERE!?" Connor snaps angrily to Ashley.
She stutters looking at him in fear.
"They are here at my request, Mr Bronston. You, however, are free to leave - " Dumbledore answers not looking at him " - immediately. Thank you for your assistance Miss Nickerson. Please come and have a calming draught before you leave. All that running around can do harm on one's nerves".
I look at Bronston, who looks outraged – GO! GO! DUMBLEDORE! GO! GO!
He then turns around and storms out very loudly. Ashley has a sip of calming draught, thanking Dumbledore before running off, her face red with embarrassment.
"Mr George Weasley, please come and join us for some lemonade" Dumbledore says drawing me, George and himself a chair each, on the opposite side of the hall to Sabrina. He then waves his wand as three glasses of cold, fresh lemonade appear floating in mid-air. He takes a sip of his, before continuing "What is your opinion of Mr Bronston?" he asks as we sit down, taking hold of our drinks.
"Erm without saying some more colourful words sir - " I begin
" – he's a pile of rat dung" George continues.
" – and we don't trust him" we chorus together. Dumbledore smiles at us.
"I can see why my brother is so fond of you two. And neither do I. But without Sabrina's co-operation, we are at a standstill. You see I believe Mr Bronston, changed over the summer holidays. And with that, he has changed as to how he treats people.....particularly Sabrina"
I exchange a look with George – I don't like the sound of this.
"How is treating Sabrina Sir?" I ask nervously.
"Not with the kindness, that she gives to everyone else in this world" he answers – Does he ever give a straight answer? Madam Pomfrey makes her way over to us.
"Professor, you were right. Marks match that of the attack on Miss Nickerson. The poor girl - " Pomfrey whispers. " - What can we do?"
"Without Sabrina, we cannot do anything further, than to heal her" Dumbledore answers "I have to go. I have a few letters I need to send. Her family will need to know what has happened. I shall ask Percy to send one to your family, notifying them for you as well"
"Thank you sir" I reply quietly.
George has gone back to staring at the curtain.
"I leave her care in your hands. Take her straight to your dormitory when Poppy releases her and stay there until the Thursday lunch. I will assign Blynken to you for any food or necessities you may need" Dumbledore instructs, before downing his cold lemonade and leaving.
*
Sabrina's POV
I stare at the dark floor of the twins dormitory. The curtains are drawn closed at my request, making the hot dark room, even hotter and darker. I don't want them to see me in the light. Not eating for a few days, whilst being locked in a room doesn't help with one's appearance.
"What happened Sab?" George asks quietly, placing his hand on my shoulder gently. I flinch in fear – I can't help it.
George takes his hand away, shooting a look to Fred.
"I'm......I'm sorry" I stutter out, pulling my legs up to my chest and wrapping my arms around them tightly.
The burns and cuts don't hurt as much, thanks to Madam Pomfrey's insistence that I get treatment. But the bruises......The bruises hurt still. She didn't find out about those. I didn't want her too. If she found out more, then more people would know that something has happened. And the more people that knows what happened then that means........he knows as well.......and then I'm in trouble than I ever was over the last few nights.
I only got hurt this much because I didn't listen to him. I didn't follow the rules. That night I helped Harry, Ron and Hermione find the stone, I bumped into Connor on the way back to Gryffindor tower. I hadn't seen anyone in the last few days – Connor made sure of that. I needed to be punished, and the best way for it was out of sight. And all he kept telling me over those few days was the same thing over and over – No more Weasley's.
But no matter how many times he said it, I still thought of them. All of them.
Mr Weasley's love of Muggle things. Mrs Weasley's cooking. Bill's rebelliousness. Charlie's daring. Percy brain's. Fred's cockyness. Ron's sarcasm. Ginny's heart. And George. I thought about everything that is George. His smile. His eyes. Even the way his hair has a light flick at the top of his head. Fred doesn't have that flick of hair. It's just him. Just George. Just the thought of him, made me keep going, keep fighting. He made me strong, just enough to call out for Blynken to come and unlock the door this morning, so I could be found.
Connor told me he sent George a Bludger, at the Ravenclaw vs. Gryffindor match. Unfortunately, as I couldn't get out of that room, without my wand, I couldn't protect George. Connor sent it to him on purpose, as a warning of what he could really do to them, if I ever spoke to any of them, ever again – That was when I found my strength. As Connor sneered happily at the sight of pain in my face at the thought of George hurt, it was at that moment that I knew I had to get out to protect George and his family – My family. Despite everything that happened over the last few months, it was never them that was hurt because of Connor. Until now, and that's why I had to be strong and get out.
"Sab?" Fred begins quietly "Is he......is he hurting you?" Fred asks worriedly.
I don't say a word.
"Sabrina, please tell us" George begs, bending down lower than me and looking up into my eyes. His eyes have water in them – Merlin only knows what mine looks like. George takes a deep breath "You always promised us you'd never keep secrets from us. So please......please don't start now"
I nod silently.
"Has he ever hurt you?" Fred asks again.
I nod.
"Did he hurt you last night?" Fred asks, as George face becomes more worried.
I nod, dropping my head onto my knees and letting the silent tears fall at the memories.
"Why?" George finally asks "Why did he hurt you?"
"Because......I....broke......the rules" I mutter into my knees.
"What rules?" Fred asks sternly.
"No......more......Weasley's" I whisper in my quietest voice.
The door slams loudly.
I snap up looking at the door in fear.
"It was Freddie" George explains quickly "He had to see someone".
"When I met you at the Burrow again, before our first year, what did you ask me?" I ask quickly in fear. He looks at me confused.
"Freddie asked you, 'How would you know if he was George or Fred?', and then I asked 'Or if I was Fred or George?' You just took a step closer to us. I remember as I could smell your strawberry shampoo. You just burst with confidence and cheek saying that you knew the difference, and that you'll always know. And to trust you on it.........And I always have" he finishes quietly sitting on the bed next to me. "Can I have hug?"
I look up into his dark, warm, hazel eyes and nod. I lean up against him and he hugs me tightly. I let out a whimper.
"Sorry. Am I hurting you?" he asks worriedly.
"It's not you. It's never you who hurts me.........you always make things better......even if I'm not ready to make it better" I stutter in his chest. He smells like Spring. Fresh, sweet Spring, like new flowers opening up their petals in the dazzling sun. He is Spring. He is what Spring represents – New Beginnings and hope. He is my Spring.
I cry silently onto his chest, as I drift off to sleep.
*
I spent the last few days with the twins, hidden up in their dorm. Fred had apparently asked Angelina for some of my clothes and wash stuff. He didn't tell her anything else though – Thankfully. I wasn't ready for everyone to know just yet. I couldn't even bring myself to think about everything that happened with Connor. I hadn't spoken about Connor to the twins. Not since Monday night - I didn't see a point. It wouldn't change anything.
It was almost the end of the year, and no matter how much I loved Hogwarts. This year hadn't quite turned out how I planned. We only had a one more days until the end of term feast, tomorrow night.
"Are you ready Sab?" George calls, from the other side of the bathroom door.
"Almost" I call back.
I gaze upon my reflection in the mirror. And breathe in the deep smell of boy's deodorant, surrounding the bathroom.
My skin looks a pale whitey-grey colour from where I haven't been eating properly in the last few months. My cheeks have lost their plumpness, and there are thick dark circles sitting under my eyes from the lack of sleep. I did have a shower, so the only part of me that looks shiny and new, was my hair. Although, how I let it just hang over my shoulders didn't exactly look great, but it was the best way I could hide any marks.
The twins decided we should go down to the Great Hall for lunch today, and then maybe sit by the lake in the Sun, to see the Giant Squid – I missed him, so I agreed to come.
"Let's go" I say, opening the door and giving a half-smile, leading the twins down into the common room.
"Hey Sabrina! It's good to see you out and about" Percy squeals excitedly
"Hi Percy. It's good to see you too" I reply leading the twins out of the common room and out of the portrait.
"Sabrina!" Oliver exclaims.
"Oliver!" I reply mockingly.
"Listen. I'm sorry if I was harsh on you about missing the match. I shouldn't have complained so much about Bronston's Bludger" Oliver says looking at the ground nervously. Oliver had caught me and the twins, as we were making our way up to their dorm a few days ago. He was rather loud and by the time, I sat down on George's bed, everything just became a blur.
I can feel the twins tensing up behind me "It was a fair play though" Oliver finishes grumpily.
"Don't worry about Oliver.......I know how much you want Gryffindor to win the cup. After all, we have the best team. But there's always next year" I add smiling at him, leading the twins down the stairs. "So good so far" I whisper to the twins making them smile.
I'm just about to make my way into the Great Hall, following the twins, when another voice calls.
"SABRINA!" – I know that voice. I freeze, and turn around slowly facing Connor.
"Connor" I reply firmly – Deep breaths girl.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO DUMBLEDORE?" Connor snaps loudly.
"I didn't say anything to Dumbledore" I say firmly.
"WHAT DID YOU SAY TO THOSE STUPID WEASLEY'S THEN? I'VE BEEN EXPELLED BECAUSE OF YOU!" Connor shouts at me loudly, reaching for my neck. He holds me up against the wall. Something inside me has changed – He insulted my Weasley's. No one bloody does that except ME!!!!
"DON'T YOU DARE INSULT THEM CONNOR! THEY ARE WORTH A THOUSAND OF YOU! EVERY SINGLE ONE OF THEM!" I spit at him loudly, as a small crowd gathers around us, in confusion.
"They couldn't even control you - " he whispers into my ear " – they can't be worth that much!" he finishes smiling – THAT'S IT!
I manage to knee him in his manly area, and punch him in the face hard, knocking him out.
I hear running footsteps. I look up to see Professor Snape, eyeing up the situation.
"Sorry Professor.......He was being rude about my Weasley's" I stutter "Oh and when he wakes up tell him I dumped him.......Er thank you" I finish as the adrenaline catches up with me, causing my hands to shake – I need to cry – Now!
I pelt it out of the Entrance Hall doors, straight through the crowds of students and the teachers. I finally reach the lake and collapse against the bark the tree, crying.