Nobody knew just what had happened over the summer holiday or why Gregory Goyle had changed, but his friends were determined to find out. Goyle, as he was known to all of his friend, was never much of a talker. He was always sullen and foul, the typical school bully, but now he was deathly silent. All it took for Goyle to blow up these days was a look, a glance would even set him off. When he lost his temper, people and even animals got hurt.
Draco Malfoy and Vincent Crabbe set him off the most. They started dating in their fourth year at Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry, leaving Goyle with no one. He needed someone now more than ever, not to date but only to listen. Nobody wanted to bother with him right now, scared of being hurt by his temper.
Now Fifth Year was starting and Goyle found himself standing against a brick and concrete wall, awaiting the arrival of Crabbe and Malfoy. At long last he finally spotted them holding hands and walking towards him. He felt a tinge of jealousy and guilt surge through his body. He hated that they were together.
Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle had always been very tight friends, almost as close as the Golden Trio. But in their fourth year Draco and Vincent had discovered each other and Goyle knew he now had nothing. He went home over summer holiday and withdrew to his room, never coming out.
"Hey, Goyle. Why didn't you respond to my letter over the summer?" Crabbe asked. Goyle watched as Draco put an arm around Crabbe's waist and fought not to beat them both to the ground.
"I've been been busy," Gregory said coldly.
"Oh. Come on then. Let's get a compartment before the train fills up," Vincent suggested, ignoring Greg's bitter mood and hateful glares he threw at them. Greg followed Draco and Vincent onto the Hogwarts Express, wishing he could disappear. He watched them as they playfully touched one another and winced as he thought of them being initmate, lusting for each other.
It made him angry, resentful and jealous. He closed his eyes and wished that he was back in his bedroom at the manor, doors and windows locked...no light. He sat silently as the train began to move and ignored questions tossed his way. He tried to block out the hateful images marching across his mind. Darkness began to fall as the clouds covered the sky, rain pouring onto the train as it moved swiftly down the tracks.
Malfoy tried to force Gregory to talk. "So what did you do over the summer, Goyle?"
Gregory shrugged his shoulders and continued staring outside. "Nothing. You?" Not that he really wanted to know.
"I spent the summer at Vincent's house. He sent you a letter asking if you wanted to stay with us," Draco said.
"Just shut it about the summer, ok? I didn't and don't want to discuss it with either of you!" Goyle shouted as he pushed himself from the seat. He ran from the compartment, willing his anger to stay within him. He failed. An unfortunate Gryffindor happened across his path, stepping on the hem of his school robe and ripping it. Before he could stop himself, Goyle was making a bloody mess of the poor boy. Ron Weasley and Hermione "know-it-all" Granger were witness to the terrible fight and ran for help. Gregory was covered in the young man's blood before several older Slytherin students tried to subdue him.
"Get off me! I'm gonna kill that little shit!" Goyle screamed, struggling to break free from Montague's grip. Harry Potter ran into the crowd and grabbed the Gryffindor boy. Famous Harry Potter...always there to save the bloody day.
"Colin, you alright?" Harry asked. Colin shook his head slightly, collapsing onto the floor. Goyle was dragged away, kicking and screaming into the bathroom. Draco and Crabbe watched in horror from their compartment.
The Mudblood Granger stopped in front of them and put her hands on her hips. "You need to let your goon know that this will be reported as soon as we get to school," she said smugly. Weasley and Potter pulled Colin Creevey's body into a nearby compartment, closing the door behind them.
Draco merely smirked at the sight and looked at Hermione. "Mind your own business, Mudblood. Goyle was completely in the right to beat that insolent prat."
"Watch it, Malfoy or you'll be next," Granger said, turning on her heels and left. Draco and Vincent made their way to the bathroom, hoping Goyle had calmed down. Instead they heard deep sobbing through the door; Goyle never cried about anything.
Draco knocked on the door and asked, "Greg, you alright?"
"Go away, damn it! Leave me alone!" Goyle screamed between sobs. Draco and Vincent exchanged surprised and worried looks. Draco pulled the door open and the sight inside scared him. Greg Goyle was sitting on the floor, his shirt torn into pieces from his own angry hands. His bare chest bore evidence of the summer's events. Thin white lines crisscrossed his torso, angry jagged scars that scared Draco and sickened Vince.
"Merlin's beard, Goyle, what has happened to you?" Draco asked, running a finger over a scar on Goyle's shoulder.
"Didn't I tell you to leave me alone!" Goyle shouted, jumping to his feet. He shoved Drco backwards out of the bathroom compartment and slammed the door, hoping to drown out the questions. Greg collapsed against the sink and closed his deep brown eyes, tears running down his cheek. After what had happened over the summer, how could he face his friends? People would ask questions in the showers after Quidditch games; he knew they would. Greg was humiliated and swore to Merlin to tell no one.
