Chapter 11: Cruel and Unusual Punishment
(Isabella POV)
I stared down at my potions essay, but I couldn't concentrate. I just kept thinking about my easy conversation with Harry. He was so nice. If he of all people could be decent to me, why couldn't everyone else?
I sighed and look down at my watch. Time to make my way to the toad. I picked up my things and left the library.
I wondered if the looks that everyone were giving me would ever wear off. Surely they couldn't do this all year long. I think I would go insane for sure.
My stomach growled as I reached Umbridge's office. I hadn't eaten all day. This was going to be a long detention. I reluctantly pushed the door open and entered the office.
I had never seen so much pink in my entire life. I had never really liked the color much, but now I was starting to develop a hatred for it. There were dishes all over the walls covered with moving pictures of kittens. It would have been cute, except for the fact that it was Umbridge and that made it creepy.
"Why hello Ms. R-r-r-Isabella." How pathetic.
"Professor," I said giving her a nod. It wasn't like me to be rude to anyone, especially an adult, but Umbridge set my teeth on edge.
"Please sit down," She pulled out a chair for me and gave me her generic smile.
"Now, I would like you to do some lines for me please." She said handing me some paper and a quill. I noticed that she did not give me any ink. Oh no.
"What would you like me to write, Professor" I said through gritted teeth.
"Hmmm… How about 'I must not tell lies'? How does that sound?" she squeezed her nose at me.
"Wonderful," I spit, "How many times?"
"Oh… Just until the message really sinks in." she said the last part and then laughed. I flinched. This wasn't going to be pleasant.
I looked over at my hand, as I touched the pen to the paper. I felt a terrible scratching sensation and saw a red line appear on my hand. Just as I thought. That toad was making me use a blood quill. I took a deep breath. Remain calm. Don't let her get to you.
I continued to write the lines, gritting my teeth to keep myself from yelling out. My hand began to bleed everywhere. I had to ask for more paper multiple times because my blood soaked through the pages, but I still kept quiet. I wasn't going to give her the satisfaction.
On the plus side, the pain kept my thoughts away from the knots in my hungry stomach. How much longer was she going to keep me here? It had to be almost 11 by now.
"Come here please, Isabella." I noticed she did not even try to say my last name. Coward.
She grabbed my hand forcefully. It took everything in me to not flinch at her touch.
There was blood dried blood all around my hand, and my fingertips from where I wiped at it. The message had dug deep into my hand so that 'I must not tell lies' was blatantly written in my own writing. It was still bleeding.
"I think that is enough…. For tonight. I will see you again, same time tomorrow dear." I looked down at my hand. That was going to hurt.
"Yes ma'am" I said while turning around and bursting out the door. I wanted to get as far away from her as possible. She was a monster. A pink, toad-like monster.