Chapter 22- Carved within me
The sound of scratching pens and agonising sobs filled the room. Hermione flinched and dug her nails into her palm as the pen made it's first cut into her delicate skin. She felt the invisible blade part her flesh, ruby red blood filling the void. She couldn't decide whether writing quickly or slowly would be best, all she knew was that she had to do everything in her power to stop herself from crying out in pain. She heard Ginny begin to weep to her left, but Hermione didn't dare look over. Not with the beady eyes of Umbridge watching their every move as she sipped her tea like a lady of the manor. Hermione staggered her breathing as she finished her first line. A tear fell from her cheek penetrating the wound on her hand. She hissed as the salt bit her tender exposed flesh.
George could hear her pain and he couldn't stand it. He felt every line she carved into her hand despite being unable to see her. He could feel the blade twist as she looped her writing. George looked up at Umbridge the smug smile on her face shining brightly in the light of the fire. Suddenly George didn't feel the pain anymore just the anger. The deep hatred rooted within him for this woman who thinks she can walk in disrupt the school, take over as headmistress, torture innocent people, his friends, his brother, himself, Hermione. He glared at her as she took a satisfying deep intake of breath as if she could smell the blood oozing from their hands.
The members of the D.A walked out of the Great Hall, their heads hung clutching their hand in an attempt to numb the pain. But it did no good. They all walked past Cho and back up to the common room in dead silence. Hermione and George were silent, the didn't even make eye contact. Their friends walked up to bed as the young couple sat down on the sofa. George picked up Hermione's hand making sure she couldn't see his.
"How's the pain?" He asked looking a the bloody inscription 'I must not break rules'.
"It's a bit better now. Still hurts but the pain will fade. What about your hand?" she asked reaching to turn his around.
"It doesn't matter. What is important is you." He replied sharply snatching his hand away.
"George, what's wrong?"
"Nothing just drop it."
"No, tell me what's wrong."
"It doesn't matter."
"George"
"What?"
"Look at me," she said placing her injured hand on his cheek raising it so he had to look at her.
"Talk to me, George, honey it's me."
He lightly smiled.
"You know you can tell me anything."
"Promise you won't be mad."
"George?"
"Just promise. Please"
"Ok, I promise." she replied slightly hesitant about what he was going to tell her.
George sighed a tear sliding down his cheek as he lifted his left hand to her showing her the back of it.
"Oh George…." Hermione said her voice filled with shock horror as she looked down at her lover's hand. Inscribed within his flesh were the words
'I love you Hermione'
AN: Sorry for the cliffhanger. Wanted to keep you guys interested. I know this chapter is quite dark but i wanted it to reflect the situation of Hogwarts at that current time. I'm not at all advocating the idea of self harm, I will explain George's reasons in the next chapter which will be posted on Wednesday. Sorry if this upset or offended you in any way. Hope you liked it despite it's dark nature. Have a good evening and thanks for reading. Please review x