December 26th, 1994 ~

George woke with a start. Fred was sitting across from him on his own bed, watching him.

"Wh-what time is it?" George saw the sun shining through the drapes and noticed no one else was in the dorm room.

Fred shifted awkwardly, "It's almost noon," he said "You tossed and turned throughout the night, I didn't have the heart to wake you once you were sound asleep."

George shot out of bed to get dressed and drag a comb through his hair. "Garnet's been in the Infirmary all this time by herself!"

The pair quickly made their way to the Hospital Wing.

When they walked in, they saw Severus, Madame Pomfrey and Headmaster Dumbledore discussing things.

"How is she? Has she woken up yet?" George interrupted them.

Snape shook his head, "The full effects on her of use of the Lapis Anzietis are unknown at this time. We thought it best for her to keep her in a deep sleep for the time being."

"Do we know who sent it to her?" Fred asked.

The adults simply shook their heads.

"May I see her?" George tried to keep his composure.

Dumbledore put his arm around George and lead him to Garnet's side. "We are waiting for word from her father, if he will be able to come or if he gives Severus Guardian rights to decide what is best for her."

"What do you mean what is best for her?" George looked down at his love, sleeping so peacefully.

Snape cleared his throat, pulling George's attention. "I am skilled in Legillimency. I will navigate her memories and Obliviate the ones of the attack, as well as some of the more severe panic attacks since."

"Wait..." Fred didn't like the sound of messing in Garnet's head, "You plan to erase memories?"

George mentally panicked. What if Snape Obliviated the wrong one and something bad happened.

Severus nodded, "The probable outcome greatly outweighs the risk involved. I do not tamper with this lightly, I assure you." He brushed a stray hair off of his Godchild's forehead. "She is suffering. If she was willing to risk using an unknown magical object to rid herself of the feelings she has bottled up, is it not worth trying to remove the cause of her stress?"

George sat down beside her bed and held her hand. Her ring sparkled, making him smile. If she could get back to the happy go lucky, smiling girl her knew and loved, then he had to agree with Snape.

Madam Pomfrey approached just then. "Professor, your cousin said he trusts your judgement, and to do what you see fit. He didn't realize how badly she was suffering. He will check in on her in a few days."

Severus nodded. "Very well. Please leave us be."

"I can't stay?" George looked up at Snape pleading, but Severus simply shook his head.

"It will be much easier to hone in on the bad memories if her mind is the only one open." he turned towards the bed.

George hesitated, but he had to ask, "Professor..." he took a breath, "If she was under the effects of the stone, would her happiness have been genuine? Like, any decisions she made?"

"Such as?" Snape furrowed his brow at the redhead.

George took her right hand in his own, showing Snape the Promise Ring.

"Ah," Snape nodded. "The Lapis Anzietis doesn't change ones thought process, just temporarily makes Worry seem to disappear. If she agreed to something, it was her own choice."

Relief washed over George, and he attempted a smile. "I'll leave and let you get to it then," he leaned down and kissed Garnet's forehead gently. With one last look at his girlfriend, he left the room with his brother.

Severus stared down at his sleeping Godchild. He needed to calm his nerves before doing this.

"What are you prattling on about, Flint?" hatred filled her mind.

"Weasel one and two, Diggory, Pucey, Potter, Malfoy and now the Professor. You're a right trollop, aren't ya?" Flint grinned evilly.

She saw red and her hand shot out and slapped Flint across the face. "How dare you. You don't know me. I'm no trollop."

Marcus was beyond mad now, he grabbed her arm and slammed her against the concrete wall.

Pain spread across the back of her head.

Snape had to hold his own head as he flinched at the memory.

Flint grabbed her wrists and held them tight on either side of her head.

"So the Blood Traitors, both Triwizard Champions, two of our own House and our Head of House," he sneered, "but you won't give me the time of day."

Garnet was seeing stars, her head hurt so bad, she barely registered what Flint was saying to her.

"Maybe I'll just take what I want." He grinned and leaned his face towards her.

Garnet turned her face away but that didn't stop him. She felt his hot breath on her neck before he attacked it.

"Stop..." she croaked, her eyes brimmed with tears, she couldn't find her voice, and her head was pounding.

Flint pulled her wrists up and held both with one hand as his other slid down to her breast.

"No!" she cried and tried to wrench free. Panic filled her head.

Flint pulled his head back and smirked. "No, it's my turn." his hand slid from her breast, traveled down her waist and across her stomach.

Snape had seen enough. "Obliviate!" he said, holding onto the memory until it disappeared.

Once he was content that the horrible memory was gone, he traveled forward, trying to target times she had panic attacks.

George wrapped his arms around her, "Garnet, love?"

When his arms tightened, flashes of memory of Flint touching her waist and squeezing her breasts began. Panic set in and her body shook.

"Garnet!" George loosened his hold on her, but she tightened hers.

"Don't!" She said, "Don't let go." 'Just hold on.' she thought to herself. She closed her eyes as his arms tightened back around her.

George did as she said, confused and worried.

Garnet buried her face in his shoulder as tears began to form.

George closed his eyes and took a shaky breath. He just held her until her shaking stopped. He pressed his cheek to hers. "Talk to me love," he begged.

Garnet sniffed, "Just trying to erase the bad memories."

George nodded. Unintentionally his hands slid down to her waist and she tensed. George loosened his hold on her, "Don't do this to yourself."

She shook her head, "It's not fair to you though." she whispered.

"No, it's not fair to you. I can wait, you need time to heal." he picked her chin up and made her look at him.

"I'm fine, the bruise on my neck is gone, the headaches have disappeared," she said.

George shook his head again, "Physically, Garnet, but you were assaulted. It's going to take more than a couple days to be okay again."

Garnet kissed him. "I'm already feeling better," she said.

George didn't fully believe her. "Are you?" he asked. He watched her face as he touched her waist. Her nostrils flared as she held it together.

Leaning in, he kissed her gently. His fingers combed through the back of her hair, pulling her into the kiss deeper, his thumb rested on her neck. He could feel her pulse racing and her hands were shaking. He broke the kiss, hating doing this to her.

"Say something, love." he insisted.

"I..."she took quick breaths, "I..." she swallowed hard.

"You're not alright," he said.

"But..." tears began to fall down her cheeks, "why? Why is it affecting me so?"

"I will never, ever, hurt you intentionally." he looked her in the eyes. "I'll do whatever it takes to help you feel safe again, love."

As much as he hated to see her with a Weasley, Severus could not argue that he was the best thing that happened to her.

He focused on the panic attack, instead of the words of love, "Obliviate."

Severus navigated her memories and picked a few more of the worse panic attacks, most of which had George calming her down.

Then he watched as George gave Garnet the ring, and felt the sheer joy she felt when he asked her to wear the Promise Ring.

Joy like that could not be faked or forced. He was genuinely happy for her.

Severus finally severed the connection to Garnet's mind and took a shaky breath. Now he needed to let her rest and let her mind heal a bit. He summoned a pot of tea, and sat down beside her.

~ December 30, 1994 ~

"Any news on Garnet yet?" Hermione asked Ginny as they sat down to dinner.

Ginny just shook her head. "George hasn't been talking to anybody. And Fred just keeps saying she hasn't woken up yet."

All the uncertainty about their friend was wearing on the students.

Draco sat and watched as the Gryffindors talked amongst themselves.

George lifted Garnet's hand and kissed it. It had now been five days since Professor Snape had entered her mind and altered it. He had been skipping meals, sitting endlessly by her side, Fred had come to check on him, Ron and Ginny popped in sporadically too.

Mr. Prince had come two days ago. He seemed concerned but Snape reassured him that this was normal, and if anything changed he would contact him immediately.

"Georgie, why don't you come down and eat." Fred urged his brother.

"Yeah, you're going to pass out if you don't get some food pretty soon." Ron crossed his arms.

George shook his head.

"Go." that one quiet word made Fred, Ron and George jump.

George stood over Garnet quickly.

"Love?" his voice cracked, watching as her eyes fluttered open.

"George, you need to go eat." she whispered, reaching up and touching his cheek, "Don't worry about me."

"Bloody hell, Garnet," George looked like he was going to cry.

Garnet sat up slowly.

"Madame Pomfrey!" Ron ran to get the nurse.

George helped Garnet move.

"Stop, George, I'm fine. Just a little groggy." Garnet batted his hands away.

Madame Pomfrey came running to the bed. "Miss Prince," she smiled at the girl. "How are you feeling?"

Garnet took a moment, then smiled, "Pretty well actually. Can I get a shower?"

Everyone looked surprised how quickly she was bouncing back.

"Of course, child, I can send for your clothes." Madame Pomfrey walked away.

Garnet stood and took a deep breath. Then she turned and saw George's worried eyes boring into her.

"George?" she smiled at him.

George took a step towards her, but stopped himself.

This made Garnet pout. "You're not going to hug me?"

Smiling, George grabbed her and squeezed her, holding her to him. When he finally loosened his hold on her, he smiled and held back tears. "I'm so glad to have you back, love." He pressed his forehead to hers.

Garnet gave his a gentle kiss. "I'm fine, hun, promise." She looked over his shoulder at the two other gingers looking her way.

"Freddie!" Garnet smiled at him, "Ron."

Ron nodded at her, "I see you're doing well, I need to go let Ginny and the others know." He left the trio alone.

Garnet let go of George and looked at him, the vague memory of the Yule Ball coming to the surface.

"Did I really have a seizure in front of others at the Ball?" Garnet bit her bottom lip.

Fred shrugged, "I asked around, there really weren't that many that saw or knew what was going on. The Durmstrang blocked most of the gawkers. Most of the students knew there was something wrong but I think most just thought you were sick."

"Oh," relief washed over Garnet.

"Miss Prince, if you wish to go ahead to the shower, Professor Snape said he would make sure your clothes are brought down." Madame Pomfrey said.

"Thank you." Garnet turned to George. "Go, go eat dinner. Maybe grab me a small plate. I will be down as quickly as I can."

George just stared at her.

"Georgie, really, I'm okay. Please make sure you're taking care of yourself also." She kissed him. "Go." she turned and started walking towards the back of the Infirmary.

Fred put his arm around George's shoulder. "I think she's going to be just fine. Snape must know what he's doing."

George nodded and smiled. "Let's go eat."