Cho sat, huddled, behind a tapestry. Marietta sobbed behind her, inconsolable. Apparently, she and Lavender had been good friends. Cho supposed it would be upsetting to see your friend mauled by a werewolf.
But it was strange- Cho didn't feel pity. She didn't feel anything. A spell collided with the wall in front of her, and she flinched. Well, she didn't feel anything except fear.
It was a constant looming presence, a shadow over her shoulder. At the end of her sixth year, she'd started jumping at every small sound, and the Carrows in seventh year didn't help. It was then, she supposed, that she'd stopped feeling. She was too cowardly to oppose the Carrows, but feeling guilt at torturing children would drive her insane. So she simply didn't care.
Vaguely, Cho realized that Marietta wasn't beside her. She wondered why she couldn't bring herself to worry.
Screams and shouts drew her out from her hiding place, and she flinched as Fred Weasley was caught in an explosion. She wandered the halls, streaks of green and red magic lighting the dusty air. Sometimes, she found a peaceful corridor, but it usually held bodies she couldn't look at.
Not because it saddened her, but because it didn't. She reminded herself not to overdramatize. She shouldn't make a scene. Of course, no one would mind now, and the thought ripped a high-pitched giggle from her throat. Always put on a smile, even when you want to maul your annoying little sister. Grin even though your parents deny you those shoes you really want.
Don't make a fit, that's immature. Wasn't she grown up? Couldn't she have empathy for her parents?
Back to Lavender- Cho hadn't really known her. Had the girl been blond? Cho hadn't liked Lavender's bragging. Bragging at being in Gryffindor, dating Ron Weasley, getting good Divination grades...
She hadn't been the worst, by far, but she had been annoying. Annoying, like this curse of emotionless existence. She only felt emotion when hurting others. That was when she could make herself happy, getting back at Death Eaters or defending herself.
At some point, Cho was aware of a piercing, far-away voice and a quiet castle. She heard explosions and cheers a short while later.
She was a bit disappointed. What would she do now, that she had no one to hurt? No one who would give her emotion. She was a shell. Would they notice if she left? No, she decided. So she simply walked away.
