Author's Note- Another chapter for ya. Lady Foxgloves

Chapter 7

"Every one ready to go?" Hermione came into the common room wearing a variety of red and gold clothing. They were about to head down to the first game of the season, Gryffindor against Ravenclaw. Ron had painted his face and Serena had a red and gold scarf.

"Yeah," Ron said, "Let's go down." The three friends left the school and walked down to the Quidditch stadium. They could already hear cheering from the seats and Jordan doing the pre-game announcements. They walked up the many stairs to the stands and squeezed into the front seats.

"Are they any good this year?" Serena asked Ron.

"How would I know?"

"You watch them practice. I thought you'd have some idea." Serena yelled above the crowds.

"Well, I think they've got good odds. But the Ravenclaw beaters are ruthless…"

"Well that's inspiring."

"Hey, you wanted to know-"

"Look, they're starting!" Hermione shouted and pointed as the Ravenclaw and Gryffindor players began circling the stadium. Jordan began announcing the players and they went to the center of the field where Madam Hooch was waiting.

Madam Hooch threw the Quaffle into the air and the Gryffindors got to it first. The players flew about the field and before long the score was 10-20, Gryffindor in the lead. Jordan was commentating on the match, he shouted a rude comment into the loud speaker and Serena swore she could hear McGonagall yelling at him.

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George flew around the pitch until he caught sight of a Bludger. He aimed at Ravenclaw's Keeper and swung the wooden bat at the Bludger. The keeper had to spin out of the way in order to avoid getting hit, letting the Quaffle through one of goal posts in the process. Jordan screamed into the loudspeaker, "An excellent hit from Weasley! And another 10 points for Gryffindor scored by Angelina Johnson!"

George smirked as the Ravenclaw Keeper glared at him. Harry suddenly flew past him with his hand outstretched. He's found the snitch! George watched a Ravenclaw Beater come up by Harry and aim a Bludger at him. George flew towards Harry and knocked the Bludger away from him just as his hand closed around the Snitch.

"Harry Potter has caught the Golden Snitch! Gryffindor wins!" Jordan yelled into the loud speaker and it was met by loud cheers from the stands.

The Ravenclaw's Beater dug his finger nails into his broomstick and gritted his teeth. He recognized George from the other day, for the Ravenclaw Beater was in matter of fact, Robert. Robert saw a Bludger flying towards him and took his chance. He aimed carefully and as the Bludger was in range he swung his bat and the Bludger flew at George.

Fred saw the Bludger coming and yelled, "George, look out!" George turned and saw the Bludger too late. The Bludger hit him in the abdomen and knocked the wind out of him. The pain blinded him and he fell off his broomstick. The stadium was silent as he hit the ground.

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Serena's heart skipped a beat as she saw the Bludger hit George and he fell to the ground. "Oh my god," she breathed. She left the stands and ran as fast as she could down the stairs. She ran onto the field where the Gryffindor team and Madam Hooch were already gathered around. Madam Pomfrey hurried onto the field followed by two teachers carrying a cot.

As Serena neared the group she stood next to Harry. "Serena, what are you-"

Serena grabbed Harry's arm, "Is he okay?" Serena was answered as the two teachers tried to move George onto the cot. George coughed and blood flowed out of his mouth.

The teachers left with George and Madam Pomfrey and Fred followed close behind. "Come on," Harry took Serena's arm and led her off the field. As they passed Robert, Madam Hooch and Professor McGonagall were yelling at him. Serena stared wide eyed at him and could barely contain her anger as she walked by him.

"That bastard…" she muttered under her breath.

Harry looked behind him, "You know him?"

"Unfortunately," Serena said nothing more, but just tried to stop her hands from shaking as she remembered George coughing up blood.

Hermione and Ron were waiting by the stadium exit, both were looking quite pale. Ron walked up to Harry, "What happened to George?"

Harry opened his mouth to speak, but McGonagall came bustling over. "Mr. Weasley, come with me please. The rest of you return to your house." Ron left with Professor McGonagall and the three walked back to their common room.

The Gryffindor common room was quiet, and all anyone did was sit in silence or work on homework. Hermione and Harry sat down heavily on the couches. Serena crossed her arms over her chest. "Hermione," she whispered to her friend, "I don't feel so good. I'm going to go to bed early today." Hermione nodded and Serena made her way up stairs.

As she entered the dormitory she sat down on her bed and stared at her hands, which were shaking. She lay down on her bed and pulled the covers over her head. She cried silently, until she heard someone come into the dormitory. "Serena?" Hermione meekly called to her and sat on the edge of her bed.

She reached over and pulled the blanket off from Serena's head. Serena looked away and buried her head in the pillow. "Serena, please, I'm sure he's fine."

Serena sobbed, "You didn't see him…he was coughing up blood, so much of it…and it's all my fault."

"Serena, you couldn't have known that-"

"His name is Robert. He was the one that hit George with the Bludger. A few days ago…he…well we didn't agree on a few things. And when he tried to get his way with me, George saw and beat him up. Today…

"It was just pay-back for what happened. And it's all my fault…" Serena sobbed again and buried her head deeper into her pillow.

"Serena," Hermione pulled her up and held her hands, "the only person who is at fault, is this Robert person. You did nothing wrong and neither did George." Hermione hugged Serena and then got up from her bed. "Will you be coming down for dinner?"

"I'm not hungry…" Serena wiped the tears from her face and lay back down into her pillow.

"Alright, then just get some sleep. I'll see you later." Hermione left the room and closed the door quietly behind her. It wasn't long before Serena fell asleep.

Serena was walking down a hallway at Hogwarts, George was standing

at the end of it. Serena called out his name and started running towards

him. "George," she said, "You're okay!" She reached up to touch his

face and he started coughing. "What's wrong?" Serena screamed.

Blood started spilling from his mouth and Serena tried to reach for

him but the hallway became longer and she had to run to catch up with

him. He moved away from her still and she ran faster. She slid and fell

only to find herself in a pool of blood. She screamed as George collapsed

at the other end of the hallway.

Serena awoke from the nightmare and sat up straight in her bed. She was covered in sweat and was breathing heavily. All the other girls were asleep and she crept to her wardrobe. She took out a sweatshirt and pulled it over her head. She grabbed her wand and clenched it in her hand.

She tip-toed over to the door and slowly turned the door handle. As she pulled it open, the hinges squeaked and she flinched. Serena looked around the room, but none of the girls had woken up. She walked quickly down the stairs and across the common room where the fire had weakened and was casting shadows around the room.

"I had a feeling you'd sneak out." Serena spun around and Hermione was sitting in the corner.

"Don't scare me like that!"

Hermione walked over to Serena and handed her Harry's invisibility cloak. "Did you honestly think you'd get past the teachers?"

Serena smiled, "Thank you."

"No problem. Just don't stay out too long." Hermione nodded and went back up to girl's dormitories. Serena slipped on the invisibility cloak and walked to the portrait of the pink lady. She slipped through and crept down the corridors towards the hospital wing.

She passed Professor Flitwick in one hallway, but he didn't notice her. As she came upon the hospital wing doors, she listened to see if anyone was moving around inside. She carefully opened one door and peeked inside. Madam Pomfrey was no where in sight, so she slipped in and closed the door behind her.

Serena scanned the room and found that all the beds were empty except one in the back. It had curtains hanging around it, so she couldn't see for sure. She walked as quietly as she could and peeked inside the curtain. There was a bit of moonlight coming in from the windows, so she saw a flash of red hair.

She opened the curtain wider and she could see chairs grouped around the bed. Others had obviously been here before her, and for a moment she felt like she was intruding. She walked in and closed the curtain behind her.

As she approached the bed she removed the invisibility cloak. George was sleeping peacefully, as it was what it looked like. Serena slipped her hand into his and squeezed it gently. She bent over him and brushed his hair out his face. Brushing her lips against his, she whispered, "I'm so sorry." It was barely audible, but just saying it made Serena want to cry.

Serena sat down in a chair and kept looking at George. Suddenly, Serena felt him squeeze her hand and his eyes flickered open. Serena gasped, "I'm sorry. Did I wake you?"

"May be, but I don't mind." George raised his hand and rubbed her cheek, "Why are your eyes all red? Have you been crying?" Serena nodded. "I'm sorry I made you worry."

She shook her head, "It's not your fault, its mine."

"What?" George propped himself up with his elbows, "You did nothing."

"But, it was that Robert-"

"So what? It's his fault, not yours! It isn't your fault." George lifted her chin up, "Okay?" Serena smiled weakly and nodded. George lay back down in his bed, "So, did you find out how he got punished?"

"I only heard a few rumors while going back to the common room. But I think he may have been suspended from the Quidditch team, and has detentions or something."

George laughed, "May be Dumbledore should listen to Filch and start hanging kids up by their thumbs for detention." Serena smiled at George and bent over his face. She kissed him and he put his hand on the back of her neck.

"I have to go back up." Serena pulled away and squeezed his hand one last time.

He smiled at her, "I love you."

"I love you too, so get better soon." George nodded and Serena picked up the cloak from the chair she had been sitting in. "Good night." She threw the cloak on and she disappeared from view.

Serena walked back up to her dormitory and put the cloak by Hermione's bed. She slipped into her own bed and pulled the covers up, trying to get warm. She thought about the dream and shuddered, but soon fell asleep.