Chapter 19: Scars
It was the first Defense lesson.
"We aren't going to use spells?" Harry asked.
"This is all you need."
"So, what are we supposed to do throw the book at Voldemort when he attacks us." Hermione said.
"Let me make this quite plain. You have been told that a certain Dark Wizard is at large once again. This is a lie." She said.
"It's not a lie! I saw him. I fought him." Harry said.
"Detention, Mr. Potter!" Umbridge shouted.
"So according to you, Cedric Diggory dropped dead OF HIS OWN ACCORD." Harry said his voice rising.
"Cedric Diggory's death was a tragic accident." Umbridge said.
"It was murder! Voldemort killed him! You must know!" he yelled angrily.
"Enough!" she shouted.
"It was a murder!" Delaney said defending her friend's memory.
"If you say another word, Ms. Romero you'll get detention."
Delaney shrugged nonchalantly and said. "Word."
"Detention!"
Delaney sat down next to Neville again.
"Well, I can't say this is my first time getting detention," Delaney chuckled.
Neville glanced at his girlfriend curiously he's always known her as a great student.
"It was my first year for passing notes and copying homework."
Neville nodded. Neither one of them had a clue what Delaney was going to be subjected to for her detention.
It was a few days later Delaney had just gotten out of her detention. She thought having to be quiet for half an hour was tough but in this detention she had to write with her own blood subsequently leaving painful scars on her wrist. She softly cried herself to sleep no one heard her since she cast a silencing spell.
The next morning, she got up. Neville and Zach were waiting for her outside of the Hufflepuff common room.
"Morning love," Neville smiled, kissing her cheek in greeting.
"Morning," She said, despondently
Neville looked at his girlfriend and asked. "Have you been crying?"
"No, I'm fine," Delaney insisted.
"Laney, you know we both know you better than that," Neville said, reaching for his girlfriend's hand sweetly.
Delaney didn't respond she just started walk to the Great Hall. That same sinking feeling that he was feeling last year when Delaney was almost poisoned was back. Zach and Neville glanced at each other confused.
"She had detention last night didn't she?" Zach asked.
Neville nodded and said. "Yes, she did."
"Maybe it's something to deal with her detention."
"Possibly."
The two confused boys walked to the Great Hall. They would find out what's wrong with Delaney if it's the last thing they'll do.
"Sue?" Neville asked Susan.
"Yes, Neville?"
"Did you see Delaney after her detention last night?"
Sue shook her head and said, "No, I didn't but I know she cast a silencing spell on her bed."
"I also noticed she had been crying since she had dried tears on her cheeks," Neville said worriedly.
Sue nodded.
The three some cornered Delaney after dinner.
"Laney, please tell us what's wrong we've been worried all day," Neville said, gently.
Delaney glanced at her boyfriend, their best friend and her best female friend.
"Does it have to deal with your detention last night?" Neville asked.
Delaney just nodded as she teared up and Neville pulled her into his arms.
"How about we go to the Room of Requirement and you'll tell us?" Zach suggested.
Delaney nodded still wrapped in Neville's embrace. The four of them walked to the Room of Requirement. Delaney situated herself between Neville and Zach her head on Neville's lap and her feet on Zach's lap.
"So, what happened during your detention?" Neville asked gazing down at Delaney lovingly.
"Sue?"
"Yes?"
"Pull up the left sleeve of my robe, will you?" Delaney asked her.
Sue nodded and pulled up the left sleeve of her best friend's robe and gasped.
"What is it, Susan?" Neville asked concerned.
Susan shook her head she couldn't believe she had to see that. Delaney brought up her wrist to Neville's eye level.
"Are those from your detention, love?" Neville asked.
Delaney nodded.
"That vile toad used a blood quill on my precious Laney, how dare she!" Neville exclaimed angrily clenching his fist. He could just hex this woman for doing this to his sweet Laney.
Delaney couldn't help but blush at the way Neville referred to her. Neville rested a pillow under Delaney's head and got up and started to pace.
"That's horrible, you had to write with your own blood?" Zach asked.
Delaney nodded tearing up again.
"Let me take you the hospital wing, love," Neville said, urgently pacing the floor.
"Okay, but in the morning. I'm quite worn out," Delaney said.
"If you insist," Neville sighed reluctantly, sitting down next to her again but he still hadn't calmed down his usual soft blue eyes still blazing with anger.
Delaney sat up and started to rub his back his anger slowly fading at his girlfriend's touch.
The four of them continued talking until they fell asleep.