⚠️WARNING⚠️ : Mentions of rape
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The following day, after breakfast, I was released from the infirmary after eating a full meal and feeling better after sleeping throughout the night. While it was a bit hard to eat a full meal it was necessary. Madam Pomfrey was still concerned with my well being, she made me schedule an appointment to come see her at the end of the week so she could see how much better I was doing.
At lunchtime that same day, I had a smaller portion of what everyone else had. I was working my way up. While George and Marie insisted that I eat some more I told them that I would be fine and I was eating what I was hungry for.
***
After my last class of the day, Marie and I were sitting in the courtyard on one of the benches as she helped me go over what I missed in class the other day. Making sure I knew all the assignments I need to get done later tonight. The two of us giggling on about things that happened in class the other day as we flipped through our books, continuing to finish our assignment.
"Bryce!" I heard George yell as Marie and I looked up at each other and then towards George as he stormed his way across the snow path over towards Bryce. With Fred and Lee following close behind.
"What's going on?" Tommy asked as he took a seat next to Marie.
"I have no idea," Marie and I both said in unison as George got closer to Bryce.
"Weasley," Bryce said as he sat up from where he was sitting, "What do I owe the pleasure?" Marie and I watching the situation unfold. My stomach began to twist as I felt something bad was about to happen.
"If I ever see you around Daisy again, you are going to regret it," George said with anger in his voice making me perk up in my seat. I looked over at Marie who shook her head as she looked confused.
"So she told you," Bryce's voice boomed as everyone's attention turned towards him, "I guess now since she got a little boyfriend now. That makes you her protector."
"I'm not her boyfriend and even if I was or wasn't I'd still protect her life over mine," George gritted as he stepped closer.
"How cute," He laughed as he looked back at his friend who was standing close behind him now, "What are you really going to do about it?"
"You saw what I did to Malfoy. I'd gladly do it to you," He gritted through his teeth. George quickly turned to walk away as Bryce looked back at his buddies. Laughing their faces off as he made eye contact with me. I watched a smirk grow on his face as George looked pissed as he walked towards Marie, Tommy, and me.
"Did she tell you how much she liked it?!" Bryce yelled across the courtyard. My heart sunk to my stomach as the tears pooled in my eyes. All his friends laughing as the conversation around us died down. Everyone now looking at me. George stopped dead in his tracks.
This isn't happening. I hadn't told him.
"How she begged for more," He said. I wanted to throw up. George quickly turned around and pounced on Bryce. Throwing punch after punch as they rolled out on the snow. Everyone gathering around now as Lee, Fred, and Bryce's buddies tried to pull them apart. Tomy quickly took off to try to help pull George off Bryce as Marie and I quickly followed. I pushed through the crowd making my way to the front with Marie following close behind.
"George stop!" I yelled as George sat on top of Bryce punching his face over and over. But he wasn't listening.
Bryce reached up to grab George's face. I went to step in as Fred gripped me by my waist.
"Let me go, Fred," I panicked as I wanted George to stop punching Bryce even though he deserved it.
"Not a chance. I can't have you getting hurt," He said as Bryce had not pinned George down and was taking swings at him. I couldn't watch anymore. Tears streaming down my face as I turned around to bury my face in Fred's chest.
The fight soon stopped as we all heard Snapes and McGonagall's voice push through the crowd. Her eyes seeing George and Bryce on the ground as Snape used the spell to pull them apart. Lee and Tommy grabbing George as I looked over at him. Blood dripping down his face as he breathed heavily. Anger filling his eyes as they stayed locked on Bryce and his mess of a face.
"Both of you in my office," Professor Snape said, "Now." Making room for both of them to walk out as Snape followed. Leaving Professor McGonagall there with the rest of us.
"As for the rest of you, return to what you were doing," She said quickly as all the students scattered, "Miss Black please come with me."
I followed her off to a corner. Pushing past students as they looked at me with disgust and horror.
"What provoked the fight?" She asked as we reached her office.
"I don't know. George came up to him telling him to stay away and then Bryce told him something and George got mad and punched him. Minnie, it was Bryce who provoked George. He was only doing it..." I stammered.
"I know," She said as he placed her hand on my forearm in comfort, "I will go talk to Snape and we will see what we are going to do. Please go and finish your studies. I will send George right to you."
***
Later that night we were all sitting around in the common room when George walked in. His face still dried with his own blood. I looked from the book in my lap right up at him as he stormed off to his room. I set my book down and walked after him. Following him to his bedroom.
"George," I said as I pushed the door back open. Looking around his room for where he had disappeared off to so quickly. Noticing that there was a commotion coming from the bathroom. I made my way to the middle of the room as George walked back out. Cleaning the blood of his hands with the towel in his hand.
"What was he talking about?" George asked as he stood in front of me.
"Who?"
"Bryce. What was he talking about earlier?"
Here it goes. Now I have to tell him. Not exactly the way I wanted to but I could hide from it anymore and I couldn't tip toe around him.
"Something happened at the end of the year. Right before we all left for summer break," I said as I took in a sharp breath, "I went to a party with Bryce. Down in the Slytherin dungeons. After a few drinks I wanted to leave. I was tired and I still needed to pack to leave. Bryce was drunk and out of control. After pestering him for hours he finally decided to let me leave. Dragging me out. Instead, he took me up to his room and locked the door behind me. I tried to move him out of the way but he was too strong and it was no use. I was stuck." I wrapped my arms around myself as I looked down at the ground.
"What did he do?" George asked as he stepped closer. His fingers gently touching my chin as he lifted my head up to look at me. I quickly turned my head away from his glare. I didn't want to look him in the eyes as I told him.
"He forced me. I said no. Over and over again. I didn't want it. I wanted to leave. He muffled my screams and cries for help. He held me down. He touched me in places I didn't want to be touched that night. He was too strong to get off me," I cried, "He-he he raped me."
"Why didn't you tell me?" George asked softly as my cried filled the room.
"Because I felt dirty about it. I felt like it was my fault it happened. I thought I was over it. Then he walked into the class the first day and everything came flooding back. I felt like I couldn't breathe. I still feel like I can't breathe. He blames me for what happens and says he will do it again," I breathed through my gasps, "I didn't want to worry you guys. Or upset you. Especially you George. I didn't want you to feel my burden."
"I am not upset with you. I want to help you."
"I need help months ago when I cried to sleep. When I screamed in pain. When I had panic attacks every day. When all I needed was a hug but I couldn't bear to have anyone touch me. When I didn't eat for almost 2 weeks straight," I cried, "I'm dirty. I'm used. I'm damaged."
"You are not."
"But I am George," I shouted at him, "He defiled me and took apart of me that I was waiting to give to someone else. He knew I was waiting. Now he uses it against me. He has ever since the first day of class."
"You are far from it. Don't you understand? What he did to you was wrong and should have never happened. Ever. It won't ever again. He's not going to look at you, touch you, or even be near you," He said as he stepped towards me and grabbed my hands.
"I just want to forget about him. Forever. I want him gone. It's not fair that I have to live with this while he walks free. It's not fair George," I gasped as I cried out feeling my chest tighten, "It's-it's not fair." I was sobbing at his point as George pulled into his chest.
"Just stop fighting your own fights, let me help you. You've been fighting too long," He hushed as he gently rubbed my back.
"George," I whispered through my sniffles, "Can you help me get better?"
"Of course," He said as he kissed the top of my head, "of course."