Chapter 23

A Chapter by E. Kang

News quickly spread about what had happened to Sage. Several hours later, students from all three schools lingered in corridors and outside of classrooms, whispering about Sage, George, and William. Sage was in the hospital wing, recuperating from the trauma of the Cruciatus curse. George had stayed by Sage's side almost the entire time she was unconscious. She still hadn't woken up, but Madam Pomfrey had assured George multiple times that she would soon awaken. William had not been seen since earlier that morning. Rumors were already spreading that he had been expelled immediately, but no one knew for sure.

It was around four in the afternoon when Sage's eyelids started to flutter. George, who had been holding her hand ever since he arrived, sat upright and watched her anxiously. Silently, Sage's eyes opened and she blinked a few times, disoriented. She took in her surroundings with a slow, sweeping gaze. Her eyes settled on George. he gave her his usual charming smile. However, Sage did not respond. She didn't smile or say anything. She merely turned her head away and started at a distant wall.

"Sage," came George's voice, hoarse from several hours of disuse, "talk to me."

Sage remained silent and unresponsive. George recalled the way she had looked at him: with flat eyes. The sparkling twinkle that had been in her eyes was now gone. Something else that had happened when she looked at him was that her eyes hadn't lit up with recognition. George was suddenly very afraid.

"Madam Pomfrey," he called out.

The woman shuffled over.

"What's wrong with her?" he croaked. "She won't talk to me and she doesn't seem to recognize me."

Madam Pomfrey looked at George and then at Sage with sadness etched into her features.

"The Cruciatus Curse is an extremely horrible thing to experience," she explained. "It does things to the person's mind. They can never be the same again. It is difficult to tell whether Miss Olliver will be able to live a relatively normal life after enduring such a thing."

With a final sympathetic glance at George, she left him to worry over Sage.

"Sage, you can still understand me, can't you?" asked George. "If you can, give my hand a squeeze."

After a small pause, Sage squeezed George's hand. George grinned, happy that she could at least understand what he was saying. He stroked her hand.

"Do you think you can talk?" asked George.

At this, Sage merely stared at George with dull eyes. It broke his heart to see her so devoid of life. If only she hadn't jumped in front of him when William cast the curse...

Sage's friends and teachers stopped by the hospital wing to see how she was doing. Sage didn't seem to notice most of her visitors; she gazed through them as if they weren't there. When Stacy came, however, Sage's mouth twitched as if it was attempting a small smile. Stacy gazed upon her best friend's sallow face with grief. Stacy couldn't see any sign of her normal best friend. She only saw the ruined girl in front of her.

Stacy stayed by Sage's side with George for the rest of the day. George's eyes were bleary. Stacy told George that he should get some sleep, but he refused to. The two then got into a heated argument about who should stay and who should go sleep. The argument ended when Sage quietly reached out and squeezed both of her friends' hands. They immediately quieted and looked sadly down at Sage. Stacy sighed and threatened George with a sleeping charm, which ended the conversation when George finally shuffled out of the hospital wing yawning.

Stacy sat down next to Sage, tired but unwilling to fall asleep.

"Talk to me, Sage," she pleaded. She had heard from several gossiping second-years that Sage had become a permanent mute.

"You can still speak, right?" Stacy asked, knowing her best friend was strong. She was hoping that Sage had the strength to overcome whatever mental anguish had been inflicted upon her. Stacy couldn't even begin to understand what Sage must be going through.

Sage's mouth finally curved up into a slight smile.

"Of course I still can, you twit," Sage whispered in a voice so faint that Stacy had to strain to hear it. Stacy's smile was so broad it looked as if her face would split in two.

"You scared me for a bit," said Stacy, so relieved that she felt like she could go running and shouting throughout the entire castle. She laughed out loud with such happiness, it caused Madam Pomfrey to frown at her in disapproval and shush her. Stacy giggled. Sage smiled inwardly because she was too exhausted to physically smile.

"I'm really tired, Stace," whispered Sage. She could feel her eyelids threatening to close. Stacy was replying when Sage fell back asleep.

Stacy sighed and looked at Sage's paleface. Madam Pomfrey bustled over and suggested that Stacy leave and get some rest. Stacy shook her head and refused. She wanted to be there when Sage woke up. But Madam Pomfrey wouldn't hear of it.

"Out you go!' she said, trying to shoo Stacy out of the hospital wing. "A young lady such as yourself needs rest or else you'll end up in here as a patient! Now out with you!"

Stacy reluctantly left, turning to glare at madam Pomfrey's back. Sighing, she started to head back to the Ravenclaw dormitories. As she rounded the final corner, she spotted Draco pacing near the stairs that led away from the Ravenclaws' place to the Slytherins. Draco saw her instantly and hurried over. When he reached her, he enveloped her into a tight hug.

"I know how worried you've been," he murmured into her hair. "I just wanted to see if you were okay."

Stacy pulled away from Draco and led him to a secluded part of the corridor.

"Sage is doing alright," she said. "And I'm okay. Thank you for coming here to see me."

Draco gazed into her eyes and gave her a small smile. He simply pulled her in and kissed her.

"I've missed being able to see you all the time," Draco said after they pulled away from each other.

"Same here," Stacy smiled. But I love moments like these."

Draco grinned.

"As do I."

The couple parted ways after a final kiss in order to let Stacy get some rest. Classes had been cancelled due to what had happened between George, William, and Sage, so Stacy could sleep without worrying about what she would've been missing in class. Walking into Ravenclaw's common room, she was bombarded with questions on how Sage was doing and what had exactly happened the previous day. Stacy only waved them away and trudged up to her dormitory. Collapsing onto her bed, she started to cry.

She cried about Sage's predicament. She cried over the fact that Sage would never be the same again. Stacy didn't know how badly the Cruciatus Curse had affected Sage. She was afraid that her best friend might truly loser he mind one day. She cried out of anger and hatred at William for being foolish enough to use an unforgivable Curse in the first place. Stacy also cried because she couldn't see Draco often enough anymore. She let out all her anger and frustrations into her pillow, soaking it with her tears.

After nearly an hour, her tears stopped flowing. She was exhausted but didn't think she could fall asleep. She laid in bed until, finally, she fell into a deep, fitful slumber.

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Fred was worried about his twin. Ever since Sage had been taken to the hospital wing, George had been a wreck. George kept blaming himself for what had happened to Sage. He was currently in their dormitory sleeping. Fred, wide awake, was taking a walk in the castle. He happened to pass by the library. Peering in, he spotted a bushy-haired brunette that was bent over a book. He chuckled. Even on a day where classes were cancelled, Hermione could be counted on to be found studying. She didn't even notice when Fred walked up.

"Boo," he said, hoping he'd startle the witch.

"Hello there, Fred," Hermione said, not even looking up from her book.

"How'd you know that it was me?" Fred asked, disappointed that he hadn't scared his little brother's best friend. Hermione didn't answer. Fred sighed.

"How's George?" Hermione asked, finally looking up. Her face was creased with concern.

"He's sleeping right now. He's taken it pretty hard. Keeps blaming himself. Poor bloke," Fred ran a hand through his fiery hair.

"Do you know how Sage is doing?"

"No. George wouldn't talk about her. Just came in and stumbled up to our dormitory. Collapsed onto his bed with barely a word to me."

Hermione frowned. Patting Fred's hand, she tried to comfort him.

"He'll be alright. I'm sure of it," she said. Fred looked at his hand, where Hermione's had been only a moment before. He shifted his gaze to her bright eyes.

"Thanks, Hermione," he said with as much sincerity he could muster.

The witch blushed and went back to poring over her book. Fred's stomach fluttered. He was alone with the girl of his affections but didn't know what to do. How could he get a girl like her to fall for a guy like him? He sighed aloud.

"Something the matter?" Hermione inquired, glancing up.

"Uh, no. Nothing. It's nothing," Fred stammered out. Hermione merely arched an eyebrow before returning her focus to her studies.

"Uh, Hermione? There aren't any classes today. You shouldn't be studying if you don't have to," Fred said, trying to get his friend to get out of the library.

"I'm not," Hermione stated. "I'm trying to read up on the after-effects of the Cruciatus Curse."

Fred's eyes widened.

"Oh," was all he could say. Hermione shut the book.

"I've learned all I can, so I suppose I don't have to continue to read."

With a flick of her wand, she sent the book flying back to where it belonged.

"I have to go," she said, gathering up her things. "I'll see you around, Fred."

Hermione had only taken a few steps when the red-headed twin called out to her.

"Do you ever have fun, Hermione?" Fred inquired. Hermione's cheeks turned pink as she turned back around.

"Of course I do!" she exclaimed. "I have plenty of fun every day!"

She eyed the Weasley with suspicion.

"Why do you ask, Fred?"

Fred stood up and stretched.