Chapter 24

William was in a lot of trouble. As soon as Sage had been taken into the hospital wing, he had been whisked away to the headmaster. Flanked by a few professors, he was led to Dumbledore. William had to wait by the door while the professors explained the situation to the old headmaster. When they finished talking, Professor Dumbledore turned his gaze upon William, a frown etched onto his face. William couldn't tell what the old man was thinking. He was afraid of the punishment he would receive. After all, there was a reason the Cruciatus Curse was an Unforgivable one.

Professor Dumbledore beckoned William forward. He shuffled toward the cluster of teachers, dreading what was about to happen. When he reached Dumbledore's desk, he noticed his headmaster, Igor Karkaroff, standing off to the side. William kept his eyes pointed down. He waited for someone to start talking, not looking at anyone.

"William," Dumbledore said in a soft voice. "Would you like to tell me what happened?"

William was nervous as he cleared his throat.

"I, uh... I wasn't thinking clearly when I was fighting that boy," he said, his eyes shifting around the room. Dumbledore cut him off.

"Start from the beginning, please," he said, looking sternly at the Durmstrang boy.

"Oh... uh, alright," William said. "Well, I was on a run this morning, as usual, and she was standing there with the red-headed twin. I got a little jealous. One thing led to another and after the twin left, Sage and I got into an argument."

William paused and scratched his head. Clearing his throat again, he continued speaking, his eyes still darting around the room.

"She broke up with me because... because she saw me cheat on her at the Yule Ball. Then she walked off and then the red-head--"

"George," interrupted Professor McGonagall.

"Yes, uhm, George. George came out of the bushes and he... he kissed Sage right in front of me." William trailed off, clenching his fists. Dumbledore motioned for him to continue. William took a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"I got jealous and angry when I saw them kissing, so I went to go stop them. George and I had a bit of a fist fight but then I got out my wand. I wanted to hex him. I promise I never meant to use the Cruciatus Curse. It just happened. But when I cast the Curse, Sage jumped in front of George. I couldn't stop. I didn't mean to. I really didn't. It just happened. And I--I'm--I'm so sorry. I really and truly and totally didn't mean to. I am so sorry."

William stood looking at the floor, his cheeks read from shame. He wanted to see Sage but knew that he wouldn't be allowed to see her. She probably loathed him anyways. The professors were all silent. He waited for them to say something. The silence seemed to stretch on for an eternity. Then, finally, someone spoke.

"Using one of the Unforgivable Curses is... well, it's unforgivable. You are a visiting student, William. You cursed one of our students while intending to curse another. The consequences for your actions will be great, especially since you are underage," Professor McGonagall said sternly. "But while we decide your punishment and discuss it with the Ministry, you are to go to the hospital wing and apologize to Sage. If George is there, apologize to him too. If not, you are to find him and apologize. Am I understood?"

William nodded, still avoiding the penetrating gaze of all the teachers. He stood rooted to the spot, thinking about what his punishment might be.

"Go now, William," McGonagall said, her tone softening. She pitied the poor boy.

William nodded again and shuffled out the door. As soon as the door shut, the teachers all turned toward each other.

"What are we going to do about him?" asked Professor Moody. "I"m positive he regrets what he's done, but he can't go unpunished."

All eyes shifted to Dumbledore, who sighed and sat back in his seat.

"Yes, a punishment is necessary for the boy. But Azkaban seems too harsh for him. I realize that out of rage, he said the first thing that popped into his mind. Couldn't be helped, really."

Professor Dumbledore thought for a moment.

"I suppose we can go talk to Miss Olliver and ask her what punishment she thinks this young man should receive."

The teachers all agreed that it seemed like a good idea.

"So it's settled," Professor Dumbledore said, rising from his chair. "I will go ask her tomorrow. For now, it is best that she rests and that William apologizes to both Miss Olliver and Mr. Weasley, not that that will do much good."

The teachers all left Dumbledore's office when he shooed them out, claiming he had to tend to Fawkes. Sighing, they all went their separate ways, anxious for the next day.

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William was afraid to face George. But he was even more fearful of when he'd see Sage. Guilt was suffocating him; he could barely breathe. He decided to go see George first. Trying to push Sage out of his mind, he set off in search of the twin.

It was nearly fifteen minutes later when he saw the Weasley coming out of Gryffindor's common room. After talking with the teachers, George had been allowed to return to Gryffindor's common room to change before heading over to the hospital to be with Sage. Taking a deep breath, William strode purposefully toward the red-headed boy. The instant George saw William, his face darkened. When William reached George, George grabbed him by the front of his shirt and slammed him up against the wall with such force that it caused several portraits to swing back and forth. Complaints emanated from within the portraits but George ignored them.

"You bloody b*****d!" George fumed. William held up both his hands to show he wasn't there to stir up any trouble. George was giving William a murderous glare.

"I truly am sorry, George," William said softly. " I do not expect you to forgive me, but you  must know how truly apologetic I am. The thought of Sage wanting you over me was enough to send me into a rage. She means so much to me, and I cannot stress how much guilt I feel for trying to using the Cruciatus Curse on you."

William stopped talking and lowered his eyes. George still had him pinned up against the wall. William waited for George to do something-- speak, yell, hit him, anything.

George was like a statue on the outside. However, on the inside, all sorts of conflicting thoughts and emotions raged through him. He didn't know whether to attack William or just walk away. One thing was for sure, though. He wasn't going to accept William's apology.

George's eyes were ablaze with fury. Clutching William's shirt even tighter, he spoke through gritted teeth.

"I hope you get what you deserve, you filthy prat," George said. "How Sage ever saw anything in you will always be a mystery to me. You stay away from her, you hear?"

George looked like he was going to say more but instead, he roughly let go of William and stalked off to go see Sage. William was left standing against the wall. The painting he had his back up against was complaining. Its occupants couldn't see anything and were yelling at him to move.

William pushed away from the wall and started walking toward the hospital wing, despite what George had just said. It was time to apologize to Sage.

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Sage had just woken up when William walked in. George was sitting beside Sage's bed, gazing upon her face with sadness. William slowly approached the two of them. When Sage saw him, her eyes opened wide and fear flooded into her eyes. George turned around and upon seeing William, he let out a feral growl.

"Leave," he said, anger bubbling inside of him.

William looked at Sage, who was shrinking back into her pillows as far as she could go. William's eyes were shining with tears as he looked upon the face of the girl he still had feelings for. Everything was his fault, and he deserved the worst possible punishment.

"Sage," he said, his voice breaking. "I'm so sorry for doing this to you..."

He trailed off as Sage's expression of utter fear did not change. George stood up and shoved William toward the exit.

"Get out!" he roared.

With one final look at Sage, William turned and ran out of the hospital wing. George stood rooted to the spot for a few moments, clenching and unclenching his fists. He took a deep breath and went back to sit by Sage's side.

"Are you okay?"  he asked, brushing a strand of hair out of Sage's face. Sage merely stared at him, the dull look back in her eyes. George sighed and settled back into his chair, hoping that Sage would eventually be okay.