it all ends with us: ruins

011

Chapter Eleven:

"You were everything I wanted to live for."

Atlas had woken up groggy. Her whole body ached and she had a raging headache from the events from the day before. Her throat was dry and she could see the bruises that had scattered all over skin. The only warm part of her body was her hand which Ren must've been holding the whole night. Atlas looked at the blonde who seemed to be in an uncomfortable position and poked her awake.

"Atlas you're awake." She said happily staring at the girl thanking Merlin for keeping her alive.

"Go to your dorm Ren, get some proper sleep." Atlas told her and Ren shook her head.

"I'm not leaving you." She argued.

"I'll be fine." Atlas urged her but Ren sat firmly in her seat.

"Miss Rivera, you may go get some proper rest. Take Mr Lennon with you. Atlas' mother has arrived and she won't be alone, we have some things to discuss." Dumbledore told her and she couldn't really argue with him.

Apollo had woken up a short while after and had kissed Atlas' forehead and promised to be back when Dumbledore and their mother had finished talking to her. Atlas had rolled over and took a sip of the cold water Ren had left for her in an attempt to clear her dry throat. Her breathing had gotten a lot better and whatever was in the draught that Snape had given had cured her of the worst pain.

Atlas groaned while trying to sit up. Dumbledore had left to fetch her mother who had rushed here as soon as she had gotten the patronus. Professor Sprout had dropped by wishing the girl good health and then had to leave to give ingredients to Snape who was brewing a potion to get rid of the bruises. The doors to the hospital wing had opened and Dumbledore stood with Gaia Lennon. The older lady rushed towards her daughter.

"Mommy."

"My poor baby." Gaia cried out cradling Atlas towards her.

Atlas had hugged her mother tighter than ever, her own eyes tearing up at the sight of her mother. The two Lennon's had held each other in an embrace for what felt longer than ten minutes. Neither of them had wanted to move or interrupt so they sat there in each other's hands. It wasn't until Dumbledore cleared his throat that the two had actually separated from each other.

"I don't want to interrupt but I believe we have to discuss your daughter's health, Mrs Lennon." Gaia nodded at the older wizard.

She mentioned for him to sit at the chair beside the bed and he took her up on the offer. He pulled two yellow sweets and offered it to the family. Atlas had gracefully taken the lemon sherbet while her mother politely refused. This had calmed Atlas' appetite, making her stomach stop rumbling. Dumbledore and her mother had moved away to let Atlas rest some more while they had a more private conversation.

"Last night was something that I have never seen before." Dumbledore explained.

"She had no recollection of any nightmares but had woken up with at least two dozen bruises covering her body. She had burned up inside out while her exterior was like the temperature frozen water. It was a case that even amazed me." He explained further.

"The most confusing element was that Miss Lennon was coughing up a significant amount of blood."

"Is there any way we could stop it from happening again?" Gaia asks frantically.

"There's no permanent cure Gaia, I'm afraid the best solution is to tell her" Gaia solemnly nods.

The two walk further down to the end of the hall but Atlas is still able to hear parts of the conversation.