The Girl Who Lived

Forgiveness

May 20th, 1996.
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Her entire body was covered in sweat. She was sure she was burning. As bright as an evening star.

She was burning, burning, burning-

"Elena, come on," Ginny shook Elena gently.

She was barely conscious. Barely able to move. Barely able to breathe and keep her heart beating softly.

She was dead, wasn't she? Umbridge had finally killed her, finally managed to ease the pain.

Elena wondered if her scars would be gone once she died. She hated them all.

Ginny had watched her friend sweat profusely and cry and shake while writing with whatever the hell 'Fyre-Death' was in the blood quill.

Ginny had sat and watched Harry hold Elena's hand on the table while whispering something when Elena had become delirious.

And the entire fucking time, Professor Umbridge had smiled each time a new tear rolled down Elena's cheeks.

Elena's head rolled onto her shoulders and she groaned softly, trying to open her eyes long enough to look at Umbridge and let her know that Elena was alright.

That she would not faint in this classroom, she would not give Umbridge the satisfaction of knowing that Elena was moments away from snapping her own neck.

"Malfoy..." Elena murmured under her breath, barely gasping his name out.

Ginny couldn't understand what Elena had said but it didn't stop her from hoisting Elena up and holding her up by looping Elena's limp and bleeding arm over Ginny's shoulders.

Elena groaned, barely able to move.

Everyone gathered the parchment rolls together, getting in a line to hand each one to Umbridge.

She accepted each one with a cruel smile and her eyes were dark as Elena shivered.

Ginny couldn't hold Elena up by herself.

Fred hesitantly came over, reaching out to grab Elena's other arm and hold her up but Elena shook her head, eyes narrow at Fred.

Anyone else. Literally anyone else other than Fred, Elena said in her head.

Fred backed away, leaving the room. He shook his head, making a note to ask Ginny if Elena was alright.

As Fred opened the door, he looked to the left and saw someone.

The figure was slumped against the wall, tugging at his white hair and bouncing his knee. He looked ready to pounce on whoever came out of the room.

Behind Fred, Ginny pulled Elena out of the room with Ron helping carry her. Harry followed behind closely, making sure Elena didn't fall and Hermione carried Elena's bag.

Draco looked up and saw her. His stomach dropped to the floor and he felt something crashing through him like a train.

"Wildfire?" Draco said quietly, roughly.

Elena tried to lift her head, blindly lurched towards his voice but pain sparked through her entire body that sent her crying.

At the sound of her hurting cries, he pushed off the wall and went right for her.

Elena was covered in sweat, tears and her arm was bright crimson with small blisters. Her eyes were bloodshot and the green was covered in darkness.