𝐑𝐮𝐢𝐧𝐬 » 𝐆𝐞𝐨𝐫𝐠𝐞 𝐖𝐞𝐚𝐬𝐥𝐞𝐲 (ON HOLD)

18. Aftermath

A deafening silence filled the air as everyone stood still, at a loss for words. Fred let go of Elle as she stared blankly ahead at where Juliette had been moments ago, still trying to process what had just happened. She hadn't ever taken part in a physical fight, but the wait had been well worth it, not to mention long overdue.

The satisfaction of finally giving Juliette just what she had coming to her was enough for Elle. It all seemed to good to be true, having her gone so suddenly. Had that been the final straw? Would she and her friends no longer have to worry about her?

Elle's ears were still ringing as the adrenaline that had willed her to keep fighting started to wear off. She wasn't sure if the alcohol had played a part in her sudden boldness in fighting her, but was sure of one thing— her whole body was beginning to sting and ache with pain. Everyone rushed over to Elle, but she was only picking up bits and pieces of what was being said as their words jumbled together.

She could make out Alicia saying about how bloody brilliant the fight was, and Angelina adding that she couldn't have been prouder, and everyone else agreed while adding comments about how Juliette deserved what she had coming to her.

Lee had a beaming smile on his face as he hugged Elle, "That was fucking badass, Elle! Blimey! I mean, you should have seen it from where I was standing! You were completely brilliant—"

Elle winced as a pain swept through her right side and Lee immediately let go of her, "Sorry, I didn't mean to hurt you. Are you okay?"

Elle nodded weakly and forced a small smile, "It's alright, Lee. I'm just feeling a bit sore is all."

"Well, I'd expect that," Lee chuckled, "Considering you just beat the living shit out of that bitch! Way to go, Black!"

"Wait, Elle— you're bleeding." Alicia pointed out, gesturing to her cheek. Elle reached up to her cheek, her fingertips barely brushing against a deep gash she could only guess was from where her nails had dug in. She pulled her hand away to see her fingertip now painted with a light layer of crimson.

"Whoa, that's gonna leave one wicked scar!" Fred exclaimed, "One of a kind of that! You can now say you've gotten into a brawl with a Veela!"

Elle gave him a weak smile, Remus was sure gonna love to hear about this one. George then pushed his way through the commotion of the group towards Elle in quite a hurry.

He placed his hands gently on her arms as he looked her over, his eyes widening when he noticed that her injuries looked worse up close. He hadn't really been able to tell just how beat up she had gotten until then, but judging from the trickles of blood running down her cheek and the multiple bruises and cuts framing her face, he knew she was hurting more than she was leading on.

George swallowed before saying, "Alright everyone, feel free to continue the party— I'm gonna head down to the flat with Elle and clean her up a bit."

He wrapped his arm around her as their friends gave her more congratulations and compliments before heading down from the rooftop and into the flat.

The silence of the flat was welcoming and peaceful compared to the loud music and chatter of the party, but a faint ringing still remained in Elle's ears as George led her into her lavatory, setting her on the lid of the toilet seat.

"I'll be back in a minute, I'm gonna grab the healing kit." George left Elle alone for less than a minute as promised, before returning with a small tote of medicinal viles with different labels and a variety of gauzes and bandages.

George knelt down in front of her, his eyes now almost level with hers as he looked her over once more. She had a small cut and what looked to be a faint bruise forming near the lower corner of her mouth, a deep cut slashing down the entirety of her right cheek. His eyes widened when they landed on what looked to be a nasty burn on her forearm.