hold on - d.m

18

╰┈➤ ❝ M Y  D E A R E S T  D A U G H T E R ❞

╔═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╗

And when the storm's out, you run in the rain

Put your sword down, dive right into the pain

Stay unfiltered and loud, you'll be proud of the skin full of scars

That's all I know so far

[All I Know So Far - P!nk]

╚═══*.·:·.☽✧ ✦ ✧☾.·:·.*═══╝

< Elora >

"Noah and Aurora LaBelle..."

And I told them everything. By the end, they were very confused about where this story was leading.

"Elora was entrusted to two deatheaters, Charles and Esme Montgomery."

"So that means..." Draco began, the pieces clicking in his mind.

"No way..." Theo stared at me in shock.

"Yes way. I am Elora Rose LaBelle, daughter of two Order members, Noah and Aurora LaBelle," I finished, wiping some stray tears that had fallen down my face whilst storytelling.

"Woah I would never have expected that," Theo said.

"There's more," I said, "when I was still in the womb, Voldemort cast a curse on me – the cruciatus blood curse. It's an ancient curse that intensifies emotional and physical pain on its victim until, or if, the curse is broken."

"That explains a lot," Draco said.

"It's crazy isn't it?" I said, "I am not who I thought I was... who you thought I was. I've been lied to and kept in the dark my whole life. I've been treated like shit and felt worse than I should've because of this curse. I've fucking wanted to die because of this curse. It's slowly killing me, you know?"

"Bub..."

"No, Theo, don't tell me that it's going to be okay because it's not! This curse will eventually kill me," I shouted, "I don't know what to do with myself. I don't know how to feel. It's just so much that I've been kept in the dark about. I've gone through so much shit just to find out that I'm going to die anyway. What was the point?!"

"You held on for your parents, Iz, for Noah and Aurora," Draco said, "they died for you and you, although unknowingly, stayed strong for them. So that their deaths weren't in vain."

"They'd be very proud of you, you know?" Theo said.

"She wrote me letters... my mom," I said, holding up the black box, "she hid them from the deatheaters in the hopes that I'd eventually have them and now I do."

"Take your time," Draco said, "you don't have to read them all in one go right now."

"I know," I said, "I think I'd like to read one now."

"Do you want us to stay or give you some time alone whilst you read?" Theo said.

"Stay," I said almost immediately, "please. Both of you."

I opened the box and took out the first letter.

My dearest daughter, Elora,

If you're reading this, then that means that I'm no longer here. I'm so sorry, Elora, that we're no longer with you. Your dad and I love you very much even though you're not born yet. You've given us the biggest joy that life could give us. I can die happy knowing that you are being given a chance to live and experience life as we have.

I don't know what your situation is like, but I can already feel your unrest in my womb. No doubt, from the curse. We've tried everything we could, Elora, to break it but it's near impossible. Your dad... he was killed a week ago when we escaped but we managed to send a letter to Albus and Minerva so I hope they are or have helped you with this. But I believe in you, little Elora, I know that you can find a way to fix this.

Stay strong, my daughter, and keep fighting. Me and your dad are always with you and we're looking down at you... proud.

I love you, hunny,

Mom

"You okay?" Draco asked.

"Do you think they're watching me right now?"

"Yes, love, and they would be smiling at how far you've come," he said.

I laid my head on Draco's shoulder and gripped Theo's hand.

"I miss you, mom," I whispered, "and I miss you too, dad."

Theo laid his head on my shoulder and they both held me in their embrace.

"Thank you both for being here," I mumbled into Draco's shoulder.

"When have I not?" Theo said.

"You deserve the world, Iz," Draco said, leaving a gentle kiss on my forehead, "and believe me when I say that we will do everything in our power to break that curse. We will, love, together."

"Swaying away from the sentiment we got going on, bub, what name do you prefer to be called? Isabel or Elora?" Theo asked.

"Elora," I immediately answered, "my parents named me that and I do not want to carry a name that was given to me by them."

"Elora it is," Theo smiled.

"Elora... love that name," Draco mumbled just loud enough for me to hear.

🕰️

"How are you, dear?" McGonagall greeted me whilst tidying away her classroom.

"I'm better, Professor," I said, "I told Theo and Draco everything so they're helping me through this."

"I'm happy you have them, Elora," she said, "you're okay with me calling you Elora, right?"

"Yes, Professor, more than okay," I smiled.

"Okay, Elora, I'm presuming you did not run all this way just for me to ask whether you're okay," she chuckled, "what can I do for you today?"

"Well, the thing is, Professor, me, Theo and Draco want to research the curse and it's very difficult to find anything in-depth in the library so I came to ask whether you can give me a pass to the Restricted Section?"

She looked apprehensive.

"Please, Professor, we need to break this curse and to do that we need to learn as much as we can about it," I pleaded.

"Okay, but just you three though," she said, "and only look through relevant books. There are some dangerous books in there that shouldn't fall into the wrong hands."

"I understand, Professor, we won't stray away from the topic," I said.

"Very well, here you go." She handed me a folded piece of parchment which said:

I allow Elora LaBelle, Draco Malfoy and Theodore Nott to browse the Restricted Section for research purposes until the school year is up.

- Minerva McGonagall, Headmistress of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry

"Thank you, Professor!"

"Remember, Elora-"

"Researching the curse only, got it!"

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Author's note:

OMG guys I'm so sorry! I didn't realise how long it's been since I've updated this book... nearly a year?! Life has been so hectic - between work and university, it's been hard to find time to write. I'm currently on break from university till October so hopefully, I'll have more time to write alongside work too. I cannot promise fast updates, I never have really, but all I ask is please be patient with me. I have plans for this book and I do want to fulfil them.

To everyone who's been voting for chapters and adding my book to their lists, thank you. I SEE YOU! And I'm so grateful for your support 🤍