second chance - george weasley

thirty

As we approached the imposing walls of Malfoy Manor, I couldn't help but feel a surge of adrenaline. None of us knew what or who to expect.

The echoes of Violet's warning still resonated in my mind, and so did our fight, I wouldn't know how to forgive myself if my last words to her were ones spoken out of place, out of rage.

With our wands at the ready we ventured into the darkness of Malfoy Manor, as we crept through the dimly-lit corridors each step felt like an eternity. Harry had sent Hedwig to call for Sirius and the Order's aid, but time was slipping through our fingers like sand. The echoes of Violet's tortured screams and the laughter of the Death Eaters reverberated through the walls and I could feel my guts twist in rage and disgust.

"We can't wait any longer," Hermione said, her voice determined yet tense. "We have to find her now."

With hearts pounding, we walked on, our footsteps hushed as if we were afraid the very walls might betray us.

Finally, we reached the room where they held her captive. Draco stood there, his wretched face etched with torment. He spotted us, his eyes silently pleading for understanding. As if.

Fred and I exchanged a glance.

"We're going in." We said in unison.

As we burst into the room, the scene was a nightmare come to life. The Death Eaters surrounded her, cruel smiles on their faces as they reveled in her pain. She was weak and covered in blood but defiant, stubborn - as always. I ran to her as the others started attacking the monsters that did this to her.

" Geor-" She tried muttering as I crouched down near her.
" Shh-sh-shh, we won't let them hurt you any longer, doll," I said trying to hold in my tears and grabbing her face softly.

The battle erupted in a frenzy of colors and chaos. Spells and curses collided in a symphony. We fought with all our might, protecting one another and pushing back the Death Eaters.

Draco remained silent, cowardly torn between loyalties. His eyes showed guilt and remorse, but he didn't interfere as we fought our way past him.

I tried helping her to her feet but she passed out as soon as she stood up.

"Love, love! Stay strong, come on, you're okay! Come on." I carried her in my arms, panicking.

I saw Hermione collapse from the corner of my eye, her determination pushing her to keep fighting even from the floor, creating a powerful whirlwind of deflective spells that protected all of us as we fought back.

As we made our escape, the tension hung thick in the air. Every step I took felt like it might be my last, every breath of hers felt like it might be her last.

Finally, we emerged into the night, battered and bruised, but alive. The world seemed to hold its breath as we stood outside the manor.

Draco lingered behind, his conflicted gaze following us. He made no move to stop us, but his expression spoke volumes.

We apparated back home and everyone ran to Violet and I, her eyes still peacefully shut but her face holding a painful look, full of cuts and bruises.

"Ginny!" Fred called out "The healing potions, now!"

Ginny ran to us from the kitchen, holding more than 10 flasks of healing potions and unctions they had crafted while we were out.

I popped one open and tried to get Violet to take it but she was still unconscious, I took my hand from underneath her and saw my whole arm completely covered in blood.

"Oh my goodness." Hermione buried her head in Ron's chest.
"I-.." I froze as I looked down between her and my hand.
"Hey, give me that!" Cedric stepped beside her and ripped the potion off my hand.

He moved her shirt up and carefully rolled her to her side, Fred carefully holding her head.

As he pulled the shirt up to her head, a huge deep cut could be seen all the way from her ribs to her spine.

"Oh goodness." Cedric carefully applied the potion to her skin instead of having her drink it.

A fizzling sound could be heard and Violets body contorted, her lips letting out a groan of pain.

"It's okay, let it out." Fred pat her head. "We need to take her upstairs to lay down in a bed."

Cedric, Fred and I carried her to my bed upstairs and took of her shirt so that Diggory could bandage her, more blood kept coming out as he applied more pressure.

She started gaining consciousness and the more she awakened, the louder the screams came out of her. I started panicking again.

"You should leave, wait outside with the others." Fred said calmly.

I took a few steps back and exited the room.

Her screams were deafening, filled with something more than pain, almost like a part of her left her with every cry.

Eventually, everything quieted down and the guys came out of the room, both with bloody hands and a grim expression.

"She will be okay, the potions are doing their job, she needs to rest." Cedric sighed and approached me "I hate to ask you this but can I sleep here tonight? I want to be able to tend to her if she needs anything."
"Of course, thank you."

He gave me a small smile and headed upstairs to clean himself, in the meantime Fred came close to me and squeezed my shoulder.

"She's going to be fine."

Everyone cleared out and went to wash up and change themselves into clean clothes, so so did I.

An hour or so later, Sirius and the Order arrived, late as always, and ran to check on Violet before retreating to their own chambers for the day.

I went to my room where she was sleeping peacefully, she no longer looked in pain, she was just there, breathing softly and deeply asleep.

I changed her clothes, always being respectful and trying not to stare at her beautiful body, I carried her onto a pillowed chair in my room while I switched the bloody beddings and then eventually set her down on the bed once again, kissing her goodnight.

I laid down beside her and moved carefully not to hurt or wake her, I couldn't get myself to sleep, I just kept talking to her in whispers as if she could hear me.

I'm sorry, I didn't mean any of it, I don't want to lose you. I love you - I kept saying.

I drifted away to sleep almost at sunrise, when I knew Cedric would be awake and ready to step in in case she needed it.