VERDANT - D.MALFOY

7

Amelie roots through her drawers, launching items onto the floor as she hunts for bandages. Her eyes lock on the green box before pulling it out and placing it on her bed.

Amelie winces as she wipes the disinfectant wipe on the open cuts before placing a gauze dressing over the cuts. The witch then grabs a bandage before beginning to wrap the injury, cursing quietly as she struggles to wrap the cuts.

"Amelie, I -"

Luna stares at the witch who was halfway through meticulously bandaged her injured hand. The younger witch remains silent, sitting beside Amelie and, with a gentle touch, proceeds to assist her in wrapping her injured hand.

"What happened?"

"I fell and sprained it," Amelie murmurs. "Cut it on the back and because I'm wrapping it, I didn't want it to sweat underneath which is why the gauze patch is there"

"You're so silly," Luna giggles and Amelie offers her a weak smile. "How was detention?"

"Boring, just writing lines," Amelie shrugs.

"I'm gonna let you get dressed," Luna smiles at Amelie before skipping out of the dormitory.

The witch pulls her t-shirt over her head before turning so her back was facing the mirror. The witch sighs, looking at the reflection that stared back at her.

Deep scars were littered across her back, looking almost silver in the morning sunlight. The scars still had dark red marks right in the middle, an indicator of dark magic causing the injury.

Amelie shakes her head before pulling on her school shirt. Every so often, sharp pain would shoot through her back. A constant reminder of her biological father no matter how far away he was or how much she hated him.

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Amelie wanders down the corridor, heading for the Great Hall when a familiar head of platinum blonde hair comes into her line of vision.

"What happened to your hand?"

"I fell and sprained it," Amelie lies, allowing Draco to lift her wrist up and letting out a faked pained hiss when he moves it slightly.

"Sorry!"

"It's okay," Amelie places her good hand on his chest, offering him a sweet smile. "Let's go eat, pancakes coated in syrup and strawberries are calling my name"

"All of that is calling your name?" Draco asks, allowing Amelie to drag him by his hand towards the Great Hall.

"It always does,"

Amelie locks eyes with Hermione who glances at her bandaged hand, pursing her lips before looking back to the food on her plate.

"What's wrong with Granger?"

"Not a clue,"

Amelie and Draco join their friends at the Slytherin table. The trio all stare at Amelie's hand and she waves away their concern with her good hand.

"It's just a sprain,"

"So why haven't you gone to Madam Pomfrey?" Pansy asks, raising an eyebrow.

"It'll heal itself," Amelie rolls her eyes. "I'm not trekking all the way to the Hospital Wing for a sprained wrist"

"If it gets any worse during the day, I'll drag you kicking and screaming," Pansy points her fork threateningly at Amelie.

"Yeah, yeah,"

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"Amelie!"

Hermione's shout causes both Amelie and Draco to turn and face the witch who was rushing towards them. She grabs Amelie's arm and begins to pull her away from Draco.

"Granger, why are you snatching my girlfriend?"

"She was mine first!"

"She's not lying,"

Amelie allows Hermione to pull her into the broom cupboard, the space hiding from the eyes of the student population. The space was very narrow, causing the two girls to be chest to chest.

"Oh Hermione, if only I was single,"

"You know that's not why I pulled you in here,"

"You just cruelly broke thirteen-year-old Amelie's heart, I hope you're happy with yourself,"

"This is serious Amelie," Hermione shakes her head. "You and Harry need to tell someone"

"No,"

Amelie opens the door to the broom closet before stepping outside. Hermione chases after the witch, clattering out of the closet.

"Amelie, you have to-"

"No!" Amelie snaps. "I don't have to do anything. Just drop it, Hermione"

"It's not right-"

"Harry and I have dealt with so much worse," Amelie shakes her head. "Just let it lie, Hermione, we can't confront this head-on. The slander in the press, Harry's trial, Umbridge being here. It's all political. Trying to navigate this to fight it means we need a strategy that she won't figure out"