The Serpent and the Spark

Chapter 9

Elena stood frozen, staring into her mother's eyes, her mind reeling. The weight of Narcissa's unexpected understanding mixed with her own desire for freedom felt almost unbearable. For so long, she had been trapped between the expectations of her family and the faint whispers of her own heart. Now, standing at the threshold of her future, Elena finally felt like she could breathe.

"Thank you," she whispered, her voice breaking slightly. It wasn't just gratitude for letting her go. It was more than that—thank you for seeing me, for understanding, even when I don't fully understand myself.Narcissa's lips pressed into a thin line, her composure cracking just for a moment. "Just remember who you are, Elena. Not just a Malfoy, but who you are inside. It's easy to lose yourself out there, especially now."Elena's throat tightened as she nodded. She didn't have the words to explain how much this moment meant, or how complicated it felt to leave the only world she'd ever known. But she had to. If she stayed, she feared the cage would close in around her for good.Narcissa stepped back, retreating into the shadows of the doorway as Elena turned toward the looming gates of the manor. Her heart pounded in her chest, each step a defiance against everything that had been laid out for her since birth. The cool night air kissed her skin, and as she approached the gates, they creaked open with a soft groan, as though they, too, had been waiting for this moment.The path ahead was dark and uncertain, but for the first time, Elena didn't feel afraid. She felt alive.---Hours later, after walking along the winding roads that led away from Malfoy Manor, Elena found herself standing in a familiar spot—a secluded clearing just beyond the Forbidden Forest. She had Apparated to the outskirts of Hogsmeade, avoiding the village in case anyone recognized her. Now, Hogwarts loomed in the distance, its towering silhouette a comforting reminder of the world she had come to love.

A rustling sound behind her made her spin on her heels, wand already in hand. But it wasn't a threat."Didn't think I'd see you here this late." Fred's voice was unmistakable, filled with that same playful warmth she had missed. He stepped out of the shadows, his tall frame illuminated by the moonlight.Elena's breath caught in her throat. She hadn't planned on seeing him so soon, but her heart leaped at the sight of him. For a moment, she could only stare, feeling a flood of emotions—relief, joy, and the echo of everything she'd fought to leave behind."How did you—" she began, but Fred cut her off with a grin."I've got my ways." He winked, and Elena couldn't help but smile despite herself. His easy confidence and irreverent charm were exactly what she needed after the weight of the last few days.

Without thinking, Elena closed the distance between them, her arms wrapping around him in a hug that surprised even her. She felt Fred stiffen slightly, then relax, his arms circling her waist. For a long moment, they stood there in the moonlit clearing, the world silent around them.When Elena finally pulled back, she looked up at him, feeling a warmth in her chest that she hadn't felt since leaving Hogwarts. "I needed to see you," she admitted quietly.Fred's grin softened, his gaze searching her face. "What happened? You look... different."Elena exhaled a shaky breath, running a hand through her loose hair. "Everything happened. I left Malfoy Manor. I—I don't know where I'm going or what I'm doing, but I couldn't stay there anymore. I needed to get away."

Fred's brow furrowed slightly, and his usual cockiness faded into something more serious. "You left? Just like that?"Elena nodded. "I couldn't take it anymore. The rules, the expectations... it was suffocating. And after everything between us—" She hesitated, not sure how much to say. "I just knew I had to leave."Fred's expression softened, his hand reaching up to brush a strand of hair behind her ear. The gesture was gentle, almost intimate, and it sent a shiver down her spine. "You made the right choice," he said quietly. "You've got to live your own life, Elena, not theirs."Elena nodded, though a part of her still felt torn. "But where do I go from here? I can't just go back to Hogwarts like nothing's happened. Draco will tell Father I'm gone, and it's only a matter of time before they start looking for me."

Fred was quiet for a moment, his hand still resting against her cheek. Then, with a glint of determination in his eyes, he said, "You stay with me."Elena blinked, caught off guard. "What?"Fred's grin returned, though it was tempered with a seriousness she hadn't seen before. "You can come back to Hogwarts, but not as a Malfoy. Not in the way they expect. You'll be with me, and we'll figure it out together. The school's safe enough, and no one's going to make you do anything you don't want."A warmth spread through Elena's chest at his words. For so long, she had been alone in this fight—trapped between loyalty to her family and the desire for something more. But with Fred standing before her, offering not just support, but a chance at something real, something different, she felt a flicker of hope."You really think we can pull that off?" she asked, her voice trembling slightly.Fred's grin widened, the mischievous spark returning to his eyes. "Elena, if there's one thing I'm good at, it's breaking the rules."

She couldn't help but laugh at that, the sound bubbling up from somewhere deep inside her. Fred joined in, his laughter infectious, and for the first time in days, Elena felt like everything might actually be okay.They stood there for a few moments longer, the tension of the night fading into something lighter, more hopeful. But Elena knew they couldn't stay in this bubble forever. Eventually, they would have to face the reality of what she had done—and what her family would do in response."I don't want you to get involved in this, Fred," Elena said, her voice soft but firm. "It's dangerous. My father—he won't just let this go."Fred's expression darkened for a moment, but then he shrugged, his usual bravado returning. "I've faced worse. Besides, you're worth it."Elena felt her heart swell at his words, but she also knew the truth of the situation. She had defied not just her family, but everything they stood for. The consequences were inevitable.But for now, at this moment, with Fred by her side, she allowed herself to hope.---Over the next few days, Elena settled into a precarious routine. She stayed hidden in the outskirts of Hogsmeade, keeping a low profile while Fred slipped in and out, bringing her food, news, and the occasional joke to lighten the mood. He had convinced her to wait before returning to Hogwarts, giving them time to plan how to approach the situation.But the clock was ticking. Every day that passed was another day closer to the moment her family would come looking for her. And deep down, Elena knew that her father wouldn't stop until he found her.One evening, as they sat together near the edge of the forest, Fred turned to her, his face uncharacteristically serious. "Elena, we can't keep this up forever. Sooner or later, you'll have to decide what comes next."Elena nodded, her chest tightening at the thought. She had known this all along, but now, with the weight of it pressing down on her, it felt even more real."I just don't know what to do," she admitted, her voice small. "I don't want to go back. But if I don't, my father—"Fred reached for her hand, squeezing it gently. "You're not alone in this. We'll figure it out. Together."Elena looked up at him, her heart swelling with gratitude. She wasn't sure what the future held, or how she would navigate the tangled web of her family's expectations, but for the first time in her life, she wasn't facing it alone.And that made all the difference.---But even as Elena allowed herself a moment of peace, a shadow loomed over Malfoy Manor. Lucius Malfoy was not a man to be crossed, and as the days dragged on with no sign of his daughter, the full force of his anger was brewing.He would find her. Of that, there was no doubt.And when he did, the consequences would be dire.