fade into you || d.m

tea leaves

A song for the chapter: When the Sun Hits - Slowdive

It didn't matter that Elwia was in the shower, the tears running down her face were still burning and salty. With every sob, she gasped helplessly for air, forgetting how to breathe, for her mind was filled with everything else.

In the past week, Elwia's safe space had been the shower of her dorm. She always used Muffliato before entering the steaming hot water, not wishing to annoy her friends with her cries.

It didn't take long before all of Hogwarts knew what had happened on March 31st, because on the fifth of April, the Daily Prophet was delivered. One of the multiple headlines on the front page had the message: 'Apolline Delacour, from France's Ministry of Magic, killed in a brutal Death Eater attack.'

Elwia didn't do it on purpose, but ever since her secret had gotten out, she had been avoiding her friends and brother. She didn't dare face them, out of shame mostly, because why in Merlin's name hadn't she shared something so big with them? Elwia also knew every conversation with them would be like walking on thin ice, or who knew? Maybe it would be normal, but Elwia was too much of a coward to find out.

All of the pitiful eyes and words Elwia was receiving made her feel sick, which was why if she wasn't crying in the shower, she would be spending time in the Astronomy Tower. Although she wasn't alone hiding in there, Elwia had found herself quite keen on Draco's company. The two had been talking and growing even closer to each other.

"I'm sorry for your loss. I honestly don't know what I'd do without my mother. I'll make sure to write her a letter today and tell her how much I love her." A girl smiled pitifully, one whom Elwia had never seen before in her life.

"Thanks..." Elwia mumbled and continued walking towards Snape's classroom, having decided for the first time in a week not to skip her important classes.

"Elwia!" Poppy called behind Elwia's back.

Poppy's blonde hair was in pigtails, and her blue eyes were bright behind her pink-framed glasses.

"Hi, Poppy." Elwia said, the sight of the little girl causing her to break into a smile.

"I'm not going to give you my condolences, because I know I hated hearing that when I lost my mum. I just wanted to see how you are doing." Poppy flashed a smile, holding the books in her hands with pride.

"Thank you, Poppy. I'm honestly not doing okay, I spend most of my time crying and contemplating life." Elwia sighed and shook her head. "How are you doing? Has it gotten any easier?"

"I'm still grieving, obviously. But I've noticed it's important to find some kind of solace, really anywhere you can. I feel better when I read books because my mother taught me that wit and kindness are more important than anything." Poppy advised, her emotional knowledge impressing Elwia.

"As of right now, I'm finding solace in drowning myself in the shower and talking to this one boy." Elwia chuckled and fiddled with the straps of her bag.

"That's better than nothing, because grieving isn't easy at all. But anyways, it was very good to see you! I need to go to class now, I can't be late. I heard somewhere that people who are late get turned into toads, but I think that might be bollocks. Goodbye, Elwia!" Poppy waved and began walking in the other direction, her pigtails swinging with every step she took.

"Bye, Poppy." Elwia beamed, slightly feeling better than she had when she woke up that morning.

Elwia walked into the classroom, only a minute late, which still caused everyone's heads to turn when the door opened. And of course, when they saw who it was standing in the entrance, the whole room broke into whispers.