The Girl who Survived (Fred Weasley)

CH 103. Avalanche

A/N: Hello my Lovely Lovies!

So do forgive my absence, I had a family matter come up and I needed to fly back home. For those of you that know me, you know my family is a ways away. But I am back now. If you'd like updates on my posting, or if you'd like to stay in touch with me, be sure to check out my "Conversations" tab.

So, because I took an extra week off, I made sure to give you the absolute most with this chapter! Remember what I always say: 1. We're not always going to like all of the characters in the story 2. Everything will come full circle.

So, without giving too much away, Grab a snack (I consumed a lot of pita chips) and a drink (apple juice did the trick for me) and lets dive in! I'll be in the comments!

~Elodie's POV~

It's always been funny to me, the way that change can affect one's preferences and distaste. I used to hate the quiet, choosing instead to surround myself with noise. Drowning out the voices only I could hear. Until I came to peace with them, then the silence of a deafening quiet wasn't so bad.

Now, as I laid in the snow, trees whistling as the wind danced through their bare branches, my fingers tingling as the frost crept up my arms, I realized. I didn't particularly like anything.

Nor could I feel anything.

Not really at least. I knew the snow was burning into my skin, but I didn't have any particular urge to move and throw on a coat or gloves. I knew that while I drank vanilla tea in the mornings, it wasn't for any true preference. Just as a sentiment to convince me I was still close to someone who was now covered by six feet of dirt.

For the first time, I had the chance to do what I wanted to do, because I wanted to do it. And what I wanted, was to use my magic in its entirety. Feeling the way a warm blanket of comfort fell over me every time I'd tap into that part that I'd kept tucked away for so long.

Minerva was right.

It was addictive.

That was something I liked, I guess. The feeling of no longer being 'surprisingly powerful'. Now, when I walked into a room, everyone knew. And while I'd never been one to want the center of attention, I couldn't deny how great it felt. What I didn't anticipate however, was how empty it would still feel.

"I don't recall you ever being the type to skip out on a party," Draco said, walking out onto the frost covered balcony.

Leave it to the Malfoy's to put on a front and decide to host a party on christmas. In all honesty, I wouldn't have pictured Deatheaters as the type to want to celebrate the holiday, but I suppose it made sense. They were people too.

"I was bored," I said, remaining seated on the edge of the railing, one leg dangling near the solid ground of the balcony, the other bent in front of me. I felt like a widow, having worn a black ball gown with lace embroidered sleeves. "Did you come to entertain me?" I said, in a slightly uninterested tone.

He let out a grunt, stepping closer until he was looking over the edge of the balcony. Watching the last minute guests apparate in, the guards patrolling the outside perimeter of the grounds. Surely Theo and Adrian would be inside. "You clean up well."

"I know," I said, not looking up at him, instead judging the attire some of the elders of the pureblood families chose to arrive. Wearing what looked like ferrets and possums around their necks and claiming them as scarfs or parts of their coats.

"You've been a lot less problematic," He said, his eyes practically burning into my face.

I rolled my eyes before finally looking at him. "Nothing matters anymore," I said, holding his eyes, noticing the way his body reacted. He was taken aback by me.