BORN TO DIE

𝐈𝐈𝐈 HOSPITAL WING

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SEPTEMBER HAD SEEMED TO FLY AWAY along brining the summer breeze with it. The trees had wilted, only remaining with cracked orange and yellow leaves or bare branches. The weather in October seemed to be in the midst of freezing yet warm. The occasional days with bright sun and zero winds had been rare, yet Esme was absolutely delighted that it was in fact one of those rare days.

Her hair was messily thrown about, as books were spread against the grass along with spilled ink staining her hands. It had seemed Lily and Esmerelda's friendship had soon blossomed into something comforting, and Lily had taken on the responsibility of encouraging Esme to study for herself — not her family.

"I just don't get it!" Esme huffed, her hand slipped from under her chin and the young woman allowed her face to fall against the old book.

Lily shook her head sternly, "you know this, Esme! We've gone over it a hundred times!" She insisted.

Esme dragged her head from its place, "Lily, every single time I've tried to create the bloody thing it turns pink! Pink?! How does the draught of living death turn PINK?" Esme fumed, she was frustrated, that was clear. Esmerelda Nott had always been skilled in potions, but being unable to create one was pushing her O, to an A.

Lily shook her head, "you must be mixing it wrong or — ugh" Lily groaned, Esme turned her head to follow the girls eye line and immediately let out a disgusted sound of her own.

James and the marauders in tow, seemed to be headed straight towards the duo. They all wore similar lazy grins, and their clothes were messy — looking as if they had just rolled from bed. "Well, hello my favourite girl!" James greeted as he came to a stop in front of the pair.

Lily scoffed, "I'm not your girl james."

James raised his eyebrow and smirked, "I wasn't talking about you, Evans" the potter boy remarked. His expression growing as he watched Lily look between Esme and James bewildered.

Esme, once again let her head drop against the open book. "Piss off, Potter" She grumbled, her words muffled by the paper.

She could hear james' smirk through his words, "you wound me, love! Im dying" he dramatically spoke. Esme lifted her head, and watched as he gripped his chest and fell against Sirius. "Save me! Give me the kiss of life, oh dear Esmerelda!"

Esme looked at Lily, "Can I stab him?" She questioned, the quickly looked at James as she pushed herself off the ground. "Im going to stab him!" Esme stated.

Lily gripped her friends ankle swiftly, almost knocking the girl over but she regained her stance and shook Lily off.

Esmerelda paused, she inhaled deeply and turned to Lily with a soft smile. "Lily darling, collect your belongings —" she paused, a scowl overcoming her features as she turned to the self proclaimed Marauders. "We are removing ourselves from the presence of these imbeciles." Pausing again, she looked towards Remus and Peter. "Except you two, you; Remus and Peter, are lovely from what I've seen and heard."

Remus smiled briskly and Peter's face flushed uncontrollably.

It seemed, despite the gorgeous weather — the world was against Lily Evans and Esmerelda Nott. Snape scowled at the pair and as soon as he opened his mouth, Esmerelda knew all hell would break loose.

"Nott, what would mummy and daddy think if they found out their precious daughter was hanging around filthy mudblood's and a pair of blood traitors" his words seemed like gasoline to a match.  Esme could feel the anger boiling inside her, and the Marauders seemed to back her up as they stood ferociously beside her.

Esme quickly pulled her wand from her back pocket, and stormed towards him. The boy quickly backed away whilst raising his own.

"Did I strike a nerve?" He taunted.

Flicking her wand, esme shot a spell at snape — who quickly deflected it. Spell after spell was shot between the two. "Reducto!" Esme yelled, watching as snape quickly moved aside. "Flipendo!" She spat again, swiftly snape flailed backwards and landed on his arse.

Esme stalked towards him, bending down and pointing her wand under his chin — forcing the boy to look at her. "Speak another word to, of or about Lily Evans again, and I'll kill you myself" Esme grumbled, watching as snape's eye twitch.

Standing up, Esme sent a final blow to his side with her foot and turned towards Lily. "Are you okay?" Esme asked softly.

Raising his wand, snape began to whisper. "Diffindo" he muttered.

Esme stumbled forward and clutched her stomach. A vibration shot through her body but she quickly regained her stance with a confused expression.

Lily's eyes widened in horror, "are you.."

Suddenly the adrenaline faded and esme could feel the sticky and hot liquid against her ribs. Looking down, she saw as the crimson blood soon stained her shirt.

"That wanker."

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The bright sun illuminated the hospital wing, which caused esme to groan.

"Oh thank Merlin" Regulus whispered in pure relief, although Madam Pomfrey reassured everyone that she'd be fine and would make a full recovery — they all worried.

Esme groaned one again, and pulled the covers over her face. "Shut the fuck up, Reggie."

Pandora laughed airily. "Well at least we know she's still the same Esme" she spoke softly.

Pulling the covers below her eyes, Esme surveyed the room.

"The lads are off finding the greasy git, and Evans is being consoled by Lupin and a few others" Regulus informed his friend, his dear friend who he was worried about but so incredibly angry at.

Esmerelda hummed in acknowledgment. "I'm surprised you're here and not off finding Severus" she noted nonchalantly.

"I would but we need to have a serious conversation."

Esme's eyebrows furrowed in amusement, "so we're talking about your brother?" She asked with a sly grin.

Regulus' expression hardened, "Esme, if you're parents find out your hanging about, let alone — defending a muggle born.." he trailed off, the words seemingly caught in his throat.

Esme nodded. "I am aware of the consequences, although I seem to not exactly care at this moment in time" she hissed quietly. Everyone knew of the Nott family's idea of punishment or repercussions, and if you didn't — one could guess.

Esme was usually terrified of her parents, the scars she had were enough to remind the young woman of every time she disobeyed them. They burned with memories every time she dared think about it. She remembered the day she had once again sparked the rumours that the Nott family were — traditional.

Mcgonagall was informing the house of curses, and sweet, young Esme had asked if crucio was really unforgiving, because of course eleven year old Esmerelda always forgave her father. Casper had done the same three years prior. Sirius black the same year, and Regulus the year after.

Esme could feel the burn behind her eyes at the memory. No, she didn't cry — never did she cry.

"I'd rather not continue this conversation" She choked out. Regulus, taken aback— nodded understandingly and stood up.

He placed a hand against her cheek tenderly and placed a soft kiss on her forehead.

Esme could hear his steps leave the wing before another set rushed in. A puffy faced Lily Evans quickly ran towards the girl and through her self onto the bed. Picking up a magazine, the fellow red head slapped it against Esme multiple times.

"Why on Merlin's earth, would you do that!? Look at you, you're in the hospital wing because of me! Oh I feel terrible" Lily rushed out, her eyes growing wet once again.

Esme chuckled, she placed a gentle hand on Lily's thigh. "I'd do it again, we're friends. It's what friends do" Esme reassured, a smile on her face despite the ache that resided from the duel.

Lily shook her head, "b-but friends shouldn't end up in the hospital over something silly!" She stammered, feeling the guilt pile on top of her once again.

With narrowed eyes, Esme looked genuinely angry. "Lily. Calling you a derogatory, disgusting and disrespectful name is not something silly. He disrespected you and then me — as long as were friends — I can promise you, I will always look after and defend you. Got it, flower?" Esme stated, leaving no room for argument. Lily sighed, tears flowing down her cheeks she once again flung herself onto Esme. Holding her tightly.

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The slytherin common rooms were practically empty once Esmerelda returned from Madam Pomfreys care. With a sligh limp, Esme strolled through the large room and headed for her dorm.

"I heard what you did, defending the mudblood..." Evan spoke up from an arm chair that faced the lookout onto the black lake.

Esme whipped her head around, "watch your mouth, Evan" she warned.

Evan chuckled, "I think it's you who needs to 'watch'. My parents will not be happy to hear my possible fíancé — is a mudblood defendant" he spoke darkly.

Esme look at the boy in shock, not once had he spoke to her in such manner. "Evan, you speak another word I'll knock you on your arse." And with that, Esme turned on her heal and headed into her dorm — making sure to slam the door fiercely.

Dorcas and Pandora sat up from their beds and looked at the girl quizzically.

"Shouldn't you still be in the hospital wing?" Pandora asked, her soft voice trailing through the silent dorm.

"Poppy let me leave" Esme huffed.

Dorcas shot her hands up in surrender, "Woah, tiger! What's got your wand in a twist?" She asked.

Esme groaned, falling back agasint her bed. "What is it with this school and blood status? I mean, two people have called Lily a mudblood in my vicinity today."

Dorcas looked furious. "Who." She demanded.

"Snape, who got knocked on his arse by me and no doubt the boys.. and then Evan — just fucking there" she explained, pulling the covers from underneath her and slipping her legs under the cool and comforting fabric.

Dorcas stood from her bed, coming to slide in beside Esmerelda and soon followed by Pandora.

The trio sat in silence before Dorcas spoke up, "sometimes I feel like we're the most un-normal — normal people in this school."

Esme pondered before snorting in agreement. Pandora snored, having fallen quickly asleep in Esme's bed.

"I question how she sleeps so peacefully" Esme pondered, allowing her head to fall against Dorcas' shoulder.

Dorcas nodded, "I think she smokes a muggle plant called weed or something — stinks up the greenhouse but she gets ditzy-er or falls straight to sleep."

"I might have to join her."

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RIN SPEAKS...

Short and sweet! (Not all that sweet)

This chapter is full of the butterfly affect, if the whole thing with snape MEVER happened — a whole series of events wouldn't happen.