Lily Evans tugged her sleeve down, hiding the raised scars on her wrist. She tried to ignore the pain, but it was hard. She hadn't expected it to hurt this much.
Hugging her arms to her stomach, she walked quickly through the corridors, down to McGonagall's office.
"Ah, Miss Evans," the professor smiled at her star student. "I presume you're here for your makeup work?"
Lily nodded. "Yes, Professor. Thank you." She reached for the thick sheaf of parchment, the result of many missed days of class. As she grabbed the stack, her sleeve pulled up, revealing a few of the scars.
Lily tried to pull her arm back, but Minerva was quicker. Seizing Lily's arm, she examined the cuts. "Lily, did you do this to yourself?"
Hanging her head, Lily managed a small nod.
Minerva's face softened. "Does it hurt?"
Another nod.
"Well, I'm no Madam Pomfrey, but I'll see what I can do," Minerva promised. Touching her wand to Lily's skin, she whispered an incantation, and Lily felt a warmth under her skin. The pain faded away, but the marks remained.
"Magic won't make those disappear," Minerva told Lily. "Self-inflicted wounds will only heal with time."
"Thank you, Professor," Lily murmured, turning towards the door.
"One more thing," Minerva stopped her. "Were you really gone with family these last few weeks?"
Lily shook her head. "I was at a treatment facility. My mum and dad wanted to have me close to them."
Minerva nodded. "Those cuts look new. Did you do that recently?"
"This morning." Lily's voice was barely a whisper.
Minerva pulled Lily into a hug. "It will get better," she told the young witch. "But you have to make it happen. If you ever need to talk.. I'll be here. All right?"
Lily smiled for the first time in weeks. "Thank you."
Minerva sent her on her way, then sat back down. Absentmindedly, the older woman brushed her fingertips across her own scars. Please, let Lily be all right.
Let me know what you think! And feel free to suggest ideas for other chapters!