𝕄𝕠𝕠𝕟𝕝𝕚𝕘𝕙𝕥| 𝔻.𝕄𝕒𝕝𝕗𝕠𝕪

RUNNING

Chapter seven

"Why do we have to have Astronomy on the first day back?" Nat moaned. "It's midnight and then we have to get up early again tomorrow. Who actually likes Astronomy? Professor Sinistra just talks about a constellation that no one gives two shits about, no offence Serena"

"None taken. I guess I just like the night and stars, it's peaceful" I say.

"You sounding like her now. You might as well take over her position" Nat stated.

"She's right you know. You're at the top of the class, you always know the answers and then you even correct her when she's wrong." Mae admitted.

"Sometimes I wonder why the sorting hat didn't place you in Ravenclaw" Nat reckoned.

"I'm not all books and cleverness you know" I tell her.

"I know but you're nearly as good as Granger" Mae said.

"No I'm not, Malfoy's below her, then me" I mentioned.

"Not in Astronomy, you were top last year and no doubt about it this year" Nat exclaimed.

"Alright let just get back to the dorm I'm exhausted" I groan.

-

Luckily this morning we had a free period so I could sleep in after going to bed at 1 in the morning.

I hugged the sheets tighter and closed my eyes to get a few more minutes of sleep.

It was a full moon and I was running through the forbidden forest late at night. The moonlight was hitting my skin. Seeking me out under the layers of leaves and trees.

My heart was beating louder than ever. And my body was shaking like crazy. My eye sight was getting better and I could hear things from far away.

I carried on running and I couldn't stop even if I tried. I just carried on.

I felt stronger, faster, lighter. Everything around me was flashing as I ran faster.

I didn't even know what I was running from. All I could hear my mind saying was 'Keep running and don't stop' like someone had forced me to continue on.

My bare feet were drenched in blood and sticks were stabbing my feet the more I moved.

I was dripping in sweat and my breathing was heavy. I was jumping over any fallen trees and going further and further into the forest. I had no clue where I was going.

"You can't run forever. Your mother couldn't" A booming voice called.

What was he talking about?

I was even more terrified now and that just made me run even faster.

"You can't hide from me Serena or should I say Clara" The voice said again.

Who was Clara and why was he looking for me?

I was looking back to see if anyone was there but then when I turned back to run I tripped. I fell straight to the floor and screamed in pain.

It felt like knifes piercing every inch of my skin leaving none of it untouched.

"I told you to stop running!" The voice yelled.

I looked up and saw a black hooded figure. Him.

"Serena! Wake up, wake up! It's a dream, you're having a nightmare!" A girl screamed.

I shook myself awake and saw Mae's distraught face towering over my own. I was gulping for air.

"Breathe Rena, breathe" She soothed. "Do it with me, in.........and out"

She did that for a while until I finally calmed down. I had tears streaming down my cheeks and onto the bed sheets.

"Please don't cry" Mae hushed.

She rushed to my side and held me tight.

"What happened Rena?" She asked.

"I-I I don't know. I was running and this voice" I said.

"A voice? Who's voice?"

"I don't know" I cried .

"It ok, you're ok. Maybe you should stay in bed I'll tell Snape you won't be coming to DADA today."

"Alright" I said.

"Let's get you cleaned up" She smiled.

She helped me out of bed but as soon as I tried to stand I fell to the floor.

"Oh my god! Serena what happened?" She yelled.

I looked down and saw my feet covered in blood. And it was pouring out into the floor.

"You need to go to Madame Pomfrey. I'll get some help, just stay there ok"

I nodded and she left the room.

I cried into my hands and my breathing began to speed up again. All I could see in my mind was the man in the black cloak. Who was he? I don't remember seeing his face or anything just his cloak and white hands raised to his head to lower his hood but that's when Mae woke me up.

"Serena!" I heard Mae shout again.

She came running and I heard another set of shoes on the floor. I raised my head and saw Malfoy standing right behind her.

"Bloody hell. What happened Serena?" He panted.

"She couldn't stand up and she has cuts all over her feet" Mae told him. "We have to take her to the hospital wing"

"I'll carry her" He said.

He walked over to me and picked me up bridal style. I wrapped my arms around his neck and buried my head in his chest to shield my face.

He carried me through the common room and I could hear everyone whispered most of them saying things like,

"Is that Serena?"

"What happened?"

"Is she okay"

"What's going on?"

And then shouts from people calling my name.

"Serena! Mae what's going on?!" It was Noah.

"She was sleeping and then when she tried to stand she fell and her legs are bleeding badly" I heard Mae reply.

"What?!" He yelled. "I'm coming"

"Come in then" She said.

I held on even tighter when Malfoy quickened his pace down the busy corridors. I cried into his chest drenching his shirt in my tears.

"Get out of the way!" He growled.

Gasps came from students surrounding us.

"Hurry up Draco" Mae shrieked.

"I am, I'm not used to carrying people" He snaps.

"We're nearly there Serena" I heard him whisper to me.

I couldn't hear much anymore and I was fading in and out of consciousness.

I took in one more breath of mint and cologne and then everything went black.

I was left in complete darkness.