Ailouros Tails book 4: The Return

Chapter 8~Tensions Arise

Apollo and Nico stopped at the edge of the whomping willow and entrance to the shrieking shack. Nico glanced at the tree suspiciously but it held still. "So we go into that dark tunnel where we are going to find this Sirius Black guy? What does he have to do with Ailouros?"

Apollo sighed. Ailouros's cats raced into the darkness. If this tunnel would lead them to Ailouros being found, they would face this supposed Murderer.

The two men swiftly followed them into the dark tunnel.

***

Amaterasu glared at Draco Malfoy's head. She knew he had something to do with Ailouros's disappearance. She couldn't say how she knew, but she did.

She listened as he started to sneeringly whisper to those fools who sat beside him. "At least we got rid of that pesky girl who made us look like fools once and for all. Now if we could only do the same to Potter."

Percy saw Amaterasu's glare sharpen from his seat beside Annabeth who was visiting and paying eager attention to the class. Even considering the danger he nudged Annabeth to get her attention "Amaterasu looks like she's ready to curse someone..." He whispered to her.

Annabeth glanced over at Amaterasu then at her watch. "Class lets out in a minute. I wonder what has her so furious... I don't think I've seen her this mad since... well, I don't remember exactly when she's ever been this angry. Any news from Apollo yet?"

"No and come to think of it, I haven't seen Nico all day either. If he has done anything to harm her I'll make him pay. If any harm comes to her from him I'll-" Percy started to growl but Annabeth cut him off.

"Nico wouldn't hurt her Percy. Though it's cute how you care so deeply about your sister... I'm sure she'll be okay." Annabeth said kissing him as class was dismissed.

***

I was helping organize the spellbooks by the door when someone knocked.

"Ailouros honey, can you get that? It should be Dumbledore or Minerva." Molly called from the kitchen where she was preparing cookies.

"Okay." I headed towards the front door. Uneasiness filled me as I neared the door. The doorknob felt cold as ice. Ignoring it I opened the door only to be hit with multiple spells by multiple casters.

"Silencio"

"Expelliarmus"

"Confundo"

Suddenly my voice wouldn't work and I felt overwhelming confusion. In my confusion, I dropped the heavy book I had been holding. Why was I holding a book? Where was I? Strong hands grabbed my arm. I followed it up to its owner. The strange lady in pink looked familiar and had a nice smile.

"Come with me, dearest. It's okay you are going to go somewhere with others like you." She said kindly.

"Others like me?" I repeated without sound.

She started to lead me outside. The uneasiness in me was growing. I felt full of dread as two black floating creatures moved in on either side of me. Instinctively I looked around without moving. I was surrounded everywhere but up and back. The urge to escape was overwhelming. "Move slowly." A voice whispered in my mind. The voice was familiar, commanding, and I felt like I could trust it. I inched towards the wall and the door's shadow. I was still facing the lady in pink. A familiar cloak wrapped around me. Its dappled grey-green coloring is invitingly safe and familiar. I moved to look at the one who was holding me close under the cloak when the familiar voice spoke softly in barely a whisper only I could hear.

"Don't move. Movement catches the eye. You'll be okay." His arms held me tightly as if protecting me from some danger.

The hiss of arrows flying made me look in the tall grass and bushes. The fact that I could see no one there gave me a strange sense of Hope.