When Darkness Calls

Chapter 5- The Forbidden Forest

Snape was livid. He had to personally come to fine me to tell me to attend the quidditch match and I had directly defied his orders.

‘I’m sorry Professor sports not really my thing so I thought I would take the opportunity to come and do a bit of studying in peace,’ I knew it was futile to try and argue my way out of it but I felt I needed to explain myself.

‘Shut up, I have had enough of this you have been here less than a week and have proved yourself to be nothing but a miserable little irritant on my day.’ I was sat in the boat now Snape was stood over me the movement of the boat not affecting his stance.

He looked about the boat now a frown creasing his brow.

‘Where are the oars? How did you get out into the lake without them?’ Suspicion in his eyes now as they settled back down on me. 

I did not answer just merely shrugged.

‘These boats are controlled by Dumbledore alone to bring the first years to the castle, the magic placed upon them prevents students from taking the boats out.’ He was talking more to himself now still looking around with confusion in his black eyes.

I kept my head down not daring to meet his eyes, my parents had told me to conceal the full extent of my powers from everyone no matter if I thought them trustworthy. Dumbledore had placed magic on the boats so he could control them and I had broken the wards with ease. A wind swept over the lake and Snape raised his eyes up to the now cloudy sky.

‘We will discuss this later there is a storm coming in we must get back to shore.’ He gestured for me to get up. I gathered up my belongings and followed Snape into the boat he had come out into the lake in. As I stepped out the boat it instantly started to move back to shore now under Dumbledore’s control again. Snape looked at the boat moving on its way then back at me as I sat down at the back of the boat. His eyes were full of suspicion and I tried desperately not to meet them. He sat at the opposite end of the boat with his back to me, he whispered some inaudible words and the boat began to move purposefully back towards the castle.

We advanced in silence and for that I was grateful. He turned his head to look out over the lake and it gave me a chance to study his profile. His skin was pale and smooth he looked to be in his early thirties. His hair was as black as his eyes and sat just above his shoulders. He had curved, full lips and a strong prominent nose. I had to admit he was physically attractive but his personality was repulsive to me. Feeling eyes on him he turned to look at me a frown creasing his brow, I held his gaze for a few seconds before turning to look out onto the lake.

I couldn’t allow myself to look at for fear of being caught again so the journey continued in silence. When we got back to shore Snape got out the boat with ease almost gliding to shore and gestured for me to follow.

‘It is not the end of this Miss Blake, you will go straight back to your room and you will not leave until it is time for dinner do you understand?’ He was still full of rage but trying to keep his tone even.

‘Yes Sir.’ I kept my eyes down not wanting to anger him further.

‘In the meantime I will think of a suitable punishment now go!’ He shouted now and I didn’t wait round for anymore. I quickly walked back to the castle and to the safety of my room.

I didn’t go to dinner I did not want another run in with Snape and I certainly didn’t want to know what punishment lay in store for me. I busied myself as much as I could reading and organising my room. I had a bath then got in bed knowing that I would have to see Snape the following day no doubt I would be in more trouble now for not attending the Great Hall for dinner as requested. Exhausted by my thoughts I fell to sleep almost immediately.

‘Ava wake up my love.’ His voice drifted in the air.

I blinked a couple of times my eyes adjusting to the darkness. I was awake but his voice called to me again.

‘I’ve finally come for you my love come to the window.’ His voice was so clear I thought I was awake but couldn’t be sure. My body instinctively moved out of bed and I went over to the window. The grounds were quiet and dark I looked at the clock on the wall it was just past midnight. I didn’t see anything at first but then I noticed a small light just beyond the tree line which seemed to grow as I watched. As I watched the light it stopped moving and I saw a cloaked figure step out in front of it.

‘I need you to come to me now.’ It was a command not a request.

I felt like my body wasn’t my own it was like I was looking down on myself seeing my body leave my room and head down the stairs. When I got down to the door I was surprised to find it open. I looked out to the tree line and saw a small dim light just beyond. I focussed on the light and took off into the darkness. I kept my eyes on the light the whole time not wanting to lose sight of it. As I neared the trees the ground underfoot wasn’t grassy anymore and I caught my feet on jaggered stones and thorny brambles. I was surprised that I felt the pain shooting up my legs wasn’t this a dream?

As I took a step into the trees the light suddenly went out. I started to fret and search for it when my eyes focussed through the gloom and I saw him standing under a knarred old tree watching me.

‘Is it really you have you come for me?’ I was frozen to the spot looking at the figure in front of me.

‘I have,’ as he said it he pushed his hood back and I saw the familiar ice blue of his eyes.

My eyes never left his as I strode towards him but before I could reach him I heard a shout from over my shoulder.

‘Ava stay where you are don’t take another step,’ It was Dumbledore shouting out to me forom beyond the trees

The smile on my Dark Strangers face fell and turned to rage he wasn’t looking at me now but behind me. I watched as his cloak folded in on itself and with that he was gone.

‘What are you doing who were you talking to,’ Dumbledore had come behind me and turned me to face him taking me by the shoulders. I wasn’t looking at him though I was looking through him.

‘No no come back please take me with you,’ I had turned away from Dumbledore and was shouting out into the forest. I had some so close to leaving with him and now he was gone and I wanted him to come back for me.

When he had come to me in my dreams he had told me about how I would never have to hide my magic again. He was going to teach me how to control it. I would be free to go and do whatever I wanted, and have anything that I wanted. I needed to be with him he was the only person that understood me.

I collapsed on the forest floor and cried in desperation bringing my knees up to my chest like I would do when I was younger not wanting anyone to see me upset. I looked at my feet they were cut all over and covered in dirt that looked black mixed with the deep red blood. This could have been my one chance to get away what if he never tried came for me again?