𝔅𝔢𝔞𝔲𝔱𝔦𝔣𝔲𝔩 𝔓𝔞𝔦𝔫

ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔭𝔱𝔢𝔯 𝔗𝔴𝔢𝔫𝔱𝔶-𝔢𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱

𝔎𝔯𝔦𝔱𝔞𝔫𝔞'𝔰 𝔭𝔬𝔳

My eyes flutter open when I feel something brush against my cheek. They widen when I realize that I am being sniffed by some kind of creature. Jolting upright, I bat the creature away. The black creature scurries back a few inches but does not run away. Glancing around, I sigh when I see where I am. "No, not again."

I am in the middle of the forbidden forest again.

I stand up, wincing in pain. Eyebrows furrowing at why my legs hurt, I pull up my nightgown enough for me to see my knees bleeding as if they had been cut by something like branches. "Damn it." I run my thumb over the skin of my left knee and hiss. Though I want to assess my injuries properly, I remember what happened the last time I was here. I let the skirt of my nightgown fall to my ankles before quickly walking back toward the castle. I do not want to get eaten by whatever the hell is in this bloody forest.

When I hear a high-pitched whining sound from behind me, I whirl around, my eyes narrowing. I look at my surroundings but see nothing until I glance down and see a rather small, black ball of fur following me, its green eyes gleaming in the moonlight. It meows again when our eyes meet. "You can't come in with me," I tell the little creature. Not understanding my words because it's an animal, it lunges for me, its tiny claws sinking into my nightgown. It climbs up my nightgown until it reaches my right shoulder. "You are insane," I hiss. The tiny kitten rubs its head against my neck, making no move to leave me alone.

Sighing, I grab the kitten and put it in my arms, holding it tightly so that it doesn't jump out of my grasp. I glance at the forest, knowing that a kitten this small most likely has a mother somewhere and siblings too. I want to go back to see if there are any other kittens, but I shouldn't be out in the forest during the day, let alone at night. Staying here after I wake is stupid. I'll check tomorrow though during the day.

"Come on, little guy." I walk through the courtyard and back into the castle with the little black kitten in my arms. I make my way to the dungeons and head to Slytherin house. Muttering the password, I enter the common room, which is thankfully vacant. I quickly head upstairs and enter my room with the kitten in my arms. I close the door behind me and redirect my gaze to Rhysand's bed. Rhysand sleeps soundly in his bed, but he is a light sleeper, so I have to tiptoe into the room to avoid waking him.