DING!
The SUN sets, dropping behind the mountains in the distance. Hermione turns. Sees a frenzied spray of crows stain the bloody sky, their PRIMAL SHRIEKING rising like a curse. Slowly, Hermione's hand falls onto Ron's shoulder and CAMERA FALLS WITH her, CONTINUING DOWN the length of Ron's arm to his hand, where a DROP OF BLOOD hangs from his finger, drops like a tear...
DING!
Ron stares at his hand. At the blood running down his finger.
Ron: He bit me...[His eyes shift. See Scabbers streaking away]
Hermione: Ron! No!
Athena: Ron stop!
"Listen to them" cried Molly and Arthur.
As Ron pelts after Scabbers, Athena and Hermione give chase. Ron reaches the summit, disappears over the top. Hermione and Athena follow. Athena and Hermione reach the top of the ridge. They stop.
Hermione: Athena. You do realize what tree this is...
Ron nabs Scabbers, cradles him in his bloody palm.
Ron: Now behave yourself
Everyone laughs at Ron scolding his pet.
CAMERA PULLS BACK: Ron is kneeling under the Whomping Willow
"Get out of there" scream the Marauders and Professors.
Athena: That's not good [yelling] Ron! Run! [Ron spins. Looks toward Athena]
Ron: Athena! Run!
Athena's eyes shift. Bounding toward her in the gathering gloom is an ENORMOUS, PALE-EYED, JET-BLACK... DOG. Athena shields herself when... the dog LEAPS CLEAR OVER HER.
"Aaaahhhhh!"
Ron: Aaaahhh!
Molly clings to Arthur for dear life. The Weasley children all look scared for their brother.
The dog's TEETH flash and -- SNAP! -- close on Ron's foot, dragging him TOWARDS THE TRUNK like a rag doll. Instantly, Athena dashes forward, leaps out, and grabs Ron's hands... but she and Ron just keep skudding along the ground.
The hall is deadly silent, too invested in what's happening on screen.
Hermione: I've got you --
Hermione pitches herself onto Athena's feet... and the three of them go scudding along.
Ron: Athena!
Athena raises her chin. The dog vanishes into the GAP at the base of the tree, begins to pull Ron through...
Athena: Hold on, Ron!
But it's no use. The dog is too powerful. Athena glances around desperately, then finds herself looking directly in Ron's eyes. She can read his mind.
Athena: No, Ron...
One by one, Ron releases his fingers from Athena's forearm. Sacrificing himself.
"No Ron!" Scream the great hall, Fred goes and moves next to Ron.
Athena: Nooooo!!!
But Ron closes his eyes, releases his hands fully, and...Disappears. As his VOICE ECHOES deep into the earth...Athena and Hermione rise, peer into the hole.
WHOMP! The Whomping Willow sweeps first Hermione, then Athena, into the air and -- FLOOMPH -- drops them on their backsides.
"Ouch" cringe the most of the Great hall.
Swaying beautifully against the dusky sky, swishing softly. As one, they rise. Run back toward the gap in the tree. A branch swoops down. Hermione ducks. Athena doesn't. WHOOSH -- she is flung one way, her GLASSES the other.
YOU ARE READING
Athena Potter 🎞
FanfictionIn which the marauders generation watch Athena Potters life and see the dangers of which awaits them. Where friends becomes enemies and enemies become allies. What happens when they realise they've been lied too? Will they be able to prevent the dan...
