Ch.8
She had a habit of staying out late.
Her out of classroom schedule had started to leave a trail. The staff had began to see a pattern. They were catching on to her. And eventually they were going to learn not to let her go again.
She was running out of spots to run off to but her growing urge to leave the prison that was Hogwarts remained at a high. In the dead of the night she decided, with no other ideas of a hideaway, to take a stroll in the forest. The forbidden part of it failed to be explained to her. A small minuscule detail that she hadn't caught on to.
The consequences of this were immediately apparent to her.
A wolf howling in the distance makes her jump, a yelp caught in her throat. Her eyes dart around quickly, but she doesn't notice any immediate danger.
She relaxes.
Before her trip she had done research on the woods near the castle. The most fascinating creatures existed in this new world.
She had to double check some of the things in the book because she thought it was a joke. Like the unicorns. She knew now that magic was real but come on. Unicorns?
Her light steps continue through the path an occasional twig snapping under her shoe. She looks up at the moon enjoying the view as it provides the only light in the forest.
A quiet almost unnoticeable scurrying sound occurs behind the cover of the abundant branches.
She stops again whipping her head around. For a moment she was almost scared Snape would jump out from the trees. The was no time taken to think there might be another potential danger lurking in the shadows.
A side glance is sent in direction of the sound before she continues strolling with her hands in her pockets.
She decided pretty quickly she was going avoid coming back here after tonight.
A large black dog emerges from the shadows. With it's nose turned to the dirt the animal sniffs at the ground where she'd walked through.
She freezes in place trying to not be spotted. Another tip she'd read. When in the path of an unknown creature try to blend in.
The dogs eyes flit up hearing leaf crunch under her shoe. They stare at each other neither of them making a move.
Her heart begins to beat faster and she takes another step. When the animal bars it's teeth at her she squirms jumping back.
"Oh fuck no" she mutters under her breath.
She turns on her heals quickly making a run for it. Her legs move quickly the wind blowing against her hair and clothes hazardously. The scenes began to blur together as things past her while she ran.
She ducks out of the path quickly taking cover behind a tree. When she no longer hears the sounds of the animal she allows herself to breath. She heaves out of breath clutching her stomach. Her throat burns and she starts coughing uncontrollably.
She hadn't realized she was this out of shape.
She slumps down against the tree sitting down behind the camouflage of the shrubs.
Weren't dogs supposed to be friendly?? She literally read that personality trait out of the textbook?
Whatever, last strange animal she's ever going towards again.
She didn't know how long she was sat there catching her breath. But as soon as she did everything seemed to quiet down.
She pulls out a pack of cigarettes, which seemed ironic at the moment.
She takes out a lighter, which she remembered to bring this time, trying to ignite the flame unsuccessfully. When it doesn't happen she sighs dropping the pack into her lap.
Background noise continued, owls calls from the treetops, soft cricket chirps from around her and even rustling from the forest nearby.
She rubs her eyes letting herself become aware of the sounds.
This wasn't how she imagined she'd be spending her nights. She missed the nights she'd fall asleep while under the covers with a dingy flashlight and a clearly water damaged book.
She certainly didn't plan any of this.
The sound of quick footsteps draws her attention up from her hands.
She was taken by surprise. It was the last thing she'd thought she'd see.
