Two Steps Behind

Six

I stood once again on the edge of a cliff, though this time there was no water. A black void lay below the cliff. Two silhouettes stood in front of me. One was tall like a mountain, holding a three pronged spear. The other was normal height with a sword. They both seemed familiar, but I couldn't place why. Then they faded and I was left alone.

I tried to run after them, screaming not to leave me alone, but my legs wouldn't move. When I looked, I saw that I was knee deep in the ground. My voice rang in my ears and words slowly replaced them while I sank deeper into the ground. They echoed in my head before the darkness enveloped me.

"One of Stormy height and Oceans deep"

I sat up in my bed. A tear rolled down my face as I recalled the dream. That phrase circled my head as I went to my classes.

Something had changed since the prophecy had been spoken. People gave me weird looks and avoided me more so than usual. It was so nice to have Luke and Nick to hang out with. We would sit by the lake, skipping stones or taking the occasional swim. Luke would always sit out, stating that the water was too cold. I guess we have to agree to disagree.

The first snows began to fall in early November, which surprised me and everyone else. It was only a light flurry, but it was enough to scare Nick out of the water that day, and so I swam alone.

Classes were normal with the exception of the weird stares. Whenever I entered the classroom, which was usually right before class began, the whole class would stare at me, whispering and murmuring about me while I went to my seat.

The only class that really interested me anymore was my care of magical creatures class. Today, we were being introduced to a hippogriff. Apparently Hagrid had a not so great time the first time he did this, but he eventually got permission to try again.

The creature was tall, covered in white feathers. Its front legs ended in large talons while its hind legs had the hooves of a horse. Where you might have expected a snout was instead a hooked beak that looked sharp enough to slice through stone like it was butter. Its eyes were a stone cold electric blue as it danced its gaze across the assembled students.

One by one, we each greeted the hippogriff as we had been taught, which the hippogriff in turn greeted each of us. It however, seemed uninterested in most of the students. Nick insisted on going before me, to which the hippogriff also brushed him off. Then it was my turn.

I approached the creature, keeping out of its range. I bowed at the waist and paused before the hippogriff returned the gesture and held it. Great, this thing actually liked me.

"Well, go on then" Hagrid said, gently pushing me in its direction.

I reluctantly approached, as I knew all eyes were on me. That was the part I hated, not the creature. I reached up to stroke its head, running my fingers down its beak. It almost seemed to purr at me, which surprised me. Since the start of class, it hasn't made a sound. I could almost understand it too, that probably scared me more than anything.

"He wants to fly, Hagrid," I said aloud. "Don't ask me how I know that, I just do"

Hagrid gave me a confused look, then nodded. Without another word, I mounted the creature and gripped his feathers.

I had been on horses, but this was like nothing I had ever experienced before.

As soon as the Hippogriff sensed I was ready, he started running full sprint and spread his wings. With a few good thrusts of his wings, we were in the air.

Almost immediately the sky darkened. Storm clouds, but why? They hadn't been there when we were on the ground moments ago. I felt that lurch in my gut, like when you start falling on a roller coaster. The wind picked up and tore at me and the hippogriff. He didn't seem to mind, even enjoying the wind as we climbed higher and higher. The ground dropped away and we were flying. While I was disoriented, I almost felt at ease, until the lighting flickered overhead.