The Collision Theory | Remus Lupin

21. The Consequences of Sneaking Out

My whole body is tingling with such a strange feeling. This feeling that's making me grin like an idiot and thirsty for action.
I want to fly.
I want to feel the wind in my hair. 

"Just sneak out or something." Lily shrugs, reading the new edition of Witch Weekly over dinner. I should borrow that off of her at some point.

"Really?"

"Yeah, brooms are in the shed under the teachers' stands. They're unlocked."

"You. A prefect. Telling me this." I bite back a laugh.

"Telling you what?" She feigns an innocent expression before turning back to the magazine.

*

As soon as I finish dinner I sprint upstairs to put on my school cloak and a pair of gloves. The back route behind the greenhouses could be a good way to get to the pitch and I could-

"Sneaking out are you Novak?" A voice make me pause on the staircase. Black has a hand on Lupin's shoulder, who looks like death will come knocking at any moment.

"No not at all." I shrug, "Just... None of your business. You okay Lupin?"

"I think I caught a cold." He smiles weakly, his knuckles almost white from gripping the bannisters too hard. Something definitely isn't right here.

"Well hurry up to Madame Pomfrey before you puke all over the first years." I smile before heading of towards the greenhouses.

"Wonderful imagery." Sirius laughs as they hurry to Pomfrey, "Well, see ya."

"See you later." I take some of the smaller corridors, hoping that they're watched over less. In my full five and a bit years in Hogwarts, I haven't actually sneaked out very often. Quite a lame achievement of I'm quite honest.

"I'll be damned if Mrs Norris finds me." This part of the castle is amazingly quiet, and my own heartbeats sound like war drums in my ears.
Okay now that might be because of my small fear of the dark.

It doesn't last long as the light of the full moon illuminates my escape route. I pull myself over the window sill at the end of the corridor and jump out. It's only a metre jump or so- I'm not a superhero, I'd probably break my legs if it was any higher, I'm a witch not a Goddess. After a quick scan of the outside, I break into a sprint towards the pitch, reaching it quickly.

"Lumos." I take out my wand in search for the broom shed, squinting in the bright blue-white light. Should be somewhere here... Aha!
I push the door open to find a load of standard-make training brooms piled in one corner. Grabbing the nearest I turn to go out and-

"AAAAAAAAWOUUOOOOO!" A howl resonates through the air, sending a chill down my spine. Without a second though I push myself against the shed door, keeping it closed with all my weight.
This bloody thing doesn't have a lock.
Please just be students messing around.
It could have just been my mind playing tricks on me.
At least I hope.
I strain my ears for anything. There's nothing for a while except my own ragged breaths.
I laugh nervously, realising that it was just my tired over imaginative-

"Jesus!" I yelp as something hard pushes at the door from the other side.
There's a deep growl, followed by scratching at the door that's strong enough to push me ever so slightly. Holding my breath from fear, I dig my heels into the dirt floor of the shed, pushing back with all my might.
Whatever is on the other side is far bigger than the average fox.
Is my life supposed flash before my eyes right now?
I hope not because it's been pretty crappy on many occasions.
It scratches the little gap between the door and the wall, curved claws leaving fresh marks on the wood that run dangerously deep. I find myself actually praying for a miracle as the thing on the other side repeatedly hits against the door, panting heavily.
The taste of blood comes to my mouth, and I haven't even realised that my tooth has cut through my lower lip.