Rabbit Heart. [Harry Potter]

Making connections.

The darkness vanished, and I could breathe once more. I can't help but to let out a small gasp, even after all these years, I haven't gotten used to disapparating.

We find ourselves in a muggle neighborhood of some sorts. Harry, Ron and Hermione all start at a brisk pace, checking over their shoulders every few seconds. I stay a foot behind Ron, fear tensing through my body.

We walk up to a door labeled 'Twelve'. Harry taps the door once, and the deep sounds of locks clicking start to echo loudly. Hermione acts as a lookout, while the door unlocks itself. As the door slowly swings open, Harry quickly ushers us in, with a frantic pace.

The minute we enter the hallway, the dim lights flicker on, casting shadows throughout the hallway. It looks deserted and ancient, cobwebs covering the ceiling. It's not at all warm and cozy; it's the polar opposite. It gives off an intimidating, and hostile vibe.

"I think somebody's been in here," Hermione whispers, pointing to an object that appears to be tipped over. Umbrellas are scattered around it, spilling out.

"That could've happened as the Order left," Ron shakes his head, muttering in response. But still, nobody moves a muscle.

"So where are these jinxs they put up against Snape?" Harry asks, again speaking of this familiar-sounding Snape man.

"Maybe they're only activated if he shows up?" Ron suggests, his eyes moving along the hallway very quickly.

We all try and suppress our loud breathing, our backs still pressed against the front door. My fingers itch to grasp onto Ron's hand once more, but I refrain.

"Well, we can't stay here forever," Harry shrugs and bravely takes a step forward.

Suddenly, out of nowhere, a deep voice whispers,

"Severus Snape?"

We all jump in unison, Harry falling back in line with the rest of us.

"We're not Snape!" Harry bursts, before a chilly breeze blows in our faces.

Just like when we disapparated, the breath is sucked from my lungs. Except this time, the sensation doesn't stop in a matter of seconds. I can't even croak out a sound. My tongue has curled up in my mouth, nearly choking me.

But, before too long, my tongue untangles itself, returning back to normal. I can't help but to cough loudly. Ron, beside me, makes noises as if he were gagging.

"That m-must have b-been the T-Tongue-Tying Curse Mad-Eye set up for Snape!" Hermione says, stuttering over her words.

Expecting the worst to be over, Harry takes another step forward, but something at the end of the hall moves, making my stomach plummet. Without even thinking, I grab onto Ron's hand, squeezing it incredibly tight.

Out of the carpet, a very tall figure emerges, as if straight out of a horror film. At the same moment, Hermione and I let out a scream, along with another voice, that sounds to be down the hall.

The figure floats closer to us, increasing speed by the moment. It takes human characteristics, such as hair and a beard, with an ancient looking face. It's arm, looking half-rotted, points a finger at Harry.

"No!" Harry raises his wand and lets out a loud shout, "No! It wasn't us! We didn't kill you-"

But before Harry can continue to scream at the figure, it explodes into a massive cloud of dust. Harry splutters and coughs, turning around to face the three of us, still crowded at the door. Hermione has put her hands over her head, ducking on the floor. I was on the ground beside her, where I fell against the door and slid down to the floor. Ron, who placed himself in front of us, holds out his hands to help us up.