𝔖𝔢𝔠𝔬𝔫𝔡 ℭ𝔥𝔞𝔫𝔠𝔢 (18+ ℭ𝔬𝔪𝔭𝔩𝔢𝔱𝔢)

Run

     The dark, foreboding forest caged me in from all sides. Snarling shadows grabbed my clothes and nipped at my feet.

     I pushed forward, unable to see the dirt path ahead through the thick, inky foliage tearing at my face. My lungs ached from each icy breath of air I inhaled. With every heavy footfall, my legs threatened to give way—but still, I ran.

     When my pace slowed, a snarl sounded in my ear. Its tone sent a jolt to my heart—spurring me onward.

     I begged Merlin to help me. I wouldn't be able to keep this up for much longer, but I couldn't let it catch me. Slowing would end with sharp claws and fangs ripping me to small, bloody pieces.

     A sob rushed out of me as a faint glow shone through the tree branches ahead.

     Begging my legs to give one last burst of speed before I collapsed, I surged out of the gnarled trees.

     Once free, fat raindrops pounded against my face and black cloak. The sky's somber grey matched the many headstones that burst out of the dirt in front of me.

     With a glance over my shoulder, my mouth popped open. The forest was gone.

     Stopping, my hands clamped on my knees as I bent over. The air rushed in and out of me at a dizzying rate.

     Knowing someday I'd lay there for eternity, the muddy earth smell churned my stomach. The drops of rain colliding with nearby puddles made way for the sound of wailing. Heart-wrenching sadness grabbed my throat and squeezed. I didn't want to look, but my eyes did so anyway.

     A large oak tree lay ahead. Beyond that stood the redheaded Weasley's, their extended family, and dozens of friends. They gathered there to lay Fred to rest.

     As if on autopilot, my legs carried me forward to hide behind the aged tree.

     Peeking around the rough bark, I spotted the raven-haired Gryffindor clinging to his friends' hands. His emerald gaze stared at the sky as if he was flying through it instead of attending a funeral.

     Before long, the black-robed people dispersed in all directions.

     I made my way to the freshly turned dirt surrounding Weasley's headstone. A long-stemmed white rose appeared in my grasp. After placing it amongst the dozens of other flowers, tears blurred my vision.

     Swallowing hard, I braced my hand on Fred's resting place. Curses flew from my mouth as warm liquid ran down my face.

     "I'm sorry this happened, Weasley. You didn't deserve this." Choked sobs escaped my dry mouth, making me feel nauseated.

     "What are you doing here, Malfoy?"

     My head jerked up. Stumbling backward, I lifted my hands. "Potter, I—"

     His wand pointed at my face. "You should be the one lying in that grave. Not Fred!"

     "I'm sorry!"

     "Avada—"

     "No!"

     I awoke with a start, bolting upright. Drenched in sweat and shaking, I squinted at the sun streaming through the sheer curtains. I took several deep breaths as I ran my trembling fingers through my hair.

     Tossing the dark comforter aside, I scooched to the side of the giant bed. My feet sank into the plush, light-grey carpeting as I made my way to the adjoining marble bathroom.

     Slipping off my shirt, I huffed at my reflection in the mirror. Three months of intensive physical training and my once runway perfect body still looked last season. My white-blonde hair and silver eyes remained unchanged, but my chiseled aristocratic features were too severe—like a vampire.

     Splashing water onto my face didn't wash away the sickly gray tinge messing up my pale skin. So I did my best to ignore it by brushing my teeth and ended up inspecting my nose.

     After the trial, I was thrilled about my charges being dropped. I didn't, however, enjoy the newspaper clippings of my undignified nosedive. It made it too unpleasant to leave my new country home for any reason except to visit my mother at Malfoy Manor.

     That bit of fame lasted six weeks, then Severus Snape woke up from his near-death experience. His incredible save by Hermione Granger took over wizarding headlines worldwide. It was the first time I'd ever been happy that her brilliance took the limelight off me. 

     Potter's emerald gaze flashed to my mind as it had been doing all summer.

     How could that spectacled, scrawny, all-around awkward guy defeat one of the most powerful wizards of all time? I couldn't stand being in the same room as Lord Voldemort, so Potter killing him was a total mind-fuck.

     I knew I was lucky to have received an invitation to complete my magical education. It was something I'd yearned to be able to do but never said out loud. My stomach turned sour. I frowned thinking of all the brown-nosing, apologizing, saying thank you I was going to do at Hogwarts. I was ready to get it over with and get a full night's sleep, but I wasn't looking forward to eating crow.

     After pulling my sweats on and tying my shoes, I walked outside.

     Standing by the reflective pool with the sun warming my skin felt glorious.

     Reaching to the sky, I breathed in, enjoying the smell of fresh-cut grass floating through the air. Bending down and touching my toes, I relaxed. Tension drained from my neck and shoulders while exhaling through my mouth.

     The weather was perfect for quidditch. My lips twitched as I thought of playing on the house team again. 

     I inhaled and reached for the sky. I shook off the last uncomfortable feelings of my dream and future brown-nosing.

     Young birds chirped for their morning breakfast in the nearby apple orchard.

     Taking off down the trail through the trees, I fell into my routine with ease. With each footfall, I felt lighter, and more excited about my future.