The Cursed

Chapter Seven

Today was perfect. The air was crisp and a faint autumn breeze was in the air. Pandora couldn't stop thinking about everything. Today, Ella and she would be training with Professor Lupin. Hopefully, it would be better than Snape's lessons. She wondered where Ella could be at the moment. But as she sat beside the black lake she was enjoying the peace and quiet. She never really got to take time to herself.

She didn't have to be in Lupin's classroom until another hour. The air blew her raven hair off her shoulders. The lake was calm. In moments like this, she wished she could jump into the lake. Do something crazy. Something she would never do.

Before Pandora could do anything crazy. She heard the bushes not even 20 feet away move around. And she once again got a feeling. A feeling like she did the other night in the forest. The same exact feeling. Something was watching her. Or someone. Pandora looked around. She hardly ever used her powers outside. Not when there was a chance someone would catch her. But if something was willing to stalk her or harm her in any way. She was prepared to use whatever it took to be safe.

"Come out".

Her voice was stern. She didn't have full control of this power. Not at all. Ella didn't either. They barely discovered it not even two months ago. Well, Pandora discovered it. Neither one of them knew if Ella had the power either. Compulsion. Pandora had the power. She wasn't great at it. Professor Snape said she lacked the self-control for it. Pandora commented back he lacked a sex life...Not one of her proudest moments...but she didn't have a filter. She knew she could do the compulsion if she tried hard enough. Whatever was out there, it would come out.

She was about to say it again. More aggressive. But soon enough the bushes moved again. And finally, a black long-haired dog jumped out. She let out a sigh, calming down, and rolling her eyes at herself. The compulsion didn't work. The dog was wagging its tail. Not being controlled at all.

Getting down on her knees she cooed the dog to come over to her, "Come here, boy!"

She didn't have time to react. The dog ran and pounced on Pandora, making her fall over with laughter. The dog was licking all over her face, "Get off you big mutt".

She slightly pushed the dog off her. She wanted to get a good look at it. Pandora never had a dog. Or any animals for that matter. Her father wouldn't allow it. Said it wasn't worth their time or money. The dog was skinny. Whoever owned him last didn't take good care of it.

Rubbing the dog's head. She didn't want to leave it out here alone. Starving. If only if Ella was here. She was good with animals.

"He looks hungry".

Pandora jumps at the sound of the voice behind her. She turned only to see the boy from yesterday, Cedric Diggory. She truly couldn't get a break.

"I'm sorry, I didn't mean to scare you." He tells her, coming closer to her and the dog.

"You didn't scare me." Pandora snapped, trying to sound annoyed.

"Here, you can feed him this."

The boy handed Pandora a sandwich, which he must have been saving for a snack. Pandora grabbed it, touching Cedric's hand slightly. Pandora's cheeks heated up. So did Cedric's.

"Thanks." Pandora says, slightly embarrassed.

She tossed the dog the sandwich. He caught it midair, and the black, scraggly dog bolted. Leaving Pandora and Cedric alone. An awkward silence fell upon them.

"May I sit?" Cedric asked her.

Pandora should've said no. She should have called him a name and walked away like she did with everyone else. But for the first time, she couldn't do it. And she wouldn't do it.