Darkness Falls

Three

1991 - First Year

It was ten minutes to eight in the evening the night of Hermione's detention and she stood waiting in Professor McGonagalls classroom for the others to join. Even to detention Hermione was early. McGonagall gave Hermione a disappointed look as she wandered into her office which only added to the guilt Hermione was feeling right then. If her parents knew she had detention they would've given her a similar look. Hermione looked at the clock as it struck 8 o'clock and just in time the rest of the group had arrived, with Filch not far behind.

"Students. Follow me," he snarled at the group.

Harry, Ron and Hermione walked ahead and followed Filch out of the castle, Draco trailing behind with his hands in his pockets kicking stones. Hermione recognized the little hut in the distance as it belonged to Hagrid and it seemed like the only plausible destination they where heading to, although nobody could figure out why. Upon arriving at Hagrid's hut, Filch banged a fist against the door which swung open to reveal the half giant and a large dog perched next to him.

"Evening everyone, are we all 'ere?" Hagrid's voice boomed.

"That's the lot of them. Good luck children.. you'll need it where you're going," Filch added as he smiled the most sinister smile to the children and wandered off back to the castle.

"Ok now. We're goin' in te' forest tonight and it'll be easier if we split up," Hagrid had just finished his sentence before Draco shouted up, "I get Granger!"

All eyes were on him with confused and shocked expressions to match. "You don't have a wand," he pointed towards Hagrid, "and between the pair of you I can't imagine you could successfully cast one spell. We also get Fang," he continued and pointed to the dog.

Hermione looked over at Hagrid who waited for her confirmation that she was fine with the plan to which she nodded.

"Okay. Jus' so y'know, he's a bloody coward."

The groups set off into the Forbidden Forest, a punishment no one in the group saw fit for the crime. Hermione stumbled over the branches, jumping at each twig that snapped and every gust of wind that disturbed the leaves in the surrounding trees. It didn't take long before the cold breeze had reached her core and eventually the loudest noise she could hear were her teeth chattering together.

"Are you cold?" Draco asked Hermione.

She nodded and he removed his cloak from around his shoulder and held it out for her, she shook her head but couldn't bring herself to use words to decline his offer.

"For once, don't be so stubborn Granger and take the cloak, you'll freeze otherwise,"

She scowled at him and grabbed the cloak feeling it's warmth the instant she put it around her shoulders. It smelled like him and that added to the warm feeling coursing through her body. Despite feeling considerably warmer, Hermione was still jumping at every noise. Hagrid had tasked them to find a Unicorn that had been hurt badly by something in the woods and so they continued.

"Surely they can't do this, students aren't allowed in the Forest. My father will here about this," Draco spoke, more so to himself but Hermione still felt the need to respond.

"It's detention Draco. It isn't supposed to be fun."

"Yes, but it isn't supposed to be dangerous either," he bit back at her, she shook her head and carried on forward. "Granger, just so you know.. I didn't actually know you were with those two when I told McGonagall."

"Are you apologizing?"

"No!" He said all to quickly and it made Hermione come to a halt. "I'm just saying, I didn't know. I just wanted to get Saint Potter into trouble."