𝐀𝐔𝐑𝐎𝐑𝐀 𝐁𝐎𝐑𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐈𝐒 | h. granger

CHAPTER FOURTEEN

It was nearing Christmas, and with it, end of year exams. Hermione being who she was, dedicated most all her time to studying, and when Aurora had had enough of the stuffy library and textbooks, she decided it was time for a break.

Figuring she didn't have a gift yet for Hermione, a trip to Hogsmead in the snow would do wonders to clear her mind.

She wandered down the snowy road to Hogsmead, clad in a big fluffy scarf and mittens, enjoying the snow that had fallen the night before and covered the trees in snow. The small town wasn't very busy, and she couldn't help but sigh in relief. Crowds were the last thing she wanted now. 

Deciding that a warm drink was in order, she made her way to one of the alleys leading to the second main street to get to a cafe. She entered the alley, but immediately noticed someone standing against the wall. She slowed her steps slightly, to see who it was.

The person looked at her and she could clearly see his graying beard and beady eyes staring at her. The intensity of his gaze made her turn around back to the street she had come from. The drink could wait. Walking back to the row of shops, she looked in, trying to spot something Hermione might like. Just as she was looking at a book on muggle- wizard relations that certainly would appeal to Hermione, she gets a look at the reflection behind her, and sees the man from the alley further down the road.

Her stomach drops. Surely he wasn't following her. She decided to walk into the book shop to get Hermione's gift first, hoping the man would not follow inside. The bell rang above her and she glanced out the window to see that he had walked right into the shop after her and over the the desk to greet the old wizard in charge of the shop. She looked around hoping to distract herself and noticed a book about historical muggle and wizard encounters that Hermione would love. She was about to buy it when she saw the man leave the counter and walk right towards her.

She wasn't sure what to do and looked around the shop to see if there was anyone she knew close by, but the shop was empty apart from him. She decided to take a deep breath, placing the book back and walked out. Maybe he just wanted to look at a book where she had been standing. She walked in the direction of the alley where the man had previously stood as quickly as possibly. As she entered the alley she dared a quick look back, but wished she hadn't. The man was almost right behind her walking straight towards her.

"Hey, sweetheart, not so fast." The man called out. She looked back but didn't stop walking. He was smirking at her and her stomach sank. What did he want with her?  Her heart was beating a mile a minuet as she rushed down the ally.

She didn't want to make bad assumptions about the mans intentions, but she knew enough about what other women had experienced that is was better to be safe then polite. She didn't want to start running like a madwoman in case he was just trying to get her attention, but she didn't stop. Just in case.

"What's a pretty girl like you in a hurry for?" Now she was beginning to realize she should probably start running. She turned to look at him and he didn't look like he wanted to talk. Her heart was beating so fast and she was red in the face from nervousness.

She picked up the pace and made it to the other side of the alley, walking back out onto the main road where she was hoping it would be more busy, to her dismay it was rather desolate. There was hardly anyone around. She began walking in the direction of the cafe when she noticed there was a sign in the window, and upon closer inspection she could see it was closed.

Now she had no idea what to do. She didn't dare stop walking because as she looked behind her shoulder the man seemed to be taking very few precautions to seem non threatening. He was very close to her and was smirking down at her, his teeth crooked and yellow.