Young Warrior

Chapter 7 - Dreamer

It's been a week since the party. Draco and I haven't really spoken since. Occasionally though, I would catch him looking at me. For the past few nights, though I have been having these vivid nightmares, each one is the same.

<The Dream>
I was in the Gryffindor common room relaxing. I look out the window and see a giant dog in the reflection right behind me. Then while I'm still looking at the reflection, a hooded person comes up to the dog and hurts it. I never see how, but I hear the dog cry. I look behind me and nothings there. Then I turn back to the window reflection and I see the hooded figure there again but it's looking directly down at me. I feel paralyzed, the hooded person then turns into a cloud of black smoke. I turn around again and I see the smoke in the air behind me. I try not to breathe in the smoke but it's impossible, it surrounded me. I breathe in the smoke and the dream ends. I woke up as if I couldn't breathe, I was gasping for air.

Hermione had to calm me down. She offered to take me to Madam Pomfrey but I said I would be fine. The dream has been repeating for almost 3 nights already. Every night is the same. I haven't been getting much sleep.

The first night the dream occurred Sirius was sighted in the village nearby. I wonder if this is connected. Harry has been somewhat paranoid since the sighting was announced.

I woke up after yet another sleepless night. I slept in and missed my first class. Hermione comes barging in the room telling me to get up or I'll be late for my next class. "I don't know Hermione...I think I'll just stay in today, I really need to sleep." She looks at me and sighs, "Okay, I can cover for you in class. I'll just say you weren't feeling too well." I look up at her with my bedsheets to my chin and say thank you. She smiles and walks out of the room and I go back to sleep.

Once again I wake up to the sound of Hermione barging back into the room. "Isabella! You must wake up now! Sirius Black is in the castle!" I open my eyes wide. "Hermione what happened?" she explains frantically. "The fat lady told us! He was just outside the common room!" I jump up "THIS COMMON ROOM?" she drags me out of bed.

"Yes, we must go! Get into some clothes and follow me to the great hall." I quickly go to put my slippers on and there are about 3 strands of black mangy hair on them. Under my slipper is a folded piece of parchment paper with 2 bite marks, it looked like animal bite marks. Hermione throws my sweater, socks, and shoes on my bed "Put this on, we have to hurry." I quickly pick up the note and shove it in my pocket without reading it, get dressed, and follow Hermione to the great hall.

When we get there Ron and Harry are speaking with Professor Dumbledore. I run up to them and ask Dumbledore what's happening. "I'm afraid Sirius Black has made his way into the castle. For now, the students will stay here in the great hall so our teachers can keep their eyes on you all." He walks away, but turns around to me and says "Do not worry you are safe." and gives a reassuring smile.

"We're all doomed!!" Ron whispers as Professor Dumbledore is walking away. Harry are you okay? You look worried." I say. He looks at me and says "Yeah I'm fine. How about you? You weren't in a class all day, and Hermione told us what's happening at night." I look over at Hermione and she nervously smiles. I laugh a little. "I'm okay, I just needed to rest for a day. I think I'm just a little stressed." Ron looks at me oddly. "What's the dream about?" he says. I stutter "Its- Its just a really weird dream."

Harry looks intrigued. Hermione says "She never told me I don't think she wants to talk about it Ron."..."No, no it's okay, maybe one of you could help." I tell them about the dream. Harry has a shocked look on his face. "A giant dog...you said? Was it black?" I look at Harry. "Yes...why...how did you know?" He hesitates to tell me what he's thinking but he does.