ᴀ ᴅ ʀ ɪ ᴇ ɴ ɴ ᴇ [1]

24. just in case

chapter twenty-four

JUST IN CASE

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IT'S ONLY NATURAL I'D BE MOVED. It's the easiest option, it's what works. But that still doesn't restrain my disappointment and grump at being put in a group with Malfoy.

Harry, he and I walk along the twisting path in silence, all mourning the almost-good time we were having. Albeit chilling, the trip through the forest had been actually rather exciting, what with Hagrid and Hermione. But take them and the centaurs out of the equation, and add Malfoy, it's downright boring.

We continue down the path, which is seemingly adamant to trip me as many a time as is possible, progressing slowly into the heart of the forest. Though there is no light to cast them, shadows creep in closer and closer, and an odd feeling creeps up from behind, raising my hairs and prickling my otherwise smooth skin into gooseflesh. I rub my arms nervously, the feeling of eyes on me returning.

We advance like this for roughly half an hour, following the trail as it pursues farther and farther into the ever-thickening plantation. My ever-vigilant eyes jump from one silver splatter of blood to the next, trailing along a path that is seemingly becoming easier and easier to follow.

"Is it just me," I ask, eyes never leaving their marks, "or is the blood getting thicker?"

"Just you," Malfoy replies at the same time Harry says, "I was thinking that too. Maybe the unicorn came through here recently."

Malfoy scowls at Harry, as if angry he agreed with me. I shake my head lightly, not surprised at his annoyance.

"What?" asks Harry, defensive at Malfoy's glare. "I was just saying-"

"Shush!" I say suddenly, throwing my arms out in front of Harry and Malfoy, the latter of whom I accidentally hit in the face.

"Wha-"

"Look," I say, taking my elbow from Malfoy's still-scowling face, and pointing my finger ahead. There is a clearing ahead of us, all dark shadows and dead shapes light hasn't touched in years. In the very center of the empty glade, however, lies something very out of place; a shimmering white unicorn, its limbs splayed out over the hard-packed earth.

The three of us and Fang inch closer, a sharp breath stabbing into my stomach as I realise the spangled creature, still glittering in a sad kind of way, is dead. I've never seen anything as beautiful or despairing as the crumpled unicorn before me, its glassy eyes clouded over, pearly mane fanning out around it, looking like an eerie crown on the carpet of dead leaves.

I've taken one step forward when a slithering sound, soft as a cloak over decomposing leaves, halts me in my tracks. I look up as a dark, hooded figure steps out of the underbrush, into the dark dell, seemingly oblivious to us. It glides across the ground, cloak slithering, moving like a stalking beast, and comes to a stop over the fallen unicorn, lowering its hooded face down and seemingly drinking the creature's gleaming blood.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH!"

A terrible and very valiant scream tears from Malfoy's throat as he spins on his heel and sprints away, faster than I thought possible. Fang takes after him, needing no more excuse to bolt, and though every muscle in my rigid body is shrieking to do the same, I stay rooted to the spot, one arm still outstretched in front of Harry.

The cloaked figure raises its head, face still hidden in the hood of the cloak, and looks directly at Harry and I. I can feel its eyes on me, bearing into my very mind, and suddenly feel extremely vulnerable, like all I want to do is shy away from the person and hide behind the boy hidden behind me.