Thump, thump, thump. They were getting closer. Hermione pumped her legs harder and pressed forward, trying to escape from the horror behind her.
Thump, thump, thump. She gave a quick glance over her shoulder and suddenly rushed at the ground. Her ankle twisted at an awkward angle, pain shooting up and down her leg like bolts of lightning. The wind howled; blowing leaves in all directions, obscuring her view of the wretched creature a few feet from her.
Thump, thump, thump. The creature stepped toward her, its breathing becoming loud; a clawed hand slowly reached out from the hairy mass. As the hand slowly crept towards Hermione, the wind gave an unearthly howl, leaves swirling in a big mass around the two. Hermione's breathing became erratic, her heart racing and her eyes clenched shut in fear. The hand, merely centimeters from her face never reached its destination.
Several moments passed before Hermione realized that she couldn't hear its breathing or smell the putrid scent of death. She slowly opened her eyes, expecting to see the wretched creature in front of her. Her eyes met the top of her canopy bed, lined with red and gold, the colors of her house.
Her eyes widened in confusion; she wasn't in a park, she was in her bed at Hogwarts. A small sigh of relief escaped from her lips as a small smile formed. Happy to be alive and at school, she hoped out of bed. She fell back on the bed, unable to support herself. Pain was shooting up her leg from her left ankle. Hermione winced at the pain. What? Why… It can't be possible… How…? Hermione's mind was whirling; she had no idea how this could have happened.
However, her thoughts were interrupted as Parvati and Lavender entered the room, insanely giggling over boys.
"You really think Seamus likes me," whispers Parvati. Lavender nodded and smiled at her friend. Parvati walked over to Hermione, a smile playing on her lips. Without saying a word, she sat down next to the witch, lying back on the bed. Lavender walked over to her bed and stretched out.
The two girls sat in silence for a few minutes, Hermione confused at the two girls' motives. Parvati smirked before sitting back up and opening her eyes. "We know something that you don't know," she said, opening her eyes. Hermione rolled her eyes, momentarily forgetting about her ankle.
A sudden clap of thunder startled the three fourth year girls; rain beating hard against the window. Hermione looked fearfully at the window, her head swimming with the dream. Hermione's vision grew dark as she slipped into a day dream, one she couldn't control.
The wind howled and moaned as Hermione found herself running down a path in a park. A fog was closing in on her, chasing her down the dark path through the trees. Hermione's breath came in pants as her feet pounded the pavement. Her eyes widened in fright as the fog grew closer. She could her His breath from the fog. She felt something grab the back of her robe as she ran, jerking her back and causing her to fall at the person's feet. A flash of gold caught her vision before everything became dark…
Parvati shook Hermione violently, trying hopelessly to wake the witch up. "HERMIONE!!!! HERMIONE WAKE UP!" Lavender sat next to her, stroking her hair. Hermione's eyes fluttered open; she looked at the concerned faces of Lavender and Parvati.
Hermione was at a loss for words, the two other girls breathed a sigh of relief. Lavender sat Hermione up and embraced her. "Hermione, you scared me to death… What happened?" whispered Lavender, holding on to Hermione like her life depended on it.
Hermione looked at Parvati quizzically and replied, "What are you talking about? I fell asleep…" Lavender pulled away and looked at Hermione in the eyes. "Fell asleep? You fell back onto the bed and just…just…passed out! We couldn't wake you up at all… Nothing could reach you…"
Parvati nodded, concurring with Lavender. "You scared us to death Hermione. Is something wrong?"
Hermione shook her head, "Nothing. I just started to have a day dream and fell asleep…. Then I woke up to you two wigging out over me." Parvati clucked her tongue and shook her head, "Do you remember what you were dreaming about?" Hermione shook her head, feeling silly about the nightmare. "Nothing…" Hermione stood up, leaning against her bed post to support herself. "But, can you help me get to the infirmary? I think I sprained my ankle…" Parvati and Lavender exchanged looks and nodded. The two stood on either side of Hermione, putting her arms around their neck before walking over to the entrance of the girls' dormitories.
Madame Pomfrey nodded at Hermione and opened the door to let her out. "Just be careful, don't run and take it easy. Have Professor McGonagall write you a note to allow you to leave class a minute or so early. It will only take a day to heal with the potion I gave you. Just make sure you drink some before bed tonight."
Hermione gave her a polite nod, "Yes, Madame Pomfrey, thank you for your help. I'm sorry for the trouble." Madame Pomfrey gave her a smile and her eyes softened. "Think nothing of it. Now off you go."
Madame Pomfrey watched Hermione walk down the corridor towards the Great Hall for lunch. I hope she figures out what's wrong…Only one person can help her. Only one person can save her… Madame Pomfrey shook her head slightly and retreated back into the infirmary.
Hermione sighed and slowly made her way down the moving staircase. The past events drifted into her mind as she climbed down a level.
After having Lavender and Parvati help her to the infirmary, Madame Pomfrey gave her something to drink and she slept the morning away. But while she was asleep, it felt as if the medic witch had done something to her. As if she dipped into her thoughts and secrets, maybe looking at her dreams. Hermione didn't know of any potions that could do that, so she shook her head and tried to concentrate on the stairs.
Her mind became foggy as the familiar darkness of the dream started to overtake her...
She looked at the rapidly darkening banister, not being able to stop it…
"Hermione!" exclaimed Ron and Harry as they came up the stairs. Hermione was suddenly brought back out of the chaos of her mind, focusing on her two friends.
The two boys walked on either side of Hermione as they walked with her back to the Common Room; Hermione forgetting about lunch.
"Hermione!! You missed it; Dumbledore said that two other schools are going to come to Hogwarts for this… Tournament! If you win, you win riches beyond your imagination! But what really bites is that you have to be 17 and up to participate…." Ron trailed off sulking and looked at the floor as they walked. Harry rolled his eyes at Ron, "One person from each school will be chosen. The other two schools arrive in a week from today."
Hermione smiled, "Sounds interesting, I wish I could have seen it…. Well, we have Defense against the Dark Arts; we should gather our stuff and head to class…" Hermione walked down the last few feet of the corridor and into the portrait leading to the common room. The two boys looked at each other and shrugged. "Do you think they will keep quidditch going?" asked Ron as the two boys went inside the portrait.
Hermione brushed past them with her bag on her shoulder. She ignored the two, deep in her thoughts as she walked to class. The hallways slowly filled up as she made her way to class. What is going on with me? I don't understand why my ankle hurt at all… Or what that dream meant…
Hermione sighed and decided to head to the library tomorrow during lunch. She ran a hand through her hair as the hallways were now packed with students going to class. She turned a corner and opened a big door, inside were a few students sitting in their seats and the teacher; Professor Moody.