Chapter 1
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Moonlight filtered softly through the window, illuminating her tear-streaked face. Outside, winds rustled through the leaves and crept silently into the room. Goosebumps appeared on her skin as she shivered, the movement dislodging another tear. She watched as it fell onto the wooden desk where her elbow rested, shattering into a myriad of crystalline droplets.
Lifting her head from her hand, she watched in morbid fascination as the dark sleeve of her robe slid slowly down her forearm, flowing over the ivory white skin. Letting her arm fall onto the desk a patch of silvery moonlight clearly illuminated the large, silver-black skull and writhing green-black snake.
Storm clouds began to obscure the moon's silvery light, throwing the room into complete darkness. Clenching her fist, she angrily pulled her sleeve roughly back down her arm, hiding the terrible sight. Another shiver ran through her body and she hugged herself, leaning back into the old-fashioned chair and drawing her knees up to her chest. The smooth patter of rain began to invade her senses and before she realised, her head was drooping and her eyes were closing.
Red!
Red eyes and laughter,
And cold.
A flash of green, sickening; bile rose in her throat.
Silence,
Breathing,
A scream...
Tearing herself from the nightmare, her eyes snapped open. A choked gasp ripped through her throat, only her ragged breathing was heard in the room for several minutes. Her fingers ran through her silky, dark brown curtain of hair, clutching it as if it were the ropes holding her to life itself.
"Arielle?" a familiar voice questioned her from the darkness. She felt the stir of another presence in the room as the figure crossed the wooden floor boards and stood behind her.
"Arielle?" the question was repeated, betraying deeper concern than before. A hand gently rested on her shoulder as the owner patiently waited for her to calm.
Arielle sighed. Such guilt had been plaguing her since that fateful night. Everything had changed, everyone had gone. She knew what she had to do now, but how could she ever find the strength to do it?
As if sensing her thoughts, the figure behind her squeezed in beside her and sat down with her on the chair. Arielle felt warm arms wrapping around her and for the first time in a week, relaxed into the embrace. Neither figure moved or said a word until the first pinkish hints of dawn could be seen on the horizon.
"Thanks Hermione." The words were barely above a whisper but both girls knew what had been said.
A subtle click of the lock on the front door alerted them to another presence within the household. Gathering herself together Arielle carefully stood and shakily made her way over to one of the many beds in the room, Hermione's gaze never leaving her. A large trunk lay open on the covers. Many books, clothes and potions ingredients were packed neatly inside. On top rested a sleek silver-black broomstick and what looked like a diary with a silver cheetah on the cover.
After carefully scrutinizing the contents of the trunk, Arielle headed over to a bedside table. The drawers were empty and sticking out at odd angles, however on top rested an elegant photo frame. Without glancing at the photo inside, she gently took it over to the trunk and placed it face down on top of the neatly folded robes.
Closing her trunk and clicking the locks into place, neither Arielle nor Hermione looked up as another person entered the room. Taking in the sight before him, only his lingering glance at Hermione betrayed any hint of his surprise. The newcomer soon headed over to a bed on the opposite side of the room and lifted an already packed trunk out from under the mattress.
"I thought as much" his voice came out as a raspy whisper, "what now?"
Arielle's sigh spoke of total and utter defeat. "Hogwarts"
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A/N: so... any good?