Warnings: Drug abuse
The whispers where everywhere, surrounding her as if they were a warm embrace. Because she was moving quickly, she only caught bits and pieces of the latest gossip.
"... ran off with his mistress, his wife is devastated..."
"... can't believe he's dead... they think Lucius Malfoy did it..."
"... only thing found at the scene was a rope... the library was completely clear..."
"... I heard that he killed four Aurors. Can you believe that he..."
She started moving faster. The need to get where she was going consumed her. Her hood pulled over her head, she made her way to Knockturn Alley. It was very dark and disgustingly dingy, in other words no change from how it had always been. She absolutely hated coming here but, unfortunately for her, it had become somewhat of a necessity. Passing by one unsavory looking person after another she once again couldn't help but wonder why she kept doing this to herself. The women sneered at her and the men leered. As she passed by one woman with unruly black hair with a decidedly manic look about her, she was reminded exactly why.
Nightmares.
Nightmares plagued her nightly. The faces of the dead, the faces of those she killed, the face of one Bellatrix Lestrange; they were all she saw in her nightmares. They were relentless, and she had lost count of the amount of times she woke up screaming. Nothing she had tried helped, until she came across this potion. It had no name, none that was spoken out loud at least. Only available in Knockturn Alley, she had overheard Malfoy whispering about this unnamed potion with another Slytherin. She confronted him about it later and was able to badger him into obtaining some for her to try. He tried to talk her out of it, told her it was dangerous, but she would not relent.
And that's why she found herself quickly moving through Knockturn Alley trying to get to Malfoy before he got tired of waiting on her. Finally seeing his head of bright hair, she grabbed his arm to get his attention. He whirled around on her, wand in his hand.
"Merlin! How many times do I have to tell you not to do that?"
"Since when have I ever listened to you?"
Having no response for her, he remained quiet and handed her what she had come for. Looking closely at her, she saw what she thought was a flicker of concern cross his face.
"Why do you keep doing this to yourself?"
"Because I like it. Because it helps. Because it feels like I'm flying every time I take a hit. It's... a feeling unlike any other. When I close my eyes, it's like I'm just flying through life, free of all problems."
"Never took you as one for flying."
"Things change."
"You're going to end up killing yourself, Granger. Is this what you won for?"
"Oh, Draco. I'm already dead."
With that said, she pushed past him and made her way back out of Knockturn Alley. She had flying to do and nightmares to stop.
Written for the Would You Rather... Challenge.
Prompt picked: Would you rather be able to (A) Fly [without a broom].
Written for the Cluedo Game Challenge.
Suspect: Lucius Malfoy
Weapon: Rope
Location: Library
Thanks to erbkaiser for being a fantastic beta!