Chapter Seven: The Piper Family

I was blinded momentarily as my eyes spasmed due to the sudden incoming light. As they adjusted to semi-seeability, I was grabbed around my shoulders and dragged forward.

Oh no. I'm in trouble now.

Just then the arms encircled me and proceeded to simultaneously cut off air and break ribs.

"Jas. Can't. Breathe." I managed to choke out as I began to pass out.

"Oops! Sorry Gin! Can't believe you're finally here though!" My vision fully returned and I looked at my best friend standing in the doorway to her house. She was in a pair of pale blue pyjama pants with colourful candy print on them and a white tank top. Her short, dark brown hair was caught up in a mess of pins that pulled it all of her face, whilst her sparkling green eyes shone from beneath her perfectly shaped eyebrows.

"You're late, you know? Its quarter past, I was beginning to worry. Anything happen?" She was looking at me with a reproachful look that I immediately understood. She had spoken to Colin. And I had forgotten to tell her about the picture sabotage.

Pulling up a sheepish look I proceeded to tell her what I had done to enact my revenge. Starting at the conversation I had 'overheard' and ending with the copies I had brought with me. I knocked her hands away as they shot towards my trunk. "Wait 'till Colin's here too. It's only fair since he lent me the camera."

As we trekked up the stairs of her lovely, medium sized, three storey house I took in the new interior decoration. It changed at least twice a year. Jas' mum, Simone, was an interior decorator and one of the most sought after in London. With both muggles and magic folk. Her dad was similar, Jack was an architect, both houses and gardens. He had a reputation of creating the perfect house to suit any dreams. He too was well sought after by both magic folk and muggles.

And both their daughters had inherited the artistic gene. Jas' older sister, Sophie, was a musician. She played practically any instrument handed to her. Violin, Cello, Piano, French Horn, Saxophone, Flute, Viola, Pan Pipes and practically every instrument known. She was able to memorise music after just hearing it once. And was fantastic. Not only that but she wasn't snobby about her talents. She was down to earth and cool, sometimes going shopping with Jas and I. I would do anything for a sister like her.

And Jas? Jas was the best designer I knew. I said earlier that I made/adjusted some of my clothes? Well that's done with Jas' designs. Since Jas arrived in Second year, Colin and I went from fashion losers to some of the most stylish in school. Jas refuses to do any work for those whom she doesn't like so lots of kids, both guys and girls, will do anything to try to have her design something for them. She often will ignore the ones that she can tell are faking it and only want to be little snobs and will go and make something for kids who she thinks have good hearts.

As I changed into my green pyjama pants, with flying dragons on them, and black singlet top, Jas collapsed onto her massive King sized bed and rolled over to look at me.

"Oh by the way, I've told Mama and Papa about you staying here for the summer and they're cool. As long as you help with the chores around the house promise to make your paella sometime. They love your paella. Oh I've made plans for tomorrow. Don't worry you'll like" She hurried on as she saw my look of horror. Jas had a habit of making all of these 'fun' activities that were great unless you screwed them up. I have a habit of being bad at them.

I flopped onto the bed next to her and prepared to retaliate against Jas, before I was swamped by a wave of tiredness and allowed myself to give in to sleep.

As my eyes were closing I could just make out Jas grinning at my lack of protest. Damn. I'll have to deal with her tomorrow.

I was running. Running hard and fast. I couldn't see them, couldn't hear them. But I knew they were there. Following me. Chasing me.

The Darkness around me receded and I could see that I was in a forest. Not the forbidden forest but one where there was more light and less green.

I heard them. They were everywhere, surrounding me. I had been herded.

I was grabbed from behind and dragged forward to a clearing. My captor's arms were huge with muscles and smelt like mud. In the centre of the clearing was a cauldron, a knife and bones.

I began to struggle as I was forced towards them. The others encircled us at the rim of the clearing and began to chant. An eerie sound that raised the hairs on my arms.

Just as one came forward and reached for the knife, I was ripped out of the arms of my captor and hauled into the sky.

As shouts of anger and jets of light flew around me I looked up at the one who held me now. I was struck by piercing blue eyes that looked into my soul and saw all the light and the dark. Beautiful blue eyes that glowed like sapphires. Pale blonde, silky hair was blown across the angelic face that looked to belong to an ancient statue. My rescuer, my captor, was Him.

"Ginevra look at me."

I struggled. Desperate to get away. Even if it meant a fall through the sky.

"Gin! C'mon! Open your eyes and wake up you twat!"

I shot up and head-butted Jas. We both fell back to the bed nursing our heads. As I rubbed my head I remembered my dream. My nightmare.

"Sorry Jas. You woke me from a bad dream. Guess I was a little startled. What time is it?"

"It's 12 you lump of rock...hard lump of rock. C'mon! I have plans remember! Let's get dressed!"