A/N: I'm terrible sorry for the long wait. There's no legit excuse I can provide. Thanks to all who follow and fav. I hope you guys bear with me. I really appreciate that you take the time to read my story :)
As long as she could remember, Sky had always loathed studying the theory of something. In most cases she knew it was essential to achieve one's goals but she had always learned best while doing things hands-on. Therefor theory was a necessary evil, as far as she was concerned, and should be reduced to the bare minimum.
Growing up in an elfish campsite it hadn't been much of a problem. Theory was always followed swiftly by practical experience and often disguised in stories. Stories that were told by older members of their clan and had not to be read up in books.
Sky huffed as she tried to decipher the small narrow letters in her Transfiguration book. Why the heck didn't humans just recount the important things to one another? What were lessons for if not for this? She had asked the twins such questions multiple times but had yet to receive a satisfying answer.
True to their word, the Weasley third years had started teaching the younger girl how to read and write over the last few weeks. The duo's knowledge of the castle was without match and so there had been no problems whatsoever, to find a room to study on their own. Usually the twins'cheerful nature and inventive way of teaching made it easier for Sky to follow without feeling too stupid. But that day she got frustrated quickly as she had been in a bad mood right from the start.
"You could just tell me what it says in here." The girl glared at the redheads. It didn't make it easier for her to concentrate on the endearing task that the boys were throwing sweets at one another, trying to catch them in their mouths.
"That's not the purpose of this exercise, Sky." George stated without even glancing her way.
"Oh, come on!"
"Stop whining and finish reading. Be glad we are of exceptionally intelligence and so've been able to come up with this brilliant plan for writing your essays." Fred popped another Fudge Flie into his mouth.
"With that ingenious mind of yours, you sure can come up with something similar brilliant for reading, can't you Fred?" Sky sweet-talked.
"Well, maybe we could…" Fred began but was interrupted instantly by his brother.
"Oy Sky, get down to it. You know you have to learn this." George shot her a sharp look. "And besides, don't forget what I told you. The Quick-Quotes-Quill shall only help you to get started. You still have to learn how to write as you won't be able to use it during your exams. We agreed that you'd do the shorter essays by yourself, so stick to that."
Sky grumbled and cursed the slightly younger twin under her breath. During the last few weeks she had seen more of the two identical Weasley brothers than of any other person and had slowly gotten to know them. An awful lot of things about them were the same but by now she had also spotted their differences. While both being funny and having the same kind of humour, George was the more serious twin, if one could call him that. Sky was sure that he would never take a joke too far and suspected that he was the one responsible for the twins to not land in any more detentions than they already did. While Fred was always launching into their initial ideas, George was the one to stop him if it was just not doable, although he didn't lack the imagination. Her exploring seeking nature let Sky identify herself more with the older brother. Fred was always reaching for that bit more of adrenalin and never missed a punchline. There were no things half done by the redhead. However it was true that Fred was a bit short tempered. Teaching wasn't really his thing, especially not when it was taking the girl a bit longer to grasp what they wanted to tell her. At these times Sky was thankful for George's calm nature. He never lost his patience. On the other hand it had been Fred who had come up with the Quick-Quotes-Quill…
"Oy Sky, concentrate!" George snapped his fingers in front of her nose. Although it had the desired effect of bringing her back to the present, Sky, already unnerved, was immensely irritated by the ginger. She glared at the back of his retreating head and a low animalistic growl escaped her throat.
The twins' heads flicked around at the sound. Fred's eyes widened in surprise and the corner of both boys' lips twitched, a sign that they were about to break out into laughter.
"What, in Merlin's name, was that?" Fred's mouth had already spread into a huge grin.
Sky glared at them. It occurred to her that besides being in their company a good part of the last few weeks, they didn't really know each other. All their teaching meetings were done in their own little bubble which always created the same surrounding. No interaction with other people, no conversations about their families or past. It wasn't on purpose. It just had never come up. However, today the missing knowledge rang prominently in her ears. The growl had been subconscious, a warning that the girl's nerves were ready to snap. And it irritated her that they didn't catch this sign. But how should they have? Blade would have known of course. On the other hand he would have known even without the sound. The 29th of October was approaching fast. Actually, it was tomorrow.
The twins had started to imitate the growl, laughing at every failed try. In a swift movement she stood up and put her things back into her bag. The gingers froze in their movements and a frown appeared on George's face.
"What's wrong, Sky? We didn't want to upset you."
"No, it's alright. I just… I just can't concentrate today. I'm going to bed."
"Wait. We should go together. You don't want to meet Filch on the way, do you?"
An uncomfortable silence engulfed them while walking back to Gryffindor tower. Sky made sure to avoid their gazes but she didn't miss the concerned glances the twins exchanged. Finally they climbed through the hole to the common room. Fred stretched, an attempt of his usual grin on his face.
"Alright, same time tomorrow?"
"No, sorry. Not tomorrow."
"Got detention again?" Fred grinned at her, his eyes twinkling with mischief.
"Nah, I just need a day off." Sky evaded. "I'm finished. I'm going to bed. Night."
"Sky!" George called after her. The girl turned around but stayed at the stairs. "Are you sure that we're good?"
"Yeah, of course. It's just been a long day. See you tomorrow." A weak smile was shot in the twins' direction before Sky turned around and disappeared to the girls' dormitory.
Piercing blue. The colour was carved prominently into her mind as the pupils had shrunk into needle sized spots. She waited for the scream. She knew it would come, she had visited the nightmare enough times to be sure of that. She dreaded the sound but waiting for it put her even more on edge. Her heartbeat quickened in those few seconds in which time always seemed to stand still. And then it was there. The sound cut through her, leaving her frozen to the spot. Even after all this time the scream hadn't lost its intensity. She heard the animalistic shrill tone crack, a millisecond before it stopped.
Panting heavily she sat up in her bed. She ran her hands through her hair, registering at the back of her mind the cold sweat covering – well, all of her body, really. The urge to distract herself from the images was overwhelming and once again she dug her nails deep into her skin to create another feeling her mind could be occupied with. As always it didn't work in the slightest.
Her eyes fell on the crumpled sheets binding part of her to the bed. Judging by the state of her four-poster, she must have tossed around quite a bit. It was still dark outside, only the feint traces of moonlight illuminated the dorm, the morning sun wasn't even in sight. The dream had woken her much too early though she wasn't surprised. She had expected it to appear today and knew the images, sounds and smells would haunt her all day.
Sky slipped out of the bed and patted over to the bathroom. As the droplets ran down her skin her thoughts drifted back to the scream that had torn her out of the horrible images.
But it hadn't been the scream that woke her. It had been the following silence.
The girl stepped out of the shower and shot a short glance at the clock as she crossed the Gryffindor common room. 4 am. In front of the Fat Lady she hesitated a few seconds, wondering about the curfew. Deciding she didn't care one bit, Sky made her way to the only place she knew could bring her through the day: the grounds.
Sky had strolled through the woods a few hours, long enough that the black had morphed into the grey of dawn and on to the first rays of sunlight breaking bravely through the trees. Entirely in line with 'better sound than sorry' she had stayed at the outline of the forest as she did not trust herself to catch the tunes as she would normally have. But she did not miss the loud chewing sounds and the deep voice coming from the next clearing. Knife in hand the girl crept closer, making sure to stay against the wind. Her jaw dropped as she came within the range of vision. Big skeletal winged horses ripped large bits of flesh off something that might have been a cow. And in the midst of them stood Hagrid petting the nearest of the strange creatures with a large content smile on his face.
"What the…" Sky blurted out as she stumbled onto the clearing. Some of the horses twitched as she entered their space.
"Sky. Yeh're out early. Wha' yeh doing in the forest? Yeh're not allowed ter be here. It's dangerous, it is. There are-"
"Hagrid, what are-"
"Alright, I know it's a strange sight. Yeh probably think I'm pettin' plain air, but-"
"What are you talking about? What are those creatures? I've never seen or heard of them."
"Blimey Sky, yeh never stop ter surprise me. Yeh can see them, can yeh?" The giant man shook his head in disbelief. "Those marvellous creatures are called thestrals. And them are the only tame herd in the whole of Britain, aren't yeh?" A loving look lay behind his eyes as he continued to pet the winged horses.
"Why is it surprising that I can see them? They are not exactly small, are they?"
A deep chuckle ran through the clearing which only increased as Hagrid caught the confused look on Sky's face.
"No, they aren't small. But yeh can only see them if yeh've seen death."
"Death?" Piercing blue orbs flashed up in Sky's mind. The weird horses had been a very good distraction but that little innocent word was enough to open the well-guarded box of horrible images. They crept out of the box, sneaking slowly up to her. However, the day was still ahead and she forced them back in order to survive it.
"Yeah, death. I never thought of it tha' way bu' seems as if it suffices to see animals die. Bu' maybe it's just yeh. The elves taught yeh ter look on things in another way, didn't they? An' yeh're a hunter so, that must be it, musn' it?"
"Yeah, probably. I've got to go. Catch something to eat and stuff."
But the girl did not go to the great hall to get something to eat. In fact that day she returned to the castle only for her lessons. Sky even went so far as to gather her bow and arrows to provide herself with her own food. When night began to fall she considered returning to the dormitory but decided against it. As she sat in front of her small fire she pondered over the strange creatures.
Yeh can only see them if yeh've seen death.
She would never know if Hagrid's guess was right. That being a hunter, respecting life and therefor acknowledging every death, regardless of the race, was sufficient to see the thestrals. The only thing she could say for sure was that it didn't have to be a human.
The horrible shrill scream echoed around her head. She didn't know if she should squeeze her eyes shut or let them stay open. But she guessed it wouldn't matter anyway. Even if she was able to force the images back, eventually her body would give in to sleep. And the night would send another repetition of her nightmare.
Before she settled down a ritual had to be made. Her ritual. The ritual she practised since that fatal day five years ago.
As she began to sing, Sky let her magic reach out to her surroundings. Slowly her hand drew some seeds from her pocket, scattering them in a small circle. At a certain tone she directed her magic to the seeds and they began to grow, leaves were spreading and finally they blossomed.
After the last tune had faded Sky lay down next to the little patch of flowers. Breathing in their scent, she closed her eyes and allowed the tears to slide down her cheeks. Her consciousness drew a picture of a small elven child.
Thick blonde hair framed her face on which a shy smile could be seen. The bright blue eyes were looking straight at her creating a calming aura which was intensified as Sky felt their fingers intertwine. "We'll do it together, won't we? You won't leave me alone?" It wasn't a real question. The elf's voice was only a tiny bit nervous but Sky heard her younger self answer with conviction anyway. "Of course not! You're my companion. I won't ever let you down!"
A hoarse whisper left her lips before she gave in to the exhaustion.
"I'm sorry Bluebell."
Nightmares were only really dreadful when they were made up of memories. Unfortunately, hers were.
