Disclaimer: Once again, J.K. Rowling owns everything except Will, Eli, Hazel, and of course, the plot.

Thanks to everyone who reviewed my first chapter!

Paths of the Grave and Shierden

Chapter 2: Shadow in the Darkness

Hazel, lying on her back, gaped at the slowly appearing stars. Each welcomed her gaze with a slight twinkle, and then joined the army of its bothers, marching across the sky. Burnt fish and wood wafted to her nose, and the rushing of the stream next to their camp was strangely comforting. Bang! An explosion near the fire she and her brother built filled the air for mere seconds. Eli, who insisted on cooking dinner, glanced at his sister with a curious eye.

"So, er…how burnt-I mean cooked did you say you wanted your fish?" Eli, disappointed, looked from the black fish in his hands to Hazel. She knew her brother would be hurt if they did not eat the fish (he had always loved to cook, but it was never a talent of his).

"Erm…I like mine especially burnt…" she replied with an attempted smile.

"Great!" Eli exclaimed, joyful once more, "Then you'll love my specialty: blackened trout, caught fresh from the stream!" Both started to eat immediately. No matter how bad it tasted, any food was better than nothing at this point. Hazel had done a fairly good job at packing a few key items (blankets, wands, etc.), but the hovel they left did not provide as much as they needed, particularly in food stock. So, after the first day, the siblings found themselves living off what the forest provided. A week passed them by, and even though the thought kept racing through each of their minds, neither would admit they were lost. Done with her meal, Hazel continued staring at the sky. The clearing they found was perfect for stargazing, and tonight the sky was quite clear.

Soon, soft snoring, coming from the shape of her brother, confirmed that she was alone. Not physically, but more…consciously, Hazel was the only one there. Leaves crunched on the ground nearby. Something, or someone, was moving. Nearer it crept, sending chills down Hazel's spine. The hairs on the back of her neck stood on end, as if trying to listen to the heavy foot-falls just outside the ring of light in their camp. Snatching her wand from her pocket, Hazel stood, peering through the blackness.

"Hazel, what is it?" Eli, now wide awake, asked as he saw his sister pull out her wand. Usually brave and strong, Hazel now looked weak and feeble, as if by a simple touch, she would break.

"S-s-something's…..here…" Hazel whispered, her eyes now wide with fear. Eli knew something frightened Hazel, badly. She was in no state to battle with some unknown creature.

"Hazel…" Eli replied with growing strength, "I'll go see what it is…"

"Wait!" Hazel cried.

"NO! I have to do this. Hazel, I know you're usually the leader, but you're in no shape to go out there right now…" he replied in the noble tone his sister usually took when she gave a speech, "You have to be brave, and strong…just like you said before we left our home! If I don't return by the morning, keep moving and meet me at Diagon Alley…it should be just a few miles from the edge of this place…If the worst should happen, well…find Dad, okay?" His eyes gleaming with tears of fear and love, Eli took Hazel in his arms and whispered in her ear, "I know you'll be fine, and I'll be fine too. I-I love you…" With those final words, Eli's face grew fierce. He drew his wand, and stepped into the forest.

"Who knows? It's probably just a rabbit or something!" Eli's voice called in the distance. Hazel stared where her brother had once stood. What had she done? Before she dragged him into this mysterious wood, she, Hazel Mary Shierden, had been….well, the leader, as always, or so she thought. What stirred in him to create such a brave giant in her brother? She did not get the chance to tell him what she saw through the dark wall surrounding her. Impossible it seemed; it could have been only her imagination, but she swore she had seen…Never mind, it was too late to tell Eli. And now, she really was alone. Physically and mentally, alone. For the first time, Hazel had been the one scared off, and Eli went into danger for her. The untamed animal darkness swallowed him. Now, she might never see him again. In spite of her fear, Hazel felt a deep respect for Eli at that moment. He rescued her and took her place. Her brother was no longer a boy in her eyes, but a man.

Eli strode toward the place he had heard…whatever it was that followed him and his sister to the clearing. Footfalls now ran fast away from him. "Coincidence? I think not…" Eli thought to himself. Faster he jogged after it, the footfalls becoming increasingly nearer. "This'll show 'em to scare my sister!" Eli said aloud. Even though he was always very protective of her, Eli never needed to actually defend Hazel, until now. She was so strong, so dignified, in his eyes. No matter…she still was. His sister saved him from many things before now, so, this was payback. Eli now saw a faint silhouette, which suddenly turned and faced him. Shocked, he stumbled back and fell, still looking at the figure before him. Eli quickly collected himself and questioned harshly, "Who are you? And why were you following us?"

"Don't you recognize me, Eli?" a voice crept into Eli's ear.

"How do you know my name?" Eli responded, though the voice he heard vaguely reminded him of…

"The question is, why were you following me?" it answered, sickly sweet.

"Hey!" he retorted, becoming quite confused, "You followed me first, I mean..." only one person could trick Eli this easily, besides Hazel, of course. "Wait a second…"

"I think you have a considerable idea of who I am," the voice slithered around Eli's head, beating on his skull.

"YOU!" Eli screamed. A blunt blow to his head forced him into sudden unconsciousness.