Disclaimer: Sadly, I will never own anything in this story except Eli, Hazel, and Will, for it is owned by J.K. Rowling (as if any of you didn't know that).

THANKS: to everyone that has reviewed. Special thanks are due to my first actual critic: Eliniel (It's not that I don't like reviews, in fact I love them, it's just that all of you reviewers are so…nice.). Thanks for the honest and constructive criticism. Notice: to all reviewers, this doesn't mean I want destructive criticism, but every once in a while something other than, "Oh, that was a really great chapter!" would be cool. Then again, if you do so wish to adore me…then I guess you may. That is all.

Paths of the Grave and Shierden

Chapter 4: She's Just a Girl

Great…thought Hazel as she stood before the famous Boy Who Lived. Thoroughly drenched from dew and smelling quite like the forest itself, she blushed as Harry took her hand in greeting. Hazel glanced over her shoulder hearing Ron and the girl that accompanied them bickering angrily amongst themselves. That must be Hermione Granger…Hazel noted. She only knew this because at Hogwarts, they were notorious and inseparable.

"Where did you say you found her?" Hermione whispered accusingly to Ron. Hermione wanted to know everything about the girl. She was acting too nice, and it seemed as if she were trying to hide something…something important… Hermione could sense it. After all, Hermione Granger had not been the smartest girl in Hogwarts for nothing.

"Well, she was sleeping on the ground in the middle of a clearing that looked like it had been attacked. I couldn't just leave her there for something…or someone, to come back and finish her off…" Ron replied, shocked that Hermione was angry. He had actually saved something for once. She should have been proud of him.

"Didn't you even think about the possibility that she was the one who attacked it? I mean, people don't just go wandering in the woods by themselves you know…That would just be stupid…" Hermione scolded. She sniffed as the girl supposedly named Hazel walked toward them. There was something about this girl, and Hermione did not like it. "Where did you say you were from?" Hermione questioned her politely, but with a hint of coldness in her voice.

"Oh…" Hazel replied, trying to ignore Hermione's rather harsh tone. "I'm from a village outside the forest. My brother was with me, but…" her voice trailed off. Eli hadn't come back. Then, she remembered her promise to him, though a voice in the back of her mind knew what probably lay ahead for her brother if Will had captured him. That night in the forest, she had seen her older brother's Dark Mark… "We were separated. I'm supposed to meet him in Diagon Alley," she continued. "Only, I'm not quite sure how to get there…"

"Well, I guess we could help…" Harry suggested, while barely dodging an elbow from Hermione.

"Excuse us for a second…Hazel," Hermione grumbled as she pulled Ron and Harry simultaneously behind a tree a few feet away. "Are you crazy?" she asked when they were situated so Hazel could not see them. "Helping a stranger in the middle of the woods to Diagon Alley? That's not only stupid, it's suicide…"

"Hermione, it's not that bad…," Ron chimed in, "Bloody hell, she's just a girl….and I've seen her at Hogwarts before…Ravenclaw, I think…" he stopped, pondering about it, "Yeah, definitely Ravenclaw."

"Besides, we could defend ourselves against her if we really needed to…" Harry added.

With a stern glare for them both, Hermione tried to reason, "Harry, don't take this the wrong way, but it could be a trap. I mean, it is a girl in distress, and anyone who wanted to hurt you knows that you would come to her rescue."

"We can't leave her in the middle of the forest," Harry confirmed. "I'll take the risks…Are you coming with us or not?" he eyed Hermione.

Meanwhile, Hazel had been waiting anxiously for the three to emerge from the giant tree they hid behind. They're taking too long… She should go now, before they discovered why she and her brother were separated. Hazel could hear mumbling, but nothing else. It was quite nerve wracking…She could almost hear what sounded like a moan, or a sigh, from the mass of wood. Was it Hermione speaking, or was it all Hazel's wild imagination? Whoever it was, they did not sound too happy about they way the discussion had gone.

"Of course…I said I'd stay with you guys 'till the end, didn't I?" Hermione sighed. Obviously her shrewdness no longer worked on her two closest friends. Hazel waited silently as the three approached her. When all were face to face, Hermione spoke. "Well, I guess we're going to Diagon Alley…" she said without emotion. Hazel's face lit up and she unexpectedly embraced the three. All were shocked, because long arms and a strong grip weren't common among girls her size.

"Okay…crushing lungs…can't…breathe," Ron finally gasped. Hazel let go instantly and all sprawled to the ground. With a deep sigh, Hazel smiled weakly at her new…friends. Could she call them friends? So many things could go wrong…Would she be able to protect them against anything that they might encounter? Anything? The sun shined brightly through the roof of majestic oaks and pines. A slight breeze felt cool on her skin. Such a setting gave hope to the soul, hope that maybe everything would turn out alright.

"Awright," Ron broke the silence, "So which way do we go to get to Diagon Alley?" All four looked around them, seeing several paths to choose from. Many were brightly beaming and cleared as if used often by hunting or hiking muggles. Then again, one path was rather dark and almost entirely covered with bush and bramble with a foreboding feeling upon it. "Let me guess," Ron answered himself with sarcasm. "The only way we're going to get there is through the creepy path that's probably infested with…spiders," he shuddered.

"Actually…Accio map," Harry muttered under his breath. Presently, the map he summoned flew into his hand. He read it with great concentration, and Hermione peering over his shoulder. She laughed grimly and looked at Ron.

"Well Ron, I guess you're finally right for once, you great oaf," she stated, hinting at empathy for Ron's sake.

Speechless, Ron stuttered, "I-I was…I was KIDDING! It was a joke-a bloody JOKE!" His voice was currently moving up an octave higher than usual. Following this cry, he continued to stare blankly at the grave path that must be taken. It was altogether frightening; even the birds seemed to stop their tune in its vicinity. One by one, Hazel, Harry, and Hermione started for the trail. None were the least bit cheerful.

"WAIT!" Ron exclaimed as he was suddenly aware that he was alone. Running, he halted just short of the narrow snake-like path that threatened to swallow him into the ominous wood. Then, hearing the faint shouts of his best mates calling him, he took the plunge into the abyss. Harry came into view, and Ron pounced on him, taking him to the ground.

"Ugh," Hermione grunted, "Boys…" Then, Hazel smiled at her and they proceeded to laugh. It was an awkward giggle, between two complete strangers. Both became aware of the bond just shared and quickly tore the two thrashing bodies apart.

"Well," Hazel whispered to Hermione as they walked in the rear, though half commenting to herself, "This is going to be a long hike."

Author Note: So, did ya like it? Huh? Well, all I can say is that I can't write British dialogue to save my life...So, go ahead, anxiously wait for the next chapter...or not, if you didn't like it.