Chapter one: snowdrifts.
She darted quickly forwards, making sure to take long strides through the mass of trees and crisp snow underfoot, every now and then ducking to avoid low hanging branches. She was running late, questions would be asked. She shuddered, but not from the cold.
The gathering was not far off now…she began to run. If he realised she was late…
The girl stopped suddenly, agitated. A large tree had fallen in her path. She sighed glaring at the tree for a moment before silently thinking
"Sectusempra!" withdrawing her wand immediately and waving in a swift arc like motion towards the centre of the tree. It split with a satisfying crack, and she raced on, only to pause as a jet of purple light soared directly overhead, missing her hood by about half an inch.
She smiled gleefully and turned to face her challenger.
"Bellatrix?" she asked unbelieving, wand arm raised poised to strike.
"Why are you here?" the girls asked questioningly, something was amiss she could feel it. Casting her eyes round warily she scanned the dark forest around her, then sensing nothing turned back to address the woman ahead.
"I suppose your wondering why I'm here?" she spoke fast and quizzically, as if she too were hurried.
The girl stood frozen wand arm still raised, she new better than to answer truthfully.
"Why so late and far from the others?" she asked, Bellatrix should not be here. She alone should be journeying this way, unless…
No! This was a test she was sure of it, sensing that she may be about to read her thoughts, she closed her mind, pushing four memories forth.
"Very well." Bellatrix added after a brief silence "you may pass."
She nodded very briefly and turned hurrying once more into the gathering darkness.