Chapter 14

The shadows danced along the walls as Draco and Pansy descended into the back streets of Senscarica. Here, the only light came from the few devilish looking street lamps which lined the streets.

Draco and Pansy strode purposely forward, unfazed. They didn't blink as they passed from one shadow to another, the darkness swallowing them up only to spit them back out again when they passed into the small circles of light. To any other, they would almost appear ghostly as they passed from dark to light as if it was the most natural thing in the world.

Draco walked first, his eyes focused straight ahead. Pansy was behind him, walking in a similar state. The only change in their movement was when Draco pulled out his map to check it once in a while.

Only when at last they reached the point where Senscarica ended and the forest of Aqumis began did Pansy halt their progress.

"Why are we stopping Pansy?" asked Draco curiously.

"I don't know what's hiding in that forest," explained Pansy, "do we have to go though there to get to this place or is there a way around?"

Draco removed the map and looked it over for a moment before looking back up at Pansy. "I think we have to go though the forest. The path leads straight forward from here."

"Alright, then we have to be careful and be sure to keep our purpose constantly in mind as we move though the forest, at least for the first ten minutes. I recall someone saying once that the forest was very dangerous and that many creatures of substantial power live within its protective dome."

"Wait," insisted Draco as he held up one of his hands, the other resting on his forehead, "are you trying to tell me that this forest can read our minds?"

Pansy sighed. "No, but the creatures within can, at least the spirits."

"What kind of spirits?" asked Draco nervously. He would end up going in anyway, but he would like to know what he was going to face before he had to actually face it.

"The kind that become dementors," replied Pansy calmly as she walked into the forest.

Draco's eyes widened and he hurried in after Pansy.

"You're kidding," he said firmly, grabbing Pansy's shoulder and spinning her around so she was facing him. Pansy just looked at him with eyes so cold he shuddered. Her eyes were determined, uncertain, and empty all at once.

"If you're too afraid, then go back to Senscarica," she said coldly, shrugging his hand off her shoulder.

Draco stood frozen at the forests entrance, unsure of what he should do. Hermione needed help and he was the only one who could see the map. Without him, Pansy could get lost or hurt and then no one would ever be able to help Hermione. Without him, Hermione might die and then he would never get his answers.

You have to do this Draco, he told himself. For Pansy and Harmony's sakes.

Taking a deep breath, Draco hurried to catch up to Pansy, praying they would all survive this. What he didn't notice were the two green eyes which watched them retreat into the woods. A smirk spread across the skin under the green eyes.

Well, it seems Harmony still has a few friends left in this world. But no matter, she will be blamed for everything in the end.