Chapter 18
We all got under the invisibility cloak (surprisingly enough, no that's not a fat joke). We all quietly went down the hall except the occasional Hermione growling about getting stepped on and Harry jumping in surprise when I tickled him on the sides. Soon the door was opened by Hermione and we slipped inside upon hearing a gentle harp. I tried my best to stay calm as Harry just stared confused. "Wait a minute, it's snoring. Snape's been here. He put a spell on the harp." I nodded in agreement and carefully approached the dog's paw resting on the door.
"We have to move its paw." Harry whispered.
I nodded and got low with the other and carefully positioned myself to move it.
"Ok push!" I whispered.
We all grunted as we pushed it off the door, the occasional blast of air from the dogs.
"I'll go first don't follow until I give a sign, if something bad happens get yourselves out!" Harry said in a hushed whisper.
I cocked an eyebrow. "Um, excuse me, no! Harry I'm your sister. We said from the start that we do this together, no matter what happens!"
"Ashley I'm not arguing with you-"
"Stop acting like your such an adult!" I snap.
"Then how about you start acting like one!" He countered.
Tears brimmed my eyes and I scowled at him before just gripping the ladder. However, those awkward minutes were enough for Harry to slowly crinkle his face.
"Does it seem... Quiet to you?"
"The harp..." Hermione whispered.
"Yagh!" Ron yelped as a pool of white slob dropped on his shirt.
I slowly looked up and saw the dogs looming over us. Harry grabbed my hand quickly before shouting.
"JUMP!"
Harry and I fell together followed by Hermione then Ron as the dogs barked constantly. We all landed on this weird slimy and slippery surface.
"Whoa. What are these plant things?" I asked running my hand over it when I suddenly got wrapped by the chest and neck, cutting off my breathing slighty. I let out a small scream and Harry tried to get to me but was held down as well. We all made several houses of discomfort as we squirmed around. I began panicking. It reminded me of claustrophia. Oh god. Closed spaces. Everything is closing. Where are we?! Why is it wet?! HARRY!
"Stop moving! It's devil's snare! You have to relax otherwise it'll kill you faster!" Hermione yelled.
"Kill you faster? Oh NOW I CAN RELAX!" Ron said thrashing about with me.
But then it got worse; Hermione skunk down into the vines.
"HERMIONE!" We all screamed.
"Now what do we do!?" I yelp.
"Just relax!" Hermione's voice called.
Oh no I'm closer to death.
"Hermione where are you?!" Harry called.
"Just relax!" She echoed.
Great she's going to be a repetitive spirit! But then my worst fears came alive; Harry disappeared.
"HARRY!" I screamed loudly with Ron.
I started to cry and was being choked too. This is how it would end. I can see mom and dad... No. No Ashley Potter does NOT give up.
"Help!" I called out once.
"HELP US!" Ron screamed.
I looked around for something to pull us. I was close to Ron though...
"Ron! Move towards me!"
But he was just not having that.. Maybe a spell! Oh gosh what was the name of it?
"HERMIONE! TRY A LIGHT SPELL!" I yelled.
And that's exactly what happened. A blast of light splashed through the vines sending Ron and I to more hollow ground. I groaned and Harry ran over.
"Are you hurt? Ashley look at me, are you okay?" He said rushing my hair out of my face and hugging me.
"Yes 'm fine!" I said through coughs.
We all stood up and brushed ourselves off. I then froze.
"Wait. You hear that?"
There was a faint fluttering noise through the doors.
"Wings." Was all Harry said before we all raced out to go to yet another room.