Disclaimer- I do not own Harry Potter
The shadows from the surrounding trees pressed down, suffocating the light emitting from Nardrick's wand. Nardrick moved at a slower more relaxed pace now that he was under the cover of the forest, and out of the open. He enjoyed the dark, quiet calm that the forest radiated and wasn't afraid of the noises that came from deeper within. He had a knack for knowing when he was in danger, and had only once felt endangered while in the forest. Thankfully though, he was protected by the spirits, wich he had befriended two years earlier.
* * *
Nardrick had entered the forest on a dare from his older brother in an angst to prove his bravery. As part of the dare he had to take one hundred steps into the forest, and his brother had given him a muggle pedometer. Nardrick walked tentatively into the dark shadows of the trees, and glanced down constantly to make sure the muggle devise was working. He watched carefully at the numbers as they clicked higher, and he became so absorbed in the electronic mechanism, that he was scared nearly to death when a voice spoke from beyond a cluster of large cedars. If he had been looking down he would have seen the numbers jump up eight steps. The voice ended up belonging to one of the spirits of the forest, and after inquiring a shaking Nardrick about the nature of his visit, the spirit helped him find his way back out of the forest.
He had discovered that, contrary to popular belief, the spirits were friendly, nonthreatening beings. So led him to start making these night time endeavors. Nardrick looked around at these thoughts, wondering why none of his spirit friends had yet come to greet him. As he puzzled this, an uneasy feeling spread from his stomach, making the hair on his neck stand on edge.
Nardrick crept deeper into the forest, headed for the clearing where the spirits normally held their nightly festivities. He knew it had to be only about a hundred yards further, and as came closer, he could see the glow of the spirits, a dim purple shade. Nardrick felt a small lump in his throat. Purple was the color of mourning, and it was fact that on occassion, a spirit was taken to the underworld, though this usually called for a much more prominant shade of purple. Nardrick was feet from the clearing, still unable to see it clearly because of the undergrowth, when a strong, human hand flew out of the darknes, and grabbed him by the collar of his cloak.
Nardrick gave a small, muffled yelp before he was pulled backwards into some of the thicker underbrush. He felt himself being dragged a few feet, before the person let him crumple to the ground. He looked up quickly and felt the fear return to him. It was Craig Fridhoch. The school bully and an enemy of his older brother, Ethan. Nardrick swallowed hard and stuttered despite his hardest efforts.
"H-h-hi t-th-there C-Craig. What brings you h-h-here s-so late at n-night?"
"Don't question me you little freak.", Craig growled back, and Nardrick recieved a hard kick in the gut.
"Now get up and tell me why you're out of bed after hours.", Craig commanded. Complying, Nardrick quickly got to his feet, standing before the tall, large bully and explaining quickly.
"I only came to visit the spirits. They're actually very friendly."
"Don't call those devils friendly!", spat Craig, "And that's not a good enough reason.", he added with a grin. He reached for a fallen branch and brandished it at Nardrick.
"And it's obvious that you've decided to wander around the grounds, wich is FORBIDEN!", Craig nearly yelled the last word as he bought the branch crashing into the side of the other boy's head. Nardrick collapsed to the ground, seeing spots, and nearly loosing consciousness. Nardrick made a cry as he was hit, but the forest was empty of help.
"What's worse is that you decided to come to the forest, wich we all know is FORBIDEN!" This time Craig did yell the final word as he struck Nardrick again. It landed hard on his ribs, and the air was forced out of Nardrick's lungs. He sputtered and gasped for breath, trying to refill his lungs. He began to see a puple-ish haze. Nardrick heard Craig grunt, and he looked up in time to see Craig raise the branch again. He rolled out of the way before it could do any harsh damage. The branch glanced against his leg cutting into his flesh, and a small trickle of blood began to roll down his calf.
"I think you need a few more beatings-" Craig began, but he was interupted by a strong, deep voice from behind him.
"I think not. And you really should give me that stick, it can seriously hurt someone."