By the time he wakes up, it has all already slipped through the cracks of his returning consciousness. All Harry has known, as he awakens, is that he shouldn't be here. The details are fuzzy, and he has struggled to distinguish between reality and imagination. But this much is clear: the sensation of waking up in warmth and comfort should not have been how it ended.
No one has known where he is, and he definitely hasn't been in any state to get himself out without help.
He has remained still, his eyes fluttering open.
Surrounding him, an icy darkness, beneath him, a soft, damp fur.
He has pushed himself into a sitting position, using his hands for support, and has surveyed the forest that surrounds him as his vision sharpens. The trees have stood tall and ancient, and the surrounding has been suspiciously quiet.
An uneasy feeling has enveloped him as he has sensed that something has been observing him from all sides. It's as though the forest has come to life, observing his every move, almost as if it has been guarding something.
The dark night has revealed nothing, just the silent forest, some undergrowth, and the faint glow of the moon.
It has been strangely beautiful. It has felt like he has stepped into another realm.
He was in a familiar camp, the fire already lit, emitting warmth.
Harry has gazed around, bewildered by what has transpired, when a sudden noise behind him has startled him. The sound of snow crunching beneath someone's feet.
He has whirled around, gazing at the trees.
A figure has stood a few feet away, their face concealed beneath the shadow of a hooded cloak. When Harry has finally discerned their identity, his mouth has fallen agape.
"You," he has whispered, taking a step closer. "How?"
The Stranger has grumbled gruffly. "What are you doing here again?"
Harry has swallowed hard, fear and astonishment drying his throat. "I… I don't know."
The Stranger has reached forward, gripping his arm and trying to pull him closer.
"You," he has muttered harshly. "You don't know?"
Harry has merely gazed back at him in shock. The Stranger has been staring back, his face hidden in darkness.
"I was seeking you. I wanted to return the food I ate, but..." Harry has trailed off, shaking his head.
"But?" the Stranger has inquired.
Harry has remained silent, nervously rubbing his upper arm.
The Stranger has grumbled quietly, withdrawn, and walked away.
Harry has watched, heart pounding in his chest, until the stranger has vanished into the dark woods. He has remained still, holding his breath, waiting for the Stranger's return.
When the stranger has come back, he has carried a lifeless hare over his shoulder. Harry has gasped, and the stranger has stopped, turned, and looked back at him.
The stranger has placed the hare on the ground, knelt down, taken out a knife, and begun to skin it.
"Where did you find me?" Harry has asked.
The stranger has just grunted, his back hunched and shoulders tense.
"I didn't bring you here. How do you even know where I am?"
Harry's cheeks have flushed. "I don't. I just woke up, here."
Harry has settled back on his heels, keeping his eyes on the stranger.
"Do you know how I got here?" Harry has inquired.
"I might have an idea, and I don't like it," has come the gruff response.
Harry has shaken his head. "Why?"
The man has sighed, shaking his head. Harry has watched as he has continued to carve up the hare.
A sense of unease has filled Harry as he has observed the stranger complete the task, casting the pieces aside. A profound, dark sensation has churned in his gut.
He has been frightened.
And he has been reluctant to acknowledge it.
He has been thrilled to discover the Stranger, but now that he has, all he has felt is fear.
He has known this situation has been perilous.
"You need to stop doing this," the Stranger has grumbled.
"I only wanted to bring you some food, to return what I ate," Harry has mumbled once more.
The man has shaken his head, dropped the knife, pushed past Harry and ventured deeper into the forest.
"Stay here."
Harry has complied, and in a moment, the Stranger has returned with a bag and a snowy owl perched on his shoulder.
"Hedwig!" Harry has gasped, rushing forward.
The Stranger has dropped the bag and removed the owl from his shoulder.
"Hey, Hedwig," Harry has whispered, reaching out to stroke her feathery head. She has nuzzled his chin, her feathers soft, before pecking at his head.
Harry has smiled, picking her up and petting her. "I'm sorry, girl," he has apologised.
She has cooed, ruffling her feathers, allowing Harry to pet her.
"Are you all right?" the Stranger has inquired.
Harry has nodded and gently kissed Hedwig's head.
"Good," the Stranger has said, his voice carrying a soft resonance that has seemed to merge with the night's silence. "Now, let's get -"
"Wait," Harry has interrupted, his voice barely louder than a whisper, mindful not to disturb the hushed nocturnal serenity. "Did you say that you know how I got here?"
The stranger has paused, turning to look at Harry. A soft breeze has rustled the leaves in the trees, and the night has seemed to hold its breath.
"Yes," the stranger has finally admitted, his words as enigmatic as the night itself.
Harry's eyes have widened, and his breath has seemed to mist in the cool night air. "How?"
The stranger has let out a deep sigh, his face veiled by the shadows of his hood, adding to the air of mystery that has cloaked them. "Someone has brought you here."
Harry's heart has raced, matching the rhythm of the nocturnal creatures' symphony. "Who?" he has whispered, his voice barely audible.
The stranger has merely shaken his head. "Not important."
Harry has bitten his lip, his stomach churning with uncertainty.
The Stranger has exhaled. "Look, I'll tell you everything. But first, -"
The Stranger's voice has trailed off as a dark mass has dropped from above, landing on him and pinning him to the ground.
The shadowy shape has instantly fixated its attention on Harry, whose eyes have widened.
It has emitted an unusual, almost chirping sound, and Harry has strained to hear it, like a whisper in the dark.
Harry has been silent, too stunned to make even a whisper of noise or movement. It has chirped again with a sharp whistle, and Harry has tried to glance toward the ground where the stranger has chuffed irritably. The creature has trilled questioningly, and the stranger has shaken his head.
The creature has huffed as it has stopped sitting on its- perch/rider - trotting over to Harry's side.
Harry has struggled, but his efforts have been futile.
He has remained frozen as the creature has approached, its wings unfurling and its radiant eyes focused intently on him.
The creature has drawn nearer, inspecting him with every sniff. Its warm breath has brushed against his face, sending shivers down his spine.
Yelping, Harry has found himself falling as the creature's front legs have wound around his torso and pulled him into a warm chest.
The creature has continued to sniff Harry. He has felt its hot breath tickle his face as it has sniffed him.
The stranger has picked yourself from the ground with an annoyed huff.
"Alohilani, what do you think you are doing?" he has questioned, his voice firm.
The creature has continued to investigate Harry, and he has finally found his voice, though it has been little more than a breathless whisper. "Is it going to eat me?"
"No," has come the quick, reassuring response. "She won't eat you."
Alohilani, the creature, has made an intriguing, warbling sound.
"No, girl, you can't keep the boy; he has to stay here, okay?"
The stranger has slowly approached Alohilani's snout until finally placing one hand on it, fully calming her down. He has then turned to face Harry.
Harry has peered up at the stranger, blinking several times, his heart still thumping heavily in his chest.
"Is she a friend?" Harry has inquired, his voice barely rising above a whisper.
"Yes," the stranger has admitted, a hint of defeat in his tone.
Harry has nodded, a faint, unsure smile touching his lips. "So," he has said, "I guess we're friends?"
The man has hesitated briefly but ultimately nodded, accepting the situation.
"Friends," Harry has confirmed with a soft, knowing nod. "That's good."
The stranger has sighed, a ripple in the night's stillness, his unease palpable. "I suppose."
Harry has kept his gaze fixed on the flickering flames of their campfire, the warm light casting an intimate glow on their enigmatic encounter. He has watched the stranger warily, anticipation and curiosity shimmering in his eyes.
"You were going to tell me something," Harry has prompted.
The stranger has looked away, shaking his head, hesitant.
"Tell me," Harry has implored, his voice a fragile plea. "Please."
The stranger has sighed once more, turning around to face Harry.
"You were brought here by someone," he has stated simply, "By something."
Harry's heart has raced, and a shiver has coursed through him. "Who?" he has asked, his voice a fervent whisper.
The stranger has exhaled, his breath merging with the cool breeze, as he has confessed, "Alohilani. And she doesn't want you to go home."
Harry has heard the sadness in the man's voice.
"And you never take a toy from a dragon." the stranger has said definitely.
Harry has swallowed hard with dread.
