"What is that?" Fred asked in awe as I pulled my I-pod from my school bag. I usually didn't bring any muggle devices into school, but I really needed to listen to some music right now, to help me concentrate on my potions essay.
"It's an I-pod," I stated simply, knowing that Fred had never seen anything like it in his life. He was from a pure-blood magical family, and I-pods were made strictly for muggle use.
"What does it do?" George questioned, snatching it away from me and holding it close to his face to examine it up close. Considering the fact that the twins were both wizards, I didn't think something as simple as an I-pod would surprise them. For god sakes they can turn other people into tea cups if they bloody well pleased.
"It plays music," I told them, collecting it from George. Honestly, even though I loved them both dearly the way they are, I wish they paid a bit more attention during Muggle Studies. I put the headphones to my ears and turned my I-pod on, I smiled to myself as the distinct voice of Billie Joe Armstrong filled my head.
Grabbing the cord to my headphones, George yanked the ear bud out of my ear and put it to his own. "Oi! Andi, why didn't you ever show us this before?" he seemed to like Green Day because he refused to give me my headphones back until the song changed.
"Didn't think you'd be interested," I shrugged, taking the ear bud George hadn't stolen and placing it in my ear, having to move closer to him so that it didn't fall out again. He didn't seem to notice because he picked up his quill again and picked up on his essay. It was due tomorrow and none of us had even started it, causing tonight to be one of those very rare nights where we took a break and actually did work. Of course, we only did the very minimum amount that would allow us to still pass.
Concentrating on how to make Felix Felicis was near impossible being this close to George. It was unusually warm today, for it being so late in October, and neither of us were wearing a sweater. Whenever he went to dip his quill in ink, his arm grazed mine, sending a pleasant rush of warmth to the left side of my body, unfortunately that included my cheeks. Inhaling sharply, I tried my hardest to write my essay to at least an acceptable standard.
"Something wrong, Andi?" Fred smirked, looking up from his parchment which had twice as much writing on it as mine, that alone said something.
"Nothing's wrong," I mumbled back almost incoherent. My face turning a darker shade of pink, no doubt.
"Really, Drella, you look a bit flushed," George added in agreement, placing his hand on my forehand to check my temperature.
"Guys, I'm fine. Now, can we get back to studying please? I really don't want to retake this class next year," I snapped, returning to my near blank parchment. I saw them both roll their eyes in one of those connected twin moments before they, too, returned to writing.
Ignoring the weak feeling in my stomach, I was able to get three quarters of my essay done before a flying paper bird hit me in the head. I glanced at the note curiously, but opened it regardless, wondering who it could possibly be from. From where I was sitting, all I could see were a couple of Ravenclaw girls gossiping about one thing or another. Sighing, I pulled open the note and read the words written in unfamiliar tidy cursive.
I'm watching you, Andrella. I'll be there when your boyfriends aren't, to teach you a lesson or two in respect, mud-blood.
The funny feeling that George gave me, that giddy nervousness, that had rooted it's self in my stomach, was now replaced with an empty hollow feeling the words written in the note provided. It wasn't the fact that someone was after me, it was the fact that I didn't know who it was. I had a feeling it might be Malfoy, but I wasn't sure. What if it was another angry Slytherin outraged to what I did to their "Prince" or maybe I had another enemy unknown to me.
"What did the note say?" Fred peeked up from his assignment, only when he noticed my face did the carefree expression wipe off of his. "What did it say, Andi?" he demanded once more, this time more firmly.
I did my best to compose my face as I quickly stuffed the note into the pocket in my vest. "Nothing important," I reassured him, forcing a smile which I'm sure resembled more of a grimace.
"Come on, Drella, just tell us what it says. We'll find out one way or another," George interjected, looking at me sternly. Even though I know I had much more important things to focus on, my heart gave an involuntarily lurch when I caught George's eye.
"It's really not important, it was just…"I couldn't think of anything quick enough to suffice, instead I just sighed. "I don't know who it was from but it was rubbish anyway. Someone just trying to scare me…" I wasn't sure who I was trying to convince, myself or them.
"Someone was trying it scare you?" Fred questioned, furrowing his eyebrow as if he was trying to think of why anyone would want to do that.
"Yeah, but it was noth--"I started but George interrupted me heatedly.
"Andrella Wendling, will you please stop saying it was nothing. You wouldn't have gone so pale or made that face if it was. So would you kindly hand it over?" He ordered, opening his hand in front of me as if waiting for me to drop the note into his palm.
"George, I--"I began to refuse, but George simply rolled his eyes and stuck his hand into my the pocket of my vest to retract the note. I was stunned by his sudden moment that I hadn't reacted and now he was reading the note, when he finished he passed it to his twin.
"Malfoy, it had to be him," Fred sneered, handing me the folded piece of parchment.
"I don't think Drella would have gotten so pale if she honestly thought it was Malfoy. She can take him in her sleep," George insisted, shaking his head in concentration.
"Guys, really, it's no big deal," I tried to reason with them, hating whenever I was the center of attention. Though, I didn't particularly mind that my best friends were concerned about me, I still didn't want to talk about it. I wanted to pretend that someone was just messing around with me and that the note wasn't a real threat. I wanted to pretend that there wasn't going to be following me around, stalking the shadows.
"It is though, someone's threatening you, Drella. They managed to send you this without being seen by anyone. They could be dangerous," by then I had stopped listening to Fred because I saw another head of bright red hair come through the library door.
I jumped up, happy to have a excuse to stop ingto Fred and George talk about me like I wasn't there. "Ron, my savior," I sighed, colliding with Ron briefly before pulling away and grinning. I noticed the dull pink shade of his face and his goofy smile, and beamed triumphantly.
"Sorry guys, this has been a very fascinating conversation but I'm going to eat with Ron, see you later," I rushed out quickly, stuffing my books into a small tote bag I used for school, and grabbed Ron's arm before the twins could protest.
"You really do have excellent timing, Ron. Thanks for saving me from your brothers," I breathed, catching my breathe from when I practically sprinted with Ron in tow out of the library.
"Anytime," Ron laughed, stuffing his hands into the pocket's of his pants. "Why did you need rescuing though?"
"Oh, I got some stupid note from someone pulling a prank on me. Your brothers freaked out about it," I shrugged, as we walked into the Great Hall. Instead of going to where I normally sit with Fred and George, I continued on down to the place where Ron sat with Harry and Hermione seeing as neither Fred nor George were here yet.
Sitting down next to Hermione, who smiled at me warmly, I saw the look on Ron's face. "Not you too," I growled at the expression that mirrored his older brothers'.
"Alright, Alright," Ron put his hands up in defeat. "Consider it forgotten" He declared, sitting down next to me and immediately helping himself to lunch.
"That's what I like to hear," I agreed victoriously, taking a sip of pumpkin juice glad that the subject of the tiny note that was now weighing a ton in my pocket was momentarily dropped.
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The day had passed by rather quickly, after lunch I met up with Fred and George who finally got the hint that I really didn't want to talk about the piece of paper that was still in my pocket. Instead, we returned to pranking the second years and discussing the World Quidditch Cup, which had ended in complete disaster what with the dark mark in the air and the uproar of death eaters.
After dinner was over, it was like the aspect of having a possible stalker was completely forgotten and instead it was replaced with the excitement of the Triwizard Tournament. During Dinner before the feast began, Dumbledore announced that our school would be hosting the Triwizard Tournament where three schools competed against each other, a student from each school would be selected to represent the school and compete in three dangerous tasks. Dumbledore also clarified--to the twins absolute disgust--that you have to be over seventeen to enter before he introduced us to the other students we'd be sharing our castle with.
I noticed the sour look Hermione shot Ron when he gushed over the beauty of the Beauxbatons Academy. But even more enjoyuable than that, when Fred and George kept teasing Ron about the mystified expression on his face when the Durmstang students came through and he saw that Viktor Krum was among them. When we were dismissed, George and Fred were still animatedly discussing the different ways they could try to get around the age line Dumbledore drew in order to enter the Tournament. I was talking to Harry about the lack of Quidditch due to the Tournament, and he seemed as bummed as I was. When we got back to the common room, I claimed too tired to stay down and take part in the excitement. It wasn't a lie exactly, I was exceptionally tired, but the main part in my withdrawal from the rest of my house has nothing to do with exhaustion.
Even though I wanted the subject dropped, I was still worried about what the note said. As I took the paper out of my pocket and reread it, I couldn't help but wonder if it wasn't a joke then why would someone send it? If it wasn't Malfoy then who could it possibly be? I didn't have any enemies besides Professor Snape end even though I didn't like him I knew he had more class than to threaten a student through a piece of folded parchment. I stripped of my robes and threw on a ratty old tee shirt and some cotton shorts. Slipping under the covers, my mind was still deep in thought.
Deciding that it was completely useless, that I wasn't going to figure out who sent me the note right now, I figured sleep would be the best solution to my nerves. Turing off the light, I began singing the words to one of my favorite songs softly under my breath, something that always helps me sleep at night.
"Hear the whispers from the backroom. Screams keep you awake at night, I'm still waiting for your last kiss. Nothing ever seems to pass the time. And I will remember. And I will surrender now. And if all of this is possible, then why can't I see you tonight. If all of this is possible, I want to die in your arms."
Somewhere in between there, I fell into one of those dreams that seem so real that you actually think you're awake…
It was very late and I was out when I shouldn't be, wandering the halls alone. I was coming back from the library, a heavy book resting under my arm and my soft footfalls being the only sound I could hear. I shivered slightly as a sudden breeze rustled my blonde hair around my shoulders, and small goosebumps arose on my exposed skin. But the breeze did not only bring a chill to the air but a set of new footsteps.
Pausing, I peeked behind me to find an empty hallway. Chalking it up to nerves, I continued on my way back to the Gryffindor dorms, walking at a swifter pace. As I progressed down the hall, the footsteps that weren't mine once again ensued, sounding closer than before. Not sparing a glance backward, I began sprinting down the hallway, sure that I wasn't imaging sounds anymore. There was someone following me, someone I'm sure didn't want to have a friendly conversation about Quidditch.
I was about to scream for help, regardless of the trouble I'd be in for being out this late when something like a wadded up cloth napkin was shoved into my mouth, temporality silencing me. The person who was following me, finally caught up with me, slamming me into the hard stone wall. With my back pressed into the chest of my attacker who was obviously a male a few good inches taller than I am.
"Andrella, you made this way too easy for me. It almost takes away from the fun that's about to happen, almost…" A cold voice I didn't exactly recognize whispered in my ear, his hot breathe made my skin itch in disgust. His hands roughly gripped my sides, feeling my body with greedy hands. I felt so violated, so helpless with my arms held behind my back as the man continued to grope me shamelessly.
"You need to learn some manners, little mud-blood. And I'm going to teach them to you, Andrella," the man growled, digging his sharp finger nails into the exposed skin of my hips. His fingers forced their way up my shirt, as I desperately tried to remember some of the nonverbal spells I learned last year to no avail. I was stricken with fear, paralyzed by it. I tried to scream but my voice was muffled by the cloth that was forcefully shoved into my mouth. When his hands, large and demanded tore the thick material of my skirt, I screamed with everything I had inside, pleading that someone would hear me and save me from him, whoever he is.…
"Andi! Oh my god, are you alright? What happened?" Renae gasped worriedly as I sat up straight in my bed, eyes wider than tea saucers as I glanced around frantically. When I realized that it was all just a dream, I was safe in my bed instead of somewhere cornered in a hallway as an unknown man took advantage of me, my heart book returned back to normal.
"Yeah," I breathed now that my lungs were back in tact, "yeah, I'm fine. Just a nightmare," I tried to reassure her but she was staring at me with the same wary expression as when I woke up.
"You were screaming bloody murder, Andi. what was the dream about?" She asked, still looking skeptical as she sat down next to me on my bed. All the other girls in my dorm had woken up as well, but now they were all falling back asleep, disgruntled.
"Someone was attacking me in a hallway, I was gagged though, in the dream. I didn't think anyone could hear me screaming…" I admitted shyly, looking past Renae and out of the window that was open next to her bed.
"Oh, well, we heard you hear. I wouldn't be surprised if they heard you over in the boy's dorm," She chuckled lightly, getting off of my bed and stretching briefly before settling back into her own bed. "No more nightmare tonight, yeah?"
"Yeah…"I agreed, laying back down in my bed. She shut of the light a minute later, and was no doubt fast asleep a little after that. I, on the other hand, laid wide awake staring at the ceiling, whispering to myself over and over again "It was just a dream, it was just a dream, it was just a dream" like a mantra until I feel back into a very light sleep, impenetrable by dreams.
But I could still fell the warmth of his breath on my skin, his nails scratching roughly across my hips, the cold taunting way he said my name….and how familiar the voice sounded….
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A/N. Any kind of comment on my story would be greatly appreciated. Whether you want to tell me that you love my story or if you hated, they're all welcome. I just would really like to know how my first attempt at a story Harry Potter related is going.