Behind the Shadows [Book One]

Chapter Sixteen:

Chapter Sixteen:

I must not run. I must face my consequences. I must listen to authority figures. I must obey the rules. I must be in by curfew.

Five new sentences for an entire week of detention, today being the last day. It happened to land (rather unfortunately) on Halloween. Slytherin had been planning a party that was sure to have alcohol and a lot of sweets but instead I sat with Umbridge, writing out 'I must be in by curfew'. I had nothing to drink, nothing to eat all day and I'd been here nearly two hours waiting for her to let me go so I could go to supper.

As it was, supper was ending in approximately five minutes and she couldn't have had better timing when she finally released me. I'd have to return right after I was finished eating, but at least I'd get some sort of nourishment after all this hand-scarring.

I chucked down the demon quill she made me use and ran out of her office, ignoring rather easily the thin trails of blood that leaked down my hand. I just really wanted food, that was all I could think about.

There weren't any spots open at the Slytherin table, which left me stuck with Gryffindor. I wouldn't have minded nearly so much if a seat by the Weasley twins were open, or at least someone who can keep a steady flow of conversation going but instead the only seat open was in between Ron Weasley and the Granger girl which Harry was just vacating.

I smiled as he walked past though I don't think Harry noticed he was concentrating so hard at his feet slapping against the flooring before I sat myself between his two best friends.

"Hello!" I grinned before grabbing a clean plate and piling my food up with it.

"Why are you just now eating?" Ron questioned, his mouth full of food as he glanced up at me. Grimacing, I lifted my full fork to my mouth, ready to take my first bite.

"Detention with Umbridge," I muttered before closing my eyes and shoving the fork-full into my mouth only to quickly realize it no longer had anything on it. I opened my eyes again to look down at my plate.. which was no longer there, nor was any of the food that had been on the tables.

Supper was over... damn it Ron! I could have at least gotten a bite of food if he hadn't have decided to ask me a question. I honestly felt like crying at that exact moment in time but instead I glared down at the redhead before stomping off to the dungeons in hopes of there being something quick I can grab to eat before I had to return to my detention with the cow.

"Pure-bloods," I mutter, opening my way to the Slytherin dungeon common room. I smiled as Draco stood up to meet me, his hand held a giant blueberry muffin, my favourite.

"You're a lifesaver, Dray."

"Eat on the way, I hear Umbridge has already begun looking for a reason to get another detention with you. I think she hates you more than the other Potter," Draco smirked at me before ushering me out of the room, shoving me into the corridor before shutting the entrance once again.

Sometimes, I severely disliked that boy.

 ***

Hagrid, who I hadn't even honestly realized had been missing from Hogwarts showed back up mid-November. His first lesson was interesting, though I didn't quite understand it. Thestrals, apparently skeletal horses with wings (essentially), though they could only be seen by those who had seen death.

That was only four of the students in our class, and I wasn't one of them which was unfortunate as they sounded pretty amazing.

A thought crossed my mind as I glanced at one of the students who were petting the creatures. Raising my hand, I looked to the giant of a man and asked him what had been on my mind. "So if we haven't seen death, we can't see them... but can we still touch them?"

"O'course. They're still there, you jus' can't see 'em."

Smiling my best fake smile, I walked over to one of the boys who could see them, but didn't want to pet one and asked him if he could direct me towards one so that I could. The boys hair was all in his face, shaggy and a light brown. He was relatively tiny for a boy but adorable as well, if it wasn't for this aura he put off of 'leave me alone, don't touch me'.

He pointed me over, directing me to move more towards the left, and then down a bit as it was a baby. I grinned as I felt something brush against my hand.  Moments later something suspiciously like a tongue seemed to touch my arm, causing me to grimace at the slimy feel of it.  Nonetheless, I grinned and fixed my body so that I was facing the creature more fully and petting it's head.  I could feel a mane of hair that easily led me to its ears.  Bambino and Gumball both loved being pet there, so I gave it a try and moved my hand behind what I guessed was where the ears would be located. 

The invisible creature didn't seem to appreciate it much, so I moved my fingers lower, more towards it's jaw before gasping as I cut myself on something attached to the thestral.  It took me all of five seconds to realize I'd run my hand across its mouth, and less than seven seconds before I felt the entire jaw enclose around my hand.  Granted, it was a very small thestral (I assume, considering the boy said it was a baby), but it's teeth were razor sharp causing me to yelp painfully. 

"Hagrid!" I yelled, getting the giant oaf's attention as he was still explaining about the creatures and how they're seen as bad omens, etcetera.  Once his attention was turned towards me, it was easy to tell that he was a bit freaked out.  He took giant, lumbering steps to get to me as quickly as possible before prying the teeth (painfully) out of my hand. 

"Class dismissed, e'rryone out of the forrest while I take Miss Potter 'ere to the infirmary." 

"You won't get into trouble will you?  I heard what happened to your Hippogriff because of Draco getting hurt.  I don't want the thestral to be killed too." 

Hagrid glanced down at me, his eyes having lost that almost terrified look in his eyes.  "Buckbeak was killed because Malfoy made a big fuss about it.  The thestral was just a baby, it was 'ungry is a all." 

"I know.  I don't blame it."   I grimaced at my bleeding hand, feeling sort of hopeful that the scars left by this incident would cover the ones I'd gotten from detention.  Anything is better than having words written across my hand and up my arms, I didn't even like to read anymore yet when I was bored, I caught myself trying to make out words upon my skin. 

That was the insanity level I'd gotten to this year. 

Giant scar caused by invisible flying horse?  No problem.  Words permanently placed in my skin where everyone could see them?  That was a problem.  That was a problem I'd be getting rid of in the not too distant future. 

[[A/N: bahhhh I have such a headache but I really wanted to update for you guys because I haven't been able to for so long due to lack of internet!  I hope you all forgive me and that you like this chapter.  Is it good?  Is it crap?  TELL MEEEEEE.  I may be able to update again tomorrow at some point but I make no promises.  NONE. 

Peace and Love, iJay]]