You Don't Know

Chapter 12 - Whispers in the shadows

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A lonely orange scruffy cat wondered into the forbidden forest. The cat began to claw at the bottom of a tree. The reapers stirred at they picked up the presence of the animal. A mischievous grin ran across one of their ghostly faces.

"A way in," it hissed.

It approached and circled around the cat. The cat froze for a moment before hissing violently at the reaper.

"Cats are so perceptive," hissed the reaper before wrapping its long bony fingers around the cat's neck.

It lined its head up and looked directly at the cat before possessing the cat's body. The cat fell limp for a moment before jumping straight up. The cat turned and grinning devilishly towards the other reapers as a wash of red fell across the cat's eyes. The other reapers screamed in delight. They were in. It wouldn't be long now. The cat turned and sped off towards Hogwarts castle.

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Draco slipped silently out of the room while Hermione was distracted. He held his breath as he leaned up against the other side of the door. He watched her from a distance while she left before he dared breathe again. He had wanted to clear everything up but he didn't think he could handle it. Once he knew she was gone he headed back to his common room. The corridors were quiet and empty with every little sound making him jump. When he had almost made it to the passage down to the dungeon he stopped. He listened intently to everything around him. He could hear what he thought were footsteps. He flattened him self up against the wall. He didn't need to be stopped by someone while he was in this state. They would ask too many questions. Suddenly the footsteps stopped. Draco risked it and peered out into the corridor. At the end of the corridor stood a lonesome cat. The cat stood motionless. Its head turned and looked directly at Draco. They both stood still, their eyes locked. A dreadful and creepy feeling ran up Draco's spine. He opened the closest door and dived in. He hit his head with the palm of his hand. 'What the hell is wrong with you? It's just a bloody cat.' After he had reassured himself Draco went back out into the corridor. The cat was gone. Draco rubbed his eyes. He must have been seeing things.

He jogged down the stairs to the dungeon. He was eager to get back. He had no intention on seeing any more things. However before he went back to the common room he needed to clean himself up. So he by passed the entrance and entered the boys' toilets locking the door behind him. He took off his cloak and threw it over one other stall doors. He turned to one of the taps and turned it on. He ran his hand briefly under the cold water before splashing his face. He then lent down lowering his head under the tap allowing the water to run across the back of his neck and across his head. He flung his head back spraying water across the room. He removed his tie and soaked it with water. He then proceeded to use it to wipe down his face. Once he had cleaned his face he ringed it out sending red tainted water down the drain. He then removed his shirt, which had blood stained on its collar and small ones down the front. He flung it across with his cloak. Flinching he loosed Hermione's tie from around his hand. Gritting his teeth he placed his hand under the water allowing the water to flush out his wound. Then using his own tie he bound his hand again. He washed out Hermione's tie before putting it in his pocket.

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The cat circled outside the door to the boys' toilet, clawing at it every now and then. The cat growled furiously, he would have to change form, and in doing so he would use up most of his strength. There was no other way, they were loosing him. Frowning and closing its eyes the cat began to change form. It began to take the form of a young man, around 17 years of age. He wore a Hogwarts uniform. The reaper smiled pleased with his new form. He approached the door, with a swift movement from his hand the door unlocked and edged open. The reaper then cautiously entered, hiding from Draco's view.

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Draco felt a cold wind blow across the back of his neck. He looked up from the sink and across at the now open door. He promptly walked over and peered out into the corridor. Satisfied that there was no one there he closed the door, making sure he locked it properly this time. He returned to the mirror for one last check he was clear from blood. He looked up into the mirror and in the reflection he saw a young man about his age staring at him. Rapidly he turned and to his fright there was no one there. Draco turned back to the mirror and there was the young man, grinning sinisterly at him. Panicked Draco turned and looked behind again, and again there was no one in sight.

"Join us," whispered a voice in his ear. Draco jumped and searched the room with his eyes.

"Who's there?" he cried.

"I'm over here," said the voice.

Draco turned towards the bodiless voice.

"What do you want?" he said with his voice trembling.

"You," said the voice with a laugh.

Frightened Draco fished into his cloak and pulled out a hip flask. He unscrewed the lid and took a large sip. The reaper glided behind Draco. It ran its fingers across Draco's back. Draco shivered from the touch and jumped dropping the flask on the ground. Spilling the amber contents on the floor. Freaked out Draco grabbed his things and rushed towards the door. He got it half open before it slammed closed.

"Where are you going?" asked the voice. "Don't you know I'm here to help you? I know your pain. I can make it all go away if you join us," said the voice.

"Quiet!" he yelled breaking one of the mirrors.

The reaper grinned. His anger would make him easier to claim, but the reaper was loosing his strength. He couldn't keep his form for much longer. The reaper gave out a scream of pain only Draco could hear as it tried to regain its form. The scream was so loud and intense that Draco fell to his knees clutching his head. The screaming reaper retreated with great speed back to the forbidden forest.

Draco got to his feet. His head ached, his legs were weak, and his eyes would barely open. He gathered his things that were scattered across the floor. Wearily and in disbelief he felt his way back to the common room. The darkly lit and gloomy common room for once was a welcomed sight. To his relief it was empty. Quietly he found his room, locking the door behind him. On a sudden impulse he pushed his desk across the door. He threw his stained shirt into the bin. He pulled Hermione's tie out of his pocked and placed it into his top draw. Too tired to care anymore, Draco collapsed onto his bed.