Middle Darkness

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Rosy and Leah xx

-

Remus had been awake for hours. It was always like that before a full moon. He felt it like a chill, creeping up his spine and prickling just under his skin. He hated knowing it was coming. He felt the apprehension spread through his immobile, helpless body. He turned on his side and grasped fistfuls of thick, brown hair in frustration, willing sleep to come quickly, although he knew from years of painful experience that it would not be forthcoming.

After several minutes of attempting to overcome the inevitable, Remus opened his eyes wearily and glanced around the room. The hangings of his four poster hung limply, swaying pathetically with the chilling breeze seeping through the cracks in the window. The fire in the brazier had died out hours ago, leaving only cold, glowing embers. The boys sleeping in the beds next to him let out the occasional snore or mumble, dead to his persistent wakefulness. He swung his skinny legs over the side of his bed, hissing at the chill of the stone floor under the soles of his feet. He was careful to make very little sound, so as not to wake any of his fellow Gryffindors. He didn't know where he was headed but where ever it was he didn't want to be seen.

Rummaging in James' trunk, he extracted a soft, silvery cloak and pulled it around himself tightly, hoping it would keep out the cold. If any student had awoken to witness his departure, they would have only seen the heavy door swing open, as if knocked by a strong wind, and close silently once more.

The corridors were silent and empty as he swept through them, using only his wand for a light. He found himself walking towards the library, where he spent much of his free time. Leaning against the door with all his weight, to no avail. Cursing under his breath, he pointed his wand at the door.

"Alohomora," he whispered, as his eyes scanned the corridor for any unwanted spectators. Deciding that the coast was clear, he pushed the door once more and slid inside.

-

His was not the only empty bed in the castle; the fifth year Slytherin girls' dormitory appeared also to be missing one of its inhabitants. Bellatrix Black roamed the corridors, taking the attitude that she was the most dangerous thing that could be met along them, and therefore needn't worry.

She had not bothered to pretend to sleep, as the other Slytherin girls were too wise to stop her from leaving. Everybody knew what happened to anyone who crossed Bellatrix. None of them were keen to let that happen to them. What they didn't know was what she wanted to do at such an unreasonable hour. Bothering Bella with impertinent questions was also not a terribly good plan.

She made no effort to conceal herself (even the Prefects had a certain amount of thought for self-preservation, especially as one was her sister, Narcissa). She walked quickly, her robes swirling behind her as her unruly dark hair curled into ringlets down her back.

She arrived at the library within minutes and waved her wand at the lock, letting no incantation pass her lips. It clicked satisfyingly and Bella smiled as she pushed the door wide and heard it crash closed behind her. The restricted section gleamed temptingly at her, as if yearning to spill its secrets.

Not really expecting it to work, she waved her wand experimentally over the lock. Nothing happened. She prepared herself again, waving her hand slowly over the lock when a low voice startled her.

'It's not going to work, you know.' She turned to face the dark figure leaning against the bookshelf beside the door. 'I've tried.'

She shot the boy a dark look and took a step forward. 'I don't know who you think you are, but you had better leave, now.' The boy didn't move. 'Go on. We wouldn't want anything unfortunate to happen now, would we.'

To her surprise, the boy stepped toward her from out of the shadows. He was tall for his age, and skinny. He had shaggy brown hair and his face was drawn beyond his years. To her dismay, he didn't appear at all afraid of her.

'Why do you want to get into the restricted section anyway?' he asked, looking her in the eye for a second before letting his eyes drop to the floor once more.

She narrowed her eyes, calculating the answer which would make her sound most impressive. 'Why should I tell you?' she asked as she cringed inwardly.

'Because I might be able to help you get through the locks.' He turned his body to face away from her, smiling slightly, and started walking toward the door. 'But I suppose if you're not that bothered, I could just-'

'Wait!' she commanded and walked round to face the boy again, who stopped by the door. 'How could you help me get in. You said yourself that you had tried and it didn't work.'

He shrugged. 'Two is better than one.' They both turned back to the door.

'Just as long as you're useful and don't talk back to me,' Bella snapped,

'Reducto!' she shouted with an expert whip of her wand. The door was as solid as ever. Cursing, she stepped back to stand next to the boy before shoving him forward. 'Well, go on then.'

'Accio key,' he said, unenthusiastically. She rolled her eyes.

'Are you serious? Accio key?! Even for a Gryffindor that was stu-' Her mouth dropped open as she watched a key float into his hands.

He turned back to her and shrugged, 'I didn't think it would work either, to be honest,' he said, before twisting the key into the lock watched the chains drop to the floor.

Bellatrix quickly shut her mouth and unceremoniously pushed him aside before charging through the open door. 'Thanks, you aren't needed now. Feel free to leave,'

She shot him one last cold glance before turning back to the books. 'Oh, and if you tell anyone about this, I will personally see to it that you don't make it to Christmas.'