For the next month, Serena had never wanted to crawl into a hole and disappear more in her life. Almost daily, she woke up with garlic lined around her bed. She found garlic in her bag and mixed in with her clothes. More students started wearing cross necklaces. Some carried sticks around, pointing them at her as if it were funny. Despite it all, Serena tried to focus on the silver lining, she was still at Hogwarts, with her friends and her dad.
One morning, Serena was sitting in the Great Hall eating her breakfast when Draco came storming in and dropped into the seat beside her. He gave her a big smile.
“I have an idea!”
“Good morning to you too. And what’s your idea?”
“Let’s go to Diagon Alley on Saturday.”
Serena gave Draco a strange look. “And how exactly are we supposed to do that?”
“Well, I figured between my broom, the fastest one, I might add, and your wings, we’d get there in a few hours.”
“Are we even allowed to do this?”
“Probably not.”
“Then why are we doing it?”
“Well… there’s something I need to pick up, and the shop owner won’t hold onto it much longer.”
“Can’t you send someone for it? I’m sure your father has someone who could get it for you.”
“It would just be easier if we did it.”
Serena looked at Draco for a moment. Then he smiled, too big, too charming. How could she refuse?
“Alright.”
“Wonderful. We should leave early Saturday morning if we want to make good time.”
Serena sighed and put her face in her hands. What had she just signed up for?
The rest of the week flew by, and Saturday morning arrived quickly. Serena reluctantly got up and met Draco in the common room.
“Good morning, Serena!” Draco said, a little too cheerfully for the hour.
Serena yawned. “Yeah, good morning.”
“Come on, let’s go before everyone wakes up!”
Serena followed Draco outside to the edge of the school grounds.
“Alright,” Draco said. “First, you start flying. They’d expect to see brooms taking off, but not a bird.”
“I am not a bird.”
“Oh, you know what I mean.”
Serena shrugged and unfolded her wings; she rarely had them out during the day. She hadn't noticed before how the sun made the blue in her feathers shimmer. Maybe this curse did have some beauty to it.
“Well, come on,” Draco said. “We don’t have all day. How exactly did you plan on carrying me?”
“Like this!”
Serena lunged forward, swept Draco up bridal-style, and took off into the sky heading toward London. The sun was bright and warm, making the flight surprisingly pleasant. Serena giggled at Draco, he didnt seem to keen on being held like this. Maybe next time he will think of something better if he wanted her up so early on a saturday.
After a few hours, London appeared on the horizon. Draco suggested landing in a clearing below to switch. Serena hadn’t realized how tired she was until her feet touched the ground, it was a good call.
They mounted Draco’s broom and headed back into the air. But as they rose, Serena felt… off. Watched. She scanned the area, but no one was there.
“Everything alright?” Draco asked.
“Umm… yeah. Let’s go.”
Diagon Alley looked exactly how Serena remembered it, just with fewer students.
“Draco, isn’t anyone going to be concerned that there are teenagers running around? Wouldn’t they know we’re supposed to be at Hogwarts?”
“Shh. Just blend in and don’t worry about it.”
Serena didn’t argue and followed him. No one seemed to notice them anyway; everyone was too busy being adults. Even without students, the alley was crowded.
Suddenly Draco stopped, and Serena bumped into him.
“Hey, why don’t you take some Galleons and head to Florean Fortescue’s Ice Cream Parlour. Get something for both of us. I won’t be long.”
“Wait, you’re going on your own?”
“Like I said, I won’t be long. You’re not scared to be on your own, are you?” Draco laughed.
“What? No!” Serena snapped. “Fine, I’ll get ice cream.”
“Perfect, darling. See you soon.”
Serena watched him disappear into the crowd. What was he up to? She never even asked what he was picking up, so she had no clue where he was going.
Inside the ice cream parlour, the lack of customers was noticeable. Guess late October midday wasn’t busy for them.
“Oh, hello! How may I help you?” the owner called.
“Hi! How much ice cream can I get with all this?”
Apparently a lot, because he brought out the largest sundae Serena had ever seen. She sat in awe at the ice-cream mountain. Hopefully Draco would show up soon, there was no way she could finish it alone.
Half an hour later, Draco finally returned, knocking on the window behind her just to make her jump. He chuckled at the mountain of ice cream.
“Need some help?”
“Yes, please!”
They spent the next hour eating and chatting. Serena loved having time alone with him. You didn’t get much privacy at Hogwarts, not with half of Slytherin following them everywhere.
“You know, Draco,” Serena said, “as much trouble as we could get into for leaving school… I’m glad we did. This has been fun.”
“I’m glad you feel that way. After the past couple of weeks, I thought you deserved a break.” Draco took her hand in his. “You don’t deserve all the awful things the others are doing.”
Serena felt her cheeks burn. Her heart skipped. His eyes were gentle, so different from the tough act he put on at school. Why did he make her melt like this?
Draco squeezed her hand, then stood. “But we should go before it gets too late.”
Serena nodded, and they waved goodbye to the shop owner.
It was later than they’d realized; the sun was nearly set. They hurried out of Diagon Alley and took off on Draco’s broom. They stopped at the same clearing as before to switch so Serena could fly the rest of the way.
As they landed, Draco double-checked their things. Serena scanned the treeline again, that same uneasy feeling crawled up her spine. Someone was watching. She took a few steps closer and then froze.
She saw movement, someone slipped behind a tree.
“Draco, we have to leave. Now!” Serena called, turning her back to the woods. “I think I saw something…”
A sharp pain exploded through her back. Nothing like she’d ever felt. She dropped to her knees, breathless.
“SERENA!” Draco ran toward her until a rough voice stopped him.
“Don’t worry, kid. We got her. This vampire won’t be hurting you anymore.”
Draco spun around. A group of grizzled men emerged from the trees, armed with crossbows and reeking of garlic. Hunters.
“Hurting me? She would never hurt me! She isn’t a vampire!”
“Oh, she’s got this one bad,” one hunter said. “Completely under her control. Don’t worry it’s all over now.”
Another man grabbed Serena’s arm and yanked her upright. She cried out, limp and barely conscious.
“See?” the man said. “Steam coming off the wound. Only a vampire steams at the touch of vervain.”
Draco could now see the wooden stake lodged in Serena’s back, blood rolling down her back, the air reeked of iron mixed with the verbal scent of vervain.
“Next time, don’t miss,” the man barked to his crew. “I swear, I have to do everything myself.”
He raised his arm, poised to drive the stake deeper. Draco panicked.
“Don’t touch her! Stupefy!”
The man flew backward into the trees. Draco sprinted to Serena.
“Come on, we have to go!”
Serena gave him a weak nod and tried to stand.
“Accio broom!” Draco called.
His broom shot toward them but another hunter grabbed the end.
“Where do you think you’re going, wizard?”
“Stupefy!” Draco shouted and the man that had his broom went flying into the rest of the men.
“Quick, Serena get on!”
Using the last of her strength, Serena climbed onto the broom and clung tight. After a few more spells, Draco kicked off, and they shot into the air, back toward Hogwarts, hopefully safe.
“Don’t worry, Serena! Just stay with me!”
Serena tried her best to stay awake. Her back was throbbing in pain and she could feel the stake growing closer and closer to her heart. Inching its way like a worm in dirt. Everything was starting to go dark…