Darling • Fred Weasley x reader

Chapter forty two

I bore into the yellow intimidating eyes of the shadowed figure appearing in front of me, Draco motionless at my side. "Get behind me, walk slowly." He instructs. I do so, taking limited careful steps back, but as I make it beside him, the heel of my shoe punctures the ground, causing my body to jerk and the frosted grass beneath me to crunch as I grab onto his arm.

The figure alarmingly steps forward, conveniently into the half-moon's light, offering us easy sight of its four legs, the front two being talons. I timidly look up, immediately being connected with the large full wings of the creature. They seem to be slightly lifted, in a defensive position. "Draco...Hippogriff." I whisper in a shuttered breath, his eyes inflate as they notice the wings and confirm my suspicions.

I reflect on third year's lesson in care of magical creatures and some of what Hagrid was speaking about. Most of that year was a blur, but I manage to come up with a plan, thanks to my prior knowledge. I notice Draco's shaking hands and weak stance, but before I could stop him from doing what he was thinking, he flashes around, takes my hand, and begins sprinting towards the torch on the side of the school in the distance.

"Draco no! It's going to attack us!" A light flashes from the corner of my vision. I flick to my right and there it is, my star.

"Get back here!" A fierce voice shouts, a feminine voice. I glance back at the creature that is now a few inches off the ground and gliding towards us. "Of course i'm given the job of chasing after a couple of skittish fifth years." It mutters, my eyes connect with the golden ones of the determined hippogriff. "Oh, so you can hear me. Can you stop your blonde boyfriend? These wings aren't as strong as they were twenty years ago."

I stay silent, unable to speak. After a moment of composition, I become aware of her words. "Draco stop! I can hear her! Stop running!" I shout, trying to slow him down, but apparently his memories prevented him from doing so.

"Those are dangerous creatures! They can kill you! Come on!" He retorts panicked. I look back, she gives me a slow nod as to trust her. Maybe it was me not thinking or the darkness flooding my mind, but I slip my hand out of Draco's grip, causing me stumble to a stop. "Y/n! Are you mentally insane!"

He urges me forward, but I refuse and return my focus to the hippogriff that now stands a few feet away. She hesitantly takes a step toward me, as if to not startle me, and lowers her beak to offer me assistance. I grab onto it and hoist myself to my feet, now making direct eye contact with the majestic being.

"I can hear her Draco. Her thoughts." I repeat, but now in a much calmer tone as we have earned each other's trust. I look back at the boy who's silhouette stands twenty feet away, at a safe distance.

"You can hear her?" He questions, I nod. "How do you know it's safe?"

"I don't. She won't do anything though." He seems unconvinced and is obviously fighting the urge to hurry me away back to the castle. "Draco, do you trust me?"

"Of course I do."

"Then trust me on this, we'll be fine. I promise." He looks at the hippogriff for reassurance, and she gives it to him through stepping back with a bow of her head. He allows himself to walk up beside me, his wand clutched tightly in his right palm.

"Who are you and why are you here?" I ask, stepping up to her.

"I am Alazene. I was given an assignment to speak with you, Y/n." Her voice echoes with wiseness.

"From who?" A regretful shiver runs through my body as the words spill from my throat.

"It's not who you'd expect. It's from two people who aren't here. They love you very much and are sorry that you didn't know sooner." I ponder for a moment, my eyes lighting up as I pick up on her reference.