I woke to a gentle tapping on my shoulder. I opened my eyes blearily and analysed my surroundings blearily. Caleb had already packed up the camp, and stamped out the fire. I yawned, and propped myself up on my elbows. I could tell by the way it lay tangled on my shoulders that my hair was terribly messy and that, due to my feelings of sleepiness, my blue eyes would be clouded with exhaustion.
"Time to get up already?" I asked, sitting up and stretching my arms above my head.
"I've let you sleep till -" Caleb consulted his watch - "Seven."
"How generous," I replied sardonically.
"I could've got you up at four or five!" Caleb replied. He tossed me a slice of bread. "Eat. Hurry."
I bit into the bread and chewed. It was tough against my dry mouth, and I hastily drank a mouthful of water. Then, finishing my breakfast and standing up, I swung my pack over my shoulder and straightened. "I'm ready to go then," I said, briefly checking my pocket to feel the somewhat comforting handle of wand. It was there, as protective as always. I gratefully squeezed it then shivered as the crisp chill of the morning confronted me. I wrapped my cloak around me, desperate for warmth.
"Good," Caleb said. "Now let's go." He set off, toward the road. It was as we began trudging along in our customary traveling I turned my thoughts to what had happened yesterday. I had almost forgotten! How could I forget about how a Death Eater had pursued us in the dark night, and how he had almost killed me? I shuddered, and eyed Caleb walking briskly ahead. That was his son. I still found it hard to believe that I was accompanied by him, the Death Eater's stepson, but it was no point trying not admit it inwardly to myself.
We reached the road and turned right. We would probably reach town today. And finally have a proper lodging, I thought bitterly. I had not enjoyed sleeping outside. We walked along in silence, unaccustomed to one another's presence, and I felt rather awkward. Caleb glanced at me, noticed my uneasiness and said abruptly, "Look, are you still having doubts?"
I hesitated. "About you?"
Caleb nodded irritably. "Why would I want to kill you like him? I had a perfect opportunity last night and this morning - nothing could have woken you."
"You know the Killing Curse?" I asked sharply.
He nodded. "Yes. That was the first thing Amycus taught me. No surprise," he added darkly.
"Why did your mother marry him in the first place?" I asked, not intending nosiness but unable to suppress it.
"He had her under the Imperious Curse. She had a place of importance in the Ministry of Magic and if he could control her there then he could make her do all sorts of things for He Who Must Not Be Named."
"Weren't you scared?"
"Sure I was. But I got used to it after a while." He lapsed into thought. Then he said, "But that's the past. It's a new day, and we should embrace it."
I nodded. He was right. I would have to brush away the past and press into the future. I needed to face it. Face the future.
And save my parents.