This is a nightmare. I'm pretty sure it's a nightmare. There could be no way that I'd fall asleep on Percy's shoulder and wake up to find myself in a forest. Just not possible. 

Firstly, there isn't any forest near the Burrow and secondly even if there was a forest Percy would never be that mean to leave me there. It's kind of surprising the rate at which my mind works even though I'm technically asleep. 

The surroundings were quite dark and weird. I could hear noises coming from somewhere near me and I knew I had to be cautious. Very soon I saw a creature leap out of the shadows and pounce on me. I rolled on the ground managing to dodge it but it was a close call. I couldn't get why all this was happening and what was the purpose behind it. 

The creature had silvery fur and was lean but scary all the same with giant piercing teeth. It's piercing yellow eyes bore right through me and trust me I was shaking even though I knew that this was all a nightmare. Oh God, when will I wake up and all this would be over? I'm truly not in the mood for a combat with this wolf like creature. 

Besides the chances of me getting killed in my sleep are quite high. No please I don't wish to die this young. I mean I'm not even eighteen, for God's sake. The wolf seemed hell bent on hurting me. 

I tried to coax it, "easy there. You don't want to hurt me. Don't come close. That's it. Stay right where you are. That's it. Good dog. Wolf, I mean. Good wolf." But then another creature leaped out of the trees and pounced on the wolf. It was a giant black dog. 

Both the creatures rolled down on the ground and were battling fiercely. This was my chance to escape. I looked around and began to crawl away as discreetly as possible. But then I felt pain stabbing my back brutally. I screamed because it felt as if my back was literally ripped. I don't know whether it was the wolf or the dog but whatever it was it was excruciatingly painful. 

I couldn't stop myself from screaming and now I had begun to doubt whether it really was a nightmare or reality. The pain felt so real. The blood dripping down was so real. But then I couldn't scream anymore as if something or rather someone had forced my mouth shut. And then with all the remaining strength in me I sat up with a jolt.

***

"Katerina, for Merlin's sake shut up," I heard a voice close to me. A hand was pressed on my mouth and I squirmed to free myself from the strong grip. "Stop screaming you get it? Or else you'll wake up everyone. Open your eyes, you hear me?" 

I did as the voice instructed and when my vision adjusted I saw I was in the living room at the Burrow. So all that was actually a nightmare. 

Thank God. 

"I'm going to take my hand off your mouth and if you scream I swear I'll not be responsible for the consequences." 

It was Percy. Of course it's Percy. His hand was on my mouth as if trying to stifle my screams. Gradually he released me. I took in a deep breath. He was still holding me close gently rubbing circles on my back as if trying to calm me down. 

"You okay?" Percy asked finally. 

I only nodded in reply. It was such a realistic nightmare. I could still feel the claws on my back and the intense pain clouding my senses. He went to the kitchen and came back with a glass of water which he helped me to drink. I really like this new Percy; kind and caring. And trust me, you don't get to see his good-natured side often. 

After a while when I had calmed down and was feeling much better, he asked, "what happened to you?" 

I shook my head, "nothing. Just a nightmare. Stupid, I know." 

He grabbed my hand to prevent me from getting up to leave, "no, it's not stupid. Tell me about it." His voice held an order and was commanding. Guess I should tell him then. I related all I had seen in the nightmare while he listened attentively. 

When I finished, I noticed that his face was set in a thoughtful expression, "a black dog? Did you really see a black dog?" 

I nodded, "yes. What does it mean?" 

He spoke, "it is an omen of death. We call it the Grim while Muggle people call it Canis Major or the Giant Dog. Its one of the constellations too. It is said to bring bad luck and death." 

I gulped, "does that mean I'm going to die?" 

He shook his head, "no. Or perhaps. One can never be certain. And the wolf you saw... Was it a full moon night in your dream?" 

Uh... I dunno. I didn't pay much attention, "maybe. I don't know." 

His brow furrowed in a thoughtful expression and his forehead creased, "that wolf could be a werewolf. You said it was odd in shape, right? The werewolf and the Grim. I wonder what that means." 

But then obviously not everything has a meaning, right? And especially dreams are the most mundane of all. I told him what I thought. 

He nodded, "yes perhaps. Ah well, it's very late. You should go to your room and try to sleep. And no more arguments." 

I nodded, "okay. Bye. And thanks." 

He smiled a little, "next time when you have nightmares, try not to scream at the top of your lungs. I could have grown deaf, you know." 

He has an awful sense of humor but that makes him twice more adorable. Even though the nightmare spoiled everything but still tonight I discovered a different side to Percy and had enjoyed getting to know him. He's not bad at all. Just a lot misunderstood.

***