Louanne Delacour

The Forbidden Forest

September 29th, 1993

"If I get one more essay from Snape, I will actually lose my mind," I groaned. "I remember when weekends were easy-going and peaceful. Not to mention stress free," I daydreamed. Hermione rolled her eyes at me. Most of the students in the Gryffindor study room were doing homework they had put off doing until the last minute.

"Oh come on, don't be so dramatic," said Hermione. "If you're having a hard time, I can help if you like?" I shook my head.

"I understand it all, I just...don't want to do it," I mumbled. She looked at me with a bored glare. looked away from her gaze and got up off the couch.

"What are you doing? This is due tomorrow, along with the-"

"-I'll do it all later," I whined. "Plus, I'm bored. I'm going to explore!" She shook her head and returned her focus to the potions homework.

I made my way through the stairs to Ginny's room and knocked on the door.

"Come in!" somebody yelled.

Upon entering, I saw Ginny sitting on her bed reading a book.

"Oh, hello Lou. Do you need something?" Ginny asked.

"Oh, well I just wanted to see if you wanted to, you know, explore the castle and the grounds a bit. I still can't seem to make my way to classes. I figured maybe not being in a rush to classes would make it easier. Or we could explore some of the outside of Hogwarts," I said hopefully. Her face lit up.

"Heck yeah! I'll go grab my shoes." The girl got up and began to get ready to go outside.

"Alright then. I'll meet you in the common room in five minutes. I have to grab a few things." I started to the door and up the stairs to my room. I grabbed my bag and my wand off my clothing trunk and headed down the stairs to find her waiting for me next to the portrait hole.

"Where to first?" Ginny asked, stepping through the wall. I stepped out of the portrait hole behind her.

"Well, are you comfortable with breaking a few, minor, school rules?" I asked. She raised her eyebrows before nodding hesitantly. "Cool. In that case, off to the Forbidden Forest!" I pointed to the sky, and walking down the stairs. This would be fun.

I looked around cautiously as we made our way to the edge of the forest. If we got caught, that'd spell detention for weeks.

"Hurry, let's go. C'mon," I whispered and stalked into the bushes.

"Why are we out here of all places?" The redhead asked.

"Um, well I need a few things. Something that I could buy when I get to hogsmeade, but you know, it's free here."

"What would that be exactly?"

"You sure ask a lot of questions, Weasley," I ducked as a bird swooped down next to my head. We made it to a small clearing with dark vines surrounding the area. A grey darkness filled the space. "There!" I pointed to a small cocoon dangling at the tip of a tree branch.

"Um...What is it?" Ginny looked at me skeptically, standing there with her arms crossed.

"Oh nothing," I quickly replied, turning back to look at her. Fixing my gaze on the moth cocoon once more, I started digging around in my bag. Pulling out a small vial, the cocoon went in, and the lid went on. "Okay, I've got what I need." I turned back only to see she wasn't there anymore.

"Weasley?!" I called out, walking over to where she previously stood.

This can't be good. Where is she?! I'll kill her if this is a joke.