The Forbidden Forest

Chapter 3

"Harry has seen centaurs, unicorns, and acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest, but Hermione and I have only encountered acromantulas. Sure, they can all be daunting if you're on the wrong side, but the most alarming part of it all is that completely unrelated creatures can survive and thrive together with no connections whatsoever. Anything and everything can make its way into the Forbidden Forest without ever being discovered. There might be another basilisk hiding away in some cave deep in there for all we know!" Ron says, his voice escalating in pitch near the end.

I look at Harry. "How come you've seen so many more mythical creatures than they have? Are you like the 'Chosen One' or something?" I laugh as their expressions remain unwavering.

"Actually...yeah sort of," Harry says while rubbing the back of his neck, my eyebrows raising.

"Huh?! Care to explain?" I insist, Hermione glancing at Ron before saying, "Alright, so it all started when Harry was just a baby..."

My lower jaw continues to rest on the floor as everything they said plays through my mind. The dismal life of this 14-year-old boy seems almost like a cruel television show, the viewers cackling as they watch a child who had to grow up too fast face a never-ending cycle of challenges.

I think back to what Harry had said earlier, and it was true, he does know the secrets of the Forbidden Forest better than most, but because he's survived them. In fact, he's suffered through so much more than that. He's witnessed enough pain, death, betrayal, and sorrow to last a lifetime. Those experiences have, since the beginning of Harry's existence, branded the principle into his brain that powering through the obstacles that have been ruthlessly hurtling at him since childhood alone is the only way to persevere. The one person who's ever been a constant in his life is himself, so, therefore, the scarce amount of reliability he has obtained is something he greatly and solely depends upon.

That is the unfortunate reality of it all, life is unfair in the evilest ways, so table corners and the horrors of the real world were never childproofed for him. However, he still wears an awkward smile on his face; facade or not, I'm not completely sure. His passion for protecting and caring for others continues to prevail. His heart hasn't transformed into ash and stone. He may still have hope for true happiness.

The thought of a teenager being this close of a companion to death and misery makes my stomach twist. I am, too, in a way, but not like this; this is so, so much worse.

"I don't know what to say. The unbreakable connection you have to Vol-," I stutter, "You-Know-Who is astounding. People have only heard tales of him, but you've witnessed him in the flesh."

Ron looks at me, mouth agape. "Astounding? That's an odd word for it. I think horrible is the word you're looking for," Harry mutters as he stuffs a turkey leg into his mouth, clearly wanting to put the conversation to an end. For that reason alone, I begin to silently nibble on various foods, my mind still being occupied by thoughts of the Forbidden Forest.

I'm desperate to explore the depths of the forest, but since Hogwarts has only been my home for a few weeks, my fear of getting into mischief grasps me tightly. People are most certainly watching my every move, students and professors alike, as I am the only person to ever transfer here after the age of 11. My parents' connections to the headmaster Albus Dumbledore made that process much easier than I could have imagined. Apparently, they had made that arrangement as soon as it was confirmed that I had magical capabilities.

Despite my little knowledge of the Forbidden Forest, I actually have quite a firm understanding of many things not in the muggle world. My inability to go to a school of magic was no excuse to not learn as if I was in one in my parents' eyes. That's what drew me to Hermione in the first place, our similarity in academic mastery in a world where we had never been.

"I have to go to the library to prepare for an exam in Divination. Want to come?" Hermione asks, smiling as she waits for my response with obvious eagerness. I always thought it was weird how thrilled learning makes her. I enjoy it to an extent, but I'd much rather be doing other things than studying. More importantly to Hermione, I like it enough to accept the invitation, unlike Ron and Harry.

"Sure. I was barely paying attention in History of Magic today, so I need to go over my notes anyway, if they're legible enough," I say as we both stand and sling our bags over our shoulders. "Till next time, gentlemen," I say with an overly dramatic curtsy and smirk pulling at my lips. They grin up at us as we depart toward the library.

Studying goes by much faster than expected as we get lost in conversation about peculiar trivia we know. "Yes, really! The entrance to the Chamber of Secrets is in the girls' bathroom where Moaning Myrtle resides," Hermione says, grinning with delight at the thought of knowing something I don't. In response, I say, "How can it be in such a public area? That's so strange; I would assume it to be in some creepy and abandoned region of Hogwarts."

"What can I say? Hogwarts is full of surprises."

She carefully places her borrowed books back onto the vintage library shelves. "See you later? Oh, I almost forgot, take these," I nod as she shoves pins into my hands that read S.P.E.W, "they're for my new club."

She leaves, and I gather my things quickly in hopes to go back to the Forbidden Forest. People walk in. I should've known who they were by the stupid snickers and the sound of strutting as if they own the place.

"What's got you in a rush, mudblood?" the voice belonging to Draco Malfoy sneers.

"I didn't expect to ever see you in a library, Draco. What's the special occasion?" I ask with a venomous smile. Ever since I've arrived, he's made it a top priority to make my life a living hell. Despite that, I've managed to mostly avoid him these past weeks by slipping into crowds or keeping distance between us. Although, it doesn't help that I'm friends with one of his favorite targets, Hermione.

"Shut up, I could have you expelled faster than you could beg for forgiveness. I'll save you the only thing you have, though: your dignity." Laughter erupts among him and his friends, but I don't laugh. Everyone is afraid of them, of the power Draco's father holds, but he's not the only one with powerful parents.

"Oh, wow, how could I ever repay you for your overwhelming kindness? What did I do to deserve such thoughtfulness?" I retaliate, my sarcasm taking over. Moments like these are when I recognize most that I have no self control. I am so very foolish. However, it seems to have worked when all I hear is silence. Blaise, Goyle, and Crabbe all stare at me in shock that they cannot hide. Draco has a disgusted frown on his face. I almost laugh at their reactions.

When I think they are permanently stunned into speechlessness, I take my bag and pass them, leaving the grand area. Before I can make it out, though, my wrist is clasped tightly and I am being hurled onto the floor. My shoulder hits the cold ground, causing me to wince in pain as my arm twists in an unnatural way. I lie there for a few seconds while I try to contain the fear and rage consuming me, but it's clearly still displayed on my face as they cackle and point. Draco is standing above me, without a doubt the person responsible for my injury.

"Don't underestimate me. I will never allow someone of the likes of you to get away with a comment like that. I assure you that my father will hear about this," he states, a slight grin of satisfaction playing across his face. I lock eyes with him. I'm suddenly acutely aware of how much worse this could have been if I hadn't put the S.P.E.W pins into my bag before they showed up. I'm afraid. I didn't think I would be but I am. I'm so afraid.