Clandestine | Theodore Nott

The Forbidden Forest

After walking around in the terrifying forest for over an hour, the five Slytherins had come to the conclusion that they would not wish a detention there upon their worst enemies. They had collected six of the ten plants Snape had asked for by now, and the quintet was exhausted.

"Can we take a break?" wheezed Pansy.

"We should be back before curfew, which is in an hour."

"Please," Starla sighed and stopped walking.

"It's not like we're climbing Mount Everest," Draco rolled his eyes.

"It's not like Pansy and I are on the Quidditch team like you," argued Starla.

"Fine."

Starla felt that she had the right, so she sighed and pulled the pack of cigarettes out of her purse.

"I thought you quit," said Blaise.

Pansy, Theodore and Draco turned to look at her.

"I did. However, I'm on the quest to search for plants for Snape in the Dark Forest. Can you blame me?"

"I suppose not."

They were still staring at her, she understood their motive and gave them all a cig.

Five 'incendio's' could be heard.

Blaise coughed violently, Starla cackled.

"Fuck you," he coughed.

"Anytime," she smiled.

He grimaced at her in pure disgust.

"Starla please, don't say that kind of thing in front of your cousin," Draco grimaced.

"Stop being such a child, Draco," she exhaled the smoke.

"Which are the ones left?" Theodore asked.

Draco, who took the liberty of holding the piece of parchment with the plants on it, looked through the pointed, messy handwriting of Professor Snape.

Plants for Professor Snape
Detention, 15/11/1995

1. Root of Asphodel
2. Baneberry
3. Goldenrod
4. 10 leaves from an Elder Tree
5. Fluxweed
6. Knotgrass
7. Lady's Mantle
8. Moonwort leaves
9. Monkshood
10. Aconite

See page 2 for descriptions and habitats.

Starla glanced in the direction of the castle longingly and said, "I'm never passing notes in class again."

The rest chuckled.

Starla was the first to drop the cigarette butt on the muddy ground and stomped on it. The rest followed close after.

They began walking again.

"So, Fluxweed next, he describes the habitat it lives in quite similarly as the one we're in now," pondered Draco.

They began looking around the murky, muddy ground that was covered with a thin layer of leaves.

"Ah! Found one," Starla picked it up and tossed it into the basket.

Suddenly they heard a violent gush of wind. Even though it was only air, they stopped in their tracks and listened with bated breaths. You never knew if there was someone—or, perhaps something—lurking in the shadows. All of their bodies suddenly turned in the same direction. Blaise craned his neck in order to see behind the trees and into the distance. A branch snapped behind them and they heard leaves crunching, as if something was strolling through the forest.