Eternal Stranger | Sebastian Sallow + Ominis Gaunt

Chapter 3: Seeds of Change

Peering over her shoulder to make sure she wasn't being followed, Ingrid took the opportunity while the rest of her class was distracted by free samples at the Honeydukes counter to sneak into a secluded storage closet in the back of the shop.

This class trip to Hogsmead couldn't have come at a better time. If she hadn't been worried about jinxing the entire thing for herself, Ingrid would have sworn the universe was on her side for once.

Pulling out the torn book pages from her robe, Ingrid glanced over the important information she had underlined. After getting the chance to fully read the entire chapter on the Calveti Crypt Curse and Helvi Ronnette, Ingrid had certainly learned more than she had initially thought she would get out of a single book.

She was undoubtedly off to a great start, which brought a great sense of relief considering time was counting down much too quickly for her liking.

According to Ancient Curses and the Curse Breakers Who Broke Them, Helvi Ronnette broke out of prison a mere month after her five-year sentence had begun. After that, she disappeared—no one knew where she went or what she had done with the alleged treasure she captured from the Calveti Crypt.

The main lead Ingrid had to go on was that Helvi Ronette was survived by her niece, Scarlet Ronnette; and proving as evidence that the universe may very well be on Ingrid's side, Scarlet Ronnette—who had given a brief interview for the book—lived in the Scottish Highlands' very own Upper Hogsfield.

That was where this perfectly timed trip to Hogsmead came into play.

Tucking the pages back into her robe for safekeeping, Ingrid made sure the coast was clear before emerging from the storage closet. Just as before, her fellow classmates were much too preoccupied with the various treats Honeydukes had to offer to pay her any mind.

Snatching a sugar quill out of an opened but unpacked box beside the storage closet, Ingrid popped the sweet into her mouth before slipping out the rear door and into the back alley.

Having successfully ditched the prying eyes of her peers—and the watchful gaze of Professor Weasley, who was supervising the trip—Ingrid set off down the bustling streets of Hogsmead and toward the path that would lead her North toward Upper Hogsfield.

Sugar quill slowly dissolving in her mouth, leaving behind a sickeningly sweet taste, Ingrid enjoyed the walk through the countryside.

As the path wound around a hillside and led into a small forested area, dense with tall trees and thick foliage, Ingrid straightened up slightly and moved her hand over her pants pocket where her wand was.

Ingrid wasn't foolish enough to assume she was safe just because she was a student or just because it was broad daylight. Worse things had happened under better circumstances.

Of course, Ingrid—just like plenty of other students—had wandered into the Forbidden Forest more than a few times in the past. Every single time, she had made it out relatively unscathed. Compared to the Forbidden Forest, this collection of pine trees was a mere walk in the park.

And yet, Ingrid couldn't shake the feeling she was being watched.

Slowing her pace, she glanced back over her shoulder. As expected, there was nothing there. Then, a low growl emerged from the darkness.

Heart slamming against her chest, Ingrid slowly turned around, trying to figure out where the noise had come from. When the growl repeated, this time louder and definitely closer, she was able to pinpoint the location to her left.

Spitting what remained of her sugar quill onto the ground, Ingrid drew her wand and steadied her breathing. Sure, she had always been warned about not-so-friendly creatures by Hogwarts staff and Hogsmead locals, but never once had she actually faced one on her travels.