𝐄𝐱𝐭𝐫𝐚𝐨𝐫𝐝𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐫𝐲 - ʰᵖ

26.

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TWENTY-SIX:
THE WHOMPING WILLOW

Several hours later was all Elsie needed to decide that she was never going to step foot in a flying car ever again.

It was far too hot and uncomfortable, and even the beautiful scenery couldn't distract the three from the misery of the Ford Anglia.

Luckily the sun was setting, which meant that they were nearly to the school, and despite how awful the car ride had been, Elsie couldn't help but imagine the looks on everyone's faces as they touched down gracefully on the courtyard.

Daphne would be beside herself with jealousy.

"Up ahead!" Harry pointed through the darkness to the gigantic castle in the distance.

It was just as magical as Elsie remembered it. Tall towers, orange glow burning from the windows, mythical woodland surrounding the school. Feeling completed, Elsie could only stare in amazement as they flew over the Black Lake and to the school.

"Welcome home," Ron grinned to Harry who was, if possible, looking even more joyful than Elsie.

Then without warning the car gave a lurch, causing the happy smiles to be replaced with worried faces. Ron was gripping the steering wheel again, and this time he narrowly avoided crashing into one of the many Hogwarts towers.

The ginger swerved and then without warning took a dive. "Up! Up!" Harry cried.

"I think I'm gonna be sick!" Elsie groaned, squeezing her eyes shut, bracing for the impact.

"Its not working!" Ron exclaimed as he fidgeted with the controls.

Elsie allowed her eyes to peel open to see Ron pulling as hard as he could on a lever. Sensing he needed help Harry and Elsie joined him, throwing all their body weight on to the control, luckily the car leveled out, unluckily now they were headed straight towards an old, big tree.

Ron pulled his wand out and began hitting it against the wheel, "Stop, stop!" Before he could get another word out it snapped in half, only handing on by a few splinters of wood.

    Before the boy could react they crashed straight into the tree. Elsie fell from her seat for what felt like the millionth time. In the front Harry and Ron were breathing heavily as they hung from the branches.

    Just as soon as they landed in the tree branches, they were tipping back, until the car began to fall, hitting numerous branches as it went until it finally landed on a thick low branch.

    The three sat in a stunned silence, trying to process what had just happened. Elsie felt as though her brain had been slammed against her skull over and over. She would have bruises for weeks.

    Rons weak voice broke the quiet. "My wand,"

    "Be thankful its not your neck," No sooner had Harry said the words before the tree gave a violent lurch.

    "We need to get out of here," Elsie stated. Before them the thickest branch of all was moving. It was like a club, slowly raising, ready to crush them.