THE SHADOW PATH ⎯ james potter

[027]

chapter twenty-seven:

the curse of the clock

The group sprinted through the castle grounds, adrenaline fueling their every step. The once-familiar path to the Forbidden Forest now seemed fraught with unseen dangers, each shadowed tree looming ominously in the distance. The gravity of what they were about to face hung heavy in the air, and every footfall felt like a ticking clock, counting down the seconds they had left.

As they approached the edge of the forest, Ellie felt a shiver run down her spine. The forest, always eerie and mysterious, now seemed even more menacing under the weight of their mission. Her breath puffed out in nervous gasps, the cold air biting at her lungs. James, who had been running beside her, slowed down slightly and caught her eye, offering a reassuring nod. But even his usual confidence was tinged with worry.

The group plunged into the darkness of the forest, the thick canopy above blocking out what little light the overcast sky provided. The silence was unnerving, broken only by the crunch of leaves underfoot and the occasional snap of a twig. They moved quickly, following the faint trail that would lead them to the clearing where the ritual had begun centuries ago. They were determined, but the air was thick with tension.

"Stay close," Sirius whispered, his voice barely audible as he walked near the front, wand drawn and eyes scanning the path ahead.

"Something doesn't feel right," Remus murmured to Ellie, who was walking just behind him. His senses, always heightened during the full moon cycle, were on high alert. "We need to be careful."

But before Ellie could respond, she felt the ground beneath her shift. A second later, a loud crack echoed through the forest as a massive net made of thick, enchanted vines sprung up from the ground, snaring the group in its grip. The net lifted them into the air, the vines tightening around them with crushing force.

"Trap!" James shouted, struggling against the vines that wrapped around his limbs.

"We have to get out of here!" Dorcas yelled, trying to free her wand arm.

Ellie's heart raced as she tried to focus through the panic. The net was enchanted, designed to kill. She could feel the malevolent magic pulsing through the vines, squeezing tighter with each passing second. The others were doing their best to fight back, but it was clear that brute force alone wouldn't save them.

"I—I'll try to break us out!" Ellie shouted, her voice strained. Closing her eyes, she reached deep within herself, summoning the remnants of her power.

The air around them began to thrum with energy as Ellie concentrated, willing the shadows to obey her command. But the forest was ancient, and its magic was strong. The net resisted, the vines tightening even more as if sensing her efforts.

"Hurry, Ellie!" Charlotte's voice was panicked, her face pale as she struggled to breathe.

Ellie gritted her teeth, pushing herself harder. The shadows around them began to writhe, snaking their way up the vines, trying to pry them apart. The strain was immense, and Ellie could feel the edges of her vision blur as her strength waned.

But just when it seemed like the net might be too strong, Ellie felt a surge of energy from within. She focused everything she had on the vines, forcing them to unravel. The shadows obeyed, finally managing to pry the vines apart just enough for the group to slip free.

With a final push, the net snapped open, dropping them all unceremoniously to the ground. They landed in a heap, gasping for air and wincing from the fall. The net, now torn and lifeless, lay in a crumpled heap beside them.