The Raven's Call

The Shrieking Shack

Winter has descended upon Hogwarts with all the enchantment and charm that it brings. The castle, covered in a glistening blanket of snow, looks like something out of a fairy tale. As I step outside, the brisk air nips at my cheeks, and my breath forms tiny, fleeting clouds in front of me. The Black Lake, usually a tranquil expanse of water, is now partially frozen, its surface resembling a glassy mirror. Students bundled up in their warmest robes and scarves make their way around the school, their footsteps crunching in the freshly fallen snow. The Forbidden Forest, on the edge of the school grounds, seems even more mysterious and alluring in the winter, its trees covered in frost. In the Great Hall, the enchanted ceiling has transformed the room into a winter wonderland. Snowflakes gently fall from above, and the candles cast a warm, inviting glow as we gather for meals. The house-elves have outdone themselves with hearty stews and hot chocolate to ward off the cold. The Quidditch pitch, although snow-covered and out of commission, offers the perfect backdrop for snowball fights and impromptu snowman building. Laughter and the sound of snowballs whizzing through the air fill the air as students engage in friendly winter competitions. Even in the library, where the quiet is usually unbroken, there's a sense of cosiness. Students huddle together at tables, noses buried in books and parchment, seeking refuge from the winter chill.

But I am not spending the day at Hogwarts today. Today is another Hogsmeade day. And today we visit the Shrieking Shack. We being myself and Alex, though the closer we get, the eerier it becomes.

Alex and I get to a look-out area, finding Hermione and Ron admiring the shack from a fair distance. "Do you want to move a bit closer?" Hermione asks, catching Ron a bit off guard. "Huh?" "-To the Shrieking Shack?" She clarifies as Alex and I walk past them. "Oh, actually, I'm fine here." Ron replies sheepishly before a familiar whiney voice speaks up from behind. "Well, well, look who's here." Draco Malfoy vocalizes, Crabbe, Theo and Asteria all by his side. "You two shopping for your new dream home?" He berates them as Alex and I turn to watch the altercation. "Bit grand for you, isn't it, Weasel-Bee? Don't your family sleep in... one room?" He teases. "Shut your mouth, Malfoy." Ron retorts, his voice quiet, even I can barely hear him. "Ooh, not very friendly." Draco frowns. "Boys, I think it's time we teach Weasel-Bee how to respect his superiors." Hermione laughs sarcastically, standing between Draco and Ron. "I hope you don't mean yourself!" "How DARE you talk to me! You filthy little Mud blood!" Draco speaks in almost a growl before getting hit in the face by a snowball, which seemingly has appeared out of nowhere. 

A hushed silence envelops the group for a brief moment. "Who is there?!" Draco's voice erupts in a sudden shout, piercing the silence like a knife through butter. But before anyone can respond, as if summoned by the challenge, snowballs began to materialize out of thin air, launching towards Draco one after another. In a matter of seconds, Theo's Slytherin emblem-adorned hat was yanked down over his face, obscuring his indignant expression. Then, in a comically unexpected turn of events, the mischievous snowball assailant seized the opportunity to enact their icy revenge, swiftly pulling down Crabbe's pants, much to the shock and amusement of onlookers. Moments later, he's kicked to the ground, followed by Theo's scarf spinning him around. Laughter began to bubble up within the group, with Ron and Hermione sharing in the mirth, their giggles adding to the surreal atmosphere. A stifled snort coming from Asteria's direction, too. Beside me, Alex couldn't contain his amusement any longer and burst into laughter, his snickering infectious. Unable to resist the hilarity of the situation, I too let out an involuntary chuckle, my eyes never leaving the unfolding spectacle. The scene took an even more absurd twist as Malfoy, who moments ago had been the victim of a snowball barrage, suddenly found himself being dragged by his feet towards myself and Alex. "What's up, Malfoy? Lost your skis?" Ron's playful taunt cut through the frosty air, inducing another round of laughter from the group. The once-dignified Slytherin boy, now thoroughly dishevelled and disoriented, attempts to regain his composure as best he can. But his friends are not as fortunate. In his haste to escape the embarrassment, Draco pushes them down in a bid for a hasty getaway, Asteria following behind, laughing all the while. 

I turn my attention back to Hermione and Ron, who are now being toyed with. Ron's hat tassels and Hermione's hair. "Harry!" Hermione exclaims through her laughter, and just like... well, magic, Harry appears. That must be the work of the invisibility cloak Alex had told us about in our first year. "Bloody hell, Harry. That was not funny!" Ron objects, seems as if it's not as funny when it's happening to you, now, is it Weasel-Bee? I feel a tap on my shoulder, and turn to see Alex motioning towards the shack. Oh yes, I'd almost forgotten. 

***

I stand there in the crisp winter air, my breath visible in the freezing temperatures, as I admire the eerie and imposing structure known as the Shrieking Shack. The legend of this place has always intrigued me, and now, standing beside Alex, I can't help but feel a shiver run down my spine. The old building stands atop a small hill, its time-worn stone walls covered in frost and ivy. It seems to loom over us, casting a long, ominous shadow in the fading light of the winter afternoon. The legend surrounding the Shrieking Shack is well-known within the walls of Hogwarts, a tale of ghostly wails and strange occurrences that has terrified generations of locals. As Alex and I approach the entrance, the wind howls through the leafless trees, adding to the eerie atmosphere. I can't help but glance at Alex, who seems to share my fascination with the supernatural. His eyes are wide with a mixture of excitement and trepidation, mirroring my own feelings. "Are you sure about this, Atti?" Alex asks, his voice barely above a whisper. I nod, my heart pounding in my chest. "Absolutely, Alex. This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Who knows what we might discover inside?"

With cautious steps, we enter the Shrieking Shack. The interior is just as foreboding as the outside, with tattered curtains billowing in the draft and creaking floorboards beneath our feet. Our breaths echo in the cold, empty space as we explore the dimly lit rooms, our wand-light revealing dusty furniture and faded wallpaper. As we venture deeper into the shack, the air grows colder, and the sound of distant, ghostly whispers seems to surround us. I can't tell if it's our imagination playing tricks on us, or if there's something truly supernatural at play. But at this moment, I feel a strange sense of connection with the past, as if the shack holds the secrets of centuries gone by.

Alex and I exchange nervous glances, our curiosity and fear battling within us. Whatever awaits us in the Shrieking Shack, well, that will have to wait. Because I am getting the FUCK out of here.

I run. I run as fast as my legs will take me. "Atti!? Wait up!!" I hear Alex call from behind me, but my heartbeat is too loud, the snow is too cold... The snow is too cold? Oh, great. I've fallen and face planted into the snow.  And what's worse is I can not only hear Alex laughing his arse off at me, but also talking up ahead. I hope no-one else saw that... I curse under my breath as I stand back up, dusting the snow off of my coat and pants. "Not. A. Word." I say to Alex, who's trying VERY hard to stifle his laughter. 

"HE WAS THEIR FRIEND" We hear a voice call out, sounded like Harry. Alex and I make our way closer. "I hope he finds me. Because when he does, I'm gonna be ready! When he does, I'm gonna kill him!" Harry cries to his friends. Does he mean Sirius Black? 'Cause if he does, that was a stupid thing to say. And NO WAY is he going to do any damage with a simple disarming charm. 

Hehe, I'm funny.