Philosopher's Stone Twin

Chapter 9 - Confrontations

After enjoying a hearty breakfast with Neville and Hermione at the Gryffindor table, Katrina once again decided to spend the morning by the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Despite knowing the prohibition against entering, an inexplicable pull urged her toward its confines. Perhaps it was the serene embrace of nature or the lingering allure of dark magic within. Whatever the reason, she found solace in lingering near its border, basking in the tranquility it offered. With Snape's extra assignments completed, she had ample free time to indulge in such moments of reprieve.

"'Ey there, yeh better not be looking ter go inter the forest, are yeh?"

Startled by the booming voice from behind her, Katrina whirled around, recognizing the man as the one who had led the first years to the castle on their arrival night.

"Oh, no, of course not! I'm just looking. It's really pretty," she explained.

The man looked at the forest judgingly, then back at the girl. "Well, I wouldn't call it tha', but sure. As long as you don't get any ideas in yer head 'bout goin' in there."

"I won't! I know it's really dangerous," Katrina promised.

"Alrigh', but remember, I've always got me eye on tha' forest, so I'll fer sure see if yeh go changin' yer mind!"

Feeling a twinge of offense at the implied lack of trust, yet understanding it stemmed from past misbehavior from other students, Katrina nodded in acceptance.

As the man turned to depart, he cast periodic glances over his shoulder, gradually receding from the forest's edge toward the quaint cabin adorned with pumpkins that stood nearby.

Turning her attention back to the forest, Katrina suddenly found herself wondering what it would be like to enter its bounds, to be surrounded by its gorgeous greenery and enveloped in its embracing serenity. The thoughts always intruded on her mind while she sat by the edge, but now it was more than just an intrusive thought; it was a consideration. She was a strong witch, more skilled than everyone else in her class! Surely if anyone in her year could get away with going into the forest and leaving unscathed, it would be her!

Katrina shook her head violently, trying to banish the intrusive thoughts from her mind. She reached into the depths of her robe, retrieving her pocket watch to check the time, and her fingers brushed against her wand. Realizing this would be a perfect opportunity to practice some charms, she pulled it out. She scanned the ground for a suitable stick or small rock to practice Wingardium Leviosa, the more advanced version of the basic levitation spell, Levioso, which she had neglected in favor of more intriguing spells from later sections of her Charms textbook. After a fruitless search, her gaze drifted to the forest edge. Surely, it would be littered with fallen sticks just inside. . .

With tentative steps, she inched forward, closer to the edge. Then, another, hesitant step, and another. Her feet continued to creep toward the bounds of the forest, slowly picking up pace. She glanced around, half-expecting to spot the man who had confronted her earlier, but he was nowhere to be seen. Her momentum carried her deeper and soon she was inside the forest's threshold, just barely. A cloak of darkness enveloped her, cast by the dense foliage overhead, imbuing the air with a cool, earthy scent reminiscent of a garden after a spring shower. Each step sank into the plush grass beneath her, beckoning her further.

A sudden, sharp crack shattered the tranquility, jolting Katrina from her trance. Her head whipped around, searching frantically for the source, but finding nothing. In an instant, the allure of the forest waned, replaced by a sense of foolishness for entertaining the idea. As she prepared to retreat, a strange sound caught her attention — a broken branch beneath her foot. Relief flooded over her as she realized the source of the noise. She stooped down to retrieve one half of the broken stick before returning to her swift exit of the confines of the forest, briefly pausing to peer out from behind a tree trunk in order to ensure no one would see her leave.