Harry Potter: The Forgotten Chronicles- Book 7

Chapter 9

Chapter Nine

The fire had dwindled to mere embers, its once-bright glow now a faint shimmer against the dark forest. Harry sat with a frosted blanket draped over his shoulders, his gaze fixed bitterly on the moonlit trees. The silence around them was eerie, broken only by the occasional whisper of the wind. Shadows flickered and danced in the darkness, and the cold air felt alive, pressing in on him.

Through the tent flap, he could see Hermione sleeping peacefully, the gentle light from a small bowl of flames casting a soft glow over her serene face. Evelyn peeked out of the tent, seeing the look on Harry's face.

"I'll be right back" Harry said, standing, turning his attention back to the forest, where a faint, elusive glimmer caught his eye—a fleeting flash that seemed almost too ephemeral to be real.

The light appeared again, brighter and more defined this time—a pure, silver glow cutting through the shadows. Harry's heart quickened as he rose, the blanket slipping from his shoulders. Clutching Hermione's wand, he watched the light move closer, its brilliance shattering the darkness. The light soon resolved into the shape of a magnificent silver-white doe, glowing with moonlight. It gazed at him with calm, knowing eyes before turning and moving away.

"No..." Harry's voice cracked with a mix of awe and desperation. He stumbled forward, his feet crunching on the frost as he followed the doe through the trees, determined to uncover its purpose.

Evelyn, her eyes fixed on his retreating figure, slowly moved from the tent, following him. She moved silently through the snow, her breath coming in quick, visible puffs in the frigid air. As Harry dashed deeper into the forest, Evelyn's worry grew, her concern for him evident in her hurried steps.

The doe led Harry to a small clearing where it paused before vanishing. The momentary afterimage of its beauty lingered in the air before he was plunged into darkness. "Lumos!" Harry's spell illuminated the clearing, revealing a small, frozen pool.

Harry crossed to the pool and peered into its depths, his reflection dull and distorted. At the bottom, a glimmer of silver caught his eye: the Sword of Gryffindor. He blinked in disbelief and looked around, ensuring he was alone before casting light upon the pool once more.

"Accio Sword!" he commanded, but the sword remained out of reach. Harry removed his clothes, his fingers numbed by the cold, and pointed his wand at the pool. "Diffindo!"

The ice cracked with a sharp, echoing sound, sending chunks of dark ice tumbling into the water. Harry crouched at the edge and plunged into the frigid pool, the cold shock of the water seizing his breath. He kicked toward the glimmering sword, grabbing the hilt and struggling to return to the surface.

But the Horcrux around his neck began to tighten, coiling around his throat like a constricting snake. Panic surged through him as he fought to pry the chain off, his fingers slipping in the icy water. Desperate, he reached for the pool's edge, his hands scrabbling for purchase but failing to grip the ice.

As Harry's strength waned, his hands slipped from the ice, falling back into the water. He drifted downward, his vision dimming, bubbles escaping his mouth. The surface of the water above grew calm and distant.

Evelyn, who had finally caught up with Harry, saw him sink back into the water. Her heart pounded as she rushed forward, slipping on the ice. She reached the pool's edge, her fingers stretching towards Harry. But before she could reach him, someone pushed Evelyn aside and dove into the freezing water. Evelyn blinked, shocked, as she realized it was Ron.

He reached Harry, grasping him with a firm grip and pulling him upwards. Evelyn watched in horror as Ron dragged Harry out of the pool, his face pale and his breathing ragged.