The trio continued their journey through the dense, towering trees of the Forbidden Forest, the moonlight filtering through the thick canopy above. The massive roots of ancient trees seemed to form a natural path beneath their feet, guiding them as if the forest itself wanted them to find their way. Despite the sense of calm in the air, there was also an undeniable tension, a mystery lingering in every shadow.
Sebastian glanced at Ominis with a teasing smile. "Come on, I know you want to say it—what language was that, Richard's 'adieu'?"
Ominis sighed, feigning exasperation. "Latin, again."
Sebastian and Mary both chuckled, sharing a brief moment of levity that helped ease the weight of their surroundings.
"I guess that ghost is full of surprises," Mary remarked with a smile, her voice light.
As they descended a small slope, the sound of rushing water reached their ears, and soon enough, they came upon the waterfall Richard had mentioned. It cascaded gracefully down into a clear pool, the moonlight catching the droplets and making them shimmer. Sebastian grinned.
"Well, for a thief, Richard's word does count for something."
They continued on, following the path that led them past more of the landmarks Richard had described. After what felt like an endless walk, they finally arrived at the lake. The sight was breathtaking—an expanse of still, dark water reflecting the trees and sky around it. Despite the night, there was a gentle, natural glow that illuminated the area, casting everything in a soft, peaceful light.
Mary paused, unable to resist the serene beauty before her. She took a deep breath, letting the tranquility wash over her.
"It's different from the lake by the castle," she admitted softly. "This place feels... calmer. More peaceful."
Sebastian and Ominis stood by her side, momentarily forgetting the dangers that lay ahead as they too took in the view. The serenity of the moment gave them a brief respite from the tension that had been building since they began their journey. But as they admired the lake, they knew it wouldn't be long before they had to face whatever awaited them in the cave.
As they resumed their walk, the trio realized they had reached their destination. The area was a wide, open space nestled right next to the lake, bathed in the soft glow of countless fireflies that floated gently through the air. The ethereal light they provided was mesmerizing, creating a surreal atmosphere that felt both magical and serene. In the center of the area stood the birdbath Richard had mentioned, its stone surface weathered but still intact.
Off to the side, there were old study tables covered in papers and strange objects. Intrigued, Sebastian and Ominis headed straight for the tables, eager to investigate. A lone lantern, still flickering with light, sat on one of the wooden surfaces, casting long shadows across the ground.
"Think this was Richard's setup?" Sebastian asked, poking through the scattered papers.
Ominis shook his head with a smirk. "Hardly. He could barely tell Latin from Greek, let alone keep a study area like this. Must have belonged to someone else who tried their luck here."
Sebastian chuckled. "Maybe they were just as unlucky as him. At least they left a lantern."
Mary, meanwhile, approached the birdbath, examining it closely. The surface of the stone was engraved with intricate designs, but what caught her eye was the strange construction set into the rock behind it. It was a circular stone door, its edges lined with symbols she couldn't quite make out in the dim light.
"Stop joking around, you two," Mary called over her shoulder, her tone slightly scolding. "This isn't just some abandoned campsite. There's something here—"
Sebastian glanced at Ominis with a grin. "Looks like Mary's found something."
Ominis joined in, leaning closer to Sebastian. "Careful, she might scold us again," he whispered playfully, making both boys chuckle.
Mary, ignoring their banter, stepped closer to the birdbath and traced the edge of the stone door with her fingers. "It's strange," she murmured, more to herself than to the others. "this place... doesn't look totally abandoned, and the lantern still works, maybe because of magic, but..."
YOU ARE READING
KEEP IT, LOSE IT (HOGWARTS LEGACY FANFICTION)
Fiksi PenggemarOne evening, Ominis was on his way to the undercraft. He and Sebastian had planned to spend the night there to study, including Mary, but unfortunately she had to miss it because of her tasks with Professor Fig. What surprise was Ominis going to get...
