Golden Girl; 𝓕𝓻𝓮𝓭 𝓦𝓮𝓪𝓼𝓵𝓮𝔂

Fourth Year: Petrified Whispers

(A/N: Okay to be honest~ I sorta forgot I had to wrap up the rest of C.O.S so we're doing that now. I know this is a looong chapter, but I think Fourth Year has gone on long enough. I'm really excited about Fifth and Sixth year!)

Bambi crept into her dorm late the night after her trip into the forest. She couldn't even pretend to deny that she was avoiding her friends. Everyone was worried about her, and she knew it. Still, she also couldn't find the energy or strength to try and explain everything that had happened to her over the last two days.

Madam Pomfrey had given her a list of books to check out from the library, something about the differences in magical creatures affected by the moon or sun, and how that influences their magic, and made her promise to come down to the hospital wing at least every other day, (if not every day).

Bambi had nodded, but the concept wasn't entirely new to her. Her father had often talked about the existence of such creatures—phoenixes, Leprechauns, and nymphs, to name a few—beings who, like wizards, drew most of their energy and power from the sun. These creatures, much like solar-powered wizards, thrived under the daylight, their magic constantly recharged by the sun's rays. But this constant source of energy came with its own limitations. While they were perpetually charged, they never experienced a significant surge in power, no moment of extraordinary strength that came with the waxing or waning of a celestial body. Their abilities were consistent, but not exceptional.

On the other side of the spectrum were those creatures whose power rose and fell with the phases of the moon– the werewolves, vampires, fae, and selkies. These beings were tied to the lunar cycle, certain abilities growing stronger as the moon reached its full phase, and diminishing as it waned. The moon governed them, pulling at the tides of their magic in a way that was both exhilarating and terrifying. During the full moon, they were at the height of their power, but this strength was a double-edged sword, bringing with it a lack of control that could be dangerous.

It was from these differences and relation to the solar bodies, that the terms "Light" and "Dark Creatures" had emerged. Those associated with the sun were seen as stable, reliable, and trustworthy. In contrast, lunar creatures were often viewed as dangerous, unpredictable, and too powerful for comfort. Their magic was not to be fully trusted, their strength a potential threat that could turn against them—or others—without warning.

Bambi had heard her father talk about this many times. He'd always been careful to stress that not all Dark Creatures were evil. Many were simply misunderstood, feared not for what they had done, but for what they could do. But as she sat in the quiet of her dorm, the early morning shadows stretching long across the floor, she couldn't help but wonder if the world would grow to see her the same way.

"Bambi, you have to come out sometime, you know that?" Alicia's voice cut through the silence. She sounded exasperated but concerned. Bambi could practically see her standing just beyond the closed bed curtains, arms crossed, probably staring at the fabric as though her gaze alone could force them open.

"We've got a game today, you've got to get up." Angelina's tone was firmer, but still laced with concern. "For Merlin's sake, Bambi, we can hear you breathing in there."

"Oliver is going to have a fit if you don't show up for breakfast. You know he's going to try and march up here himself." Alicia huffed. "You've only been to the toilet and your bed the last two days, It's not healthy!"

Bambi sighed softly, curling up tighter under her blankets. She knew she would have to approach her friends eventually, she couldn't hide away forever. Hiding away wasn't something she was used to doing, and it was becoming very tiresome.

"Come on, Bambi," Alicia continued, her voice softening slightly. "We're your friends. Whatever's going on, you don't have to go through it alone. You know we've got your back."