Adelaide | Forgotten Malfoy.

chapter 5

The forest near Hogwarts was filled with magic, its air rich with the scent of old trees and the soft sounds of hidden creatures. Lylah Rourke, Luna Lovegood's student, had always felt a special connection to this place. It was home to magical creatures that others couldn't see or understand, and Lylah had a unique bond with them, especially the smaller, rare ones that usually stayed hidden from humans.

On this day, Lylah was surrounded by her usual companions: small, playful creatures hopping from branch to branch, and a loyal fox-like creature that had been with her for months. This creature had a deep connection to Lylah, often protecting her when danger was near. But today, Lylah felt uneasy as she heard the sound of heavy footsteps in the underbrush, growing closer.

The atmosphere grew tense. Lylah’s senses sharpened, and she saw movement in the bushes. Wolves. The remaining wolves.These were not the peaceful creatures she was used to. They were dangerous, remnants of Fenrir Greyback’s pack. The same wolves Luna had warned her about.

Her fox-like creature nudged her, its eyes wide with alertness. It pulled her toward a nearby tree. Without questioning it, Lylah climbed quickly, her heart racing, and hid among the branches.

From her spot, she could see the wolves pass below, their eyes gleaming with hunger. She gripped the branch tightly as they walked by, unaware of her presence.

"Thank you lil one..." she whispered softly as she petted the fox-like creature. It nudged her hand in response, then looked back toward the wolves.

The wolves eventually moved on, and Lylah let out a breath she had been holding, still shaking from the close call.

A voice called out from behind her. "Lylah? Where are you?"

It was Luna.

Lylah quickly climbed down, her heart still pounding. She looked up to see Luna standing before her with a calm smile.

"How was your first day as a professor at Hogwarts?" Lylah asked, trying to sound normal.

Luna’s eyes sparkled, and her smile was gentle. "It was wonderful, actually. Everything went smoothly." She looked at the creatures around Lylah. "What are you doing up there?"

Lylah hesitated for a moment before explaining. "The wolves were nearby... and this friend of mine helped me climb up." She pointed to the creature sitting at her feet, its fur glowing faintly in the dim light.

Luna knelt to examine the creature more closely, her face lighting up with interest. "Thank you," she said softly to the fox-like being, who met her gaze calmly. "For protecting Lylah."

The creature blinked slowly, then turned its attention back to Lylah, keeping a watchful eye on everything.

Luna stood up and became more serious. "It’s dangerous here now, Lylah. Fenrir is back. You need to be careful when you're out here alone. It's why I’m here to warn you."

Lylah nodded quietly, her gaze drifting toward the path the wolves had taken. "They might be looking for something again... after everything that happened..." she said quietly, her voice filled with unspoken worries.

Luna’s voice was soft and reassuring. "Just keep hiding when you need to, but don’t be afraid you can stay at hogwarts and these creatures here will protect you. They’ve always been watching over this place, even when danger is near."

Lylah felt comforted by Luna’s words, but still worried. "I’ll stay close to Hogwarts. I know it’s safer that way," she said, then looked one last time at the forest. "I’ll miss these creatures, though. Especially the fox."

Luna smiled gently and placed a hand on Lylah’s shoulder. "It’s okay to miss them. But remember, they’ll always be here. You’re part of this world now. They will keep you safe."