CHAPTER 14 WHISPERS IN THE WOODS

The Art of Persistence:

Madam Pomphrey's office smelled of antiseptic and dried herbs. Ezzy stood in front of her desk for the fifth day in a row, his arms crossed stubbornly.

"You're eleven, Mr. Knight," Pomphrey said, not looking up from her ledger. "Healing requires maturity, not just clever hands."

"I mended Neville's toad when it swallowed a Bludger bead," Ezzy countered. "And I stabilized Ron's broken nose after that incident with the rogue broom."

Pomphrey sighed, finally meeting his gaze. "Fine. But if you so much as think about practicing on a student, I'll transfigure you into a bedpan." She tossed him a thick, dog-eared book titled Essentials of Magical Medicine: A Novice's Guide and another, Novice's guide to Human Anatomy.

Ezzy grinned, clutching the books like treasure. "Thank you, Madam Pomphrey! I'll memorize every page!"

"Of course you will... Start with Chapter Three," she called after him. "And stay away from the Skele-Gro!"

Days later, Harry sat in the library, halfheartedly flipping through Quidditch Through the Ages, when a melody drifted through the air—soft, haunting, and unmistakably magical. It tugged at his chest like a hook.

"Do you hear that?" he whispered to Hermione, who was buried in Moste Potente Potions.

"Hear what?"

The song swelled, weaving through the shelves. Ron frowned. "Is that… singing?"

Ezzy and Jane appeared moments later, drawn by the same siren call. "You hear it too?" Ezzy said, his telecrystal pulsing faintly.

Suhi and Neville joined them, and together, they followed the sound—a trail of silver notes leading toward the Forbidden Forest.

 Into the Shadows:

The forest was a tapestry of moonlight and shadows. Twisted branches clawed at the sky, and the air hummed with ancient magic.

"This is mental," Ron muttered, tripping over a root. "Since when do forests sing?"

"Since always," Suhi said softly, her fingers brushing a moss-covered stone. "But only if you listen."

Deep in the heart of the forest, the trees parted to reveal a clearing. At its center stood an ethereal Owl Spirit, her feathers shimmering like starlight and eyes glowing molten gold. Around her, the bodies of magical creatures lay still—a thestral with scorched wings which only Ezzy could see, a unicorn with a withered horn, a family of bowtruckles curled lifeless in the moss.

The group froze.

"Who dares trespass?" the spirit hissed, her voice echoing like wind through hollow bones.

Ezzy stepped forward, Rain perched on his shoulder. "We heard your song. We want to help."

The owl's gaze pierced him. "You… hear me? Even the centaurs have gone deaf to this forest's pain."

 The Guardian's Lament:

The spirit, named Aelara, circled them as she spoke. "Darkness festers here. A blight consumes the forest—creatures drained of magic, their essence twisted. Even the trees weep."

"Dementors?" Harry guessed.

"Worse," Aelara said. "This is no natural decay. It reeks of human greed… and a curse older than Hogwarts itself."

Hermione pulled out her telecrystal, scanning the area. "There's residual dark magic here. See these patterns? It's systematic, almost… ritualistic."

Suhi knelt beside the fallen unicorn, her water affinity swirling anxiously. "Their magic's been siphoned. Like something's feeding on them."

Aelara's wings flared. "Find the source. Stop it. Or this forest—and every soul within it—will perish."

 The Pact:

Back in the common room, the group huddled by the fire, Aelara's warning hanging heavy.

"We need to tell Dumbledore," Neville said, clutching Trevor nervously.

"And say what?" Ron countered. "'A ghost owl told us the forest's doomed'? He'll chuck us in detention till next century."

Ezzy flipped through his healing book. "Aelara said the curse is ancient. Maybe the library has records? Or… Hagrid might know something."

Harry nodded. "And if it's tied to dark magic, Snape or Quirrell could be involved."

Jane groaned. "Why is it always those two?"

"Because one's a vampire and the other's a git," Ron said.

Suhi frowned. "We'll need to split up. Research, investigate, and keep an eye on the forest."

"And I'll work on healing spells," Ezzy said, determination hardening his voice. "If creatures are hurt, we'll need to treat them."

Aelara's song echoed in their minds as they dispersed—a silent promise to the forest.