Ch262- Not Liking Potions is Unacceptable!

Ch262- Not Liking Potions is Unacceptable!

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Without wasting another second, Harry grabbed both girls by the arms and began pulling them back the way they had come. “Let’s go,” he said, his voice rushed.

Luna looked at him with genuine confusion. “Why? Isn’t it lovely?”

Harry forced a nervous chuckle, trying to mask his growing concern. “Yeah, it’s too lovely. That’s the problem.”

Ginny blinked a few times, the fog in her eyes slowly clearing as Harry guided them away from the sound. “What... what was that?” she asked, her voice still a bit dazed.

Harry shook his head, his pace quickening as they moved further from the source of the song. “I don’t know, but whatever it was, it wasn’t friendly. We’re not sticking around to find out.”

Luna, ever the optimist, glanced back toward the direction of the melody. “But Harry, what if it was just a harmless creature? We might have missed something wonderful.”

Harry tightened his grip on her arm, steering her firmly away. “Harmless creatures don’t mess with your mind, Luna. That thing was trying to lure us in. Trust me, we’re better off heading back to the castle.”

Ginny nodded, her expression sobering as the last traces of the enchantment left her. “Harry’s right. That wasn’t natural. It felt... wrong.”

Luna’s gaze shifted to something more focused, and she finally relented. “Alright, if you say so, Harry.”

The three of them continued walking in silence for a while, the eerie feeling left by the song slowly dissipating as they put more distance between themselves and the forest. The warmth of the afternoon sun filtered through the trees, and the familiar sounds of the Hogwarts grounds began to surround them again, easing the tension that had gripped them moments earlier.

When they finally emerged from the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the sight of the castle in the distance brought a sense of relief. Harry let out a breath he hadn’t realized he was holding and loosened his grip on their arms.

“Sorry for dragging you like that,” he said, his tone a bit lighter now that they were in the clear. “But I didn’t want to take any chances.”

Ginny gave him a small smile, rubbing her arm where his hand had been. “No need to apologize. You did the right thing. I didn’t even realize what was happening until you snapped me out of it.”

Luna, still thoughtful, looked back toward the forest one last time. “Maybe it wasn’t a sprite. But whatever it was, I’m glad you were with us, Harry.”

Harry shrugged, trying to shake off the lingering unease. “Let’s just make a note not to wander too close to the forest again. At least not without knowing what we’re getting into.”

They headed back to the castle in a more subdued mood, the earlier excitement of their adventure replaced by the sobering realization that the Forbidden Forest held more dangers than they had anticipated. By the time they reached the castle steps, the tension had mostly faded, replaced by a quiet sense of relief.

Tracey leaned in, her voice low and conspiratorial. “There’s a rumor going around that you’re planning something big. Care to share?”

Harry rolled his eyes. “Since when do I share all my plans?”

Daphne laughed, the sound light and teasing. “He’s right. Harry never tells us anything until it’s already in motion.”

Pansy nudged him playfully. “You know, one day we’re going to figure you out, Potter. And when we do, you’ll be in trouble.”

Harry grinned, leaning in her direction. “Good luck with that.”

Pansy pouted, kicking at the floor with her shoe before huffing and turning away dramatically, making the others laugh at her over-the-top reaction. Harry, shaking his head with a grin, let the earlier encounter in the forest slip from his mind, deciding to focus on the present instead. The aroma of food filled the Great Hall, and his stomach growled in response.

As they dug into their meals, the conversation flowed easily. Topics bounced around from Quidditch strategies to the latest gossip about which professors might be secretly dating—none of it serious, but all of it entertaining. Harry found himself enjoying the relaxed atmosphere, the easy banter with his friends a welcome distraction.

Not long after, Astoria arrived, looking utterly exhausted. She plopped down beside Harry, letting out a dramatic sigh that earned her a few sympathetic chuckles.

"Can I say again how much I don’t like Potions?" Astoria grumbled, resting her head on her crossed arms over the table.

Harry chuckled, shaking his head. "You do remember that I’m Professor Snape’s assistant, right? Complaining about Potions to me might not be the smartest move."

Astoria peeked up at him from behind her arms, sticking out her tongue. "I like you, Harry, but that doesn’t mean I have to like Potions."

Harry reached over and ruffled her hair playfully. "No worries, Astoria. This weekend, I’ll make sure you like it, or at least not dread it."

Astoria gave him a skeptical look, but a small smile tugged at her lips. "We’ll see about that."

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