A/N: Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter - this applies to all following chapters.


House: Ravenclaw

Category: Drabble

Prompts: The Forbidden Forest is Forbidden for a reason

Word count: 888


I know that in the Cursed Child book Albus is revealed to be in Slytherin, but, for the sake of the story, he's in Gryffindor here, so it's technically AU.

Enjoy!


"Come on, Al. Don't be such a chicken," James said provocatively, giving his younger sibling a nudge with his elbow.

It was June and the sun was burning hot from the sky; they sat outside on one of the benches to study – well, Rose was studying. James tried to convince his brother Albus to venture out into the Forbidden Forest with him.

"I still think it's a stupid idea," Albus groaned and tried to focus on the notes for his last exam this afternoon. The Gryffindor wasn't sure why James wanted to go so badly or why he of all people should join him, but the sixth-year just wouldn't let it go. His older brother liked daring him to do something stupid. When he had been four, James had tricked him into licking one of the old socks that mysteriously turned up under couches or behind cupboards. Part of Albus still hadn't forgiven his brother for that – it had tasted worse than Skelegrow!

"Dad did it all the time," the Gryffindor protested, and Al's head snapped up. All of a sudden, he understood. Being the son of the Harry Potter wasn't easy. James, and even Albus himself – although he didn't like to admit it – felt obligated to prove that their bravery matched their father's.

Rose looked up as well and glared at them threateningly. "Don't you dare, boys! I don't think they called it Forbidden Forest because it's a beautiful place for a stroll."

James rolled his eyes. "You sound like Aunt Hermione sometimes, you know?" Then his brown eyes wandered to Albus. "What d'you say?"

Albus wanted to open his mouth to protest, but somehow he found himself agreeing.

"And you Rosily?" James teased although he knew the answer.

"Don't call me that!" the redhead hissed. "And no! I have better things to do!" With that she stood up and walked briskly towards the castle.

"Yeah, like what? Kissing Scorpius in the library?" James muttered quietly and nudged Albus. "Meet you at nine outside the Common Room." Then he, too, made his way back towards the castle, having left Albus wondering if he shouldn't for once have showed more backbone and said 'no' to his brother.


At precisely nine o'clock, Albus snuck out of the Common Room to meet James. As he left, however, he tripped over what seemed to be nothing at first glance. He managed to catch himself before he could fall down and turned around to where his brother was sniggering under his invisibility cloak.

"James!" he snarled, again filled with regret that he agreed to this in the first place. He wasn't any more pleased that their dad had thought it a good idea to give James the cloak before they boarded the Hogwarts Express at the beginning of the year.

The other Gryffindor just chuckled, pulling him under the cloak. With the Marauders Map they managed to get to the edge of the Forbidden Forest without problems.

Although it was still light outside, the forest was already submerged in utter darkness. Only a few oblique sunrays made it through the thick canopy. Dead branches broke under their feet as they silently made their way deeper into the woods with their wands clutched in their hands. Albus sneered in distaste at the scent of rotten leaves mixed with the stink of wet dog. He could have sworn he heard wolves howl in the distance.

"It's not so bad, is it?" James said deliberately optimistic. But he too flinched with every flutter of wings unseen.

"Maybe we'll see thestrals," Albus quipped in a weak attempt to scare his older brother.

"You know we can't actually see them, silly billy," he answered, trying to sound casual, but Albus saw how he glanced around cautiously.

Then they heard it – the beating of nearing paws on the forest floor, sounding like tumescent drumming, getting nearer and nearer.

"Didn't you say there were no wolves?" Albus asked in a faint voice, and he hated himself for it. He hated that he was scared, that his fingers still trembled although he tried with all his might to still them. His dad probably never had been scared, at least not of something as pathetic as wolves.

The sound of growling grew louder, and the earth seemed to shake with every footstep the beast made.

"I don't think that's a wolf," James stated flatly. It sounded more like something heavy, something gigantic, something extremely dangerous. They exchanged a glance and started running.

The monster was still behind them, they could hear branches cracking under its feet and its claws digging deep into the ground. They didn't stop until they had reached the edge of the forest; then they turned, feeling secure enough to face the creature.

They had expected everything but that. Not one but three heads with glowing eyes and bared teeth loomed over them. The sound of the hound's deep growling seemed to reverberate through their whole bodies.

"Merlin's saggy left –" James hissed.

"Run!" Albus screamed, interrupting his brother, and run they did.

Exhausted and out of breath, they reached the Gryffindor Common Room. Rose was waiting for them and looked up as soon as the two brothers entered. She glanced at their still terrified faces and smirked.

"I told you – the Forbidden Forest is forbidden for a reason."