~~*~~

It is winter at Hogwarts. Inside the great hall, a few scattered students and a collection of teachers: the Ghost staff for the Christmas holidays, make their way to the Christmas feast. The castle is filled with laughter, screeches of panicked excitement as Peeves dive bombs the latest group of first years with freezing cold water, and the many sounds of children having fun.

Outside, covered in snow and immobile, stands the Whomping Willow. Given life years ago by the school's principle – one Albus Dumbledore – It is alone now as it was then.

It is aware as you or I, chilled to the bone, and it is jealous. Through the windows of the great hall, it sees the warmth of a thousand glowing candles. The terrible anger bestowed upon it by the well intentioned but misguided wizard threatens to well up and take over. The leafless branches tremble as it considers its loneliness. Usually, the horrible fury only takes over when a trespasser walks above its roots – forcing the tree to end every interaction with violence; but now, completely alone, the tree is angry.

Distinct from every tree in the Forbidden Forest, which only possesses a vague, collective awareness that allows the Forest as a whole to discourage intruders, the Whomping Willow's consciousness is fully developed. And if it could decide (Dumbledore's magic makes sure it cannot) it would choose to be free of the curse which forces it to drive away every possible friend that crosses its path.

The Whomping Willow does not have a face, or eyes.

But if it did, it would be crying.

~~*~~


Author's Note: I think they call this a songfic, altough I've never read one, so I'm not sure if a songfic is a fic based on a song, or a fic actually meant to be sung. But anyway, this little piece here is based on the song Seasonal Depression sung by The Whomping Willows.

And who are the The Whomping Willows, you ask? Why, they're a Wizard Rock band, which is exactly what you're probably thinking it is. (Especially if you're already a fan of Wrock, as it's known). They, as well as a collection of other Wrock bands are the reason I haven't update my other piece, To The Wind, for however long it's been since I last updated it (funny that). I've been discovering the many wonders of Wizard Rock, and have not written a thing up until just now. But if you're reading To The Wind, and have been waiting for the James and Lily chapter, I apologise for my lax updating skills. I swear I'm going to update just as soon as I get over my writer's block. Reviews are nice, too, and they tend to help with the whole writer's block issue.

~ Quill.