The Bandon Banshee
A/N: This fic was written for Emma's Extrasolar Challenge for The Golden Snitch forum's Star Gazer's Club.
HD 114762 b—Write about a witch or wizard stealing someone else's achievements/discovery.
Word count: 591 words
I hope you enjoy my take on one of Gilderoy Lockhart's false achievements with a very small one-shot.
Gilderoy covered his ears just in time, the Banshee's screech barely muffled by his hands. Still, it was enough to prevent him from dying, and he crept closer to the edge to get a better view.
The witch below adjusted her earmuffs. She then put her hand into her pocket and fished around for something, not daring to take her eyes off the woman-like creature before her.
"You've had your fun," the witch said, dodging the Banshee as it tried to claw her. "But now it's time for you to be vanquished."
Quick as a flash, the banshee soared forward, long talon-like nails reaching for the witch.
The witch matched its pace, however, and leapt out of the way. Pulling something out of her pocket, she waved it at the creature.
"You know what this is, don't you?" she crowed.
Gilderoy squinted. It looked like a potion phial of some sort, small yellow bubbles floating to the top. He hoped it was a Laughing Potion, being the only thing yet known to defeat a Banshee.
Crawling forward, he pulled out his camera.
"Come on, you hag!" the witch crowed below.
Giledory stood up, pointing the camera at the banshee. Its skeletal green skin wasn't very pleasant to capture, sending goosebumps down his spine. He closed his eyes for a moment, taking a deep breath. All he had to do was take a few photographs, that was all. It was a good thing the Banshee looked so creepy—the more gruesome the banshee appeared, the more people would praise him for his bravery.
Opening his eyes, Gilderoy snapped a few photographs of the Banshee. The creature was circling the witch, trying to swipe at her as she ducked. He managed to get a particularly close shot of it standing tall, its long, black hair flowing behind it like a cape. It was definitely cover-shot material, and if he managed to write his next book in time, it would probably have witches and wizards everywhere lining up to buy it.
Zooming in, he took a few more shots. Unfortunately, the witch seemed oblivious to his presence, blocking his view of the Banshee.
"Yuck!" Gilderoy almost dropped his camera. The witch had stepped in from of the camera again and turned her face towards him. With the zoom function on, he had managed to get a full view of her long chin hairs.
Shivering, he turned back to the scene below, hoping neither had noticed him. They hadn't, and the two women were now circling each other.
"Alright, time's up," the witch said and, without warning, leapt at the Banshee.
With one hand pulling on the creature's hair, the witch used her other hand's thumb to pop open the phial's cork lid. Then, with more strength than Gilderoy realised she had, the witch yanked the Banshee's skeletal face towards her.
The Banshee opened her mouth to scream. The witch took her opportunity and poured the potion down its throat.
Gilderoy watched as the Banshee, now pushed away from the witch, clutched at its throat. It looked like it was choking, and as he watched on, it began to shrivel up before his eyes.
When the Banshee was no more than a raisin, the witch clapped her hands together and looked up to where Gilderoy was hiding. He winced and ducked back, realising she must have heard him after all.
Sighing, he put down his camera and replaced it with his wand. The show was over, and now it was time to practice his own skills.