Chapter 2 – Whomping Willow
I could not help but notice that Hedwig did not always led us along the main road. Several times she took a detour through the small, dirty roads that passed through the forests or wheatfields. Anyway, it helped us to reach our destination sooner than we expected.
I had changed the CD long time ago, because Ron tried to sing along Linkin Park, and it was not the best performance. Thankfully, none of them tried to voice out Debussy music, so the rest of journey was spent in relative peace. We did a lot of talking, and I was catching up with the events I missed. Among everything Harry told me about his encounter with house elf Dobby, who warned him not to return in Hogwarts this year, while Ron pondered it was probably Malfoy's doing.
"You know, I wouldn't be surprised to find that Dobby really serves to the Malfoy family," I agreed. "However I would really like to find out what plot he was talking about and what does it have to do with you, Harry."
"Everytime he was about to let slip something, he tried to make a hole in wall with his head," said Harry. "I even asked if it has something to do with Voldemort, but his answer was negative."
"At least some good news. I mean, the last year meeting with good, old Voldy was creepy enough," I shook my head, remembering that god-awful face sprouting out of the back of Quirrell's head.
"Yeah, I agree – wait, Bella! How did you just called You-Know-Who?" Ron suddenly leaned in between the front seats.
"Er, Voldy, I think. So?" I glanced at him, then rolled my eyes at shocked expression on Ron's face. "Oh, come on, the name he choosed is stupid! I wonder what his real name is, though."
"D'you reckon he might have a normal name?" Ron muttered, leaning back in seat.
"Who knows, Ron. Strange things tend to happen. Speaking about strange things, I can't stop thinking about that blocked passage. Harry, do you think that Dobby could be desparate enough to prevent your return to Hogwarts to block the passage?"
In rearview mirror I saw Harry and Ron exchanging looks. Harry shrugged, allowing Ron to answer. "I don't know, perhaps. Though I don't know how powerful are elves. Maybe better ask Hermione."
"Oh, yeah, our walking encyclopedia," I smiled. "In a good meaning, of course. Hey, any idea who will teach us this year in Defence Against the Dark Arts?"
Ron rolled his eyes and made a gagging sound. "Gilderoy Lockhart," he said in clear disgust.
"The same who wrote nearly all books in our list? I wonder if he's really so good as he claims to be."
"When we met him at Flourish and Blotts, he seemed more like an ordinary show-off. Of course, women of all ages are practically melting at mere sight of him. The store was full of them. Oh, that reminds me something," Harry grinned and told me about the meeting with Malfoy and his father in bookstore. Ron joined in, and we all laughed at the story how Ron's dad and Malfoy senior were having fight in a public place.
"Too bad Hagrid intervened too soon. I reckon that Dad would have won," Ron finished.
"I can't believe I missed that!" I sniggered. "Oh, to be a fly on the wall!"
The Hogwarts castle appeared in sight an hour before the sunset. When we passed by the Hogsmeade village, the boys were getting a bit nervous. Must admit, so was I. Though I was sure that Amy already had delivered the letter to Professor Dumbledore, who could tell whether he will be pleased about our choice of travelling. But, then again, neither of us can be blamed for the blocked passage. Snape might have something to say about it, however, but that was his problem, not mine.
Soon the large iron gates of Hogwarts appeared in front of us. I smiled, glancing behind to the boys. "Welcome home, boys!"
Harry and Ron beamed at me, while I slowed down and drove into the castle grounds, searching for a neutral place for parking. As we reached the castle itself, I noticed a huge tree on a left side, next to a stone wall that stretched in a half circle. It seemed like a good place where to leave the car.
"Okay, guys, let's get you out first," I stopped the car in front of great oak door and climbed out to help them to get their trunks.
The front door was slightly ajar, the bright light coming from the Entrance Hall. I could see someone moving inside. Of course, it would be naive to believe that no one noticed the car engine noise and the headlights. In attempt to delay the inevitable, t.i. facing Snape, I went to unload the truck and together we dragged our trunks up the stairs.
Hedwig perched on Harry's shoulder the same second he stepped out of car, however when we reached the entrance, she took off to the Owlery. We walked into the Entrance Hall where Professor Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall already waited for us.
"Oh, there you are at last," Dumbledore practically beamed at us. "I was beginnning to worry that we might sent someone to search for you. How did you managed to find the road to Hogwarts?"
"It was Hedwig, sir," I hurried to answer first," Harry's owl. She flew ahead of us, leading the way."
"Clever, Miss Swan," Professor McGonagall seemed rather confused of the manner of our arrival. "However I would like to know why didn't you board the train just like everyone else?"
We glanced at each other, silently asking the same question – which one volunteers to retell the story of closed wall. I was about to begin, when suddenly I spotted a dark shadow slowly emerging from the staircase that lead to the dungeons. Great, Snape was coming.
"Er, I really should remove the car from the front lawn. Harry, could you cover up for me?" I mumbled, glancing at Snape. Thankfully Harry understood and nodded, then he turned to Headmaster and McGonagall and began the story about what happened in King's Cross station. "I'll be back in a minute," I whispered, then quickly rushed outside.
I should have known better that Snape is not the one to simply wait aside. Before I could take refuge inside my car, he was at my side, smirking as usual. Ignoring my glare, Snape reclined sideways against the door, preventing any chance to get past him. I suppressed the urge to roll my eyes, when he suddenly leaned forward, black eyes boring into mine.
"I see that Potter has infected you with his irresistable urge to show off. So, you are too good for train, Miss Swan. Decided to show up with a pomp?" Snape drawled, his gaze became more and more intense. I gritted my teeth, when the pressure returned in my head like an old, long time unseen buddy. Here we go with Legilimency again, damn him!
"Is that how you greet someone you haven't seen for about two months?" I forced a smile. "Very original, Professor Snape, indeed."
Snape bared his teeth. "Careful, Miss Swan, or else Slytherin might lose house points even before the start of trimester."
I absently raked my fingers through the hair. "If you'd stayed inside with the others, you'd know by now why we missed the train. The passage closed and didn't let us through," I sighed, then added. "Well, it did let me through, but closed immediately as soon Harry and Ron tried to get through."
"If you could get through, why did you choosed to remain behind, then?"
I stared at Snape in disbelief, blinking a few times, before I realized he was not kidding.
Something unbelievable! I bit my tongue to supress a few quite strong four letter words I would love to spat in his face. The trimester was not even started yet, but this imbecile man already asked for a strife! Sometimes I wondered if he actually made it his life purpose to drive me insane. If so, it worked.
"If you seriously think I had to leave them alone in trouble, better think again, Professor," I pushed Snape unceremoniously away from the door and climbed in.
"Where do you think you're going?" Snape held the door open.
"I'm going to park the truck away from the front door, if you don't mind," I fiercely slammed the door close. At last second Snape jerked his hand away to escape catching his fingers in.
Snape's stance clearly said he was about to spat another disapproving remark at me for such disrespecful behaviour. I started the engine, pressed the gas in a rush and drove to the tree I sighted upon arrival. My insides were boiling in anger. What on earth makes him think that he can tell me what to do? Harry and Ron were my friends! How he dared to expect me to leave them, when they were in need of help?
I still muttered insults under my nose, when I climbed out of my car and locked the door. Perhaps not the best place where to leave it, but at least out of sight. Maybe later I could find some more proper parking place. Must remember to ask Hagrid. He was in charge of Hogwarts grounds, maybe he could advise something. Oh, and I must to remember to send an owl to Tom, bartender, so he would not search for the car in train station parking lot in vain.
Thinking about this and that, I turned to walk back to the castle, when I realized that my rucksack is still on a front seat, so I spun around, unlocked the door again and reached inside to grab it. Suddenly I heard someone's screaming my name. The voice sounded like Snape's, but it sounded almost terrified, which was uncharasterically to him. I moved backward too fast, painfully hitting my elbow against the wheel, then I turned to the direction of the voice.
"What the – " I muttered, seeing Snape who was running to me, wand raised, black robes billowing. Right now he actually looked like an overgrown bat. I drew my own wand out, because for a second it seemed that Snape is going to hex me, but then I heard a loud squeak somewhere above my head.
I looked up in time to see the branch in size of huge anaconda falling down, aiming for my head. I leapt aside, and the branch hit the car instead with the force that nearly smashed the hood. The tree literally began to attack my Jeep, the branches banged it from all sides, almost crashing the windshield and roof. I tried to reach the car to get it away from endangered area, but the branches swayed and trashed in all directions.
I turned to run for my life, but it was too late. I barely had a time to get a glimpse of notably knotted branch which stroke point-blank towards my head. Then there was a sharp pain, stars swirled before my eyes and everything went blurry. The last thing I heard was Snape's voice somewhere very close, casting a spell, "Protego!"
"Stupid girl! Of all places she had to park under the Whomping Willow!"
"Nonsense, it's nothing a simple healing spell cannot fix. Poppy, be so kind and fetch a pain relieving potion. She might have a severe headache after a hit like this one."
Something touched my head, causing it to nearly explode. I groaned and tried to swat the hand away, but someone grabbed my shoulders and held me firmly down against the mattress until the fireworks in my brains subsided.
"Calm down, Miss Swan, and let Madam Pomfrey do her job!"
I recognized Snape's voice and moaned in frustration. Someone – Madam Pomfrey, presumably – ordered me to open my mouth and, when I obeyed, into my throat was poured a vile tasting liquid which I swallowed reflexively.
"Ugh, yuck!" I pulled a face, yet the potion did its job – the pain dissolved and my head felt much clearer. I opened my eyes and saw all three Professors – Dumbledore, Snape and McGonagall around the hospital bed. Madam Pomfrey was stoppering the bottle with a bright blue liquid. Harry and Ron too were here, but they kept themselves in a distance.
"My car!" I struggled to break free, but the grip did not loosened. In spite of his gaunt appearance, Snape was stronger than one could think. "That bloody tree was crashing my car! LET GO!"
"Relax or I'll be forced to hex you!" Snape threatened, his eyes flashing dangerously.
"Everytime I happen to be here, someone is threating to hex me," I rolled my eyes, and Dumbledore chuckled.
"Severus, I believe you may let her go now," McGonagall looked as if she tried to supress a grin. "I believe that Miss Swan won't try to escape the hospital wing, especially when she will hear that her car is safe and sound."
"It is?" I exclaimed, pausing on my attempts to smack Professor Snape's face.
"Yes, Professor Dumbledore removed it quickly and fixed it, so it looks like new," Ron glanced in awe at his most idolized wizard.
Snape abruptly released me and stepped back. "It's rather amusing that you value some piece of metal over your own life, Miss Swan," he drawled, annoying smirk back on his face. "I would advise you in future be careful with Whomping Willow. It's very rare and dangerous tree. Do not ever try to approach it, Miss Swan, unless you wish to pay a visit to Madam Pomfrey again to mend a couple of broken bones."
"And that's assuming you're lucky," Madam Pomfrey grumbled.
"Perhaps we should give Miss Swan a bit of space here," Dumbledore suggested, his eyes twinkling. "Let her rest a few minutes. It's been a long day for her. Severus, Minerva, we should prepare for the arrival of our students."
As soon as everyone left, Harry and Ron rushed to my side.
"How long I've been out?" I pushed the covers away and sat up, ignoring the nurse's protests.
"About half an hour. The Hogwarts Express had not arrived yet. You haven't missed anything much." Harry calmed me.
"And what I did missed?" I swung my legs over the edge of bed and pushed my hair away from face.
"Well," said Harry, "we just finished the story of what happened in King's Cross station. Then we heard Snape yelling outside, so we all run out to see what happened. You were lying on the ground and that tree was just about to hit you again, but then Snape cast some spell at tree and it froze and stopped to attack. Dumbledore told Snape to take you to hospital, while he took care of your car. Hagrid removed it to one of additional buildings."
"Oh, that's... that's really great. Why did I never noticed that tree last year?" I groaned.
"We never walked to that part of yard," Ron said, then added somewhat gloomy. "I wish we did."
"What's wrong?" I noticed his upset face. Ron fidgeted, then pulled his wand out of pocket.
I gasped loudly. The wand was nearly broken on half, held together by a few strands of unicorn hair. "How did it happened?"
"I forgot my wand in your car. One of branches smashed the back window and hit it. And now... it's broken."
"Oh, no! I'm so sorry!" I took the wand and examined it closely. "Can it be fixed?"
Ron merely shrugged. I knew his parents do not have much money. They already had to spend a lot, buying seven sets of school books and the whole equipment for Ginny's first year in Hogwarts. I thought a bit of what could I do about it. Even if technically it was not my fault that Ron's wand was broken, it was in my car when the tree attacked, so partly I had to take the responsibility. Maybe I could write a letter to Mister Ollivander and ask for advice? Yeah, that seemed like a good idea.
"Bella, if you feel up to it, you must hurry up to change into the robes and take the seat in Great Hall. The train will arrive in five minutes. Our trunks are already in dormitories," Harry interrupted the silence.
"Great, I'm starving!" I jumped up, fetched my jacket and hurried to the door with Harry and Ron at my side.
"Miss Swan!" Madam Pomfrey poked her head out of her office. "Come back here immediately if you feel disoriented or your vision goes off-line!"
I merely waved at her and made a quick exit. When we were out of her hearing range, the bitter laughter finally escaped my throat. "Ha, just wait! I'll come back only in unconscious state. As for disorientation, being uncoordinated is a part of my nature," I chuckled as we walked to the stairs. "See you guys in a bit, okay?" I parted with Harry and Ron in hallway, then headed to the Entrance Hall.
On my way to the dungeons, my path was suddenly blocked by a figure, dressed up in aquamarine robes. I looked up and recognized the wizard from the back cover of most of our school books. He smiled at me, demonstrating his perfectly white teeth.
Gilderoy Lockhart.
"Isabella Swan, what a pleasure to meet you," he exclaimed. "I already had heard so much about you, but never could I imagine to see such a beauty before my humble self."
I gaped at him, hopelessly trying to figure out what did he wanted from me. But Lockhart grasped my hand and pressed a kiss on my knuckles.
"I was so worried to hear that you've been attacked by the Whomping Willow. If I was there, nothing like that would've happened. I know a few tricks how to make it absolutely harmless..."
Lockhart began to count off the ways of making the Whomping Willow immobile, but after thirty seconds I lost my patience.
"Well, maybe you should tell about those tricks to Headmaster, Professor," I pulled my hand back, forcing a smile. "I'm sure he would be delighted to hear of the possibility to neutralize the tree that can harm the students. Now, excuse me, I have to change into school robes."
Not waiting for his another banter to begin, I turned and rushed down the stairs, pausing around the corner only to make sure he was not following me. The look of admiration Lockhart gave to me was rather disturbing. It reminded a bit of Jacob's behaviour lately.
I snorted scornfully, heading to Snape's office (I needed to get a password to get into the common room), while thinking that maybe I should be careful around Lockhart. The last thing I needed was another drooling admirer pretending to be my shadow.
