Another day, another chapter! I hope you all enjoy it, there was going to be more but I didn't want to get too detailed. The chapter after this will be about the Sorting Ceremony and settling in Hogwarts. The pacing will be a bit slow for the next few chapters, I still hope you enjoy them.

Chapter 4: The Woods

Draco was practicing at the Quidditch Pitch with Goyle was watching and cheering him on. He wasn't doing exceptionally good, but Goyle cheered fakely anyway. Goyle also yawned when Draco wasn't noticing, very unenthusiastic.

As the sun began to dip below the horizon, casting long shadows across the pitch, Draco's broom felt heavier and his swings less precise. Goyle, growing increasingly restless, began to wonder how much longer Draco would insist on practicing. A few hours later, he heard lots of noises coming from above. He looked up just in time to see an owl flying north, with Hermione, George, Ginny and Luna following it frantically. Draco blinked. "What on earth…" He muttered.

Draco watched in surprise as the group of students flew past him, their figures growing smaller in the distance. Goyle, still clueless about what was happening, scratched his head in confusion. "What's got them all riled up?" he mumbled to himself, squinting at the retreating shapes in the sky.

Draco glanced at Goyle, and caught him mid-yawn. "Gregory Goyle…" He sighed. "Go and leave, I'll catch up… Later…"

As Draco's words trailed off, Goyle nodded and slid off the pitch, leaving and thinking he was going to practice his Quidditch moves alone. But once Goyle left, Draco chuckled and started to follow the owl too. "4 Gryffindor idiots following an owl. This I've got to see."

Draco raced through the darkening sky, his silver-blonde hair whipped back by the wind as he followed the group of Gryffindors on their broomsticks. The urgency in their flight piqued his curiosity, and despite his initial mocking thoughts, a sense of unease settled in his chest. Where on earth is this owl leading them?

As the hours passed and the moon rose high above them, casting an eerie glow over the landscape below, Draco couldn't shake off the feeling that something was gravely amiss. The owl they were tailing flew purposefully, leading them through twists and turns, over dense forests and shimmering lakes. The relentless pursuit left no room for doubt – they were on a mission of utmost importance.

The group finally descended near Clodagh's Cottage, landing with precision in a nearby clearing. As Hermione and the rest land, Draco clears his throat and says smugly. "Clodagh's Cottage? You lot either lost the half brains you used to have, or you have a death wish."

The group dismounts hastily, their faces serious in contrast to Draco's sarcastic remark. Hermione quickly surveys the area, her eyes scanning the thick forest surrounding them. "We need to be quiet," she whispers. The cicadas fall silent, and the air becomes heavy with tension.

Draco watches as Hermione uses her wand to search the area, her brow furrowed in concentration. "What are you looking for?" He asks, speaking normally and not caring to whisper. "It's not like Clodagh would spare you lot some herbs."

Hermione ignores Draco's dismissive remark, her focus entirely on locating any potential dangers. "We're looking for Harry and Ron. Pigwidgeon told us that they've gone here," she explains, her voice steady despite the rapidly rising tension.

Ginny nods solemnly, her fingers tightening around the hilt of her wand. "We have to be careful. That cottage is said to be haunted, and the owner is notorious for her hostile attitude towards wizards," she says, her voice low.

Luna adds her own input, her face emotionless as usual. "Although, yes, yes, she has been known to provide sanctuary to wizards in need. Even Dumbledore himself sought her help once," she muses, casting a pensive gaze towards the cottage.

Draco's eyes narrowed. "Don't mention him. And why on earth would they go all the way to Clodagh's Cottage on the first day of school? I know they're idiots, but I didn't expect them to be this dumb." Ginny huffs, "They're not idiots! I think George and his prank book can explain." She says, glaring at George with a look that showed it was all his fault.

George chuckles at Ginny's accusation, holding up his hands defensively. "Hey, hey, don't pin this on me! I may have made the genius idea to not wake them up on the Hogwarts Express, but I didn't force them to go gallivanting off to Clodagh's Cottage," he protests, his tone light despite the seriousness of their situation.

Draco raises an eyebrow, smirking. "You decided to not wake them up, and they got off and the depot instead? That's a rather good trick, for a Weasley."

Ginny rolls her eyes at Draco's taunt. "Save your snark for someone who cares, Malfoy," she retorts, her tone laced with sarcasm.

Draco sighs, and clears his throat awkwardly before speaking again. "Fine, fine. Let's focus on finding those two numbskulls before they get themselves into real trouble," he concedes. "But I'm Potter's real problem, not Clodagh. So the old woman better not be trying to replace me."

Hermione shoots Draco a withering look, her patience wearing thin. "Draco, this is not the time for your petty rivalries. We need to focus on finding Harry and Ron before it's too late," she states firmly, her voice brooking no argument.

Draco, for a moment, looks taken aback by Hermione's directness. "Right, right. Let's just get this over with," he mutters under his breath. "Ever so boring, Granger. You don't want to get cooked, so let's go."

The group, led by Hermione's focused determination, approached Clodagh's Cottage cautiously. The moonlight cast eerie shadows on the ancient, weathered structure. Its windows were dark, and silence enveloped the clearing like a heavy shroud. Draco couldn't shake off the feeling of foreboding that settled in his gut as they crept closer to the cottage, his steps more hesitant than usual.

Hermione gestured for them to stop a few yards away from the front door, her eyes darting around for any signs of movement. "We need to be careful. Clodagh is known to have protective enchantments around her property," she warned in a hushed tone.

Ginny, her wand at the ready, nodded in agreement. "Let's split up and search the perimeter. Keep your wands at the ready," she instructed, her voice steady despite the tension that hung in the air like a thick fog.

Draco exchanged a wary look with Luna before nodding. He steps on something. "Bloody twig, I bet." He mutters, picking it up. "Oh, it's a wand. Probably one of the numbskulls."

As Draco examined the wand in his hand, he recognized it instantly. "Potter's spare wand," he announced, chuckling. "Oh well, he won't be needing it anymore, will he." He says, further breaking it. "So I'm guessing we'll be peeking in the window like in the muggle comedies?"

Hermione shot Draco a disapproving glare, her brow furrowed in frustration. "Draco, this is not the time for jokes or petty actions. We need to focus on finding Harry and Ron," she chided, her voice firm and no-nonsense.

Draco rolled his eyes but relented, pocketing the broken wand with a smirk. "Fine, fine. Lead the way, Granger," he said with a mock bow, gesturing towards the window.

Draco peeks into the window to see Harry and Ron lying tied on a big table and wrapped in what seemed to be gigantic banana leaves, wearing what looked like a crown of rosemary. Clodagh's dog was chewing on what looked like two pants, while Clodagh seemed to be making a quilt out of their clothes. Draco's smirk widened, and took out a camera to start taking photos. "I didn't know there was an extra Christmas for me. Because these photos are worth more than 100 presents!"

Hermione snatched the camera out of Draco's hands, her expression incredulous. "Are you insane? This is no time for jokes or photographs! Harry and Ron are in serious danger," she scolded, her eyes flashing with urgency.

Draco tried to suppress a smirk, but his amusement at the absurd sight before them was evident in his eyes. "Then you lot should peek in the window and see for yourself the sight I see." He says, gesturing for all of them to look.

As Hermione and the rest peered through the window, their eyes widened in shock at the bizarre scene inside Clodagh's Cottage. Harry and Ron were indeed tied to a large table, covered in banana leaves and wearing crowns of rosemary. Clodagh's dog was happily chewing on their pants, while Clodagh herself seemed engrossed in her task of making a quilt from their clothes. The sight was so absurd and unexpected that even Hermione couldn't help but let out a gasp of disbelief.

Ginny's hand flew to her mouth to stifle a laugh, her eyes twinkling with amusement despite the seriousness of the situation. "Well, I've seen some strange things in my time, but this definitely takes the cake," she whispered in disbelief. They all watched as potato wedges fell onto the two, and it looked like a pot of warm soup was about to be poured over them like a sauce. Draco was recording the entire scene on his camera. "Lovely, innit?"

Hermione quickly regained her composure, her mind racing to come up with a plan to rescue their friends before Clodagh carried out whatever bizarre scheme she had concocted. "We can't just stand here gawking. We need to act fast before they become the main course of a wizarding feast," she said, her voice urgent and determined.

Draco, still grinning at the spectacle before them, reluctantly handed the camera back to Hermione. "Fine, fine. Let's save them before they become a Weasley-Potter casserole," he quipped, his tone light despite the gravity of their situation.

Luna, always one step ahead in her thoughts, pointed towards a side window that seemed slightly ajar. "Perhaps we can use that entrance to sneak in and untie them without alerting Clodagh," she suggested, her voice dreamy but practical.

But Draco already burst in through the door, screaming. "Clodagh! Amazing work with the two, but as unfortunate as it is they need to be let go." He then adds, smirking. "Though they do look like a good meal for you and your dog." Harry and Ron huff, unamused.

Hermione shot Draco an exasperated look, shaking her head at his lack of tact but also secretly grateful for the diversion he unintentionally caused. "Thank you for that, Draco. Now let's focus on untying them and getting out of here before things take a more sinister turn," she said, her voice carrying a sense of urgency.

Harry and Ron quickly shake their heads, their faces flushed. "No thanks, we'd like to stay tied and wear something, even if it means being wrapped in huge banana leaves." Ron stammers. "Rather be cooked than naked."

Hermione rolls her eyes. "Really?" She says, as Harry and Ron nod slightly.
"I'd rather lose a life than lose dignity, especially in front of Malfoy." Ron spat.

Draco couldn't help but chuckle at Ron's stubborn declaration, finding humor in the absurdity of the situation despite the underlying tension. "Well, well, looks like Weasley here is more concerned about his modesty than his safety," he quipped, a smirk playing on his lips as he approached the table where Harry and Ron were bound.

Hermione shot Draco a warning glance before turning her attention to Clodagh, who had paused in her quilt-making to stare at the unexpected visitors in her cottage. "Clodagh, we appreciate your... culinary skills, but I'm afraid we have to insist on releasing our friends now," she stated firmly, her tone leaving no room for argument.

Clodagh regarded them with a mixture of curiosity and amusement, her eyes twinkling mischievously. "Oh, but they make such lovely centerpieces for me feast!" she exclaimed in a sing-song voice, seemingly unfazed by the urgency in Hermione's words. "And plus, me and my dear puppy Hogwarts haven't eaten since the last Illatsyrc Anul Angam." She says, before using a spell to make her look malnourished. "I just need my meat ritual is all."

Draco raised an eyebrow at Clodagh's bizarre explanation, his curiosity piqued despite the seriousness of the situation. "Meat ritual? Are you implying that Harry and Ron are part of your... culinary tradition?" he asked, a mix of incredulity and fascination coloring his voice as he looked between Clodagh and the two captive boys.

Clodagh nods. "Clodagh and puppy always get their flesh for the Illatsyrc Anul Angam. She has for 500 years, and won't be interrupted." She sighs, then points to Ron. "You can take him, he's too hairy."

Hermione's groaned. "Clodagh, I understand your tradition, but we're still taking them," she huffed.

George thinks for a second, then says. "Accio Roast Lamb." And a roast lamb suddenly appears on the table next to Harry and Ron. Hermione blinks, then slaps herself in the face. "Of course…"

Clodagh blinks, and sniffs the new meat. "Wow… What is this?" She asks curiously. "I've never seen anything like it."

George grinned mischievously as he looked at the bewildered expression on Clodagh's face. "Oh, that? That's a special magical roast lamb, perfect for your little feast." He explained smoothly, his tone casual despite the tension in the air. "It's really rather common around Hogwarts. The school, not the dog."

Clodagh's eyes widened in delight as she leaned closer to inspect the roast lamb, her mouth watering at the tantalizing aroma emanating from it. "Oh, it smells absolutely divine! Thank you, young man. I suppose I can let these two go for now," she said with a grin, already reaching for a carving knife to slice into the succulent meat. She pauses, and says. "One time only." And undoes her quilting, putting it on a chair. Her dog puts the slobbered, destroyed pants on the floor next to the chair. She nods, and repeats. "One. Time. Only." Before glancing at them, "now shoo! Let these two boys dress up, I'll untie them myself." She says, grabbing a broom to start kicking everyone else outside.

As Clodagh shooed them out of her cottage, the group stumbled into the fresh air outside. Draco pauses. "Excuse me miss, can I help you untie them?" He says, hiding a smirk.

Clodagh eyed Draco with a mix of suspicion and curiosity, her gaze lingering on his 'refined' features and 'elegant' demeanor. She hesitated for a moment, contemplating his offer as if weighing the sincerity behind his words. After a brief pause, she nodded slowly, a small smile playing on her lips. "Aye, you may help me untie them," she warned, her tone firm but not unkind.

Draco inclined his head graciously, his gray eyes meeting Clodagh's with a sense of understanding. "Of course, and I'll behave. No funny business, I promise," he assured her, stepping closer to the table where Harry and Ron were still bound in banana leaves, smirking. "Now let's get you into your bare selves so you can get dressed."

Draco deftly began untying the banana leaves that bound Harry and Ron, his movements efficient and precise as he worked alongside Clodagh. As the last leaf fell away, revealing the two boys dressed in nothing, Harry and Ron quickly covered themselves with their hands and ran to their clothes. Clodagh meanwhile yanked Draco by his ear to the other side of the room. "Don't be cheeky, boy. Harry told me all about your rivalry and tricks while tied up."

Draco winced in pain as Clodagh firmly pulled his ear, a mix of surprise and amusement crossing his features at her boldness. "Ow, ow! Alright, point taken," he muttered under his breath, shooting Harry a sheepish look as he rubbed his ear once Clodagh released him.

Meanwhile, Hermione rushed to Harry and Ron's side, discreetly conjuring a modesty charm to ensure they were decently covered before helping them into their clothes. "Honestly, boys, you can't get into trouble for even a moment, can you?" she scolded gently, though her eyes twinkled with suppressed laughter.

Harry and Ron exchanged sheepish glances before focusing on getting dressed, grateful for the return of their garments and the end of their rather embarrassing ordeal. Hermione cast a quick Reparo spell to fix any rips, bites or tears in their clothing. Harry sighs in relief, still slightly pink and winded. "You lot didn't see anything, right? Once Draco untied us from the banana leaves?" He hesitantly asks Hermione.

Hermione chuckled softly, a knowing glint in her eyes as she reassured Harry, "Don't worry, Harry. Your modesty is safe with us." She shot a pointed look at Draco, who had returned to their side after his scolding by Clodagh. "Or will it?" He says smugly. "It's not safe in my hands, or my camera's."

Draco's teasing remark earned him a playful eye-roll from Hermione and an exasperated sigh from Harry. Ron, still red-faced from the embarrassment, shot Draco a warning glare before quickly adjusting his clothes, determined to put the awkward incident behind them.

As they gathered themselves and prepared to leave Clodagh's cottage, the atmosphere lightened slightly, the tension dissipating with each step away from that cottage.

Once they were at a safe distance, Harry turned to Draco with a small smirk, his green eyes twinkling mischievously. "You do realize, Malfoy, that if you breathe a word of what you saw back there, I won't hesitate to hex you into next week," he warned in a tone that held both seriousness and underlying humor.

Draco raised his hands in mock surrender, still smirking. "I'm fine with that, Potter. Nothing can amount to what I witnessed." He says smugly, before adding. "And if you dare hex me, I've got some blackmail recorded."

Harry's smirk faltered for a moment at Draco's mention of blackmail, a flash of concern crossing his features before he regained his composure. "You wouldn't dare," Harry retorted, though the hint of uncertainty in his voice betrayed his unease at the possibility. He couldn't deny the nagging feeling that Draco might actually follow through with his threat, given their complicated history and the mischievous spark in Draco's eyes.

Draco merely chuckled, a sly grin playing on his lips as he casually gestured to an enchanted quill tucked in his robes. "Oh, but I would, Potter." He says cryptically, gloating over the way Harry's expression shifted from amusement to wariness. "I would, horrid Potter, and with relish. You know I'm not bluffing."

Harry narrowed his eyes at Draco, a mixture of annoyance in his gaze. "You're insufferable, Malfoy," he muttered under his breath. "Always the same."

Draco's smirk widened, his silvery gaze locking with Harry's emerald eyes. "And you, Potter, are far too predictable," he quipped back, the air crackling with an unspoken challenge between them. "Predictable how idiotic you are." He growls.

Harry's jaw clenched at Draco's taunting words, a flicker of frustration crossing his features before he schooled his expression back into a mask of calm indifference. "Oh, I'm sure you find me terribly boring, Malfoy," Harry shot back coolly, the tension between them palpable. "But at least I don't go around threatening to blackmail my friends."

Draco rolled his eyes and scoffed. "Friends, Potter? Is that what we are now?" Draco's tone was laced with skepticism. "Don't make me laugh, I'm not falling for the next prank." Draco's taunting words hung in the air. Harry's jaw tensed, his green eyes flashing with a mix of frustration.

"Predictable, am I?" Harry retorted, his voice laced with a hint of defiance as he took a step closer to Draco, their faces mere inches apart. The air around them seemed charged, as if the world held its breath in anticipation of their next move.

Draco's expression remained cool and composed, a mask of indifference that barely concealed the spark of amusement in his steely gray eyes. "Oh, come on, Potter. You're practically an open book," he goaded, a smirk playing on his lips as he stood his ground, unflinching under Harry's intense gaze. "And I forgot to tell you about your missing wand that you lost, it's broken."

Harry's eyes narrowed at Draco's mention of his broken wand, a flicker of concern passing through his features before he quickly regained his composure. "You're bluffing, Malfoy. My wand is right here," Harry lied as he retorts.

Draco's smirk widened as he held up the broken pieces of Harry's wand with a smug expression. "Oops, looks like I wasn't bluffing after all, Potter," he taunted, twirling the broken wand fragments between his fingers as if savoring his victory. "Don't lie, Potter. You dropped it on the way to the cottage, and I stepped on it when rescuing you. All I can say is how lucky it was for you that it wasn't the Elder Wand."

Harry's jaw tensed in frustration, his mind racing to come up with a plan to deal with the situation at hand. He shot a pointed look at Hermione and Ron, silently urging them to stay back as he faced off against Draco.

Hermione stepped forward, her brow furrowed in concentration as she assessed the situation between Harry and Draco. "Boys, enough of this nonsense," she interjected firmly, her voice carrying a note of authority that brooked no argument. "We have more important things to worry about than broken wands and petty rivalries."

Ron nodded in agreement, his expression serious as he stepped up beside Hermione. "She's right, mates. Let's focus on finding a way to get back to Hogwarts," he added, his tone practical and determined.

Draco cleared his throat, regaining his composure, "Anyway, now that we're all decently clothed and out of immediate danger of becoming the main course for Clodagh's feast, shall we focus on our next step? Getting to Hogwarts without being caught?" He smirked, his tone was a mix of casual amusement, making clear emphasis on the 'decently clothed' bit.

Harry's gaze flickered from the broken pieces of his wand to Draco's smug expression, a wariness settling in his chest at the realization of his vulnerability without his wand. Taking a deep breath to steady himself, Harry squared his shoulders and met Draco's gaze with determination. "Fine. Let's focus on getting back to Hogwarts in one piece," Harry conceded, his voice firm despite the underlying tension between them. "Me and Ron don't have our broomsticks though…"

Draco's smirk faltered slightly at Harry's words, a flicker of understanding crossing his features before he composed himself once more. With a thoughtful expression, he contemplated their predicament, his sharp mind already working on a solution to their current dilemma.

"Right," Draco began, his tone serious as he scanned their surroundings, searching for any sign of a possible way to travel back to Hogwarts. "It seems we'll have to rely on more traditional means of transportation this time." His gaze settled on the dense forest that surrounded Clodagh's cottage, a glint of determination in his eyes.

As Hermione and Ron exchanged worried glances, unsure of Draco's plan, Harry stepped forward, his trust in Draco growing with each passing moment. "What are you thinking, Malfoy?" Harry inquired, his voice tinged with curiosity and a hint of hope.

Draco's lips quirked into a confident smile as he gestured towards the edge of the forest. "Walking. It's only a 6 hour walk."
George blurts. "6 hours?! If Filch catches us not at Hogwarts, or arriving after hours, we could get points taken from the cup, detention, expelled!" Hermione nods, and Luna simply starts to walk ahead.
Draco rolls his eyes. "Nothing that a time slowing spell, or a hour reversal charm, could fix."

The group exchanged uncertain glances, weighing the risks and benefits of Draco's proposal. Hermione spoke up, her voice tinged with caution. "Are you sure about this, Draco? It's a long walk, and we don't know what dangers may lie ahead," she pointed out, her logical mind already assessing the potential obstacles they might face in their journey back to Hogwarts.

Draco nodded confidently, his expression unwavering. "I understand the risks, Granger. But considering our current situation, walking might be our best option to avoid unwanted attention," he explained, his tone carrying a note of assurance that belied the uncertainty lingering in the air.

Ron scratched his head, looking torn between reluctance and resignation. "Well, if it's our best shot at getting back," he conceded, his words reflecting the practicality of their predicament.
Draco nods, and glances at Hermione. "Granger, you're the 'genius' here. What spell works to slow time down for everything except all of us?"

Hermione, always ready with a solution, furrowed her brow in thought, mentally sifting through the vast knowledge of spells she had accumulated over the years at Hogwarts. After a moment of contemplation, she nodded decisively.

"I think a modified version of the Arresto Momentum spell should do the trick," Hermione replied, her voice confident as she explained the intricacies of the spell to the group. "If we change it a bit, it should hopefully slow down time for everything except us, allowing us to cover more ground without attracting attention."

Draco's nods, chuckling. "Impressive, Granger. Now hurry up." He says impatiently.

With a collective nod of agreement, Hermione began to instruct the group on the modified incantation and precise wand movements required for the spell. Each of them focused intently, channeling their magical energy into the spell as they aimed to manipulate time in their favor.

As the incantation left Hermione's lips, a shimmering wave of energy enveloped them, creating a temporal bubble that distorted the world around them. The trees swayed in slow motion, birds froze mid-flight, and the air itself seemed to thicken with the effects of their magic. "The alteration made everything go at 25% of it's original speed. It'll seem to take us 6 hours to walk there, but it'll actually be only an hour and a half."

The group stepped forward tentatively, testing the altered flow of time as they took their first deliberate steps into the forest. The ground beneath their feet felt solid and reassuring, the rustle of leaves and the distant call of wildlife stretched out into elongated echoes in the slowed time. After what seemed to be 2 hours later, Ron yawned, bored. "Are we nearly there yet?" He yawns.
Hermione rolls her eyes, "we still have 4 hours left. In regular speed time we've only walked for a half hour!" Draco pauses at that. "A half hour?! A bloody half hour?!" He exclaims, stopping.
Harry's eyebrows furrow in concentration, his lips moving silently as he checks his watch. Ron's face is stretched into a lazy yawn, his eyes half-closed with boredom. Hermione's gaze is focused, her brow creased in determination.

Harry chuckles slightly. "It's only 6:00 at night. The curfew for Hogwarts ends at ten." He says simply, before thinking. "Which means for us that we have 5 hours to get there. We have 4 hours left to walk, so we best be getting a move on." He says, rubbing his legs.

Ron let out a low, annoyed groan. His voice was tinged with frustration as he pleaded, "Can't Hermione just cast the spell twice? Maybe the effects would be doubled and slower, giving us a 10 hour limit."

Hermione furrows her brow in thought, considering Ron's suggestion. "I suppose it could work," she says slowly, "but the more we manipulate time, the more unstable it becomes. We don't want to risk any unforeseen consequences."

Ron groans. "Please Hermione, it's a simple little spell. Just do it and it'll be easier for all 6 of us."

Hermione hesitated, weighing the risks of overextending their manipulation of time against the benefits of a longer duration to reach Hogwarts. She glanced at each of her companions in turn, noting the weariness in their eyes and the tension that gripped them all as they ventured deeper into the enchanted forest.

After a moment of contemplation, Hermione nodded decisively. "Alright, I will attempt to cast the spell again," she relented, her voice firm with determination. With practiced precision, she began to recite the incantation once more, her wand movements deliberate and controlled.

As the modified Arresto Momentum spell took effect a second time, a surge of magical energy pulsed through the group, distorting time even further around them. The world seemed to slow to a crawl, stretching seconds into minutes and minutes into what felt like hours. The air grew thick with anticipation as they forged ahead at a pace that belied the altered flow of time.

Harry checks his watch. "We have 10 hours until 10:00PM for us now."

Draco smirked as he felt the effects of the modified spell slowing down time around them. With a self-satisfied nod, he gestured for the group to continue their journey through the forest, now with a more generous timeframe to reach Hogwarts without running into trouble.

The enchanted surroundings seemed to take on a surreal quality as they moved forward, the trees swaying in exaggerated motions and the sounds of the forest stretching out into eerie echoes. Despite the oddity of their situation, there was a sense of unity among the group, each of them focused on the task at hand and trusting in Hermione's magical expertise to guide them safely back to Hogwarts.

The forest now held an otherworldly beauty, with every leaf and branch outlined in a shimmering glow that hinted at the magic weaving through the air.

After a long time of walking, they took a break at a clearing. Harry looks around. "We've walked for 4 hours, and in real life it's only been a half hour I think." He sighs, "If my clock is working right, it should be 6:30."

Ron shrugs, sitting down and gathering twigs to start a fire. George also starts to settle when Hermione looks at the both of them. "What on earth are you two doing? We're not staying the night, we have to continue!"

Draco leaned against a tree, his eyes scanning their surroundings warily as he processed Hermione's words. "She's right, you two. We can't afford to linger here," he chimed in, his voice laced with urgency. Despite the slowed passage of time around them, there was an unspoken tension in the air, a reminder that their mission to return to Hogwarts was far from over.

Harry rose to his feet, the gravity of their situation weighing heavily on his young shoulders. "We need to keep moving. Every minute we spend here is a minute closer to getting caught," he stated firmly, his green eyes reflecting the flickering light of the fire Ron had started.

Ron was opening a little can of beans that he had when they said that, and then groaned. "It may seem only an hour in the real world, but we've been walking almost endlessly for 4!"

Hermione's gaze hardened as she watched Ron open the can of beans, a mix of exasperation and determination in her eyes. "Ron, as much as I appreciate your snack, we really need to prioritize getting back to Hogwarts before curfew," she chided, her voice tinged with urgency.

Draco, who had been keeping a lookout while the others rested, suddenly straightened up, his eyes scanning the area around them. "We're wasting time here. Let's move," he urged, a sense of urgency in his tone that spurred the group into action.

With a collective sigh and a few hurried bites of Ron's beans, they doused the fire and pushed forward once more into the forest. The effects of Hermione's modified spell still held strong, distorting time around them and giving them a deceptive sense of leisure even as they hurried along their path.

2 hours later, they arrived at Hogwarts. Harry sighed in relief. "Just in time for the sorting ceremony of the new first years!"

The familiar sight of Hogwarts Castle emerged from the dense foliage of the enchanted forest, its towering turrets and glowing windows a beacon of safety and familiarity for the weary group. As they approached the castle gates, the echoes of excitement and anticipation for the sorting ceremony reached their ears, mingling with the rustling leaves and distant calls of magical creatures.

Ron's face broke into a tired but satisfied grin as he beheld the castle before them. "I can almost taste the feast," he joked, though there was a note of genuine hunger in his voice. Hermione chuckles, and stops the time spell, everything quickly going back to normal speed.

Draco glances at them all. "Well we've made it. I don't have to walk with you pitiful lot anymore. So long, Weasleys, Granger, Lovegood and Potter." He sneers. "I still have my blackmail, Potter. One day I'll use it." And with that, he dashes to the Slytherin Table.

Draco's departure was met with mixed emotions from the group. Harry's jaw clenched at the mention of the blackmail, his green eyes narrowing as he watched the Slytherin disappear into the Great Hall. Ron shook his head, a frown creasing his brow at Draco's parting words.

Hermione sighed, and glanced with Harry and Ron. "We'll deal with him when the time comes. Right now, let's focus on settling back into Hogwarts and enjoying the start of the new school year," she said, before shrugging.

As they made their way into the castle, the warm glow of torchlight and the buzz of conversation enveloped them, washing away the tension of their journey through the enchanted forest. The Great Hall was alive with color and energy as students gathered for the sorting ceremony, their faces alight with excitement and curiosity.

They all took their seats at the Gryffindor table, as the new line of first years approached the Sorting Hat.

And that's a wrap for this chapter, thanks for reading it! ~ Writer Potter

P.S. I love comments! Make sure to!