Choices: Part 1

Chapter 6

The screaming and fighting stops, but I am too afraid to open my eyes. It isn't until I hear the sound of birds chirping and I smell dirt when I decide to finally open them. We are in the forest I saw in the archway.

"Oh thank fucking God!" I bend over, my hands on my knees, to catch my breath.

"Are you alright?" Professor Fig asks. I hold a finger up for him to give me a minute. Panic still flutters in my chest and I can't seem to wrap my head around that I just almost escaped death.

"I – will – be – once I – catch – my breath." I say as I continue to gulp down cold air.

After a few moments, I finally feel calm enough to observe my surroundings. It is nighttime now; the forest feels peaceful with just the sounds of wildlife around us and a few fireflies floating nearby. As I go over what just happened in my head, I realize something.

"Sir," I say, "The red glow from Ranrok's magic – it is the same glow I saw on the other goblins' armbands and the collar the dragon was wearing."

"It must be some form of ancient magic. But you say it was red?" Professor Fig asks. I nod. He starts to pace, thinking deeply.

"This needs to be reported to the Ministry right away." He finally says.

"You don't mean –"

"I will not reveal the memories or the fact you can see ancient magic." Professor Fig quickly states. "But they need to know about Ranrok. I will figure out how to explain it, but for now we need to get you to Hogwarts."

"But how did Ranrok find us?" I ask.

"I am not sure. But it is safe to assume, now, that Ranrok sent that dragon." Professor Fig states.

We begin to walk as Professor Fig tries to figure out where we are. After a few minutes, he stops.

"I don't believe it." Professor Fig says, astonished. "We're near Hogwarts."

"Really?" I ask. Professor Fig nods and motions for me to follow him.

"Hurry! We got a Sorting Ceremony to get to." He says.

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After just escaping death and trekking through the woods for a half an hour, I am exhausted. My mind continues to race as the memories from the Pensieve replay in my head. Who were those people? And what was the she they were talking about? Did Rookwood end up murdering a child? Professor Fig and I go back and forth what all of it could possibly mean, but no answers come forth. Professor Fig suggests researching about Charles Rookwood to see if maybe that will reveal some leads. Until then, we will have to put the matter to the side for now.

We reach the tree line finally and I am excited to finally see the school I have heard so much about. We walk out of the forest and I gasp at the sight before me. Exhaustion completely forgotten, I marvel at the huge castle that sits on top of a mountain. It is the biggest castle I have ever seen with many turrets and towers. Glass window twinkle in the night and a huge black lake sits beside it. Lush green grounds surround it and I see a huge stadium not too off from the castle, a little way down the mountain it sits on. Three, tall golden hoops stand at each end of the stadium. I can only guess this is where they play Quidditch.

We walk brisky up the hill and soon we enter through the massive front doors. I feel like I just step back to medieval times as we enter the entrance hall. Everything is made out of stone; a huge staircase sits to our right and another set of massive doors stands before us. To our left are four massive glass hourglasses, each representing one of the houses. They are currently empty, but Professor Fig quickly mentions they fill up as points are given to each house. I can hear loud chatter coming from the other side of the doors in front of us. Professor Fig peeks in the doors and waves his hand at someone inside.