The Hogwarts grounds had embraced the arrival of autumn, and with each passing day, the air grew crisper and the trees transformed into a breathtaking tapestry of orange and gold. Within the castle walls, a palpable excitement coursed through the student body in anticipation of the upcoming Halloween feast.
The house elves had conjured a mesmerizing spectacle of floating pumpkins that adorned the castle, suspended mid-air like lanterns. The soft glow emanating from these pumpkins bathed the corridors in a warm, flickering light. Amidst the display, the ghosts whirled around, playing and dancing, their translucent forms draped in flowing gowns.
The students bustled through the corridors, their excitement reverberating with every step. In the Slytherin common room, most students sought to unwind before the evening's festivities. Many had gathered in clusters, seated comfortably in plush armchairs or sprawled out on rich green sofas, exchanging tales of eerie mysteries and scary stories that sent shivers down their spines. The dim glow of enchanted sconces cast flickering shadows, enhancing the spooky atmosphere.
Penelope and Sebastian, too, found themselves drawn to the storytelling sessions. They settled into a cozy corner of the common room, the glow of the common room's fireplace dancing across their faces as they listened to the other Slytherins' tales of the supernatural and the unexplained.
One boy, his eyes glinting mischievously in the dim glow of the Slytherin common room, began to spin a tale that sent shivers down the spines of those huddled around him. He told a story of an ancient, forgotten chamber deep within Hogwarts, housing a serpent-like monster with a sinister purpose—to kill all Muggle-born students, echoing the ideologies of Salazar Slytherin himself.
Other Slytherins chimed in with their own tales, each more chilling than the last. One student spoke of a cursed artifact hidden within the castle walls, bringing doom to those who stumbled upon it. Another told a story featuring a mysterious vampire dwelling in the mountains near the castle, who sought unsuspecting victims to sate its insatiable thirst for blood.
Penelope laughed at the final tale, dismissing the notion of a vampire dwelling in the mountains; if such a creature existed, she would have encountered it by now. As the clock ticked closer to the Halloween feast, the Slytherin common room gradually emptied. The lingering whispers of the unsettling tales seemingly accompanied the students as they dispersed.
"Do you fancy a pumpkin pastie?" Sebastian asked as Penelope grabbed a book from the table, her eyes tracing the cover.
"Yes, thank you," she replied.
She hadn't done anything to show him her interest yet. As she contemplated the way she would go about it, Ominis approached them with an unusual smile, hiding something no doubt.
"You two! I have a proposition for you."
Penelope and Sebastian exchanged a knowing look.
"What is it?"
"There's a rumour circulating about something hidden deep inside the Forbidden Forest. It's probably not real, but I want to be sure. I was thinking you could come with me."
"Adventurous now, are we?" Sebastian teased.
"I'm in," Penelope smiled. "It could be fun, especially since it's Halloween."
"Exactly what I was thinking," Ominis smiled at her.
"Alright, I'll join the party. But what are we even looking for anyway?" Sebastian asked.
"The Stardust Gem. Ever heard of it?" The two shook their heads. "It's rumored to capture the essence of falling stars, enhancing spells and enchantments. Stories say it's tucked away in a grove where celestial mushrooms bloom."
YOU ARE READING
The Renegades
FanfictionEveryone says Sebastian Sallow is going down a dark path, but so is the current hero of Hogwarts, Penelope Greengrass. "How lonely, to wait for centuries for a gifted child to find you. How tragic for that child to be her." New chapter every Friday!
