Grubbly-Plank said the Forbidden Forest was dangerous, but Pomona had not taken it seriously at first. Only after coming out and seeing the Moon in the sky and the Mooncalves roaming about did she realize it was nearly the Full Moon again.
"Where are you taking Ben tomorrow?" Severus asked.
"To London," Pomona said nervously, glancing up at the Moon again.
"Don't worry. They won't dare come," Severus said after looking at the Moon as well. "They aren't real wolves, and besides, the Blackbacks have all been caught."
"Let's get back quickly," Pomona said uneasily.
Yet he did not seem anxious in the slightest, strolling leisurely through the Forbidden Forest.
Pomona caught the scent of musk mallow. Perhaps the Centaurs were performing Divination again.
"I'll take you somewhere," Severus said.
"Oh, no," she said anxiously. "I want to get back to the castle early."
But he ignored her completely and headed straight down another fork in the path.
She looked around and realized she was the only one in the Forbidden Forest.
"Wait for me!" she said in a lowered voice, hurrying after him.
Moonlight filtered through the gaps between the leaves, scattering mottled patches of light and shadow along the path. She watched his back, her heart pounding.
In The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, Dorothy travelled to the Emerald City with the heartless Tin Man, the brainless Scarecrow, and the cowardly lion. None of them were especially formidable companions.
Yet they helped and encouraged one another, even stepping forward for each other. If life was a journey, and family, friends, and lovers were all travelling companions, how was one supposed to choose the best companion?
Amid the intense fragrance was a faint trace of sage. She felt both inexplicably frightened and strangely reassured, and the sensation was driving her