chapter 15
The Hogsmead Field Trip (Last Part)
As the others peeled off, Lan Xichen, Lan Wangji, Jiang Cheng, and Wei Wuxian pressed on, their footsteps echoing through the maze. The air grew thick with tension as they pushed themselves to run faster, each lost in their own thoughts about what could have happened to their friend.
After several twists and turns that left them dizzy and disoriented, they finally caught sight of Qing Yi again. His silver hair gleamed in the strange, shifting light of the maze, his movements unnaturally fluid and quick.
Lan Xichen, his heart pounding, raised his wand. "Impedimenta!" he cast, aiming to slow Qing Yi's movements. The spell shot forward, a streak of blue light in the green maze.
Qing Yi, seemingly sensing the spell, twisted in mid-step with inhuman speed. The spell grazed his sleeve, causing him to stumble slightly, but he quickly regained his balance. However, in that brief moment of imbalance, his foot caught on a root, and he fell to the ground.
Wei Wuxian, seizing the opportunity, rushed forward, his face a mask of determination. "Stupefy!" he yelled, his wand aimed squarely at Qing Yi.
But even on the ground, Qing Yi's reflexes were astonishing. He rolled away with lightning speed, the red bolt of the Stunning Spell hitting the spot where he had been just a split second before. In one fluid motion, he sprang to his feet, his casual clothes slightly disheveled from the fall but doing nothing to hinder his agility.
Wei Wuxian couldn't help but grin despite the situation, a mix of admiration and frustration in his voice. "Merlin's beard, he's gotten even quicker since our last Defense Against the Dark Arts duel"
Suddenly, Jiang Cheng appeared from another path, his face set in grim determination. "Stupefy!" he yelled, his wand hand steady despite his heaving chest.
But once again, Qing Yi's reflexes proved superhuman. He ducked, the spell whistling over his head, and in the same motion, crawled swiftly around another corner, disappearing from sight.
The chase continued, each near-miss adding to the group's frustration and worry. Lan Wangji, usually so composed, showed signs of strain, his brow furrowed in concentration as he tried to predict Qing Yi's movements.
As Jiang Cheng rounded another corner, he saw Qing Yi run straight into Lan Wangji, who reacted instantly, his voice calm but firm. "Expelliarmus!"
The spell caught Qing Yi off guard. His wand flew from his hand, clattering to the ground several feet away. For a moment, a flicker of something - fear? confusion? - passed over Qing Yi's face, so quickly it might have been imagined.
Panic flashed across Qing Yi's features as he spun around, only to find Lan Xichen blocking his path. The brothers had him cornered, but the vacant look in Qing Yi's eyes showed no recognition, only a primal urge to escape.
"I'm so sorry, Qing Yi," Lan Xichen said softly, his voice heavy with regret as he raised his wand. The pain in his eyes was evident. "Petrificus Totalus!"
But even cornered and wandless, Qing Yi's reflexes were extraordinary. He dropped to the ground, the spell sailing over him and nearly hitting Lan Wangji, who ducked just in time, his eyes widening in surprise at the near miss.
What happened next left them all stunned. As Qing Yi sat up, a whirlwind erupted from his body, leaves from the hedges swirling violently around Lan Xichen and Lan Wangji, momentarily blinding them.
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng, approaching from another corner, stopped short at the sight, their jaws dropping in disbelief.
"What in Merlin's name?" Jiang Cheng exclaimed, his voice barely audible over the roaring wind. "How's he doing magic without his wand?"
Wei Wuxian shook his head, equally baffled. "I don't know, but it's bloody impressive! And terrifying. Mostly terrifying."
Oblivious to their presence, Qing Yi slowly got to his feet, moving towards his fallen wand. His movements were deliberate, almost mechanical, his eyes fixed on the prize.
It was at that moment that Wei Wuxian saw his chance. His eyes narrowed, a reckless plan forming in his mind.
With a running leap that would have made Madam Hooch proud, Wei Wuxian tackled Qing Yi to the ground, wrapping his arms tightly around him. The impact knocked the breath out of both of them, and they tumbled across the maze floor in a tangle of limbs.
The whirlwind ceased instantly, leaves fluttering to the ground around them.
"Quickly!" Wei Wuxian yelled as Qing Yi squirmed in his grasp, fighting with surprising strength. "Someone stun him before he turns me into a human kite!"
Jiang Cheng rushed forward, wand outstretched, but his hand was shaking. The pressure of the moment and the fear of hitting his friend clearly affecting his aim.
Wei Wuxian eyed the trembling wand nervously, still struggling to hold onto Qing Yi. "Uh, careful not to stun me too, Jiang Cheng! I quite like being conscious!"
"No promises!" Jiang Cheng retorted, his face a picture of concentration mixed with panic. "Stop wriggling, both of you!"
Before he could cast the spell, however, Lan Wangji stepped forward calmly. His face was as impassive as ever, but there was a glint of determination in his eyes. "Stupefy," he said, his aim true and steady.
The red light hit Qing Yi squarely in the chest, and he went limp in Wei Wuxian's arms.
Jiang Cheng let out a relieved sigh, lowering his wand. "Thank Merlin for Lan Wangji's aim. I was about two seconds away from stunning the entire maze, just to be safe."
Lan Xichen knelt beside the unconscious Qing Yi, concern etched on his face. His hand hovered over Qing Yi's forehead, as if checking for a fever. "I hope he's alright. Whatever enchantment he's under, it's powerful."
"Yeah, I'm fine too, thanks for asking," Wei Wuxian quipped from his position on the ground, still tangled with Qing Yi. "Just a few bruises and possibly a cracked rib or two. Nothing major."
A small smile tugged at Lan Xichen's lips, relief evident in his eyes. "Thank you for tackling him, Wei Ying. Without your quick thinking, we might have been chasing him until the next Blood Moon."
Jiang Cheng threw his hands up in exasperation, his voice a mix of relief and lingering frustration. "Can we please get out of this blasted maze now? I've had enough 'fun' to last me until graduation!"
Lan Xichen chuckled softly as he gently lifted Qing Yi into his arms, cradling him with care. "Agreed. Let's go meet the others and figure out what's happened to Qing Yi."
They made their way to the center of the maze, their pace much slower now, each lost in thought about the events that had just transpired. When they arrived, they found their friends waiting anxiously, their faces lighting up with relief at the sight of them.
Just as they regrouped, a soft whoosh echoed through the clearing. Suddenly, a large, carved pumpkin head floated in front of them, grinning eerily as it bobbed in the air. The mouth opened wide, and a booming voice spoke:
"Congratulations, brave adventurers! You’ve made it to the heart of the Marauder's Maze!” The cheerful voice echoed through the air, brimming with enthusiasm.
“I am Gilderoy Glanville, Chair of the Hogsmeade Event Committee, and on behalf of our delightful village, allow me to extend my heartfelt congratulations on surviving and conquering this year's challenges! Not many have the wits and courage to make it through unscathed—though I imagine there were a few close calls, eh?"
Wei Wuxian snickered, glancing over at Jiang Cheng with a smirk. “Close calls? More like near-death experiences,” he muttered, giving Jiang Cheng a playful elbow. Jiang Cheng shot him a sideways look, but couldn’t help a small smile, nodding slightly in agreement.
The pumpkin winked, causing a few chuckles to ripple through the group.
"Now, as promised, your hard-earned rewards await you!" Glanville’s voice gestured toward the pedestal, where the shimmering prizes sat gleaming in the moonlight.
"Take home a vial of Felix Felicis for a bit of extra luck, two boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans—the rare collector’s edition, of course—and a very special enchanted cloak. Trust me, it’s more than just a fashion statement."
He lowered his voice as if letting them in on a secret, “And to top it all off, you've earned bragging rights until the next Halloween event!”
The students grinned at each other as Glanville gave a deep, theatrical bow. “Now, do have a wonderful and safe Halloween holiday! Stay out of trouble—well, at least as much as you can. Hogsmeade and Hogwarts wouldn’t be the same without a bit of mischief, would it?”
The pumpkin head gave one final wink before it spun and vanished into a burst of glittering, orange sparks.
In the middle of the clearing stood a pedestal with several items: a small vial of golden liquid - Felix Felicis, or Liquid Luck - along with two boxes of Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans (Collector's Edition), and a shimmering cloak that seemed to shift colors in the light.
"Is that... a Chameleon Cloak?" Wei Wuxian gasped, his eyes wide with excitement despite his exhaustion.
Lan Wangji nodded, a hint of admiration in his voice. "Rare and valuable. It allows the wearer to blend in with any background."
As they collected their hard-earned prizes, a door materialized in one of the hedge walls, leading out of the maze. The group let out a collective sigh of relief at the sight.
Wei Wuxian grinned as they stepped through, the Hogsmeade street coming into view. "Well, that was one Halloween adventure I won't forget anytime soon. Though I think I've had my fill of hedges for a lifetime."
Lan Wangji fell into step beside his brother, his eyes darting between Lan Xichen's face and the unconscious Qing Yi in his arms. His brow furrowed slightly, a rare display of open concern.
"Brother," he began, his voice low and thoughtful, "can someone as young as Qing Yi perform magic without a wand? That whirlwind... it was unlike anything I've seen before."
Wei Wuxian and Jiang Cheng quickened their pace to join the conversation, their faces a mix of excitement and worry. "I was just about to bring that up," Wei Wuxian chimed in, gesturing between himself and Jiang Cheng. "It caught us both completely off guard."
Lan Xichen nodded, his arms tightening almost imperceptibly around Qing Yi's still form. "It surprised me as well," he admitted, his voice tinged with a mix of awe and concern. "And his reflexes... they seemed heightened beyond normal human capabilities. The way he dodged our spells, his speed... it was almost inhuman. I don't believe a mere enchantment could enhance a wizard's abilities to that extent."
"His attack spells were spot on too," Wei Wuxian added, rubbing his arm where a near-miss had singed his sleeve. "If it weren't for the hedges providing cover, I reckon he'd have hit all of us in the open. Kid's got aim like a seasoned duelist."
They all nodded solemnly, the weight of the situation settling over them. Lan Xichen's gaze lingered on Qing Yi, his thoughts shifting to the nature of the power they'd just witnessed. Something about it felt… wrong. Enchantments were common enough, but this—this was beyond even the most potent spells they’d encountered at Hogwarts. He couldn’t shake the feeling that there was something deeper at play.
"I wonder..." Lan Xichen murmured, his voice trailing off as they approached the main street where the parade was set to begin.
The sky over Hogsmeade had turned completely dark, stars twinkling above. As they reunited with their schoolmates, the excited chatter of students filled the air, a stark contrast to the group's somber mood. Lanterns and magical lights flickered to life along the main street, casting a warm glow over the gathering crowd eagerly awaiting the start of the Fall Festival parade.
Jiang Yanli looked over at Lan Xichen and the still-unconscious Qing Yi. "How is he?" she asked, her voice laced with concern.
Lan Xichen managed a reassuring smile. "He's stable, but still out. I'm going to take him back to the carriage while you all watch the parade."
"Will you come back for the parade?" Jiang Yanli asked, her eyes searching Lan Xichen's face.
He hesitated for a moment. "Perhaps. Once I've made sure Qing Yi is secure, I'll try to return."
As Lan Xichen made his way to the school carriage, he could feel Qing Yi's steady breathing against his chest. The slight weight in his arms was a constant reminder of the bizarre events in the maze. He climbed into the carriage, the familiar leather seats a welcome sight after their ordeal.
For a moment, Lan Xichen considered laying Qing Yi down on the long seat and returning to the parade. But as he looked at Qing Yi's peaceful face, memories of his terrified scream echoing through the maze flooded back. The thought of leaving him alone, vulnerable and possibly still under some unknown enchantment, made Lan Xichen's chest tighten with worry.
With a soft sigh, Lan Xichen settled onto the seat, carefully cradling Qing Yi in his arms. Despite the warmth from the carriage's magical fireplace, the chill of the autumn night seemed to seep through the windows. Lan Xichen instinctively tightened his hold on Qing Yi, partly to keep him warm, but also out of a protective instinct he couldn't quite explain. His hand hovered uncertainly for a moment before gently brushing a strand of silver hair from Qing Yi's forehead.
"What happened to you in there?" he whispered, his voice barely audible even in the quiet carriage. "What are you seeing that the rest of us can't?"
As the distant sounds of the parade began, Lan Xichen found himself content to stay where he was, a silent guardian over his sleeping friend. The mysteries surrounding Qing Yi could wait. For now, ensuring his safety and comfort was all that mattered.
The carriage rocked gently in the autumn breeze, and Lan Xichen allowed himself to relax slightly, his hand absently stroking Qing Yi's hair. Whatever challenges lay ahead, they would face them together. For now, in this quiet moment, all was peaceful.
In the depths of his unconscious mind, Qing Yi found himself trapped in a nightmarish landscape. The air was thick with a cloying, oppressive darkness that seemed to cling to his skin. He was caged, surrounded by a forest of dead trees, their branches reaching out like gnarled fingers. The grass beneath his feet was withered and grey, crunching softly with each terrified shift of his weight.
Before him stood an enormous tree, pulsing with an unnatural, blinding light that cut through the oppressive darkness. Its radiance was both beautiful and terrifying, drawing Qing Yi's gaze even as every instinct screamed at him to look away.
Shadowy figures, reminiscent of the one he'd encountered in the maze, prowled around the tree. Their movements were jerky and unnatural, sending shivers down Qing Yi's spine. They called out names in guttural voices that seemed to echo from everywhere and nowhere at once.
To his horror, Qing Yi saw children - no older than five or six - being dragged towards the glowing tree. Their small faces were contorted with fear, eyes wide and pleading. Qing Yi's heart raced, his breath coming in short, panicked gasps as he watched the scene unfold.
Suddenly, the world shifted. He was no longer an observer but a participant. His body had shrunk, returning to its six-year-old form. The change was disorienting, leaving him feeling even more vulnerable and afraid. Panic gripped him as unseen hands began to pull him from the cage, their touch cold and unyielding.
"Let me go!" he cried out, his voice high and terrified. "Please, let me go!" His small hands grasped at anything they could reach, desperate for something to hold onto, to anchor him against the inexorable pull towards the tree.
He watched helplessly as other children were thrown into the tree, their screams cutting off abruptly as they disappeared into the blinding light. Moments later, their desiccated husks were ejected, all life drained from them. Qing Yi's mind reeled at the sight, unable to fully comprehend the horror before him, yet understanding on a primal level the fate that awaited him.
A dark figure turned its featureless face towards Qing Yi, its voice a bone-chilling rasp that seemed to freeze the very air around them. "It's your turn now, boy."
Terror overwhelmed him, a fear so profound it felt like a physical force crushing his chest. Qing Yi screamed, the sound tearing from his throat with a desperation born of absolute terror.
In the waking world, Lan Xichen was jolted from his thoughts by Qing Yi's sudden thrashing. The younger boy's face was contorted in fear, his body shaking violently against Lan Xichen's chest. Sweat beaded on Qing Yi's forehead, his hair plastered to his skin.
"Qing Yi!" Lan Xichen called out, tightening his embrace. His heart raced with concern, feeling utterly helpless in the face of whatever terror gripped the boy in his arms. "Qing Yi, wake up!"
Qing Yi's eyes flew open, unfocused and wild. For a moment, he continued to struggle, caught between the nightmare and reality. Sweat beaded on his forehead as he struggled to orient himself, his breath coming in sharp, panicked gasps.
Slowly, Lan Xichen's worried face came into focus. Qing Yi saw the older boy's brown eyes wide with concern, brows knitted together in a rare display of open emotion. The familiar sight began to anchor Qing Yi, pulling him fully into the waking world.
"It's okay," Lan Xichen soothed, his voice soft but steady. He fought to keep his own worry from showing, focusing instead on providing comfort. "You're fine. You’re safe now."
Still trembling, Qing Yi pressed his face against Lan Xichen's chest, seeking comfort in the warmth and solidity of the older boy. He hadn't yet fully registered whose arms he was in, too preoccupied with the vivid images from his nightmare that still seemed to dance at the edges of his vision.
Lan Xichen gently stroked Qing Yi's hair, his touch meant to calm and reassure. He could feel the rapid beat of Qing Yi's heart, the tremors that still ran through his small frame. "Did you have a bad dream?" he asked softly, his voice a soothing murmur. "You were calling out in your sleep..."
Qing Yi's hands came up to cover his face, as if trying to physically push away the lingering terror. When he spoke, his voice was shaky and small, muffled by his palms. "I... I saw... a tree..."
"A tree?" Lan Xichen prompted gently, encouraging Qing Yi to continue. Despite his concern, a part of him was intrigued. He listened attentively, hoping to understand what had frightened Qing Yi so deeply.
Qing Yi nodded, his words coming in broken fragments as he struggled to articulate the horrors he had witnessed.
"A big tree... shining with bright light... in the middle of a dark forest..." He paused, his small body shuddering with each breath. "There were dark figures... they were tossing the children into the tree... like they were offering them to it. And then I saw... dead bodies. The kids...they were...were inside some cages and I... I was among them, I think."
He squeezed his eyes shut, his whole body trembling as he whispered, "The screams... there were so many screams. It was everywhere... I didn't know what to do. I... I don't understand..."
His voice broke, his breath coming in shallow gasps as the memory of the screaming children overwhelmed him. "I don't know what it was, but that's the same dream I keep having... over and over."
Lan Xichen listened intently, his concern growing with each word. The dream seemed far too vivid, too consistent to be a simple nightmare. As Qing Yi trailed off, Lan Xichen tightened his embrace, offering silent support and protection against the terrors that haunted the young boy's sleep.
"Shh, it's okay, Qing Yi. It's alright," Lan Xichen murmured softly, his voice gentle and soothing. "It's just a dream. You're safe now."
His mind raced, trying to make sense of what he'd heard. The tree, the children, the dark figures - it all seemed too specific, too detailed to be a product of mere imagination. But what could it mean? And why was Qing Yi, of all people, experiencing these visions?
A nagging feeling tugged at the edges of Lan Xichen's memory. There was something familiar about these dream elements, something he'd heard of long ago. A tree in a dark forest, children in danger... Where had he encountered this before? It wasn't from a book or a lesson - the details were too grim, too real for that.
Lan Xichen furrowed his brow, concentrating hard. It was like trying to grasp at smoke, the memory just out of reach. He'd been young when he'd heard about it, he was sure of that. Not from his schoolmates, but from adults... adults speaking in hushed, worried tones.
Suddenly, a chill ran down Lan Xichen's spine as fragments of long-buried memories resurfaced. Seven years ago, a horrific case of child abductions by dark wizards had shaken the wizarding world. He and Wangji had been targets too, saved only by their grandmother's prowess as an Auror. Though he had been too young to remember much at the time, and the adults' whispers were vague, the incident had sparked his curiosity. As he grew older, Lan Xichen had looked into the case himself, driven by a desire to understand what had happened.
The magical explosion that had led to the children's rescue... Lan Xichen had heard about it countless times, and later learned about it through his own research. A brilliant beam of light had shot into the sky, drawing Aurors and authorities to the site where they captured the dark wizards and rescued the children. But the source of that explosion remained a mystery. The event had been documented and plastered all over the news, yet the Aurors claimed they didn't know where the forces came from, as the beam had vanished by the time they arrived.
Now, listening to Qing Yi's dream, Lan Xichen began to doubt the official story. His brow furrowed as a troubling thought occurred to him: Perhaps the Aurors knew more about the source of that explosion than they had revealed to the public. The similarities between Qing Yi's dream and the details he'd uncovered in his own investigations were too striking to ignore.
Lan Xichen's eyes studied Qing Yi's face intently, searching for any sign that might confirm his growing suspicions.
"Qing Yi," he began carefully, his voice gentle but laced with an undercurrent of urgency, "in your dream, do you see yourself as one of the children?"
Qing Yi nodded slowly, his emerald eyes distant as he recalled the nightmare. "It's... it's like I'm seeing everything through my own eyes. Like I'm really there." His voice trembled slightly, and Lan Xichen instinctively tightened his embrace, offering silent comfort.
The implication hit Lan Xichen like a bolt of lightning. Could Qing Yi have been one of those kidnapped children? It would explain his ability to see Thestrals - he had witnessed death firsthand.
The thought made Lan Xichen's heart ache for the young boy in his arms. He took a deep breath, trying to maintain his composure. "How long have you been having these dreams?"
"For as long as I can remember," Qing Yi replied softly, his brow furrowed in concentration. "I don't know why. I've never seen any scary movies or read horror stories that could have triggered this."
He looked up at Lan Xichen, confusion and a hint of fear in his eyes. "Is that... is that strange?"
Lan Xichen hesitated, not wanting to alarm Qing Yi further. "Dreams can be mysterious things," he said carefully, offering a reassuring smile. "But we'll figure it out together, okay?"
As Qing Yi nodded, his awareness of his surroundings slowly returned. He realized he was still wrapped tightly in Lan Xichen's embrace, the older boy's warmth enveloping him. A blush crept across his cheeks as he gently pulled away, his heart racing for reasons entirely unrelated to his nightmare.
"Have... have I been sleeping in your arms this whole time?" Qing Yi asked, his voice barely above a whisper, eyes wide with a mix of embarrassment and something else he couldn't quite name.
Lan Xichen's serene smile returned, masking his inner turmoil. He could see Qing Yi's discomfort and wanted to ease it.
"Yes, you were sleeping so peacefully," he explained, his tone light and casual. "I didn't want to disturb you by laying you on the hard seats. Besides," he added with a small chuckle, "it was getting chilly in here. This way, we could keep each other warm."
Qing Yi nodded, his mind racing. 'Don't read into this,' he told himself firmly, even as his heart fluttered traitorously. 'He was just being kind. He has Jiang Yanli, remember?' The thought brought a pang of something that felt suspiciously like jealousy, which Qing Yi quickly squashed.
Aloud, he simply said, "Thank you, Senior Lan," hoping his voice didn't betray the whirlwind of emotions inside him.
Their moment was interrupted by the sound of approaching chatter. Looking out the window, they saw students returning from the parade, faces alight with excitement. The sight hit Qing Yi like a punch to the gut - he had missed the entire parade, one of the main reasons for their Hogsmeade trip.
"Ah, looks like the parade is over," Lan Xichen observed, his tone neutral.
Qing Yi's eyes widened in realization, disappointment washing over him in waves. He had been looking forward to the parade for weeks, and now it was gone, lost to his unconsciousness. But as quickly as the disappointment came, it was replaced by a crushing sense of guilt as he turned to Lan Xichen.
"Oh no," he breathed, his face falling. "Did you miss it because of me?" The thought of Lan Xichen sacrificing his enjoyment to watch over him made Qing Yi's stomach churn with remorse. His emerald eyes searched Lan Xichen's face, silently pleading for forgiveness.
Lan Xichen shook his head, smiling gently. "I've seen it every year. Missing one won't hurt." His brown eyes softened as he looked at Qing Yi, seeing the guilt written plainly across the younger boy's features. "What matters is that you're okay."
His words sent a warmth spreading through Qing Yi's chest, a feeling so intense it almost scared him. Lan Xichen reached out, ruffling Qing Yi's hair affectionately, and Qing Yi had to resist the urge to lean into the touch.
"Don't worry about it. I'm just glad you're alright." Lan Xichen's expression turned serious, his hand still resting gently on Qing Yi's head.
"Do you... remember what happened in the maze? Do you know you were enchanted?"
Qing Yi's brow furrowed as he tried to recall the events in the maze. Flashes of memory began to surface - a sense of detachment, of being controlled. "I think I—" he began, his voice uncertain.
Before he could finish, the carriage door burst open with a bang that made both of them jump. Wei Wuxian, Nie Huaisang, and Jiang Cheng tumbled in, their faces a mix of relief, concern, and excitement.
"Qing Yi!" Wei Wuxian exclaimed, his eyes wide and bright. "You're awake!" His expression quickly shifted to one of suspicion as he studied Qing Yi's face. "I mean... are you back to your normal self?"
Nie Huaisang practically leaped forward, grabbing Qing Yi's face with both hands and peering intently into his eyes. "Hmm, yes, he seems back to normal. No more creepy blank stare. Thank Merlin!"
"We were so worried," Jiang Cheng added, trying to mask his concern with gruffness, but the relief in his eyes was evident. "That enchantment had you acting like a completely different person. Scared the living daylights out of us."
"What happened in there?" Wei Wuxian pressed, bouncing on his heels with barely contained curiosity. "One minute we're all in the maze, then everyone's separated, and suddenly you're shooting spells at us like some kind of possessed duelist!"
Qing Yi blinked, overwhelmed by the barrage of questions and the sudden influx of energy. He opened his mouth to respond, but Jiang Yanli's gentle voice cut in as she entered the carriage, a calming presence amidst the chaos.
"Now, now, let's not overwhelm him," she chided softly, her smile warm as she looked at Qing Yi. "We have the whole journey back for Qing Yi to tell us his story. For now, let's just be glad he's okay."
Just then, Professor Granger's voice rang out, cutting through the excited chatter of students. "Everyone, please find your carriages and settle in. We'll be departing for Hogwarts shortly."
Nie Huaisang and Wen Ning, realizing they were assigned to a different carriage, reluctantly said their goodbyes. "See you later, Qing Yi," Nie Huaisang said, his usually carefree expression tinged with concern. "We'll catch up at our dorm, okay? Tell me everything."
Once everyone was settled in Qing Yi's carriage, Wei Wuxian could no longer contain his curiosity. His eyes sparkled with a mix of concern and excitement as he leaned forward. "So, Qing Yi, what really happened to you? How did you get separated from the group after Lan Zhan and I left?"
Qing Yi furrowed his brows, massaging his forehead as he tried to recall the events. The memories seemed blurred, like looking through frosted glass.
"After you guys were gone," he began hesitantly, "I heard Huaisang calling out for me. I turned toward his voice and... somehow got separated from everyone else." He paused, his emerald eyes clouding with confusion. "Then I found myself alone, traversing the maze..."
"And then?" Jiang Cheng prompted, his usual gruffness softened by concern.
Qing Yi swallowed hard. "I started hearing voices. Many voices calling out to me. Some familiar, some strange, some... unknown. It was terrifying."
Lan Xichen watched Qing Yi intently, noting the slight tremor in his voice. "What kind of voices were they, Qing Yi?"
"They were... I don't know. Whispering, pleading, some were even screaming." Qing Yi's voice grew quieter, his eyes unfocused as if lost in the memory. "I couldn't understand what they were saying, but they felt... desperate."
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exchanged a glance. "That's not part of the usual maze experience," Wei Wuxian muttered.
Jiang Yanli reached out, gently touching Qing Yi's arm. "What happened next?"
At this, Qing Yi's demeanor changed dramatically. His eyes widened, filling with a primal fear that made Lan Xichen's heart clench. His body began to tremble visibly, fingers interlacing tightly in his lap.
"I... I saw..." Qing Yi's voice was barely above a whisper, his face pale with dread. "There was a dark figure."
Sensing his distress, Jiang Yanli kept her hand steady on his arm, her voice soft and filled with sisterly concern. "Qing Yi, what's wrong? Are you okay?"
Qing Yi managed a slight nod, but the fear in his eyes remained. Lan Xichen, feeling a surge of protectiveness, also placed his hand on Qing Yi's arm. His touch was gentle, yet firm - a silent promise of safety. The dread in Qing Yi's reaction to the dark figure set off alarm bells in Lan Xichen's mind. Whoever this figure was, they must have been the one to place the enchantment on Qing Yi.
Taking a deep breath to steady his own racing thoughts, Lan Xichen spoke in a calm, soothing voice. "Qing Yi, you're with friends now. You're safe." He paused, knowing he needed to press for more information despite how it pained him to see Qing Yi struggle.
"This dark figure... they must have been terrifying for you to react like this. Can you recall anything about their appearance? What they were doing?"
Qing Yi met Lan Xichen's gaze, finding comfort in those warm brown eyes. He took a shaky breath, trying to focus on the memory. "They... they were... I... I don't remember much, but... I don't think I was able to see their face..." He swallowed hard, his voice barely above a whisper.
"I just remember being so scared when they... charged at me... I screamed." He paused, frustration crossing his features as he tried to recall what happened next. "Then... the next thing I remember was walking through the maze... trying to defend myself against... more dark figures..."
Wei Wuxian and Lan Wangji exchanged a significant look. "No, Qing Yi," Wei Wuxian said gently, moving closer.
"You were attacking us. You were walking around, casting offensive spells at us. If Lan Zhan and I hadn't managed to knock you down... well, you might have taken some of us out."
Horror dawned on Qing Yi's face as the implications of Wei Wuxian's words sank in. He grabbed his head with both hands, his voice filled with remorse.
"Oh Merlin, I'm so sorry, everyone. I didn't mean to..."
"It's okay," Jiang Cheng interjected, his usually gruff voice softened with understanding. "You were enchanted. It wasn't your fault."
Qing Yi nodded gratefully, but his eyes remained troubled. "I... I just remember seeing a lot of dark figures... they were trying to get me, to catch me... I had no choice but to strike back..." His voice trailed off, and then he added, almost to himself, "Then the next thing I know, I... I was in a dark forest and..."
He looked up, his gaze meeting Lan Xichen's. Something in that look - a mix of fear, confusion, and a plea for understanding - made Lan Xichen's heart ache. He placed a comforting hand on Qing Yi's head, his touch gentle and reassuring.
"It's alright, Qing Yi. I understand. You don't have to continue if you don't want to."
Qing Yi nodded, relief washing over his features. The others shared confused looks, with Wei Wuxian mouthing "dark forest?" to Lan Wangji, who merely raised an eyebrow in response.
Sensing his friends' confusion, Qing Yi spoke up, his voice steadier now. "It... it was just a recurring dream I've had since... long ago. It's quite normal, really. I had that dream, and then I woke up next to Senior Lan, and then you all came."
The tension in the carriage eased slightly at this explanation. Jiang Cheng and Wei Wuxian's expressions softened. "Well," Wei Wuxian said, attempting to lighten the mood, "you've had quite a night, my friend."
Qing Yi leaned back, exhaling heavily. "I'll say... I don't think I ever want to do another Marauder's Maze again."
Jiang Cheng nodded emphatically. "Same here, not after what we all went through."
Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen shared a meaningful look with Wei Wuxian and Jiang Yanli. There was more to this story than met the eye.
Wei Wuxian, ever the one to voice his thoughts, spoke up. "Still, something's not quite right here. The Marauder's Maze isn't designed to give players such a hard time. It's supposed to be Halloween fun. The appearance of this dark figure... it suggests outside involvement."
Jiang Cheng nodded grimly. "Indeed." He looked over at Qing Yi, his expression softening.
"But thank Merlin you're alright. Otherwise, Hogwarts might have had a lot of explaining to do to your parents if you'd gone missing."
At the mention of parents, Lan Wangji and Lan Xichen exchanged another loaded glance. Something, or someone, was definitely interfering with the Marauder's Maze. But seeing how terrified Qing Yi still looked, they silently agreed to hold off on further discussion for the night.
()()()()()