18. Whomping Willow

Alicia’s eyes were wide as she read her little sister’s history book – the book that was passed onto her niece. She wouldn’t believe it was real. The picture was moving, swaying, and thrashing like some evil possessed it.

The thing looked wretched – with large limbs that surely were jokingly called branches. There was no way this was just a tree. There was something about it – something that made it move and thrash at people who neared it.

“And you threw a rock at it?” She asked. “And the rock got hit by a branch – like a bludger?” Whomping Willow indeed.