Shoving past thick leaves and jumping over fallen tree trunks, Carl tried to predict what he would find when he got to the source of the scream. It sounded like a woman, but he was not entirely certain. Why was she screaming? Was she in danger? What kind of danger was she in? The questions ran through his mind as he ran towards the sound of the scream.

Soon, he found himself at a small clearing. The Fifth Year came to a halt and observed the scene before him. There was an elderly woman who was on her knees. Right, she must have been the one who was screaming. Upon approaching her, a worried frown on his face, he heard the word she was murmuring over and over again, "No, no, no…"

"Ma'am? Ma'am, are you ok-" He started, but stopped short when he noticed it - the figure towering over her. He saw the rotting hand and stepped back a little. That was clearly not human. He held his wand in front of him, trying to think of spells he could use against it.

But what exactly could he do? He did not even know what it was, or what it could do.

He chose not to cast any spell yet, as the thing was in close proximity with the elderly woman and he did not want to harm her. Instead, with his heartbeat racing again, he watched it for any further action.