The Whomping Willow is standing very still despite the fact that it is a chilly winter night; that only serves to make the atmosphere more unnerving.

Snow crunches under your feet as you make your way closer to the tree, and the closer you get the more the moonlight glistens off of the icicles in its branches - but are there only icicles? Or are there other things in the branches as well?

The branches start to move as you come closer, swaying a little but not coming close enough to do any harm to you. It is on its guard.

THWACK!

A snowball hits its truck. And then another. And another. It is being bombarded by snow and starts to wave its branches wildly. Objects fall to the ground and a snowball is sent flying back to you, its branches having rebounded the shot.

If you look as close as you dare, you can see that there are some vials knocked to the ground scattered along with the icicles; these are potions ingredients, and there are still more located on the tree. Looking even further, you will see a cauldron nearby, with a workstation close to it. Inside the cauldron is a note:

"Well, this isn't a hat. Get on with it! Make your way to the passage beneath the tree."

Looks like you need to brew a potion in order to get passed the tree. Better get started now, before any more vials fall out of its branches.

OOC: It is up to you which potion your character collects ingredients for and brews.