Summer had passed peacefully without any disturbances but the Whomping Willow was well aware that when the temperature dropped just a little it meant the return of the students. It swayed a little to the left as a first protest when a girl [Chloe] approached it and sat down. As another student [Reese] and a cat approached, it was losing patience.

A loud creaking sound was heard as the Willow for the first time in a few blissful summer weeks felt the urge to really warn the intruders not to get too close. Its long, powerful branches gently and slowly whooshed through the air, far above the heads of the two people below. It wouldn't take much of an effort to allow one of the branches to land heavily on the grass below.

Its patience was running low now. Another little cat paw on one of the roots and there would be consequences.