FADED MEMORIES & VANISHED WISHES

In the quaint village of Willowbrook, amid the cobblestoned streets, Lyra sat along the curb, her heart heavy with grief. It had been 93 days since she had learned of her husband's illness, and he now lay in his bed in their small, cosy, candle-lit home, his condition worsening with each day that passed. The villagers' healers had tried every option, every single potion, spell, and remedy known to the wizarding kind, but no one had been able to find a cure for 23-year-old Leo.

Anxiety was eating away at Lyra. She just wasn't the same without Leo. Every one of her memories was shared with him, their lives entwined together, and he was her other half, the love of her life. She would do anything to find him a cure, anything that meant he could stay alive with her, but she was at a loss for what to do.  As she felt herself shiver and her fingertips turned numb, Lyra got up and returned to her little cottage.

When she entered, she spotted Leo sleeping peacefully through a crack in his door. Glancing closely, she couldn't help but notice his appalling state; his face was pale and green, and he appeared woefully underweight. He couldn’t even stand without help anymore, and Lyra was devastated. Lyra tasted salt on her lips and felt hot tears drip down her face as she broke down. Looking at the warm, loving Leo she once knew,  she now only felt cold. His disease was slowly killing him, and she had a great fear of what time would bring.

Sitting on her plush, brown leather couch, Lyra felt her legs begin to shake with anxiety, and desperation gnawed through her. Her eyes wandered over the wooden walls, and she glanced at a miniature portrait on the wall. The picture displayed the image of a willow tree, which looked old and wise, ethereal as it glowed. Her eyes traced the frame and landed on the small inscription on the bottom: THE WISHING TREE. Of course, she had heard of the Wishing Tree; every villager in Willowbrook had. Her mind flashed back to a memory of her at her grandparents' home, her 8-year-old face full of curiosity as her grandfather told her the tale.

"Long ago," he said, "in the heart of the Dark Forest, there stood an ancient willow tree known as the Wishing Tree. It is said to be as old as time itself, with branches that touch the very heavens. The Tree is said to grant one wish, but only to those who have the courage to seek it."

As she returned to the present, Lyra's brilliant green eyes widened with shock as she let out a small gasp. This had been what she was lacking. In desperation, with adrenaline coursing through her veins, Lyra decided that she could save Leo. She took no longer than 20 minutes to grab supplies, and choosing to leave Leo in his slumber, the young girl ventured off into the Dark Forest, with the intention of finding the Wishing Tree.

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The voyage through the Dark Forest was treacherous. It took Lyra nearly three days to find what she was looking for, and she had come close to starvation. Clearly, the short overnight trip she had anticipated wasn’t a reality.

On the first day, Lyra witnessed magic she had never known of. She had ventured deep into the Dark Forest, using the stars as her guide. Unexpectedly, a dense, enchanted mist sprang up around her, obstructing her vision. The fog lasted all night, and Lyra couldn't proceed, for it would only result in her getting lost. She leaned against a tree that night trying to sleep. It didn’t work.

The second day was the worst of them all. Lyra was still moving forward, her legs numb as night fell upon her for the second time during her journey. Her body was covered with scratches and pricks, along with a rash she had developed after running into noxious plants.

“I’ve been gone for  two whole days,” she said with a chuckle, “Leo must think I’m crazy.”

Her heart immediately ached at the thought. How much she longed for him… Suddenly, her intuition made her abruptly stop in her tracks. She heard movement in the trees. Lyra’s heart began to race, and she grasped her wand firmly in her hand, unaware of what was lurking behind the shadows. When she moved closer, Lyra gasped and dropped to her knees as she saw the sight before her. Leo’s body, decayed and shallow. She had been too late. He was dead.

“NO PLEASE!” she sobbed, her chest rising and falling quickly. She could only sense pain, and it engulfed her. “LEO! NO, this can’t be. P-please, this can’t be r-real.”

Lyra’s body trembled with uncontrollable sobs. This wasn’t possible. How on earth could this have happened? She glanced at the scene once more, but when she noticed Leo change, she became confused. For one second, it was him, lying lifeless on the ground, and the next, it was her, isolated in her cottage, sobbing by herself in a corner.

“Of course!” she said, half laughing, half crying, “My boggart! Fear of losing the one I love, but also the fear of being alone, and having them leave me.”

She didn’t pause to consider her next move before casting a quick Riddikulus. Sadly, that did nothing to lessen the pain in her heart, and as tears continued to fall from her eyes, Lyra made no attempt to suppress them.

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The third day felt like a faraway, fuzzy dream. Lyra had just finished fighting off an Acromantula, and it was only by pure luck that she had been able to walk away breathing. Her left leg had a large scar across from it, and she was now limping, her leg wrapped messily in a cloth. It was all she had. However, Lyra was unfazed by this, as all she could think to do was feel thankful that she hadn't been bitten.

With exhaustion weighing on her shoulders, Lyra pushed some dark green vines aside while she tried to step into a clearing in the forest. Her breath hitched in her throat as she saw the sight before her, a tree drenched in radiant golden sunlight. The Wishing Tree. It was real. As real as she was! Lyra was enthralled.

Warily, Lyra stepped forward but came to relax when she realised it was safe. It was a rare opportunity to witness such grandeur in the Dark Forest. She extended her hand and placed her fingers on the bark, sensing the Tree humming with magic. As her hand moved across the Tree, a breeze appeared, and the willow began to sway. On the Tree's trunk, she saw a message etched deep into the wood. It started to grow brightly with light, and she read it carefully.

YOU'VE JOURNEYED FAR,
 YOUR WISH IN SIGHT,
BUT YOUR HEART'S TRUE DESIRE,
 COMES AT A PRICE.
 ONE WISH WILL BE FULFILLED,
IF YOU'RE PREPARED,
 TO GIVE UP,
WHAT YOU FIND MOST RARE.

Lyra couldn't help but notice the many riches gathered around the base of the Tree. Glistening gold, brilliant jewels, and a large necklace set with numerous diamonds–all of which could have cost at least a thousand galleons. The words replayed in her mind: what you find most rare… It appeared to her that many others had attempted to give up material objects, and while they indeed were rare, the Tree had not embraced it.

The young girl's Ravenclaw mind meandered until she finally understood. The Wishing Tree wasn't interested in any objects a person had to offer, but a gesture to prove that the person seeking the wish was worthy and willing to sacrifice anything. While she thought of the words once more, a frown formed on her face. How could I possibly offer anything the Tree would be interested in? The only thing that holds that much value to me is my husband and our memories together.

As quickly as she had thought the words, Lyra now understood what she had to do. With an imploring face, she looked at the wise old Tree.

"Wishing Tree?" she spoke softly, "My husband Leo is ill, and he is going to die. In exchange for his life, I'm willing to forfeit every memory we share."

Her voice broke as she finished speaking, and she felt her heart ache ever so slightly. Despite her fear, she had a plan. Leo would know what happened, and he would remind her. They would be alright once again, and eventually, all would return to normal. She stood waiting with anticipation before the Tree finally seemed to reply. She moved closer to the bark, and words appeared in a golden light, as if some invisible force was writing them.

VERY WELL,
I WILL ACCEPT.
BUT THIS WON'T END,
IN THE WAY YOU EXPECT.
WHEN YOU ARE READY,
PLACE YOUR HAND ON THE TREE,
AND WATCH AS YOU FADE
 FROM WHO YOU USED TO BE.

Lyra's brows knitted in perplexity. What was that supposed to mean? Was this a mistake? Or worse, was the Tree giving her a warning? She paced for a while but always came to the same conclusion. She had to do this. For Leo. Because without him, she was nothing.

“It’s okay,” she whispered to herself, tears welling in her eyes. “He’ll know. I’ll remember, Leo. I swear.”

With a final glance at her sapphire blue wedding ring, Lyra placed her hand on the tree. Her eyes became foggy, then went blank. As soon as it had started, it was over.

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Lyra blinked quickly and whirled around, finding herself at the edge of the forest, Willowbrook in sight. She sniffed and went to wipe her face. Why had she been crying? What was she doing so close to the Dark Forest? And what was that severe pain in her head?

Her mind flooded with questions, but she couldn’t think about anything at all. Her memory felt… strange. Almost wrong.  As if something was missing. She ignored the nagging feeling and started walking back to the village, stepping into her cottage which she barely recognized.

With a loud sigh, Lyra stepped over the threshold and into her house, closing the door after her. As she turned around, she jumped back, as she saw an unfamiliar man standing in front of her.

“Woah calm down, it’s just me,” reassured Leo. “Where have you been? It’s been 3 days Lyra. You can’t just disappear like that.”

Lyra’s shock had stopped her from speaking, and she was still pinned against the door. The man had bright blue eyes, and a friendly, warm face. It gave her a feeling of deja vu she had never experienced. However, that wasn’t enough to stop her from taking out her wand and aiming it straight at the stranger.

“Who are you?” she spoke sharply, “What are you doing in my cottage?”

“What?” Leo murmured with uncertainty, his smile dropping from his face. “It’s me, Leo. Your husband. I love you, remember?”

Now it was Lyra’s turn to be confused. “Don’t be ridiculous, I think I would remember if I had a husband,” she remarked, her tone as cold as ice.

Leo’s expression dropped, and he felt terrified as he studied Lyra closely. Her hair was matted with blood, her leg was mangled and broken. But what scared him the most were her eyes. Empty and cold; devoid of any love. His eyes began to fill with tears.

“What have you done to yourself, Lyra?”

THE END.

Written by Daphne Clarke.
Edited by Marlee Potter.
Proofread by Lena Hunt.