Chapter 6: The Enchanted Castle

The castle gates loomed before Harriet, their massive stone pillars rising like giants from the snow-covered ground. She pushed them open, the metal creaking and groaning as she strained against it, and slipped through just as the wolves were about to reach her. She slammed them shut, panting and trembling with fear. As she caught her breath, Harriet gazed up at the castle, its towers and turrets reaching towards the sky like giant stone fingers. The facade was covered in a thick layer of snow and ivy, and its windows glinted like ice in the fading light. The snow crunched beneath her feet as she approached the entrance. The massive wooden doors loomed before her, adorned with heavy iron hinges and a large iron knocker in the shape of a lion's head. Harriet raised her hand to knock, but as she touched the door, it swung open by itself. She stepped inside, and the door creaked shut behind her, enveloping her in a warm, golden light. Harriet found herself in a large, dark foyer, with a sweeping staircase curving up to the left and a doorway to the right. The air was thick with the scent of old books and wood polish, and Harriet felt a sense of wonder and excitement wash over her. She had never seen a place like this before. As she looked around, Harriet could have sworn she heard faint voices coming from somewhere in the hallway. "The poor little girl must've lost her way in the woods!" whispered a male voice with a French accent. "Keep quiet, Black! Maybe she'll just leave!" hissed a second male voice that was deep and silky. Harriet's ears pricked up at the sound of the voices, and she strained to listen. She felt a shiver run down her spine as she realized that she was not alone in the castle. She called out, her voice shaking with fear and cold. "H-hello? Is anyone there?" The voices stopped, and Harriet was met with silence. She waited, her heart pounding in her chest, but no one responded. Just as she was starting to think she was truly alone, a low, rumbling voice spoke up. "Of course, Mademoiselle! No need to worry, you are welcome here!" Harriet spun around, trying to see who was speaking. That was when she saw him - a huge dog with a black coat and a friendly grin on his face. "Bonjour!" he said, his tail wagging enthusiastically. Harriet's eyes widened in surprise as she stared at the dog. She had never seen a talking animal before, and she didn't know what to make of it. But as she looked into the dog's warm, brown eyes, she felt a sense of trust wash over her. Maybe, just maybe, she had found a place where she could be safe. The dog bounded towards her, his tail wagging even more enthusiastically now. Harriet took a step back, still trying to process what was happening. "W-who are you?" she stuttered. "My name is Sirius Black, and I am at your service, Mademoiselle," the dog replied with a bow. "Welcome to our humble abode." As Harriet stared at Sirius, a sleek black panther emerged from the shadows. His eyes narrowed as he gazed at her, and Harriet felt a shiver run down her spine. "Ah, Snape, don't be such a grump," Sirius said with a chuckle. "Our guest is clearly in need of assistance." The panther's expression did not change, but he nodded curtly. "Indeed. You are shivering with cold, Mademoiselle. I suggest we get you warmed up by the fire." Sirius nodded in agreement and led Harriet towards a cozy-looking living room. A roaring fire crackled in the hearth, and Harriet felt a wave of warmth wash over her as she approached it. She smiled, feeling a sense of gratitude towards these strange, talking animals. Maybe she had stumbled into something wonderful after all.