The heavy air in the Forbidden Forest clung to Emma like a second skin, the shadows whispering ancient secrets she could no longer ignore. She could still feel the pulse of dark magic inside her, a reminder that the bond between her and Jimin wasn't just a connection—it was a curse. And now, as she stood over Jimin's unconscious body, her mind whirled with the weight of the truth.

Jungkook knelt beside her, his face pale with worry as he tried to rouse Jimin. The silence between them was thick, the tension almost unbearable. Emma's hands trembled as she reached out, gently brushing her fingers against Jimin's cheek.

Emma (whispering, broken):
"This isn't what I wanted. I didn't mean for any of this to happen..."

Jungkook's jaw tightened, his eyes hard as he looked at her.
"It's not your fault, Emma. Whatever this bond is, it's been forced on both of you. We'll figure it out."

But Emma wasn't sure if she believed him. The darkness inside her was growing, spreading like poison through her veins. It had been lurking ever since the bond had snapped, feeding off her fear, her confusion, her pain. And now, it was getting stronger.

Jimin stirred beneath her touch, a low groan escaping his lips. His eyes fluttered open, and for a moment, he seemed disoriented, his gaze drifting between Emma and Jungkook. Then, as if remembering what had happened, his expression darkened, a shadow of guilt clouding his features.

Jimin (hoarse, weak):
"I tried to stop it. I thought I could break the bond before... before it came to this."

Emma's heart clenched at the sound of his voice, so broken and full of regret. She wanted to reach out, to tell him it wasn't his fault—but she couldn't. Not when she wasn't even sure who was to blame anymore.

Before anyone could speak, a faint rustling echoed through the trees. Emma's breath caught in her throat as she whipped around, her wand drawn. The dark silhouette of Professor McGonagall emerged from the shadows, her sharp eyes narrowing as she took in the scene.

Professor McGonagall (stern, but concerned):
"What in Merlin's name is going on here? And why are the three of you out in the Forbidden Forest at this hour?"

Emma's heart raced, panic bubbling in her chest. She opened her mouth to explain, but no words came out. How could she possibly tell McGonagall about the dark magic, about the bond, about everything that had gone wrong?

Jungkook stepped forward, his voice steady but laced with tension.
"It's my fault, Professor. We—well, we were trying to find answers. About the bond between Emma and Jimin. And things got... out of hand."

McGonagall's gaze softened slightly, though her expression remained stern.
"The bond... I suspected something was amiss. But whatever you're involved in, it's dangerous. Dark magic has been stirring in these woods, and I fear it's only the beginning."

Emma felt a chill run down her spine. The professor knew. She had known something was wrong all along. But McGonagall's words only confirmed her deepest fears—this wasn't just about her and Jimin anymore. Something darker was at play, something far beyond her control.

Professor McGonagall (firm):
"You three are coming with me. We'll get to the bottom of this, but for now, you're all in danger. The forces at work here are not to be trifled with."

As McGonagall turned, leading them back to the castle, Emma's mind swirled with unanswered questions. What was the bond truly meant for? Who was behind it? And why had she been chosen?

Later that night, after McGonagall had dropped them off at the hospital wing to be checked over, Emma found herself sitting on the edge of one of the cots. Jimin was resting nearby, still weak from the dark magic's assault, and Jungkook sat on the opposite side, silent and brooding.

Emma's thoughts drifted back to the memory of Lyra and the hooded figure. Their conversation had been so cryptic, but now the pieces were falling into place. The bond had been a trap, orchestrated by dark forces long before she had even known Jimin existed. But why? What did they want from her?

As the moonlight filtered through the hospital windows, casting eerie shadows across the floor, Emma felt a deep sense of dread settle over her. The main plot of whatever dark scheme was unfolding around her was starting to reveal itself, and she was right at the center of it all.

Scene: Common Room – The Following Morning

The next morning, the castle seemed to hum with the usual chatter of students, blissfully unaware of the brewing storm. Emma walked through the Gryffindor common room with Jungkook, both of them still shaken from the events in the Forbidden Forest. They hadn't seen Jimin yet—he was still recovering—but the weight of the unspoken tension between them was suffocating.

Jungkook hadn't said much since the forest. He had been avoiding Emma's gaze, his usual warm presence now distant and cold. It was as if something had shifted between them, a crack in the foundation of their friendship that neither of them knew how to mend.

Emma (hesitant):
"Jungkook... about last night..."

Jungkook didn't look at her, his jaw clenched.
"Don't. It's fine, Emma. You don't owe me an explanation."

Emma's heart sank. She could hear the pain in his voice, the quiet frustration. He had always been there for her, but now... now it felt like she was losing him. And she didn't know how to fix it.

Before she could say more, the common room door opened, and Lyra sauntered in, her eyes glinting with amusement. She walked up to Jungkook, her hand brushing against his arm as she gave him a smile that made Emma's stomach twist.

Lyra (smirking):
"Well, if it isn't our little hero. How's your night been, Jungkook?"

Emma stiffened at the way Lyra touched him, her fingers lingering too long. Something was wrong. Emma had felt it before, the way Lyra seemed too involved in their lives, too interested in things that didn't concern her. And now, it was as if she was playing some twisted game, and Jungkook was falling right into her trap.

Jungkook (barely reacting):
"Fine."

Lyra's smile widened, her eyes flicking to Emma with an almost mocking glint.
"Good. Keep it that way."

Emma's hand tightened into a fist. There was something off about Lyra, something dark and dangerous that she couldn't quite put her finger on. She had been involved with the hooded figure, and now she was getting too close to Jungkook. Too close for comfort.

Scene: Forbidden Forest – Later that Night

That night, Emma couldn't shake the feeling that something was about to happen. She stood on the edge of the Forbidden Forest, the weight of the bond pulling her toward the darkness once again. This time, Jimin had summoned her.

She found him waiting, his back against a tree, eyes downcast and full of turmoil.

Jimin (whispering):
"We need to talk, Emma."

Emma swallowed hard, stepping closer.
"About what?"

Jimin's eyes met hers, and she could see the conflict in them, the war he was fighting within himself.
"About the bond. About us."

(jimin for 100 time in this story emma we have to talk sorry guys.... but it is funnY

my broken humor )

There was silence, thick and heavy between them. Emma could feel her heart racing, her emotions tangled in knots. The bond between them was still there, stronger than ever, but now it felt like a curse more than anything else.

Jimin (softly, pained):
"I didn't want this for you. For us. But the truth is, I don't know if we can stop it. The bond... it's too powerful."

Emma felt tears prick at her eyes. She had spent so long trying to fight the feelings, trying to understand what was real and what was just the bond's pull. But now, standing here with Jimin, she realized something terrifying.

She wasn't sure if she could separate her own emotions from the bond anymore.

Emma (shaky):
"Jimin... I don't know what's real. I don't know if what I feel is because of the bond, or if it's really me."

Jimin's hand reached for hers, his touch gentle but electrifying.
"Maybe it's both. Maybe it's neither. But I do know one thing—we're in this together. Whether the bond was forced on us or not, we have to face this. Together."

Emma stared at him, her heart pounding in her chest. Despite everything—the darkness, the manipulation, the danger—she couldn't deny that being near Jimin felt right. Even if it was terrifying.

Jimin (whispering, voice raw):
"Whatever happens, Emma... I promise you. We'll get through it. Bond or no bond. Together."

Before she could respond, Jimin leaned forward, pressing his lips softly to her forehead in a tender, lingering kiss. It wasn't the fiery passion that had consumed them before, but something deeper, more intimate. A promise in itself.

As they stood there, locked in that quiet moment, Emma knew one thing for certain: the storm was far from over. But with Jimin by her side, she was ready to face whatever darkness lay ahead.