◤Chapter 16: Unicorns protection squad unite ◢
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❦ act I ❦
✩‧₊˚*✧･ﾟ:* The Survivor *:･ﾟ✧*˚ ₊ ‧ ✩
'If I hear even one of you laugh or make a comment I will curse you.'
- Draco
Things couldn't have been worse.
Filch took them down to Professor McGonagall's study on the first floor, where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other. Hermione was trembling. Excuses, alibis and wild cover-up stories chased each other around Harry's brain, each more feeble than the last. He couldn't see how they were going to get out of trouble this time. They were cornered. How could they have been so stupid as to forget the Cloak? There was no reason on earth that Professor McGonagall would accept for their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night, let alone being up the tallest astronomy tower, which was out-of-bounds except for classes. Add Norbert and the Invisibility Cloak and they might as well be packing their bags already.
"The intelligence of Gryffindors is such a mystery. You never know how much of a brain you'll get from them." Commented Hannah.
Had Harry thought that things couldn't have been worse? He was wrong. When Professor McGonagall appeared, she was leading Neville.
"Our Neville got dragged into this as well?" Asked Adrian since he didn't know the story. They gave him a brief summary of what happened.
"Yeah. I wanted to do some good, but it didn't go very well." Explained Neville.
'Harry!' Neville burst out, the moment he saw the other two. 'I was trying to find you to warn you, I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag–'
"Honestly, all of you suck at sneaking around." Sighed Violet. No wander most of them refused to go with her when they got caught so easily. Good thing they were at least half decent at lying.
Harry shook his head violently to shut Neville up, but Professor McGonagall had seen. She looked more likely to breathe fire than Norbert as she towered over the three of them.
'I would never have believed it of any of you. Mr Filch says you were up the astronomy tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves.'
It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
'I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on,' said Professor McGonagall. 'It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too?'
"You can not tell you wouldn't have come to the same conclusion." Minerva gave everyone a look before they had the chance to comment.
'I'm disgusted,' said Professor McGonagall. 'Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! You, Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense. As for you, Mr Potter, I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this. All three of you will receive detentions – yes, you too, Mr Longbottom, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous – and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor.'
"Didn't you have a midnight Quidditch match during your fifth year and the whole school was invited?" Neville asked Remus.
The man only shrugged, not saying denying or approving the story. He wasn't going to admit to anything with the teachers present. They most likely knew, but he had an image to protect of the innocent Marauder, the good influence.
'Fifty?' Harry gasped – they would lose the lead, the lead he'd won in the last Quidditch match.
'Fifty points each,' said Professor McGonagall, breathing heavily through her long pointed nose.
'Professor – please –'
'You can't –'
"Ouch. Never tell Minerva what to do unless you want to fall asleep in a bathroom after cleaning the toilet with a tiny brush." Cringed Frank. He's seen James make that mistake once. It never ends well.
'Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Potter. Now get back to bed, all of you. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students.'
"You mean to tell us that our pranks weren't worthy of your shame?" Asked the Weasley twins.
Minerva refused to say anything.
A hundred and fifty points lost. That put Gryffindor in last place. In one night, they'd ruined any chance Gryffindor had had for the House Cup. Harry felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. How could they ever make up for this?
"You made up for it quite alright." Mumbled the older Slytherin students. They were all still bitter about it.
Harry didn't sleep all night. He could hear Neville sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours. Harry couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him. He knew Neville, like himself, was dreading the dawn. What would happen when the rest of Gryffindor found out what they'd done?
*
'My poisonous violet flower! You have returned to us!' Yelled Theo as Violet entered her dorm. He hugged her and made her take a seat right next to him. 'Never leave me alone again.' He told her seriously.
"This one is Sirius 2.0." Laughed Frank. Nobody who went to Hogwarts at the same time as them didn't hear Sirius yell at least once in the Hall for James, Peter, Remus or Regulus.
Violet chuckled and took his hand. 'Fine, but I draw the line at coming with me to the bathroom.' She warned and both of them started laughing.
"Never play along unless you truly want them to do it." Warned Remus. That's how he ended up with Sirius being glued to him for their sixth and seventh year. He even went to the library for hours just to not leave his side.
Their friends rolled their eyes as they watched them being glued together. If they didn't know them, they'd think they liked each other with how much time they've been spending together and how close they were.
'Now, what happened?' Asked Daphne as she braided Draco's hair which he let grow over the year and it now reached his shoulders. 'Draco came in here disappointed and with a cup of tea, so I will assume that he didn't get the chance to meet North.' She said and fished into her bag for some hair ties.
"You say something and I'll cut your tongue." Muttered Narcissa to her husband.
Pansy slapped away her hand away from the bag and handed her a dark blue ribbon she had in the pocket of the bag. 'It would go better with his hair than the others. He's pale, got hair that looks bleached and grey eyes. I've seen ghosts look more alive than him, so the ribbon is the better choice.' She concluded and made an elegant bow. 'There you go. Now you're pretty.' She teased and Draco only rolled his eyes.
"If I hear even one of you laugh or make a comment I will curse you." Threatened Draco. He might not know how to do a lot of wandless spells, but Violet did make sure they had some choices for self defence.
'I was already pretty.' Mumbled Draco as he checked whether or not the new hairstyle looked good. He would have to ruin it before going to bed, so no one other than them would get to see it, but he still wanted it to look perfect.
Violet slapped his cheek softly and acted like she saw grandmas do in the park. 'Of course, my love. You're gorgeous.' She kissed both of his cheeks and then turned to her friends. 'No, he didn't get to see North. It was a good thing though. My brother and Hermione got caught by Filch and he got the help he needed with Minnie's help, so I'll still call it a win.' She explained.
"And here I thought Slytherins were scary." Noted a Gryffindor.
"Wait until you see us curse someone or make a plan and it will come back." Said Daphne.
'They didn't check if someone was coming? Or used the cloak?' Asked Blaise confused. He could see the young Potter boy maybe forgetting, but he expected better from Hermione. She seemed wiser than her friends. Apparently he underestimated their influence and her intelligence since it was now apparent that she was only book smart.
"I would take high offence to that if it weren't true." Said Hermione.
The Potter girl only shrugged. She didn't know why they wouldn't do the smart thing. 'As much as I want to, I am still not able to read minds.' She gave him a look. She knew they expected her to be able to explain, but she wasn't a siren or a god to know why they chose to do what they did.
'What do you think they'll make them do?' Changed Theo the subject as he saw his friend start to move towards her books. He needed her to relax after the last couple of days. They dealt with a lot and she would benefit from a break.
"You're even worse than Remus, Violet. I didn't think it was possible." Muttered Alice.
'I dunno, but what I do know is that Draco will be getting the same punishment, so we'll know what happens.' Said Violet with a small smirk.
They spent about an hour more in Violet's dorm, talking about school work and what Violet had planned and then they were ushered out by Theo since he wanted to make sure Violet got some sleep.
*
The following morning, notes were delivered to Harry, Hermione and Neville at the breakfast table. They were all the same: Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr Filch in the Entrance Hall.
Prof. A. Dumbledore
"Aren't they punished for being out at night?" Asked a first year.
"Yeah. Isn't it stupid to make them do something also late?" Added one of their friends.
Harry had forgotten they still had detentions to do over the points they'd lost. He half expected Hermione to complain that this was a whole night of revision lost, but she didn't say a word. Like Harry, she felt they deserved what they'd got.
"Until how long were you staying up if going somewhere at eleven in the night means the whole night is lost?" Asked Pomona worriedly. She always made sure her students had a good night of sleep.
"Not that long. Until about one in the morning." Said Hermione as she tried to remember. Right now she was surviving on sleeping potions and coffee until the OWLs were over.
At eleven o'clock that night they said goodbye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Neville. Filch was already there – and so was Malfoy. Harry had also forgotten that Malfoy had got a detention, too.
'Follow me,' said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside. 'I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?' he continued, leering at them. 'Oh yes ... hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me ... It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out ... hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed ... Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do.'
"You're fired, Mr. Filch." Said Amelia not looking away from the screen.
"He's hired for Hogwarts and the Ministry doesn't have the right to remove workers." Tried Dumbledore to say.
"This school stopped being yours the moment I stepped a foot into this room. I am the one who says who stays and who goes. You listen to me not the other way. It's time for a competent person to take the reigns." Amelia said, silently daring the headmaster to protest.
They marched off across the dark grounds. Neville kept sniffing. Harry wondered what their punishment was going to be. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted.
The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead, Harry could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut. Then they heard a distant shout.
'Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started.'
Harry's heart rose; if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad. His relief must have showed in his face, because Filch said, 'I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, boy – it's into the Forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece.'
"So they're forbidden to go into the forest because it's dangerous, but are now forced to go into it?" Asked Amelia as she wrote down in her scroll.
"That's deplorable. It's no fair punishment. Why wasn't I told of this?" Asked Minerva. She wouldn't have let any students do that.
"I wasn't informed either." Pointed out Snape. "I am the head of the house and so is Minerva, so the punishments assigned to our students have to be approved by us."
At this, Neville let out a little moan and Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks. 'The Forest?' he repeated, and he didn't sound quite as cool as usual. 'We can't go in there at night – there's all sorts of things in there - acromantulas, I heard.'
Neville clutched the sleeve of Harry's robe and made a choking noise.
'That's your lookout, isn't it?' said Filch, his voice cracking with glee. 'Should've thought of them before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?'
"Why was this man let around children?" Asked Mr and Mrs Weasley.
Hagrid came striding towards them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.
'Abou' time,' he said. 'I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione?'
'I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid,' said Filch coldly, 'they're here to be punished, after all.'
'That's why yer late, is it?' said Hagrid, frowning at Filch. 'Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here.'
'I'll be back at dawn,' said Filch, 'for what's left of them,' he added nastily, and he turned and started back towards the castle, his lamp bobbing away in the darkness.
"He shall not be left with children again." Said Amelia.
Malfoy now turned to Hagrid. 'I'm not going in that Forest,' he said, and Harry was pleased to hear the note of panic in his voice.
'Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts,' said Hagrid fiercely. 'Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer it.'
"Threatening with expulsion over going out at night? When they're eleven?" Asked Remus angrily. They were caught for far worse and didn't get this type of treatment. Not to forget that these were first years.
"I had no idea, Remus, or I wouldn't have let them out of my sight." Assured Minerva.
'But this is not for students to do. I thought we'd be writing lines or something. If my father knew I was doing this, he'd –'
"Thank you. That's a punishment, not whatever this is." Said Minerva as she glared at the headmaster.
'– tell yer that's how it is at Hogwarts,' Hagrid growled. 'Writin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on!' Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously but then dropped his gaze. 'Right then,' said Hagrid, 'now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment.'
"You're also fired." Said Amelia. "I will make sure you get a job somewhere else, but I don't want you anywhere near Hogwarts again."
Nobody dared to question her since they were either terrified of her or agreed with her.
He led them to the very edge of the Forest. Holding his lamp up high he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the Forest.
'Look there,' said Hagrid, 'see that stuff shinin' on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try an' find the poor thing. We might have ter put it out of its misery.'
"That's it. I'm moving you as soon as we're done with this. I don't care what school, but a new one. Should've sent him to Beauxbatons." Muttered Narcissa the last part. "Bloody Lucius."
"Who in Merlin's name makes eleven year olds chase after an unknown creature and dying unicorns? It's barbaric." Commented Mrs. Nott.
'And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?' said Malfoy, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.
'I don't want to be monster food,' added Neville.
'There's nothin' that lives in the Forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang,' said Hagrid. 'An' keep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least.'
"You left children alone in the forest?" Asked the professors. What has been happening with the school right under their noses for so long?
"You left defenceless eleven year olds in the Forbidden Forest?" Asked Violet in disbelief. Nobody mentioned this part to her.
'I want Fang,' said Malfoy quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.
'All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward,' said Hagrid. 'So me, Harry an' Hermione will go one way an' Draco, Neville an' Fang will go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get yer wands out an' practise now – that's it – an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeh – so, be careful – let's go.'
"And if they don't have time to raise their wands?" Asked Bill and Fleur worriedly.
"Then good luck to us." Mumbled Draco.
The Forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path and Harry, Hermione and Hagrid took the left path while Malfoy, Neville and Fang took the right.
They walked in silence, their eyes on the ground. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver blue blood on the fallen leaves. Harry saw that Hagrid looked very worried.
'Could a werewolf be killing the unicorns?' Harry asked.
"Not a full moon when Hagrid suspects the attacks were happening." Said Violet. She was a huge fan of Astronomy, so she was keeping herself informed of the moon cycles.
'Not fast enough,' said Hagrid. 'It's not easy ter catch a unicorn, they're powerful magic creatures. I never knew one ter be hurt before.'
They walked past a mossy tree-stump. Harry could hear running water; there must be a stream somewhere close by. There were still spots of unicorn blood here and there along the winding path.
'You all right, Hermione?' Hagrid whispered. 'Don' worry, it can't've gone far if it's this badly hurt an' then we'll be able ter – GET BEHIND THAT TREE!'
Hagrid seized Harry and Hermione and hoisted them off the path behind a towering oak. He pulled out an arrow and fitted it into his crossbow, raising it, ready to fire. The three of them listened. Something was slithering over dead leaves nearby: it sounded like a cloak trailing along the ground. Hagrid was squinting up the dark path, but after a few seconds, the sound faded away.
'I knew it,' he murmured. 'There's summat in here that shouldn' be.'
'A werewolf?' Harry suggested.
"You really need to have better information on werewolves and teach it from first year, because too many halfblooded or muggleborn children come here scared of werewolves and vampires and other stuff and they don't learn about them until they're way older." Said Collin. He was lucky he had Violet to explain to him and met professor Lupin, but most kids didn't.
'That wasn' no werewolf an' it wasn' no unicorn, neither,' said Hagrid grimly. 'Right, follow me, but careful, now.' They walked more slowly, ears straining for the faintest sound. Suddenly, in a clearing ahead, something definitely moved. 'Who's there?' Hagrid called. 'Show yerself – I'm armed!'
And into the clearing came – was it a man, or a horse? To the waist, a man, with red hair and beard, but below that was a horse's gleaming chestnut body with a long, reddish tail. Harry and Hermione's jaws dropped.
"Centaurs, ugly beasts." Commented the Minister.
"They can read the future and are smarter than almost all of us. Everyone should feel lucky to meet and have the opportunity to speak with a centaur, Minister." Said Violet as she glared at the Minister.
Firenze smiled at her. Most humans didn't truly appreciate and respect their knowledge. It was nice to hear that at least someone understood that even if they lived differently, it didn't mean they didn't deserve to be treated the same way.
'Oh, it's you, Ronan,' said Hagrid in relief. 'How are yeh?' He walked forward and shook the centaur's hand.
'Good evening to you, Hagrid,' said Ronan. He had a deep, sorrowful voice. 'Were you going to shoot me?'
'Can't be too careful, Ronan,' said Hagrid, patting his crossbow. 'There's summat bad loose in this Forest. This is Harry Potter an' Hermione Granger, by the way. Students up at the school. An' this is Ronan, you two. He's a centaur.'
'We'd noticed,' said Hermione faintly.
'Yeah,' said Hagrid, glancing up too. 'Listen, I'm glad we've run inter yeh, Ronan, 'cause there's a unicorn bin hurt – you seen anythin'?'
Ronan didn't answer immediately. He stared unblinkingly upwards, then sighed again. 'Always the innocent are the first victims,' he said. 'So it has been for ages past, so it is now.'
"Did you know about the war since then?" Asked Collin.
"The stars tell us the future even centuries before some events take place." Replied Firenze.
'Yeah,' said Hagrid, 'but have yeh seen anythin', Ronan? Anythin' unusual?'
'Mars is bright tonight,' Ronan repeated while Hagrid watched him impatiently. 'Unusually bright.'
'Yeah, but I was meanin' anythin' unusual a bit nearer home,' said Hagrid. 'So yeh haven't noticed anythin' strange?'
Yet again, Ronan took a while to answer. At last, he said, 'The Forest hides many secrets.'
A movement in the trees behind Ronan made Hagrid raise his bow again, but it was only a second centaur, black-haired and -bodied and wilder-looking than Ronan.
'Hullo, Bane,' said Hagrid. 'All right?'
'Good evening, Hagrid, I hope you are well?'
'Well enough. Look, I've jus' bin askin' Ronan, you seen anythin' odd in here lately? Only there's a unicorn bin injured – would yeh know anythin' about it?'
Bane walked over to stand next to Ronan. He looked skywards. 'Mars is bright tonight,' he said simply.
'We've heard,' said Hagrid grumpily. 'Well, if either of you do see anythin', let me know, won't yeh? We'll be off, then.' Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing, staring over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked their view.
'Never,' said Hagrid irritably, 'try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy star-gazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the moon.'
"They answered the questions. Only it takes a certain type of knowledge to understand what they're saying." Informed Violet.
She and Luna liked to speak with Firenze when they had time. He understood just how fascinating the sky was and how many secrets it held.
Luna spoke with him about her theories and her creatures. Firenze was one of the few who never made fun of her for what she believed in.
'Are there many of them in here?' asked Hermione.
'Oh, a fair few ... Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but they're good enough about turnin' up if ever I want a word. They're deep, mind, centaurs ... they know things ... jus' don' let on much.'
"I like speaking with them. They're very wise and friendly." Shared Luna.
Many were giving her odd looks. Centaurs weren't known for their hospitality.
'D'you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?' said Harry.
'Did that sound like hooves to you? Nah, if yeh ask me, that was what's bin killin' the unicorns – never heard anythin' like it before.'
They walked on through the dense, dark trees. Harry kept looking nervously over his shoulder. He had the nasty feeling they were being watched. He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them. They had just passed a bend in the path when Hermione grabbed Hagrid's arm.
'Hagrid! Look! Red sparks, the others are in trouble!'
Both Neville and Draco looked at each other embarrassed as they remembered what exactly happened.
'You two wait here!' Hagrid shouted. 'Stay on the path, I'll come back for yeh!'
They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other, very scared, until they couldn't hear anything but the rustling of leaves around them.
'You don't think they've been hurt, do you?' whispered Hermione.
'I don't care if Malfoy has, but if something's got Neville ... It's our fault he's here in the first place.'
"Extremely rude, Potter." Noted Daphne.
"Yes, people died in there." Added Adrian.
The minutes dragged by. Their ears seemed sharper than usual. Harry's seemed to be picking up every sigh of the wind, every cracking twig. What was going on? Where were the others?
At last, a great crunching noise announced Hagrid's return. Malfoy, Neville and Fang were with him. Hagrid was fuming. Apparently the two of them were walking when they heard something and got spooked only to later realise it was just a deer.
"They're children, alone, in a huge forest filled with unknown creatures. I'd be more upset if they didn't alert anyone when they were worried." Said Amelia.
'We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups – Neville, you stay with me an' Hermione, Harry, you go with Fang an' this idiot. I'm sorry,' Hagrid added in a whisper to Harry.
So Harry set off into the heart of the Forest with Malfoy and Fang. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the Forest, until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Harry thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker. There were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Harry could see a clearing ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.
'Look –' he murmured, holding out his arm to stop Malfoy.
Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.
It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. Harry had never seen anything so beautiful and sad. Its long slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and its mane was spread pearly white on the dark leaves. Harry had taken one step towards it when a slithering sound made him freeze where he stood. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered ... Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Harry, Malfoy and Fang stood transfixed. The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, it lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.
Almost everyone started screaming. They didn't expect to actually see someone drink unicorn blood.
'AAAAAAAAAAARGH!'
Malfoy screamed and bolted with Fang coming with him. The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at Harry – unicorn blood was dribbling down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly towards him – he couldn't move for fear.
Many glared at Draco, but the boy wasn't going to apologise.
"I was eleven, not knowing any spells that did damage and an unknown creature was running around choosing a cursed life over the end of their life. I wasn't gonna stay and chat with it." Said Draco.
He was well aware that most wouldn't have even the nerve to enter the forest, but they for sure were quick to judge.
"And unlike Potter, I wasn't going to test if I had the same luck of remaining alive no matter what." He added, silent enough for only his friends to hear.
Then a pain pierced his head like he'd never felt before, it was as though his scar was on fire – half-blinded, he staggered backwards. He heard hooves behind him, galloping, and something jumped clean over him, charging at the figure.
The pain in Harry's head was so bad he fell to his knees. It took a minute or two to pass. When he looked up, the figure had gone. A centaur was standing over him, not Ronan or Bane; this one looked younger; he had white-blond hair and a palomino body.
"Thank you for saving him, Firenze." Smiled Violet at the centaur.
'Are you all right?' said the centaur, pulling Harry to his feet.
'Yes – thank you – what was that?'
The centaur didn't answer. He had astonishingly blue eyes, like pale sapphires. He looked carefully at Harry, his eyes lingering on the scar which stood out, livid, on Harry's forehead.
'You are the Potter boy,' he said. 'You had better get back to Hagrid. The Forest is not safe at this time – especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way. 'My name is Firenze,' he added, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Harry could clamber on to his back.
There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing. Ronan and Bane came bursting through the trees, their flanks heaving and sweaty.
"I am grateful to you for giving him the honour." Said Violet to Firenze. She was aware of how strict centaurs were and how this might've affected Firenze's image with his kind. "Don't ever hesitate to call for me if you ever need it. And I shall do my best to repay the favour."
"The honour was mine, Lady of the Dead."
'Firenze!' Bane thundered. 'What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?'
'Do you realise who this is?' said Firenze. 'This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this Forest, the better.'
"Hate that forest." Muttered Harry. Nothing good ever came from it.
'What have you been telling him?' growled Bane. 'Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?'
Ronan pawed the ground nervously. 'I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best,' he said, in his gloomy voice.
Bane kicked his back legs in anger. 'For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our Forest!'
Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger, so that Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on. 'Do you not see that unicorn?' Firenze bellowed at Bane. 'Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this Forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must.'
And Firenze whisked around; with Harry clutching on as best he could, they plunged off into the trees, leaving Ronan and Bane behind them.
Harry didn't have a clue what was going on.
'Why's Bane so angry?' he asked. 'What was that thing you saved me from, anyway?'
"Bodily harm." Answered Violet. "He wanted to personally kill you, so he wouldn't have let him do anything other than harm you."
Firenze slowed to a walk, warned Harry to keep his head bowed in case of low-hanging branches but did not answer Harry's question. They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Harry thought Firenze didn't want to talk to him any more. They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees, however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.
'Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?'
'No,' said Harry, startled by the odd question. 'We've only used the horn and tail-hair in Potions.'
"It was in the material for the exams. How did you not know?" Asked Daphne.
"Well, not all of us start studying since winter break." Replied Harry and gave her a look.
Everyone in the school knew that the Slytherins were always the ones with the highest marks, so it wasn't a surprise to see the library full of green after Christmas. Of course, the fifth and seventh years were the exception, they started studying since the beginning of the year.
'That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn,' said Firenze. 'Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenceless to save yourself and you will have but a half life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.'
Harry stared at the back of Firenze's head, which was dappled silver in the moonlight.
'But who'd be that desperate?' he wondered aloud. 'If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?'
"Reason three as to why Harry isn't a Ravenclaw." Announced Ginny.
'It is,' Firenze agreed, 'unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else – something that will bring you back to full strength and power – something that will mean you can never die. Mr Potter, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?'
'The Philosopher's Stone! Of course – the Elixir of Life! But I don't understand who –'
'Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?'
"If you don't guess even with this then you're a lost cause." Muttered Ginny.
It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around Harry's heart. Over the rustling of the trees, he seemed to hear once more what Hagrid had told him on the night they had met: 'Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die.'
The Slytherins who just found out Voldy's secret shared a look. They weren't surprised to know that the centaurs were aware of the horcruxes.
'Do you mean,' Harry croaked, 'that was Vol–'
'Harry! Harry, are you all right?' Hermione was running towards them down the path, Hagrid puffing along behind her.
'I'm fine,' said Harry, hardly knowing what he was saying. 'The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there.'
"Did you give it a proper burial?" Asked Luna.
"Unicorns have burials?" Asked Harry.
"Yes. They have traditions and there's certain things to respect after the death of one." Replied Luna and glared at him and Hagrid. She could safely assume they didn't do what they should've.
'This is where I leave you,' Firenze murmured as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn. 'You are safe now.' Harry slid off his back. 'Good luck, Harry Potter,' said Firenze. 'The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times.'
He turned and cantered back into the depths of the Forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.
*
In Violet's dorm that night a house elf appeared.
'Mistress Violet called for Kreacher. What can Kreacher do?' Said the small creature as he bowed before her.
"You knew him from before?" Asked everyone in the Order except Remus.
"Sirius was in prison. His assets automatically went to his heir which happens to be me." Explained Violet. She remembered very clearly how surprised Sirius was the first time he met Kreacher again.
Violet smiled at him and touched his head gently. 'I believe we talked about bowing before.'
The elf looked up and observed his mistress for a few seconds before responding. 'Mistress Black did not like when Kreacher didn't do this. Mistress would try to test Kreacher from time to time.'
Snuffles, Narcissa and Andromeda glared at the screen at the mention of Walburga. Nobody in the family ever liked her, not even Bellatrix.
'I am not your previous Mistress, Kreacher. I won't be doing any tests, alright?' Assured Violet as she got on her knees to be about the same height as the elf.
"And still people say she's heartless," muttered a voice.
Kreacher seemed to be considering what she said and then he nodded. 'If Violet is sure then Kreacher will do it.'
"I've never heard the elf be this polite." Muttered Ron and Harry agreed.
"I didn't even think he knew how not to insult the person talking to him." Complained Mrs Weasley.
She was very tired of elf. He had made cleaning the house almost impossible since he refused to throw anything out and the Potter girl sided with him and told her to leave the items from the Black family where they were unless the Order wanted to search for a new location.
Violet took a seat and made Kreacher take one as well before speaking again. 'How did it go? Could you do it? Did Sirius get the parcel?' Asked Violet. She wasn't sure how exactly Azkaban worked.
'Yes, Sirius got the parcel. He shall be sending you a message through the diary tonight.' Replied Kreacher. 'Azkaban was built to keep prisoners insane and not offer them ways out because they'd be too weak, but they didn't consider house elves a risk.' Nobody really did consider house elves.
"Alright. I shall speak with the other Aurors about this. We shouldn't take any chances of our prisoners escaping." Said Amelia and Moody nodded.
She smiled at him kindly and offered him one of her cherry pastries. 'Take one. I made them myself.'
"I love your pastries." Commented Collin, his mouth watering as he dreamt of her blueberry lemon muffins and her peach cobbler.
"My dying wish will be to have you feed me one last slice of your coffee cake." Informed Fred. He'd eat cake for the rest of his life if it was made by Violet.
"Don't forget her cheesecake." Added Pansy. For her birthday she asked Violet to gift her three cheesecakes charmed to not go bad.
The elf looked at her suspiciously and then took a small bite and waited for the pain to set in. He was surprised to not feel bad in any way.
"Ducking aunt Walburga." Cursed Andromeda. As long as the elves were treated fairly she had no problem with house elves, but she hated to see them being mistreated.
'How is the renovation going?' Violet changed the subject. She knew it would take some time before Kreacher would fully trust her, especially after the trauma Mrs. Black put him through.
"What are you renovating, Miss Potter ?" Asked Dumbledore and Cornelius at the same time.
"It's a secret, but for you I'll make an exception. The address is not even in your wildest dreams number Friday thirteenth." Replied Violet looking at them unimpressed. They had to put much more effort to even get an ounce of her attention and worry. Right now, they were just annoying bugs like Skeeter.
'It is going well, Violet. Tizzy is very upset that she can't come to Hogwarts to look after you. And Pinky and Leesey are trying to come up with ideas on how to redecorate after we finish cleaning. They plan to send you pictures and letters with ideas.'
"Your elves really to took their jobs seriously." Muttered Adrian as he remembered Violet getting at least an owl a day for two months straight from her elves with different ideas and suggestions.
'Sounds fun.' Noted Violet. 'I think I'll finish my essay and I'll go to sleep. Have a good night, Kreacher. The same for the others.'
'Kreacher shall tell them.' Nodded the elf before disappearing.
"I'm still surprised to see him be a decent person." Whispered Ginny. She was indifferent about house elves and Kreacher. She'd be fine with having one or two, but she could very easily survive without them.
"How did you succeed to do that anyway?" Asked George.
"You should know better then to ask me to reveal my secrets, Gred." Teased Violet and saw him nod. There were some things that should be kept hidden and how she got on good terms with the Black family elf is one of them.
"Who wants to read?" Broke the silence Hermione.
"I want to." Offered a second year Ravenclaw. "Through the Trapdoor or Fluffy deserves better"
***
So I did my best to do reactions, but the action made it a little tricky to write more since there wasn't really a reason for anyone to say anything and... for the moment this is the final result.
Changed the cover. What do you think? And remember... nothing is what it seems and everything is there for a reason.