Everything Black | Harry Potter

14. Sick of Losing Soulmates

Anyone would tell you the weeks leading up to and week of exams were hell.

Whether it be the sweltering heat, the fact that was exam week or the strange, eery mood that undercurrent the castle and lightly prickled everyone's senses, those two weeks inspired irritation and frustration among the entire student body.

Well, to say the entire student body might be a stretch. Much to all's frustration and distaste, there remained two young students seemingly unfazed by all, one going so far as to be chipper, disgustingly enough. Naturally the two students did have some complaints, however many at Hogwarts were considering revoking their right to complain if all they had to say about the week from hell was:

"Bit hot, isn't it?"

and

"Tch, tedious."

Unbeknownst to the students, even the professors were feeling the unrest. Most, meaning those not as involved or informed about the castle's more intimate going-on were simply eager for the school year to be over, wanting to get their two months rest and recuperation before having to deal with all manner of magical mishaps and mayhem. Others, such as the heads of house, the headmaster and a few select others were more concerned with darker news. Just the other week had a centaur – a centaur of all things – approached the castle doors under the cover of night, seeking audience with the headmaster.

While those at the castle had become aware of the situation with unicorns and a monster in the forbidden forest through Hagrid, to have the centaurs leave the forest to discuss it with them was unnerving to say the least.

The centaur – a young Firenze – told them a trusted individual had approached his clan and given them an outside perspective over the situation, and as such, that they would be herding and temporarily relocating their clan and the unicorns until such time as the monster is caught.

This, understandably, both alarmed the Hogwarts professors and gave them some form of relief – at least the unicorns, pure creatures that they are, would now be safer. For Professor Dumbledore, it also confirmed one of his largest worries and suspicions.

Voldemort had indeed breached Hogwarts' defences.

Although the professors had tried to hush it up, of course the students were somewhat aware of as it was the only exciting thing of note to happen during lead up to exams.

The centaur bit, not the stuff about Voldemort.

But come on now, really? A centaur voluntarily leaving the forest and interacting with wizards? It was practically unheard of – no matter how thorough the cover up, of course the students would find out that a man-horse hybrid met with the headmaster about something serious and left shortly thereafter.

Common sense adults; do keep up.

On a completely unrelated note, the next morning saw the entire great hall being greeted by the amusing sight of Harry Potter almost body slamming Draco Malfoy to the ground in a hug, an unintelligible stream of happiness and rushed 'thank you's spilling from his mouth. No one knew what it was about, as both boys refused to say anything on the subject, but the-boy-who-lived was vibrating with happiness and excitement all day, much to his friends' never-ending exasperation.

Not that they saw the two very often in the passing weeks, as Ron, Neville and Hermione spent their time studying, the other two spent their time. . . goofing off and– and doing unrelated, non-studying things. She'd tried to get them to join, but, well, when one gets told "Tch, tedious," by an individual such as Draco Malfoy, one tends to avoid the subject again for fear of decking the boy.