Book 1: Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (Hermione X Self Insert)

Chapter 17 - The Forbidden Forest

The next night, Harry, Ron, Dayton, Hermione and Draco were being led to Hagrid's hut by Mr. Filch.

"A pity they let the old punishments die." Filch was saying. "There was a time when detention would find you hanging by your ankles in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming."

Draco gulped.

"You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight." Filch went on. "He's got a little job to do inside the dark forest."

When they arrived, Hagrid appeared with a crossbow.

"A sorry lot this, Hagrid." Filch said, before he became aware that Hagrid was sniffling. "Oh, good God, man, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?"

Hagrid sighed. "Norbert's gone. Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony."

"Well, that's good, isn't it?" Hermione attempted to comfort him. "He'll be with his own kind."

"Yeah, but what if he don't like Romania?" Hagrid asked, as Filch rolled his eyes. "What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's only a baby, after all."

"Oh, for God's sake, pull yourself together, man." Filch said, irritated. "You're going into the forest, after all. Got to have your wits about you."

"The forest?" Draco repeated. "I thought that was a joke! We can't go in there. Students aren't allowed. And there are... werewolves!"

At that exact moment, a howling sound was heard, adding effect to Draco's words.

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad. You can be sure of that." Filch said with an evil, lopsided smile. "Nighty-night."

With that, the caretaker left, Draco's face turning quite white.

"Right." Hagrid addressed the five children. "Let's go."

In the Forbidden Forest, the group walked along a path to a tree. Hagrid, holding a lantern, stopped, bent down and dipped his fingers in a shiny silver puddle. He brought his fingers closer to his face and rubbed them together. A silver trail smeared with his fingers.

"Hagrid, what's that?" Harry asked the gamekeeper.

"What we're here for." Hagrid responded in a grave voice. "See that? That's unicorn's blood, that is. I found one dead a few weeks ago. Now, this one's been injured bad by something, so it's our job to find the poor beast."

Harry suddenly saw a large cloaked figure walking through the trees. He looked back at Hagrid.

"Ron, Hermione, you'll come with me." Hagrid pointed to the two children.

"Okay." Ron nodded his head.

"And Harry, you'll go with Dayton and Malfoy." Hagrid told the three remaining members of the group. Draco grimaced, and Harry nodded.

"Okay, then I get Fang!" Draco bargained.

"Fine." Hagrid agreed. "But just so you know, he's a bloody coward."

"Good luck." Hermione whispered, her face glowing a deep blue in the moonlight as the children split up.

Harry, Dayton and Draco walked through a part of the forest, with Fang leading. Draco held the lantern in his hand.

"You wait till my father hears about this." Draco grumbled. "This is servant's stuff."

"If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd say you were scared." Dayton declared.

"Scared, Cahill?!" Draco scoffed.