Born From Madness (Harry Potter Fanfic)

29

Hermione couldn't sleep that night or that week. The three of them were having a horrible time. Everyone seemed to turn on them. Harry suffered the most since he got badmouthed by the quidditch team, who only called him The Seeker from now on. Except for Slytherins, who clapped and told them how they owned them. Hermione avoid drawing attention to her in class, refusing to answer a single answer. She tried to focus more on her studying to forget what had happened. She couldn't wait till the exams were over and done with. 

However a week before the exams, Harry came rushing from the library to tell them that Quirrell had cracked and now Snape finally knows how to get past Quirrell's Anti-Dark Force spell. And if he knew Quirrell's task, then he probably knew how to get past Fluffy. They were discussing how they were going to stop Snape from getting the Stone. They thought about telling Dumbledore, but there were tons of problems in that. First they didn't have any proof, secondly they weren't supposed to know anything about Fluffy and the Stone. 

Hermione split from the group for a moment to get hold of a book for potions. When she found it and was about to pull it from the shelf, her attention shifted to McGonagall's voice. 

"Are you barking mad, Albus? I can't sent them there!" Hermione peered over the corner of the book shelf to find McGonagall and Albus arguing. McGonagall appeared like she had seen such a horrible event happen right in front of her. 

"I know your concerns, but they must go." Albus claimed. 

"Must go? Must go! They don't have to go anywhere near that place! It's too dangerous." McGonagall growled at Albus. 

"You must trust me McGonagall. It's important that they go. Especially, Hermione." Albus claimed. Hermione jolted. What did he mean that it was important that Hermione had to go to this place. Hermione didn't get to listen to the rest as McGonagall and Albus made their way towards her and she had to leave so it didn't look like she was listening in. 

The next morning, Harry, Hermione and Neville got notes delivered to them and they were all the same: 

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall. 

Professor M. McGonagall 

Hermione walked down with Neville and Harry towards the entrance hall. Filch was already there with Malfoy. 

"Follow me," Filch ordered them before heading outside. 

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at them, "It's a pity they let the old punishments die. Hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days. Still got them in my office. Right off you go, don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do." 

Soon they were heading straight to Hagrid's hut. Harry's face showed a look of relief, which Filch saw, "Suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Think again! You're going into the forest and I bet you won't be coming back in one piece." 

Hermione's eyes widened. This was where she needed to be? She pondered as she wondered what was in the forest that so important that she needed to be there. 

"The forest?" Malfoy shouted, "We can't go in there! There's all sorts of things in there-- werewolves, I heard." 

Hermione tilted her head, wondering what was he so worried about werewolves. It wasn't even the full moon! He had nothing to worry about. Soon they were at Hagrid's hut as he had Fang at his feet and a large crossbow in arm and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder. 

"About time! Been waiting half an hour already! You alright, Harry, Hermione?" Hagrid asked them. 

"I shouldn't be too friendly to them. They're here to be punished," Filch said coldly. 

"That's not your place to lecture them! You've done your bit, now I'll take over." Hagrid shot at them. 

"I'll be back at Dawn... for what's left of them." Filch said, nastily as he turned and headed back to the castle as he was laughing on his way. Malfoy soon turned to Hagrid. 

"I'm not going in that forest," he said, panic filled his voice. 

"You will if you want to stay at Hogwarts. And it will be good for you to learn from your wrongdoing," Hagrid said, fiercely, "Now listen up. Cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do. No one is going to take risk. Now over here," 

Hagrid moved over till he walked through a bit of the woods till they were standing over a pool of silver. 

"See that? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there been hurt badly by something. This is the second time in a week. Found one dead last Wednesday. We're going to go and find the poor thing and put it out of its misery." Hagrid stated to them. 

"What if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Malfoy asked. 

"It's going to be alright. Just keep with either Fang or myself and stay on the path, you'll be alright. We're going to spilt up. Malfoy, Neville, and Fang one way and Harry, Hermione and myself go another." Now if you find the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks. Get your wands out and practice now. If you get in trouble, send up red sparks. and we'll all come and find you. Be careful. Let's go." Hagrid explained to them before leading them into the depths of the forest.