Was I just a ruse? ( Harry Potter x Reader)

The One with the Forbidden Forest

At 11 o'clock, they said goodbye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Neville. Filch was already waiting with the evil Malfoy. Filch led them outside while taunting them and threatening them with creepy punishments.

The brunette had already noticed the others being creeped out by the punishment, but for her if it's anywhere near creatures, she'll be okay. She gazed out in the clear sky full of stars, perfect for searching planets and stargazing. Her fever dream was broken by a shout from Hagrid.
"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."

The brunette was even more assured, seeing Hagrid. If he was there, the Forbidden forest was just a fun activity for them. She could see Harry getting happy at the sight of Hagrid, which didn't go unnoticed by Filch, who was once again telling him creepy things about the Forest.

At the mention of Forest, all people except the brunette flinched. Hagrid came and growled at Draco who was all for snitching to his dad," Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts, Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer it."

After a whole convo of Draco being a scared kitty and Hagrid scolding him, they finally got to know what they were doing-  finding an injured unicorn whose blood was dripping all over the forest.

They were divided into two parties - Harry, Hermione and Hagrid & the other with the brunette, Neville and Malfoy along with Fang. Hagrid instructed them to send up red sparks up if they're in trouble or green if they find the unicorn.

The brunette starting walking with Fang following her closely, while Malfoy was being overly close to her. She could've sworn Harry gave him a glare before they parted ways.

"H- hey Scamander, are you r-r-really good with creatures, d-did you just lie al-ll the t-time?"
"Malfoy, don't make me laugh. I've dealt with creatures all around the world and-  about you stuttering I'll never tell anybody, if you behave okay?" She added with a playful wink.
"Y/n, aaaaaa what are these foot prints?"
"Neville, they're centaur footmarks, and you've made a good observation. Why are they roaming around? Hagrid once told me they usually stick their part of the forest."

She looked up at the sky, trying to notice any big alarming feature related to Divination. She had learnt from her Grandfather that Centuars
were magical creatures whose head, torso, and arms appeared to be human and were joined to a horse's lower body. They were their own individual species.

They also had a rich history and were known for being naturally talented in archery, healing magic, divination and Astronomy, while explaining all of this to the boys she noticed Mars was glowing brightly. She knew this couldn't be good, because whenever she read her brother's Divination books, they told the presence of Mars means something bad.

While she was deep in thought, Malfoy had pulled a prank on Neville. He had grabbed him from behind and that led to Neville sending up red sparks. The red sparks made her alert again. Looking at Malfoy and Neville she realised what had happened and she immediately felt guilty. Hagrid had trusted her to be with them and she didn't pay attention.

"Malfoy, if you were going to do something like this, I should've just sprinkled some of the Acromantula venom lying here on you. Death by quick measures ."
Malfoy's proud stance turned into a scared one. While they heard leaves rustling harshly, Malfoy quickly hid behind her, while Neville was just lying on the forest floor out of fear.
Turns out it was Hagrid, and boy was he angry.

"I'm really sorry Hagrid, I know I should've kept an eye on them but I noticed something and--
"It's oker y/n, I know it's not yer fault."

Then he took the lot with him to where Hermione and Harry were. Hagrid switched Neville with Harry and they walked together.

There Harry and the brunette started talking, while Malfoy was trying to hear them holding Fang.
"Y/n why were you distracted?"
"How do you know?"
"I know you wouldn't have tolerated this and you look alarmed."
"Well you're right,  Mars is exceptionally bright tonight."
"Why does everyone keep saying that, the centuars we met earlier was also saying the same thing? Hagrid didn't know what they meant."
"He also didn't know? Well Mars is a symbol of war or bad luck. It means something big or bad is going to happen tonight."
"P-Potter, S-Scamander do you see the blood?"

Well she had been noticing, the path they were taking had become impossible to follow and the blood was growing thicker. There were splashes as a sign of struggle from the Unicorn, this really scared the brunette.

Usually she was used to see stuff like this whenever they were rescuing creatures back home but seeing Unicorn blood like this she got worried. Unicorn blood is something which is considered like an elixir for life but it comes at a great price. Only someone out of their mind would attempt this. They saw the Unicorn, DEAD.

The brunette was stuck in her place at the sight infront of her, she raised her wand to send green sparks up but she instead she stood transfixed and said
"H-Harry w-whatever t-t-that thing in-n f-front of us-s is, it is danger-rous ok-kay?"
Harry nodded and turned at the sight infront of them.

A hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast, reached the Unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.

At this Malfoy let out a terrible scream and ran away along with Fang. The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at them who were now holding hands scared -- Unicorn blood was dripping down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly towards them. Harry suddenly sank into his feet clutching his scar and the brunette also fell hugging him. Meanwhile they heard hooves behind them, galloping and charging at the figure.

The brunette looked up at the centaur and noticed that he was exactly how she imagined centuars to be. She stood upright and thanked him while pulling Harry up.
"Thank you Mr. Centaur" she said bowing.
"Are you Alright?"
"Yes -- thank you- what was that?"
"You are the Potter boy, You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time-- especially for you both. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way. My name is Firenze."

As he lowered himself, two other centaurs came.[ Ronan] [ Bane] [Firenze]
"Firenze! What are you doing? You have humans on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"
"Do you realize who this is? This is the Potter boy. The sooner he leaves this forest, the better."
"What have you been telling him? Remember, Firenze we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what us to come in the movements of the planets?"
"I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best,"
"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!"
"Do you not see that Unicorn? 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."

They plunged into the trees leaving the two other centaurs behind.
"Why's Bane so angry? What was that thing you saved me from, anyway?"
Firenze didn't answer Harry for some time and then-
"Harry Potter, do you know what Unicorn blood is used for?"
The brunette immediately answered like an habit.
"The Unicorn blood, if consumed, allows a person to remain alive even if they are close to death."
"You're right--
"Y/n Scamander, Mr. Firenze."
"Yes, that is because it is a monstrous thing to slay a unicorn, Only one who has nothing to lose and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a Unicorn keeps you alive even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a cursed life- a half life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."
Harry replied with-
"But who'd be that desperate? If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?"
"It is, 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. Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"
"The Sorcerer's Stone! Elixir of Life but who-- the brunette replied.
"Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?"
Harry replied this time.
"Do you mean, that was Volde--
"Harry! Y/n, are you alright?" Hermione came running towards them.
"This is where I leave you, You are safe now. Good luck, Harry Potter and Ms. Scamander. The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by Centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

The brunette wrapped her shawl around Harry who was shivering violently and gave him a small smile.

Something struck her that night, and she had to make sure it was right.

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