𝐦𝐞𝐚𝐧𝐭 𝐭𝐨 𝐛𝐞 (𝟏) || HARRY POTTER LOVE STORY

48

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 didn't move.

Suddenly he staggered backwards. Julie heard hooves behind them, galloping, and something jumped clean over them charging at the figure.
Harry fell to his knees.

"HARRY!" Julie yelled. "What's the matter?"

It took a minute or two before he answered. Julie got down on her knees too, trying to process what just happened.

"My scar.." he said. "It hurt so bad. It felt like it was on fire."

"Are you alright now?" Julie asked with a tone of worry in my voice.

"Yeah, thanks" he said smiling at me.

When they 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.

"Are you all right?" said the centaur, pulling Harry to his feet. Julie stood up by herself.

"Yes - thank you - what was that?" he asked, sounding out of breath.

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 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 and Julie 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.

"Firenze!" Bane thundered. "What are you doing? You have humans 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"

"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. Harry and Julie looked at each other nervously.

"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 Julie had to grab his shoulders to stay on and Harry had to grab her around her waist.

"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"

Firenze whisked around with Harry and Julie clutching on as best they could, they plunged off into the trees, leaving Ronan and Bane behind them. She didn't have a clue what was going on.

"Why's Bane so angry?" Harry asked. "What was that thing you saved us from, anyway?"

Firenze slowed to a walk, warned Harry and Julie to keep their heads bowed in case of low-hanging branches but did not answer Hary's question.

They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Julie thought Firenze didn't want to talk to them any more. They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees, however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.

"Do you know what unicorn blood is used for?" he asked us. Harry shook his head.

"Yes.." Julie answered quietly. "But it's a monstrous thing to do."

"Exactly, young lady." 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."

Julie stared at the back of Firenze's head, which was dappled silver in the moonlight.

"But who'd be that desperate?" Harry wondered aloud. "If you're going to be cursed for ever, death's better, isn't it?"

"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?" Firenze asked

Julie's stomach turned awfully at his words, realising who he meant.

"Do you mean" Harry croaked, "that was Vol-"

"Harry! Julie!"