Hally Potter

Chapter 16

First Detention

Professor McGonagall walked each of us back to our dorms. She took Malfoy first and let him know to meet Finch at a corridor on the night of the 26th. Then she dropped off the Gryffindors and relayed the same message. Lastly, she walked me to my dorm, "Oh and Ms. Potter, please don't make me suffer from two mini-James Potters, "She says as I answer my riddle.

I laugh and nod before writing goodnight to her and sneaking into my dorm. Most nights, I manage to get three to four hours of sleep, so I change and quickly start trying to sleep. The next morning, my friends could not believe I actually got detention. And they were even more shocked to hear it wasn't the twins that got me into trouble. Throughout the day and the next day, everyone made comments about how I'm turning out just like my brother. And I just giggle as I think about how we are indeed twins.

I do exactly as Professor McGonagall said, and I stand at the corridor waiting for Finch. Harry, Ron, and Hermione appear next. I wave to them as Mr Finch walks over to us, too. They greet me and wait a couple of minutes before Malfoy finally shows.

Outside, Mr Finch leads us to Hagrid's hut in the dark. "A pity they let the old punishments die. There was a time detention would find you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God, I miss the screaming." Finch says, making Malfoy gulp, and Hermione rushes by. "You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight. He's got a little job to do inside the dark forest." Finch continues as Hagrid appears with a crossbow.

Hagrid sniffles sadly. "A sorry lot this, Hagrid. Oh, good God, man, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?" Finch says, looking disapprovingly at the giant. Hagrid sniffles and sighs, "Norbert's gone. Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony." He says sadly. I grab a finger of his and give him a comforting look as Hermione talks, "Well, that's good, isn't it? He'll be with his own kind."

"Yeah, but what if he don't like Romania?" Hagrid asks mournfully, Finch rolls his eyes. "What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's only a baby, after all." Hagrid asks, tearing up. "Oh, for Gods sake, pull yourself together, man. You're going into the forest, after all. Got to have your wits about you." Finch says. "The forest? I thought that was a joke! We can't go in there. Students aren't allowed. And there are" Malfoy starts but us interrupted by a howl, "werewolves!" He exclaims quietly.

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad. You can be sure of that." Finch says directly towards Malfoy. Malfoy's face turns frightened, "nightly night," Finch says. I wave goodbye to him as he walks away, "Right, let's go," Hagrid encourages, walking forward. He hands me a special wand, "if you're in trouble, this wand will shoot a beacon of light," He informs me. I sign thank you to him before putting my wand in my robe.

While in the forest, we walk along a path to a tree. Hagrid stops, bends down, and dips his fingers in a silver puddle. He pulls out his fingers and rubs them together. A silver trail smears with his fingers. I shudder unconsciously. "Hagrid, what's that?" Harry asks as I tilt my head. "What we're here for. 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." Hagrid explains.

I suddenly see a large cloaked figure walking through the trees but tell myself I'm just imagining it as I look back to Hagrid. "So, it's our job to find the poor beast. Ron, Hermione, Hally, you'll come with me." Hagrid says. "Okay.." Ron says weakly, I shake my head and walk closer to Harry. Hoping my point gets across as I take Harry's hand. "And I guess, Harry, Hally, you'll go with Malfoy," Hagrid says.

Malfoy grimaces, and as Harry and I nod. "Okay. Then I get Fang!" Malfoy claims, we all look at Fang. "Fine. Just so you know, he's a bloody coward." Hagrid tells him as Fang whines. I put my other hand out, and Fang walks closer, I pet him gently before my trio walks further into the forest. At one point, we heard another howl, so I sneakily offered my hand to Malfoy. He takes it after a moment of thought before we continue walking forward.

We are now walking with Fang leading. Malfoy has the lamp and my hand in his hands while Harry holds my hand and the special wand. "You wait till my father hears about this. This is servant's stuff." Malfoy says, making me shake my head at the spoiled boy. "If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd say you were scared." Harry says, he glances at our hands. Malfoy let's go instantly, "Scared, Potter?!" He scoffs before we hear another howl. "Did you hear that? Come on, Fang. Scared." Malfoy says, walking forward with the dog.

We approach a flat ground with gnarled roots all over. Fang stops, then growls. I look around, "what is it fang?" Harry questions. We look to where he is looking and see a cloaked figure crouched over a dead unicorn, drinking its blood up ahead. The figure raises its head, silver blood dripping from its mouth. Harry gasps as I hold my scar, Harry holds his scared, telling me both are hurting.

Malfoy, in pure fear, runs away screaming with Fang. The special wand in Harry's hand lets out a burst of light as Malfoy leaves us by ourselves. The figure slides over the unicorn and rises erect. It advances towards us. Harry pushes me behind him, and we back up. He pushes me a little too hard, and we trip. We crawl backward when suddenly there is the sound of hoof-beats. A figure leaps over Harry and lands near the cloaked figure. It is a silver centaur.

It rears, and the cloaked figure retreats, flying away. The centaur walks over to us slowly, "Harry and Hally Potter, you must leave. You are known to many creatures here. The forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you two." He says, helping me stand up. I'm too in shock to thank him as Harry, who had already stood, asks a question. "But what was that thing you saved me from?"

"A monstrous creature. It is a terrible crime to slay a unicorn. Drinking 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 so pure that from the moment the blood touches your lips, you will have a half-life. A cursed life." The centaur tells us.

"But who would choose such a life?" Harry asks, bringing me close. "Can you think of no one?" The centaur asks Harry, making me tilt my head. "Do you mean to say that thing that killed the unicorn that was drinking its blood, that was Voldemort?" Harry replies. "Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment, Mr. Potter?" He asks, making me gasp, waiting for Harry to put it together. Harry finally realizes, "The Philosopher's Stone."

Fang suddenly barks, and Harry and I look up to see Hagrid, Hermione, Ron, and Draco appear. Hagrid has his crossbow ready but lowers it when he sees the centaur. "Harry! Hally!" Hermione shouts, glad.

"Hello there, Firenze. I see you've met our young Mr. and Ms. Potter. You all right there, Harry? Hally?" Hagrid asks. Harry nods before I hesitatingly nods, too, "Harry and Hally Potter, this is where I leave you. You're safe now. Good luck." Firenze says, leaving as our group looks upon the dead unicorn.