A Potter Secret

First Sighting

Outside, at night, the four students are being led to Hagrid's hut by Mr. Filch. "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," Filch mumbles. Draco gulps, and Hermione rushes by. "You'll be serving detention with Hagrid tonight. He's got a little job to do inside the dark forest." Hagrid appears with a crossbow. He sniffles. "A sorry lot this, Hagrid. Oh, good God, man, you're not still on about that bloody dragon, are you?"

Hagrid sniffs and sighs. "Norbert's gone. Dumbledore sent him off to Romania to live in a colony," Hagrid explains.

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

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

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

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

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad. You can be sure of that." Draco looks frightened. "Nighty-night," Filch says, leaving.

"Right. Let's go," Hagrid says.

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In the forest. The group walks 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. "Hagrid, what's that?" Harry asks.

"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." Harry suddenly sees a large cloaked figure walking through the trees. He looks at Hagrid. "So, it's our job to find the poor beast. Ron, Hermione, you'll come with me," Hagrid instructs.

"Okay," Rom whispers weakly.

"And Harry, you'll go with Malfoy," Hagrid says. Draco grimaces, and Harry nods.

"Okay. Then I get Fang!" Draco says, scared.

"Fine. Just so you know, he's a bloody coward," Hagrid teases. Fang whines.

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Harry and Draco are walking through the forest, Fang leading. Draco has the lamp. "You wait till my father hears about this. This is servant's stuff," Draco mutters.

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

"Scared, Potter?!" Draco scoffs. "Did you hear that? Come on, Fang. I'm scared."

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The group approaches a flat ground with gnarled roots all over. Fang stops, then growls. "What is it, Fang?" Harry asks.

Up ahead, a cloaked figure is crouched over a dead unicorn, drinking its blood. The figure raises its head, silver blood dripping from its mouth. Harry gasps and grabs his scar, which is hurting. A look of pure fear crosses Draco's face. "AHHHHHHHHH! AHHH!" He runs away, with Fang. "HELP!"

Harry is left by himself. The figure slides over the unicorn and rises erect. It advances towards Harry, who backs up, but trips. He crawls backwards. Suddenly, there is the sound of hoofbeats. A figure leaps over Harry and lands near the cloaked figure. It is a silver centaur, FIRENZE. It rears, and the cloaked figure retreats, flying away. "Harry Potter, you must leave. You are known to many creatures here. The forest is not safe at this time. Especially for you," Firenze explains.

Harry rises. "But what was that thing you saved me from?" Harry inquires.

"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 the moment the blood touches your lips, you will have a half-life. A cursed life," Firenze explains.

"But who would choose such a life?'

"Can you think of no one?"

"Do you mean to say that that thing that killed the unicorn that was drinking its blood that was Voldemort?"

"Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"

"The Sorcerer's Stone," Harry mumbles.

Suddenly, a dog barks. Harry looks up and sees Hagrid, Hermione, Ron and Draco appear. "Harry!" Hermione calls.

"Hello there, Firenze. I see you've met our young Mr. Potter. You all right there, Harry?" Hagrid inquires. Harry nods

"Harry Potter, this is where I leave you. You're safe now. Good luck," Firenze says.

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On the way back to the common room, the three head by the potions classroom. Professor Snape appears a moment later in his dressing robe. "What is it you need, Mr. Potter. If I'm not mistaken, you're supposed to be in detention."

"We were just released," Harry replies. "I- I was hoping to see my sister. I need to know she's alright."

"She's asleep, Mr. Potter, and I would rather you didn't disturb her. She has an exam in the morning," Severus replies.

"Please sir," Hermione asks. "We were in the dark forest with Hagrid for detention."

"Something was drinking blood from a unicorn," Harry continues. "Firenze thought it could be Volde-"

"Don't say his name!" Ron hisses, elbowing Harry.

"Papa?" a voice calls from behind Severus. They all turn to see Isabella standing there, rubbing her eyes. "What's going on?"

"Nothing, Isabella. You're supposed to be asleep," Severus reprimands lightly. He waves her forward and she stumbles closer. "Why aren't you?"

"I was worried about Harry. Something felt wrong," Isabella replies. "Are you okay?"

Harry nods and hugs her. "I just wanted to make sure you were alright. Something in the dark forest made me nervous."

"The unicorn you found with Draco and Fang?" Isabella asks.

"Y-yes," Harry replies. "How did you know?"

"Whenever you are scared or in trouble, it's like I can see through your eyes. I feel what you do," Isabella explains. "Like with the cupboard."

Pulling Isabella closer before pulling away, Harry nods. "We better get back to our rooms." He turns to Severus and bows his head slightly. "Thank you, professor."

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Gryffindor common room. The group is around the fire. Hermione and Ron are seated, but Harry stands. "You mean, You-Know-Who's out there, right now, in the forest?" Hermione asks.

"But he's weak. He's living off the unicorns. Don't you see? We had it wrong. Someone doesn't want the stone for himself, he wants the stone for Voldemort. With the Elixir of Life, Voldemort will be strong again. He'll- He'll come back," Harry insists. He sits down, nerves wracking.

"But if he comes back, you don't think he'll try to kill you, do you?" Ron asks.

"I think if he'd had the chance, he might have tried to kill me tonight," Harry says.

Ron gulps. "And to think, I've been worrying about my Potions final!"

"Hang on a minute. We're forgetting one thing. Who's the one wizard Voldemort always feared?" Hermione asks. The boys shrug. "Dumbledore! As long as Dumbledore's around, you're safe. As long as Dumbledore's around, you can't be touched." Harry smiles slightly.

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