RAVENCLAW!

14. Detention

The following week Draco kept to an ideal plan: no rule breaking, insulting Harry and his friends as often as possible, not talking to anyone except his Slytherin friends.
This included completely ignoring his potions partner as she asked,
"what time?"
on Monday morning. Her disappointed expression made his heart clench but he would NOT budge this time. He wanted to prove that he was the rightful Malfoy heir.
Even though he still was a bit angry at Nobody he went back to visiting Nowhere on a regular basis because it helped him getting adjusted with the current situation.

Rumours had spread as to why exactly Gryffindor as well as Ravenclaw had lost a total amount of 100 points in one night. The suggestions were wild and not anywhere near the truth but this Friday at the latest they would at least know who was guilty.
While their roommates had seemed to have gotten rather friendly with Harry before the fateful night they were pretty much ignoring them both as they left for their detention. Filch and the two Gryffindorks were awaiting them at the huge front doors. Dreading what he would hear for an answer he put up his best sneer and snarled,

"So, what is this mysterious punishment for which we have to meet up in the entrance hall?"

Granger, Longbottom and Potter seemed a bit curious themselves about what was to come. Also Filch looked way too happy today. He even showed his yellowish teeth in what was probably supposed to be a grin but the expression was really more frightening than anything else.

"You will fulfil your assignment with Hagrid."

Harry and Hermione's faces relaxed as they shared a glance.

"In the forest."

All four of them were now staring at Filch unbelievingly.

"Come on little children. You won't return until you've finished your task. If you don't hurry up you might have to stay in the woods until midnight."

Still in shock they started to move towards the oaf's hut.

"But, Mr. Filch, Sir, the forest is forbidden for students. There are dangerous creatures in there. Surely the teachers..." The Mudblood started to argue but was soon interrupted by the caretaker.

"Forbidden, hah. Not on this occasion. There were times when..." and he started drawling on about the punishments he once had been allowed to give with a scary sound of longing in his voice.

He only stopped when they had eventually arrived at the ground keeper's so called 'house'. The usually rather cheerful big man (well, Draco wasn't even sure that he was an actual human) looked rather sad but told them what they had to be careful about and stuff on their way towards the trees anyway.

"We're lookin' fer a unicorn. Injured or worse, see tha'?"
The oaf pointed towards the ground where a pool of silver liquid shimmered in the light of his gas lamp.
"Tha's unicorn blood. And a whole lof of it. Let's hope we'll find the poor thing before it's ter late."

With that he walked right into the depths of the woods and the students had no choice but to follow him.

:   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :   :

They had walked for what felt like half an hour when suddenly a creature turned up. It was a centaur. Hagrid called him Bane. Bane was a pretty unfriendly centaur for what it seemed like, but maybe all centaurs just hated wizards. After that encounter they split up. And of course Harry had to end up with Malfoy and Fang, the dog, while Hermione, Neville and Hagrid were the other group.

They didn't talk, although Harry always had this one question lying on his lips.
'Why did you follow me?'
He didn't ask it though. He didn't dare to remind the other boy of that night, it must've had awoken bad memories or so he guessed from the nightmare his roommate had had afterwards.
After another ten minutes of silent walking there was a sudden noise to their right. Malfoy jumped and before Harry had registered it the last glimpse of white blonde hair had disappeared in the shadows of the nearby trees, the dog right behind.
Harry on the other hand, held the lamp higher and walked towards the place where the sound had come from. After about 20 steps in that direction he heard low voices which caused him to dim the light of the lamp with his cloak in order not to be seen.