The characters from Harry Potter do not belong to me, They belong to J. K. Rowling. The Arcadians, however, do belong to me and please look foreward to reading more about them in the future. I am making no profit from this piece of fiction, please feel free to leave constructive criticism. Well Enjoy.
The night was dark, due to the fact that the moon was not shining. A streak of pure white lit the sky in what could have been a shooting star, for all the speed it exhibited. The young man looked up in awe as the blur slowed at the top of the dark forest and plummeted. Bright green eyes widened behind round spectacles as they tried their best to peer through the darkness and see what lay within the forbidden forest.
"What are you on about then?" The dark haired boy turned and looked over at his red haired best friend then turned back to the window. They had been at school for less than two weeks and already he had been in Snape's office twice. "You would think with all we've been through he would be a bit nicer eh' Harry?" Ron complained as they headed off with their crisp detention slips in their hands. "It's not like I meant to knock over Malfoy's cauldron, well I did, but he can't prove it."
"Did you see that, Ron?" Harry asked as he looked again out of the window in their tower. "Did you?"
"See what?" Ron peered through the window and saw nothing but the eerie trees of the forbidden forest.
"There you are!" Harry and Ron looked up to see their friend Hermione coming fast towards them. She stopped an inch from where they were both looking through the window. "Here it is only the second week of our sixth year and you've gone and made Snape upset, now we'll have to really watch our backs, especially you Harry. Now why are both just standing here lollygagging in front of a window, we've got homework, and your two will be studying extra hard this year, I promised your mom Ron."
Ron frowned at the curly haired girl who was fast becoming a lovely young woman. "Harry just saw something, didn't you?"
"Like a vision or something?" Hermione shoved past Ron and laid her hand on Harry's shoulder. "Did your scar hurt?"
"No it was nothing like that, I know we have covered unicorns in our care of magical creatures class and I have seen them with my own eyes, but... can they fly?" Harry pressed his nose to the window again and saw nothing out of place in the forest. "I saw something bright flying by very fast, then it fell into the forest."
"You'd better tell Magonagall, maybe it was a new sort of spell to get into the school, people are trying to kill you, you know." Hermione took Harry's hand and left the Gryffindor tower, Ron in tow.
Professor Minerva Magonagall peered over her spectacles and looked at the three young people in front of her desk. "So Mr. Potter, you say it just fell to the forest floor and you have not seen anything since?" She looked in her doorway when Hagrid walked through. His large frame made the room seem as if they were standing in a broom closet instead of a spacious office. "Normally I would not bother, but with everything that has been going on of late I think this matter should be investigated, and Dumbledore should be alerted in case there is any problem." Magonagall looked away from Hagrid to stare out into the forest, "Rubeus, perhaps you would be well advised to take Severus with you." She gave Hagrid a look of such meaning that Harry wondered what had been going on before School had started up again.
Professor Magonagall looked again at her three students before she stood to go to Dumbledore, "You three report immediately to your tower, as I understand that you have some detention and home work to be seeing to. Harry you have been assigned to reading 30 of Shakespeare's sonnets to Moaning Myrtle, and Ron you must read 30 different ones to her. This must be done before the end of next week, I will have an accounting from Myrtle to make sure you have done it."
"Ah bummer, what a punishment, Myrtle will surely think we are teasing her and flood the fifth floor again, imagine the fifth out of commission sixty times, is Magonagall crazy?" Ron complained, he stopped when he noted that Harry and Hermione were not listening.
"Oh no you don't Harry Potter, I know that look on your face." Hermione said. "We are going back to the tower and you are doing your homework and choosing thirty sonnets."
"I have to know what it was, what if it really is going to try to kill me, I need to know what I'm up against." Harry said and with a determined march went up to their tower to grab his invisibility cloak.
The trio passed Hagrid and Snape on their way out of the school. "Potter probably just wants to get everyone's attention diverted elsewhere so he can sneak off somewhere." Harry frowned as he made eye contact with his professor who sneered as he thought that he might have been over heard. "Well Potter, star gazing are you?"
"Just off to my tower, I have homework and detention you know." Harry smiled brightly at Snape even though his insides churned with bile. Snape seemed more angry at the smile than he could have ever been at a matching sneer. He stalked off with Hagrid, who turned and winked one of his beetle black eyes at Harry who displayed a true grin and headed back to the tower, more determined than ever to know what he had seen.
"Harry, this is madness" Hermione complained as he and Ron both got under his invisibility cloak left to him by his late father.
"Then don't come," Harry said and began to cover himself.
Hermione huffed and pulled the cloak over herself, she may as well help with the research that would determine if whatever it was, was a danger to Harry.
The trek into the forest was getting shorter as the years passed. It seemed that they were entering the forest sooner than they ever had before when they had sneaked out of the castle grounds. They traveled onward following a strange bright light that had not been visible from the tower. They soon found themselves staring in awe at a creature the likes of which they had never seen before. Snape was crouched near the beast with his hand pressed to it's throat. With a look at Hagrid he raised his wand.
"He's going to kill it," Hermione whispered. Harry was shocked to feel wetness fall onto his hand, he looked closer to Hermione and noted that she was sobbing as she stared at the magnificent beast. "It's so beautiful," Hermione whispered.
"Shhhh," Ron shook her shoulder. "They'll hear us, then there will be no need for the cloak and you'll be reading thirty sonnets, while Harry and I will be reading sonnets and sappy poems." Ron had not seen beyond Harry to the beast so he could not understand Harry and Hermione's lack of discretion. Being the tallest it was an easy feat to peer over their heads. "Blimy," He breathed. "What on earth is it, it's so beautiful?"
The creature could have easily been mistaken for a Unicorn. It glowed brightly in the night, lighting the forbidden forest even though the creature was plainly unconscious. It's horn glowed silver as Snape used his wand to elevate the creature in preparation to bring it to Hagrid's stable where Dumbledore could have a good look at it. The most striking feature of the creature, was the large wings that resembled an eagles wings but for the fact that they were as shocking white as the rest of it. The beast was also twice the size of a normal Unicorn.
The trio froze as they heard a low moan coming from behind them. They made their way over to a low bush and gasped. A young woman lay on the ground, not quite as unconscious as the creature, "Carious," She muttered and turned her head. Her eyes opened and Harry felt as if a flashlight had been shone in his face. Her eyes were of such luminosity that Harry thought he was looking into a pool of liquid sunlight. "Help," She said as she looked at Harry and he had the distinct feeling that she could see through the cloak.
"Who's there?" Harry, Hermione and Ron froze at Snape's raised voice as he came crashing through the trees. He walked right passed them and they breathed a collective sigh of silent relief. Hagrid tripped over them and caught himself from falling.
"What are ye..." Hagrid caught himself before Snape could guess the problem.
"Rubeus, take this girl" Snape had taken the stranger into his arms. Her long dark hair fell in loose braids to the forest floor as her head lolled over his arm. Hagrid was as gentle as he could be as he took the girl into his arms. With Snape leading the way and the creature on a stretcher, he was none the wiser of the three invisible forms behind them.
"Did you see her eyes?" Ron expelled as he threw off the invisibility cloak. "They were silver, I tell you, silver."
Harry still wore his bemused look, "And her skin was like warm milk chocolate." Harry sighed. "I wish I could see her face, but her eyes were too bright."
"The creature," was all Hermione could say as they wandered over and sat by the fireplace. "It was so beautiful."
"Carious...Hmm," Harry stared into the flames and wished he could see his god father's face again, he would know what to make of the strange events of this evening.
"Hi Harry!" Harry groaned as Colin Creevy bounced over to their secluded spot. "I heard you saw something, what was it? Is it going to try to eat you? Has Dumbledore said anything? Are you going to fight whatever it was?"
"Not now, Colin," Harry stood and nodded to Hermione with a meaningful look. "I'm to bed then, I know it's early, but I have a lot of work to do."
"Yes, us too." Ron and Hermione said together. The three of them scattered. Harry and Ron to their room and Hermione to the girl's tower.
A few days later, Harry looked into his cauldron with a smile, he had gotten his potion correct on the first try. Now Snape could not say anything horrible to him. He heard Malfoy behind him sniggering about something and he strained to ignore him as he bottled his potion and prepared to turn it in. He made it safely to Snape's desk and left his vial there. Snape looked up at Harry. "Dumbledore wants to see you after class today, Potter. There is someone who has been asking for you."
"Who would be asking for me Professor Snape, I assure you it would not be my Family?" Harry said managing to sound perfectly innocent
Snape gave him a shrewd look. "I guess your eyes could be likened to emeralds if one stretched the imagination far enough," Snape said drolly. Malfoy and the entire Slytheryn half of the class began to laugh at what sounded like romantic drivel. It had somehow leaked out that he had been reading Shakespeare to moaning Myrtle.
Harry struggled through the rest of the class and bolted as far away from Malfoy who batted his eyes and called out, "Ohhhhhh, Harry with your emerald eyes and coal black hair, please share my toilet with me, when you die."
Harry arrived at the large statue of the griffin just as it was opening. "Ah young Harry," Dumbledore smiled and his eyes twinkled. "A most remarkable young woman has been asking for you. At first she said she had seen you in the forest, then when she noted that you could get into trouble, she claimed she had dreamed about you and followed the dream here. But she remembered, your beautiful eyes."
Harry tried not to blush as he followed Dumbledore to the hospital wing. Dumbledore pulled back a curtain and Harry gasped. Sitting up in the bed reading a red book was the young woman he had seen in the woods. She was decidedly cleaner and wore bandages on her arms and around her head. Harry looked instantly to her face, into her eyes and was surprised to see warm brown twinkling and not the bright silver of several nights past.
"I've been told that your name is Harry Potter." Harry sighed. Her voice rang through his heart like a sweet song. She showed him the book that she had been reading. It was "A history of Magical Crimes in the Muggle World" by Diadelus Muggery. "I see you have had a tragic past. Allow me to express my deepest sympathy." She inclined her head to a chair that had appeared at her bedside. Harry assumed that Dumbledore had magicked it there and dropped into it.
"I am sure you would like to know why I am here, Oh dear me!" Harry stared as her eyes widened then she giggled. "I have been extremely rude, I have not told you my name, let me rectify that." She reached for his hand and with out thought Harry brought the dainty appendage to his lips. "I am High Princess Andromache of Arcadia. I am sure that means nothing to you. Just as the ...Muggles," She looked at the book for reference of the unfamiliar word. "Know nothing of your world, we strive to make sure that no one knows of us."
"I am told that it was you that saw me go down in that nice Forest, and so I wanted to thank you personally. The others will go mad looking for me," She said absently. "My mount, would you mind going to visit her and letting her know that I am alright. She had a horrid bump on her head and a scratch on her leg and I think one of her wings might have been broken."
"If you don't mind my asking," Harry looked away from her and tried not to blush at the intent look on her face. "What happened to you?"
"Well, as you may well know, there are things in this world, evil things, and one day these evil things plan outright war on the world. I am apart of a group that is trying to squelch this uprising of the Daemons. I was out fighting one with a group , I got separated and ambushed. Then I was wounded and then I remember your eyes."
Harry cleared his throat and looked around for Dumbledore. He had been surprised that the old wizard had left and he had not noticed. The Princess yawned and her eyes seemed to be having a hard time staying open. "Well I can't leave the castle after dark, but I will check on your uh...well what exactly is your mount?"
"Carious, is a Unipeg, you may bring your two friends with you," She said and began to nod off to sleep. "Carious likes fudge, not plain sugar."
"Yes well, I'll see her tomorrow after my last class, and I'll bring Hermione and Ron with me." Harry said as he stood to leave. He noted that she was already asleep. Harry pulled the blankets up around her and was careful to be quiet as he left her alone in the hospital wing.
Harry smiled as Malfoy called out his romantic taunts about Myrtle. Malfoy quieted and glared at Harry. What, he thought, was the four eyed cretin up to. He turned and noticed that Harry was coming from the hospital wing. With a determined stride, Malfoy began to backtrack Harry's trail. He was stopped by Dumbledore. "I am afraid we have a guest who can see no one at this time." Dumbledore said. Malfoy opened his mouth to protest that Potter had been up there, but, Potter was his favorite, he thought with a frown and stormed off down the hall.
Hermione and Ron stared at Harry with matching looks of incredulity. "A Princess," Hermione was the first to remember how to use her mouth for more than gaping. "A real life Princess, from a hidden place similar to the wizarding world." She practically squealed.
"Shush Hermione, I think she is supposed to be a secret still" Harry looked around furtively to make sure that no one had overheard her. "And yes," He whispered, "she is a princess and her mount is a Unipeg and we get to visit her and bring her fudge tomorrow after class."
"I can't wait," Hermione danced off to bed anxious for the next day to arrive, for once going to bed with out doing her homework.
Harry concentrated especially hard the next day in Potions. It was his last class on Thursday, and he was looking forward to seeing the Unipeg again. Ron and Hermione both seemed to be just as on edge as he was. When class was over, they bolted through the door. He was almost done with his detention and he got to see a Unipeg. He'd met a real live princess and he hadn't been at cross terms with Snape it was a good day.
"Where are you off too Potty?" Harry frowned as he recognized the drawl that came from behind him and his friends. He turned to see Malfoy, and his bully friends Crabbe and Goyle and several Slytheryn girls.
"I don't see how that's any of your business." Harry said. He, Ron and Hermione tried to walk around them but they group blocked their path.
"Young Mr. Malfoy, I am sure you have better things to do, than embroil your self in the doings of Mr. Potter here." Harry gasped as Snape came from the direction of his office. Was Snape defending him. Hermione grabbed his arm and the three of them bolted from the castle and headed for Hagrid's hut.
"Ah Harry, Ron, Hermione," Hagrid beamed and threw his door open wide. He shut the door behind himself after he left the hut. "Come right this way, I 'as told by Dumbledore that you 'ere supposed to meet up with the new beauty. I 'ave her separated from the other beasts."
They followed Hagrid to an open field that was hidden by magic. They saw Carious standing in the sunlight and had to shield their eyes at her shining brilliance. Carious tossed her silver mane and pranced over to them, the wrapping on her leg not hindering her at all. Harry gasped as he got a true sense of the beast true height. "We...we...uh...brought you ...fudge." Ron stammered as he looked up at her.
"Why thank you." Hermione screamed as the creature spoke.
"Sorry, I mean, you can speak, I mean um sorry." Hermione gushed as she turned red from having insulted such a magnificent creature. Carious laughed and allowed herself to be petted and fed chunks of fudge. As night fell, Hermione had to fight back tears as they were forced to leave the magnificent Carious to Hagrid's care.
They were met in the great hall by empty tables that usually denoted a feast. The Gryffindor colors still graced the hall from last year. Harry, Ron and Hermione took their places at the table just as Dumbledore stood and clapped his hands for attention. "My Fellow Professors, staff and Students." Dumbledore began. "Tonight we celebrate an honored guest." Harry looked at the staff table and noted the extra place setting between Magonagall and Snape's usual seat, but where was Snape? Harry wondered. "Because of the feast, I am releasing you all from classes tomorrow, and now with out further blathering. Please allow me to present her Highness, Andromache The High Princess of Arcadia."
The crowd stared in awe as the great doors opened and in walked none other than Snape. He looked less greasy tonight than usual, as if his hair had been washed and brushed. His black robes seemed to be made of fine silk. He turned and extended his hand. Harry breathed out in a rush as a dainty hand was placed on top of Snape's. Snape bowed and began to walk forward with the Princess in tow. As she passed the Gryffindor table, she smiled and waved at Harry. Harry tried not to swell with pride as he noted the horrified, yet awed look on Malfoy's face.
Hermione could not seem to take her eyes off of the dress the Princess was wearing. It's deep folds managed to look purple, black and silver as she moved through the hall. The multiple skirts brushed the floor and the sleeves were nearly as long. Sparkling jewels covered the neckline, hem and the edges of the sleeves. She sparkled like a star as the candles twinkled on each table. Snape held out a chair for her as she reached the table. The princess smile graciously up at him as she sat down.
Dumbledore stood and waved his hands. The tables were filled with food and the Princess clapped with glee at his "wonderful magic tricks". Halfway through the feast there was a loud pounding on the great hall doors. The pounding was so loud that it could be heard over the loud chattering in the great hall. Filch came running into the room with eleven cloaked and hooded people behind him brandishing an odd assortment of weapons. They rushed the head table. The teachers all stood and pulled their wands ready to fight if necessary. A person in a deep purple cloak with blue and gold trim waved a small fine boned hand with long fingers and all the teachers were disarmed.
What looked to be a male in a blue cloak stepped foreword, after placing a restraining hand on the tallest figure there. He pointed his sword directly at Dumbledore. "Release The Princess or forfeit your life." He said and threw back his hood. His black hair fell to his shoulders. "How dare you keep her hostage here." Dumbledore held his hands out and stared down at the young man, hoping he could convince him to see reason, before someone was hurt.