Things couldn't have been worse. Filch took them to Professor McGonagall's office where they sat and waited for her. Hermione trembled, kicking herself. Why on Earth had she done that? One wild rush of adrenaline, she'd landed herself and Harry in detention, and it was entirely her fault. She couldn't see any way out of their situation. Not only had they been up the Astronomy Tower, which was out of bounds except for classes, they had Norbert and the Invisibility Cloak to explain for.
Had Hermione thought it couldn't have been worse? She was wrong. When Professor McGonagall turned up, she had Neville in tow.
"Harry!" Neville burst out, "I was trying to warn you! Malfoy was going to catch you, he said you had a drag-" Harry shook his head to shut Neville up, but Professor McGonagall had seen.
"I never would have believed it of any of you. I think I've got a pretty good idea of what's going on. You two sold a made-up story to Draco Malfoy about a dragon. I've already caught him. I guess you think it's funny that Longbottom heard it as well. Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense. And Mr. Potter, I thought Gryffindor House meant more to you. You will each receive detention, and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"50?" Hermione squeaked.
"50 points each. Now get to bed. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students." Hermione couldn't remember getting back to her bed, but when she did, she cried herself to sleep. It was the worst she'd ever felt in her life. How could she ever make up for this?
xxx
Two days later, Harry, Hermione and Neville all received notes informing them that they would be serving their detentions that evening. So at eleven o'clock, they made their way down to the entrance hall were they met Filch and Malfoy.
"Follow me," said Filch. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking school rules now, eh?" he leered at them. "Hard work and pain are the best teachers, if you ask me. It's a shame that they let the old punishments die out…string you up by your wrists for a few days…" They headed out across the dark grounds to Hagrid's hut.
"That you, Filch? Hurry up, you're late, I want ter get started."
Hermione's heart rose. If they were spending detention with Hagrid, perhaps it wouldn't be so bad. Her relief had obviously shown on her face, because Filch said, "I suppose you think you'll be having fun with Hagrid, girl? Well think again, it's into the forest with you, and I doubt you'll all come out in one piece."
"The forest?" Malfoy had stopped dead. "W-we can't go in there. It's got all sorts of things in there…werewolves, I heard." Harry and Hermione exchanged a look. It was nice to hear Malfoy sounding not so cool for once.
"You will if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," said Hagrid. "Now listen here, cause its dangerous stuff we're doin' tonight, and I don' want no one takin' risks. See this stuff shinin' on the ground? That's unicorn blood. Poor creature's been injured summit bad, second one this week. We're gonna try and find it, maybe put it out its misery. We've got a lot o' ground to cover, so we'll split up. Me, Draco an' Neville will go one way; an' Harry, Hermione an' Fang'll go the other. If anyone gets in ter trouble, send up red sparks; if yeh find the unicorn, send up green sparks."
Hermione kept close to Fang, pulling her coat tighter around her and shivering with a chill that had nothing to do with the cold. They didn't come across any living creatures, but the hairs on the back of Hermione's neck kept standing up, and she had the strange feeling that she was being watched. Hermione slipped her small hand into Harry's, and he squeezed hers reassuringly. They walked further into the heart of the forest, where the trees became thicker and closer together; the splashes of blood seemed to be getting larger and more frequent. Suddenly they emerged into a clearing. They could see something gleaming bright white on the ground. Approaching slowly, they saw a saddening sight. It was the unicorn, and it was dead. Its long legs were stuck out at odd angles, and its pearly-white mane was spread across the dark leaves. Gazing down on it, a single tear fell from Hermione's face. But their mourning was interrupted as Fang let out a booming bark.
A hooded figure was slithering across the clearing, gliding noiselessly across the leaves. The dark individual paused at the fallen unicorn, lowered their head to the wound, and began to drink its blood.
She couldn't help herself. Hermione screamed, so loudly she was convinced everyone in the castle would hear it. The figure turned to face them, blood dripping from its mouth, and Harry fell to the floor beside her, clutching his head and shouting out in pain.
"Harry! Harry, what's wrong?" Hermione knelt down next to him, half-dragging Harry backwards as he stumbled backwards over tree roots, hands still clasped to his forehead. But the being was rising to its feet, travelling quickly towards them. As he bore down on them, Hermione pushed Harry protectively away from their assailant; before she could do anything else, he forced Hermione to the ground, hot breath on her face. She fought with all her might to escape, but his grip on her was far too powerful. His hands scrabbled around, ripping open her coat and exposing her thin shirt; but at that moment Hermione heard hooves behind her and her attacker withdrew, she saw a large shape jump over her, and managed to sit up in time to see the cloaked individual disappearing back into the shadows.
Climbing slowly to her feet, Hermione wrapped the remains of her jacket around her and saw their rescuer for what he was: a centaur with white-blond hair and a palomino body.
"Are you alright?" he said, helping Hermione and Hermione back to their feet.
"Ye-yeah," Harry stammered, still rubbing his forehead. "What was that?" The centaur didn't answer, instead giving Harry a searching look, eyes lingering on his scar.
"You are the Potter boy. It is not safe here. You had better get back to Hagrid. Can you ride?
"My name is Firenze," he added, as Harry climbed deftly onto his back. It was only when Firenze trotted over to her that Hermione realized she had been holding her breath; she let it out quickly and climbed onto his back, wrapping her arms firmly around Harry's waist, still shaking from her ordeal.
"What was that?" Harry repeated, but Firenze did not answer him. He walked in silence for a long time, before he stopped suddenly in a patch of moonlight.
"Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
"No, we only use horn and tail hair in potions."
"That is because it is a terrible thing, to slay a unicorn. 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 the moment the blood touches your lips, you will live a half-life, a cursed life."
"But who would be that desperate?" Hermione interrupted. "Surely death's better than being cursed forever?"
"It is," Firenze agreed. "Unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else: something that will make you immortal. Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"
"The Philosopher's Stone!" exclaimed Harry.
"Wait…Firenze," Hermione began, "are you saying that that was You-Know-"
"Harry? Hermione?" Hagrid was running down the path towards them, Fang and Neville in his wake. "Are yeh all right?"
"This is where I leave you," said Firenze. "You are safe now."
xxx
Ron had fallen asleep when they returned to the common room, but he was soon wide awake when they began telling him what happened in the forest.
"Snape wants the Stone for Voldemort," Harry said, pacing up and down in front of the dying fire. "And Voldemort is hiding in the forest…if Snape gets the Stone then Voldemort will come and finish me off."
"But Harry," Hermione began, concern on her face. "everyone knows Dumbledore is the only one You-Know-Who is afraid of. With Dumbledore around, You-Know-Who can't do anything.
With Dumbledore around, you are safe."
