The Forbidden Forest, Part 2

Draco told Hermione his tale. "After you and Hagrid and Potter left, I was as frightened as I've ever been, Granger. Who wouldn't be? The Forbidden Forest at midnight. Ye gods. That's no place for an experienced wizard, let alone a pair of eleven-year-old kids. What was Hagrid thinking?

"Longbottom started crying as soon as you were out of sight. I gave him my handkerchief and told him to shut up.

"He asked me if I thought he was a coward. You'd have been proud of me, Granger, because I said no, he wasn't any more afraid than I was, he was just deuced loud about it. I told him that I'm not quiet when I'm scared, either. Not usually. I talk big, but it's mostly bluff. He calmed down after that.

"I didn't buck him up because I'm a wonderful human being. I'm not like you. I was afraid his blubbering would attract monsters.

"We saw drops of unicorn blood here and there. Not a lot, but the beast must have walked down the path after being wounded. The path was wide enough for us to walk side by side, but Longbottom kept taking the lead. I ended up in the middle; Fang brought up the rear.

"Then the drops of unicorn blood got closer together, sometimes in little pools. We grew more cautious and moved slower and slower.

"Fang wasn't happy, either. Every time we stopped, he stopped. Every time we started again, there was this pause before he started moving, too. His pauses got longer and longer. Hagrid said that nothing in the forest will hurt Fang, but Fang doesn't believe it.

"After a while it got to the point where moving forward felt like pushing through a brick wall. We'd take a few steps forward and just couldn't go any further. Then we'd stop and summon the courage for the next few steps. It was a nightmare.

"Eventually Longbottom told me he'd had enough and wanted to quit, but he didn't want to be called a coward.

"I told him I felt the same way. And I did! The situation was insane. My father would have a stroke if he knew about it. I'm the last of the Malfoys. I can't carry on the Malfoy line if I'm dead.

"We really couldn't go forward. What about going back? Say, to the fork in the path? Maybe up the other fork, to find Hagrid?

"The fact is, we had no idea where Hagrid was, or whether going back and taking the other fork would lead us to him or just get us lost in the forest.

"That left sending up red sparks. I told Longbottom we should do it. I asked him to point his wand skyward, ready for red sparks. I was standing behind him. Without warning, I roared like a monster and grabbed him by both shoulders and shook him, and the red sparks flew. They must have gone up a hundred feet!

"Then Longbottom turned around and told me exactly what he thought of me for playing such a nasty trick. We argued for a while in whispers, then went silent again. Then we sent up more red sparks.

"While we waited Hagrid to arrive, we practiced our lines. Longbottom is an even worse liar than you, Granger, so when Hagrid finally woke up from his nap, took his tea break, wallpapered his house, and strolled over to where we were waiting, I did most of the talking.

"I told Hagrid I'd been bored silly, so I snuck up on Longbottom as a joke. Hagrid believed every word. Can you imagine? Bored? Jokes? In the Forbidden Forest at night? The man needs a keeper.

"And he'd abandoned you and Potter! I couldn't believe it.

"After Hagrid led us back to where you were, I was paired with Potter, as you saw. I can see why you like him, Granger. I'm not blind; I'm not stupid. Potter is just as undersized as I am, but he doesn't seem to know it. He was frightened—he's not an idiot—but he wasn't scared out of his wits. His brain still worked, and he focused on getting the job done without blundering into anything lethal. He doesn't like me, but he didn't let it distract him.

"Like Longbottom, Potter wanted to take the lead. It was easier to keep moving this time. We didn't have to stop to summon our courage. I don't know why.

"We reached a point where the blood looked more and more like it had been flung from buckets onto the scenery. Looking back, I can't believe we kept going! But we did.

"Then we spotted the dead unicorn up ahead. It was so beautiful, Granger! I wish I could describe it to you. I don't have the words. Even torn and dead, I wanted to touch it so much! I can't even imagine what it looked like alive. Potter wanted to get closer, too. We crept forward with as much stealth as we could muster.

"Then this shadowy hooded figure crept up to the unicorn's body and started drinking its blood. I thought I'd been afraid before, but I was wrong. Just being near it was agony. And seeing it feed on the beautiful unicorn … that was obscene. If there's anything worse than evil, it was that. Then it raised its head and looked right at us. Fang turned around and bolted. I was right behind him.

"Potter yelled. I think I did, too. Fang kept running and was soon out of sight. I stopped and sent up red sparks. Hagrid couldn't possibly be close enough to hear our shouts.

"I hadn't run very far, but Potter didn't catch up. I tried to go back and look for him, Granger, I really did. I just didn't have the courage. The best I could do was to stay where I was and sent up more red sparks.

"I suppose the centaurs saw the sparks. After a while I heard hoof beats, and the next thing I knew, one of them galloped right past me with Potter on his back. I followed as fast as I could run, but it was my night for being left behind.

"After I couldn't run anymore, I walked. I was all alone in the Forbidden Forest. That hooded monster was close enough to grab me, for all I knew. About six lifetimes later, I reached the fork in the path, and there was Longbottom.

"I've never been so happy to see anyone in my life! It was mutual, I think. He was not at his best. His friends had all abandoned him in the Forbidden Forest, just when he needed them most. I know how that feels! And he was in such a dither that he wasn't sure which path led back to Hogwarts.

"He'd lost my handkerchief, too, so I gave him my spare and told him he was an expensive man to know, but I was glad to see him anyway. Also, misery loves company, two wands are better than one, and I knew the way home. That cheered him up a bit.

"It made me wonder, though: Were we the only survivors? But I didn't share these thoughts with Longbottom.

"It didn't take long before we were out of the forest. Leaving those trees behind was a good feeling. I felt so much safer when we stepped into the open that it scared me. We wouldn't really be safe until we were inside the castle. We went to Hagrid's house first. Fang was there, but no Hagrid. As we stood there, wondering what to do next, Hagrid appeared. He was thunderstruck when he saw us. He'd forgotten all about us!

"Longbottom suddenly came out of his funk and started berating Hagrid in no uncertain terms, calling him negligent and murderous and incompetent and who knows what else. It was like watching a squirrel attacking a man and winning! I could have sold tickets.

"Hagrid was so flustered that he asked Longbottom what he could do to make it up to him. Longbottom didn't pause for an instant, but demanded that Hagrid swear that he'd never take another student into the Forbidden Forest at night. And Hagrid agreed!

"Then Hagrid turned to me and asked me what I wanted. I said that first I wanted to get to my bed in one piece, and I'd think about his question and give him my answer later. I want to talk to you about that, Granger. Not now, though. Tomorrow, I think. My head's still spinning.

"So Hagrid took us back to the main entrance. Longbottom was staggering by then, so I escorted him the rest of the way. The rest you know."

Hermione asked, "Is all of that true?"

Draco rolled his eyes. "I never lie to you, Granger. What would be the point? You'd see right through me." He looked her over for a moment and added, "Why do you ask?"

Hermione shook her head and smiled. "No reason." Draco was so obnoxious in public that his private kindnesses seemed out of character, even to her. But she should know better by now.

She asked, "Draco?"

"Wrong name again, Granger. Are you sure you weren't hit on the head last night?"

"It happens when I think kind thoughts about you, Malfoy. It won't happen again."

"It had better not. I have a reputation to maintain."

"You do not!"

"That's what I mean!"

"Why did you scare Neville like that?"

"I didn't think he'd send up red sparks just because we'd agreed that we couldn't take any more. I wouldn't, would you? So he needed a push."

As so often with Draco, Hermione couldn't decide if he should be praised or blamed.

Draco went on, "So tell me your story. What happened when you were with Hagrid? And did Potter tell you what happened after Fang and I made our hasty retreat? And what did the centaurs say?"

"As for your first question, nothing happened with Hagrid except that he talked to a couple of centaurs who mostly said, 'Mars is bright tonight.' And the cloaked figure passed by on the trail. We hid behind a tree."

Draco shuddered.

"As for later, with Harry and the other centaurs … it's a secret, Malfoy. I can't tell you."

"Who swore you to secrecy?"

"It's not that, exactly. It overlaps some other secrets I'm sworn to keep. I can't tell you who I made the promise to."

He wagged an index finger at her. "You're a first-year student. Your parents are Muggles. It shouldn't be possible for you to know any secrets!"

"I do, though."

"You're an overachiever, Granger. But it's a good look for you; I'll grant you that. And I shouldn't complain if I'm not the only one who relies on your … what's the word? … on your discretion. Have I told you today that I detest you?"

"Not in so many words," she said, smiling at his sudden avalanche of compliments.

He grew more serious. "I want to protect you, Granger. I want to help you. I need to."

"I know you do, Malfoy. You proved it last night. It's one of your most detestable features. And I'm grateful you looked out for Neville when no one else did."

"I owed him one."

"Even if you hadn't, you would have done it just the same."

"Don't go all mushy on me, Granger. If you have to keep your secrets, fine. I have secrets of my own. I wish I could tell you everything. I trust you more than anyone, and it would probably be better if I did tell you everything. But I can't. I have a request for you, though."

"Go on," she said.

"Whenever you decide to do something that's dangerous or against the rules, don't do it alone. Not even if you think it's a piece of cake. Bring me or Potter along. Preferably me."

She smiled at him. "I think that can be arranged."

"Good."

"I thought you didn't like Harry."

"I don't! He despises me. He thinks I'm an idiot. I know I'm jealous, Granger. I'm not stupid. Potter has everything I want. He has you and Weasley, and you three look out for each other. I have Crabbe and Goyle—it's exactly like handing a pair of bricks to a drowning man. Potter's on the Quidditch team; I wasn't even allowed to try out. People have low expectations of him; they're so happy anytime he can do anything! I'm required to be the best at everything. He has Dumbledore looking out for him; I have Snape. He can do what he likes; no one at home cares what he does. My father hears everything and sends me instructions. I get them all the time. He hasn't praised me once. Everything I do is wrong. But everyone smiles at Potter. It makes me feel so small!"

Draco paused, then shook his head. "Sorry. I didn't mean to whine. Potter's brave and he listens to you. That's what matters. Take him with you as backup if I'm not around. Please?"

Hermione took his hand. "I will. Thank you, Malfoy."

He nodded and took a moment to pull himself together. In a lighter tone, he said, "Father would like me to be friends with Potter, by the way, so that part's all right. Maybe Potter can work past his ridiculous prejudices some day. You did."

"It must have been a spell, Malfoy. We skipped all the middle steps."

To her surprise, he shook his head violently. "No! It can't be a spell. It has to last forever! Granger, please …" He turned his head away. Without looking at her, he said, "Promise me … promise that if it ever fades away, you'll find a way to bring it back."

Blinking back tears, she whispered, "I promise. I want it to last as much as you do."

He recovered quickly. He turned to face her. "You're not bad for a girl."

"And as a member of the unfair sex, you stand alone, Malfoy."

They sat in silence for a while, then he asked, "Are you all set for your exams?"

"More or less," she said. "You?"

Draco looked troubled. "Father demands that I receive the highest marks of any of the first-years. I know I'll come in second."

"Really?"

"Yes. I'd like to claim that I'd come in third if we hadn't studied together, but no one will believe that."

"Who will come in third?"

"No idea. You'll be at the top of the list, I'll be close behind, and everyone else will be far, far below us, battling it out for last place."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're sweet, Malfoy?"

"Never."

"Guess why."

He laughed. "Let's talk about the summer. Malfoy Manor is in Wiltshire; Malfoy House is in London. I'll no doubt spend part of the summer in each place. Where the devil do you live, Granger?"

"Norwich."

He made a face. "Just my luck. How often can you make it to London?"

"A few times. More if I give my parents a reason they can understand."

"Like what?"

"Mum, dad, there's this boy…"

He looked delighted, horrified, and ready to burst into tears at the same time. Then he shook his head. "Too dangerous. Last resort. Father hears things. With Father, you can only be my clever little study partner, if that. Once you're that, it follows that you're one of my little friends. But I haven't told him anything yet. Would my being your clever little study partner work with your parents?"

"I think so. Not in those terms. You can be the classmate who's willing to study intensively with me over the summer. They'll understand that."

"Let's go find Madam Pince and look at the maps that show how to go back and forth between Muggle London and magical London."

"I know about Diagon Alley."

"Yes, you can get to Malfoy House that way, but it's a long walk, and at least a hundred people will see you and your one-of-a-kind hairdo. We can do better."

"All right. And, Malfoy?"

"Hmm?"

"You knew the Gryffindor password."

"Every time it changes, you Gryffindors bellow it to each other during meals."

"Oh. I'll pass the word. Let's go look at those maps, then. I'm curious."

[Next: The Hidden Door]