Four Heads Are Better Than One

Year One: A Rude Awakening

Hi everyone thanks again for all your support. From now on my brother's going to be assisting me with these, so I'd like to thank him for all his input. Please let us know what you think and what we could improve.

Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter.

"Minerva, what in Merlin's name is going on?" Pomona broke off abruptly as she let out a massive yawn. It was one o'clock in the morning and while she normally would have been sound asleep at such an hour, one of the house elves had woken her and asked her to come down to the staff room. When she got there, she had found Minerva pacing up and down in a tartan dressing gown, her face drawn and pale.

Minerva shook her head. "Let's wait for Filius and Severus; they need to hear this too."

Hufflepuffs were known for their patience, but the tension in her friend's face had aroused Pomona's concern as well as her curiosity. Fortunately, the other two Heads arrived a few minutes later Filius yawning widely and Severus looking oddly endearing with his hair sticking out at odd angles.

The Slytherin's temper though, remained unchanged. "Was it really necessary to wake us at this ungodly hour, or could it have possibly waited another six or seven hours?"

Minerva glared at him. "Yes, it was and no, it couldn't." She rubbed her eyes wearily. "Potter and Malfoy ran into some trouble during their detention."

Severus' irritation immediately turned to concern. "Are they all right?"

Minerva nodded reassuringly. "They're a little shaken, but unharmed."

Filius held up a hand. "Wait, what exactly were they doing?"

Minerva turned to him. "Along with Granger and Longbottom, they were helping Hagrid track down the creature that's ben killing the unicorns."

Pomona stared at her. "I'm, sorry, but did you just say that you sent first years into the Forbidden Forest?"

Minerva shifted uneasily. "Well..."

"What were you thinking?"

Minerva scowled. "I thought that, as long as they stayed with Hagrid, they would be fine."

Pomona looked incredulously at Severus. "Did you know about this?"

Now it was Severus' turn to look uncomfortable. "Well, it is true that nothing in the Forest would hurt Hagrid."

Pomona's eyes flashed. "These are first years!"

Filius coughed loudly. "As much as I agree with you, I think the more important matter at the moment is what exactly happened."

Pomona nodded, but not before shooting final glares at the Gryffindor and Slytherin Heads. "We have not finished this discussion."

Minerva flushed slightly and Severus looked down at the floor.

Filius sighed. "Minerva?"

The Gryffindor nodded. "Hagrid came straight to me after sending the students back to their dormitories. He seemed quite frantic, and after hearing about what happened, I can't blame him."

Pomona leaned forward, her anger temporarily forgotten. "What? Tell us."

Minerva grimaced. "Once in the Forest, the group was forced to split up. Granger and Longbottom went with Hagrid, while Potter and Malfoy took a different path."

Severus winced. "That's not a good choice. They can't stand each other."

"Yes, and Draco would get along so much better with Hermione or Neville," said Filius dryly.

Minerva glared at them. "May I finish?" The two wizards fell silent and she continued. ""It was Potter and Malfoy who found the unicorn. But they also," Minerva paused and swallowed.

"Yes?" Severus prompted impatiently.

Minerva took a deep breath. "They also found someone drinking its blood."

There was a horrified silence at her words. Pomona's hands flew to her mouth, while Filius looked physically sickened at the very thought. Severus' face drained of colour.

Filius was the first to find his voice. "Did they see who it was?"

Minerva shook her head. "They had their hood up."

Pomona let out a long shuddering breath. "How did they get out of there alive?"

Minerva managed a tremulous smile. "One of the centaurs arrived and drove the intruder away."

Severus let out a sigh of relief. "They were very lucky. Someone willing to kill a unicorn would have no qualms about killing a couple of children."

Filius' face was very grave. "But who would do such a thing?"

Severus looked at him. "I think you know."

Pomona shook her head vehemently. "He doesn't have a physical body! How could he catch a unicorn, let alone drink its blood?"

Severus sighed. "I don't know, but he's the only person who would be willing to resort to such measures."

Filius glanced over at Minerva. "Does Albus have any ideas?"

The Gryffindor scowled. "If he does, he's not sharing them."

"Quirrell might though. Perhaps if you spoke to him, Severus?"

Severus snorted. "He might be afraid of me, but he's absolutely terrified of him master." He shivered slightly. "Not that I can blame him."

Pomona shook her head in dismay. "So although we know who's behind all this, we have no idea how he's doing it, or how to stop him."

Minerva nodded glumly. "It appears so."

Filius sighed. "At least the Stone's safe."

"As long as Hagrid keeps his mouth shut," Severus muttered.

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