Chapter 10
A/N: This story is rate M for a reason. In this chapter you will discover why. If you are under 18 Please stop reading now. If you continue it is at your own discretion. Also remember that Harry and Hermione have aged beyond their years due to the bond. This stories name is Darkside and back. As time goes on you will figure out that at times it will have a very dark theme. I will not say sorry for it. If it bothers you please find another story to read. Sorry it took so long but I was trying to decide what I wanted to do with the star crossed lovers. So her you go chapter 10!
"Harry, where have you been?" Hermione squeaked.
"We won! You won! We won!" Shouted Ron, thumping Harry on the back. "And I gave Henton a black eye. Neville tried to take on Crabbe and Goyle single-handed! He's still out cold but Madam Pomfrey says he'll be all right. Talk about showing them a thing or two! Everyone's waiting for you in the common room, we're having a party. Fred and George stole some cakes and stuff from the kitchens."
"Never mind that now!" Said Harry breathlessly. "Let's find an empty room, you wait until you hear this."
He made sure Peeves wasn't inside before shutting the door behind them, then he told them what he'd seen and heard.
"So we were right it is the Sorcerer's Stone. Snape's trying to force Quirrell to help him get it. He asked if he knew how to get past Fluffy. He said something about Quirrell's 'hocus pocus'. I reckon there are other things guarding the stone apart from Fluffy. Loads of enchantments. Quirrell would have done some anti-Dark Arts spell that Snape needs to break through."
"So you mean the Stone's only safe as long as Quirrell stands up to Snape?" Says Hermione in alarm.
"It'll be gone by next Tuesday." Said Ron.
****************DSAB**************************
Norbert the Norwegian Ridgeback
Quirrell, however, must have been braver than they'd thought. In the weeks that followed he did seem to be getting paler and thinner, but it didn't look as though he'd cracked yet.
Every time they passed the third-floor corridor, Harry, Ron, Draco and Hermione would press their ears to the door to check that Fluffy was still growling inside. Snape was sweeping about in his usual bad temper, which surely meant that the Stone was still safe. Whenever Harry passed Quirrell these days he gave him an encouraging sort of smile, and Ron had started telling people off for laughing at Quirrell's stutter.
Hermione, however, had more on her mind than the Sorcerer's Stone. She had started drawing up study schedules and color coding all her notes. Harry, Draco and Ron wouldn't have minded, but she kept nagging them to do the same.
"Hermione, the exams are ages away." Ron tell her.
"Ten weeks!" Hermione snapped. "That's not ages, that's like a second to Nicolas Flamel."
"But we're not six hundred years old." Ron reminded her. "Anyway, what are you studying for you already know it's an O."
"What am I studying for? Are you crazy? You realize we need to pass these exams to get into the second year? They're very important, I should have started studying a month ago, I don't know what's gotten into me." She whispers the last part and blushes as she looks at Harry.
Harry smiles at her knowing that their time together was the best time of his life and knew she felt the same way. In all his life only this girl ever showed him what it was like to be loved. With her help he had learned what it was like to love and to be loved. He also knew he was the main distraction to her and her studies.
Unfortunately, the teachers seemed to be thinking along the same lines as Hermione. They piled so much homework on them that the Easter holidays weren't nearly as much fun as the Christmas ones. It was hard to relax with Hermione next to you reciting the twelve uses of dragon's blood or practicing wand movements. Moaning and yawning, Harry and Ron spent most of their free time in the library with her, trying to get through all their extra work.
"I'll never remember this," Ron burst out one afternoon, throwing down his quill and looking longingly out of the library window. It was the first really fine day they'd had in months. The sky was a clear, forget-me-not blue, and there was a feeling in the air of summer coming.
Harry, who was looking up "Dittany" in One Thousand Magical Herbs and Fungi, didn't look up until he heard Ron say, "Hagrid! What are you doing in the library?"
Hagrid shuffled into view, hiding something behind his back. He looked very out of place in his moleskin overcoat.
"Just looking," He said, in a shifty voice that got their interest at once. "And what are you lot up? oh? your not still looking for Nicolas Flamel, are ya?"
"Oh, we found out who he is ages ago," said Ron impressively. "And we know what that dog's guarding, it's a Sorcerer's St."
"Shhhh!" Hagrid looked around quickly to see if anyone was listening. "Don't go shouting about it, what's the matter with ya?"
"There are a few things we wanted to ask you, as a matter of fact." Stated Harry. "About what's guarding the Stone apart from Fluffy?"
"SHHHH!" Hagrid tells them again. "Listen, come an see me later. I'm not promising I'll tell ya anything, mind, but don't go chatting about it in here, students aren't supposed to know. They'll think I've told ya"
"See you later, then." Said Harry as Hagrid shuffled off.
"What was he hiding behind his back?" Hermione asks thoughtfully.
"Do you think it had anything to do with the Stone?" Draco asks.
"I'm going to see what section he was in." Said Ron, who'd had enough of working.
He came back a minute later with a pile of books in his arms and slammed them down on the table.
"Dragons!" He whispered rather loudly. "Hagrid was looking up stuff about dragons! Look at these: Dragon Species of Great Britain and Ireland; From Egg to Inferno, A Dragon Keeper's Guide. "
"Hagrid's always wanted a dragon, he told me so the first time I ever met him." Harry says.
"But it's against our laws!" Ron tells them. "Dragon breeding was outlawed by the Warlocks' Convention of 1709, everyone knows that. It's hard to stop Muggles from noticing us if we're keeping dragons in the back garden. Not to mention you can't tame dragons, it's dangerous. You should see the burns Charlie's got off wild ones in Romania."
"But there aren't wild dragons in Britain?" Harry says.
"Of course there are." Draco tells him. "Common Welsh Green and Hebridean Blacks. The Ministry of Magic has a job hushing them up I can tell you. Our kind have to keep putting spells on Muggles who've spotted them, to make them forget."
"So what on earth's Hagrid up to?" Hermione asks.
"Not sure but maybe we should find out." Draco says as the other three nod.
****************DSAB**************************
Harry has been watching Hermione for a while ignoring his studies. It was hard to believe that they were soul-mates and madly in love with each other. He hated having to keep it a secret from everyone, but knew it was what was best now.
He thought a few had figured it out. Henton for one seemed to suspect which might be a bad thing. But as far as Harry was concerned it was the greatest thing in the world. He wanted to shout it from the roof tops and spend every waking moment trying to make her the happiest girl in the world.
Ron and Draco knew most of the story, but not all. As of this morning when the age test was preformed on them Hermione was 15 Years 10 months and Harry was 15 exactly. It seems their bond was making them age quickly. Even Dumbledore was at a loss as to why it was happening so quickly. He was also at a loss as to how to stop it. Harry had his suspicions but was worried to broach the subject with Hermione.
Another thing that he knew was bothering her was his lack of what appeared to taking his studies seriously. It wasn't that he didn't, it was that once he read it he could do it flawlessly. He made I note of screwing up a few times so as to appear normal. It was like reading the material awoke some ancient memory and once it did he could do it. He wanted to tell Hermione, but was worried she might think something was wrong.
His attention was once again drawn to the beautiful girl as she walked between two book cases out of site. He watch for a few seconds as she reappeared and then went between another set. He decided now was as good a time as any.
"Hey guys can we meet you back in the common room. Or if you like go back to our suite, it will be quieter there. Just let the Grangers know I sent you. Wait a better idea. Dobby." Harry says.
"You called Harry?" Dobby asks.
"Yes could you do me a favor and let Dan and Emma know that Draco and Ron will be coming by to study and wait on my and Hermione's return." Harry asks.
"With Pleasure Harry." Dobby says as he pops away.
"There now they will know you are stopping by." Harry says.
"Sure mate, is there anything wrong?" Ron asks.
"Yeah do you need our help with something?" Draco asks.
"No mates I just need to talk to her about some stuff. Bond stuff. We will be there shortly, but thanks for the offer. It means a lot." Harry said as he stood and walked toward where she hard disappeared into the book cases.
****************DSAB**************************
Hermione steps between the book case's and sighs. She knows that Harry is worried about them aging so quickly. She also thinks she knows what will stop it. But has not ventured to approach him with her theories, because she wasn't sure if she was ready for what she thought would stop it.
She also knew Harry was holding back something from her. She was also sure it had to do with how quickly he learned the new spells and subject matter for their studies. She figured he would think she would worry about him if he told her. Which she probable would, but hey that was her right now, they were married.
She knew they were going to end up taking the next step sooner rather than later. She just wanted it to be done right, not some quick shag in a broom closet. She has been working on a plan that she hoped would be romantic and special. Something they would remember fondly for the rest of their lives. As she was reaching high for a book, standing on her tip toes arm stretched high in the air she heard a voice she knew and loved.
"If that isn't the most beautiful and sexy thing I have ever seen, someone shot me."
"Better watch it, my boyfriend isn't to far away."
"Getting to see this vision of a beautiful girl would be well worth a few hex's thrown my way. Tell me do I have a chance?"
"Only if you are quiet and never tell anyone about it." She says.
"Oh my lips would be sealed if I got a chance at that sexy body." The voice had moved closer to where it was right behind her, she could feel the breath on her neck as it spoke.
"Do you really think I am sexy?" She asks.
"You are beyond a doubt the most sexiest and beautifulest girl I have ever had the pleasure of setting eyes on. I would be the luckiest guy on the planet if you would allow me to be with you in that way." Is the whisper from lips right next to her ear.
"When would you want this to happen, and where?" She asks.
As a shiver runs through out her body and settles in the pit of her stomach igniting a burning that is slowly starting to move further down her body settling between her legs. She can feel his body push up against her and the response it has to her. She sucks in a breath as he pushes against her a little more allowing her to feel his arousal even more.
"When and where ever you like Would be fine with me. Just let me know and I will be there waiting for you. Waiting for the best night of my life thus far. Waiting for a night that may never be topped again." The voice whispers against her other ear, again the shivers run up and down her body. The heat has grown to the point where it was almost painful and she could feel the moisture settling in her panties as her heart races.
"Room of requirement Friday night just before curfew." She says her voice squeaking slightly at the thought of what was going to happen. As she turns to look at the person speaking she doesn't see anyone there. She walks out from between the book cases to see Harry sitting at the table she had left him at all alone. A smile plays on her lips as she thinks a head to Friday night and what was going to happen, if she could wait the two days that is.
****************DSAB**************************
When they knocked on the door of the gamekeeper's hut an hour later, they were surprised to see that all the curtains were closed.
"Who is it?" Hagrid called before he let them in, and then shut the door quickly behind them.
It was stifling hot inside. Even though it was such a warm day, there was a blazing fire in the grate. Hagrid made them tea and offered them stoat sandwiches, which they refused.
"So did you want to ask me something?"
"Yes." Says Harry. "We were wondering if you could tell us what's guarding the Sorcerer's Stone apart from Fluffy."
"Of course I can't! Number one, I don't know myself. Number two, you know too much already. So I wouldn't tell you if I could. That Stone's here for a good reason. It was almost stolen outta Gringotts. I suppose you've worked that out and all? Beats me how you even know
about Fluffy." Hagrid frowns at him.
"Oh come on Hagrid, you might not want to tell us but you do know. You know everything that goes on round here. We really only wondered who had done the guarding. We wondered who Dumbledore had trusted enough to help him, apart from you." Hermione says in a warm and flattering voice.
Hagrid's chest swelled at these last words. Hagrid's beard twitched and they could tell he was smiling. He always loved it when people acknowledged his work at the school. Harry, Draco and Ron beamed at Hermione.
"Well, I don't suppose it could hurt to tell you that. Let's see he borrowed Fluffy from me, then some of the teachers did enchantment, Professor Sprout, Professor Flitwick, Professor McGonagall." He ticked them off on his fingers. "Professor Quirrell and Dumbledore himself did something, of course. Hang on, I've forgotten someone. Oh yeah, Professor Snape."
"Snape?"
"Yeah you're not still on about that, are you? Look, Snape helped protect the Stone, he's not about to steal it."
Harry knew Draco, Ron and Hermione were thinking the same as he was. If Snape had been in on protecting the Stone, it must have been easy to find out how the other teachers had guarded it. He probably knew everything except, it seemed, Quirrell's spell and how to get past Fluffy.
"You're the only one who knows how to get past Fluffy. aren't you, Hagrid? And you wouldn't tell anyone, would you? Not even one of the teachers?" Said Harry anxiously.
"Not a soul knows except me and Dumbledore." Hagrid tells then proudly.
"Well, that's something." Harry muttered to the others.
"Hagrid, can we have a window open? I'm boiling." Hermione asks.
"Can't, Hermione, sorry." Said Hagrid.
"Hagrid, what's that?"
Harry noticed him glance at the fire. Harry looked at it, too. But he already knew what it was. In the very heart of the fire, underneath the kettle, was a huge, black egg.
"Ah." Says Hagrid, fiddling nervously with his beard. "That's er."
"Where did you get it, Hagrid?" Asks Ron, crouching over the fire to get a closer look at the egg.
"It must have cost you a fortune." Draco says.
"Won it, Last night. I was down in the village having a few drinks and got into a game of cards with a stranger. Think he was quite glad to get rid of it, to be honest." Says Hagrid.
"But what are you going to do with it when it's hatched?" Asks Hermione.
"Well, I've been doing some reading." Said Hagrid, pulling a large book from under his pillow. "Got this outta the library 'Dragon Breeding for Pleasure and Profit' it's a bit outta date, but it's all in here. Keep the egg in the fire, cause their mothers breathe on them. And when it hatches, feed it on a bucket of brandy mixed with chicken blood every half hour. And see what I got there's a Norwegian Ridgeback. They're rare they are."
He looked very pleased with himself, but Hermione didn't. She knew too many things could go wrong. In fact any number of things could. Not to mention it was illegal for him to have it.
"Hagrid, you live in a wooden house." She tells him.
But Hagrid wasn't listening. He was humming merrily as he stoked the fire. So now they had something else to worry about. What might happen to Hagrid if anyone found out he was hiding an illegal dragon in his hut.
****************DSAB**************************
When the bell sounded from the castle at the end of their lesson, the three of them dropped their trowels at once and hurried through the grounds to the edge of the forest. Hagrid greeted them, looking flushed and excited.
"It's nearly out." He ushered them inside.
The egg was lying on the table. There were deep cracks in it. Something was moving inside; a funny clicking noise was coming from it. They all drew their chairs up to the table and watched with bated breath. All at once there was a scraping noise and the egg split open. The baby dragon flopped onto the table. It wasn't exactly pretty.
Harry thought it looked like a crumpled, black umbrella. Its spiny wings were huge compared to its skinny jet body, it had a long snout with wide nostrils, the stubs
of horns and bulging, orange eyes. It sneezed. A couple of sparks flew out of its snout.
"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid murmured. He reached out a hand to stroke the dragon's head. It snapped at his fingers, showing pointed fangs.
"Bless him, look, he knows his mommy!" Says Hagrid.
"Hagrid, how fast do Norwegian Ridgebacks grow, exactly?" Hermione asks.
Hagrid was about to answer when the color suddenly drained from his face he leaped to his feet and ran to the window.
"What's the matter?" Draco asks.
"Someone was looking through the gap in the curtains it's a kid he's running back up to the school."
Harry bolted to the door and looked out. Even at a distance there was no mistaking him. Henton had seen the dragon.
Something about the smile lurking on Henton's face during the next week made Harry, Ron, Draco and Hermione very nervous. They spent most of their free time in Hagrid's darkened hut, trying to reason with him.
"Just let him go." Harry urged. "Set him free."
"I can't." Says Hagrid. "He's too little. He'd die."
They looked at the dragon. It had grown three times in length in just a week. Smoke kept furling out of its nostrils. Hagrid hadn't been doing his game keeping duties because the dragon was keeping him so busy. There were empty brandy bottles and chicken feathers all over the floor.
"I've decided to call him Norbert." Hagrid tells them looking at the dragon with misty eyes. "He really knows me now, watch. Norbert! Norbert! Where's Mommy?"
"He's lost his marbles." Ron muttered in Harry's ear.
"Hagrid, give it two weeks and Norbert's going to be as long as your house. Henton could go to Dumbledore at any moment."
"I, I know I can't keep him forever, but I can't just dump him, I can't."
Harry suddenly turned to Ron. "Charlie." He said.
"You're losing it, too, I'm Ron, remember?"
"No Charlie your brother, Charlie. In Romania. Studying dragons. We could send Norbert to him. Charlie can take care of him and then put him back in the wild!"
"Brilliant! How about it, Hagrid?" Ron asks.
And in the end, Hagrid agreed that they could send an owl to Charlie to ask him.
The following week dragged by. Wednesday night found Hermione and Harry sitting alone in the common room, long after everyone else had gone to bed. The clock on the wall had just chimed midnight when the portrait hole burst open. Ron appeared out of nowhere as he pulled
off Harry's invisibility cloak. He had been down at Hagrid's hut, helping him feed Norbert, who
was now eating dead rats by the crate.
"It bit me!" He says, showing them his hand, which was wrapped in a bloody handkerchief. "I'm not going to be able to hold a quill for a week. I tell you, that dragon's the most horrible animal I've ever met, but the way Hagrid goes on about it, you'd think it was a fluffy little bunny rabbit. When it bit me he told me off for frightening it. And when I left, he was singing it a lullaby."
There was a tap on the dark window.
"It's Hedwig! She'll have Charlie's answer!" Harry, hurries to let her in.
The three of them put their heads together to read the note.
Dear Ron,
How are you? Thanks for the letter. I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon.
Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark. Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love,
Charlie
They looked at one another.
"We've got the invisibility cloak. It shouldn't be too difficult. I think the cloaks big enough to cover two of us and Norbert."
It was a mark of how bad the last week had been that the other two agreed with him. Anything to get rid of Norbert and Henton.
There was a hitch. By the next morning, Ron's bitten hand had swollen to twice its usual size. He didn't know whether it was safe to go to Madam Pomfrey would she recognize a dragon bite? By the afternoon though he had no choice. The cut had turned a nasty shade of green. It looked as if Norbert's fangs were poisonous. Harry and Hermione rushed up to the hospital wing at the end of the day to find Ron in a terrible state in bed.
"It's not just my hand, although that feels like it's about to fall off. Henton told Madam Pomfrey he wanted to borrow one of my books so he could come and have a good laugh at me. He kept threatening to tell her what really bit me. I've told her it was a dog, but I don't think she believes me. I shouldn't have hit him at the Quidditch match, that's why he's doing this."
"It'll all be over at midnight on Saturday," Harry and Hermione tried to calm Ron down. But this didn't soothe Ron at all. On the contrary, he sat bolt upright and broke into a sweat.
"Midnight on Saturday!" he said in a hoarse voice. "Oh no oh no! I've just remembered Charlie's letter was in that book Henton took, he's going to know we're getting rid of Norbert."
Harry and Hermione didn't get a chance to answer. Madam Pomfrey came over at that moment and made them leave, saying Ron needed sleep.
"It's too late to change the plan now," Harry told Hermione.
"I know, we will just have to figure something else out." Hermione tells him.
"We haven't got time to send Charlie another owl. This could be our only chance to get rid of Norbert. We'll have to risk it. And we have got the invisibility cloak, Henton doesn't know about that." Harry says.
They found Fang, the Neapolitan Mastiff, sitting outside with a bandaged tail when they went to tell Hagrid. Hagrid would only open a window to talk to them.
"I won't let you in. Norbert's at a tricky stage nothing I can't handle." He tells them.
When they told him about Charlie's letto, his eyes filled with tears, although that might have been because Norbert had just bitten him on the leg.
"Aargh! It's all right he only got my boot, He is just playing, he's only a baby, after all."
The baby banged its tail on the wall, making the windows rattle. Harry and Hermione walked back to the castle feeling Saturday couldn't come quickly enough.
****************DSAB**************************
Harry had told Hermione he may be a little late for their rendezvous, but that he would meet her there. So with a nervous heart she was walking down the corridor leading to the room of requirement. As she got closer she could see a door already there and slightly propped open. She bit her lip as she peeked inside the door.
On a table next to another door was a red rose and a note. She walked up to the table picked up the flower and smelled with a smile on her face. She read the note after a few seconds of enjoying the smell of the rose.
For the most beautiful witch in the whole school, please continue on through the door.
She smiled again, a smile that one only gets for the one person you truly love. A love born deep inside of you from deep down in your soul. She opens the door to find another table and two red rose upon it with another note.
I am not sure how it is I got so lucky to have the smartest witch of her generation be in love with me. So these are for you, to show a little of my feelings. Please continue on.
The door this time was a sliding door that moved easily when she pushed it. This room was awash with the soft glow of candle light and a table next to another door with 3 rose and a note. She walks up the smile getting bigger as she reads the note.
Here today I have the pleasure nay the privilege to be awaiting my dream. A dream I didn't even know I had till I met you. I know this is not something a normal person would do, please bare with me and continue on.
Again she went through another door and found a table sitting in the middle of a large darken room. The table was alight with candles and in the middle was a vase with 6 more red roses. Her smile was now splitting her face as she slowly walked up to the table. Again there was a note which she picked up first.
At long last you have reached the end of your journey. You will now find yourself in the arms of someone who isn't sure if he deserves you but will spend the rest of his life trying to prove he does. I love you Hermione Granger.
As she is reading the note, just as she reads the part about being in his arms, said arms wrap themselves around her hugging her close. She leans back into his chest as she finishes with a sigh.
"Thought you were going to be late?" She asks with a smile in her voice.
"I wanted to surprise you. Do something that you would never forget. I wanted you to know just how much you mean to me." He whispers next to her ear as shivers run down her spine.
"Thank you. I love you too." She says with a slight hitch.
"I will always try to show you what you mean to me." He tells her.
"Why is the room dark?" She asks.
"I didn't give it instructions beyond the flowers." Harry says.
"Why?" Hermione asks.
"I didn't want to assume anything. I know what we talked about tonight being, but I want to make sure you hadn't changed your mind." Harry says.
"Ok first I will say even if either of us didn't want this I think we have no choice but to do it any way. I read a passage in a book that was vague but insightful. It said that the aging would stop after the bond was consummated. But if the bond wasn't consummated that they could age till the die in a year or two." Hermione tells him.
"Is that why you are doing this?" Harry asks.
"I won't lie and say it hasn't been on my mind. To answer your question though, is no. I am doing this because I want to share the most intimate thing a girl can share with a guy. I want us to connect on a whole other level. I want to know what it is like to be with you in mind, heart, soul and body. I want to look into your eyes as we make love to each other. I want to see the joy and pleasure you feel. I want this for us, but more for you. I want it to wash away some of the pain that has been in your life. And I want you to wash away some of mine as well. I want to do this tonight because I love you Harry Potter." Hermione says.
Harry is at a loss for words as he spins her around in his arms and kisses her gentle. The kiss soon turns to one of passion and desire. Neither of them notice the room morph into a quaint little bed chambers with a large plush bed in the center. They break the kiss looking into each others eyes. It is then they notice what has happened to the room. They both get blushes on the faces. Hermione is the first to recover and starts kissing Harry as she pushes him toward the bed.
As the move closer and closer to the bed she starts to remove his clothing. She lifts the plain T-shirt he is wearing over his head, causing them to break the kiss. He looks into her eye to make sure she is ok with everything. When he sees her nod her head he lowers his hands to the shirt she is wearings hem. He slowly lifts it as she starts kissing his chest. She stops long enough for him to get her shirt off and then starts again.
She moves her lips over and slowly sucks a nipple into her mouth as she gentle rakes her nails down his bare back. Harry's breath hitches in his throat for a second when she does this. He then proceeds to reach around and unclasp her bra. He discards it beside them as he pulls away from her a little bit.
He moves his hand to the back of her head and grabs a handful of hair. He pulls her head backwards using her hair, which elicits a moan from deep inside of her. He kisses her with more force than he ever has before. Then pulls back and looks her in the eye before they travel to her exposed chest. He sees her perfect C-cup breast with her nipples hard and standing out. Hard as he tries he can not resist and reaches down and sucks one into his mouth pulling her hair again to give him better access to her nipple.
Hermione moans and shivers as he continues to use her hair to maneuver her around so he can continue his work on her breasts and nipples. She lowers her hands to his waist band and slowly undoes his button and lowers his zipper.
She shoves his pants down his legs even using her foot to push them all the way down. She then reaches around and grabs his ass squeezing it. This gets a moan from Harry. She then reaches inside of his boxers and grabs a hold of his member. Harry is so stunned he accidentally bites down on her nipple harder than he intended to. He hears a gasp come from her lips, he pulls away to look at her.
"Sorry didn't mean to do that." He says.
"No that was ok I enjoyed it." She tells him while she continues to stroke him.
"Then what was the gasp for? Sounded like you were in pain." He asks.
"It was for the pain I know I am going to fill. Harry you have a rather large, well this." She says as she squeezes his cock.
"Really I never pay attention to things like that." He says.
"Yes really. For most guys 6 or 7 inches in normal. That thing has to be at least 9 inches, plus it is wide as well. It will be painful at first but eventually it will be a lot of fun." She smiles at him.
He nods his head and then continues his work on her breast. He then slowly moves down her body to her mid section, kissing his way to the top of her jeans. He unbuttons and unzips them and pushes them to the floor along with her panties. He is now looking at her hairless core on an up close and personal level as she shivers and moans. He gives her a little push as she falls back onto the bead and steps out of her clothing.
He struggles out of his boxers as Hermione slides farther into the bed. He crawls his way till he is face to face with her and is between her legs. She widens them even farther as he reaches down and kisses her.
"Harry I need you to do me a favor." She says.
"Anything." He says.
"When you put it in, don't go slow on the first thrust. Put the whole length in me as fast as you can and then don't move. There will be a lot of pain at first and I would prefer to get the breaking of my hymen out of the way quickly. Once I adjust to your size you can then start moving again." She says.
"Are you sure? I don't want to hurt you." He tells her.
"I know but there is no way to avoid it. And Harry once I tell you to move, don't be gentle. I will get use to your size faster if you give in and just give it to me. We can do the more romantic setting and making love once I am completely use to you." She tells him as she summons her wand and does a few of quick spells.
"Ok, if you are sure. What was the spells for?" He asks.
"Locking and silence spells, and a contraceptive spell. I have a feeling I will be doing a lot of screaming and I don't want anyone hearing me. Plus I don't want to get pregnant our first time either." She says.
"If it is going to hurt you that much why do you want me to be rough?" He asks.
"One cause I think I will get use to your size fasto. Two cause I like it kind of rough. When ever you are ready." She says as she kisses him hard.
All other thought is lost on him as in the middle of the kiss she grabs his member again and positions him at her entrance. He pushes forward till he feels his head enter her core. Then as she told him to do he slams himself into her till his balls slam against her ass and holds there. Hermione screams as he buries himself inside of her. The pain is so intense she come close to passing out.
Harry lays motionless on top of Hermione with his cock all the way inside of her. It is only now that he realizes how tight she is. It feels like a vice has him and is squeezing him. It takes a couple of minutes for her screams and panting to subside. As they do she looks him in the eye and he can see the tears streaming down her cheek.
"Are you ok? We can stop if you want." He asks as he moves a strand of hair out of her face.
"No don't stop. You can do to me what you want now the initial pain is gone. Now we need to get the rest of it out of the way, don't worry about hurting me, just give it to me as hard as you can." She says.
He starts moving inside of her, not slow but not fast. She can tell he is holding back so she rakes her nails down his back cause him to bleed. That is all it takes as he starts to pound her with every ounce of strength he has. He is pistoning in and out so hard she has started to scream again. He knows this is what she wants but is having a hard time continuing knowing he is causing her pain. He knows he can't stop if he does she will be disappointed in him.
So he does the one thing he thinks will. He imagines instead of having sex with Hermione, he is beating up his cousin Dudley. He closes off his hearing and then lets lose as if he is really tearing into him.
Hermione feels the sudden change in Harry. Suddenly he is pounding into her hard and faster than before, more than she thought was possible. The pain encompasses her to the point where all she can do is lay there and scream as he increase both power and speed yet again. She knows any orgasm she may have will be hidden but the extreme pain she is in. she also notices the longer he goes the more the pain lessens. Knowing it make take more than one time to fully get use to him she forces her self to move to meet his thrust. It isn't long before she feels him stiffen and then grunt her name as he releases inside of her.
As they both reach their peak and fall over, though Hermione's is hidden by the pain a golden glow surrounds them. It pulses out from the room with amazing speed and strength. Both lose the effort to remain conscious.
****************DSAB**************************
In two rooms in the country instruments suddenly spike and shatter. The people there must duck for cover to get out of the way of flying glass and debris.
Albus Dumbledore dives behind his desk as debris flies through the air. He is amazed at the power that had to have been used to destroy his monitoring devices. He can still feel the power of what ever it was as it slowly dissipates. Only one person could have caused this, Harry Potter.
****************DSAB**************************
In the department of mysteries all of their monitoring devices exploded at once. The two people that were in the room barely avoided being cut to ribbons as glass flew everywhere. Their supervisor ran into the room as they were getting to their feet.
"Jamison what happened in here?"
"I am not sure sir. We were monitoring everything, and then it just went to hell rather fast. We barely made it behind the desk." Jamison says.
"Ok we need to find out what went wrong get everyone here as soon as you can."
"Yes sir."
****************DSAB**************************
Harry was the first to wake up. He shook his head as his senses slowly returned to him. As he was starting to sit up Hermione started to moan slightly. Harry turned to look at her as everything flooded back into his mind.
"Oh My God! Hermione are you ok?" He asks her.
"Yeah, a little sore. But honestly not as bad as I expected after what happened." She says.
"What happened?" Harry asks.
"I am not sure. I think it was the bond finalizing. It must have knocked us out and healed me, at least a little." Hermione says.
"Ok we need more information on this whole bond thing. I think another trip to Gringott's is in order. Maybe they can give us more details about all of this. Maybe we can use the floo tomorrow and floo to diagon alley and see if they will be able to help." Harry says.
"That sounds like a plan to me. For now come back to bed and hold me." Hermione says with a shy smile on her face.
"With pleasure, though by that smile I don't think I will be getting much sleep." Harry says with a chuckle.
"What ever do you mean Mr. Potter? I will have you know I am and innocent young woman who only has pure thoughts." She says batting her eye lids at him.
"Sure, if by innocent you mean being rough and driving mean insane. Then yep that is you." He smiles at her as he lays down and pulls her close.
"Maybe this time we don't have to be so rough." She says.
"What ever you like Hermione." Harry says.
"Oh, I Liked the other as well. But I have experienced that once. Now I want to see what it is like making love." She says.
"Your wish is my command." Harry says as he starts to kiss her gently.
****************DSAB**************************
They would have felt sorry for Hagrid when the time came for him to say good-bye to Norbert if they hadn't been so worried about what they had to do. It was a very dark, cloudy night, and they were a bit late arriving at Hagrid's hut because they'd had to wait for Peeves to get out of their way in the entrance hall, where he'd been playing tennis against the wall. Hagrid had Norbert
packed and ready in a large crate.
"He's got lots of rats and some brandy for the journey," said Hagrid in a muffled voice.
"He will be fine with Charlie Hagrid. He knows what he is doing with Dragons." Ron says.
"Yeah Hagrid he will be ok, plus I bet during the summer you can visit him." Draco says.
"Do you think so?" Hagrid asks.
"I am sure of it." Harry and Hermione say together.
"Ok Bye-bye, Norbert!" Hagrid sobbed.
Harry and Hermione covered the crate with the invisibility cloak and stepped underneath it themselves.
How they managed to get the crate back up to the castle, they never knew.
Midnight ticked nearer as they heaved Norbert up the marble staircase in the entrance hall and along the dark
corridors. Up another staircase, then another. Even one of Harry's shortcuts didn't make the work much easier.
"Nearly there!" Harry panted as they reached the corridor beneath the tallest tower.
Then a sudden movement ahead of them made them almost drop the crate. Forgetting that they were already invisible, they shrank into the shadows. They could make out the dark outlines of two people grappling with each other ten feet away.
A lamp flared. Professor McGonagall, in a tartan bathrobe and a hair net, had Henton by the ear.
"Detention! And twenty points from Slytherin! Wandering around in the castle in the middle of the night, how dare you!" She tells him.
"You don't understand, Professor. Harry Potter's coming he's got a dragon!"
"What utter rubbish! How dare you tell such lies! Come on, I shall see Professor Snape about you, Henton!"
"You mean you won't even check it out?" Henton asks.
"Do you see anyone else here? I certainly don't. be Careful Henton or you may lose even more points." She says as they walk past Harry and Hermione.
The steep spiral staircase up to the top of the tower seemed the easiest thing in the world after that. Not until they'd stepped out into the cold night air did they throw off the cloak, glad to be able to breathe properly again. Hermione did a sort of jig.
"Henton's got detention! I could sing!"
"Don't." Harry advised her.
Chuckling about Henton, they waited, Norbert thrashing about in his crate. About ten minutes later four broomsticks came swooping down out of the darkness.
Charlie's friends were a cheery lot.
They showed Harry and Hermione the harness they'd rigged up, so they could suspend Norbert between them. They all helped buckle Norbert safely into it and then Harry and Hermione shook hands with the others and thanked them very much. At last, Norbert was going. going. gone.
They slipped back down the spiral staircase, their hearts as light as their hands, now that Norbert was off them. No more dragon, Henton in detention, what could spoil their happiness? The answer to that was waiting at the foot of the stairs. As they stepped into the corridor, Filch's face loomed suddenly out of the darkness. They left the invisibility cloak on top of the tower.
"Well, well, well we are in trouble." He whispered,
Filch took them down to Professor McGonagall's study on the first floor, where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other. Hermione was trembling.
Excuses, alibis, and wild cover- up stories chased each other around Harry's brain, each more feeble than the last. He couldn't see how they were going to get out of trouble this time. They were cornered.
They should never have been so stupid as to forget the cloak! There was no reason on earth that Professor McGonagall would accept for their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night. Not to mention being up the tallest astronomy tower, which was out-of-bounds except for classes.
Had Harry thought that things couldn't have been worse? He was wrong. When Professor McGonagall appeared, she was leading Neville.
"Harry! I was trying to find you to warn you. I heard Henton saying he was going to catch you. He said you had a drag- - -" Neville burst out, the moment he saw the other two.
Harry shook his head violently to shut Neville up, but Professor McGonagall had seen. She looked more likely to breathe fire than Norbert as she towered over the three of them.
"I would never have believed it of any of you. Mr. Filch says you were up in the astronomy tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves."
It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
"Professor McGonagall, I can explain. I Wanted to take Hermione somewhere romantic. So we could spend a little time together away from our suite and the other students. We kind of lost track of time, which is why we were out after curfew. Please it is my fault don't blame Hermione. As for Neville here, as he said he was coming to try to warn us about Henton. Something about us having a Dragon I assume." Harry says.
"Be that as it may Mr. Potter you were still out after curfew." Said Professor McGonagall.
"Understood Ma'aM and I will accept any punishment you deem appropriate." Harry tells her.
"Sorry Mr. Potter but both you and Hermione will still be serving detention." She says.
"I understand." Harry says.
"Four students out of bed in one night! I've never
heard of such a thing before. Nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days. Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"Fifty?" Harry gasped.
"Fifty points each!" Says Professor McGonagall.
"Professor, please,You can't!" Harry says.
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do Potter. Now get back to bed, all of you."
A hundred and fifty points lost. That put Gryffindor in last place. In one night, they'd ruined any chance Gryffindor had had for the house cup. Harry felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. How could they ever make up for this?
Harry didn't sleep all night. He could hear Neville sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours. Harry couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him. He knew Neville, like himself, was dreading the dawn. What would happen when the rest of Gryffindor found out what they'd done?
At first the Gryffindors passing the giant hourglasses that recorded the house points the next day
thought there had been a mistake. How could they suddenly have a hundred and fifty points fewer
than yesterday? And then the story started to spread. Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, their hero of two Quidditch matches, had lost them all those points. Well him and a couple of other stupid first years.
From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school. Harry was suddenly the most hated. Even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs turned on him. Because for once everyone had thought that Slytherin was going to lose the house cup.
Everywhere Harry went, people pointed and didn't
trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him. Slytherins, on the other hand, clapped as he walked past them, whistling and cheering.
"Thanks Potter, we owe you one!"
Only the four stood by him.
"They'll all forget this in a few weeks. Fred and George have lost loads of points in all the time they've been here, and people still like them." Ron says.
"They've never lost a hundred and fifty points in one go, though, have they?" said Harry
miserably.
"Well no." Ron admitted.
"Only good thing is I am the one taking all the heat. So far they have left Hermione and Neville alone." Harry says.
It was a bit late to repair the damage. Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on. He'd had it with sneaking around and spying.
Harry was almost glad that the exams weren't far away. All the studying he had to do kept his mind off his misery. He, Draco, Ron, and Hermione kept to themselves. They would work late into the night. They busied themselves with trying to remember the ingredients in complicated potions. Then they would learn charms and spells by heart. Memorize the dates of magical discoveries and goblin rebellions.
Then it came time to serve their detentions. He half expected Hermione to complain that this was a whole night of studying lost. She didn't say a word. Like Harry, she felt they deserved what they'd got. At eleven o'clock that night, they said good-bye to Ron and Draco in the common room. They left the common room to seek out Filch so he could lead them to their punishment.
****************DSAB**************************
Filch was already there and so was Henton. Harry had also forgotten that Henton had gotten a detention too.
"Follow me," said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside.
"I bet after tonight you lot will think twice about breaking school rules. Hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me. It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out. Hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days. Right, off we go, and don't think of running off or it'll be worse for you if you do." He said leering at
them.
They marched off across the dark grounds. Neville kept sniffing. Harry wondered what their punishment was going to be. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted. The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead Harry could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut. Then they heard a distant shout.
"Is that you Filch? Hurry up I want to get started." Hagrid says.
Harry's heart rose. If they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad. His relief must have showed in his face.
"I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again boy. It's into the forest you're going and if I'm not mistaken you'll all will be lucky to come out in one piece." Filch laughs at them.
Neville lets out a little moan, and Henton stops dead in his tracks. Harry and Hermione looked at each other before gulping. Neville clutched the sleeve of Harry's robe and made a choking noise.
"The forest? We can't go in there at night there's all sorts of things in there. I heard there are werewolves and vampires in the forest." Henton says.
"That's your problem, isn't it? Should have thought of
them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?" Said Filch.
Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark with Fang at his heels. He was carrying his large crossbow and had a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.
"About time, I been waiting for half an hour already. All right there Harry and Hermione?"
"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid. They're here to be punished after all." Said Filch
"That's why your late, is it? Been lecturing them, eh? It's not your place to do that. You've done your bit I'll take over from here."Hagrid tells him.
"I'll be back at dawn for what's left of them." Said Filch,
He turned and started back toward the castle, his lamp bobbing away in the darkness. Henton now turned to Hagrid.
"I'm not going in that forest." Henton says.
Harry was pleased to hear the note of panic in his
voice. At least he could try to one up him by keeping his voice even.
"You are if you want to stay at Hogwarts. You done wrong And now you got to pay for it." Hagrid says fiercely.
"But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing this. Well he'd."
"Tell you that's how it is at Hogwarts." Hagrid growled.
"No he wouldn't he would say we should be coping." Henton starts but is cut off.
"Copying lines! What good's that to anyone? You'll do something useful or you'll get out. If you think your father would rather you were expelled, then get back off to the castle And pack. Go on."
Henton didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously but then dropped his gaze. He knew his father would be furious with him if he got expelled.
"Right then now that is settled listen carefully, cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight. I don't want no one taking risks. Follow me over here a moment." Hagrid tells them.
He led them to the very edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high he pointed down a narrow winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the forest.
"Look there, see that stuff shining on the ground? The Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there been hurt badly by something. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try And find the poor thing. We might have to put
it out of its misery." He tells them.
"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Asks Henton unable to keep the fear out of his voice.
"There's nothing that lives in the forest that will hurt you if your with me or Fang And keep to the path. Now we're gonna split into two parties And follow the trail in
different directions. There's blood all over the place. It must have been staggering around since last night at least." Hagrid tells them.
"I want Fang." Says Henton quickly.
"All right but I warn you, he's a coward." Says Hagrid.
"So me, Harry and Hermione will go one way. Falco, Neville and Fang will go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn just send up green sparks. If anyone gets in trouble just send up red sparks, And we'll all come And find you. Be careful let's go." Hagrid tells them.
The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path. Harry, Hermione and Hagrid took the left path while Henton, Neville and Fang took the right. They walked in silence their eyes on the ground. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver-blue blood on the fallen leaves. Harry saw that Hagrid looked very worried.
"Coulda werewolf be killing the unicorns?" Harry asks.
"Not fast enough. It's not easy to catch a unicorn, they're powerful magic creatures. I never knew one to be hurt before." Hagrid says with worry in his voice.
As they walked past a mossy tree stump Harry could hear running water. He figured there must be a stream somewhere close by. There were still spots of unicorn blood here and there along the winding path. Hagrid could see the look on Hermione's face.
"You all right, Hermione? Don't worry it couldn't have gone far if it's this badly hurt, And then we'll be able to help it maybe." Hagrid tells her.
As they were walking along there seemed to be a noise that was following them. At fist it was just barely audible But the farther they went the louder it got.
"GET BEHIND THAT TREE!" Hagrid tells them.
Hagrid seized Harry and Hermione and hoisted them off the path behind a towering oak. He pulled out an arrow and fitted it into his crossbow raising it ready to fire. The three of them listened. Something was slithering over dead leaves nearby. It sounded like a cloak trailing along the ground. Hagrid was squinting up the dark path, but after a few seconds, the sound faded away.
"I knew it! There's something in here that shouldn't be."
"A werewolf?" Harry suggested.
"That wasn't a werewolf And it wasn't no unicorn either," Hagrid says grimly.
"What could it be then?" Hermione asks.
"Not sure yet. Ok, follow me and but careful." Hagrid says looking around.
They walked more slowly as they continued down the path. Their ears straining for the faintest sound. Suddenly in a clearing ahead something definitely moved.
"Who's there?" Hagrid called. "Show yourself I'm armed!"
And into the clearing came a man, or a horse? To the waist he was a man with red hair and beard. Below that was a horse's gleaming chestnut body with a long reddish tail. Harry and Hermione's jaws dropped.
"Oh, it's you Ronan. How are you?" Hagrid says in relief.
He walked forward and shook the centaur's hand. Hermione and Harry were still standing a few feet away.
"Good evening to you Hagrid. Were you going to
shoot me?" Asks Ronan.
"Can't be too careful Ronan. There's something bad loose in this forest. This is Harry Potter And Hermione Granger by the way. Students up at the school. Harry Hermione this is Ronan, He's a centaur."Hagrid says.
"We'd noticed." Hermione replies faintly.
"Good evening. Students are you? And do you learn much up at the school?" Ronan asks them.
"Erm, A bit," Hermione says timidly.
"A bit? Well that's something." Ronan sighs. He flung back his head and stared at the sky. "Mars is bright tonight."
"Yeah? Well Listen, I'm glad we've run into you Ronan. Cause there's a unicorn that has been hurt. Have you seen anything?"Hagrid asks.
Ronan didn't answer immediately. He sighs once more and then looks up at the stars before looking at them again.
"Always the innocents are the first victims. So it has been for ages past, so it is now." Ronan says.
"Yeah you are right my friend. Have you seen anything Ronan? anything unusual?"
"Mars is bright tonight,Unusually bright."Ronan says again.
"Yeah but I was meaning anything unusual a bit nearer to home, like here in the forest?" Hagrid asks.
Yet again, Ronan took a while to answer. He continued to look at the stars. His eyes seem to blaze for a moment then he lowered them and looked right at Hermione.
"The forest hides many secrets. You will be tested before you time is done at your school. To survive you will be forced to do something you will not want to do." Ronan tells her.
"What do you mean? What will I have to do, and when will I have to do it.?" Hermione asks him.
"This I can not say. I can only say it is something you will not like, something you will have to give yourself over to. As to when, all I can say is that before you finish your time at your school. Could be this year or next or even 5 years from now. When the time comes you will know and seek me out." Ronan says again and then looks at the stars.
"That is no help." She says shaking her head.
"Don't worry Hermione, I will be by your side." Harry says.
"No young Mr. Potter. It is something she will have to do by herself. But the world as we know it will depend on her doing this." Ronan says.
A movement in the trees behind Ronan made Hagrid raise his bow again. It was only a second centaur. this one had black hair and was wilder looking than Ronan.
"Hullo, Bane. You All right?" Hagrid asks.
"Good evening Hagrid, I hope you are well?" Bane says.
"Well enough I suppose. I've just been asking Ronan, you seen anything odd in here lately? There's a unicorn been injured would you know anything about it?" Hagrid asks.
Bane walked over to stand next to Ronan. He looked skyward.
"Mars is bright tonight." He says simply.
"We've heard that once or twice now." Says Hagrid grumpily.
"Yeah can you tells any more?" Harry asks.
"No young sir that is all." Bane says.
"Well if either of you do see anything let me know won't you? We'll be off then." Hagrid tells them.
Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing. They continued to staring over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked their view.
"Never try and get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anything other than the moon and stars."
"Are there many of them in here?" Asks Hermione.
"Oh, a fair few. Keep to themselves mostly. They're good enough about turning up if ever I want a word. They're have deep minds, centaurs do. They know a lot of things. They just don't let on much." Hagrid tells them.
"Do you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?" Asks Harry.
"Did that sound like hooves to you? Nah if you ask me that was what's been killing the unicorns I have never heard anything like it before." Hagrid shakes his head.
They walked on through the dense dark trees. Harry kept looking nervously over his shoulder. He had the nasty feeling they were being watched. He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them. They had just passed a bend in the path when Hermione grabbed Hagrid's arm.
"Hagrid! Look! Red sparks! The others are in trouble!"
"You two wait here!" Hagrid shouted. "Stay on the path! I'll come back for you!"
They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other. Until they couldn't hear anything but the rustling of leaves around them.
"You don't think they've been hurt, do you?" Whispered Hermione.
"I don't know. I could care less if Henton has. I just hope something hasn't got Neville. It's our fault he's here in the first place." Harry whispers back.
The minutes drag by. Their ears seem sharper than usual. Harry's seems to be picking up every sigh of the wind. Every cracking twig. What was going on? Where were the others? He could see that molten river of fire just on the edge of his vision. A great crunching noise in the forest made Harry reach out and snatch it as it flowed into his veins the wind picked up. He held it ready to strike, not sure how he was going to but it was ready. As the forest parted a fireball appeared in the palm of his hand just as Hagrid, Henton, Neville and Fang walked onto the path.
Harry let the fireball die in his hand as he noticed it disappear he was in shock. How had he done that? It seemed every time he was in trouble things would happen, and once they did he could do them again. Hagrid was fuming. Henton it seemed had snuck up behind Neville and grabbed him as a joke. Neville had panicked and sent up the sparks.
"We'll be lucky to catch anything now with the racket you two were making. We're changing groups. Neville you stay with me And Hermione. Harry I want you to go with Fang And this idiot. I'm sorry but I know he'll have a harder time frightening you And we've gotta get this done." Hagrid tells them.
"You are going to have to tell me what that was when we get a chance to talk." Hermione says.
"If I knew I would tell you. We can talk about it later. Be careful." Harry says as he kisses her.
"You to, don't turn your back on him."She says as she walks away.
Harry nods and sets off into the heart of the forest with Henton and Fang. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the forest. Until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Harry thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker. There were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Harry could see a clearing ahead through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.
"Look." He murmured holding out his arm to stop Henton.
Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer. It was the unicorn all right and it was dead. Harry had never seen anything so beautiful and sad. Its long, slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and its mane was spread
pearly-white on the dark leaves.
Harry had taken one step toward it when a slithering sound made him freeze where he stood. The cloaked figure that was feeding on the unicorn's blood raised it's head and looked their way.
"AAAAAAAAAARGH!"
Henton let out a terrible scream and bolted so did Fang. The hooded figure had unicorn blood dribbling down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly toward Harry. He couldn't move for fear.
Then a pain like he'd never felt before pierced his head. It was as though his scar were on fire. Half blinded he staggered backward. He heard hooves behind him galloping and something jumped clean over Harry, charging at the figure.
The pain in Harry's head was so bad he fell to his knees. It took a minute or two to pass. When he looked up the figure had gone. A centaur was standing over him, not Ronan or Bane. This one looked younger. He had white blond hair and a palomino body.
"Are you all right?" Asks the centaur pulling Harry to his feet.
"Yes thank you, what was that?"
The centaur didn't answer. He had astonishingly blue eyes, like pale sapphires. He looked carefully at Harry his eyes lingering on the scar that stood out on Harry's forehead.
"You are the Potter boy. You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time, especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way."
"I think I can."Harry responds.
"My name is Firenze." He added as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Harry could clamber onto his back.
There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing. Ronan and Bane came bursting through the trees, their flanks heaving and sweaty.
"Firenze!" Bane thundered. "What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"
"Do you realize who this is?" Said Firenze. "This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better."
"What have you been telling him?" Growled Bane.
"Remember Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?"
Ronan pawed the ground nervously.
"I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best," he
said in his gloomy voice.
"For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!"
Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger. Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on.
"Do you not see that unicorn?" Firenze bellowed at Bane. "Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane. Yes with humans alongside me if I must."
And Firenze whisked around with Harry clutching on as best he could. They plunged off into the trees leaving Ronan and Bane behind them. Harry didn't have a clue what was going on.
"Why's Bane so angry? What was that thing you saved me from anyway?" Harry asks.
They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Harry thought Firenze didn't want to talk to him anymore. They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.
"Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
"No. We've only used the horn and tail hair in
Potions." Harry says.
"That is because it is a monstrous 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 Harry. Even if you are an inch from death. But at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself. You will have but a half-life. A cursed life from the moment the blood touches your lips." Firenze Tells him.
"But who'd be that desperate? If you're going to be cursed forever death's better, isn't it?" Harry asks.
"It is. Unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else. Something that will bring you back to full strength and power. Something that will mean
you can never die. Mr. Potter do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"
"The Sorcerer's Stone! Of course the Elixir of Life! But I don't understand who ."
"Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power? Who has clung to life awaiting their chance?"
It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around Harry's heart. Over the rustling of the trees he seemed to hear a woman scream.
"Do you mean." Harry croaked, "that was Voldemort? "
"Harry! Harry, are you all right?" Hermione was running toward them down the path. Hagrid puffing along behind her.
"I'm fine. The unicorn's dead Hagrid, it's in
that clearing back there." Harry tells him.
"This is where I leave you. You are safe now. Good luck, Harry Potter." Said Firenze. "The planets have been read wrongly before now even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."
He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.