Chapter 10: The Forbidden Forest

No sooner than those words were uttered, that Filch grabbed them by the scruffs of their necks, like kittens. Harry seemed to have an inner debate with himself as Filch dragged them to the First Floor, where certain death by McGonagall awaited. Carina wasn't sure what he was planning, but it sure did peak her curiosity. Suddenly, Harry stomped on the caretaker's foot. Hard. Bones cracked, a loud groan sounded, and Harry shoved Carina out of Filch's grasp.

She fell with a dull thud on the stone floor. Filch was still grasping his foot in pain, while Harry was giving her a pointed look to run.

I can't just leave him here, with Filch of all people! He'll be expelled for sure!

Carina shot him a sharp glare, which he returned just as strong, if not even fiercer. He too, had been released from Filch's grip when he smashed on Filch's foot. Carina got to her feet quickly, not wanting to get in even more trouble than they already were in. Harry shoved her—very hard—towards the dark, dreary corridors upstairs. Reluctantly, a black-haired Carina began running up to Gryffindor Tower.

They had been on the Fourth Floor, when Harry's diversion occurred. Carina ran fast as she could—until she came into contact with a soft, squishy object on the Sixth Floor. Dazed, Carina looked up to see Neville, of all people.

'What are you doing?!' she hissed, jumping off the ground.

'I went to try and warn you! I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag—' exclaimed a clearly terrified Neville.

'Shh!'

Carina looked around quickly. A faint scuffling was heard from the end of the corridor they were in. A quick flash of yellow, and Carina shoved Neville into the darker shadows of the night. They were pressed against the wall—Neville breathing hard looking quite terrified and Carina silent and suspicious.

As if her body knew she was trying to be stealthy, Carina felt a tremor wrack through her body. It was like something cold was rippling up and down her spine.

She had no time to investigate, as the blinding yellow light drew nearer and nearer. Her eyes, accustomed to the darkness, had trouble identifying the late-night roamer. Carina heard a faint mumbling—like someone saying something under their breath. Gathering a bit of courage, she peeked out to see the mysterious newcomer. No sooner than Carina caught a flash of her least favorite person right now—Professor McGonagall. She didn't have Malfoy in toll, so she probably just came back from Snape's office.

'How dare him…in the night…could have gotten in danger…' hissed McGonagall, tartan robes billowing in the faint lamplight.

She was getting harder and harder to hear, as she made her way down to her office. Neville released a loud breath of relief as Carina moved him back to the middle of the hall. Although his breath seemed to catch again as she opened her mouth.

'What?' Carina questioned.

'L-look d-down' stammered Neville.

Carina did as told and she nearly let out a shriek. Her body was invisible. Well, not invisible. More the colors of her surroundings, like camouflage. Black splotches swirled into dull gray and small bits of darker gray mixed together, alternating with her movement. Her hair was black and had faint gray twirls in her messy tresses.

It's almost like…a chameleon…

'N-Neville you have to go back to Gryffindor Tower. Me and Pr-Harry already saw Malfoy trying to catch us. They caught him and Malfoy, and I don't want you getting in trouble either.' said Carina softly.

'What about you?' demanded Neville.

'I've got to save Harry—it was my fault too and I can't let him take the blame alone.' grimaced Carina.

Neville gave her a small nod paired with a crooked smile and turned back to the stairs of Gryffindor Tower.

'Oh, and Neville?' whispered Carina.

He turned around quickly.

'Thanks for trying to help out—even if it didn't go to plan' smiled Carina.

Neville gave his lopsided smile and shuffled back up the faintly lit marble steps.

Carina wasted no time following McGonagall's trail.

Time to save Prongs!

~CFB~

The camouflaged sprint back down to the First Floor was not as difficult as when Carina was going up. Legs burning outside of Professor McGonagall's office, she straightened up and made her features as normal as possible. Carina would go in chin held high, and that was that. She could hear Professor McGonagall beginning her lecture.

'I would never have believed it of you. Mr. Filch says you were up in the Astronomy Tower—with an accomplice that we will find. It's one o' clock in the morning. Explain yourself.'

A silence fell upon the room. McGonagall cleared her throat and restarted her rant.

'I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on' said Professor McGonagall. 'It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble. I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny then, Mr. Potter?

Carina could just imagine Harry with a dumbstruck face, looking down at his shoes. That was it. She was heading in there—right now.

Carina's small hand reached up to the office's brass doorknob. A brilliantly bright light flashed in front of her. She blinked a bit, and her eyes adjusted to the situation. Professor McGonagall was looking at her with nostrils flared. It looked like she was going to breathe fire.

Humor is my best solution then.

'Hey, Minnie' winked Carina, straight up ignoring McGonagall, and strutting right up to stand near Harry.

Harry had his eyes widened and jaw dropped, like in the cartoons. McGonagall looked like someone had just sucker-punched her—a dazed look was written all over her face.

'Miss Black—I suppose you were Mr. Potter's accomplice then?' bit out McGonagall, recovering from her shock.

'Actually Minnie, Prongs is more my accomplice—you see, I wanted to go and snog Harry up in the tower—no one ever distracts you there—and it just so happened that Filch was prowling around when we were heading back to our dormitories.' She took a dramatic gasp of air. 'Malfoy must've gotten the idea we had a dragon, cause that's our code-name to go and kiss—"Let's hide the dragon"—and misinterpreted us!' she squeaked.

Carina gave her a dazzling smile and watched her audience's expressions.

Harry was bright red, eyes the size of the moon, and gazing at her like she just crash-landed from outer space.

McGonagall was in a similar state—although she had her eyebrows so high, they disappeared in her hairline.

Carina kept a cocky smile on her face as Professor McGonagall's expressions contorted around.

How's that for an excuse, huh Minnie?

'Miss Black!' shrieked McGonagall.

'I would expect better behavior from Mr. Potter, but you getting him into trouble is not acceptable! Three students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! I would've thought Gryffindor meant more to both of you than this. You will both receive detentions—with Mr. Malfoy—and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor' she said in one long breath.

'Fifty?!' exclaimed Harry.

Carina's eyebrows shot up and she elbowed him just before the final blow.

'Fifty points each' snapped Professor McGonagall, breathing heavily through her long, pointed nose.

'Professor—please—you can't—' wheedled Harry, but it was a lost cause.

'Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Potter. Now get back to bed, both of you. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students'

A hundred points lost. And it was all thanks to Prongs and his big mouth—Why couldn't he wait to moan about points after she took fifty?! Vengeance is a bittersweet flavor.

Just as she was exiting a seething McGonagall's office, Carina couldn't help but call out.

'Never say never, Minnie!'

Had she stuck around to see the extremely surprised and sorrowful look on Professor McGonagall's face, Carina surely wouldn't have made that particular comment.

~CFB~

What the hell are they going to say—What happened to all the points?! Ugh.

Carina was dreading going to breakfast the next day. Everyone would notice the hundred points lost. That put Gryffindor in last place. They surely lost any chance of winning the house cup for sure. Carina's stomach was churning all night. She couldn't get any sleep and Harry was mad at her coming back to McGonagall's office.

According to his weak argument when they got to the Tower, if she hadn't gone back, Gryffindor wouldn't have lost as many points. That moron. Filch knew he had an accomplice, and who else had her dark red hair? Filch was old, not blind as a bat. Harry was being an idiot—Neville would have gotten caught too and they still would have lost points, so it didn't matter anyway.

Carina decided to skip breakfast, lunch, and dinner and eat in the kitchens. Then, no one could bother her or rave about losing a hundred points. She knew that no one would dare say something to her face—Carina would surely hex them into next week—and no one could crack her seemingly confident exterior. They would talk behind her back. Then she had no solid proof they were saying anything. So Carina couldn't attack them. Maybe that new chameleon thing would come in handy for disappearing in the halls.

Later in the day, Carina found out that Harry was having a miserable time with her—they also knew she had some part in losing all those points—The Pranking Princess, who'd helped cause some of the best pranks with the Twins, aka The Pranking Kings. Almost the entire school was pissed at them.

The Slytherins were unbearable—they reminded her every time they saw her of helping them win. The Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs were looking forward to seeing Slytherin lose the House Cup, but now it was all ruined thanks to them.

Only Hermione, Mary, Ron, and Neville stood by her. Nobody would dare speak to her in the halls, or in her classes. If people were going to hate her, they might as well envy her too. Carina drew more attention in class. She had already stocked up a week's worth of detentions by hexing anyone who had the gall to say things to her face. Even the twins, some of her closest friends, turned their backs on her. To say the least, it pissed her off. Carina still planned pranks, but this time, on the entire school. Neither Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, nor Hufflepuff was spared.

Gryffindor was the first, and the easiest. She had put itching powder in the entire tower's dormitory clothes, except hers, Ron's, Hermione's, Mary's, and Neville's. Harry was not exempt from it, neither were his other roommates, Seamus Finnegan and Dean Thomas. Magical itching powder was a lot better than regular itching powder; it lasted a lot longer and spread a lot quicker than the regular one.

Ravenclaw was next. Those bird-brained geniuses would suffer her wrath. Their once pristine and flawless uniforms were now the most flamboyant colors imaginable. Shocking pink. Electrifying yellow. Flashing purple. None were safe. They couldn't be washed out for a week, thanks to that Dyeing potion in the Prank-Book.

Hufflepuff was soon after. By then all the students were wary of who was next—the twins had already admitted to not being the cause of all of their misfortunes—and no one knew who was doing it. They had an interesting spell cast onto their barrel entrance. Whenever they talked, a loud braying noise like a donkey sounded. Except, whoever was affected by the spell could hear the other just fine. This led a very confusing day, as no one could understand them except their own house.

Last, but certainly not least, Slytherins. They had the best one. They wanted a House Cup; they were going to get the pride to go with it. It wasn't very difficult to enter their Common Room. Carina had simply followed an unsuspecting boy into the dungeons. Honestly, a five-year old could figure out their password (Pure), and she had entered no problem. The next day was a very special surprise, as they woke up. Their skin was silver and green, hair to match the opposite skin color. If they had green skin, they had silver hair. The effect lasted two whole weeks before the potion completely left their water system.

The exams were hers (and theirs) only saving grace. Carina knew that everyone would be so engrossed in their exams that they wouldn't have enough time to say scathing remarks or comments. Harry still hadn't apologized for his rude comments after their nightly disaster—not that her friends hadn't been trying to nudge him in the right direction. Even Neville mentioned that she helped him avoid getting in trouble, but Harry was still as stubborn as a mule. Carina certainly wasn't going to attempt apologies if he was unwilling to address the issue.

Although, something interesting happened in the weeks of the exams, when she was walking her usual camouflaged route to the kitchens.

'You know, I can still see you' said a male voice, from behind her.

'Say what you're gonna say before I hex you' snarled Carina, turning around quickly, wand twirling in her hand.

It was a boy. A Slytherin to be exact. He had curly black hair and icy-blue eyes, which were peering at her curiously. He seemed to be a first year, but with her luck, he'd probably be a second year. He was either abnormally tall, or just older than her.

'No need to threaten me—I just couldn't help but notice your interesting ability.' drawled the boy in a very sarcastic tone. He held his hands up in a calming manner, and Carina narrowed her eyes at him.

Interesting ability? Didn't everyone know she could change her appearance?

'Doesn't everyone know I'm a Metamorphmagus?' Carina snapped.

Before the boy could respond, she morphed into her usual red-haired self.

'Oh, you're the one who lost all those points with Potter!' He laughed.

Carina lifted her wand higher, and scowled at him.

''The one' has a name, and if you're here to gloat, would you like dog ears or a tail?' she threatened.

'"The one', what is your name then?' said the boy.

'Carina' was her simple response.

'Black?'

Eyebrow raised, Carina nodded slowly.

'Well, I am Daniel. Daniel Greengrass, twin brother to Daphne Greengrass'

'Woah, calm down there, I wanted your name, not your life story.'

'Anyways, I wouldn't like to be hexed; just you and him are infamous now, aren't you? And great job the other week, took forever to get that ridiculous dye out.' Daniel had a sarcastic smile plastered on his face, which made her smirk arrogantly.

'Wasn't it? I like to think so.' sang Carina.

'Ha-ha, and when I tell your Head of House, it'll be great too, huh?' said Daniel, still smiling.

'Sure, tell me all about what Minnie says when I get back from dinner, eh?' and Carina turned back around, camouflaging perfectly with the bright torchlight in the corridor and the dark gray stonewalls.

~CFB~

Later that day, while Carina was sitting in the Kitchens, a small house-elf handed her a letter.

Why did they wait so long to hand these to us?

"Your detention will take place at eleven o' clock tonight.

Meet Mr. Filch in the Entrance Hall.

Professor M. McGonagall"

So for punishment for going out after curfew, they were going to send them to detention at night after curfew. Makes sense. Maybe they waited so long because of all her detentions.

At eleven o' clock that night, Carina, Mary, and Hermione went down to the common room. Harry was waiting by Ron at the portrait hole. She made a point of not wanting to talk while going down to the Entrance Hall. Harry seemed to accept this fact; he stopped trying to make conversation when they were at the Third Floor.

Malfoy and Filch were already there. Filch had a nasty smile on his face as they walked towards him.

'Follow me' said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside.

'I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?' leered Filch.

'Do you know who you're talking to?' snapped Carina.

Filch plowed on.

'Oh yes…hard work and pain are the best teachers at this school if you ask me…it's a shame they let the old punishments die out…hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've still got the chains in my office, keep 'em well oiled just in case they're ever needed…Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now. It's be worse for you if you do.'

'There's a reason they let them die out, you sadistic bastard' muttered Carina.

Harry snickered next to her, and Carina glared at him. This detention wasn't like her other ones. She'd written lines, scrubbed out cauldrons, even polished the entire trophy room, but none ever had her go outside. And the looming Forbidden Forest didn't look so friendly in the brightness of the moon. A distant shout drew her out of her wonderings.

'Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started.'

Hagrid!

Looking around, Carina could see the relief in Harry's face. Sadly, Filch could see it too.

'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 I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece'

At this, Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks.

'The forest?' he repeated, and he didn't sound quite as smug as usual. 'We can't go in there at night—there's all sorts of things in there—werewolves, I heard.'

'That's your problem, isn't it?' said Filch, voice lighting up with glee.

Werewolves only go crazy in the full moon, right?

Hagrid came striding towards them, Fang at his heel. He was carrying a large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows over his shoulder.

'Abou' time' he said. 'I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right there, Harry, Carina?'

'I shouldn't be so friendly with them, Hagrid' bit Filch coldly. 'They're here to be punished, after all'

'That's why yer late, is it?' said Hagrid, frowning at Filch. 'Bin lecturin' them, eh? S'not in your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here.'

Carina gave a smug smile to Filch, who looked like Hagrid had smacked him.

'I'll be back at dawn' said Filch. 'For what's left of them' he added nastily, and he turned and started back toward the castle, lamp bobbing in the darkness.

Malfoy then rounded on Hagrid.

'I'm not going in that forest' said Malfoy, fear and panic highlighting his tone.

'Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts' said Hagrid fiercely. 'Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer it'

'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, he'd—'

'—tell yer that's how it is at is at Hogwarts.' growled Hagrid. 'Copyin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back ter the castle an' pack. Go on then!'

Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped his gaze.

'Right then, now listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' I don't want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment' said Hagrid slowly.

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 her hair as she looked into the forest.

'Look there,' said Hagrid. 'See that stuff shinin' on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time this week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try and find the poor thing. We might have to put it out of it's misery.'

'And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?' said Malfoy, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.

'There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang,' said Hagrid. 'An' keep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least.'

'I want Fang' said Malfoy quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.

'All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward' said Hagrid. 'So me, 'n Harry'll go one way an' Draco, Carina, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get yer wands out an' practice now—that's it—an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeh—so, be careful—let's go.'

Carina was not happy at all with who she was stuck with, but at least it prevented from Harry trying to talk to her.

The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path, and she and Malfoy took the right path, while Hagrid and Harry took the left.

They walked in silence, eyes looking at the ground. Malfoy wouldn't dare try anything with Carina; he was too afraid at what she would do. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver-blue blood on the fallen leaves.

This easily was her most interesting detention so far. It was almost like a murder mystery, except they could be hurt any minute. Suddenly, Malfoy let out a strangled scream. The tall dark green bushes in front of them were rustling furiously, and the silver blood was clearly shining in the moonlight.

'Calm down!' hissed Carina.

But it was too late. Malfoy, in a panicked state, shot up a dazzling sight of red sparks.

'You idiot!' snapped Carina. 'There's nothing to be scared of!'

Malfoy was pale, and that didn't help the dark red blush from being hidden. Carina turned to the bushes. Whatever was there might still be there.

'Who's there?' Carina barked.

And a faint rustling of the evergreen leaves moved to see—a man? No, a horse. No… To the waist it was a man, with long brown hair and beard to match, below that was a horse's gleaming bronze body and white socks with a long brown tail. He looked down at her.

'Tis only I, Cenarius. What are you doing here, little red-haired Protector?' rumbled the centaur with a deep voice.

'U-um we were just looking for something in the forest—something's been injuring the unicorns' stammered Carina.

Cenarius nodded his head slowly.

'Always the innocent are the first victims, so it has been for ages past, so it is now'

The centaur flung back his head and looked at the sky.

'Mars is bright tonight'

What?

A loud crashing from behind grabbed Carina's attention. Hagrid had his crossbow out and tailing right behind him was Harry.

'What's happen'd! Who's in trouble?!'

'Nothing, Hagrid, the blond foal was frightened by me' spoke the centaur.

'Ah, it's just you Cenarius' sighed Hagrid, putting his crossbow away.

'Mars is unusually bright tonight' repeated Cenarius.

'So we've heard' said Hagrid grumpily. 'Well, if you see anythin', let me know, won't yeh? We'll be off, then'

Hagrid led them away from the brown centaur.

'We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket this one was makin' he pointed at Malfoy. 'Right, we're changin' groups—Malfoy, you stay with me an' Fang. Harry, you go with Carina.'

Just great.

They set off into the heart of the forest. 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. Carina laughed coldly when Harry tripped on one of the many curling roots. He scowled at her and dusted himself off.

'Thanks'

'No, thank you' said Carina sarcastically.

He did not reply to that, and they continued walking through the trees. A faint mist was swirling here and the blood seemed to be getting thicker on the splatters Carina noticed on the leaves. They came across a clearing, when Harry put out his arm to stop her.

'Look—' he murmured.

Something brilliantly white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.

It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. Carina 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 splayed around it, pearly white on the dark underbrush of the forest.

Carina took a cautious step with Harry towards it, when a slithering sound made them halt in their path. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered menacingly. Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Carina and Harry stood transfixed. The mysterious figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head, over the shining wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.

Carina let out a sharp gasp. In the heavy silence of the forest, the figure raised its head and looked right at them—silver unicorn blood dripping from its black cloak. It got to its feet and came swiftly towards them. Her eyes widened, and she shoved him away from its incoming path. A figure jumped clear over her head, just as Harry fell to his knees after stumbling back.

Carina didn't have a chance to see their savior; she was too busy kneeling down at Harry. He looked like he was in a lot of pain, and after a minute or two, he looked up, startled. Carina followed his gaze and her eyes widened. It was another centaur. It looked a bit younger than Cenarius; he had white-blond hair and a palomino body.

'Are you both all right?' asked the centaur, pulling Harry back to his feet. Carina stood and looked at the centaur closer. He had astonishingly blue eyes, like pale sapphires.

'Yes—thank you—what was that?'

The centaur didn't answer. He was too busy analyzing them; just like she had done to him.

'You are the Potter boy, and the red-haired Protector Cenarius found.' He said. 'You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time—especially not for you two. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way.'

Carina barely had time to nod, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so they could climb on his back.

'My name is Firenze' rumbled the centaur, after they were on his back. Carina wrapped her arms around Harry; the ground looked a lot higher from up there.

There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing. Two more centaurs came bursting through the trees. One was a reddish color, and the other was a dark black color. They looked positively livid.

'Firenze!' thundered the dark one. 'What are you doing? You have humans on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?'

'Do you realize who these are?' said Firenze. 'This is the Potter boy and the Protector. The sooner they leave this forest, the better'

'What have you been telling them?' growled the dark one. '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?'

The red one pawed the ground nervously. 'I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best' he said gloomily.

The black-bodied centaur kicked his back legs in anger.

'For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what had been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!'

Firenze suddenly reared on his hind legs in anger, so Carina crushed Harry's ribs even harder to stay on.

'Do you not see that unicorn?' Firenze bellowed. '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 the centaur whirled around; Carina holding on for dear life as they plunged off into the trees, leaving Bane and the red centaur behind them.

Carina had no idea what just happened. First, they found the unicorn. Second, Harry collapsed when the figure attacked. Third, Firenze the centaur saved them. Fourth, Firenze got into an argument. Fifth, Present time. That summed it up. Harry asked the question she was thinking.

'Why's Bane so angry? What was that thing you saved me from, anyway?'

Firenze slowed down to a brisk walk. He warned them to keep their heads bowed but other than that made no attempt to answer his question. After a long silence, Carina felt that Firenze didn't want to answer the question. They were passing a particularly dense patch of trees, however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.

'Harry Potter and Carina Black, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?'

How did he know my name?!

'No?' replied Carina uncertainly.

'We've only used the horn and tail hair in Potions' said Harry.

'That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn,' said Firenze somberly. '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 at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.'

Carina stared with wide eyes, at Firenze.

'But who'd be that desperate?' questioned Harry. 'If you're going to be cursed forever, deaths better, isn't it?'

'It is' Firenze agreed. 'Unless all you need to stay alive long enough is 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, Ms. Black, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?'

'The Sorcerer's Stone!' exclaimed Carina. 'The Elixir of Life!'

'But I don't understand who—' began Harry.

'Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?'

Carina couldn't think of anyone who'd be that desperate, but Harry gasped out several words.

'Do you mean,' Harry croaked. 'That was Vol—'

Voldemort! I thought he was dead, according to Ron…

'Harry! Carina! Are you all right?'

Hagrid was puffing past the trees towards them, Malfoy and Fang in tow.

'Yeah, we found the unicorn in the clearing back there' said Harry somberly.

Carina let go of Harry quickly. They had stopped and she slid off Firenze's back. Hagrid left Malfoy and hurried off to examine the unicorn.

'This is where I leave you' murmured Firenze. 'You are safe now.'

Harry slid off his back and Firenze said a few more confusing words.

'Good luck, both of you, the planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times'

He turned quickly and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Carina and Harry with a look of shock written all over their faces.

It was when they were walking back to the Seventh Floor, when Harry deemed it high time to apologize to her.

'Hey, Padfoot.' Began Harry.

'Yeah, Prongs?' said Carina softly.

'Sorry for blaming you—Neville told me what happened and Filch knew you were there too—I just had to blame someone other than myself' said Harry somberly.

'It's fine—just figure things out before mouthing off, won't you?' said Carina sarcastically.

'Shame we had to have a near-death experience for this to happen' sighed Harry.

'Not my fault you're stubborn' muttered Carina.

Harry laughed and they walked in a now comfortable silence to the Common Room.

~CFB~

Ron, Mary, and Hermione had fallen asleep on the plush scarlet couches of the Gryffindor Common Room. It almost seemed a shame to disturb them, but Carina smiled when Harry shook Ron up.

'Foul!' shouted Ron, shooting awake.

His yell seemed to wake up Hermione, who was rubbing her eyes.

'Shut up, Specks, I'm trying to sleep' moaned Mary, shifting around.

'Well, I guess you don't want to hear about our detention' said Carina faux-tearfully.

This got her attention at once, and she sprung up, similar to what Ron had done.

'Padfoot and I were walking in the forest—see Hagrid was telling us about how a unicorn was really injured, and we had to find it. We came across a big clearing—there were trees everywhere. A unicorn was lying right in the middle—and it wasn't moving. Then, a figure came out, and you'll never guess what it was doing—drinking it's blood! A centaur named Firenze saved both of us, and said Voldemort—' Ron hissed. '—Was going to try and get the Sorcerer's Stone!'

By the end of his story, Carina was pacing up and down in front of the always-lit fire.

'Snape wants the Stone for Voldemort…and Voldemort's waiting in the forest…and all this time we thought Snape just wanted to get rich…' muttered Carina.

'Stop saying the name!' said Ron, clearly terrified. As if Voldemort could hear them, scoffed Carina.

'Firenze saved us both, but he shouldn't have done so... Bane was furious...he was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen...They must show that Voldemort's coming back... Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill us...I suppose that's written in the stars as well.'

'Will you stop saying the name!' Ron hissed.

'So all I've got to wait for now is Snape to steal the Stone' Harry went on feverishly. 'Then Voldemort will be able to come and finish us off…Well, I suppose Bane'll be happy'

'You need to not, Prongs.' snapped Carina. 'Obviously if 'the stars said it was going to happen' and it didn't, doesn't mean the centaurs know everything, nor are they completely reliable. If Voldemort was meant to kill us then, we wouldn't be standing here, now would we?'

Hermione too, had something to say.

'Prongs, everyone says Dumbledore's the only one You-Know-Who was ever afraid of with Dumbledore around, You-Know-Who can't touch any of us. Anyways, like Padfoot said, who says the centaurs are right? It sounds like fortune-telling to me, and Professor McGonagall says that's a very imprecise branch of magic'

The first rays of sunlight were beginning to shine through the red curtains before they stopped talking. Carina drudged herself off to bed when Mary had fallen asleep mid-sentence. She had a difficult time finding sleep; well after the sun had risen.

Why would Voldemort want to kill me?

A/N: Best excuse ever, huh? Also, I don't believe 10-14 year olds should be "dating" or kissing—really anything related to relationships, well maybe 14, cause that's when high-school starts here. To be honest, it makes me wonder what parents are doing with/teaching their children at home. Anyways, they won't be dating anyone for a LONG while. And who exactly is Daniel Greengrass, hmm? He will surely come out in later books/chapters. And Cenarius—sound familiar? Thanks for reading, and see y'all next time, m'kay.