Author's Note: I am so sorry it took so long to update. My last year and half of school started shortly after the last update and things got intense. I barely had enough time to sleep. Anyway when I got out for the summer I had to help my parents get our club pool ready and I got busy. I finally got the opportunity to get over my writer's block and get a chapter written. I hope you enjoy! Thank you for your reviews and your patience.
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It was nearing eleven when four Gryffindors and one Slytherin followed Mr. Filch out the entrance hall and onto the grounds. Malfoy was still complaining about the unfairness of the situation.
Rhian rolled her eyes. There was no sense in complaining. At least Filch wasn't allowed to do what he wanted. "…hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me…" he was mumbling under his breath.
"Which we are not…" Rhian whispered to Harry who snorted.
"What's so funny pothead?" Malfoy sneered.
Rhian placed a hand on Harry's shoulder. "We were just discussing how brilliantly stupid you are Malfoy." She responded for her brother with a smirk.
A pink tinge colored Malfoy's cheeks but before he could respond they had arrived at the edge of the Forbidden forest where Hagrid's big form waited for them.
"Alrigh' you four?" Hagrid asked. He held up his large lantern so that they were cast in its eerie glow.
The four Gryffindors nodded. "Here they are Hagrid." Mr. Filch said. He turned to the students. "You lot will be going into the forest tonight." His lips turned up into a cruel grin.
"The…the forest…" Malfoy gulped. "We're…not allowed to go in there." He stammered. "There's all sorts of wild animals in there."
"That's your problem." Filch said his voice sounded gleeful. With that the decrepit caretaker left them with Hagrid disappearing into the dark as he headed back to the castle.
Rhian watched the color drain from Malfoy's face as he watched Filch's lantern bob away. "I'm not going in there." Malfoy protested weakly.
"Oh shut it Malfoy." Rhian growled. "If you don't go in you'll be in even more trouble."
Malfoy glared but fell silent. "What are we doing in there Hagrid?" Harry asked curiously.
Rhian noticed Hagrid looked grim. "Unicorns are bein' attacked. 'ound one dead 'he other nigh'. Now listen carefully." He said. "What we're gonna do tonight is dangerous an' I don' want no one takin' risks."
Hagrid handed Harry and Malfoy lanterns as he shouldered his crossbow and led them into the forest. They walked a few feet before Hagrid stopped and bent his fingers touching a silvery liquid on the ground.
"Unicorn blood." He said and rose. "We're gonna split up an' head in dif'rent directions see if we can find the poor beast."
"Split up!" Malfoy cried, panic clearly in his voice.
Hagrid glared at the blonde boy who fell silent again. "Ron, 'ermione come with me. 'arry, Rhian, and Malfoy are together."
"I want Fang." Malfoy said pulling the large dog towards him.
"Very well, but be warned Fan' is cowardly beast." Hagrid said. "Alrigh' lets get this done with."
Rhian, Harry and Malfoy with Fang at his side took the right while Hagrid, Hermione and Ron took the left.
"Wait till my father hears…"
"Give it a rest Malfoy." Rhian snapped.
"You better watch it Snape." Malfoy said.
Deftly Harry slipped in between the two effectively separating them. "Enough both of you. Let's find this unicorn and get out of here."
"Thanks Harry…" Rhian whispered once Malfoy fell back with Fang in a sulk.
The three walked on in silence each gripping their wands. The forest was dark with very little light coming from the moon above. Malfoy jumped at every little creak and snap even though he tried to hide it.
Rhian and Harry just laughed silently at the obvious fear in their mutual enemy. Two hours went by and they had accomplished nothing except scaring the Slytherin.
Walking slightly ahead of the two boys Rhian's eyes searched the black forest. Something moved up ahead causing her to slow down and peer through the darkness. In a clearing not far ahead of them Rhian spotted what they had been searching for. But it was too late.
The majestic beast lay on its side. Its long slender legs stuck out. Rhian glanced at Harry who stared at the dead unicorn sadly. Behind them Malfoy and Fang were whimpering. Rhian couldn't decipher who was more scared.
Harry and Rhian stepped closer but stopped when a low slithering sound came from the bushes near the edge of the clearing.
"Harry…" Rhian said. Her voice was a soft whisper.
Rhian shivered in fear as a hooded figure came out of the bush and crawled across the ground towards the fallen unicorn. The creature lowered its head to a wound in the unicorn's neck and drank the blood.
At that moment a high pitched scream came from a terrified Malfoy who turned around bolted in the opposite direction. Fang yelped and followed in the Slytherin's wake.
"What is it?" Rhian whispered. She took hold of Harry's arm.
The hooded figure looked up. Silver blood was dripping from its mouth. Beside her Harry flinched in pain as he grabbed at his scar. "Harry are you alright?" Rhian asked worriedly.
Harry's pain increased as the figure started towards them. Fear overtook the two eleven year olds as it grew closer. Harry was on his knees now crying out in agony. Rhian stepped in front of her brother, wand drawn.
"Get out of here." Rhian cried raising her wand. Her hand shook fearfully.
Before she could utter any spell the figure drew its own wand a red stream coming from the tip. The spell connected with Rhian's chest sending her crashing into the tree behind her.
"Rhian" Harry cried through the pain.
Rhian tried to shake the black spots that were in her vision. Harry staggered back towards her trying to fend off the hooded figure. Through the haze Rhian heard hooves beating the ground in a gallop behind them. Moments later something flew over the tree root where she lay.
Their rescuer charged at the figure which immediately fled into the forest disappearing into the darkness. It was getting harder to stay conscious; darkness was clouding her vision as the rescuer turned to face them. Rhian easily recognized him as a centaur, a young centaur.
"Are you alright?" The centaur said, pulling Harry to his feet.
"What was that?" Harry asked as he turned to find Rhian was lying on the ground unconscious. "My sister is hurt. Can you help her?"
The centaur didn't answer his sapphire eyes looking at Harry's scar. He silently bent and picked up the unconscious raven haired girl before turning to Harry. "You are the Potter boy," he said. "We need to get you and your sister back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time…especially for you. Can you ride?"
Harry nodded. "My name is Firenze." The centaur added as he bent to allow Harry to climb on his back.
Firenze quickly made his way through the dark forest, Harry on his back and Rhian in his arms.
"Why was that thing killing unicorns?" Harry asked.
The centaur was quiet for a moment before he answered. "Do you know what unicorn blood is used for."
"No…" Harry said. "We only use the horn and tail hairs in potions."
Firenze sighed. "It is unforgivable to slay an animal as pure as a unicorn. Only a person with nothing to lose and everything to gain would slay the unicorn and drink the blood."
"What does drinking the blood do?" Harry asked.
The centaur looked over his shoulder for a moment. "The unicorn blood will keep you alive, even an inch from death. But it is at a terrible price. It gives you a half-life, a cursed life from the moment the blood touches your lips."
"Wouldn't you rather die then live that way?" Harry wondered out loud.
Firenze agreed. "That is unless you just needed the blood to sustain you until you drank something else…something that would bring you back from this limbo…something that would make you immortal. Harry Potter do you know what is hidden in the school?" He asked the boy.
Harry's eyes widened understanding what the centaur was saying. "The Sorcerer's Stone! The Elixir of Life… but who would…"
"Can you not think of anyone that has been waiting to return to power?" Firenze said.
Harry was about to respond when a voice cried out. "Harry are you alright…" Hermione said. "What happened to Rhian?"
Hermione was running down the path with Ron and Hagrid following. "This is where I leave you Harry Potter." Firenze said. He carefully gave Hagrid the unconscious girl.
"Thank you Firenze." Harry said. He turned to Hermione and Hagrid. "I'm ok…but Rhian was hit with a stunning hex."
Hagrid thanked Firenze before he led the four students back to the castle.
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Rhian groaned as she slowly regained consciousness. It was dark but she still recognized the white walls of the Hospital Wing. Why am I here she thought in confusion.
She lay there for a few moments trying to remember what happened. Memories slowly seeped into her mind. Where's Harry?
Quiet even breathing broke through Rhian's thoughts alerting her there was someone nearby. Rubbing her eyes Rhian turned her head to find a shadowed figure slumped in a chair by the bed.
"Dad…" she whispered.
The shadowed figure immediately became alert. "Rhiannon, thank Merlin." Came the relieved voice of her father.
"Where's Harry?" she asked
Severus sat forward into the moonlight a small smirk on his lips. "He was sent to bed as soon as you arrived back in the castle." He said. "And I should pay a visit to Hagrid for endangering the lives of five students." He added. Anger clearly in his voice.
"It's not his fault Dad." Rhian said. "Besides we're all ok. That's the important thing."
Severus didn't look happy but he conceded and letting things be. "You should get some sleep." He said. He carefully pulled the stiff sheet up around Rhian's shoulders and tucked her in.
"Night Dad." She whispered already half asleep.
A rare smile appeared on Severus' lips. "Goodnight Rhian." He whispered and settled back in the chair silently watching his child sleep.