Chapter 14: Forbidden Forest

Oh this night was just getting worse. I thought Harry and Hermione would be fine but when Professor McGonagall took us to her office I could see both Harry and Hermione standing frowns on their faces. "Harry?" I ask confused.

"W-what are you doing out?" I ask worried like. I knew why. I needed to be surprised. "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." Professor McGonagall snapped she looked scarier than the dragon!

I rock on my heels "Draco…he said he was going to…" she stared down at me disappointed "To what Miss Potter?" I jumped and cringe slightly "He said he was going to try and get this dragon a-and get Harry in trouble."

"I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on, 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 that Miss Potter here heard the story and believed it, too?" I glance up at Harry and saw sadness in his eyes.

"I'm disgusted," Professor McGonagall spoke "Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before! You, Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense. As for you, Mr. Potter, I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this. All three of you will receive detentions." I looked up shocked I figured I would but…

"Yes you too, Miss. Potter, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, expecially these days, it's very dangerous. And fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor." I felt my mouth drop "Fifty?" Harry gasped out "Fifty points each," she spoke breathing heavily through her long, pointed nose. "Professor, please…" I begged "You can't…"

"Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Potter. Now get back to bed, all of you. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students." Oh god no. We were in last place now! A hundred and fifty points lost. So much for the house cup…

I groan lying on my side staring at the wall. What have we done? The next day gryffindors would walk past the giant hourglasses that recorded the house points and had to do a double take. Then the story started to spread. 'Harry and Elizabeth Potter and another gryffindor lost all the points.' Oh I didn't want to be seen.

I could hear them talking bad about us. The Hufflepuff's and Ravenclaw's turned on us apparently because they wanted to see Slytherin lose the house cup. They insulted us without a care in the world. The Slytherin's on the other hand would clap as we were near them. Whistling and cheering.

Oh I forgot to mention. Fred and George would only give me looks of disapproval and walked away whenever I tried to talk to them. That hurt. That hurt so much. They were my friends and yet…they left me because I made a mistake.

I couldn't help the depression that set in. My best friends…they left me. I wouldn't talk. I would eat. Professor Snape had asked me if I was alright worried while I worked on cleaning. I would say the same thing over again and again to whoever asked me that. "I'm fine." I barely paid attention when helping Draco study.

"What the heck is the matter with you? You aren't fine." I sighed sitting slumped in my seat staring at the book yet I felt no yearn to read. I just wanted to be gone. "Nothing. How many snake fangs are needed for the Wideye potion?" I ask changing the subject.

"Six, now come on this mood your in is quite depressing." I sighed and sat up straitening my back. "I don't want to talk about it." I whispered "Lizzy…" I hear two gryffindor students "Well I can see why Elizabeth lost the points." Turning around I look at the older kids "Yeah. She did it because she likes a Slytherin." I couldn't take it anymore. "I got to go." I spoke grabbing my stuff "Lizzy come on wait…" I shake my head and walk off to see Hermione, Ron, and Harry. At least they would talk to me still.

"Hey. How you doing?" Hermione asks me softly. I shrugged sitting on the floor beside her. "I'm fine." She gave a soft smile "Why don't you go and hang out with Fred and George they always seem to cheer you up." I slump my shoulders and look at the ground as Ron said those words.

I could feel tears start to form as I thought of the twins "T-they don't want to see me…" I whispered my fingers gripping my skin. "I thought you all were close?!" Ron yelled shocked I look up unable to let the few tears I was holding fall. "Yeah…me too." I whispered looking down at my book trying to study. "I'll be back." Ron left. Harry started to rub circles in my back but I didn't pay him any mind.

Ron Pov:

What the bloody hell was the matter with those two?! Sure she messed up. And yeah we lost house points but they didn't have to up and abandon her. Lizzy was trying to keep Malfoy away like she promised she would.

Searching all over this bloody castle I finally found them with Lee Jordan about to do some sort of prank. "Ronikins! What are you up to?" George asks a smirk growing on his face. Fred had similar look of on his face. I clench my fists tightly "What is the matter with you two!" Lee looked alarmed staring at us yet I didn't care.

"What do you mean?" one of them asks confused "I thought you guys and Lizzy were friends!" I snapped glaring up at them "Well we…" Fred started looking at the ground ashamed. Good he should be. They both should be. "If you were really her friends you wouldn't have just abandoned her like that. She's in this depressed kick that won't go away because you two won't talk to her for making a stupid mistake! You two messed up in the past and lost Gryffindor house points yet no one cares that you have."

They shared the same look. Frowning down at me, sadness in their eyes along with guilt, good they should be upset. "Ron they can…" I snapped my glare to Lee. "Stay out of this!" Looking back at my older brothers I shake my head in disgust "A real friend would stand by her when she needs someone, not abandon her." I snapped walking away.

Elizabeth's Pov:

When Ron returned he looked pissed…Yet wouldn't talk about it. We stayed up working late into the night, trying to remember the ingredients in the complicated potions, learn charms and spells by heart, memorize the dates of magical discoveries and goblin rebellions…

All our studying had helped me take my mind off of things. Professor Snape helped me out too by giving me a bunch of extra homework. I know I should be disgusted by this extra homework but I didn't mind potions it made me forget what was going on around me and be in the world of science kind of.

It was a week before our exams when I ran into Fred and George in the common room. I was frozen in my spot staring at them. They didn't even realize I was there. I quickly left trying to avoid them. "Lizzy!" I felt my eyes water slightly and quicken my pace.

"Wait up!" I feel hands on my shoulders pulling me to a stop. "Hey, we wanted to talk to you." I kept my head down "Why? So you can tell me how stupid I am for losing all those points?" I whispered angrily "Because I've heard it enough." I snapped pulling out of their grip "We don't think you're stupid." George said standing in front of me.

"On the contrary you are quite brilliant." I ignore Fred. "What do you want then?" I snapped. What did they want? They've been ignoring me for a couple weeks now and now they just want to talk to me again? Why?

"We wanted to see how you are?" Fred said happily his voice was bubbly. "Yeah, we missed you and wanted to see our little bright eyes." George proclaimed happily. "No thanks." I huff walking away they think they can come hang out after they abandoned me when I needed them the most. Did they think I would accept them with open arms? Ha!

No. It would take some time before I even consider them a friend. Two months can do that to a girl. Even when I did miss them…I missed my hang out nights with Fred when George was off doing something. Or when Fred would carry me around as if I didn't weigh anything, George would often tease us saying something about the cute couple or whatever and I always thought hey! We could make a cute couple.

Nope, that won't happen. Boys suck.

"Wait Lizzy please we're sorry." They said together "So am I." I snapped facing them. I was still hurt. "Why? Why did you do it?" I ask softly looking at the ground "I know I made a mistake and helped cost us the house cup but I-I thought we were friends…" I sad tears threatening to fall "Lizzy…" I shake my head and look up at them sadly "I guess I was wrong." I turn around and walk away trying my best to hold back my tears.

"We're so sorry!" my body was lifted in the air and crushed between two bodies "We won't ever hurt you like that again! What can we do to make up for it?" They said together crushing my tighter. "C-Can't b-breathe." I squeak out fidgeting in their hold.

"Please don't be mad at us." They begged. My eyes widen in shock they were begging? "Get the other quidditch players to be nicer to Harry and stop being mad at him and fine." They glance at each other. "That's going to be a bit difficult. But for you Brighteyes?" George said smiling brightly "Anything!" Fred finished.

I got another bone crushing hug and felt my body being put down on the ground. I rock on my heels "I have to go study with Hermione, Ron, and Harry…I'll talk to you two later." I mumble giving off a small smile up at the twins.

Did I forgive them? Yeah. I hate that I forgave them so quickly but I did. As I entered the library I saw Hermione and Ron studying for Astronomy. Harry was missing. I shrug my shoulders and study my Transfiguration. Five minutes passed when Harry came back and told us that Professor Quirrell was talking to someone and if sounded like someone was threatening him.

"Snape's done it, then!" said Ron. "If Quirrell's told him how to break his Anti-Dark Force spell…"

"There's still Fluffy, though." Hermione interjected. "Maybe Snape's found out how to get past him without asking Hagrid," Ron said looking up at the thousands of books surrounding us. "I bet there's a book somewhere in here telling you how to get past a giant three-headed dog. So what do we do, Harry?"

There was a spark of adventure in Ron's eyes, he wanted to protect the stone from Professor Snape but I still think he isn't the one! He's not a bad professor. I'm with Hagrid on this one. Professor Snape is protecting the stone.

"Go to Dumbeldore. That's what we should have done ages ago. If we try anything ourselves we'll be thrown out for sure." Hermione spoke looking us over. "We can't, there isn't any proof." I say with a shrug.

"Lizzy's right, Quirrell's too scared to back us up. Snape's only got to say he doesn't know how the troll got in at Halloween and that he was nowhere near the third floor…who do you think they'll believe, him or us? It's not exactly a secret we hate him, Dumbledore'll think we made it up to get him sacked. Filch wouldn't help us if his life depended on it, he's too friendly with Snape, and the more students get thrown out, the better, he'll think. And don't forget, we're not supposed to know about the Stone or Fluffy. That'll take a lot of explaining."

Ron didn't look so convinced but Hermione did. "If we just do a bit of poking around…"

"No." Harry said flatly, "We've done enough poking around." I sighed and look back at my Transfiguration notes. The next morning notes were delivered to Harry, Hermione, and sadly myself at the breakfast table. They were all the same.

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Filch in the entrance hall.

I stare at the note sadly. This was what we deserved. "Don't worry Lizzy, it won't be that bad. We've had a couple detentions with Filch before. He'll make you clean probably." I barely registered Fred's voice as he wrapped an arm around my shoulder.

"Yeah…maybe."

At eleven o'clock that night, I said bye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Harry and Hermione. Filch was already there and so was Malfoy. "Follow me," Filch said lighting a lam and leading them outside.

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at us. "Oh yes…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, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well-oiled in case there ever needed…Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."

I kept my head down as we marched off across the dark grounds. What were we going to do? Not clean that's for sure. Probably something bad, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted.

The moon was bright, yet the clouds they would keep scudding across it and throwing us into the darkness. Up ahead there was Hagrids hut! So we would be spending our detention with Hagrid? It won't be that bad…right?

There was a distant shout. "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started." Yup that was Hagrid. "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."

I stare up at him confused "The forest?" Turning around Malfoy had stopped "We can't go in there at night…there's all sorts of things in there…werewolves, I've heard." He didn't sound quite as cool as usual.

"That's your problem, isn't it?" Said Filch, his voice cracking with glee. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"

"I thought entering the forest was forbidden to all students?" Filch glared down at me "It's reserved for those who deserve to be in there." What? I glance over my shoulder and extend my hand to Draco.

He quickly caught up and took my hand in his. There was a slight tight grip. Hagrid came striding toward us out of the dark, Fang at his heels. He was carry his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder. "Abou' time," he said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione, Lizzy?"

I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," Filch said coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."

"That's why yer late, is it?" Hagrid said frowning at Filch. "Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here."

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

I take a step forward slipping my hand and attacking Fang with some hugs and a few kisses. "I'm not going in that forest." He said panic in his voice.

"Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," Hagrid said 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 Hogwarts." Hagrid growled. "Coyyin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or Yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father rather you were expelled, than get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on."

Man I loved Hagrid he was so cool! Looking up Malfoy hadn't moved. He looked furiously at Hagrid but dropped his gaze. "Right then, now, listen carefully, 'case it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment."

We all walk over to the very edge of the forest. Hagrid held his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze lifted my hair as I looked into the forest.

"Look there, 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 in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try an' find the poor thing. We might have ter put it out of its misery."

I gasp covering my mouth. Having to put an animal down? Oh I don't think I would be able to watch that. I clutch onto Harry's hand tightly staring at him worried.

He would help me through it if he had to. Hermione too.

"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Malfoy said not able to keep the fear out of his voice. "There's nothin' tht lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang." I smile petting Fang's head lovingly he cuddled into my stomach making me take a few steps back to keep my balance.

"An' keep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the train in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

That poor unicorn!

"I want Fang." Malfoy said quickly, looking at Fangs long teeth, drool was dripping down his lips. "All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," Hagrid said. "So me, Harry, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Lizzy, 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…lets go."

The forest was black and silent. A little way into it we reached a fork in the earth path, separated. Me, Draco, and Fang on the right and Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid on the left.

"This place gives me the creeps." Draco muttered walking in unison with me. Fang trotted beside me and would sniff the area around us every now and then.

A twig snapped around the corner causing Malfoy to jump and clutch onto my hand as tight as he could. I lift my lantern and saw it was a deer.

"Scared much?" he glared at me "Shut up." I roll my eyes and laugh when he crossed his arms looking away. "If it makes you feel better I'll hold your hand so you wont be so scared." He blushed and refused to look at me yet when an owl hooted he launched onto my hand again. I couldn't help but giggle slightly "Shut up!" he whined blushing furiously.

"But this is so cute! You the infamous Draco Malfoy is scared." he huffed yet wouldn't let go of my hand. After a while of walking he spoke again "Aren't you scared?" I shrugged my shoulders and smile.

"Eh a bit, but we got Fang. The cutest and most adorable puppy out there!" Fang barked at the compliment and got slobber all over my hand from his kisses.

"He isn't a puppy. He looks nothing like a puppy." I roll my eyes and lean down slightly pecking Fangs head. He was just too cute! "I call all dogs puppies because they are." Draco only laughed softly "You truly are weird." I smile "Thanks."

So we were just walking down in the forest for the longest of times "Why did you get detention?" I look all around for any sign of that unicorn "Trying to stop you."

He didn't speak. This was impossible. From the book Hagrid gave me it said Unicorns were incredibly fast and who the bloody hell would want to hurt a unicorn?!

They are beautiful creatures! It just doesn't make sense also why would anyone want to hurt them? And who could be that fast to injure a unicorn?

For a half hour we found nothing, deeper and deeper in the forest following the path it was almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick.

My worry grew as I saw more unicorn blood everywhere. Out of instinct I grip onto the hand holding mine. Draco didn't seem to mind though. There were splashes of blood on the roots of some trees; it looked like the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by.

There was a clearing up ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak. "Hey…there's something over there." I whisper nodding my head toward the clearing. We inched our way closer.

It was the unicorn alright. And it wasn't alive, yeah it was dead. That poor beautiful creature! A small cry passed my lips as I stare at its long slender legs that were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and it's mane was spread pearly white on the dark leaves.

The poor thing looked so much in pain. He didn't deserve to die! I slip my hand out of Draco's and take a few step forwards when a slithering sound made me freeze where I stood. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered.

Then out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast! I stare shocked as the hooded figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and…and began to drink its blood!

"AHHHHHHHHH!" Draco let out a terrible scream and bolted along with Fang. I was frozen in my spot staring the figure raise its head and looked right at me! I let out a small eep unable to move due to fear.

Yet that's when it came. Oh the most horrible pain I've felt in the longest of times! It felt as if my skull was on fire. I could barely see but I could feel my bum collide on the ground as I staggered back a few steps clutching my head in pain. Hooves were behind me, galloping and I don't know what but something jumped over me.

After a few minutes the pain was gone and so was the figure. I stare at the creature before me. Wow. A real life centaur. He had white blond hair and a palomino body.

"Are you all right?" The centaur said helping me to my feet. "Y-yes…thank you. What was that?" The centaur didn't answer, he had astonishingly blue eyes, like sapphires. "You are the Potter girl," He said. "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."

How was I supposed to get on his back? And second that who was he? He answered my second question "My name is Firenze." He added as he lowered his himself on his front legs so I could climb on his back. Okay he answered both my questions.

More galloping from the other side of clearing turned out to be two more centaurs! "Firenze!" The one 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 girl. The quicker she leaves this forest, the better."

"What have you been telling her?" The other growled. "Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set outselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?"

What are they talking about? All I know is I want to get to my brother as fast as I can because I'm worried sick about him. I know Hagrid could protect him and Hermione but I wanted to make sure he was okay.

"I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best…" the first one said in a gloomy voice. The second Centaur kicked his back legs in anger. "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!"

I let out another eep clutching onto Firenze's shoulders to not fall off as he reared on his hind legs in anger. "Do you not see that unicorn?" Firenze bellowed at the second centaur. "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." Oh so that must be Bane.

With that he whisked around. I had a tight hold on him as we plunged into the trees, leaving Bane and the other centaur behind us. "What was that thing you saved me from, anyway?" I asked confused. Firenze slowed to walk, he warned me to keep my head bowed in case of low hanging branches, yet he didn't answer my question.

We made our way through the trees in silence for such a long time. When Firenze suddenly stopped I looked at him concerned "Elizabeth Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?" I thought very hard.

"Erm…no." that was a weird question. "We've only used the horn and tail in potions." I explain "That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn," said Firenze. "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 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." I gasp shocked someone could ever do such a thing.

"But who'd be that desperate? If you're going to be cursed forever, deaths better, isn't it?" I ask wondering aloud. "It is." Firenze agreed, "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. Miss Potter, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"

I nodded my head vigorously "The Philosophers 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?" I felt my eyes pop out of my head "You mean…that was…that was vol-"

"Lizzy! Lizzy are you all right?" Harry ran over looking worried Hermione hot on his heels "Im alright. The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in the clearing back there." I say pointing in the direction. "This is where I leave you," Firenze murmured as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn. "You are safe now."

I slide off the back and smile up at Firenze "Good luck, Harry and Elizabeth Potter," Firenze said "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. I tackle my brother in a tight hug.

Malfoy and fang were in the background "When you weren't with Malfoy or Fang…I was so worried!" I laugh and wave my hand in front of me "I'm fine Harry." Though in all honesty I wasn't. I was scared to death. But I wasn't sure why I didn't show it. After detention Hermione, Harry, and I walked back to the common room to see Ron had fallen asleep waiting for us. He was shouting something about Quidditch fouls before Harry woke him up.

"Ron wake up!" Harry yelled he was still slightly dazed but woke up straight away when I was telling them what happened to me after Malfoy ran off. Harry held his head looking at me frowning "I felt as if my skull was on fire for some reason…I thought we were near something dangerous." Harry said softly.

"You were in danger…That explains it." I shake my head and continue on with the story. As I finished my tale Harry was pacing up and down in front of the 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…" Harry mused thinking aloud.

"Stop saying that name!" Said Ron in a terrified whisper, it was as if he thought Voldemort could hear us… he couldn't could he? Yet Harry wasn't listening. "Firenze saved Lizzy, but he shouldn't have done so…Bane was furious…" I cut him off "Wait you know that other centaur's name?" He nodded.

"Me and Hermione encountered him and Ronan." I cock my head confused "So that's what the other one's name was!" He nodded. "You just said Bane was furious do you know why?"

I nodded "He was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen…They must show that Voldemort is coming back, Bane thinks Firenze should have let…should have let Voldemort kill me…I guess that's written in the stars."

"Will you two stop saying that name!' Ron hissed terrified. "So all we got to wait for now is Snape to steal the Stone," Harry went on "then Voldemort will be able to come and finish us off…Well I suppose Bane'll be happy." I shake my head sad now.

"Harry, everyone says Dumbledore's the only one You-Know-Who was ever afraid of with Dumbledore around, You-Know-Who won't touch you. Anyway, 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 sky had turned light before we stopped talking. We all went to bed exhausted and throats sore. I yawn crawling in bed and falling asleep as my head hit the pillow.

I wonder if Voldemort really was trying to kill me tonight, and if he was when was he going to strike next? All the questions will probably be answered soon I guess…

So! Here we are! Chapter 14 finished! Don't know why but that took a bit longer than usual. My cousin died over the weekend so I wasn't able to focus much on writing, but all is well anyway see you on the next update my Magical Creatures. Yeah don't know testing that out. But I think you all as magical creatures for some reason but that's a good thing! I love magical creatures (Dragons being one of my favorite). Anyway later! Allons-y!