Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter or Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.
After his encounter with the Mirror of Erised Harry's attitude towards Hogwarts went through another change treating his time there like another mission, he goes to class, completes his homework, practices with the house team, and then disappears to spend some time alone either training or talking to his family on the T-phone. Unfortunately the one thing he hasn't done is make peace with Ron, Hermione, and Neville a fact that bothers them to no end.
"I was really hoping he'd forgive us" Neville sighed, as they took their usual seats in the Gryffindor common room.
"Yeah but he did accept our gifts so that's progress" said Hermione, sadly the others didn't share her optimism; Harry did in fact appreciate the Christmas presents and had actually gave them his thanks but he had still chosen to keep his distance. It was going to take more than a few gifts to fix this problem. "This is all my fault I shouldn't have been snooping into his personal life" she sighed, the reality of the situation hitting her.
"No we did it too" said Ron, surprising them with this rare moment of maturity. "I mean we were just as curious about Harry as you it's all our faults."
Unbeknownst to the trio, the subject of their conversation was also thinking about the state of their friendship. While the Mirror of Erised provided the final key to free him from the chains guilt after losing Leatherhead a few months prior Harry had found himself wondering if it would be best to try and forgive them before the school year ends, sure he had no plans to return but did he really want to end things on such bad terms.
With a sigh Harry decided to focus on a different problem that being the return of his poor magic control. After having his core messed with by The Kraang his developing control over his magic had nosedived and it seemed the only thing he could do without blowing himself up was teleport though he did notice the trip between New York and Hogwarts had become less exhausting. But if he were honest with himself he knew part of the reason his magic has been acting up is because he's afraid of it. He already knew he needed his necklace to keep his power under control until he finished his mutation but the fact that The Kraang were able to circumvent that and experiment on him, it was terrifying. Never before had Harry felt like he could understand Leatherhead's reaction to just the name Kraang.
After spending hours practicing in an empty classroom Harry decided it'd be a good idea to visit Hagrid, it'd been far too long since they last spoke and he planned to give him the painting he finished. Walking to Hagrid's hut Harry couldn't help but run through everything that's happened since the failed mission to destroy the portal; the failed team up with Karai where Leo learned she was Shredder's daughter. Ok granted that was their fault for betraying her by trying to take out Shredder, and her subsequent attack on April resulting in the redhead taking up residence in the lair, more specifically his room for the time being. And of course there was Daxter Clockman and his maze of doom.
Honestly I could use a vacation Harry thought to himself, he was so lost in his thoughts that he almost didn't notice Malfoy running away from the hut as fast as he could, interested Harry decided to make a detour.
Draco couldn't believe his luck, after tailing Potter's former friends in hopes of overhearing something he could use against him as payback he stumbles across something that he can hopefully use to bring down all four of them and that oaf Hagrid. The Slytherin's good mood soon came crashing down as he found himself face to face with Harry Potter.
"Now normally I wouldn't care what you do" said Harry, the tone in his voice making it very clear he didn't see Malfoy as even a minor threat. "But when you come running from my friend's home with a devious smirk on your face, I admit I get curious."
"Why should I tell you anything Potter?" Draco sneered, but the look in his eyes told the other boy he hadn't forgotten his humiliating defeat earlier in the year.
"Oh please Malfoy we're alone here no need to try and save face" the young ninja smirked, mentally thanking Raph advice on how to interrogate someone. "Now tell me what I want to know because I'm going to be honest with you. I didn't even try when I was fighting you and your goons."
Angered at the reminder of his defeat Draco moved to draw his wand only to find his pocket empty. Smirk never leaving his face Harry waved Malfoy's wand in his face.
"Looking for this?" Harry laughed. "Talk or I snap it."
"Fine" Draco growled. "The oaf…I mean Hagrid" he corrected himself upon seeing Harry's grip tighten upon hearing him insult his friend. "He has a baby dragon in his hut and Granger, Longbottom, and Weasley are planning to smuggle it out of the castle."
"See was that so hard?" Harry teased. "Here's what's going to happen you're not going to tell anyone about this or I swear I'll make you pay." Some long dormant survival instinct must've awakened in Draco for at that moment for the first time all year he did the smart thing and ran away as soon as Harry tossed him his wand.
Shaking his head in amusement Harry continues to Hagrid's hut arriving just as Ron, Hermione, and Neville are exiting.
"Harry, good to see you" Hagrid greeted, as he stepped outside oblivious to the growing tension in the air.
"Yeah you too Hagrid" said Harry, trying to work past his discomfort. "I have something for you sorry it took so long." Accepting the gift the groundskeeper, adopted a look of wonder at the painting.
"Wow Harry I didn't know you could paint" said Hermione, hoping this could be a chance for them to have a real conversation. Sadly he wasn't ready to engage them in conversation just yet especially if topic was going to be related to him.
"Harry its beautiful thank you" Hagrid complimented, honestly Harry wasn't sure what the gentle giant would like so he just decided to paint streaks of colors as background with Hagrid riding a dragon of his own in the foreground.
What a coincidence that he found the real thing he thought to himself, smiling as Hagrid moved to hang it up in his house. Declining the offer to stay for tea Harry returned to the castle with the others deciding that it might be good to at least offer his help.
"I know about Hagrid's dragon."
"How did you find out about Norbert?" Ron asked.
"Norbert seriously?" Harry asked in disbelief, receiving confirmation from Ron and Hermione; he couldn't help but think Hagrid lacked Mikey's talent for naming things. "I ran into Malfoy and convinced him to tell me about him."
"Harry you can't…" Hermione started, but was silenced by the light glare from the boy reminding them that they were still on thin ice.
"Why do you bring it up?" Neville asks, trying to steer them into calmer waters.
"I know you're planning to smuggle the dragon out" said Harry, turning to face them. "I know things between us are tense but Hagrid's my friend I want to help."
"But why work with us?" Hermione asked, curious why after all this time he'd be willing to help them. "Couldn't you just do it yourself? After all you have no problem leaving the castle."
"True I could easily take the dragon and leave." Harry agreed. "But I have no idea where I could bring him." The bushy haired girl only nodded in understanding, not being able to argue with such logic. Though she hoped some part of him simply wanted to try and slowly become friends again.
"I'm assuming Malfoy knows about us moving Norbert."
"Yeah and while I encouraged him to keep quiet, there's no guarantee he won't try to get us in trouble anyway."
"Well we're going to sneak him out at the end of the week."
"Yeah my brother Charlie works at a Dragon Preserve" Ron informed. "He's going to come and pick him up. We just need a way to get Norbert to the top of the astronomy tower at midnight."
"I might have something that could help with that" said Harry, thinking of his invisibility cloak. Despite his doubts it seemed Draco took his threat seriously as for the rest of the week the Slytherin made it his mission to stay out of their way. Finally on Friday night after explaining his absence to his family Harry met up with Ron, Hermione, and Neville outside Hagrid's hut.
"And here's his teddy so he doesn't get lonely" Hagrid sobbed. "Mommy loves you Norbert"
"We better go before he changes his mind" Harry whispered.
"Yeah I hate seeing Hagrid like this" Neville agreed, Draping the invisibility cloak over the crate containing Norbert who was currently tearing his teddy bear apart; the four Gryffindors made their way up to the astronomy tower, with Harry using his stealth skills to act as their look out.
"Alright now we wait for Charlie" said Ron, as they reached the drop point. It wasn't long until a quartet of wizards on broomsticks flew up to the tower window.
"Hey Ron good to see you" greeted Charlie Weasley, like the rest of the family he was a redhead and while he had a stocky build his arms showed signs of someone who's used to working outside.
"Hey Charlie these are my friends Neville, Hermione and…"
"Harry" the young ninja introduced himself, even if he still had mixed feelings about forgiving them there was no reason to drag Ron's brother into their problems.
"Well it's nice to meet you" the older redhead smiled. "Now we better take this little guy and go. I'll try to visit sometime this summer." With the dragon secured in a net connected to the four brooms Charlie and his friends flew away into the night sky.
"Um Harry about before…"Ron started, wanting to know if this was a sign that they were forgiven but the black haired boy quickly silenced him put his hand over his mouth.
"Quiet I hear someone" Harry whispered, throwing the invisibility cloak over them he pulled them into a corner.
"I'm telling you they're smuggling a dragon!" Draco whined.
"Well I don't see anyone Mr. Malfoy" said Prof. McGonagall. "Enough of this nonsense you'll be serving detention next week and fifty points will be taken for being out after hours and lying to a professor. As the blond was sent away Harry could hear the others letting out sighs of relief, unfortunately Neville felt the need to sneeze thus blowing their cover.
Honestly Harry was tempted to just leave them after all it's kind of embarrassing for a ninja to be caught because someone couldn't keep from sneezing, but he wasn't the kind of person to leave his team behind and tonight that's exactly what they were. Needless to say Prof. McGonagall wasn't pleased especially considering Harry already was already given special treatment. After being sent back to the common room the four of them were assigned detention and fifty points each were removed something that their fellow Gryffindors were not pleased to hear.
So after a week of enduring the spite of their housemates, and continuously getting blown up by his spells Harry wasn't in the best of moods. The only upside being the night he hung Malfoy off the astronomy tower by his underwear as payback of course Harry's ninja skills meant he left no evidence when the blond tried to name him as his attacker. And now He, Ron, Neville, Hermione and the blond ferret were being led to Hagrid's hut for their detention.
"Don't think you'll be having a good time" said Filch, noticing the look of relief on the Gryffindor students faces at the sight of their friend. "It's into the forest you're going and I don't expect you to be coming out alive."
"The forest?" Malfoy repeated, fear laced in his voice. "We can't go in there at night. There's all sort of creatures in there, werewolves I've heard."
"Well that's your problem isn't it?"
"Enough Filch" said Hagrid "Go on back to the castle." Sending on last glare at the students the caretaker did just that. Hagrid then explained that they'd be searching the forest in order to discover whatever has been hunting unicorns.
"I'm not going into that forest!" said Malfoy, trying in vain to hide his fear. "That's servant work. When my fa…" the blond fell silent at a glare from Harry well aware what would happen if he pushed the Gryffindor. Ron, Neville, and even Hermione couldn't help but chuckle at the power Harry clearly had over the arrogant fool.
"Alright we'll split into…Harry?" said Hagrid, confused to see the young ninja already heading for the forest.
"I'll be fine Hagrid" he replied and before anyone could stop him he was gone.
"Alright" the groundskeeper sighed. "Pair up and lets go"
"I'll take the dog" said Draco running into the forest with Hagrid's dog Fang, ignoring his comment about the dog being cowardly. After spending the year overshadowed by Harry Potter he was determined to not be upstaged. With a sigh Hagrid had the remaining trio search the forest with him hoping that the wayward students would be alright.
Making the transition from rooftop to treetop was a bit difficult at first but after a few false starts, Harry found himself hopping from branch to branch as he searched for signs of whatever was hunting unicorns. After what felt like hours the young ninja spotted his first clue, landing on the forest floor Harry examined a puddle of a silver liquid, it was only thanks to Hagrid's earlier explanation that told him he was looking at a puddle of unicorn blood.
"The unicorn's hurt" Harry mumbled to himself, taking note of the blood trail leading further into the forest. Meanwhile as Harry continued to track the injured animal from above, Hagrid and his group were also making headway.
"So what's wrong between you three and Harry?" asks the groundskeeper.
"We did something really stupid" said Ron.
"Yeah we really broke Harry's trust." Neville sighed in agreement.
"Well I don't know what you did. But if you know you did wrong then there might be a chance to fix it" said Hagrid, bringing hopeful smiles to the kids' faces.
"Did anyone hear something?" asked Hermione nervously, having noticed a heavy rustling sound. Arming his crossbow Hagrid stepped out in front of the three Gryffindors as they approached a clearing, where they saw a most horrific sight.
There on the forest floor was the injured unicorn, a dark cloaked figure feeding on the blood from its neck. The large man's footsteps alerted the mysterious figure, who quickly turned and began firing an assortment of spells at the group. Wanting to keep the kids safe Hagrid forced them to take cover behind some trees, however he didn't find cover quick enough and took a bone breaking curse to the shoulder.
"Hagrid are you alright?" asked Hermione, her voice trembling with fear.
"I'll be alright we just need to get away from here" he answered, ignoring the throbbing pain in his shoulder. The cloaked figure wasn't about to make escape an option as he laid down continuous spell fire, intending to kill the ones who interrupted his meal.
"Booyakasha!" a familiar voice cried out, as Harry came in with a flying kick that sent the mystery man rolling across the ground.
"Harry!" they cried, surprised at the young ninja's timely arrival.
"Just stay right there!" Harry ordered, taking a fighting stance. The wand in the cloaked man's hand identified him as a wizard and like all wizards he underestimated anything that wasn't magical in nature. This soon proved to be a mistake as the young ninja easily evaded his every spell, making his way into his defenses Harry lands a jaw breaking uppercut, knocking the assailant flat on his back.
Enraged the cloaked wizard released a massive concussive blast, banishing everything in clearing but Harry seemed to have disappeared without a trace. Climbing to his feet the wizard searched the area for any sign of the young ninja, when searing pain ran through his arm.
From the treetops Harry looked down at his opponent, silently thanking Master Splinter for teaching them how to sense when their enemy will strike. Aiming another shuriken, he took some pleasure in the hiss like scream of his enemy as the throwing star tore into his arm. Seeing the wand tip of his opponent starting to glow, Harry quickly moved to another tree not wanting to test his necklace's spell defense in real combat.
Whoever he was fighting clearing didn't have any tactical knowledge, as the cloak figure willingly moved into the thick woods, in hopes that the trees would provide cover from Harry's shuriken. Taking cover behind a tree the cloaked wizard just manages to avoid Harry's next attack, as the throwing stars imbed themselves in the bark. Think that he know has the location of his target the wizard fires off a volley of curses destroying a number of trees, so focused on one location he fails to notice Harry moving in from behind, his tantō in hand.
Just as Harry moved in for the kill, something strange happened the cloaked man actually managed to put up a shield charm despite having his back to him.
What how did he know I was there Harry asked himself, his movement's silent and even mislead him with the shuriken so how did he know he was coming up behind him. He didn't have long to think about it as the wizard fired off another barrage of curses, only his years of training allowed Harry to evade the blasts.
However the wizard wasn't going to let Harry escape to the shadows just yet as the spells continued flying at the boy, when suddenly his leg got caught on a root it looked as if it was the end for the young ninja. Just as the curses were about to hit their target they began to fade out, the Kraang metal in Harry's necklace causing the spells to break apart left the cloaked wizard stunned for he'd never seen such a thing.
Using the moment of hesitation Harry made his move, seeing the young boy making his approach the wizard released a stream of fire at the ninja. Using his momentum Harry dropped to knees sliding under the flamethrower, he could feel the intense heat on his face as he cleared the attack. Now in range Harry's tantō sliced through the wizard's wand, before landing a power kick to the cloaked man's head sending him flying out into the clearing.
With the enemy defeated Harry moved in to unmask his opponent when the sound of objects flying through the air, and what sounded like a large group approaching caught his attention. The next thing he knew, he was avoiding a barrage of falling arrows; once again he found himself thanking Master Splinter for his training; in the chaos the cloaked wizard made his escape.
"Bane stop!" yelled Hagrid as he, Ron, Hermione, and Neville walked out into the clearing; they were soon joined by a herd of centaurs.
"Hagrid why have you brought children into our wood?!" Bane demanded.
"We were trying to find what's been hunting unicorns" Hagrid explained, his tone making it clear he'd protect the kids. "We found it and Harry here had it until you started firing at him."
"Harry Potter?" questioned one of the centaurs.
"Yeah that'd be me" said Harry, keeping his weapon out just in case.
"Enough Firenze" said Bane, identifying the other centaur. Signaling to rest of the herd another centaur walked to the front carrying a gagged Draco Malfoy tied on a pole, Fang walking happily beside the half horse man. "We found this one wandering and crying like a fool. He insulted us and it is only by our mercy that he still lives. Take them and go" he finished dropping the Malfoy heir like a piece of garbage before signaling for the herd to leave.
Seething his weapon Harry decided to remain with the group as they left the forest, he was only a few steps behind everyone when the sound of twigs snapping alerted him to Firenze's presence.
"I wish to warn you Harry Potter."
"About what?"
"The stars have shown the centaurs much of the future, hardly is it set in stone but one thing is clear you face terrible foes: the first a darkness from your past and the other perhaps even greater threat, the armies of the creators."
"What darkness from my past?" Harry asked, assuming the creators were most likely The Kraang and their mutagen.
"Do you know the power of unicorn blood?" asked Firenze, to which Harry answered no. "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, 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."
"Then why would anyone use it?"
"Can't you think of anyone from your past that might be so desperate?"
"Voldemort" Harry whispered, in realization that the dead man wasn't quite as dead as everyone believed.
"The stars have been wrong before and I hope they are now. In either case I pray for your victory Harry Potter" said Firenze, as he took his leave. With the others already far ahead Harry decided to head back to the clearing to see if he could find any clues about the dark wizard's hiding place but all he found was the unicorn corpse and a few fresh drops of blood.
However unlike the dried blood stains he found earlier this blood seemed to glow in a very familiar way. Taking a closer look Harry found out why; there mixed with the silver unicorn blood was the unmistakable mutagen ooze.