Guys...I don't know if there will be a sequel after this. I've lost it...I've lost my spark. No matter how hard I try I just cannot manage to get these chapters to sound as good as the ones I had first written. I am just so disappointed...I'm sorry guys...I still have to think about it...Maybe something will change...there's going to be about two more chapters and then I think I will end the first book.

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Chapter 33

The forest was very dark and very cold. Not in the sense of temperature just in the sense of emotion. Aurora didn't like it; there was just something absolutely evil about this place. No wonder it had been dubbed the Forbidden Forest! Who in their right mind would want to go in there anyway? Hagrid had said that something in here was killing unicorns and taking the blood…so their job was to find what was killing them. Aurora didn't want to know… who would want to kill a Unicorn? Honestly, that was like kicking a puppy!

Furthermore who would actually drink unicorn blood and be able to stomach it. When Hagrid even brought it up it made her feel nauseas; but if a person was that desperate to live forever she supposed they would do anything. Ashley and Aurora chose to go off on their own while Draco stayed with Hagrid. As a matter of fact he insisted that he remain with Hagrid.

"Rory," Ashley said softly as they continued through the dark forest. "I'm really sorry that Malfoy and I got you into trouble-

-it's not your fault Ashley." Aurora said warmly. "Dad's right, I really need to think before I act."

"Maybe we both should try and do that more."

Aurora was happy that Ashley had agreed to come with her. He seemed so brave and sure of himself, it made her feel safe and well protected. She didn't have that same feeling with Draco. Of course she knew that Draco would do anything to help her, but she wasn't so sure that when it came to saving her skin he would risk his own.

"So what are we looking for exactly?" Ashley asked kicking a random rock. "I mean what does a unicorn killer look like?"

"Well it's not going to be that easy." Aurora sighed. "We'll have to look for a unicorn rather than the thing killing it."

Aurora wasn't even sure she wanted to do that much! What if whatever was killing the unicorns liked to kill little witches and wizards too?! Aurora considered herself fairly skilled when it came to defensive and offensive spells, but not THAT skilled. However as Ashley and her continued throughout the dark woods she was very pleased to see that there were no disturbances.

"So Rory," Ashley asked, breaking their silence. "What are you doing this summer?"

"I don't know yet," Aurora sighed. "It depends on when dad starts talking to me again."

Ashley moved considerably closer to Aurora and held the lantern up so that they could both see where they were going.

"What about you Ashley?"

"The same as every year," Ashley sighed, somewhat sadly. "Gregory and I will probably just end up fighting every morning…it never fails."

Aurora felt bad, she knew what that was like. Aurora knew all too well what it was like to return to a place you really had no interest in returning to. When the days were warm and Aurora could walk around outside on Privet Drive she dreaded when the sun started to set. Aurora was very fortunate that she would be able to escape that. Ashley on the other hand was not so fortunate, he had to go home to that and suffer alone.

"Maybe I can convince dad to-…to…"

Aurora stopped and placed her hand to her forehead…her scar was burning like mad! The pain had her stopping dead in her tracks.

"R-Rory?" Ashley stuttered grabbing Aurora's hand.

"I feel sick…" Aurora gasped. "Ashley…my scar…my scar…"

Aurora whimpered as the searing attacked her forehead and squeezed Ashley's hand tighter and tighter as the pain grew and grew.

"Rory, I'll go get Hagrid okay." Ashley said loosening Aurora's grip. "I'll go for help!"

Aurora wanted to object, but the pain was almost blinding and before she even had the chance Ashley's footsteps were moving farther and farther away. What was she supposed to do? Was she expected to just wait there, half blind from the pain, and utterly paralyzed with fear? Apparently she was expected to just stay put.

Breathing somewhat heavily Aurora took a few steps forward, she could see well enough to continue walking…but it seemed that as she proceeded forward the burning only got more and more severe. Her feet stumbled against many roots and tree stumps until finally her balance betrayed her and she hit the ground with a hard thud.

It didn't hurt as much as she would have expected but her hands landed in something warm and wet. It was thick and Aurora thought for a moment that maybe she had caused herself more damage then she had expected. But when she pulled her fingers up to her face her eyes widened in shock. This could not be her blood…her blood was not silver and shiny…if she were the one bleeding it would be dark red and even more nauseating.

This was Unicorn blood…she was laying next to a dead unicorn! Aurora scurried to her feat and motioned farther back. She almost wished she had found ONLY a dead unicorn…rather than the unicorn and the cloaked creature that was drinking its blood. Aurora felt her stomach lurch forward but at the moment she was too scared to vomit. It looked up at her, several drops of unicorn blood still dribbling from its mouth and lurched towards her.

Aurora threw her hands up into the air and hid her face, hoping that if it bit her it wouldn't take an eye or part of her lip. Her scar felt like it was going to split in half but at the moment Aurora knew that she had bigger things to worry about…like being eaten alive by some cannibal monster!

"Ms. Potter…Ms. Potter!'

It knew her name…maybe it wouldn't hurt her.

"Don't worry…I scared him away…you can open your eyes now."

Aurora looked up and felt her jaw drop slightly…A horse man…what were those called? She was so terrified that she could not even remember.

"Who…who are you?"

"My name is Firenze…are you okay?"

Aurora's body shook violently, but she nodded and pulled herself up to her feet.

"You…you're a…a…"

"I'm a centaur child," Firenze said gently. "Don't worry, I won't hurt you…no one here will."

Aurora nodded one more and looked around to see if Ashley had returned with Hagrid and Draco yet.

"H-Have you seen my friends?"

"No, Ms. Potter…I'm afraid I haven't."

"What was that thing?"

"A man Ms. Potter," Firenze said moving closer. "What has been left of one…and I must say you know this man quite well."

"I do?" Aurora breathed. "What do you mean?"

"I mean that the man before you was a man you had encountered and defeated eleven years ago."

Aurora's eyes widened and her heart quickened.

"You're telling me that…that "man" was…was Voldemort?"

His lack of answer was enough for Aurora and she felt her legs quake from underneath her. That monster had destroyed her life as she had known it and all she could do was fall over in fear and let him leave! She was an utter failure! How could she have just allowed him to go, granted she was only a first year! But if she had destroyed that man when she was a baby surely she could take care of him now!

"I…I let him get away…" Aurora whimpered. "I just fell over and let him leave."

"There was nothing you could do," Firenze said softly. "And it is my duty to see that you return to the castle safely."

"AURORA!"

Aurora whipped around to see Ashley racing towards her with Hagrid and Draco trailing closely behind. Her body disappeared as Ashley and Hagrid pulled her into a tight embrace.

"I'm so sorry it took so long Rory," Ashley whispered. "I…I couldn't find them."

Aurora had the strangest urge to cry come over her. She just wanted to fall apart in his arms…the man who had murdered her parents had come and seen her at her weakest and she allowed him to see that. She felt like such a failure…what kind of daughter was she that should just let him leave without any note of her existence.

"Rory," Ashley said pulling away. "Say something."

"I…I want to go home…" Aurora whispered. "I really just want to go back to the school."

"Firenze," Hagrid said walking forward. "Thanks for takin such good care of her…Sev would have killed me if anything happened."

"You are more than welcome Hagrid," the centaur said with a nod. "The fate of our world is in her hands…we must make sure she is protected."

But no pressure right?

"Can we go now…Hagrid…can we go now?" Draco said urgently. "We should go."

Hagrid nodded and Aurora was thankful that he did. She wanted to go and see Severus, she wanted to collapse in his arms and apologize for her behavior. She just wanted this night to end and imagine that she never saw what she had seen. She didn't want to know what she had pieced together by Voldemort's appearance at the school.

But did that keep her from figuring it out? No, Voldemort wanted the stone to have the key to eternal life…he was drinking unicorn because of its magical properties...so all she needed to do was talk to Dumbledore and make sure he knew what she knew. But that could wait until tomorrow, Aurora was to the point of collapsing…she was exhausted and her stress level was at the point of no return.

"Ms. Potter," Firenze said, gaining her attention. "I just want to wish you good luck on your journey."

"Thank you."

But something told Aurora that she would need more than just luck, Aurora was going to need something short of a miracle.

APAPAP

Severus sighed and massaged his temples. Tomorrow Dumbledore would be gone for a day and that left him to make sure that everything ran as smoothly as possible. He had so much work to do; first and foremost he promised Albus that he would organize his library…again. How could a man with so much power be so unorganized?! He wouldn't be able to get a single moments rest and then he had to stop in with Mike and try and set up another check up for himself and Aurora. The last one had failed, but he hoped that this time it might not be as severe. Lately it seemed that Aurora had been showing a lot of improvement in her therapy sessions and Severus really needed those medical files so that he could submit them to the courts.

Turning to the clock Severus saw that Aurora should be coming in any minute now. He had forgiven her long ago for her misdeed, but now he truly felt the need to spend some time with his ward. It was so hard to stay upset with Aurora. She had him wrapped around that little pinky of hers, but Severus would never admit it! His lips curled slightly as the sound of the living room door slammed shut and quickened footsteps rang throughout their quarters.

"Rory?" Severus called. "I'm in the study."

Severus looked to see his little prodigy race forward, but this was not the state he wished to see her in. Tears were streaming down her cheeks and her voice was choked with sobs.

"I'm…I'm sorry daddy…" Aurora whimpered. "I…I am really sorry…"

"Aurora?" Severus breathed. "Aurora what has happened?"

"Do you forgive me?" she continued.

"Of course I do!" Severus said gently. "Aurora Evans, please calm down."

"I saw…I saw him…I saw him!"

"Who Aurora?"

"Voldemort!"

Severus withheld his flinch…years later and he still could not stand to hear that man's name! Sighing he outstretched his hand and took Aurora's quivering palm.

"He…he wanted to kill me!" she sobbed. "He…he killed…a unicorn…daddy…he was…going to eat me!"

Aurora's eyes shined with tears and widened with fear. Severus had seen Aurora like this before, but she usually remained silent…now all of her anxieties were coming out!

"Aurora…you are safe here…he won't come for you here…"

"No!" Aurora said, frantically shaking her head. "No, he wants the stone…he wants the Sorcerer's Stone!"

"How did you…Hagrid…I swear that man-

-daddy, you have to protect it!"

Severus turned to Aurora who was all but shaking. Standing from his chair he gently tugged Aurora to follow him away from the office. It was clear that Aurora needed to sleep; her mind was in a whirlwind of confusing thoughts that the only remedy Severus could give her was sleep.

"It is will protected Rory," Severus whispered. "You have nothing to worry about."

"He'll get it…" Aurora whispered. "I know he will get it…he knows how to get it!"

"Aurora stop," Severus cooed. "It is so protected that I can't get to it…I don't even think Albus could get to it on a good day."

"But dad…what if-

Severus hushed her and helped her into bed. Taking out his wand Aurora felt the dirty fabric of her t-shirt transform into the soft fabric of her nightdress wrap around her. It was amazing how tired she felt now that she was able to lay down and cover up.

"Don't worry about it lovely," he breathed. "You are safe, you are home…I will always be here to protect you."

"Okay," Aurora whispered. "I love you, dad."

"I love you two Rory."

Aurora should have known that Severus would approach this with that kind of attitude…and she desperately wanted to believe him! But it fell through the moment it left his lips. Aurora knew that Voldemort would go for the stone; she knew that he would get it! But Aurora also knew that she would be damned if Voldemort thought that he would take any of her loved ones away. She refused to let him get the better of her.

Aurora had never been so happy for Saturday, she loved that Severus had allowed her the luxury of sleeping in…but she wished that she could have caught him before he left. Oh well, it was better this way. She needed to find Ashley and Draco and tell them about the plan for tonight. Voldemort wasn't going to get the stone, and if that meant that she had to stop him herself then so be it.

Putting on a pair of jeans and her favorite Slytherin4Life shirt on Aurora set off to find the rest of the trio. Ashley was always the easiest person to find. He was either in the common room or in the library reading. Today it seemed that he was preoccupied with staring into the hearth of the fireplace.

"Hey Ash," Aurora said sitting down next to him. "We need to talk about tonight."

"Sure."

"The stone isn't going to be safe with just the security Professor Dumbledore and my dad have set up."

"Aurora-

-no Ashley!" Aurora said shaking her head. "I'm not going to lose another parent because we are too trusting…we have to do this!"

Ashley smiled and bowed his head slightly. A blond strand of hair fell in front of his face but he made no attempt to move it whatsoever.

"I was just going to say that we need to find pretty boy…we'll need all the help we can get."

"You're really up for this?" Aurora asked, slightly shocked.

"I got you into trouble Aurora…and the way I look at it is you wouldn't have had to go into the forest in the first place if it wasn't for me. I want to help."

"Ashley," Aurora said, smiling. "That wasn't your fault. Think of it this way, if I hadn't gone in there to begin with Voldemort might have a chance of getting to the stone."

"But you could have gotten hurt…and I ran off like a coward."

"Ashley, you went to get help," I said gently caressing the top of his hand. "It wasn't like you had planned on just leaving me there."

The silence they were experiencing was rather unnerving but Aurora had no wish to end up in a fight or anything. Even if Ashley did flee because of fear Aurora still knew that he cared about her and that was all she needed.

"So, Draco then?" she asked, rising from the sofa.

"Yes, he's probably harassing some first year somewhere." Ashley said following her out.

The castle seemed more crowded on the weekends. All the students came out to lounge around on school benches and she could hear the all too familiar sound of gossip as it floated in and out of the various corridors. Aurora knew that Draco had to be somewhere around, wherever students were he usually was trying to get attention.

"There he is." Ashley said pointing to a blond haired boy sitting out under a tree.

"Yeah, I wonder why he's all by himself."

"Who cares, let's just get him and go."

"Ashley," Aurora said tailing after him. "Can't you at least try and be nice to Draco? I mean he can be really cool if you just give him a chance."

"Aurora," Ashley sighed. "Look I know that you are his friend but I can see right through this kid…he's only friends with you because you are famous and your dad is the Head of our House."

"Ashley-

"Hey Aurora…Blake."

Aurora sighed; this feud between the two of them was really starting to drive her nuts. They were both her friends but she liked to think that Ashley and her were a lot closer than what Draco and her were.

"Hey Draco." Aurora said, smiling. "We need to talk."

"What's happened?"

"Not here, dolt." Ashley snarled. "Somewhere private.

"Ashley, be nice." Aurora scolded. "Draco it's about the stone."

It didn't take anymore prompting and it only took them about five minutes to get to someplace quiet.

"Dad is set that the Stone is safe…but I just can't shake the feeling that something bad is going to happen. None of this makes sense."

"What do you mean?" Ashley asked.

"If Voldemort wasn't going to go after the stone then why does my scar still burn?" Aurora turned to a window they were sitting next to and sighed. "It's a warning…something bad is going to happen."

(no flames please)