Chapter 36 – A Walk on the Wild Side
Harry hurried back to his dorm room. He rushed by the study session in the common room to get his regular cloak. He was donning his socks and basilisk boots when Ron, Ginny and Hermione entered his room.
"Are you done with the detention with Professor Flitwick?" asked Ginny.
"Did you find any new charms?" asked Hermione.
"Where are you going Harry?" asked Ron who had seen his cloak draped on Harry's bed.
"No, yes, and out with Dumbledore" said Harry answering all three questions at once. He was rushing out the door when Ginny grabbed him by his belt.
"Just the last answer for now", she requested. Harry realized that he had been rushing so fast that he didn't actually tell anyone a thing.
"Dumbledore interrupted my detention with Professor Flitwick and said we were going to help Hagrid out. I've got to hurry to meet the Headmaster; he said it was urgent. I don't know any more than that."
'Keep in touch Harry. We'll wait up for you'
'Thanks Hermione.'
'Be careful Harry.'
'Of course Gin.'
Harry left without another word carrying his cloak over his arm. He waved to the rest of the first years sitting around the study table and hurried to meet Dumbledore. He donned his cloak once he had exited the Gryffindor portal.
Dumbledore had his own cloak on as he stood waiting on the steps facing the Forbidden Forest. Harry was surprised to see Fawkes resting on the Headmaster's shoulder. "We may need my friends healing powers tonight. How do you want to get down the path Harry?"
Harry looked at the steep unlit path down to Hagrid's hut and thought about all his options. "If Fawkes wouldn't mind flying me down?" The phoenix launched itself off Dumbledore and Harry felt himself being carried in the bird's strong claws. By the time they landed at the bottom, Dumbledore had already apparated down and was waiting for Harry. The quickly walked to where Hagrid was waiting with a couple of lanterns.
Harry was alarmed to see the half-giant carrying a huge crossbow. Hagrid saw his look and just made a short comment. "Usually I don't go into the forest armed but tonight there's more trouble than normal."
"Hagrid has heard a report that another unicorn has been attacked", Dumbledore told Harry. "We trying to find it and heal it if at all possible and find what has been attacking the unicorn herd."
"And you wanted me around with you to do what sir?"
"Harry, I understand this is something that a first year probably wouldn't do but there is a small possibility that your goblin staff may provide some healing where my wand or Fawkes might fail."
Harry recognized the danger that the headmaster had hinted at but he had seen a unicorn or two while flying around the castle and wouldn't turn away from the least possibility of aiding a magical creature. He let Hermione and Ginny know what their mission was and they both said to be extra careful and they would keep listening. Harry asked one of them if they could come along with him and felt Ginny quit the study session and join him mentally.
Hagrid handed one of the lanterns to Harry and he held it up as he followed the caretaker and the headmaster into the forest. They walked a while on one of the paths that led from Hagrid's hut but then a number of paths seemed to converge together and Hagrid wasted no time in choosing one and continue walking. They stopped once or twice along the way just to listen. Harry heard a number of animal calls and birds that he had never heard before. He could feel Ginny's nervousness and gently reminded her that she was still sitting on the edge of Hermione's bed. Ginny reminded him that he was the one out in the middle of the dangerous forest. Harry said he was close to Dumbledore and felt that he would be protected.
The three from Hogwarts walked along the path for what Harry guessed was almost a half mile before Hagrid held up his hand and called for everybody to halt. He knelt down on one knee and called Harry up. "I was afraid if this. It looks bad, it does."
Harry looked at what Hagrid was pointing to on the ground. It was a silvery fluid substance and Harry felt sick just looking at it. "Is that..?"
"Unicorn blood Harry", responded Dumbledore. "We have to track it down now and see how we can help it."
"Are we going to have to kill it?" Harry asked with a horrible feeling.
'Oh, not that!' came from Ginny.
"If that's the only way to ease its suffering", Hagrid said. "This is a lot of blood. Must be something powerful that done this. Best have your wand out Harry."
Harry pulled his wand out and held it in the hand that wasn't holding up the lantern. Hagrid led the way following the trail of the injured unicorn. They came to a fork in the trail and the blood trail disappeared.
"You come with me Harry". Harry dutifully followed Dumbledore down the right hand trail and watched Hagrid disappear quickly on the other branch. The headmaster and Harry followed down the new trail for ten minutes without seeing any more blood spilled on the path. Harry thought the headmaster was about to turn around and head back toward the other path but they came to another split. Dumbledore surveyed both pathways for a minute before he turned back to Harry. "I would think no less of you if you wanted to turn back now Harry. I could summon Fawkes and he could transport you back to the school."
"I will continue on sir. I can't bear the thought of a unicorn laying out here alone and suffering. I'll send up some sparks from my wand if I find anything."
"Very well Harry but no more than fifteen minutes down your path. If you don't see anything, turn back and I'll meet you here. We'll go locate Hagrid then and call of our search for tonight. Hagrid can come back tomorrow and finish looking. Stay on guard and don't hesitate to protect yourself."
"Yes sir. Fifteen minutes."
Harry cautiously stepped along the path he had chosen and held his lantern high. He felt a little better when he felt Hermione join in with Ginny. The mental and emotional support helped calm his nerves quite a bit but he did have to explain why he was continuing on alone. Both girls thought he was daft for wandering around without Dumbledore but he reassured them that he wasn't going to stray one step off the path he was on.
It had only been ten nervous minutes but Harry kept to the path. He suddenly slipped going down a small incline and tumbled down onto his hands and knees. Silently cursing Luna Lovegood's praxes, Harry looked down to find one hand covered in unicorn blood! He had found the trail again. 'Eeeww!' came from the girls still at school.
Wiping the hand off on a pile of old leaves, Harry regained his feet and set a string of red sparks into the air. Knowing that Dumbledore or Hagrid would take a while to catch up with him, Harry adjusted the 'Lumos' spell that was coming from his wand to cast a wider light.
There was a small clearing in the forest about 20 yards away and the trail of blood and the path led directly to it. When Harry carefully made his way to the edge of that clearing, he saw the body of a unicorn and felt a little sick as he realized that there was no movement from the animal and that it was most probably dead.
Harry noticed a little bit of movement alongside the body of the unicorn and activated the listening spell he knew. He immediately turned it off again as he heard a slurping noise – something was drinking the spilt blood or drinking directly from the dead creature!
Harry was shocked beyond measure and Hermione and Ginny quit their connection to him very abruptly!
Whatever had killed the unicorn finally became aware that Harry was looking on. Harry saw something like a blanket or somebody in a dark cape rise from its position besides the unicorn's body and move toward him and his scar erupted in dreadful pain! Harry was startled as the movement didn't seem natural; it was a flowing motion like the water flowing across the floor or the deliberate tracking of a large snake! Harry had the thought later that it might be a lethifold but they were only supposed to be found in warm climates.
Harry stumbled in his shock and pain and sprawled along the small path in the forest. The creature or person seemed to hesitate briefly but then seemed to make up its mind in rushing towards Harry. Harry was just about to cast a shield charm but heard a loud twang and an arrow suddenly appeared in the ground just missing the creature! The thing halted, turned and silently glided away to disappear into the gloom of the forest.
Carefully gaining his feet Harry looked around expecting to see Hagrid and his crossbow standing nearby. Instead he saw something almost as amazing as that horrid creature that had fed on the dead unicorn. There was a centaur standing just opposite the path that Harry had entered the clearing on. The bow he was holding let Harry know it was the half-man, half-horse that had fired the arrow that saved Harry's life.
Harry had read a little on the mythical beings but had hardly thought that he would have the opportunity to actually meet one. He knew that they were highly intelligent but very mysterious. Harry took a few steps toward individual holding the longbow and extended a little bow of respect toward him. "Thank you sir for my life. My name is.."
"Harry Potter", finished the centaur. "Not much happens in this forest without the centaurs being aware of it. You may call me Ronan."
"Thank you again, Ronan. I won't pretend I know any way to repay you. What was that?"
"That, Harry Potter, is a doomed creature. While drinking a Unicorns' blood will keep one alive even at the point of death, the cost is always fatal. Harming and killing such a creature of light will cause any creature to be cursed forevermore once that blood ever touches its' lips."
"Then why would anyone or anything chance such a dangerous course?" asked Harry.
"There are many desperate wizards and dark beings that wish to prolong their lives be any means possible. Drinking a unicorn's blood is one method. There is something currently residing in Hogwarts that would accomplish a similar outcome."
"The Philosopher's Stone", whispered Harry.
"Exactly, young one. A drink from the Elixir of Life will even bring back someone who has been reduced to a shadow of its former life."
Harry's face went white as he considered the ramifications of what the centaur said. The Deatheaters followed Voldemort who had been absent for ten years. The Deatheaters wanted the Philosopher's Stone. Therefore they were going to use the stone to brew the Elixir of Life for…
Harry heard some noises and spun wildly around with his wand extended. He saw Hagrid and Dumbledore approaching his position from different directions. He breathed a sigh of relief and then turned back to face Ronan.
"You are safe now Harry Potter. I will leave you now so you may leave this forest. Do not venture lightly in here again; there are dangers present that not even the centaurs could protect you from."
Harry nodded numbly and watched as Hagrid reached his side first. "All right there lad? Hello Ronan."
"Greetings Hagrid. The foul beast has killed another of the herd of unicorns. We remain vigilant but the audacity of the crimes increase."
Ronan gave slight nod to Professor Dumbledore and Hagrid before he retrieved the arrow he had shot and turned to walk deeper into the forest. Harry was standing in shock at the encounter with the cursed creature and the centaur. He was vaguely aware of Ginny trying to contact him mentally and was totally surprised when Dumbledore's hand fell on his shoulder.
"It was most fortuitous for you Harry that other beings were also tracking the injured unicorn."
Harry gulped and nodded his head. He sent reassurances back to Hermione and Ginny that he was physically all right and hoped to be back soon. Hagrid was inspecting the corpse of the unicorn sadly. "I'll come back in the morning to dispose of the body, sir"
"No need for that Hagrid. I will take care of it now." The headmaster raised his staff and Hagrid moved back to stand beside Harry. A shout of 'Incendio' and the unicorn body was engulfed in flames. Harry watched with head bowed in respect to the dead unicorn as the magical fire performed an honorable disposal of the body.
It was a shaken and silent trio that made their way back to Hogwarts. Each had much to think about. Harry especially was almost overcome with a variety of feelings as he dealt with the fact that if he hadn't just met Voldemort, he had just encountered one of the most vile creatures or persons in the world!
Xxxx xxxx
It was the better part of an hour for Hagrid, Dumbledore and Harry to return to the edge of the Forbidden Forest below Hogwarts. Harry was happy to receive some praise from Hagrid about his behavior and courage. Harry leaned in to give Hagrid a hug before he went into his hut. He turned back and Dumbledore silently offered up his arm. Harry grabbed on and the headmaster apparated them to the main entrance. Dumbledore kept Harry company as they made their way to the Gryffindor tower. He turned Harry around to address him before they reach the Fat Lady.
"It seems I'm continually apologizing for my actions Harry. I regret we did not have a satisfactory outcome for our search tonight and you were a witness to that horrible atrocity. Perhaps in my haste to gather all the available help I could, I have done a disservice to you and your future here at Hogwarts."
Harry looked at the sad wizard and spoke with some conviction. "I don't regret going on the search with you sir. I was encouraged by someone who once told me that even the effort to try to help is a good thing by itself. I'm sorry we didn't get to the unicorn in time either. But I did get to meet Ronan and that was something that most first year's aren't privileged enough to do."
"You certainly have a remarkable attitude about you. Especially after seeing something so very evil. Very well, I shall bid you goodnight now and wish you a nice weekend. My door is always open if you wish to discuss tonight. Please give Miss Weasley and Miss Granger my apologies for detaining you for so long. "
"Thank you. Good evening, Headmaster." Harry turned wearily and gave the password to enter through the portal.
The Gryffindor common room looked totally deserted. Harry was about to climb up the boys' stairway when he became suspicious of a sound. Harry walked over to the couch before the fireplace and smiled at the arrangement he saw. Ginny had her head rested on Hermione's lap and both were sleeping peacefully. Harry was amazed at the feelings of belonging and protection that came to him as he gazed at his hug buddies. He quietly went to sit on the floor and rummaged into Hermione's nearby bookbag looking for a single item.
Harry held the quill backwards and lightly took turns brushing its feather end around the faces of the girls. He was enjoying the fact that he could get a little revenge for their previous actions but mostly just having a chance to look at the wonderful faces that he knew so well.
It took but a few moments for both the girls to wake up. Ginny went from sleep to grabbing his hand and holding it carefully; Hermione felt the movement and woke up just a second later. Both girls stared at Harry blankly for a second and then rushed to bury him in a hug. Harry felt their worry and concern and murmured quiet words of reassurance to them both.
After Harry had the stuffing hugged out of him, he sat on the couch between the two girls. Harry wondered why both girls seemed distracted and sad. "I made it back ok." Both girls made to get up but Harry didn't release their hands. "Did I do something wrong?" Neither girl would look at him directly and Harry felt he had disappointed them somehow.
It was Ginny who tearfully made the confession. "We got scared at what we saw and heard Harry and we left you out there alone! Both of us to broke off the contact with you; we're so ashamed of ourselves. What if you needed help? We weren't there for you!"
Harry carefully gathered each crying girl up into a sort of group hug as they sat there together. He wasn't sure what he could do to make them realize what he felt for them. He finally settled for opening his side of their joint connection and replaying everything that happened to him after he walked out of the common room. Ginny calmed down first as she heard the different sounds of the wildlife and the conversations that Harry had with Hagrid and Dumbledore.
Ginny reached around Harry to brush Hermione's tears away with one hand. Hermione finally looked up but saw no reproach in either of her friends' eyes.
'I don't blame you for being scared. I was terrified but glad you two weren't with me. I might have done something … rash in trying to protect you both. I had no doubts that I could reach you if I needed some bond magic to protect myself.'
'But Harry…'
'No but Harry. What that creature was doing was vile and horribly evil! You've had no experience with that. I've had no experience with that before tonight. Well, none I remember. Let's just attempt to do better if there ever is a next time. Is that ok?'
Both girls looked up as they realized Harry didn't seem mad or disappointed in them. Ginny seemed to recover first from her bad mood. "Can we see what happened after we bailed on you?"
Harry looked at both of them as he thought about it. Hermione reached up and cupped Harry's cheek. "We need to get used to some things in our lives Harry. The goodness that is in you and the bad things that are out there; especially if they're out to get you. You're quite a complex package you know. Let us see what happened tonight so we can be better prepared if anything happens again."
A reassuring nod from Ginny was all Harry needed to finish showing both girls his encounter with the creature and his rescue by the centaur. They both held Harry's hands nervously and jumped when the creature turned on Harry and again when the arrow thudded into the ground before the creature could get to him. Harry risked a glance and saw that both girls were crying as they saw Dumbledore burn the unicorn's body.
Harry held the girls for a few minutes more as they all underwent the emotional toil of Harry's night again. Harry took a peek at his wristwatch and saw how late it really was.
"As much as I would like to hold both of you all night, we should get some sleep in our own beds. I'll tell Ron and Neville in the morning that we found a dead unicorn but nothing else besides that."
Hermione straightened up and gave Harry a kiss on the cheek. "I hope you'll let us baby you a bit tomorrow Harry or at least accompany you for the rest of your detention with Professor Flitwick. You had an extraordinary bad evening and we'd like to help you get over it."
"I'd like that Hermione. I'd like that a lot." Harry smiled as he watched Hermione gather up her bookbag and wait for Ginny at the bottom of the girl's stairway.
Ginny pulled herself up into Harry's lap and just looped her arms around his neck. "You are a major part of my life, Harry. I'm not sure what I would do if you weren't around."
Harry laughed then. "You would continue to torment Ron and prank anybody else you could."
Ginny smiled at that. "But it wouldn't be nearly as much fun without you to share it with. Pleasant or no dreams, Mr. Potter." Ginny placed a careful kiss to Harry's forehead and then went to join Hermione on the stairs. They waved back at him and Harry watched them go up into the girl's dorm together.
Fatigue grabbed Harry then and he realized what a long strange day and night it had been. He looked at the couch fondly as he remembered sleeping many a night on it but dragged himself up and went up to his dorm room and his own bed.
Harry had changed out of his clothes and had put away his goblin staff before he lay down on his bed.
'Harry?'
'Yes Ginny?'
'We wanted to try giving you something. From both of us. Please close your eyes.'
Harry wondered what they could give him across the two dorms but closed his eyes anyway. He felt the connection open from Hermione and watched through her eyes as Ginny waved at him. Harry watched Ginny turn around and face away from him. 'Since we've seen your back so many times, we thought we owed you a peek.'
Harry was very surprised when he saw Ginny grab the edges of her top and then peel it over her head! She was still facing forward and Harry blushed when he saw the back of her bra!
'Ginny!'
'Shush Harry. It's only clothes!' Harry saw Ginny squirm a little and then lift the bra up over her head also. Harry smiled to himself when he saw that Ginny's freckles extended across her shoulders and were distributed across her back. 'Thanks Ginny. It's a very nice back. You two didn't have to do this though!'
'We're not finished yet!' came back at him from Hermione.
Hermione closed her eyes and then Ginny's eyes opened to look at Hermione's back. Hermione was facing away from Ginny and had taken a deep breath. Harry saw her arms move as she worked on the buttons of her white blouse. Hermione lowered her blouse down carefully. Harry saw her reach back with two hands and disconnect the hooks of her bra somehow; she pulled that off also but hung her head a little as Ginny let Harry get a good look at Hermione's back also.
Harry blinked as the vision from the Ginny's perspective faded away and he was back in his own bed again. 'This means something special to me that you trusted me enough to do that!'
'We wanted to give you something to think about rather than that … horror in the forest.'
'You've certainly succeeded with that. Thank you both.'
'Good night Harry.' 'Pleasant dreams Mr. Potter.'
"And a very good sleep to both of you, my lovely ladies!'
Harry rolled over on his side and thought again of how much of a lucky fellow he truly was. He promptly fell asleep with a big smile on his face.