Things couldn't have been worse.

Filch took them down to Professor McGonagall's study on the first floor, where they ast and waited without saying a word to each other. Hemrione was trembling, Harry was thinking up excuses, alibis, and wild cover up stories, Eldon was shaking violently, scared of what the professor would do after the way she'd acted upon catching Malfoy. They were cornered. How could they have been so stupis as to forget the cloak? There was no reason Professor McGonagall, let alone Professor Snape, would accept their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night, let alone being in the tallest Astronomy Tower, which was out of bounds except for classes. Add Norbert and the Invisibility cloak, and they might as well be packing their bags already. Eldon was terrified of what the Dursleys would do to him and Harry when they found out that they'd been sent away from school.

When Professor McGonagall appeared, she was leading Neville.

"Harry!" Neville burst out, the moment he saw the dark haired boy. "I was trying to find you to warn you, I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag -"

Harry shook his head violently to cut Neville off, and Eldon flinched back with fear, but Professor McGonagall had seen. She looked more likely to breath fire than Norbert as she towered over the four of them.

"I would have never 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."

It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teachers question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a stone.

"I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on," said Professor McGonagall. "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 Longbttom here heard the story and believed it, too? You've even dragged your brother into it, Harry Potter, though i've no clue what role he played."

Eldon whimpered, Harry was getting in even more trouble not just because of him, all because he was in the same house as Malfoy.

"I'm disgusted," said Professor McGongall. "Five 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. Mr. Eldon Potter, Professor Snape will be around soon to speak with you. You three will receive detentions - yes, you too, Mr. Longbottom, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous - and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."

"Fifty?" Harry gasped - Gryffindor would lose the lead, the lead he'd won in the last Quidditch match."Fifty points each," said Professor McGongall, breathing heavily through her long, pointed nose.

"Professor - please -"

"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."

The three Gryffindor Students left dragging their feet, leaving Eldon behind with Professor McGonagall. Slytherin was winning the house cup once again, the hundred and fifty points Gryffindor had lost putting them in last place.

"Come with me, Mr. Potter, Professor Snape is waiting."

Eldon followed behind her, walking as fast as he could to keep up with her. He didn't want to see Snape right now, he just knew that the man would be glaring at him. Professor McGongall didn't follow him into the chamber, that Eldon recognised to be the same one he met Professor Snape in every Sunday. She didn't say another word to him as he slipped through the door and sealed his fate.

"P-Professor," whimpered Eldon.

"I expected more from you, Mr. Potter."

Eldon felt his heart sink at the words. They weren't harsh or angry like he had expected, instead they were resigned, as if Snape couldn't be any more disappointed in him. Eldon couldn't stop himself from trembling.

"You will serve a detention. Now head to bed."

Eldon moved quickly, not daring to speak, lest he cry in front of the disappointed professor. Even though neither he nor Harry had been expelled he couldn't help the painful feeling in his chest. That night Eldon didn't get any sleep, his eyes wouldn't stop watering and his brain screamed at him to apologize to Professor Snape over and over.

The next day Gryffindors passing the giant hourglass that recorded the House points the next day thought there'd been a mistake. How could they suddenly have a hundred and fifty points fewer than yesterday? And then the story started to Sperad; Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, their hero of two Quidditch matches, had lost them all those points, him and a couple of other stupid first years.

As Eldon sat at the Slytherin Table he told Daphne everything that happened, even telling her about Norbert, and was relieved that she wasn't mad at him for keeping it from him. She pulled him away from breakfast, taking some toast along with them, so that he wouldn't have to sit and listen to all the other Slytherin students celebrating Gryffindor's downfall.

Eldon felt bad for Harry though, he's gone from being one of the most popular and admired people at the school, to being one of the most hated. Even Ravenclaws, and Hufflepuffs turned on him, which Eldon knew was because everyone had been longing to see Slytheri lose the House Cup. Everywhere Harry went, people pointed and didn't trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him. Slytherins, on the other hand, clapped as he walked past them, whistling and cheering, "Thanks Potter, we owe you one!"

Daphne had put studying aside to spend more time talking to Eldon, reassuring him that it wasn't his fault that people were treating Harry this way. Nothing he could have done would have changed the way things had turned out, well unless Hagrid had never received the dragon egg to begin with. Eventually Eldon felt better, though he still teared up every time he thought of how disappointed Professor Snape had been with him. At times when his thoughts were running through his head, and filling him with negative feelings Eldon found himself twisting the ring on his finger around and around, getting comfort from the slight tug on his skin.

Professor Snape hadn't notified him of when he'd be serving his detention yet, and he got more anxious the longer it took. Are they changing their mind? Were they going to be expelled instead of just receiving a detention? Eldon couldn't help but think of different scenarios, each one worse than the last. Eldon wished it wasn't Sunday, he would welcome the distraction monday's classes would bring. He couldn't even bring himself to study with Daphne, even when Blaise offered to join them despite his hatred for everything involving a book. Blaise knew that Eldon had gotten detention, but nobody had told him why, so he assumed that his essays had finally gotten so bad that one of the Professors were giving him detentions.

Eldon had gotten word that Harry had offered to resign from the quidditch team as well, having been convinced that he wasn't worth the position on the team. Thankfully he hadn't been allowed to quit, even if the team wouldn't talk to him.

Exams were drawing closer, and Eldon had to force himself to ignore his worries and study. He had been working late into the night, trying to remember the ingredients in complicated potions, learn charms and spells by heart, memorize the dates of magical discoveries and goblin rebellions . . .

It was a good thing that Daphne was doing well in all her classes, or Eldon would have never gotten caught up in History of Magic. Even with the ease he was able to read now his textbook for History of Magic was still nearly impossible to read. School wasn't worrying him as much as it once had, and his time at Hogwarts would have been perfect without the unknown detention floating over his head.

It was the following morning that a note was delivered to Eldon at the breakfast table, a second note being delivered to Malfoy:

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

Professor M. McGonagall

Eldon was relieved to finally know when his detention would be taking place. The wait had filled him with anxiety, and he was quick to tell Daphne and Blaise when he'd be serving detention so that they didn't wait up for him in the common room.

At eleven o'clock that night, Eldon made his way down to the entrance hall. Filch was already there - and Malfoy had somehow made it there before him. Harry, Hermione, and Neville arrived a few minutes later, clearly surprised to see the two Slytherins standing there.

"Follow me," said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside.

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at them. "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 . . . hand 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 they're ever needed . . . right, off we go, and don't think of running odd now, it's be worse for you if you do.``

They marched off across the dark grounds. Neville kept sniffing, and Eldon couldn't help but tremble, frightened of what Filch had planned for them. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delightful.

The moon was bright, but clouds scuttled across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead, Eldon could see the lightende windows of Hagrid's hut. Then they heard a distant shout.

"Is that you, Flich? Hurry up, i want ter get started."

Eldon felt a bit comforted at hearing Hagrids yell. Maybe if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad, but he wasn't confident. Filch had noticed the relief on Harry's face though, and said, "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."

At this, Neville let out a little moan, and Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks.

"The forest?" he repeated, and he didn't sound quite as confident as usual. "We can't go in there at night - there's all sorts of things in there - werewolves, I heard."

Eldon trembled and found it hard to stay on his feet.

"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?"

Hagrid came striding towards them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying 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?"

Eldon felt a bit disappointed that Hagrid hadn't mentioned him.

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

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

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

Malfoy now turned to Hagrid.

"I'm not going in that forest," he said, and Eldon couldn't help but agree with him.

"Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," said Hagrid 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. "Copyin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do sommat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then ger back off ter the cast;e an' pack. Go on!"

Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped his gaze. Eldon instinctively moved behind him, wanting something between himself and the angry look on Hagrid's face. It looked frighteningly similar to the way he had looked right before giving Dudley a pigtail.

"Right then," said Hagrid, "now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' i don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment."

He led them to the very edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the tick black trees. A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the forest.

"Look there," said Hagrid, "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 to put it out of its misery."

"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" said Malfoy, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.

"There's nothin' that lives in the forecast that';; hurt yeh if yer with me of Fang," said Hagrid. "An' leep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place. It must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

"I want Fanf," said Malfoy quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Eldon, Neville, an' Fang'll go the other. Now if any of us fnds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get yer wants 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 - let's go."

The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path, and Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid took the left path while Eldon, Malfoy, Neville and Fang took the right.

Eldon walked in silence, everyone's eyes on the ground. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver-blue blood on the fallen leaves. Neville's whimpers grew steadily louder and louder, while Malfoy stayed close to Fang. Eldon remained just behind them, being careful not to trip over his feet on the dark path. Every few moments Malfoy would grow irritated with Nevilles whimpers and threaten to hex him again if he didn't shut up. Each time Naville could only keep quiet for a few moments before another sound frightened him. Eldon couldn't help but feel bad for him. He wouldn't have gotten a detention if he hadn't wanted to warn Harry, but now he was being punished for trying to be a good friend.

They walked past hundreds of mossy trees stumps. Eldon could hear creatures roaming about, and couldn't help trembling at the possibility of them attacking. There were still spots of unicorn blood here and there along the winding path, though they'd yet to see any sign of the actual unicorn.

It was after another half hour of walking that Malfoy finally drew tired of Neville's sniffling and crept up behind him quietly. Neville leapt into the air screaming loudly and let off red sparks from the tip of his wand. Neville turning a dark shade of red, noticeable even in the darkness of the forest, and he seemed an odd mix of embarrassed and angry. For a moment Eldon worried that he was going to attack Malfoy and it would be a repeat of the quidditch match. Malfoy was still bent over laughing when Neville climbed back to his feet.

Endlon's worry never came true though. In fact, it didn't have time to. Hagrid came bursting through the trees crossbow drawn and looking wild,his eyes scanned the surrounding quickly looking for a sign of danger. Malfoy seemed to finally regret what he had done when Hagrid turned to the two and seemed to instantly know what had happened.

Hagrid was furious when Naville quickly told him what happened so that neither he or Eldon would get in trouble. They walked quietly back to where Hagrid had left Harry and Hermione waiting for him, and the entire way Hagrid redmined angry enough that he couldn't get words out. He didn't speak until they had met up with Harry and Hermione who looked concerned and weren't at all secretive about looking Eldon and Neville over for wounds.

"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you three were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups - Nevile, you stay with me an' hermione, Harry, you go with Eldon, Fang, an' this idiot. I'm sorry," Hagrid whispered to Harry, though Eldon wa close enough to hear, "but he'll have a harder time frightenin' you, an' Eldon's in Slytherin, an' we gotta get this done."

So Eldon set off into the heart of the forest with Harry, Malfoy, and Fang. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the forest, until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Eldon thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker. There were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. They could see a clearing ehead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.

"Look -" Harry murmured, holding out his arm to stop the two Slytherins.

Something bright was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.

It was the unicorn, and it was dead. Eldon had never seen something so beautiful and sad, and he couldn't stop the trembling that overtook him. Its long, slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and its mane was spread pearly-white on the dark leaves.

Eldon froze, while Harry took a step towards it, when a slithering sound reached his ears. 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. Eldon, Harry, Malfoy, and Fang stood transfixed. The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered it's head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink it's blood.

"AAAAAAAARGH!"

Malfoy let out a terrible scream and bolted - so did fang. The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at the Potter twins - unicorn blood was dripping down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly towards them - they couldn't move for fear.

The next moment Eldon felt his trembling return with a vengeance, and his eyes rolled back into his head. Then the world was gone, replaced by black fog.

Eldon groaned when he came to, annoyed at having once more been greeted by the Hospital wing ceiling. A few of the nearby beds were occupied, but there weren't any non-patient students standing beside them, most likely they were in class.

Madam Pomfrey, who had been busying herself with a nearby bed hurried over when she saw Eldon sit up.

"Mr. Potter, you're awake. Are you feeling alright?"

"Yes, th-thank y-you."

"Wonderful, then off to class you go. It's 2:30 of tuesday."

Eldon stuttered out another thank you as he climbed out of the bed, and hurried out of the Hospital wing, not wanting to stay there any longer than he had too. First year Slytherins were in charms with Hufflepuff right now, a quarter of the way through class. It wasn't until he reached the charms corridor that the memories from the night before hit.

He was back in the dark forest, trees looming overhead, and the hooded figure was crawling towards him and Harry, mouth dripping with blood. What was that thing! Why was he drinking the unicorn's blood! Eldon furiously shook his head, and waited a moment for his trembling to fade away before stepping through the door. All eyes turned to him and Professor Flitwick stopped talking to the student he'd been helping.

"Ah! Mr. Potter, welcome! Please, take a seat, we've been refreshing on our past charms," said Professor Flitwich. When everyone continued looking at Eldon he stood straighter, "Back to work!"

As everyone turned back to their spell work Eldon rushed to sit beside Daphne.

"What happened," she hissed. "I woke up to a note saying you were in the hospital wing! You were in detention!"

"W-We were looking f-for a u-unicorn i-in the f-forbidden f-forest."

"The forbidden forest!" Blaise added, leaning forwards to see Eldon around Daphne. "Students aren't allowed in there, that's awesome!"

Daphne slapped his shoulder when Professor Flitwick wasn't looking.

"He ended up in the Hospital wing!"

"Yeah, yeah, tell us what happened, mate?"

Both stared unblinkingly at Eldon waiting for an answer.

"W-When w-we found the u-unicorn th-there was a th-thing d-drinking i-it's b-blood, and i p-pased o-out again."

"You need to stop getting involved with stressful things," Daphne groaned. "This must be the fourth time this year!"

"W-Well, learning m-magic i-is always stressful."

Daphne laughed, "Speaking of witch, we've got to get Blaise caught up, he can't have someone else take the exams for him."

"Don't remind me," Blaise groaned.

Eldon snorted, drawing the narrowed eyed glare of Professor Flitwick. The three of them spent the rest of class messing around with the charms they learned, at one point Blaise had even given Crabbe a wedgie with a levitating charm, leaving the entire class in laughter. Professor Flitwick had turned red and been unable to figure out who had done it. Eldon forgot all about the night before and lets himself float in the joy of school and friends.

Authors note: only two more chapters for book 1, and next chapter has some Draco interaction!

What kind of things should Eldon get up to next year without Harry?