"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."

We had been brought to Professor McGonagall's office, where she was still holding both Draco and Elizabeth captive.

Despite the ferocity with which our Head of House spoke, however, we kept silent. We had just finished getting Norbert off of Hagrid's hands—we weren't about to rat him out now.

"I'm disgusted. 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. And for you, Miss Skylar…"

I looked up to meet Professor McGonagall's eyes. If she was going to berate me for our blunder, I would at least have the dignity to look her in the eyes while she did it.

As it was, it was difficult. She didn't look outraged when she saw my blank face. Her expression morphed from anger to simple disappointment.

"Miss Skylar, I don't even know where to begin. I had so many high hopes for you."

I swallowed. It was hard to, seeing as a lump was blocking my throat.

She sighed and looked between all of us again, shaking her head. "Nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous. As I took fifty points from Slytherin for each of the Malfoys, so I shall take fifty points each from all three of you. Now get to bed, all of you."

There was nothing else to say. The five of us silently exited her office and, after dirty glares shot between us Gryffindors and those wretched Slytherins, proceeded to our common rooms.

For a few minutes, the three of us simply sat in the plush scarlet armchairs, in sheer disbelief.

Gryffindor had been in the lead for the House Cup until tonight. We messed up any chance our House had of winning… if we hadn't forgotten that stupid Invisibility Cloak, we could've done it…

The next morning seemed to hold all of our fears come to life. The three of us were shunned by all other Gryffindors… except the Weasleys, of course.

When people had first seen the hourglasses on the wall the following morning, they'd thought there'd been a mistake. When news spread around, though, everyone stared at the five of us—including Draco and Lizzie. The fact that they lost one hundred points for Slytherin was perhaps the only reason that our housemates were only shunning us, rather than being outright hostile.

Due to the shame of the situation, Harry had actually gone to Oliver Wood to resign as Seeker on the house team, much to my dismay. Luckily, though, Wood wouldn't allow it—he didn't care what Harry had done, as long as they won the Quidditch Cup. If that were the case, maybe then Gryffindor would forgive us for losing one hundred and fifty points in one night…

So Oliver didn't ignore us, either, a small comfort.

Time passed by… one week, then two. Before long it was May, and final exams were little more than one week away. While fortunately some of our closer friends and first-years had stopped ignoring Hermione, Harry, and I, many of the older students did not give us the same recognition.

At last, one week before finals, the five of us who had been involved in the incident all found ourselves with the same slip of paper:

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

Professor M. McGonagall

Upon receiving the note, none of us said a word. We just stared helplessly at the note, wondering what the night would have in store for us, figuring that whatever it was, we probably deserved it.

And so, at eleven, we did as we were told. Filch escorted us, ranting about the old punishments: "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, they'd hang you from your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've still got the chains in my office…"

We followed him towards Hagrid's hut, and Harry's and my faces lit up as we heard him shout, "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."

Filch saw our relieved looks and muttered, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Think again. It's into the forest you're going, and I'm much mistaken if you'll even come out in one piece, the job you'll have to do…"

Draco Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks.

"The forest?" he asked with suspicion. "We can't go in there at night—there's all sorts of things in there—werewolves, I heard."

"That's your problem," Filch said, his voice carrying a light tune in it. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"

Fang, Hagrid's enormous boarhound, trotted up to us, Hagrid behind him. Scowling, he said, "Abou' time. I bin waitin' for half an hour already. All right, Harry? Hermione? Belle?"

"I wouldn't be too friendly with them, Hagrid," snarled Filch. "They're here to be punished, after all."

"That's why yer late, is it?" growled Hagrid. "Bin lecturin' them, eh? Not your place to do that. You've done your bit, I'll take over from here."

"I'll be back at dawn," Filch said breezily, as if the prospect of dead students were a casual topic. Then he grinned, revealing slightly pointed teeth as he added, "For what's left of them."

He turned and walked away, a spring in his step.

Draco and Lizzie faced the forest and blanched. One glance at the other, however, was all they needed to regain their normal sardonic look.

"Right then," began Hagrid. "Listen carefully, cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here for a moment."

The five of us walked over to where he was gesturing. Our gaze dropped to the ground where Hagrid was pointing… a silvery, viscous liquid was pooled at our feet.

"See that shining stuff 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."

"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" asked Draco, attempting to sound only mildly concerned.

"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang," Hagrid answered, wagging a finger in our adversary's direction. "An' keep ter the path. Right now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in different directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

"I want Fang," Draco said immediately, glancing at Fang's teeth.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," responded Hagrid. "So me, Hermione, and Malfoy will go one way, and Harry, Belle, Malfoy, and Fang will go the other."

"Which Malfoy?" Lizzie and Draco asked in the same bored tone.

For the first time, I could see why they were twins.

"Lizzie, you come with me. Draco, you go with Belle and Harry. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? If anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll come an' find yeh. So be careful—let's go."

Harry, Draco, and I exchanged looks. Harry and I seemed to share the same sentiment that we were less than pleased to be paired up with Draco, but none of us said anything out loud, seeing as like it or not, we were going to have to have each other's backs while venturing through the Forest.

The three of us—plus Fang—followed the path on the right, the one with less unicorn blood. The forest was pitch-black save for what the lantern I held illuminated. Fang led the way, sniffing the ground, being careful not to touch the unicorn blood. We did the same and followed the faint trail—it was barely visible even when I bent down to find it.

After about ten minutes of silent trekking, I heard a scoff behind me.

"This is ridiculous. Servant's work. We shouldn't be here…"

Without turning to look at Malfoy, I exclaimed, "Well maybe if you and your sister hadn't tried so hard to get us in trouble, you wouldn't be here, would you?"

"Can't help it. You lot always do the stupidest things. It's a miracle you haven't been caught before now."

With a short laugh, I retorted, "And I suppose you also want to be the one to take credit for our absence, too?"

Malfoy exhaled through his nose in a manner that suggested a repressed laugh. "Perhaps. It isn't everyone who gets to claim they were responsible for Harry Potter's expulsion."

"Stuff it, Malfoy," muttered Harry. I couldn't see him, but I could sense my friend rolling his eyes.

Malfoy just snickered and trekked onward, following the light of the lantern.

The forest was growing darker and thicker the longer we were in it. I could've sworn that shadows were following us… I could've sworn that I heard a few leaves crunching just to our left. The stars were uncommonly bright, but that was little comfort when they were so far away.

At last, when I was about to give up hope on finding the poor beast, a large pool of silver blood appeared at our feet.

The three of us exchanged looks. This bloodstain looked fresh… so it was likely the unicorn would be nearby—

Along with whatever was hunting it.

We moved for another minute, even more cautiously than before. Suddenly, Harry outstretched his arm, preventing me from walking any farther. He moved his arm and pointed ahead of us.

There was something long and white on the ground—it was a unicorn, and it was dead. Its legs were twisted at a funny angle; they were broken. Its eyes were closed—silver blood drenched its mane, its single horn sparkling even after its life had ended.

We didn't get any farther than three steps before a figure slithered out from the trees to our left. Harry, Draco, and I stood transfixed as a silhouette in black emerged and knelt over the unicorn. My hand flew up to my throat as it leaned over the creature and began to drink its blood.

Fang barked madly and bolted. The three of us couldn't move for terror, and the black figure turned towards us—there was silver down its front.

Slowly, we backed away, but we weren't able to go far before Harry yelped in pain and clutched at his scar, kneeling in the leaves.

"Harry?" I exclaimed. I tried to grab his arm, to get him to his feet… it didn't look like he was able to. He simply grabbed at his scar, groaning in pain.

Malfoy was pinned to the spot as well, seeing that we weren't going anywhere. I seized his arm and yanked him behind me before dropping the lantern at my feet and retrieving my wand.

The creature was only ten feet away from us now, its teeth bared. If I didn't know better I'd say it was snarling at us—I had no idea what kind of jinx might affect it, but I had to try, I had to do something…

"Rictusem—"

The figure launched out an arm as if to grab my throat—

But suddenly, there was the sound of pounding hooves. I looked up just in time to see another creature leap over us and land right next to the hooded figure. It was a centaur—and it was defending us, kicking its front legs at the thing that killed the unicorn until it was driven off.

When the centaur turned around, there was a quizzical look in its silver eyes. It gazed over all of us, but froze when it saw Harry, who was finally starting to recuperate from whatever pain he had felt.

"You are the Potter boy," murmured the centaur. "Are you all right?"

"Yes—thank you—what was that?"

Instead of answering, the centaur stated, "You should get back quickly."

Feeling returned to my arms and legs. I nodded frantically and raised my wand, emitting showers of both green and red sparks, just in case. I figured that it would be safe to do so twice, just in case Hagrid and the others missed it the first time.

"Harry Potter, I must ask if I can speak to you alone."

The centaur's remark prompted me to gaze at Harry from the corner of my eye—I could see he was looking back at me. He nodded and followed the centaur to the opposite side of the clearing, effectively leaving me and Malfoy to ourselves.

An awkward silence settled between us for a moment. I honestly had no idea what to say, it wasn't like we were great friends or anything of the sort…

"That was brave."

I turned to look at him so fast that my neck almost popped. Noting my astonishment, Malfoy raised an eyebrow and chuckled, "You heard me right. I suppose I can see now why you were sorted into Gryffindor."

"You had doubts?"

Malfoy grinned, albeit a little sheepishly. "I… for a little while I was rather sure you'd be sorted into Slytherin."

He shrugged with this last, attempting to play it cool. But I remembered how he had watched my Sorting, how invested he had looked… and I couldn't help but wonder if he had wanted me in Slytherin.

I figured it wouldn't hurt to let him know how close I had been to having him as a housemate. "You know, that was the Sorting Hat's first instinct, too. It wanted to put me in Slytherin at first, but I guess… it changed its mind."

"Really."

The Slytherin didn't actually sound surprised by that. He simply nodded once or twice and seemed prepared to let it go.

I glanced back over at Harry. It appeared he and the centaur were still in deep conversation—and whatever it was seemed to be unnerving my friend. I figured that he would tell me what was going on later, back in the common room.

But in the meantime… I figured it wouldn't do to be Malfoy's enemy forever.

"So, you're Professor Snape's pet. What's going to be on our Potions final?"

Draco Malfoy scoffed at this title, but he was smirking nonetheless. "I'm not a pet to anyone. And even if I did know what was on the final, why would I tell you?"

"Because we've been partners all year and we could study together if you wanted, so telling me would be in your best interest?"

I made sure to raise an eyebrow and smirk at him with this last. He seemed a little taken aback by my offer to study with him, but noting my eventual shrug, it appeared he realized I was being genuine.

He ran a hand through his pale-blond hair and sighed, although the upturn to his lips suggested a restrained smile.

"Fine, Skylar, have it your way. But only if you spill what's on the Transfiguration final."

Even though I knew Professor McGonagall wouldn't give me any information on that whatsoever, I nodded and stuck out a hand anyway: "Deal."

Malfoy shook my hand, and then we were quiet again.

No sooner had we concluded this business transaction than we heard Hagrid's voice, shouting, "You lot alrigh' down there?"

Suddenly, our friend was in view, gazing at us in the clearing. Noting the centaur that was also present, Hagrid beamed and waved, exclaiming, "Oh, hullo Firenze!"

Firenze the centaur nodded and bowed before Hagrid before gesturing to the deceased unicorn and stating, "The unicorn you are searching for is over there," as he pointed to the white body on the ground. "And this is where I leave you, Harry Potter. You are safe now. Good luck… the planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

Then he trotted off before any of us could say another word.

Back in the common room, Harry declared that he had something to tell us. He insisted on grabbing Ron from sleep too so that way he wouldn't have to repeat himself.

Once we were all gathered, he spoke lowly: "Look, tonight while we were in the forest, Firenze told me that to slay a unicorn is a terrible thing. And when something drinks its blood—like the black figure we saw—they will live a cursed, half-life that will keep you alive even if you're about to die. He asked me if I knew anybody that would do that, and… I knew who he was talking about."

I gasped. "It can't be…"

Ron and Hermione gaped wordlessly at him as Harry nodded and resumed speaking. "Firenze also told me that the Sorcerer's Stone inside the castle can help Voldemort gain a body of his own! So now we know that Snape doesn't want the Stone for himself, he wants it for Voldemort, who's waiting in the forest…"

"Stop saying the name!" Ron hissed, terrified.

Harry, however, ignored him. "And the other day, I heard Quirrell pleading with Snape… Snape managed to get the information he needed to get past Quirrell's obstacle… so the only thing guarding the Stone now that Snape can't get through is Fluffy."

"Should we visit Hagrid in the morning?" I asked.

"No," replied Hermione. "Two days away are exams… I'm studying as much as I can until they're over. Good night."

This rendered the conversation as effectively over, and we dispatched into our separate dormitories. As I lay awake, however, a nagging feeling tore at me. Even though it had no name, I knew exactly what it was trying to tell me—that there was something else about all this Sorcerer's Stone business that we had yet to discover.