Chapter 5: The Heart of the Forest

Hadrian and Antoninus, Daphne, and Ariana emerged from a large thick tree trunk within the Forbidden Forest.

"Are you certain this is safe?"

Despite being neutral and calm in her tone of voice, Daphne was still quite scared to venture into the forbidden forest. She had only even agreed to Hadrian's request as Hadrian and Antoninus both were coming, along with Ariana Selwyn, which she only started to get to know better. Daphne also needed an excuse to get away from Malfoy, who was now even more clingy and annoying after her father was duped to a meeting with Lucius on a future marriage contract.

Despite Cyrus' very obvious rejection, Lucius must have told Draco what he went to do, and hence Draco put a twist on his words and acting like they would be a married couple soon. Daphne was slightly upset at having to deal with this fuss again. Draco, however, didn't cross the line whilst Hadrian or Antoninus was nearby. He kept his more derogatory comments and rude remarks down and actually tried to be civilized when talking. Still… this was more then enough for Daphne to automatically say yes to Hadrian when he asked if she wanted to come with them to the Forbidden Forest.

"Don't worry, it is safe in here. The only creatures to fear here are the Acromantulas, which Antoninus and I have a decent relationship with. We won't be attacked unless we provoke them and go near their lair. Which we won't."

Ariana had also been quite nervous like Daphne. There was a reason this was called the Forbidden Forest. Ariana got over her nerves soon as she followed Hadrian and Antoninus inside the forest. The two of them walked with absolute confidence and poise, not rattled in the slightest. Hadrian's earlier comment also made it seem like he was already quite familiar with the forest and knew how to navigate it to a degree.

"Where are we-"

With a roar, a large group of centaurs leaped out of the shadows towards them with bows raised. A few had also pulled out swords at the sight of the four wizards. Ariana and Daphne flinched back instinctively and quickly shot their wands out of their wrist holsters and pointed them at the centaurs. Hadrian raised a hand in front of them, indicating to not attack.

"Greetings centaur, I am Hadrian-"

"We have no interest in who you are or what you want wizard. Get on your hands and knees, and drop your wands, or we will kill you where you stand."

"I assure you centaur, we only wish to talk and-"

A centaur from behind the one Hadrian was currently talking to fired an arrow at Daphne. Daphne had been taken by surprise and didn't react in time to block the incoming projectile.

PING!

The arrow was deflected off of a golden dome that suddenly surrounded Daphne. Daphne looked at Ariana and saw a slightly surprised expression. She hadn't drawn her wand. Daphne then turned to look at both Hadrian and Antoninus, and neither of them drew their wands either. Daphne then focused on Hadrian's hands, her eyes widened as she saw his index finger and middle finger tightly crossed together and pointed at her. Wandless magic! Hadrian had erected the golden dome, the defensive spell for blocking physical projectiles, Aegis Clipeum.

"Please, let us discuss, we only wish to talk. I can assure you that we mean-"

Hadrian was cut off again as multiple centaurs converged around them and drew their bows. Ariana and Daphne now were on wide alert and both girls turned around to look at the other centaurs. This pack of centaurs seem more vicious than usual. Some even wore bits and pieces of body armor, few wore shoulder plates, had swords strapped to their backs, and armor plates that protected their hips.

They were back to back with Hadrian and Antoninus. Daphne pressed her back against Hadrian, feeling a little bit more panicked. It seemed like the plan to get what they needed from the Forbidden Forest had gone south, the Centaurs weren't willing to even communicate with them. Daphne suddenly felt her back starting to heat up. My back is abnormally warm… Daphne was about to roll away until she realized that Hadrian was actually the cause of the rising heat.

"Now, there is no need to be so uncivilized, Mr. centaur, we can talk this out and-"

"FIRE!"

The centaurs released their arrows. Arrows came from all sides towards the four of them who stood in the centre of the converging rain of arrows. Losing his patience, Hadrian did just as the centaur spokesman said and let loose fire. True and terrifying fire. The blue flames exploded out at all sides in a circle around them, incinerating all the arrows fired by the centaurs. The fire now swept behind and across the centaurs, creating a circle of flame that stopped any of them from escaping. The centaurs turned around to see Hadrian walk towards them. Within his green emerald eyes burned a piercing blue flame.

The centaurs were now absolutely terrified of the young wizard. They hadn't expected that a young group of wizards posed that much of a threat. They thought they could push and scare them off and bend them to their will since they were so deep in centaur territory. A few centaurs even had lewd thoughts of having a go at the two girls there.

"I gave you your chance to negotiate. Now… I believe it is my turn to return fire won't you say?"

The centaur spokesman that conversed with Hadrian, well not really conversing as he mainly cut Hadrian off and refused to converse, didn't get another word in as he was hungrily devoured by the blue flames. The flames converged around the area, completely wiping out the herd of centaurs present. The flames were so strong that they didn't even leave a corpse, or even the ashes of that corpse behind. All the centaurs were disintegrated by the hot blue flames. Hadrian then brought the flames to a close and the bright light to illuminated that section of the forest was vanquished and the four stood in darkness again, with just the moonlight giving them visibility of the forest.

"So uncivilized… well then… let's continue."

Antoninus didn't spare another single thought of the recently disintegrated centaurs and walked in front. Hadrian also picked up the pace and followed Antoninus, continuing to walk forward. Daphne and Ariana both turned to each other and gave each other a nod. The two girls then quickly followed them forward. A sudden calmness now eroded upon both girls. After that dangerous gunpoint situation with the centaurs, both of them were more relaxed as they stood near Hadrian and Antoninus. The two of them were very capable of walking around the Forbidden Forest!

"Won't the centaurs tell the professors what happened? They will know that a student was wondering around here."

"That herd of centaurs wasn't from around here. Their body armour and ferocity indicate that. The centaurs that Hagrid is on good terms with don't wear armor and aren't that aggressive. Also, based on their possessions, they had been hunting animals and had camping supplies, ready to set up a camp. They most likely travelled from another heard. I took careful aim, I didn't damage any of the trees or roots."

Both girls then realized this. Hadrian's almost demonic blue flames had scorched only the centaurs, none of the trees were damaged. He had erased all evidence of even a struggle occurring! The two girls broke out of their thoughts as they began approaching an opening in the dark and near the light deprived forest.

"It is here Hadrian. Next to that tree."

Hadrian turned around and saw a large tree with chaotic roots weaving and spreading around it. The tree's roots were so large that they moved around and created multiple dark caves and alcoves inside the roots.

"This must be it. The heart of the forest."

Daphne and Ariana already began darting their eyes around the gigantic tree. This was the heart of the Forbidden Forest, the first tree that was ever planted by the Founders of Hogwarts that started off the Forbidden Forest.

"Quite the amazing sight, isn't it?"

Both girls nodded at Hadrian's comment. A snap was heard as both girls watched as Antoninus peeled off a large chunk of wood from the tree. What was Antoninus going to do with that? Make a wand?

"Alright, we have gotten what we came for, let us head back. We can come back another time to look at this spectacle…"

Daphne let her gaze linger on the tree before walking away with the rest of them. She was still quite confused as to what Hadrian wanted with the wood from this tree. Hadrian had told her he was coming out to the forest to get this, but not why he wanted it. Daphne frowned at his secretiveness. Most likely only Antoninus knows… or understands… perhaps he is the only one who understands… Daphne let her thoughts fade as she followed them back to the tree that they had come out of. Hadrian turned a leaf on the floor and the secret passageway back to Hogwarts opened again.

Draco paced back and forward whilst wearing a scowl on his face.

"Draco, it is too soon. Even if what you say about your marriage contract with Greengrass is true. You would need to usurp Potter as he is head Serpent. This is difficult as Potter has Black, the Carrow twins, and Selwyn in his pocket. Even if u can hold Greengrass down as you will be bound to her, it is still difficult as Potter himself is no slouch either."

"I know this Zabini! Why do you think I am annoyed! We don't have much time. If Potter is seen as capable and worthy of his role from our entire house then it will be too late for me to take action and seize control. I need to show myself as superior to him! Everyone should know that I am better than him! It should be me as Head Serpent!"

Nott and Parkinson watched on silently whilst Crabbe and Goyle munched on their treacle tarts. Draco then took a look at the nearly empty Serpents table and clenched his fists, knuckles nearly turning white. Greengrass told me she had Serpent business… then why are the Carrow twins and Burke sitting at the table? She is hiding from me!

Draco was conflicted from the conclusion he came to. On one hand, he was angry he was lied to, the other hand, this means Greengrass feared him and that was a good thing… or so Draco thought. Draco's thoughts were interupted as the entrance to the common room shifted open. Brick by brick unfolded to create a doorway as Hadrian entered with the other three Serpents behind them. They straight away began walking towards their table. Draco gritted his teeth together. I can't take on Potter with everyone around him… I need to find a way to split them up!

Hadrian had noticed Draco's silent venomous look at him long ago. He glanced and Daphne before sitting down at the table and casting the silencing ward, Quiescis Canetis, to prevent eavesdroppers. Hadrian left Draco Malfoy to his own devices for now, although, he needed to get Daphne's opinion on that matter soon. Hadrian was 100% certain that the ferret was looking for a way to claw his way into becoming a Serpent.

"So Hadrian-"

"Was this evening-"

"Oh so successful?"

Flora and Hestia looked at Hadrian with a glint in their eyes, wearing feral smiles on their faces.

"Very successful, we have the necessary materials now to begin making it."

Both Carrow twins' grins spread even wider.

"I am sorry, am I missing something? Begin making it? Begin making what?"

Burke spoke up at this moment. Daphne and Ariana were also equally interested, they weren't told what Hadrian was supposedly making. They only knew he needed the bark from the oldest ashwood tree from the heart of the Forbidden Forest, the first tree planted.

"You will all know in due time. This is a small project that the Carrow twins, Antoninus, and I are working on."

Burke pursed her lips and leaned back in her chair. Ariana looked at Hadrian curious but then dropped her inquiring gaze soon after, trusting him to keep his word. Daphne seemed a little offended Hadrian didn't tell her but didn't show it on her face. She also reluctantly to drop the matter and trust him.

"On other matters, what have you guys thought of Professor Lupin? Daphne, Antoninus, and I have DADA with him tomorrow. Is there anything we should be aware of?"

"Nothing much, he seems-"

"Normal-"

"For a DADA teacher."

"In fact, he actually-"

"Teaches the subject…"

"… quite well?"

Both Carrow twins looked quite puzzled towards the end. Quite well? That is quite high praise from the Carrow twins considered their usually… crazy tastes… this still is quite strange. Did our DADA teacher have no skeletons in his closet this year? Was he truly just a good teacher hired by Dumbledore? Hadrian then became silent for a brief second as he tried to recall Professor Lupin's name. Where had he heard that name before? It seemed somehow… familiar. Hadrian didn't like this sinking feeling he got. Antoninus noticed something wrong with him already, and I heard this name 'Lupin' somewhere before… this can't be a good thing…

"Hmmm, keep watching him. We can better understand our new DADA teacher after two weeks of analyzing his moves. I wonder if he really is what he is, a good teacher that is Dumbledore's middle man, or something else…"

The table became silent at Hadrian's speculation on their new DADA teacher.

"Alright then, that will be all for today. Everyone, remain vigilant… Daphne, stay behind, everyone else, you may go."

Daphne was quite puzzled for a moment as everyone began to leave.

"Come, let us go to a different venue. Certain onlookers would get the wrong idea."

Daphne's eyes perked up slightly at Hadrian's warning and carefully rotated her head around. From the corner of her eye, she caught Malfoy and his gang sitting around a couch area near a fireplace. Malfoy was not so subtly looking at the table area that they sat at. How is he so god damn persistent?

"Let's go."

Hadrian and Daphne both stood up. Hadrian dismissively waved his hand and the silencing ward was taken down. The sound began to flood back into their ears as they walked towards the dormitories. They then turned right before the dormitories to the invisible corridor that led to Sephiroth's Shrine. Hadrian pressed his hand to the spot on the smooth wall and a door formed in the smooth wall for him to open.

"So what did you want to discuss?"

"What is the current situation with Malfoy? I know he has been twisting the situation of the marriage contract Lucius is trying to impede on you. The quicker I get all the facts, the quicker I can devise a course of action to deal with him."

Daphne bit her lip to prevent even a hint of a blush rising to her face. She hadn't expected Hadrian to ask about this matter so straight-forwardly.

"It is as you say. He is simply putting a twist on it and pressuring me. It isn't anything I haven't dealt with before. He started this annoying pestering since before I even came to Hogwarts."

"I see."

Hadrian then walked over towards the pensive in the Shrine before drawing out his wand and pulling a silver strand of memory from his left temple. He then stored that memory in a vial and placed it in a cabinet in the pensive.

"Then we need to take action soon. You are no doubt aware Malfoy will be looking to try and gain one of the seats. He will try and turn the house on me and make me seem as if I am unfit for leadership. Thankfully, Malfoy has already earned a reputation of talking big and running first at the sight of danger. However, this won't stop doubt and second-thoughts from spreading amongst those in Slytherin."

Daphne nodded. She had thought Draco had been up to no good. He had been way too quiet when Hadrian or Antoninus were around. He even didn't make any snide remarks the other day on the Hogwarts Express. He only was boisterous and annoying when it was just her and Tracey.

"Draco's abysmal display of skill recently with the hippogriff will buy me some time. I will be able to easily outmanoeuvre him with Antoninus showing him up then and displaying his control over Aqua Eructo… as for you Daphne, be careful of what you drink and eat."

Daphne's eyebrows shot up slightly. Was Malfoy going to go that far?

"Malfoy won't play by the rules, just like how I never have either. You need to be on guard against all available options, such as spiked drinks. If he sways you over, then… let's just say you won't like what happens."

Daphne's eyes hardened, just the thought of being helpless to Malfoy made her want to puke.

"I'd advise to always have Tracey or someone else with you. Antoninus and I won't always be around as we are working on the project. We can be near you when we leave for classes as our schedule is the same. Just be careful on weekends and the upcoming Hogsmeade trips. I know you can hold your own and are a capable enough occlumens to fight against the Imperius. However, you need to be prepared. Malfoy has a gang around him, even if it is 1v5 or 2v5, those odds are not in your favour."

Daphne grimly nodded.

"I will."

"Good, that is all. Once the Carrow twins, Antoninus, and I finish our little project, I'll let you keep it for the rest of this year. You won't need to worry about Malfoy after that."

Daphne walked back to her room after Hadrian finished talking to her. She was utterly confused about what Hadrian meant. He would let me keep it? As a gift? Daphne shook these thoughts out of her head as she undid her ponytail. Her blonde hair now flowing down her back as she picked out her pyjamas and went to go take a shower.