Fractal

Chapter Three

``````````````````````

"So we are safe here? How can you be sure? Didn't you say that there are spies all over the forest?" Draco asked Saron uncertainly. He looked about him; even in broad daylight the Forbidden Forest was creepy and intimidating, but he felt a lot better being able to see everything around him.

Yes, this place is safe. I am not sure why, but I do know that this particular tree has some sort of enchantment on it. You-Know-Who's spies never come within a few kilometres of it. Saron said, gesturing with his muzzle towards the huge, twisted tree that stood in the background, raising it's limbs up to the sky for it's futile nourishment. Draco looked it up and down; it most certainly was not a normal tree, for it was jet black all through, with little red vine-like structures running through it. It gave him the creeps, but if it would protect them both he supposed it was alright.

"Now then, how about telling me what happened? Also, why aren't you hurt more than that? Shouldn't something like that floor you?" Draco asked, reaching over to Saron's side and touching the shimmering wound. His silvery blood came off on his fingers but did not burn him. Saron twisted his head around, looking at Draco with his glossy black eyes.

This is just a minor wound. I managed to escape before whomever attacked me managed to get off a good, clear shot. It should heal over soon, but yes it does sting a bit. He said, licking at it gently. Draco curled up his legs to his chest and wrapped his arms around them, his mind drifting to Hogwarts. Would they miss him back at the school? He could just see Potter's face now, dancing and smiling with glee.

"Did you get a good look at your attacker?" He asked, blinking. The world came back into focus.

Not really. I think that it was human because it stood upright and was wearing this deep black cloak. It did have a wand, I know that. He attacked me with some sort of powerful spell. It was a powerful green column of light that barely missed me. This wound is from the heat radiating off that beam. Saron said, his body shivering as if he were back there again, living the moment. Draco put a hand on Saron's beautiful white mane, noting how much both of their hair looked the same. Though his may have been more blondish, it still looked eerily similar.

"Did you say...a green beam?" Draco said, his eyes widening a bit. It sounded a lot like that Unforgivable Curse that Mad-Eye Moody had taught them about, but it....well, it was impossible for any normal wizard to do. Still, it sent a shiver down his spine yet again. After a moment of consideration, Draco spoke up.

"I think that someone at Hogwarts or near to it attacked you, Saron." When the creature lifted his head and stared at Malfoy questioningly, he elaborated. "Well, they needed to have the cover of somewhere nearby, and the forbidden forest isn't exactly good on hiding places." Saron nodded, but didn't say anything. After a few moments of silence, Draco took his hand off Saron's mane and steepled his fingers nervously.

"This is bad....really bad. Very suspicious. You know what? I am going to help you find out who attacked you, because this may just be of concern to Hogwarts as well." Draco said softly, standing up. He stretched, pulling the kinks out of his back once more. Saron stood up as well, stepping to the small stream for another drink.

``````````````

Harry wore a crazy smile for most of the morning. Ron and Hermione, now worried more than anything about Draco, were beginning to become suspicious. When Harry had gone down to the kitchens for some food at Ron's request, the two took to chatting amongst themselves and other curious Gryffindors.

"Harry is acting weird. He's truly happy about Draco going missing. I knew that the two were arch-rivals, but we are just teenagers. I'm worried about Draco. I think that this is going just past some kind of prank that the Slytherins are pulling on us." Hermione reasoned, settling into the padded armchair by the fire.

"Yes, I agree. Have you seen the Slytherins? They are just as panicked, maybe more, than we are. This is no joke." Seamus commented from his position at a wooden table in the back. Consensus rolled through the Gryffindor ranks.

There came a noise at the Gryffindor portrait hole; Harry was back. All members of the 'committee' disbanded save for Hermione and Ron, and the two tried to look as normal as possible.

"Here Ron, I brought you some Chocolate Frogs." Harry said, dumping a small pile of the chocolates on Ron's lap. Being the boy that he was, Ron's face lit up and he thanked Harry a million times over before digging into his prize. Hermione just greeted Harry, and he stood there for a moment before retreating to his chambers. His two friends, one of them with their mouth stuffed full of chocolate, stared after him, wondering if everything was alright with him.

````````````````

"Saron, we've been walking all day. Can't you just run?" Draco asked, feeling numbness spread up into his butt. The unicorn shook his head, causing Draco to grab onto his mane for support.

I'm afraid we can't. You-Know-Who's spies are already alerted that we are in the forest, and I don't want to risk running into one of their outposts.

"Outposts?"

Receiving transmitters that the Dark Lord himself can hear through. If we pass close enough to one of these, he will be able to read your mind. I am immune to his effects, since I am a unicorn, but you are human.

"Ah, I see. Point taken. You will get me back to Hogwarts before the sun sets, won't you? I just hope that at least one person is looking for me." He sighed, feeling pain welling deep within his heart.

No one cares that you have disappeared? Saron asked incrediously. Draco sighed; he probably didn't have any friends or people that he 'spent time with', so he didn't know what he was thinking of. Either that or he had no idea of friendship.

"Probably not. You see, no one really likes me at Hogwarts."

Why not?

"Because I'm rather mean and spiteful. I don't like to be that way, however." Draco said, thinking maliciously of his father. God, he hated that man. When he was old enough - if his father hadn't already converted him into a Death Eater, which already seemed certain - he would move far, far away from him and live a nice life, away from his evil, tainted family.

If that is not your nature, why act that way? Saron asked him innocently. Draco sighed, trying to keep images of his mother and father out of his mind.

"Because that's the way my father wants me to be. I hate him so much." Young, pale fists clenched and unclenched as the two plodded along in silence, making stops and turns around various roots and trees, apparently 'transmitters'. How Saron knew which was which, Draco didn't know, but he trusted him. He trusted Saron more than he trusted himself.

That's sad. I feel for you. Saron remarked after a long, drawn out silence. The two said nothing much else as they trod through the forest towards Hogwarts, each having something undesirable on his mind.