The Other Side of the Mirror
Year One
Chapter Six
-The Dragon and the Forbidden Forest-
Draco sat at the long table in the middle of the library, working on his Charms essay. They had to write two feet on practical charms that every witch and wizard should know and were easy to learn. His wand lay next to the parchment, because earlier he had been practicing wand movements.
He was working on the last few inches when someone cried, "Watch out!" and a large ink bottle landed upturned on Draco's essay. His parchment was now a black mess.
He leapt up, his temper flaring. He glared at Longbottom, who was picking himself up off of his feet. "Longbottom," Draco growled.
Longbottom looked at Draco and, seeing the look on Draco's face, he scrambled back, pure terror on his face.
"I have been working on that for hours!" Draco yelled, pointing at the ruined mess on the table. "And you come by with one swift movement and ruin it!"
"I- I'm sorry!" Longbottom squeaked as Draco picked up his wand, making sure the ink hadn't touched it.
Draco shook his head in disgust. "I don't even know why they made you a Gryffindor. You're a pathetic coward and you ruin everything you touch!"
"But I didn't mean it!"
"Well," Draco said, sneering, "I've been looking for someone to practice on and since you're the only one available at the moment, I'll use you. It's the least you deserve after ruining my essay."
Longbottom tried to run away but Draco yelled "Locomotor Mortis!" and Longbottom collapsed onto the ground, his legs locked from the Leg-Locker Curse. Longbottom pulled himself up using the table and hopped out of the library.
Draco sat down and, looking at the black blob that had once been his essay, he groaned. This was going to take him forever. ~ ~ ~
Draco, needless to say, managed to write another essay and turn it in the next day. He was pleased to see that every time Longbottom spotted him, he would squeal and run in the other direction. Maybe he'll stay away from me now and stop messing up everything! Draco thought.
After long hours spent in the library, studying for tests and working on homework, the weekend finally came. The Quidditch match, Hufflepuff against Gryffindor, would decide whether or not Gryffindor came out ahead of Slytherin. Draco sincerely hoped that Hufflepuff would win, but he very much doubted it. The Hufflepuff team was a very sorry team and Draco had a feeling that Gryffindor would smash them. The good thing was, Snape was refereeing and Draco knew that Snape wouldn't let the Gryffindors get away with anything, especially if it threatened Slytherins place in the house championship.
As they entered the stands, Draco spotted Weasley, Longbottom, and Granger standing in the stands where a few of the houses had mixed. Draco looked at Crabbe and Goyle. "I want to speak with Potter's little friends. Longbottom deserves a nice little visit from me, doesn't he?"
"Oh, yeah," Crabbe said, laughing.
"Longbottom's so scared of you, he'll probably jump onto the pitch!" Goyle cried.
"I doubt he's talented enough to get into his seat, much less jump over the ledge and onto the pitch," Draco said, smirking.
As they made their way towards Weasley and Longbottom, the match began. Draco watched as one of the Hufflepuffs sped toward his goal, two Gryffindors hot on his tail.
Draco stopped directly behind Weasley. "I've never seen Snape look so mean," Weasley said. "Look - they're off." At that point, Draco deliberately bumped into him as he looked up at Potter.
"Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there," Draco said, grinning at Crabbe and Goyle. Weasley turned around to glare at him. "Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?" Draco asked, looking at Weasley.
"And a penalty is awarded to Hufflepuff!" the announcer called. Draco glanced up as the Hufflepuff Chaser heaved the Quaffle through the hoop, scoring.
Draco glanced at Potter, who was searching for the Snitch. "You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" Draco asked as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty. Please let Hufflepuff win! "Its people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money - you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains," Draco added, sneering at Longbottom.
Longbottom looked at Malfoy, his face bright red. "I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy," he stammered.
Draco burst out laughing and Crabbe and Goyle howled with laughter.
"Longbottom, if brains were gold, you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something."
"I'm warning you, Malfoy - one more word -"
"Ron!" Granger yelled, "Harry -!"
"What? Where?"
Draco turned his attention to the match and to Potter, who had suddenly gone into a sharp dive. Even Draco had to admit, it was pretty impressive. "You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's obviously spotted some money on the ground!" Draco said, smirking.
Suddenly Weasley leapt at him, wrestling him to the ground. "Get off me Weasley!" Draco yelled as Weasley tried to punch him. Draco heard Crabbe and Goyle scuffling and a squeak told him that it was with Longbottom. Draco rolled under the seats as Weasley threw another punch. Then Draco swung his fist, hitting Weasley in the face, making his nose bleed. As Weasley hit him in the side of his face, Draco heard the announcer yell, "GRYFFINDOR WINS!" Draco threw Weasley off of him and scrambled up.
"Come on," Draco said and Crabbe and Goyle quickly ran after him back to the school, as the rest of the students filtered out of the stands. ~ ~ ~
Later that evening, Draco sat on a couch in the common room, holding a bag of ice against his cheek where it had gone black and blue. "What happened to you?" Brandon asked, sitting down on the other couch.
"Weasley," Draco growled, grimacing as a sharp stab of pain came from his bruise.
"Good for nothing Weasleys, why do they always have to go and make trouble?"
"Tell me about it. I have the bruise to prove it."
"Well that just makes the rest of my term," Terrace said sarcastically, plopping down on the couch.
"What?" Draco asked.
"Gryffindor is in the lead with the house championship."
"We know that," Draco said, rolling his eyes. He winced as the movement jarred his cheek.
"It gets better."
"Really? Enlighten us," Draco said.
"We have a huge test in Potions tomorrow."
Draco groaned. "Bloody hell, I'm done for. I haven't studied yet. What's it over?"
"The twelve uses of dragon blood and all the herbs on page 312."
"Book time," Brandon said and opened his bag. He pulled out the large Potions book, opening it.
Terrace scooted closer and Draco moved himself up to sitting position.
Until midnight, they studied that page until they had memorized it and Draco was so sick of Dittany and Yarrow and Dragon's blood that he didn't want to think about anything except a nice long sleep. He stumbled upstairs and threw himself onto his bed, falling asleep the instant his head hit his pillow.
~ ~ ~
One morning, Draco was leaving breakfast and heading for History of Magic, when he overheard Weasley and Potter talking, coming down the hall.
"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" he heard Weasley exclaim as they rounded the corner. Dragon? Draco stopped in mid-stride, listening.
"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing -"
Draco looked back at them, his eyes wide. Then he smirked as they stopped and looked at him wide-eyed. He strode away, heading for class. A dragon, really? Well, we'll just have to see about that. I think the professors might find it very interesting that Hagrid is hatching a dragon. Of course, I'll have to check it out myself, first, but oooohhh, Potter you're in for it! Finally, something to get back at him for everything.
As Draco sat through History of Magic, he kept glancing out the window. He sighed as Professor Binns droned on and on. At one point, he even stifled a yawn. Draco glanced at Crabbe, who had fallen asleep on his book, and Goyle, who was doodling on a piece of parchment. Draco sat back, closing his eyes.
Finally, the bell sounded, ending the class. Showtime, Draco thought as he walked down a corridor. Crabbe was rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I'm going to go study some more in the library," Draco said.
"I'll see you back in the common room," Crabbe said sleepily.
"Have fun doing work," Goyle said and they left Draco. Draco wound his way through the halls until he reached a small courtyard. He passed under a large arched tunnel and out onto the other side, where he could see Hagrid's hut in the distance. He crept slowly over to the hut and, using a barrel, he climbed up so that he was eye-level with the small window. He watched in wide-eyed fascination as Hagrid placed a large egg on the table in front of Potter, Weasley, and Granger. The eggshell cracked and a dragon crawled out. A real dragon! Bloody hell, that's so wicked! The dragon looked at Hagrid as he petted it. Suddenly Hagrid looked at the window where Draco was and Draco knew he had been seen.
Draco's eyes went wide as he stumbled off of the barrel and sprinted as fast as he could towards the castle. Professor Snape will be very please to hear about this, as will Professor McGonagall.
Draco sprinted to the dungeons and through the empty Potions classroom to Snape's office. "Professor Snape, sir?" Draco said carefully, waiting at the door.
Snape looked up at him from behind his cluttered desk and gave a small smile. "Mr. Malfoy, what can I do for you?"
"Well, sir," Draco began, stepping into the room. It all came out in a rush. "Potter and his friends are hatching a dragon egg in Hagrid's hut and they're keeping it there, and they saw me so I ran here as fast as I could."
"I see," Snape said, his lips curling into a sneer. "Potter, why am I not surprised? You are sure of this?"
Draco nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"Very well, see if anything develops with Potter's little dragon and give me a week. Then, that dragon will be gone before you can say Quidditch, and Potter and his friends will be in serious trouble."
Draco smirked. "Yes, sir."
"Watch them closely, but don't let them know what is going to happen." Snape smiled. "Finally, something Potter can't squirm his way out of." Draco heard him say as Draco left Snape's office and headed back to the common room.
~ ~ ~
During the next week, Draco didn't speak one word about the dragon; however, every time he saw Potter or his friends, he gave them a slight smirk, laughing silently at the nervous looks on their faces.
Draco was in the common room, looking through his History of Magic book, working on his time-line, when Crabbe and Goyle walked in. They walked over to Draco, who was sitting at one of the tables.
"Did you get that burn fixed?" Draco asked, looking at Crabbe, who had, the previous night, dropped his book near the fire and while retrieving it, had burned his hand.
Crabbe nodded. "Weasley's there too," he said.
Draco perked up instantly. "Really? Do you know why?"
Crabbe shrugged. "I heard him tell Madame Pomfrey that he got bit by a dog."
Draco smiled, chuckling softly. The dragon, I knew it! Hah, I gotta see this. "He's there now?"
Crabbe nodded and Draco stood. "Where are you going?" Goyle asked.
"To see Weasley of course."
Draco left the common room and headed to the hospital wing. As he entered the wing, Madam Pomfrey rushed over to him. "Do you need something, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked.
"Yes," Draco said, nodding. "I know that Ron is in here and I need to borrow his Potions book. You see, I let someone else borrow mine, and since Ron has already studied, I wanted to see if I could borrow his."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Very well, but don't keep him too long. He needs his rest."
"I won't," Draco said, sliding past Madam Pomfrey. He walked over to the bed where Weasley was lying down, his hand covered in bandages. "Well, well, look at what we have here. Nice bite you got there Weasley," Draco said, smirking. He laughed.
Weasley sat up, glaring at him. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Oh, I just need to borrow your Potions book and I wanted to get a good laugh for the day."
"Not a chance."
"Really?" Draco said, raising his eyebrows. "Well, if you're going to be so unreasonable, I suppose I'll just have to go and tell Madam Pomfrey what really bit you. I'm sure she'd be very interested in how you managed to get a dragon bite," Draco said, smirking.
"You're not getting my book," Weasley growled.
"I'm not? Very well, Madam Pomfrey!" Draco called.
"Alright, alright!" Weasley whispered as Madam Pomfrey walked over.
"Do you need something?"
"Yes," Draco said, glancing at Weasley, who was looking at him, mouthing "No!" Draco looked at Madam Pomfrey. "Ron here, is really thirsty and I don't know where to get the water from."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Well, you're tiring him out, Mr. Malfoy. You will need to leave. Have you collected your book?"
Draco looked at Weasley, who gave him a glare that could kill the dead and handed Draco his Potions book. "Now I do." Draco stood.
"Then you can leave now," she said.
Draco nodded. "Of course." With one last smirk at Weasley, Draco left the hospital wing and headed back to the common room. There were several Slytherins in the common room, but none of his friends at the time. Draco walked over to a table and set down the Potions book.
He finished his time-line and was picking up his books, when he glanced back at Weasley's Potions book. He shrugged and picked up the book. A piece of parchment fluttered out of it, landing on the ground. Interesting. Draco thought as he set his books down. He squatted down and picked up the piece of parchment and found that it was a letter.
Dear Ron,
How are you? Thanks for the letter - I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon. Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.
Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love, Charlie
Draco smirked. Saturday at midnight. If I catch them, I'll earn so many points! And Gryffindor will lose so many points, they won't have a chance of beating us for the House Cup.
Draco folded the letter and put it into his pocket and picked up his books, including Weasley's. He headed for the library.
As he was walking through the courtyard, he ran into Crabbe and Goyle. "So, how was Weasley's bite?" Goyle asked.
"Did a dog actually bite him? Where did he find one?" Crabbe asked.
"No, Crabbe, it wasn't a dog," Draco said, smirking. "It was a dragon."
"A dragon? Wicked!" Goyle exclaimed.
"The best part is that I have a note telling when they are going to try to get rid of it. I'm going to catch them and then I'll get those points back that we lost from the Quidditch match and other little things."
Draco heard a soft footfall and glanced over his shoulder as Longbottom hurriedly walked by. When Draco glared at him, Longbottom squeaked and ran off. Draco rolled his eyes.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed. "Brilliant," Goyle said.
"I know," Draco said smugly. "Well, I'm off to study."
"More?" Crabbe asked.
"That can't be good for you," Goyle said.
"Goyle, unlike you, I actually care what I get in my classes. After last term, I have to do better, or my father will be very displeased."
Goyle nodded. "Right. We'll be back at the common room."
"See you there," Draco said and they parted ways.
As Draco was studying his Herbology notes, the last thing he had to do, he spotted Weasley talking to Potter over at a table. He picked up Weasley's book and put his own books back into his bag. He slung his bag over his shoulder and as he walked past them, he dropped Weasley's book on the table. He kept walking.
~ ~ ~
Saturday night, as it drew closer to midnight, Draco waited in the common room, watching it empty out as the other Slytherins went to bed. Crabbe and Goyle had left a while ago; Draco insisted that he still had to study.
Just after eleven o'clock, Draco left the common room and headed to Professor McGonagall's classroom.
He stepped into the Transfiguration classroom tentatively. "Professor?" he said slowly.
She looked up at him from behind her desk as he walked down the center aisle. "Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing up at this hour?"
"I - I had to tell you, Professor. I overheard Potter and his friends talking. They're trying to sneak a dragon up to one of the towers and give it to Weasley's brother Charlie. I thought that you should know."
Professor McGonagall nodded curtly. "We shall see about this. Come with me." She stood and Draco followed her out of her classroom.
As soon as they had stepped into the corridor, Draco saw Potter, Weasley, and Granger walking towards them. Draco looked at them smugly as they froze in their tracks, staring at Professor McGonagall. "Good evening," she said. "Come with me."
She walked back into the classroom, Potter, Weasley, and Granger following behind. Draco trailed behind, smirking. Hah! Finally, something that they can't get out of!
McGonagall walked behind her desk and looked angrily at Potter, Weasley, and Granger, who had come to a stop in front of her desk. Draco stood off to one side, watching them smugly.
"Wandering around in the middle of the night," McGonagall said, shaking her head. "Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"Fifty?!" Potter asked in disbelief.
"Each." Draco smirked as Potter and his friends looked dismayed. "And all four of you will receive detention."
The smirk vanished from Draco's face. What? He stepped forward. "Excuse me Professor, but I thought you said 'the four of us'."
"You heard me correctly, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said sternly, looking at him. "You see, as noble as your intentions were, you were also out of bed."
Draco groaned inwardly, looking at Potter and his friends, who were smirking at him. It's not fair. How come I always get into trouble, no matter what I do, and Potter rarely gets in trouble. I wish I could wipe that smirk off of his face.
~ ~ ~
The next morning, however, brightened Draco's mood. Potter and his friends had managed to make Gryffindor house lose one hundred and fifty points, putting Slytherin at the top for the House Cup. Everyone hated Potter and his friends now, except of course, the Slytherins, who clapped and hollered every time Potter and his friends walked by them.
"Way to go Potter! Thanks!" Brandon yelled as he and Draco passed Potter and his friends in the corridor.
At breakfast, Draco received a note.
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.
Professor M. McGonagall
Draco groaned. Detention. Just what I want to do.
At eleven o'clock, Draco headed to the entrance hall and walked over to Filch, who was waiting by the stairs, Mrs. Norris in his arms. Filch didn't say anything to him and they waited in silence. A few minutes later, Potter, Weasley, Granger, and to Draco's surprise, Longbottom, appeared, walking over to them.
"Follow me," Filch said, lighting a lamp and leading them outside. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? 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 . . . hang 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. I miss the screaming." Draco swallowed hard. "Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."
As they walked across the dark grounds, Draco wondered what they were going to have to do. I hope it's nothing too horrible. He thought.
Then they heard a distant shout. "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."
Draco glanced at Potter, who looked relieved that they were serving detention with Hagrid. Draco, on the other hand, wasn't too sure.
"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."
Longbottom moaned and Draco stopped dead in his tracks, looking at Filch with his eye-wide. He could feel his heart beating rapidly and his hands were slightly sweaty.
"The forest?" Draco repeated, fear creeping into his voice. "We can't go in there. First-years aren't allowed. And besides, there are - werewolves in there," Draco said, swallowing hard. The forest! There was no way they are getting me to go in there!
"That's your problem, isn't it?" Filch said and Draco could practically see the glee written all over Filch's face. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"
At that point, Hagrid walked over to them, his dog at his heels. He had a large crossbow and a quiver of arrows was slung over his back. That sight didn't make Draco feel any better about where they were going.
"Abou' time," Hagrid said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione?"
"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," Filch said coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."
"That's why yer late, is it? Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here."
"I'll be back at dawn," Filch said, "for what's left of them," he added nastily and headed back to the castle.
Draco looked at Hagrid. "I'm not going in that forest," Draco said, panic rising in his chest and seeping into his voice.
Hagrid looked at him coolly. "Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts. Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay for it."
"But this is servant stuff," Draco said disdainfully, "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 summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on"
Draco didn't move; instead, he glared at Hagrid. That stupid oaf! He's going to get us all killed! Draco dropped his gaze, now glaring at the ground. This wasn't right!
"Right then," Hagrid said, "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."
They followed Hagrid to the edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze passed over Draco's face, rustling his cloak as he looked into he forest, gulping.
"Look there," Hagrid said, "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 beast. We might have ter put it out of its misery."
"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Draco asked fearfully.
"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang," Hagrid said. "An' keep 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 been staggerin' around since last night at least."
"Then I get Fang," Draco said quickly, glancing at the dog.
"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a bloody coward," Hagrid said. Draco groaned inwardly, dismay written all over his face. "So me, Harry, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Ger yer wands out an' practice now - that's it - an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeah - so, be careful - let's go."
Draco watched as Hagrid led Potter and Granger to the left and then Draco walked down the right, Longbottom and Fang behind him. Using the light of the little lamp that Hagrid had given him, Draco searched the ground. I am here in the Forbidden Forest and with Longbottom off all people! Even Potter would be better. Longbottom would run if a fly flew in front of his face! And I'm not too keen on the idea of walking around this forest.
Draco heard the crackling of leaves and froze in his tracks. Off in the dark trees, he saw something slithering through the dead leaves, and what sounded like a cloak trailing over the ground. Draco could feel his heart thump wildly and he swallowed. Then the sound began to fade and Draco turned back to the patch. Longbottom and Fang had walked up a bit and Draco saw his chance. He didn't want to be here any longer, and much less with Longbottom. Draco crept silently behind Longbottom and tapped his shoulder. Longbottom squealed and shot red sparks into the air.
"What'd you do that for?" Longbottom squeaked.
Draco shrugged as Hagrid bounded out onto the path. "Malfoy, shoud've known." Hagrid shook his head in disgust and led them back to the rest of the group.
"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups - Neville, you stay with me an' Hermione, Harry, you go with Fan an' this idiot." Draco glared at Hagrid. How dare that stupid oaf call me an idiot!
They split up again, this time Draco was with Potter, which was better than Longbottom. Draco knew that Potter was braver than himself and Draco felt slightly better about walking around the forest. I don't like this. There are things everywhere! We're going to get killed out here and it's all because of that oaf and his stupid dragon. "We shouldn't have to do this sort of stuff. It's not our place," Draco said, trying to keep his voice steady and confident as he held up the lantern.
"If I didn't know any better, Draco, I'd say you were scared," Potter said as they walked.
"Scared, Potter?" Draco spat, rolling his eyes, trying desperately to remain confident. Suddenly Draco heard that slithering sound and looked around wildly. "Did you hear that?"
Potter didn't answer and Draco shook his head. It's gone, whatever it was. He held up the lantern and kept walking. "Scared," Draco muttered.
Soon the trees began to get so thick that they had a hard time following the path. Draco could have sworn that the blood had become thicker and it was everywhere.
"Look -" Potter said, holding his arm out in front of Draco.
Draco stopped and looked ahead of them at a clearing. In the clearing was a unicorn, but it was dead. Potter took a step forward, while Draco remained frozen in his tracks.
Suddenly, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Draco stared at it, wide-eyed, frozen in shock. His heartbeat quickened. Draco watched in horror as the thing crawled over to the unicorn and began to drink its blood.
Draco had had enough. I'm getting out of here! Draco screamed as the thing looked at them and he bolted away as fast as he could, Fang at his heels.
He sprinted as fast as he could and shot red sparks up into the air. Hagrid, Granger, and Longbottom ran to Draco, who had stopped on the path, breathing hard. "It - it's Potter! There's a thing - it drank the unicorn blood!" Draco gasped.
"Come on!" Hagrid yelled and they raced after him.
When they reached the clearing, Draco saw that Harry standing beside a centaur. The shadow thing was no where to be seen. "Harry! Harry, are you all right?" Hagrid asked.
"I'm fine," Potter said. "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."
Draco watched as Hagrid walked over to the unicorn and checked it. The centaur leapt back into the forest.
As they walked back to the castle, Draco thought, I'm going to have nightmares about this. First we see that thing in the forest, and I'll never forget that. And then I run when Potter stays. I feel like such a coward. I'm never going to fall asleep tonight.
Year One
Chapter Six
-The Dragon and the Forbidden Forest-
Draco sat at the long table in the middle of the library, working on his Charms essay. They had to write two feet on practical charms that every witch and wizard should know and were easy to learn. His wand lay next to the parchment, because earlier he had been practicing wand movements.
He was working on the last few inches when someone cried, "Watch out!" and a large ink bottle landed upturned on Draco's essay. His parchment was now a black mess.
He leapt up, his temper flaring. He glared at Longbottom, who was picking himself up off of his feet. "Longbottom," Draco growled.
Longbottom looked at Draco and, seeing the look on Draco's face, he scrambled back, pure terror on his face.
"I have been working on that for hours!" Draco yelled, pointing at the ruined mess on the table. "And you come by with one swift movement and ruin it!"
"I- I'm sorry!" Longbottom squeaked as Draco picked up his wand, making sure the ink hadn't touched it.
Draco shook his head in disgust. "I don't even know why they made you a Gryffindor. You're a pathetic coward and you ruin everything you touch!"
"But I didn't mean it!"
"Well," Draco said, sneering, "I've been looking for someone to practice on and since you're the only one available at the moment, I'll use you. It's the least you deserve after ruining my essay."
Longbottom tried to run away but Draco yelled "Locomotor Mortis!" and Longbottom collapsed onto the ground, his legs locked from the Leg-Locker Curse. Longbottom pulled himself up using the table and hopped out of the library.
Draco sat down and, looking at the black blob that had once been his essay, he groaned. This was going to take him forever. ~ ~ ~
Draco, needless to say, managed to write another essay and turn it in the next day. He was pleased to see that every time Longbottom spotted him, he would squeal and run in the other direction. Maybe he'll stay away from me now and stop messing up everything! Draco thought.
After long hours spent in the library, studying for tests and working on homework, the weekend finally came. The Quidditch match, Hufflepuff against Gryffindor, would decide whether or not Gryffindor came out ahead of Slytherin. Draco sincerely hoped that Hufflepuff would win, but he very much doubted it. The Hufflepuff team was a very sorry team and Draco had a feeling that Gryffindor would smash them. The good thing was, Snape was refereeing and Draco knew that Snape wouldn't let the Gryffindors get away with anything, especially if it threatened Slytherins place in the house championship.
As they entered the stands, Draco spotted Weasley, Longbottom, and Granger standing in the stands where a few of the houses had mixed. Draco looked at Crabbe and Goyle. "I want to speak with Potter's little friends. Longbottom deserves a nice little visit from me, doesn't he?"
"Oh, yeah," Crabbe said, laughing.
"Longbottom's so scared of you, he'll probably jump onto the pitch!" Goyle cried.
"I doubt he's talented enough to get into his seat, much less jump over the ledge and onto the pitch," Draco said, smirking.
As they made their way towards Weasley and Longbottom, the match began. Draco watched as one of the Hufflepuffs sped toward his goal, two Gryffindors hot on his tail.
Draco stopped directly behind Weasley. "I've never seen Snape look so mean," Weasley said. "Look - they're off." At that point, Draco deliberately bumped into him as he looked up at Potter.
"Oh, sorry, Weasley, didn't see you there," Draco said, grinning at Crabbe and Goyle. Weasley turned around to glare at him. "Wonder how long Potter's going to stay on his broom this time? Anyone want a bet? What about you, Weasley?" Draco asked, looking at Weasley.
"And a penalty is awarded to Hufflepuff!" the announcer called. Draco glanced up as the Hufflepuff Chaser heaved the Quaffle through the hoop, scoring.
Draco glanced at Potter, who was searching for the Snitch. "You know how I think they choose people for the Gryffindor team?" Draco asked as Snape awarded Hufflepuff another penalty. Please let Hufflepuff win! "Its people they feel sorry for. See, there's Potter, who's got no parents, then there's the Weasleys, who've got no money - you should be on the team, Longbottom, you've got no brains," Draco added, sneering at Longbottom.
Longbottom looked at Malfoy, his face bright red. "I'm worth twelve of you, Malfoy," he stammered.
Draco burst out laughing and Crabbe and Goyle howled with laughter.
"Longbottom, if brains were gold, you'd be poorer than Weasley, and that's saying something."
"I'm warning you, Malfoy - one more word -"
"Ron!" Granger yelled, "Harry -!"
"What? Where?"
Draco turned his attention to the match and to Potter, who had suddenly gone into a sharp dive. Even Draco had to admit, it was pretty impressive. "You're in luck, Weasley, Potter's obviously spotted some money on the ground!" Draco said, smirking.
Suddenly Weasley leapt at him, wrestling him to the ground. "Get off me Weasley!" Draco yelled as Weasley tried to punch him. Draco heard Crabbe and Goyle scuffling and a squeak told him that it was with Longbottom. Draco rolled under the seats as Weasley threw another punch. Then Draco swung his fist, hitting Weasley in the face, making his nose bleed. As Weasley hit him in the side of his face, Draco heard the announcer yell, "GRYFFINDOR WINS!" Draco threw Weasley off of him and scrambled up.
"Come on," Draco said and Crabbe and Goyle quickly ran after him back to the school, as the rest of the students filtered out of the stands. ~ ~ ~
Later that evening, Draco sat on a couch in the common room, holding a bag of ice against his cheek where it had gone black and blue. "What happened to you?" Brandon asked, sitting down on the other couch.
"Weasley," Draco growled, grimacing as a sharp stab of pain came from his bruise.
"Good for nothing Weasleys, why do they always have to go and make trouble?"
"Tell me about it. I have the bruise to prove it."
"Well that just makes the rest of my term," Terrace said sarcastically, plopping down on the couch.
"What?" Draco asked.
"Gryffindor is in the lead with the house championship."
"We know that," Draco said, rolling his eyes. He winced as the movement jarred his cheek.
"It gets better."
"Really? Enlighten us," Draco said.
"We have a huge test in Potions tomorrow."
Draco groaned. "Bloody hell, I'm done for. I haven't studied yet. What's it over?"
"The twelve uses of dragon blood and all the herbs on page 312."
"Book time," Brandon said and opened his bag. He pulled out the large Potions book, opening it.
Terrace scooted closer and Draco moved himself up to sitting position.
Until midnight, they studied that page until they had memorized it and Draco was so sick of Dittany and Yarrow and Dragon's blood that he didn't want to think about anything except a nice long sleep. He stumbled upstairs and threw himself onto his bed, falling asleep the instant his head hit his pillow.
~ ~ ~
One morning, Draco was leaving breakfast and heading for History of Magic, when he overheard Weasley and Potter talking, coming down the hall.
"Hermione, how many times in our lives are we going to see a dragon hatching?" he heard Weasley exclaim as they rounded the corner. Dragon? Draco stopped in mid-stride, listening.
"We've got lessons, we'll get into trouble, and that's nothing to what Hagrid's going to be in when someone finds out what he's doing -"
Draco looked back at them, his eyes wide. Then he smirked as they stopped and looked at him wide-eyed. He strode away, heading for class. A dragon, really? Well, we'll just have to see about that. I think the professors might find it very interesting that Hagrid is hatching a dragon. Of course, I'll have to check it out myself, first, but oooohhh, Potter you're in for it! Finally, something to get back at him for everything.
As Draco sat through History of Magic, he kept glancing out the window. He sighed as Professor Binns droned on and on. At one point, he even stifled a yawn. Draco glanced at Crabbe, who had fallen asleep on his book, and Goyle, who was doodling on a piece of parchment. Draco sat back, closing his eyes.
Finally, the bell sounded, ending the class. Showtime, Draco thought as he walked down a corridor. Crabbe was rubbing his eyes sleepily. "I'm going to go study some more in the library," Draco said.
"I'll see you back in the common room," Crabbe said sleepily.
"Have fun doing work," Goyle said and they left Draco. Draco wound his way through the halls until he reached a small courtyard. He passed under a large arched tunnel and out onto the other side, where he could see Hagrid's hut in the distance. He crept slowly over to the hut and, using a barrel, he climbed up so that he was eye-level with the small window. He watched in wide-eyed fascination as Hagrid placed a large egg on the table in front of Potter, Weasley, and Granger. The eggshell cracked and a dragon crawled out. A real dragon! Bloody hell, that's so wicked! The dragon looked at Hagrid as he petted it. Suddenly Hagrid looked at the window where Draco was and Draco knew he had been seen.
Draco's eyes went wide as he stumbled off of the barrel and sprinted as fast as he could towards the castle. Professor Snape will be very please to hear about this, as will Professor McGonagall.
Draco sprinted to the dungeons and through the empty Potions classroom to Snape's office. "Professor Snape, sir?" Draco said carefully, waiting at the door.
Snape looked up at him from behind his cluttered desk and gave a small smile. "Mr. Malfoy, what can I do for you?"
"Well, sir," Draco began, stepping into the room. It all came out in a rush. "Potter and his friends are hatching a dragon egg in Hagrid's hut and they're keeping it there, and they saw me so I ran here as fast as I could."
"I see," Snape said, his lips curling into a sneer. "Potter, why am I not surprised? You are sure of this?"
Draco nodded. "I saw it with my own eyes."
"Very well, see if anything develops with Potter's little dragon and give me a week. Then, that dragon will be gone before you can say Quidditch, and Potter and his friends will be in serious trouble."
Draco smirked. "Yes, sir."
"Watch them closely, but don't let them know what is going to happen." Snape smiled. "Finally, something Potter can't squirm his way out of." Draco heard him say as Draco left Snape's office and headed back to the common room.
~ ~ ~
During the next week, Draco didn't speak one word about the dragon; however, every time he saw Potter or his friends, he gave them a slight smirk, laughing silently at the nervous looks on their faces.
Draco was in the common room, looking through his History of Magic book, working on his time-line, when Crabbe and Goyle walked in. They walked over to Draco, who was sitting at one of the tables.
"Did you get that burn fixed?" Draco asked, looking at Crabbe, who had, the previous night, dropped his book near the fire and while retrieving it, had burned his hand.
Crabbe nodded. "Weasley's there too," he said.
Draco perked up instantly. "Really? Do you know why?"
Crabbe shrugged. "I heard him tell Madame Pomfrey that he got bit by a dog."
Draco smiled, chuckling softly. The dragon, I knew it! Hah, I gotta see this. "He's there now?"
Crabbe nodded and Draco stood. "Where are you going?" Goyle asked.
"To see Weasley of course."
Draco left the common room and headed to the hospital wing. As he entered the wing, Madam Pomfrey rushed over to him. "Do you need something, Mr. Malfoy?" she asked.
"Yes," Draco said, nodding. "I know that Ron is in here and I need to borrow his Potions book. You see, I let someone else borrow mine, and since Ron has already studied, I wanted to see if I could borrow his."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Very well, but don't keep him too long. He needs his rest."
"I won't," Draco said, sliding past Madam Pomfrey. He walked over to the bed where Weasley was lying down, his hand covered in bandages. "Well, well, look at what we have here. Nice bite you got there Weasley," Draco said, smirking. He laughed.
Weasley sat up, glaring at him. "What do you want, Malfoy?"
"Oh, I just need to borrow your Potions book and I wanted to get a good laugh for the day."
"Not a chance."
"Really?" Draco said, raising his eyebrows. "Well, if you're going to be so unreasonable, I suppose I'll just have to go and tell Madam Pomfrey what really bit you. I'm sure she'd be very interested in how you managed to get a dragon bite," Draco said, smirking.
"You're not getting my book," Weasley growled.
"I'm not? Very well, Madam Pomfrey!" Draco called.
"Alright, alright!" Weasley whispered as Madam Pomfrey walked over.
"Do you need something?"
"Yes," Draco said, glancing at Weasley, who was looking at him, mouthing "No!" Draco looked at Madam Pomfrey. "Ron here, is really thirsty and I don't know where to get the water from."
Madam Pomfrey nodded. "Well, you're tiring him out, Mr. Malfoy. You will need to leave. Have you collected your book?"
Draco looked at Weasley, who gave him a glare that could kill the dead and handed Draco his Potions book. "Now I do." Draco stood.
"Then you can leave now," she said.
Draco nodded. "Of course." With one last smirk at Weasley, Draco left the hospital wing and headed back to the common room. There were several Slytherins in the common room, but none of his friends at the time. Draco walked over to a table and set down the Potions book.
He finished his time-line and was picking up his books, when he glanced back at Weasley's Potions book. He shrugged and picked up the book. A piece of parchment fluttered out of it, landing on the ground. Interesting. Draco thought as he set his books down. He squatted down and picked up the piece of parchment and found that it was a letter.
Dear Ron,
How are you? Thanks for the letter - I'd be glad to take the Norwegian Ridgeback, but it won't be easy getting him here. I think the best thing will be to send him over with some friends of mine who are coming to visit me next week. Trouble is, they mustn't be seen carrying an illegal dragon. Could you get the Ridgeback up the tallest tower at midnight on Saturday? They can meet you there and take him away while it's still dark.
Send me an answer as soon as possible.
Love, Charlie
Draco smirked. Saturday at midnight. If I catch them, I'll earn so many points! And Gryffindor will lose so many points, they won't have a chance of beating us for the House Cup.
Draco folded the letter and put it into his pocket and picked up his books, including Weasley's. He headed for the library.
As he was walking through the courtyard, he ran into Crabbe and Goyle. "So, how was Weasley's bite?" Goyle asked.
"Did a dog actually bite him? Where did he find one?" Crabbe asked.
"No, Crabbe, it wasn't a dog," Draco said, smirking. "It was a dragon."
"A dragon? Wicked!" Goyle exclaimed.
"The best part is that I have a note telling when they are going to try to get rid of it. I'm going to catch them and then I'll get those points back that we lost from the Quidditch match and other little things."
Draco heard a soft footfall and glanced over his shoulder as Longbottom hurriedly walked by. When Draco glared at him, Longbottom squeaked and ran off. Draco rolled his eyes.
Crabbe and Goyle laughed. "Brilliant," Goyle said.
"I know," Draco said smugly. "Well, I'm off to study."
"More?" Crabbe asked.
"That can't be good for you," Goyle said.
"Goyle, unlike you, I actually care what I get in my classes. After last term, I have to do better, or my father will be very displeased."
Goyle nodded. "Right. We'll be back at the common room."
"See you there," Draco said and they parted ways.
As Draco was studying his Herbology notes, the last thing he had to do, he spotted Weasley talking to Potter over at a table. He picked up Weasley's book and put his own books back into his bag. He slung his bag over his shoulder and as he walked past them, he dropped Weasley's book on the table. He kept walking.
~ ~ ~
Saturday night, as it drew closer to midnight, Draco waited in the common room, watching it empty out as the other Slytherins went to bed. Crabbe and Goyle had left a while ago; Draco insisted that he still had to study.
Just after eleven o'clock, Draco left the common room and headed to Professor McGonagall's classroom.
He stepped into the Transfiguration classroom tentatively. "Professor?" he said slowly.
She looked up at him from behind her desk as he walked down the center aisle. "Mr. Malfoy, what are you doing up at this hour?"
"I - I had to tell you, Professor. I overheard Potter and his friends talking. They're trying to sneak a dragon up to one of the towers and give it to Weasley's brother Charlie. I thought that you should know."
Professor McGonagall nodded curtly. "We shall see about this. Come with me." She stood and Draco followed her out of her classroom.
As soon as they had stepped into the corridor, Draco saw Potter, Weasley, and Granger walking towards them. Draco looked at them smugly as they froze in their tracks, staring at Professor McGonagall. "Good evening," she said. "Come with me."
She walked back into the classroom, Potter, Weasley, and Granger following behind. Draco trailed behind, smirking. Hah! Finally, something that they can't get out of!
McGonagall walked behind her desk and looked angrily at Potter, Weasley, and Granger, who had come to a stop in front of her desk. Draco stood off to one side, watching them smugly.
"Wandering around in the middle of the night," McGonagall said, shaking her head. "Fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"Fifty?!" Potter asked in disbelief.
"Each." Draco smirked as Potter and his friends looked dismayed. "And all four of you will receive detention."
The smirk vanished from Draco's face. What? He stepped forward. "Excuse me Professor, but I thought you said 'the four of us'."
"You heard me correctly, Mr. Malfoy," McGonagall said sternly, looking at him. "You see, as noble as your intentions were, you were also out of bed."
Draco groaned inwardly, looking at Potter and his friends, who were smirking at him. It's not fair. How come I always get into trouble, no matter what I do, and Potter rarely gets in trouble. I wish I could wipe that smirk off of his face.
~ ~ ~
The next morning, however, brightened Draco's mood. Potter and his friends had managed to make Gryffindor house lose one hundred and fifty points, putting Slytherin at the top for the House Cup. Everyone hated Potter and his friends now, except of course, the Slytherins, who clapped and hollered every time Potter and his friends walked by them.
"Way to go Potter! Thanks!" Brandon yelled as he and Draco passed Potter and his friends in the corridor.
At breakfast, Draco received a note.
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.
Professor M. McGonagall
Draco groaned. Detention. Just what I want to do.
At eleven o'clock, Draco headed to the entrance hall and walked over to Filch, who was waiting by the stairs, Mrs. Norris in his arms. Filch didn't say anything to him and they waited in silence. A few minutes later, Potter, Weasley, Granger, and to Draco's surprise, Longbottom, appeared, walking over to them.
"Follow me," Filch said, lighting a lamp and leading them outside. "I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? 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 . . . hang 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. I miss the screaming." Draco swallowed hard. "Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."
As they walked across the dark grounds, Draco wondered what they were going to have to do. I hope it's nothing too horrible. He thought.
Then they heard a distant shout. "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."
Draco glanced at Potter, who looked relieved that they were serving detention with Hagrid. Draco, on the other hand, wasn't too sure.
"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."
Longbottom moaned and Draco stopped dead in his tracks, looking at Filch with his eye-wide. He could feel his heart beating rapidly and his hands were slightly sweaty.
"The forest?" Draco repeated, fear creeping into his voice. "We can't go in there. First-years aren't allowed. And besides, there are - werewolves in there," Draco said, swallowing hard. The forest! There was no way they are getting me to go in there!
"That's your problem, isn't it?" Filch said and Draco could practically see the glee written all over Filch's face. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"
At that point, Hagrid walked over to them, his dog at his heels. He had a large crossbow and a quiver of arrows was slung over his back. That sight didn't make Draco feel any better about where they were going.
"Abou' time," Hagrid said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione?"
"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," Filch said coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."
"That's why yer late, is it? Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here."
"I'll be back at dawn," Filch said, "for what's left of them," he added nastily and headed back to the castle.
Draco looked at Hagrid. "I'm not going in that forest," Draco said, panic rising in his chest and seeping into his voice.
Hagrid looked at him coolly. "Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts. Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay for it."
"But this is servant stuff," Draco said disdainfully, "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 summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on"
Draco didn't move; instead, he glared at Hagrid. That stupid oaf! He's going to get us all killed! Draco dropped his gaze, now glaring at the ground. This wasn't right!
"Right then," Hagrid said, "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."
They followed Hagrid to the edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze passed over Draco's face, rustling his cloak as he looked into he forest, gulping.
"Look there," Hagrid said, "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 beast. We might have ter put it out of its misery."
"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Draco asked fearfully.
"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang," Hagrid said. "An' keep 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 been staggerin' around since last night at least."
"Then I get Fang," Draco said quickly, glancing at the dog.
"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a bloody coward," Hagrid said. Draco groaned inwardly, dismay written all over his face. "So me, Harry, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Ger yer wands out an' practice now - that's it - an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeah - so, be careful - let's go."
Draco watched as Hagrid led Potter and Granger to the left and then Draco walked down the right, Longbottom and Fang behind him. Using the light of the little lamp that Hagrid had given him, Draco searched the ground. I am here in the Forbidden Forest and with Longbottom off all people! Even Potter would be better. Longbottom would run if a fly flew in front of his face! And I'm not too keen on the idea of walking around this forest.
Draco heard the crackling of leaves and froze in his tracks. Off in the dark trees, he saw something slithering through the dead leaves, and what sounded like a cloak trailing over the ground. Draco could feel his heart thump wildly and he swallowed. Then the sound began to fade and Draco turned back to the patch. Longbottom and Fang had walked up a bit and Draco saw his chance. He didn't want to be here any longer, and much less with Longbottom. Draco crept silently behind Longbottom and tapped his shoulder. Longbottom squealed and shot red sparks into the air.
"What'd you do that for?" Longbottom squeaked.
Draco shrugged as Hagrid bounded out onto the path. "Malfoy, shoud've known." Hagrid shook his head in disgust and led them back to the rest of the group.
"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups - Neville, you stay with me an' Hermione, Harry, you go with Fan an' this idiot." Draco glared at Hagrid. How dare that stupid oaf call me an idiot!
They split up again, this time Draco was with Potter, which was better than Longbottom. Draco knew that Potter was braver than himself and Draco felt slightly better about walking around the forest. I don't like this. There are things everywhere! We're going to get killed out here and it's all because of that oaf and his stupid dragon. "We shouldn't have to do this sort of stuff. It's not our place," Draco said, trying to keep his voice steady and confident as he held up the lantern.
"If I didn't know any better, Draco, I'd say you were scared," Potter said as they walked.
"Scared, Potter?" Draco spat, rolling his eyes, trying desperately to remain confident. Suddenly Draco heard that slithering sound and looked around wildly. "Did you hear that?"
Potter didn't answer and Draco shook his head. It's gone, whatever it was. He held up the lantern and kept walking. "Scared," Draco muttered.
Soon the trees began to get so thick that they had a hard time following the path. Draco could have sworn that the blood had become thicker and it was everywhere.
"Look -" Potter said, holding his arm out in front of Draco.
Draco stopped and looked ahead of them at a clearing. In the clearing was a unicorn, but it was dead. Potter took a step forward, while Draco remained frozen in his tracks.
Suddenly, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Draco stared at it, wide-eyed, frozen in shock. His heartbeat quickened. Draco watched in horror as the thing crawled over to the unicorn and began to drink its blood.
Draco had had enough. I'm getting out of here! Draco screamed as the thing looked at them and he bolted away as fast as he could, Fang at his heels.
He sprinted as fast as he could and shot red sparks up into the air. Hagrid, Granger, and Longbottom ran to Draco, who had stopped on the path, breathing hard. "It - it's Potter! There's a thing - it drank the unicorn blood!" Draco gasped.
"Come on!" Hagrid yelled and they raced after him.
When they reached the clearing, Draco saw that Harry standing beside a centaur. The shadow thing was no where to be seen. "Harry! Harry, are you all right?" Hagrid asked.
"I'm fine," Potter said. "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."
Draco watched as Hagrid walked over to the unicorn and checked it. The centaur leapt back into the forest.
As they walked back to the castle, Draco thought, I'm going to have nightmares about this. First we see that thing in the forest, and I'll never forget that. And then I run when Potter stays. I feel like such a coward. I'm never going to fall asleep tonight.