Episode Eight
Weeks were flying by and Gwen thought she'd never return to college. She wasn't aware that she was correct in her assumption. She simply continued living in Hogwarts as if it was meant to be. She figured if she was going to return to college then it would be something beyond her control that would cause her return and she left it at that.
She was spending more and more time with Harry, which meant spending more and more time with Ron and Hermione. That is when Hermione wasn't studying and Ron wasn't making up his Divination homework. Harry really liked Gwen, even though she was older and acted far more mature than any other sixteen year old he knew.
She had a sense of humor and a smile that never failed to cheer him up. And while she was fully aware of her past, her future was entirely uncertain, something Harry could understand and sympathize with. It was for that reason that he had asked her along on one of his crazy adventures.
He knew Ron would never go, because there was always the danger of running into Aragog if one took a wrong turn in the Forbidden Forest. And Hermione was so deep in her studies at this point that Harry didn't bother to ask. She needed all the sleep she could get. The only choice was to ask Gwen and since Harry knew she had some wild fey blood running in her veins that she couldn't refuse an adventure, no matter how far-fetched.
She wasn't sure why she said yes, the entire idea was sketchy at best, but she didn't want to miss it either. Harry grinned and told her to meet him in the Common Room after midnight. He was certain she wouldn't let him down. So at 11:59 exactly Gwen slipped on her cloak and tip-toed down the stairs.
Once the two of them were safely wrapped in his invisibility cloak he pushed open the portrait hole and they sneaked passed the snoozing Fat Lady. It was tricky navigating the halls together, squished closer than Gwen thought she could stand without bursting. Harry could barely suppress his excitement.
When finally they had found their way out of the castle, over the lawns and past Hagrid's hut Harry threw off the cloak, tucked it tightly under his arm and lit his wand. "Lumos," Gwen softly uttered and the tip of her wand glowed as well.
"This way." Harry said, gesturing with his arm. They were on the very edge of the forest and one step further would take them right into it. Harry stepped first and Gwen followed, an ache in her belly warning her, but she ignored it. They were young and the night beckoned them to enjoy it.
Suddenly Harry took off at a sprint and Gwen raced to catch him. He was terribly fast, but Gwen had no trouble keeping up. They were off the beaten path now, deeper and deeper into the woods not knowing if they were going to run into a werewolf or even be able to find their way back. They didn't care. Something inside of them said, "keep running."
Finally Harry stopped and Gwen pulled up beside him, both of them panting and breathless, feeling freer than they had ever felt. "What exactly are we doing here?" Asked Gwen. It hadn't really occurred to her to ask him before now.
"Honestly," Harry began, "I'm not sure. I just had a feeling."
She smiled at him in the wane light of their wands. "I'm glad I came." She said, more to herself than anything.
"I'm glad you did to." He took her hand and they stood quietly, gazing at the stars and soaking in the deep quiet of the Forbidden Forest. Gwen felt more than ever that she belonged here, in this world even if it was just a dream. She never wanted to leave again.
A rustle of leaves from behind disturbed them. Harry jumped around and flashed the light in that direction. To their astonishment there stood a giant Centaur. He was wearing a disapproving look on his face, as if children shouldn't be wandering around at night in the unsafe woods. Especially when the stars were so bright and easy to read.
He spoke in a quiet baritone. "You mustn't be in the woods on such a night. You will follow me to the path and get back to the castle immediately."
Harry sent a side-long glance to Gwen and she nodded. There was no use fighting with a Centaur; they tended to be much wiser than any human. And so it was only just good luck within disappointment that led them back to the path, since they couldn't have found it on their own. The two of them trudged back to the edge of the forest quietly and waved good bye to the Centaur, who was already back to star-gazing.
They wrapped themselves back up in the cloak and began the walk back to the castle. Harry went painfully slow this time, trying to enjoy every last moment that he had her alone and away from the watchful eye of everyone else. Gwen couldn't keep from smiling. He was being awfully cute.
The night had been so perfect. Gwen thought nothing could spoil it as they mounted the stairs. A few more steps and they'd be at the portrait. Finally she whispered the password to the Fat Lady. Harry sighed relief as the portrait swung open; they were almost home free. Until they both felt a pair of heavy hands clutch onto their shoulders.
They had been caught.
