Chapter 131: Alondra Bracho

Remember there's no I in T.E.A.M.!'
-From Jason Bracho to his sister Alondra Bracho
on the Art of Sports.

"Wooooh! Go Ollie!" Alondra cheered proudly as Oliver managed to intercept a quaffle from getting past him and into the one of the large hoops. She imitated a few dance steps from Muggle Cheerleaders. "Darn, I wish I had pom poms!"

Ray and Cassandra laughed at their bubbly friend. "I'm afraid to ask, what are pom poms?" Cassandra inquired curiously.

Alondra gasped playfully and went to take her seat next to her red-haired friends again. "Ok, they are these cute confetti balls, about this big," She described with her hands, "And you shake them with your hands as you stand and deliver a witty cheer for your school team!"

"Cheerleading requires a lot of gymnastics, I know that!" Ray piped up with a giggle. Alondra nodded rapidly.

"It sure does!" She turned to Cassandra and smiled. "So, do you kind of understand this silly muggle sport now?"

Cassandra laughed and shrugged. "I guess. It is a bit strange and new, but it does sound like a lot of fun,"

"Oh, it is!" Ray agreed. "Cheerleading is popular among Muggle schools, mainly High School and University schooling,"

"Which here in the Magical World would be say 4th year on," Alondra suggested and Ray nodded. Cassandra sighed.

"It's so wonderful to learn all these little known facts about the Muggle world," The red-haired beauty said.

"Well, now you know how I feel when I wake up everyday here at Hogwarts," Alondra giggled.

"KATIE, MOVE! BLUDGERS!" Oliver's voice suddenly yelled and the three friends looked to see Katie with a quaffle under her arm and taking a rapid glance over her shoulder, accelerated her speed. With a swift fling of her arm the Quaffle flew accurately through the goal, doing great justice to Katie's talents as a Chaser.

"That's my Soul Sister! Wooooh! Go Katie!" Alondra squealed happily as she, Cassandra and Ray cheered for the blushing blonde.

"You know, I'd adore to join the Quidditch team some day." Alondra breathed lightly.

"Well, considering that you're family with the Keeper and one of the Chasers. I'd say it runs in your blood," Cassandra smiled sweetly. Ray giggled and nodded.

Alondra half smiled and sighed, shrugging. "I don't think so,"

"Why not?" Ray asked, not really understanding Alondra's response.

"Remember? Muggle girl here? My lack of magical skills might just leave me dangling up there,"

"Oh, stop being silly! So what if you're a muggle born? Look at Hermione, she's gifted with magic and she's a muggle too!"

"Right," Alondra breathed as she shrugged the comment away. They really couldn't understand her concern anyway. Cassandra was a pureblood and probably the brightest and most talented witch of her day. Ray was a Halfblood, half pureblood and a skilled and talented gymnast. And Hermione, she was muggle, but she was above average in everything.

"They really can't understand," Alondra sighed to herself.

"Ray, Cass, Alondra! Why don't you meet us at the locker rooms!" Magenta called loudly snapping Alondra out of her struggle. Daniel rubbed his ear by her side.

"Any louder Magenta? I think China didn't catch the last part," He joked and the Weasley twins ruffled his hair from behind.

"Oh, we've taught him well," Fred grinned. George laughed and shook his head.

"You should join us though! Get down here," George called to Alondra, Cassandra, and Ray.

Cassandra grinned and looked to her friends. "Shall we?"

Ray bit her lip. "I don't know. I mean, what if-"

"Oh, stop it, Ray! Who cares that you're a Slytherin! You're one of us now, too bad!" Alondra winked at her. Ray smiled and nodded.

"Ok, let's go!" Cassandra suggested giddily.

"Alondra?"

Alondra turned and noticed a lovely Asian girl walking over to where she stood with her friends.

"Cho!" Alondra greeted her with a smile. She turned back to Cassandra and Ray who smiled softly at Cho. "You guys go ahead, I'll meet you down there in a bit,"

"Ok, see you later," Cassandra replied and pulled Ray with her to make their way down the stands and into the field.

"So, how have you been, Cho? I haven't really had a chance to talk to you since...the train ride back from the holidays?" Alondra mused thoughtfully.

Cho flipped her shiny raven hair behind her shoulders. "Well, I've been busy with Quidditch mostly. Plus, all the homework, but I saw you on my way here and figured I'd stop by for a chat. Cedric was mentioning to me that you had an interest in Quidditch yourself,"

"Thanks to Oliver, yea. Mind you, I had never heard of Quidditch before I came to Hogwarts," Alondra giggled as both girls took a seat on a bleacher.

"You had never heard of Quidditch before? Alondra, you're a muggle?" Cho asked surprised. Alondra laughed.

"Yea, I am. Why you thought I was, heaven forbid, a pureblood?"

"Well, yes or a Halfblood, but never a muggle born," Cho mumbled, with a small smile. Alondra quirked a brow confused. "Anyway, so, you must have had some magical ancestor, right? Or how else could you have managed to get accepted here."

Alondra flinched, but nodded. "My grandmother, my father's mother, came to Hogwarts when she was young. She was in Ravenclaw actually," Cho nodded slowly. "She was a Halfblood, but when she married my grandfather, a muggle, she never told anyone of her magical upbringing. So, it was a little shocking when I got my letter,"

Cho smiled softly. "I can imagine! So, were your parents surprised or upset?"

"No! Actually, they seemed to be expecting it. I was mostly upset about it though. I mean there I was, a normal girl getting ready for Junior High School with her Muggle friends. Stressing about Algebra, P.E., getting a hall locker and then poof! I'm supposed to go to a school about magic, thousands of miles away from my home and family! I didn't know anyone here, had no idea what was in store for me! Then I thought Sebastian, my best friend in the entire world, would be stuck in Harmony without me! And-" Alondra stopped abruptly and bit her lip. She looked down to her hands shyly.

"I'm sorry, Cho. I'm babbling,"

Cho looked to the younger girl and something flashed in her dark thin eyes. "Don't apologize, Alondra. I can see how much coming to Hogwarts wasn't just something you were brought up to know about and expect."

Alondra lifted her head and smiled thankfully. "Yea. I still feel insecure at times about being here. I've learned so many things, experienced much more. All of which I'm sure I would never have even dreamed about if I had stayed in Harmony,"

"Well, aren't you glad you came then? You have wonderful friends, are in a very respected House, enjoying your lessons!" Cho boasted with a soft smile. Alondra sighed deeply.

"I can't argue there, I guess. Though I do find myself thinking, 'What if?' questions all the time. Selfish of me, right?"

Cho shook her head. "Not at all. I'd be surprised if you didn't ponder about such things."

"Thank you," Alondra sighed again and shrugged. Cho giggled.

"Well, you're welcome"

"Ok, so enough about me! Tell me about you! Are you a pureblood?"

"Yes. Nothing really interesting to say I'm afraid. Being magical all the time can get, even if you don't believe me, boring! But it is loads of fun to have magic all over your house! Doing the dishes, washing clothes, making dinner, making the beds!" Cho laughed at the shocked expression on Alondra's face. "Oh, don't look so appalled, Alondra!"

"I-I just find that so amazing! Magic doing all those things, wow! You'd think after all these months I'd stop gaping, but I can't help it. Magic is a wonderful thing," Alondra replied softly.

"Well, it's not all power and magic and enchantment. There's evil, and fear." Cho shrugged. "I've wondered myself at times what it would be like to be a Muggle and live in that world,"

Alondra smiled. "Well, you're welcome to visit me in Harmony sometime,"

Cho turned to her and giggled. "Thanks!"

"Allie? Cho? What're you two doing up here?" Cedric Diggory asked as he jogged over to them. Alondra gave him a dazzling smile and Cho had a faint blush on her cheeks.

"Hi, Ced! Cho and I were just talking, you know girl stuff! What're you doing here?" Alondra replied as Cedric sat next to her and grinned at both girls.

"Well, I was going to fly around for a bit. I mean the Gryffindor's are done practicing and dinner isn't until a few hours, so-"

"Can I-er, we, join you Cedric?" Cho asked giddily. Alondra stiffled a smirk. It was amazing how Cho's personality changed when Cedric was around. She was usually so calm and collected, when Cedric was around though she seemed to blush and stutter a lot.

Cedric chuckled. "I don't see why not! How about it, Allie? Your own Quidditch lesson with two great Quidditch players?" He winked. Cho giggled merrily and Alondra bit her lip contemplatively.

"I don't know. I mean I'm tempted, but am I allowed to? You know, first year...muggle!"

Cedric furrowed his brows confused at her statement. "You're with us! Come on!" He urged as he took her hand and pulled her up with him. Alondra breathed in deep and shrugged. She couldn't resist Cedric's smile and sweet nature.

"Ok, I'm in!"

"Wonderful!" Cho exclaimed with a light smile as she rose to her feet. "Cedric, will you come with me to get our brooms from the closet? Alondra, you can wait for us on the field,"

Alondra nodded. "All right, I'll see you two down there,"

"Allie, watch out for any random bludgers," Cedric teased as he walked away with Cho. Alondra smirked and rolled her eyes.

She hurried down the stairs and dashed for the field, breathing in the scent of fresh grass. "Oh, wow!" Alondra gasped as she admired the pitch around her. The air smelled fresh and rich, the grass felt soft and crunchy beneath her shoes. She felt tiny amongst the high bleachers and hoops.

"Oh, I hope I don't fall of my broom and make a total spectacle of myself," Alondra whispered to herself worriedly as she saw Cedric and Cho walk over to her with the brooms by their sides.

After a few minutes, Alondra was mounting a broom nervously. "You'll be fine, Allie! I won't let you hit the ground, all right?" Cedric assured her with a warm smile.

She giggled. "Thanks, Ced. I'm holding you up to that offer,"

Cedric laughed and winked at her as he zoomed off towards the hoops. Alondra bit the inside of her cheek and took off after him.

"Ok, Alondra do you want to be a Chaser or a Beater? Cedric said you two can be either or. I'm Keeper," Cho informed her as she hovered close by the dark haired girl. Alondra grinned.

"Chaser!"

"Excellent. Let's play then!" Cho instructed and threw the quaffle high in the air. Alondra breathed in deep and went to reach for it when Cedric swished by her and took it under his arm.

"Ha! You have to go faster than that, Allie!"

Alondra gasped. "Cedric Diggory!" She giggled and chased after him. Cho laughed and shook her head at them.

"Enlighten me, Ced! Why didn't you try out for Chaser, whoa!" Alondra squealed as she nearly trapped the quaffle under Cedric's arm but missed. "I mean you seem like a natural at this position,"

Cedric turned his head and grinned broadly at her as he came to an abrupt halt. She bit her lip and halted next to him. "Well, I just have more skills at being a Seeker,"

Alondra quirked a dark brow sweetly. "Is that right?"

Cedric laughed and nodded as he tugged on her hair playfully. "Can't you tell, silly girl? I'm a great at seeking out things that attract my eye," He added in a whisper and then took off towards the hoops, scoring a point. Alondra stared after him and smiled softly.

"Such a ladies man!" She breathed finally and laughed as she went to fly over to him.

"Come on, Allie! We can beat him!" Cho boasted as Alondra managed to circle the posts and increase her speed. She zoomed next to Cedric and managed to knock the quaffle away from him as she whizzed by Cho and scored her first point.

"Nicely done, Allie!" Cedric grinned and took the quaffle from Cho. "But can you increase that speed? Maybe fly ALL around the pitch, sweets?" The handsome boy dared as a piece of dark blond hair fell into his eyes. Alondra swallowed hard at the fire in his hazel-grey eyes and bit her lip contemplatively at his sudden nickname.

Cho was frowning slightly, but then she blushed a deep red as Cedric wrapped an arm around her shoulders. "And I will ask my lovely Keeper to play a little harder as well,"

Cho smiled brilliantly at him. "Count on it, Cedric,"

"Wonderful. So, Allie? Do you dare?" He repeated steadily.

Alondra tilted her head to one side and batted her eyelashes playfully. "Bring it on, Ced!" She replied as she took a firm grip on her broom. Cedric smirked and gave the quaffle to Cho.

"Ready when you are, Cho!"

Cho looked between them and then threw the quaffle into the air. Instinct took over as Alondra watched the quaffle rise in the air. She remembered how many dares Sebastian used to give her back in Harmony. She was rather proud and her pride always made sure she did the unthinkable to win.

Her hair flew out behind her as she zoomed past Cedric and trapped the quaffle under her arm securely. Cedric gaped as she dashed right by him. He blinked and then took off after her. "Allie, slow down you're going too fast!" Cedric called after her.

Alondra turned her head slightly. "What?" She asked.

"Alondra!"

"Ooof!" Alondra wheezed as she scraped her forehead on one of the hoops. The quaffle fell out of her hands as she steadied herself on her broom and rubbed her throbbing forehead.

"Allie, are you ok? That was a nasty scratch," Cedric said as he hovered next to her and inspected her forehead. She had a small cut and blood was starting to drip in small droplets. "Bloody Hell, I'm sorry Allie," He added as he took the sleeve of his robes and pressed it against Alondra's cut.

"Ow! Oh, don't apologize Ced! I'm fine! Let's keep playing!" She argued and detached herself from his hold. Cho floated next to Cedric looking to Alondra dubiously.

"Are you sure Alondra? Maybe you should sit out a few minutes," Cho reasoned with the younger girl. Alondra shook her head.

"No, I'm fine. Stop being such worrywarts! Come on, come on, let's play!" She urged hastily and went to fly over to wait for Cho to throw the quaffle up again. She massaged her temples as a maze of thoughts entered her mind, but she pushed them aside carelessly.

Cedric furrowed his brows at Alondra concernedly and then looked to Cho. "I think she hit her head too hard," Cho suggested. Cedric furrowed his brows concerned.

Cho then shrugged and shook her head just as confused as him. Cedric sighed and went to fly next to Alondra.

"Just try to take it easy, Allie. It's just a game, if it's because of the dare I was joking-" Cedric began to say when Alondra jerked her head to look at him angrily.

"Well, I wasn't joking! You think I can't take that dare?" She told him slowly. Cedric shook his head rapidly.

"Of course not, but-"

"Then just play," She retorted curtly. Cedric gaped at the strange look in her eyes.

Cho threw the quaffle straight at Cedric this time. Cedric took it and dashed away. Alondra gasped and looked to Cho in shock. "What was that for?"

Cho smirked and shrugged. "Go get him then,"

Alondra scowled and in a flash took after Cedric. With a swift motion of her arm she knocked the quaffle away from Cedric. Alondra took possession of the Quaffle once more and scored twice, earning a mysterious and sudden glare from Cho.

Alondra quirked an eyebrow, but her only response was to zoom at full speed to the edge of the pitch, and turn over in the air as she intercepted the Quaffle from Cedric yet again. However, she turned over far too quickly, and ended up hanging from her broom with one hand, the Quaffle tucked under her arm with the other. "Oh no!" She squealed.

"Alondra! Hold on! Just drop the quaffle!" Cedric yelled as he took off toward her. Cho looked to her concerned and flew after Cedric.

"Drop the quaffle he says. Why does everyone assume I'm so weak? Well, I won't drop the quaffle," Alondra resolved defiantly as she struggled to hold on with just one hand. "Just because I'm muggle born, they all think I can't...do this!" She hissed angrily. She noticed the hoop close by and with a fierce fire in her caramel eyes she threw the Quaffle at the goal with all the strength that she could muster.

"Alondra!" Cedric yelled as she nearly lost grip on her broom, but held on with the tips of her fingers. There was a deadly silence as the Quaffle flew accurately through the goal, demonstrating Alondra's surprising Chaser skills. As she smiled proudly at her accomplishment, her fingers suddenly slipped and she hurdled down towards the earth.

"NO!" Cedric yelled as he dove to catch Alondra's falling form.

"Are you insane!" The dark blonde boy scowled as he cradled a dazed Alondra in his arms protectively.

"I'm so sorry, Cedric! I wasn't thinking-"

"You bloody well weren't!" Oliver yelled suddenly. Alondra flinched and looked over Cedric's broom to find the Gryffindor Quidditch captain gaping at her from below.

"Oliver-"

"That was bloody brilliant! Why didn't you tell me you could score like that? Why didn't you tell me you had such great speed on a broom!" Oliver babbled on, his chocolate brown eyes a light with joy.

Alondra opened and closed her mouth, at a loss of words. She shrugged daintly and smiled softly. "Spur of the moment?"

"Allie!" Magenta called loudly as her friends ran up to her. "What the bloody hell were you thinking taking such a risk? You almost gave me a heart attack!"

"Allie, are you all right? I was so worried when I just saw you slip!" Cassandra breathed, half nervously and half giddily. "And you thought you couldn't fly!"

"Awesome moves! Didn't think you had it in you, Alondra!" Daniel grinned.

"I think you're a shoe in for a Chaser someday!" Ray giggled.

"Do you have any idea how badly you could have been hurt!" Cho suddenly scowled as she hopped off her broom and stared angrily at Alondra.

Cedric was shaking his head. "I thought you were a little more sensible than that, Alondra!"

The Gryffindor's stared confused at Cedric and Cho's outburst. Alondra exhaled heavily as she felt Cedric and Cho's thoughts invade her mind.

'She's insane!' 'I had no idea she could be this careless!' 'Is that blood on her forehead?' 'Maybe I should ban her from the pitch for...life!'

"Oh, stop preaching to me about being sensible!" Alondra scowled annoyed. Her eyes suddenly darker than usual. "It's all I ever do, be sensible. Follow the rules, stand back and let everyone else be reckless and wild! I'm sorry if I wanted to, for once, have a little fun!" She retorted angrily to the older Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw.

"Alondra, stop being childish about this! We're scolding you because we care and don't want to see you getting hurt," Cedric told her steadily.

"Who's scolding? We're congratulating!" Fred piped up with a proud grin. George nodded.

"She's got skills. I'm surprised you aren't as ecstatic about this as Oliver, Cedric? You're both Quidditch obsessed!" George added innocently. Cedric exhaled heavily and looked to the Weasley twins annoyed.

"I think you both, need to cool off!" Katie said calmly to Cedric and Cho. "You invited her play, urged her to give it her all, and when she does you scold her about it?"

Cho rolled her eyes at the blonde girl and Cedric frowned. "Very well. Allie, I'm sorry for exploding on you like that. I was just...scared when I saw you fall,"

"But you caught me!" Alondra piped up with a small smile. Cedric sighed and shrugged.

"But what if I hadn't been there? What if-"

"Ced," Alondra giggled. "You're the one that promised that you wouldn't let me hit the ground from the start, remember?"

"You fell anyway-"

"Because I was a little careless, I'll admit it. But I was honestly, just having fun! I'm sorry if I scared you," She told him softly. Cho narrowed her eyes curiously at Alondra and then looked to Cedric. She rolled her eyes annoyed at the sweet expression on the blond boy's face.

"All right, all right. Let's just all go and eat, shall we?" Cedric piped up with a genuine grin at Alondra. She beamed and nodded.

"Smart guy! I knew I liked you!" Magenta giggled and everyone turned to look at her. Fred and George made cooing noises, Cassandra and Ray giggled, while Katie, Angelina and Alicia laughed. Oliver smirked and Daniel rolled his eyes.

"Thanks, Magenta. I like you too," Cedric teased the blushing raven haired girl. Alondra bit her lip to keep from laughing and Cho half smiled. Magenta scowled and ran away from them as an echo of laughs erupted.

"Well, that was a great Quidditch practice!" Oliver winked at Alondra and she laughed out loud as the herd of students made their way into the Great Hall chatting and laughing.

Chapter 132: Cassandra Serenity

The thing Cassandra had been dreading for weeks finally arrived about a week before exams were due to start. With the morning mail came a note from Professor McGonagall stating that Cassandra's detention would be served that night at eleven o'clock and that Cassandra, like the other students who were caught that night, were to meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall. A new wave of shame and despair flooded over Cassandra as she read and reread the note. Looking at her friends Cassandra could see that each of them had received the note as well.

Each of them seemed to hang their heads a little lower than normal as the day progressed. No one seemed to have a comment about the impending detention. Each knew that this was exactly what they deserved. With that knowledge they each remained silent as the day passed by.

When it was close to eleven o'clock Harry, Hermione, Neville, Cassandra, Allie, and Holly all said goodbye to Ron in the common room and made their way down to the entrance hall. Mr. Filch was already there waiting for them, as were Draco, Sebastian. Though Cass had remembered Ray's part in the Norbert fiasco, she had luckily been caught by Snape and not Filch, but Cassandra had forgotten all about Draco and Sebastian.

Mr. Filch lead the large group of students out of the castle's entrance doors. Taking great pride in tormenting the poor students as he walked them across the darkened school grounds, Mr. Filch told them about 'the old ways' of punishment and how he still kept the chains in his office. Neville was sniffling into Harry's robes and this action seemed to only provoke Mr. Filch more.

The night sky was beautiful and bright as the full moon's light shown down from above. The stars each twinkling brightly against the black back drop of the heavens. On occasion a cloud would slip over the moon and cover everything in darkness.

Up ahead, Cassandra could see Hagrid's hut coming into view, its lighted windows casting off a dim glow in the darkness. From the darkness around the hut a booming voice echoed out.

"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started."

Cassandra recognized the voice instantly, it was Hagrid. Though she didn't know him as well as Harry, Ron, or Hermione, Cassandra still knew that any detention with him would be worlds better than a detention severed with Filch. With this new thought in mind a calmer disposition came over Cass. She must not have been the only one to breath easier because Filch spoke up quickly, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourselves with that oaf? Well, think again, it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."

Neville moaned, Draco stopped in his tracks, Harry looked pale, and the rest of the group seemed to stiffen up considerably. Cassandra was simply speechless. How on earth were they expected to go into the Forbidden Forest?

"The forest?" Draco repeated, not sounding quite as cool as usual. "We can't go in there at night – there's all sorts of things in there – werewolves, I heard."

Cassandra had heard those rumors as well. Many dark things lived in the Forbidden Forest, which was why it was restricted. The thought of entering the darkness in front of her was almost more than she could take. It looked so black right now, like no light could exist within it.

Cassandra was pulled from her horrifying thoughts as Hagrid approached, Fang at his heel. He was carrying a large crossbow and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder.

"Abou' time," he said, "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right Harry, Hermione?"

Both Harry and Hermione gave small nods as Hagrid lay into Filch over lecturing the students and making them late. Filch was not too happy about this and made a snide comment as he turned and started back towards the castle. Cassandra watched as his lantern light faded into the darkness.

Draco quickly announced that he would not be going into the forest, his voice holding in it a bit of panic. Hagrid stated very matter-of-factly that he would if he wanted to stay at Hogwarts. Draco tried to restate his argument, but it only fell on deaf ears.

Hagrid lead the large group of students over to the edge of the forest. The darkness within was even more daunting from this proximity. Using his lamp light, Hagrid showed them all some silvery colored stuff that was illuminated on the ground.

"That's unicorn blood" he had said.

He then went on to explain about how this was the second one this week. He had even found one dead last Wednesday. The thought of a unicorn dieing made Cassandra flinch. A unicorn was a beautiful and pure thing; she had often playing with them in the forest around her home.

Draco made a slightly good comment when he asked what would happen if we found the thing that hurt the unicorn. That thought had crossed Cassandra mind at least once since hearing about something evil enough to kill a unicorn. Hagrid tried to reassume them all that they would be safe, but still Cassandra wondered.

"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 bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

"I want Fang," said Draco quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, Holly, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, Cass, Allie, Sebastian, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get 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 yeh – so, be careful – lets go."

The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path. Here the two small groups divided with Hagrid's group taking the left and the other group taking the right.

Draco and Sebastian walked close together while Alondra and Cassandra tried to comfort Neville. He was clutching tightly to Cassandra's robes as they walked. Cass kept giving him soft reassuring smiles to try and make him more comfortable, but it seemed to be doing little help.

To make matters worse Draco began talking about all the terrible things that they could encounter here in the forest. Cassandra knew as well as he did what could be out here, but she was trying to stay strong for both Neville and Allie who was showing a bit of fear as well. Even Sebastian didn't seem to keen on his friends choice in stories at the moment.

They descended deeper into the dark forest. It was so black that it reminded Cassandra of her dreams. The blackness which always seemed to accompany her most frightening nightmares was all around her and she couldn't help, but wonder if she was really awake or not.

The darkness crept in closer around them as the trees become denser. Not a single ray of moon light was filtering through any more as they tried to walk the path. They would stumble here and there along the path, catching on out grown roots or low hanging tree limbs.

Finally Cassandra thought enough was enough as she muttered "Lumos."

Her wand's tip exploded with bright light showering down in all directions. It wasn't enough to light more then a small area close by her, but it was more than they had had before. For once in her life thankful that she had spent so many nights studying instead of sleeping, Cassandra took everyone to gather closer around her. Even Draco and Sebastian seemed to know a good thing when they saw one and edged in a bit closer.

Walking a bit farther they came to a section of path where a trees limb had falling over the path. Instead of taking the whole group off the path without knowing which way to go, Cassandra decided that she would try and find a safe way without all of them in tow.

"Stay right here," she said while turning to the group around her. "I'm going to look for a safe way around that all of us can take."

Neville whimpered softly as he let go of Cassandra's robes. Allie moved closer to Neville to try and make him feel more safe, but Cassandra could tell she was not too happy with the plan either. To Cassandra complete surprise it was Draco who spoke up against it though.

"You can't go roaming about the forest by yourself" he demanded.

Cassandra was very taken back by this at first and then figured that he must be speaking up because she was the only one with a lighted wand. That seemed more his style than showing actual care for another human being.

"I'm going, just stay put and I'll be back shortly" she said with a very harsh tone. This time no one tried to talk her out of it.

Using her wand's light to watch her step Cassandra slowly moved around the fallen tree limb. Maybe it's not a tree limb, but a whole tree Cassandra thought to self as she continued to make her way around the rather large obstacle. There were some roots sticking out here and there, but for the most part it was pretty safe so far. Thankfully she had not yet met anything that could have killed a unicorn. A few more pacing along the fallen tree Cassandra's attention was drawn by the sight of red sparks flying into the air in the direction she had just come.

Something's happen to them her mind screamed as she raced back along the fallen tree to where she had left her friends. Just as she reached them Hagrid came bounding up behind them all, a panicked look on his face. Neville was shaking with fear, his wand extended towards the sky. Neville must have sent the shots Cassandra thought to herself as Hagrid questioned them as to what had happen.

It seems that while they were waiting for Cassandra to return from going around the fallen tree, Draco had continued his speech about all the nasty things in the forest that could get them. Then when Neville had his back turned Draco had reached out and grabbed a hold of Neville's arm, making Neville shoot the sparks up in the air out of fear.

A sigh of relief escaped Cassandra as she heard this. Thank god nothing happen to them she kept saying over and over again in her mind as she and the others followed Hagrid back to where he had left the other group.

"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you lot were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups – Neville, you stay with us, Harry you go with Fang and them." Hagrid then leaned in and whispered something to Harry.

The new groups began to walk away from each other again, Cassandra, Allie, Harry, Draco, and Sebastian all heading back towards the fallen tree. Deeper and deeper into the forest they went, past the fallen tree and deeper still. The only light that could be seen was coming from Cassandra's wand as they proceed into the murky black.

The blood seemed to be getting thicker and there seemed to be more of it was well. The poor unicorn must be truly suffering Cassandra thought to herself as they continued on. Harry was the first to see it, holding out his arms to stop everyone from moving forward.

"Look" he murmured. Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.

It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. A pain ripped through Cassandra as she looked down on the poor creature. Its pearly-white mane spread across the dark ground. Though it was still so beautiful she knew that it was not the same noble creature it had once been.

Harry took a step closer towards the unicorn then everyone heard the slithering sound. Harry froze where he stood upon hearing it. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered… Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast.

Cassandra's heart began to race the moment she saw the shadow move out of the darkness. She was transfixed, unable to move, unable to speak, unable to think of anything else, but the shadow in front of her. It was the shadow from her dreams. The nightmare come to life.

It was here, in front of her, just as it had been in her dream. Moving just as it had in her dream. Was this a dream she wondered. Am I really awake? she questioned herself. No, this is real she told herself over and over again.

The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.

Fear gripped Cassandra like the icy hand of death. She felt cold, so cold. She tried to speak, but no sound would come. She tried to move, but she couldn't make her body work any longer. Her eyes were glazing over as she stared at the hooded figure.

Draco and Allie both screamed at the same time. The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at them – unicorn blood was dribbling down its front.

RUN Cassandra mind screamed at her, but still she could not move. She could not take her eyes off of the hooded shadow. It was then that she felt a hand grab a hold of hers and begin to pull her away from the swiftly approaching shadow.

Numb, unable to feel or see, Cassandra allowed herself to be lead where ever she was being taken. Her feet moving only on instinct as she followed behind her savior. Yes, this was her savior and she knew it. She would never have been able to move herself, never get away from the menacing figure of her dreams. It held too much power over her.

Finally the running stopped and they began to walk, Cassandra was still looking over her shoulder, waiting to see the shadow following after her. Then they ducked behind a large tree seeking shelter. Cassandra found herself with her back against the tree while her savior sheltered her shaking body from any harm.

It was then, for the first time that Cassandra lifted her blue eyes up and looked at who had saved her. To her disbelief she was met with two grey colored eyes and a head of white-blonde hair. Draco Malfoy was standing in front of her, his body shielding her from any harm that may come at them. He breathed in deep breaths of the cool night air, trying to catch his breath from the quick escape they had just made.

All Cassandra could do was look at him. She had been unable to speak just a moment ago, but now she found herself at a loss for words at all. The prince of Slytherin, the hater of all Gryffindors had saved her from the shadow of her nightmares. He was her savior. Yet she could not fathom why he would save her or think about her at all.

He's breathing coming more easily he began to stare into her midnight blue eyes. Unwavering in his gaze Cassandra felt the air from her chest evaporate. A moment later his rough lips were pressed against hers.

What is happen? Cassandra thought to herself as she felt his lips tentatively touch hers. They were warm compared to the cool night air. Rough and soft at the same time, but what was happen? She couldn't think, so much was happening all at once.

A loud noise sounded a head of them and Draco pulled away. Cool air rushing between them as his lips left hers. Cassandra still couldn't believe what had just happen. Draco Malfoy had kissed her. A small kiss, she might even consider it a shy kiss, but a kiss none the less.

Hagrid and their fellow group of detentioners came running down the path towards them. Draco quickly moved away from Cassandra, but to her surprise he never let go of the hand he had taken when he had pulled her to safety. His eyes were cast to the ground and he looked almost demure for the first time since Cassandra had met him.

"You alrigh'" Hagrid said as he got near the pair.

"Yeah, I think so" Cass replied a bit bewildered.

Just then another loud sound was made as Harry appeared riding on the back of a centaur. The rest of the group, finally making their way to where Hagrid and now Harry were standing, called out to the boy-who-lived.

"Harry! Harry, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," said Harry, "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."

"This is where I leave you," the centaur said to Harry. "You are safe now."

"Good luck, Harry Potter," he continued. "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

The centaur turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.

Hagrid returned only a moment later and lead the group of students out of the Forbidden Forest. Everyone was in a bit of a daze over the adventures they had had. No one seemed like talking and all of their eyes were cast down to the ground as they made their way out of the forest.

For some reason Cassandra didn't run up to be close to her fellow Gryffindors. Instead she remained in the back of the group with Draco, their hands still intertwined. She wasn't sure what was coming over her, but at the moment she felt grateful for not having to think or feel. She was happy to be lead out of the forest no matter who was leading her.

Chapter 133: Alondra Bracho

'Damn these gifts of mine! My thoughts are getting worse.
This Tom Riddle, won't leave me alone. He keeps calling me
'Mariana'...I wish you were here with me! You'd help me forget
and make me laugh! But you're not here! You left me alone to face
these strange happenings on my own, at times I think I hate you for it!'
-From Alondra Bracho to her former best friend Sebastian Stirling.
Written by candlelight, torn up, and soaked in tears.

Alondra felt cold and guilty. As she looked over to where Filch stood, tall, wiry and cruel; a thought struck her.

'Hmph! Maybe I wouldn't have to even deal with these brats if they weren't so meddlin''

Alondra shivered and wrapped her arms around herself tightly and looked down to her shoes. She hated herself for thinking it, but maybe Filch had been right. If she and her friends hadn't gone meddling around in such serious affairs...There was no use to ask, 'what if' though. They had to serve their punishment like true Gryffindor's, with courage and stamina.

Alondra looked to the sky above and noticed the bright full moon shining down on them. She frowned, on night's like this one usually found a good book to read by the fire and went to sleep late just day-dreaming.

"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started." Hagrid's voice called a little raspy. Alondra looked over to him and noticed he looked uncomfortable and sad. She frowned, knowing exactly why Hagrid was so solemn and not his usual chirpy self. His thoughts coming at her a mile a minute in a maze of incoherent words, but enough to know how hurt he was by the loss of his pet dragon, Norbert.

She felt someone breathe heavily beside her and she turned her head discreetly to find Sebastian standing with Malfoy looking beyond upset and distant. His dark grey eyes with an unreadable expression eyed Hagrid and Filch suspiciously and then he looked straight at her. Alondra flinched and quickly turned away from him.

"I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourselves with that oaf? Well, think again, it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece." Filch suddenly drawled looking to them coldly. Alondra gaped unbelievingly at Filch's words. The Dark Forest? How could that be, they were only first years!

The tall brooding trees swayed with the soft breeze that pushed them. Alondra knew that the Dark Forest was off limits to everyone. Professor Dumbledore had mentioned many fearsome things resided within it's boundaries. But looking into the forest now, something seemed to be calling out to Alondra from within. The darkness called to her, in soft hushed voices entering her mind. It was like something wanted her to embrace the darkness completely.

'Mariana! Follow your instincts, follow your heart, find the light within the darkness! Be that sun beam to bring light into my darkness...'

Alondra furrowed her brows and put a cold hand to her forehead. That voice, so bitter and yet so full of hope. "Tom?" She asked herself softly and unconsciously she felt her legs start to move, in small steps towards the voice within the shadows. However, something roughly pulled her back.

"What are you doing!" Sebastian asked her in a forceful whisper, his hand tightly held her arm and she almost stumbled into him from the sudden jerk of movement. Alondra blinked and put her hand by her side, she looked up to Sebastian discreetly and yanked her arm out of his grip.

"None of your business!" Alondra retorted through her teeth, she went to stand next to Cassandra who eyed her curiously. Alondra managed a small smile and Cassandra quirked a golden red brow at Alondra massaging her arm out.

"Al' righ', best be off..." Hagrid's voice suddenly came into focus as he lead the large group of students over to the edge of the forest. The darkness seemed to intensify with every step they took.

Alondra suddenly heard a crying muffled sound in her mind and then using his lamp light, Hagrid showed them all some silvery colored stuff that was illuminated on the ground.

"That's unicorn blood" he had said.

He then went on to explain about how this was the second one this week. He had even found one dead last Wednesday. Alondra felt tears sting her eyes, she remembered telling Jason how much she loved and felt connected to the mystic unicorns and wanted one of her very own some day, if possible. The thought of having the unicorn now lying on the ground, and its cries enter her mind so suddenly, was horrible and Alondra struggled to remain calm.

"Well, what do we do if what ever killed that unicorn runs into us in here?" Draco suddenly piped up in an unusually high voice. Everyone looked to him for actually speaking an idea that had invaded all their minds.

"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 bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

"I want Fang," said Draco quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a bloody coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, Holly, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, Cassandra, Allie, Sebastian, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get 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 yeh – so, be careful – lets go."

The forest spread out before them, dark, haunting, and cold. A little way into the forest they reached a fork in the earth path. Here the two small groups divided with Hagrid's group taking the left and the other group taking the right.

Draco and Sebastian walked close together ahead while Alondra and Cassandra tried to comfort Neville a little behind. He was clutching tightly to Cassandra's robes as they walked. Cassandra kept giving him soft reassuring smiles to try and make him more comfortable, but it seemed to be doing little help. Alondra patted his back comfortingly, but her mind was constantly making her lose sight of what her surroundings were. The voice from before kept taunting her...

'Be the light...Be the sun beam in the darkness...my butterfly,'

Alondra squinted her eyes shut and breathed in deep. She didn't need his voice in her mind right now, she was scared to be in there as it was. To make matters worse Draco began talking about all the terrible things that they could encounter here in the forest. Cassandra frowned at Draco's words even though she was a little pale, but she was obviously trying to stay strong for both Neville and Alondra. Alondra smiled softly, thankful for her maturity. Though Alondra noticed even Sebastian didn't seem to keen on his friends choice in stories at the moment.

"Would you shut up, Malfoy? We don't need this right now...besides, you've got that poor kid scared out of his wits already! Give it a rest," Sebastian told him annoyed looking back pityingly at Neville's horrified expression. Draco smirked.

"He's not scared...yet. You're fine aren't you Longbottom, ol' chum?" Draco joked with a wicked smile. Cassandra sighed heavily and glared at his insensitivity while comforting a crying Neville. Alondra shook her head and looked to Sebastian who rolled his eyes at Draco, but didn't say anything further to him.

They descended deeper into the dark forest. It was so dark that it sent shivers down Alondra's spine suddenly. She looked around her scared and yet intrigued at the same time. Her eyes adjusted to the darkness quickly and the voice in her mind got louder.

'Now! Do it now! Be the light, come to me!'

Alondra stumbled abruptly, nearly bringing down Neville with her, but quickly composed herself. She noticed Cassandra seemed to freeze for a brief moment, but then blink and she was focused and calm once more.

The darkness crept in closer around them as the trees become denser. Not a single ray of moonlight was filtering through any more as they tried to walk the path. They would stumble here and there along the path, catching on out grown roots or low hanging tree limbs.

'Mariana...your light, your love'

The voice said right by her ear and she gasped loudly. Cassandra must've heard her distress or realize it was just too dark as she muttered "Lumos."

Everyone crowded around Cassandra's lightened up wand. Draco and Sebastian hesitated at first but then relented that they needed as much light as possible.

Walking a bit farther they came to a section of path where a trees limb had falling over the path. Instead of taking the whole group off the path without knowing which way to go, Cassandra decided that she would try and find a safe way without all of them in tow.

"Stay right here," she said while turning to the group around her. "I'm going to look for a safe way around that all of us can take."

Alondra bit her lip worriedly. "Cassie," Looking about her at the darkness. Neville whimpered softly as he let go of Cassandra's robes. Alondra frowned at the poor boy's expression and moved closer to him to try and make him feel more safe. She suddenly shivered.

'Guests? I want no guests!'

"You can't go roaming about the forest by yourself" Draco suddenly demanded. Alondra blinked her eyes open from the last message she had heard in her mind and noticed Draco looking concerned for Cassandra.

Cassandra was very taken aback by this at first as well. "I'm going, just stay put and I'll be back shortly" she said with a very harsh tone. This time no one tried to talk her out of it.

"Allie, there aren't really any...werewolves out here are there?" Neville asked softly. He had gone pale as paper and his teeth clinked from his shaking.

Alondra managed a gentle smile and rubbed his back comfortingly. "Probably not, Neville. Don't worry, ok? No harm will come to us if we stick together, deal?"

"Deal... but Malfoy-"

"Malfoy is lying! He's just trying to scare you-"

"You would think that wouldn't you, you filthy mudblood!" Draco sneered as he rounded on Alondra with malice in his grey eyes. Alondra narrowed her own caramel eyes at him and looked to him defiantly.

"Sod off, Malfoy!" Sebastian ordered as he stood in front of Alondra, shielding her and Neville from Malfoy's glare. Draco narrowed his eyes annoyed at Sebastian's interference, but stepped back anyway.

"Fine. I was just going to say that I'm not lying! Strange stories are told of this part of the forest. Creatures that can't even be imagined reside here. Waiting for innocents like us to feed on. Of course, they strike at cowardly little Gryffindor's... FIRST!" Draco howled as he pushed Neville forward, from behind, and the poor boy yelled loudly.

"Help!" Neville screamed as he took a haste step forward and fell forward, bringing Alondra down with him, and his wand going off into the air with little red sparks.

"Draco!" Sebastian scowled at the laughing blond boy. He shook his head and reached over to help Alondra and Neville to their feet. Neville had small tears in his eyes and Alondra turned to glare at Draco.

"You pompous!-" Alondra breathed as her eyes flashed a brief white and a sudden strong wind knocked Malfoy down to his own knees.

"Alondra, Neville, Sebastian, Draco! Are you lot alright?" Hagrid's concerned voice suddenly made them all turn. Draco got to his feet and hissed at Alondra angrily and she quirked a dark brow in a silent challenge.

Sebastian rushed over to Draco's side and sighed heavily. "If you so much as look to her anymore, I'm telling Hagrid what happened here, got it?"

Draco looked up at his friend and simply huffed.

"We're fine, Hagrid. It just seems, Neville is a little shaken up is all," Sebastian supplied hastily, just as Cassandra headed back over to them with a thankful sigh of relief. Alondra smiled to her softly.

"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you lot were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups - Neville, you stay with us, Harry you go with Fang and them." Hagrid then leaned in and whispered something to Harry.

The new groups began to walk away from each other again, Cassandra, Alondra, Harry, Draco, and Sebastian all heading back towards the fallen tree. Deeper and deeper into the forest they went, past the fallen tree and deeper still. The only light that could be seen was coming from Cassandra's wand as they proceeded into the murky blackness.

Alondra blinked confused as she held a hand to her temple. Soft whimpers and howls echoed in her mind. She figured it must've been another innocent unicorn being attacked. Harry was the first to see it, holding out his arms to stop everyone from moving forward.

"Look" he murmured. Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.

It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. Alondra choked on a sob and closed her eyes angrily as she turned her head away from it's dormant position.

Harry took a step closer towards the unicorn then everyone heard the slithering sound. Harry froze where he stood upon hearing it. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered… Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast.

"Oh no," Alondra breathed as she stifled a loud gasp.

The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.

A wave of nausea overcame Alondra as she shook her head in frozen disbelief at what she was experiencing. The dark hooded figure seemed to pause as if aware of their presence. Alondra began to tremble as loud and bitter demands invaded her mind.

'So there they are!' 'Harry Potter...' 'Give me your light!' 'Mariana, is that you?' 'I have been spotted!' 'Don't hurt her!' 'Run, Mariana!'

Alondra found that she was breathing shallowly and then she screamed in agony as the voices got louder and the words more cleared. She fell to her knees and covered her ears with her hands as she painfully looked up to notice the hooded figure raised its head and looked right at them - unicorn blood was dribbling down its front.

Alondra continued to scream in pain as he seemed to smile right at her and she vaguely heard the screams of Draco Malfoy disappear as she was draped into a pair of lean, strong, arms and rushed away from the horrible sight.

Shortly afterward she felt someone place her back down on her wobbly feet and she swayed weakly. It was then Alondra noticed that she was still screaming.

"Alondra! Alondra, it's ok we're far away. Please stop screaming," Sebastian begged her gently as he embraced her tightly to him. Soothing words echoing in her ear and his hands running up and down her back comfortingly. Alondra's screams slowly died down at his request and then she blinked rapidly and looked up to Sebastian's concerned face.

"What-what was that thing?" Alondra asked quietly as she suddenly felt an uneasy feeling in her stomach, "Where are we now?"

"I have no idea what that thing was. Whatever it was, it's bad. As for where we are...away," Sebastian sighed and managed to smile down at the dark haired girl in his arms. "Are you, er, alright? I mean, you screamed,"

"And?" Alondra's face broke out into an angry frown, "In case you've forgotten, I'm a telepath, Tom!" Alondra gasped and backed away from Sebastian abruptly.

"What did you just call me?" Sebastian asked her then, his face a bit pale and looking rather confused.

"I-I said, in case you've forgotten I'm a telepath, FOX. Yea, Fox, that's what I said. It's your name isn't it?"

"You've never really called me Fox,"

"Well, there's a first time for everything, Foxworth!"

Sebastian flinched and Alondra turned away from him and slowly collected herself.

"Ok, relax. It was just a slip up. All those emotions you heard coming from that thing and then that voice from earlier, add that to my grams issues with Tom..."

"Voice from earlier? What are you talking about, Alondra?"

Alondra bit the inside of her cheek and turned to face her former best friend. "None of your business, Sebastian. It's rude to listen in on other people's conversations,"

"Even when they're a one-person dilemma?"

"Callate!"

"Oh, the spanish. Two can play that game, estas loca querida amiga," Sebastian pronounced in a heavy spanish accent.

Alondra managed to laugh softly and Sebastian chuckled heartedly.

"Seb, remember when we were younger, how much fun we'd have when my Mama and Papa would scold us for getting in trouble in Spanish?"

"Oh, Merlin, yes! Goodness, they talked a mile a second and even if I did understand some Spanish I never understood them at all. Worse than military personnel,"

Alondra smiled and sighed. "Yea. Good times,"

"Yea,"

Sebastian then turned and looked about them for signs of Harry, Cassandra, or Draco. "I hope our friends are ok, don't you?" He asked as he turned to notice Alondra frozen in place. "Alondra? Can you hear me?"

'Mariana,'

Alondra gasped and backed up suddenly slamming into Sebastian's back.

"Ouch! Alondra, what the hec did you do that for?"

Alondra wasn't listening to him, her eyes suddenly darkened a deep brown and a familiar scarlet spark appeared in their depths.

'Mariana...what are you doing here?'

"Tom," Alondra whispered in a deep and rich voice, unlike her usual soft and bubbly tone.

Sebastian turned around and noticed Alondra seemed to be frozen in place, her features a ghostly pale, and her eyes steady not blinking at all. "Alondra, are you ok?"

'Mariana, I'm so sorry I scared you earlier. I didn't mean to,'

"Why are you doing this, Tom?"

Sebastian blinked and looked ahead to where Alondra seemed to be talking to someone, but no one was there. "Alondra, who are you talking to?"

'I can't tell you, not with him here. I thought I told you I didn't want to see you with Antonio-,'

"Go away, go away and leave me be! Haven't you hurt me enough?"

Sebastian furrowed his brows together worriedly. He reached out to take a hold of Alondra's arm, but suddenly a yellow streak of light flew at him and he was thrown back onto the tree trunk. "What the-"

"No! Please Tom, don't hurt, Antonio!"

'Mariana, you traitor! Filthy mudblood lover!'

"Please go away! Go away!" Alondra yelled desperately as she sunk to her knees and a sudden strong gust of wind surrounded her.

"What the-," Sebastian whispered and went to kneel by her. "Alondra, what happened, are you ok?"

Alondra began to cry and buried her face in her hands angrily. Sebastian swallowed hard and then hesitantly wrapped his arms around her comfortingly. "Alondra, please tell me what the hec just happened. You sounded...so unlike yourself, and who's Tom? Why were you telling him to go away? Who's Antonio?"

Alondra choked on a sob and shook her head, mumbling something into his shoulder painfully. Sebastian frowned and decided not to ask any further.

"Ok ok, I'm sorry, Alondra. We don't have to talk about it,"

"Oh Seb, I'm so scared. I don't even know what's going on with me lately. I suddenly space out and begin talking to someone named Tom. I hear him, he's older, and I can see him too. In my head that is. He's tall, lean, and has dark eyes and wild dark hair. He's handsome, but so intimidating...and he calls me...he calls me."

"What does he call you?"

"Mariana,"

"Wasn't that your grandmother's name?"

"Yes. I'm just so confused. These questions are constantly plaguing me! I don't know what to do anymore, I'm scared to even tell someone about this-,"

"Hey, listen to me, all right? I know we're not exactly best friends right now, but always keep in mind that I'm here for you. You can tell me anything," Sebastian told her as a genuine grin came to his face.

Alondra breathed in trembly, and looked up into Sebastian's dark gray eyes looking to her kindly. "Oh Seb, thank you. Thank you for always being there. I know that no matter how much you claim to hate me-"

"I never said I hated you, Alondra,"

"You didn't have to say it, you were thinking it,"

"I was not!"

"Sebastian," Alondra sighed and stepped back from his hold and got to her feet. "Again, I can read minds, remember? You were thinking it not too long ago when I was chatting with Cedric,"

"What!"

Alondra rolled her eyes. "It's ok, Seb-"

Sebastian scowled and got to his feet. "No, it's not ok. I never said I hated you, Alondra. If you managed to hear that 'I hate you' in your mind, it was directed at my father."

Alondra furrowed her brows confused. "Excuse me?"

"Yea. Look, I've noticed how close you've recently become with that Hufflepuff guy. And then I can't help, but remember that because of my father I can't be the one walking you to classes, talking to you in the library, studying with you in the fields, and even sit next to you in classes,"

Alondra's caramel gaze glazed over with tears and she placed a hand over her lips to keep from letting out a loud sob. Sebastian frowned.

"I hate my father for taking my best friend away from me," He whispered and his dark grey eyes clouded over with ice. Alondra choked from her unshed tears and buried her face in his robes as she cried. Sebastian hugged her thankfully and simply held her warmly. "I'm so sorry, Alondra."

"Me too, Seb," Alondra simply replied and closed her eyes angry at Fate for tearing her away from her first and only best friend.

"Allie? Sebastian?" Hagrid's voice called and both turned to find the enormous man look to them relieved along with their classmates.

"Hagrid! Oh, we're so glad to see you," Alondra breathed as she reluctantly stepped away from Sebastian's embrace and faced her peers and Hagrid.

"You two all righ'?" He asked with a sad smile. Sebastian and Alondra nodded and Hagrid motioned for them to follow him and the rest of the detentioneers to find Harry, Cassandra, and Draco.

In a daze Alondra noticed Cassandra and Draco join them a little later and then they found Harry last. Talking to a half man half horse creature. Alondra sighed softly and looked down to her hands as the images and words of the past few moments came back to her hastily.

"This is where I leave you," the centaur said to Harry. "You are safe now."

"Good luck, Harry Potter," he continued. "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

The centaur turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.

Hagrid returned only a moment later and lead the group of students out of the Forbidden Forest. Everyone was very quiet and made no small talk as they were escorted out of the darkness.

Alondra suddenly shivered visibly and she felt a lean arm wrap around her shoulders and pull her close with care. She blinked and noticed Sebastian staring ahead coolly as his arm rubbed her shoulder comfortingly. Alondra felt a dazzling smile grace her lips and leaned her head onto his arm thankfully.

'Alondra...'

Alondra flinched and turned her head to look at the disappearing forest outline. Her eyes suddenly darkened.

'You will embrace the darkness yet,'

She smiled hauntingly and then turned to look before her as she blinked her eyes shut and giggled.

"Absolutely," She agreed softly to herself with a sigh.

Chapter 134: Holly Ethers

This is great, Holly thought. This is just perfect. I'm in detention with Draco Malfoy. God, I see enough of him at home. I can handle between classes but in detention? That's making it way more of a punishment then it should be. At least there's a full moon.

"In my day, they'd be hangin' you by your thumbs," Filch was saying, or something to that effect. Holly wasn't paying attention.

"Having fun, Draco?" Holly muttered in his ear.

"Oh yes, I'm having loads of fun heading into a detention with a bunch of pathetic Gryffindor's," Draco told her.

"Yes, but I bet it's easier being a git if you don't have to commute." Holly replied, before moving to the front of the group.

They walked to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, up to a small hut. "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started." a gruff voice said. That must be the grounds keeper Father was talking about. What was his name? Hakid? No, no I think it was Hagrid.

Everyone around seemed to relax a little. Filch noticed. "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourselves with that oaf? Well, think again, it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece," he told them, enjoying their reactions.

In the Forbidden Forest? First years? On a full moon? Holly thought. I could understand on a half moon, but when werewolves are running around? They must think at least a little highly of this group to send us on a detention like this.

As usual, she had missed something while she was thinking. Hagrid had led the group over to the edge of the forest. Holly jogged to catch up with them.

"-gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's, blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least," Hagrid was saying when she reached the group. Holly stared at the ground. It had silvery white stuff all over it. That meant what Hagrid was talking about was a unicorn.

"I want Fang," said Draco quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth. Coward, Holly thought.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, Holly, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, Cass, Allie, Sebastian, an' Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get 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 yeh – so, be careful – lets go."

Holly followed Hagrid, and soon the group split up. They walked along, occasionally saying something. Or, they were constantly saying things, and she was occasionally paying attention. Suddenly red sparks went up in the distance. Hagrid went off in that direction, leaving them alone.

"Wonder what happened," Holly commented.

"Who knows?" Hermione replied.

"Well, If something happened to someone, I hope its Malfoy," Holly said.

"Holly!" chided Hermione. Harry laughed.

"What?" she asked innocently.

A very annoyed Hagrid came into view with Alondra, Cassandra, Sebastian, Draco, and Neville came back into view. Draco was chuckling to himself, and Alondra was shooting dagger glances at him.

Wonder who was the problem, Holly thought sarcastically.

"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you lot were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups – Neville, you stay with us, Harry you go with Fang and them." Hagrid then leaned in and whispered something to Harry.

They split up-again-and kept walking. Neville was shaking. "What happened?" asked Hermione.

"Malfoy. He was being all... all..." Neville paused searching for a word.

"Jerky?" offered Holly.

"Um, yea, and then I turned my back on him for a second and he attacked me. Well… maybe not attack but he pushed me from behind and I.. Well panicked."

"Wish it had been me," Holly said softly, but Neville hear her.

"Why? It's not like it was fun or anything," Neville said, confused.

"Well, you see, I knew him before Hogwarts," Holly said.

"I did to, but-" Neville began.

"No, personally. My father is a socialist," She said, answering the un-asked question. Hermione raised her eyebrows.

"A Gryffindor? With Slytherin's?" she asked.

"No- Father was in Slytherin. So he's friends with Lucius Malfoy." She replied. Hermione looked surprised.

"Wait, how'd you end up in Gryffindor?" Neville asked.

Holly shrugged. "Same way you did," she said.

"That would explain a lot," Hermione muttered to herself. Holly looked at her.

"Well, that would explain why the Slytherin's know you, and the Gryffindor kids who have magical parents avoid you," Hermione said. "No offence," she added quickly.

"None taken," Holly said cheerfully. "If you've noticed, Ravenclaw treats me specially, too. My mother was from there."

"If your mother was in Ravenclaw, and your father was in Slytherin, I don't understand why they- I mean," Neville said, getting a look from Hermione. Holly knew he was going to ask why her parents got married. "why did you end up in Gryffindor?" Neville said.

"Join the club, we've got jackets," Holly said. And she didn't say anymore.

All of a sudden they heard screams and yelling. Hermione's eyes widened and Neville turned white. Hagrid swore and ran toward the noise. They followed, not wanting to be left alone.
They found Draco and Cassandra. Something was up with her, but Draco was as unreadable as usual. A loud rustling and snapping in the brushes led them all to turn around hurriedly. A centaur stepped out, and, Holly saw after blinking, it had Harry on it's back. Holly whistled to herself.

"Harry! Harry, are you all right?"

"I'm fine," said Harry, "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."

"This is where I leave you," the centaur said to Harry. "You are safe now."

"Good luck, Harry Potter," he continued. "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

The centaur turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.

Hagrid came back again, and started walking out of the forest. They all followed, not saying a word.

Chapter 135: Rachael Jones & Magenta Coldren

Magenta sighed and ran her fingers through her hair, dreading the evening that lay before her. A whole evening of scrubbing countertops and mopping floors. Why did she have to go on that stupid little outing?

Well, at least I'm not alone she thought, her mood lifting a bit. It might be fun to spend the evening with Ray. Though Ray was quiet, Magenta had decided she liked her. The little redhead was an interesting person, and had a great accent. She was funny, and good company, especially when one had a long, monotonous detention.

Sighing once again, she stood and glanced at the nervously half-hyperventilating Alondra, then to the quietly reading Cassandra. Magenta's friends had a much worse fate than she on that night. Magenta was grateful that Snape had found them, and not Filch, otherwise, she too might be heading into the forest.

Alondra noticed her gaze and looked up.

"Are you leaving, Magenta?" she asked quietly.

"Yup, I've gotta get down to the kitchens. Hopefully I'll see you in the morning." Magenta said, immediately cringing at her choice of words. Alondra's eyes widened.

"Yeah, hopefully." she muttered. Magenta bid goodbye to Cassandra, then Harry, Ron and Hermione, then to the lucky little devil Daniel, who grinned a bit maliciously at her when she waved. He laughed though, as did Magenta.

The corridors were flooded with twilight as the first stars made their appearance on the sky. Magenta headed down flight after flight of stars, finally reaching the kitchens, where she met Ray.

Ray left for detention early she didn't want to spend any more time than necessary in the common room, after loosing points for Slytherin it didn't make her any more popular, and even though Malfoy lost points as well, she took the blame for them all.

Moving silently through the dungeons, she walked by Severus' rooms, she hadn't been in to see him since the incident, mainly because she was ashamed of what had happened, and she didn't want him to be disappointed in her.

Moving to the painting with the fruit on it, she tickled the pear and entered the kitchen, looking around she was amazed, he had heard about house elves before, but had never seen them or knew there were so many at Hogwarts. Wondering how she was going to find Crucheck, when the door opened again and Magenta walked in.

"Hey Ray," said Magenta, "you ready for this?" she asked.

"Not really, but its better than being in the common room right now," answered Ray honestly.

"Yeah, I know that feeling," answered Magenta, "we've taken to heading out in groups, so one of us don't get cornered," she added, only just realising that while she had the protection of a group, Ray didn't. "Oh sorry Ray, I…"

"Its okay, I know what you meant," she answered. "How about we get this over and done with," Ray said, nodding towards the HUGE pile of dishes to be done.

"Yeah, otherwise we'll be here all night," answered Magenta.

"Miss Cauldron? Miss Jones?" asked a voice from behind them, "your wands please?" It was Crucheck, Severus had told them that tonight's detention would be without magic, but they didn't realise that they would have to hand over their wand.

Taking off her cloak and hanging it on a hook by the door, Ray pulled out her wand and handed it to Crucheck, looking over she noticed that Magenta was doing the same thing, but unlike Ray, who was wearing a dark coloured tracksuit pants and a t-shirt, Magenta had on jeans, and a bright pink ¾ length t-shirt.

"Urgh," Ray complained, gagging at the smell of all the combined food.

"Oh yeah, its sooo gross!" answered Magenta, scraping more muck from a plate, "My god, how many students are there?" she asked, not really wanting to know the answer. "And, the scary part, Ray..." Magenta leaned over to Ray. "We actually eat this stuff."

Ray shuddered at that thought, flicking what looked to be a peach slice towards the bin, however Magenta happened to lean over the bin fishing out a fork that had dropped in the bin. Ray watched in slow motion as the peach flew through the air, gliding it hit Magenta in the face as she was standing back up.

Magenta slowly pulled the peach off of her face and glared at Ray. The redhead looked like a deer caught in headlights. She cringed.

"Don't hurt me!" she said in a small voice. She looked up. Magenta was grinning maliciously. Ray watched, once again, in slow motion as magenta grabbed handful of muck and flung it at Ray. Ray brushed the slime off her face and gasped.

"Magenta!" she shrieked. Magenta grinned.

"FOOD FIGHT!" she called and flung a piece of what appeared to be an egg at Ray, who ducked behind the bin, searching all around her for something to throw back at Magenta.

"Mage…" Ray squealed, as she was hit by yet another handful of goop, jumping up Ray ran over to the pile of dirty dishes and scooped a handful of leftover mashed potato's, cringing as it went under her fingernails, and threw it at Magenta, hitting her right in the face.

Magenta carefully wiped the food of her face, gathered it in her palm and sent it flying back at Ray. The redhead grabbed from string beans and smashed it on Magenta's face. Magenta laughed hysterically and, grabbing a spoon, flung water-filled orange and banana leftovers at Ray.

Ray picked up a glass of pumpkin juice and threw it at Magenta, who expertly ducked, Ray watched in slow motion as the juice went flying through the air, and right into Professor Snape.

Both Magenta and Ray visible gulped, looking down at themselves and then at each other, then at Professor Snape who was dripping with pumpkin juice, both girls trying hard not to laugh.

"Miss Cauldron, Miss Jones, I believe you were instructed to clean up after dinner, not be involved in a food fight? Or was something else happening?" he sneered, flicking his wand all the excess food accept what was on the girls disappeared.

"Now I trust that you can wash and dry these without further mishap?" he sneered, his lips quirking, he turned, and stalked out of the room, muttering one last charm at the girls before he left.

"Oh my god, I though he was going to kill me," gushed Ray, as the door shut.

"Me too, I want to know what was the last thing he whispered was though?" said Magenta.

Two long and boring hours later, the two dirty and smelling girls finished washing and drying the last of the dishes, well over 2000 plates, bowls and cutlery was all now clean, the girls were thanking their lucky stars that they didn't have to wash all of the cooking pots and pans as well.

Parting ways at the great hall, the weary girls had one final giggle at their state, looking forward to a nice hot shower to get rid of the smell. It wouldn't be until two days later when Ray finally got up enough guts to ask Severus, that the last charm he did, made the smell permeant for a week only to the two girls.

Chapter 136: Cassandra Serenity

Cassandra sat alone on her bed in the girls dormitories. The late spring day had worn away and though the sun could still be seen slipping through the open window near by Cassandra didn't feel like being outside. She hadn't felt right all day. Truth be told she hadn't felt right in a few weeks. Not since her trip into the Forbidden forest.

That night still gave her nightmares when she lingered on it too long. The creature from her dreams was real and living in the forest next to her school. Cassandra hadn't talked to anyone about that night, not even her close friends. How could they understand the things that happen that night when she couldn't. No, it was better to keep them in the dark about this. About all of it, not just the monster in her dreams, but the kiss she had shared as well.

Cass lifted her right hand and let her fingers softly touch her rose-red lips. Had it really been a kiss? She wondered for more than the first time. It was too hard to know for sure without asking Draco himself and she would never do that. He hadn't looked at her the whole way out of the forest, but had kept her hand intertwined with his. Maybe that was his way of saying something. Still Cass was at a lost for what that something might be.

Looking out the open window near her bed Cass grabbed one of her large pillows and held it tight. It felt good to hold something instead of just feel lost. She had felt lost for ages now, even before coming to school. It had been a secret hope that coming to school would free her of these lost feelings. That still hadn't happen now. Actually, it was only getting worse.

"Cass?" a small voice from just outside the doorway questioned.

"Yeah, Magenta?" Cass replied without even turning her head.

Her friends were worried about her and she knew it. No matter what she did she just couldn't shake the far away look that had been of her for a while now. Even Daniel, being as unobservant as a boy is, had noticed and asked her about it.

"Can we come in?"

It was Alondra's voice this time. Questioning her like she was a fragile porcelain doll that might break if talked too harshly. This had been normal lately, everyone walking and talking around her like she was made of egg shells. Only the twins were treating her like a real human being and not an emotional basket case.

"Of course you can. It's your room too" Cass responded very matter-of-factly.

The two girls walked quietly into the room and took seats on opposite sides of their friend. Alondra wrapped her arms around Cass and pulled her into a warm hug. Cassandra couldn't help, but smile at her caring friends. They truly cared about her, even if they showed it in funny ways sometimes.

"We thought you shouldn't be alone." Magenta finally said after a few minuets.

"You just haven't been yourself lately Cass. We're all worried about you." The concern in Allie's eyes was almost too hard to bear for Cassandra.

"I'm ok you two. Really I am." Giving her best smile and forth right look, Cassandra tried to appease them. "I've just had a few things on my mind is all."

"Well why don't you tell us?" Magenta ask, trying to pull the information out of her friend.

They wolln't understand if I told them. They may even get upset with me if they learn about Draco. No, it's better not to tell them. Cassandra had thought this over and over again. Each time she got close to telling her friends the weight she was carrying these thoughts came back to her.

"It's nothing, just exams, school ending, life. Everything a girl goes through." Cass finished the last part with a smile. For once it was a genuine smile and didn't need to be pasted on.

"Boys?" Maggie pressed even farther.

Both Alondra and Magenta were giggling now. Cassandra looked between them back and forth. The thought that they knew sent a cold chill down her spine. They weren't mad at her though, they were laughing about it. Maybe it wouldn't be so bad after all.

"Maybe" she added in a tentative voice.

"We knew it!" Alondra exclaimed while gathering Cass up into another big hug.

"Knew what?" Cass tried to ask while being smothered to death.

"You and George of course!" Magenta said with a smirk.

"Me and George?" The subject seemed to come out of thin air. Until realization started to dawn on Cassandra, they were talking about what happen over winter holiday. "Oh no, no, no, no, no, no" she stammered on. "George is my friend, but nothing like that."

"But!" Alondra continued on a frown starting to form. "The couch and winter holiday and him coming to rescue you with Draco and the way you look at him" she just kept going on and on.

A red heat started to creep up Cassandra's neck as she remembered that night and the following morning. It had been really embarrassing, but nice at the same time. Just then a thought sprang to mind. Cass's dark blue eyes whipped around to settle on Magenta and Alondra.

"He told you!" she said with sharp accusation.

There was only one person beside herself and the twins that had known about that night, Daniel. He had promised not to tell a soul, but now it seems that he had let it slip.

"I can't believe he told!" Cass continued on in disbelief.

Just then a pillow was launched at the back of her head, sending Cass almost toppling off the bed. Looking up after the shock wore off Cass saw Alondra sitting on the bed, pillow in hand and rather smug look on her face.

"We're your friends too!" she said as she brought down another pillow attack from above.

A giggle escaped from Cass as she ducked out of the way. Picking up the pillow she had been hold before the first attack she launched her own counter offensive. First at Alondra and then at the unprotected Magenta that had only been watching with amusement.

Soon the whole scene was flying pillows as the three girls each began to fling the objects about. Braking open after only a few hits, the room was quickly filled with floating feathers drifting down like snow. Sticking out of their hair, laying on the ground, and covering the bed they were each trying to hide around. All three girls were laughing openly now as they each collapsed down on the bed, their pillows void of filling.

Cassandra struggled to breath between laughs. It had been a long time since she had really laughed and it felt good. Both Alondra and Magenta were laughing hard as well. Tears pulled at the corners of Allie's eyes as she continued to laugh hard enough to shake her whole body. Magenta was just as bad, she was wrapping her arms around herself to stop from flailing about.

"What on earth!" Hermione screamed as she entered the girl's dorm room.

All three girls could only laugh harder at their very disgruntled room mate. She would never understand, even having loosened up as much as she had. It was just something you had to have been there for Cass decided.

"You two are wonderful friends" Cass finally managed to say after gaining control of herself again.

"You're a pretty good one too" Magenta added with a smile. "When you're not bottling everything up inside."

With that Magenta gave Cass a playful shove off the bed. Cassandra screech as she fell off the bed and on to her bum on the cold floor. Allie was starting to laugh again at the two of them.

"Oh I'm not coming down on my own!" Cass demanded before pulling Allie down by her ankles.

"Hey now!" Allie responded as she thumped down on the floor next to Cass.

Both girls looked at each other and gave a silent nod before each grabbing hold of Magenta's legs and pulling her down as well. Another thump sounded as Magenta found herself unceremoniously dumped on the ground beside her two friends.

"Schmucks!" Magenta bellowed.

"Git!" Allie yelled back in fun.

"Shrew!" Cass added with a laugh.

The three good friends began to laugh again. It's going to be alright Cass thought as she continued to laugh. Everything will be alright from now on.

Chapter 137: Daniel Smith

Despite the fact that no great harm had been done, Daniel's circle of friends took something of a hit, following the pillow fight in the girls' dormitory. Cassandra had many secrets, and she valued them. She had trusted Daniel to remain silent about Christmas morning. Understandably, she was angry with him for talking. Daniel, in turn, was angry with Alondra and Magenta: they had revealed to Cass that they knew, but they had not bothered to tell her that the truth had been extracted from him by force. All right, so tickle-torture wasn't exactly force, but still. Because they had withheld that information, he was now regarded as a rat, and he resented that greatly. They had sat apart at breakfast for several days, avoiding each others' eyes, and only Ray had come over to him that morning to wish him luck at today's concert.

The Hogwarts choir, consisting of thirty-seven children and five large frogs, normally performed five or six times a year: they did a few songs at school on Halloween night, followed by the Hogsmeade Christmas concert. Two months later, they would provide music for the Valentine's Day dance, if there was one. The next concert was in the spring, also in Hogsmeade. Finally, they would sing a song for the beginning of summer gala in Hogsmeade, early in June. They would usually reprise this song the following September, performing for the student body at the welcoming feast. But the big performances were the Hogsmeade ones. The Christmas concert was the biggest of the three, but it was not the one that Flitwick took most seriously. On Christmas Eve, everyone was filled with good cheer: a choir could turn in a substandard performance and no one would care. For the spring concert, expectations were high, and the diminutive Charms professor had drilled the group until their performance was close to flawless.

Daniel was technically a tenor, though his prepubescent voice was actually more on a level with the altos; he was not the only one in the group with this tendency. But he had a good voice and an excellent sense of timing, both of which were important to a singer. He had always had a love of singing in early childhood, another thing that the ensuing dark times had robbed him of. Now, he had rediscovered it, and if he sometimes had to skip up an octave when his section hit a lower note, he made up for it with the passion he put into it. And in any case, the frogs hit the low notes well enough on their own.

So now, guided by Flitwick, they steadily sang their way through the final number, and the most complex of the lot. The sopranos trilled, the basses thundered, and the frogs croaked, and somehow it all came together perfectly. Daniel sang his part, keeping his eyes glued to the director's hands. With this song, there was a tendency among the group to speed up and race through it; with other songs they were more likely to slow down. The Charms teacher's deft hands prevented these undesirable tempo changes.

The song ended, with sopranos, mezzos, altos, tenors, baritones, and basses all striking their respective notes perfectly, and Flitwick stepped back and indicated the choir, and the audience clapped wildly. Daniel inclined his head with all of the rest, and then the group filed off the stage. The concert, consisting of several groups, was strictly non-competitive, but there was no question that they would have won had it been otherwise.

The Hogwarts choir was surprisingly well balanced, in terms of age, gender, and house affiliation. Of course, the balance was not quite perfect. It was a little bit tipped toward Ravenclaws, mainly because the director was head of house there, and about sixty percent female because girls were easier to recruit as singers than boys. And it was a bit light on fifth- and seventh-years, as students occasionally had to drop out when preparing for OWL's and NEWT's. Even the one hour a week required for rehearsal could be too much, especially for the students on the edge of burnout anyway.

Another exceptionality about the group was that the harmony among them was not just musical. The Slytherin's among their number were as welcome and accepted as anyone else, and the Hufflepuffs were never thought of as wimps or duffers. Because of this, the choir room was an oasis of inter-house unity. For Daniel, who had good friends in Slytherin and Ravenclaw, this was not a great adjustment. For others, it took some getting used to.

Daniel was not the only first-year who had wandered his way into the ranks. Ravenclaw had contributed two giggly girls, and Slytherin had given the group a quiet young dark-haired boy. These four were the only ones of their year who were actually allowed to set foot in the streets of Hogsmeade during the school year. They and the six or seven seconds were supposed to go back after they were done singing. However, more often than not, an older student would take responsibility for them and show them around. They could only do so much, of course; most of the really cool stuff there could only be bought by students third-year and above. Ditto with butterbeer, since enough of it could intoxicate a person. The third-year limit had been established a century before, after one too many firsts and seconds had been found vomiting in alleys.

Melanie, the seventh-year Gryffindor who had taken Daniel in hand, was with a group of about a dozen others, gathered around a large round table and drinking butterbeer. This, naturally, meant that he was doing a whole lot of sitting around, feeling thirsty, and listening to a rather boring conversation. He couldn't help thinking about how much he missed sitting by the common room fire with the girls and discussing the price of tea in China. Because he liked Melanie, he had tried to be a trouper for a while, but he could only abide so much incessant dull chatter. He had ultimately grown weary of the whole thing and had quietly slipped away. He was small and unobtrusive and could move very quietly, so he was out of the room before anyone knew he was gone.

He had a good time after that, checking out the post office and book stores, the Shrieking Shack, and patronizing Zonko's. The proprietor of that shop had been a notorious prankster in his days at Hogwarts and had no problem at all with selling his wares to any first-year who had the good sense to ditch his minders and strike out on his own. As he was emerging from the shop with an assortment of stink pellets, odd candies, dungbomblets, and fireworks in his robe pockets, he spotted a familiar figure in the distance. Tall, green-robed, and wearing a slightly crumpled hat, Minerva McGonagall was not the person you wanted to see you roaming through Hogsmeade without an escort.

Of course, it was late in the afternoon and the village was covered with shadows, so that would buy him time, but he had to get out of sight quickly. Most of the buildings on this street were closed up and apparently locked, but there was one that looked to be open: a scroungy-looking tavern with a severed pig's head on its sign. Daniel squirted through the door and slipped into the shadows, then crept under the table closest to the corner. He threw his cloak over his head, rendering himself nearly invisible.

As he sat there, he heard voices at the table next to his, the one in the darkest corner of the bar. The speakers were an elderly fellow with a long cascade of hair who looked vaguely familiar, and a burly, bearded man with one arm ending in a fierce-looking metal hook. Curious, he listened in.

"...at Hogwarts," said the one-handed man. "But no one quite seems to know where it is. Or what it is."

"People are always storing stuff at that school," said the older man. Daniel noticed the rag he had and assumed him to be a barkeep or some such thing. "Safer than Gringotts it is, and not everyone trusts those goblins, anyway."

"But this is especially important," said One-Arm. "I heard that a high-security Gringotts vault was robbed for it."

"I doubt that," said the barkeep. "Gringotts security is considered to be impenetrable."

"The goblins admitted to it," said One-Arm. "But they said the vault was empty."

"Oooooh," said Barkeep. "So you think it was taken to Hogwarts?"

"Makes sense, don't it?"

"Now that you mention it, yes."

"I heard something else," added One-Arm. "I heard that their gamekeeper went and bought himself a special guard dog. And not just any dog. It was a Cerberus."

Barkeep laughed. "Keep a three-headed dog in a school? I don't think old Albus is quite that senile. Or did you forget that a Cerberus's favorite meal is human flesh, preferably child-size. Nice and tender."

Daniel, still secreted under the table, shuddered at the thought.

One-Arm was persistent. "Well, if it's not at Hogwarts, where is it?"

Barkeep smiled. "Well, you didn't hear this from me, but that gargantuan idiot they call a gamekeeper was in here a few nights ago. Had a few too many, he did." Daniel, remembering the apple booze, wasn't a bit surprised. Barkeep continued: "The oaf mentioned that he'd been told to keep an extra-close eye on the path behind the unicorn paddock. Dumbledore wouldn't tell him why, of course, but he said it was crucial."

"Really," the hook-handed man feigned only mild interest. "Maybe he is getting senile. How old is he now? 140?"

"147 this year. It's also possible that he wants everyone to think that his special item is locked in the castle, but instead it's in the forest. You don't get his reputation by being stupid." Barkeep sighed. "I've got to get back to work. Another drink?"

"Another time, maybe," said One-Arm. He rose and headed quickly for the door.

Daniel cautiously raised the cloak, then looked around. There were several newcomers clustered at the bar; there was no way he could get out unseen. But there was a door to the back room that was unguarded. He took out a Filibuster's Rainbow Smoke ball and touched it with his wand. It began hissing. He slid it across the room, and it detonated in a choking cloud of fuschia smoke, which faded to blue, then black, then yellow, and there were undoubtedly other colours, but he didn't see them because he was through the door and up the stairs behind it. They led to an upstairs apartment. One of the rooms had an open window. Daniel vaulted through it, catching the sill with his fingers and dropping to the alley below. Dusk was descending now, so no one saw him. They were too distracted by the rainbow-colored smoke wafting through the tavern's windows. By the time it had cleared, Daniel was hurrying along the path to Hogwarts.

Ray Jones had been dividing her time with working out alongside Daniel in the mornings and chatting with the three girls at other times. Quite frankly, she was starting to get tired of it. It seemed silly to throw away a good friendship over what appeared to be a misunderstanding. She had resolved to get the two sides talking, and had gotten the others to agree to it, but now, she had to locate Daniel.

To that end, she was waiting by the path to Hogsmeade when he came pounding up it, his cloak swirling behind him. "Daniel!"

"You'll never believe what I just heard," Daniel said. He looked around. "This way."

Once they were well off the path, Ray halted. "What is it?"

Daniel told her the story. "That one-armed guy really freaked me out," he finished. "He sounded like he was looking to steal something, only he didn't know where it was."

"We should tell the others," Ray said. At Daniel's dubious look, she went on: "Daniel, come on! They're still our friends, right?"

"I hope so," Daniel said. "But after last week, I don't know."

"Come on, you have to tell someone. We can't handle this alone."

Daniel knew that to me true. And the only other person he trusted, Matt, was in the hospital wing with the mumble mumps. He was going to be fine, but was in no condition to go on any quests. "All right," he finally said, though he was not looking forward to the conversation.

"Good," Ray said. "They said they'd wait for us in the Great Hall. Let's go."

Chapter 138: Cassandra Serenity

"What do you mean you found out where the stone is being kept?" Magenta asked with wide eyes of disbelief.

"What do you think I mean?" Daniel responded shaking his head at the group of girls around him.

"It's in the forest?" Alondra softly said more to herself than to anyone else.

An air of tension still hung over the group of first year Gryffindor's and their single Slytherin friend as they crowded around the Gryffindor table in the Great Hall. Cassandra was still unsure of how to act around these people she called friends and the act by Daniel of telling one of her most treasured secrets had been hard for her to deal with. She wanted to be able to go back to how things had been before, but a small voice inside of her kept telling that things would never be the same.

Shaking the random thoughts from her head Cassandra listened to the group more carefully, she still couldn't believe what Daniel had just told them and yet somehow she knew that it had to be true. The Philosophers stone, which Harry, Ron, and Hermione had all been searching for was finally found, hidden out in the Forbidden forest. Protected by who knows what and put there by Dumbledore himself.

Lightly biting down on her lower lip Cassandra looked around the small group. Ray, still a bit shy even after six months with the group, had a worried look in her hazel green eyes. Her gaze fixed on an unnoticeable spot on the table in front of her. Still wearing an expression of disbelief, Magenta was asking Daniel to go over it all one more time. Alondra sat quietly between Ray and Magenta her carmel colored eyes unfocused with a haunted look in them. Cassandra noticed she was looking paler than normal as well. Daniel looked a bit frazzled as well. His long dark hair was beginning to slip out of its customary ponytail while he nervously retold the story of his adventure in Hogsmead.

"We need to tell Harry, Ron, and Hermione" Daniel said loudly, breaking Cassandra from the thoughts which were pledging her.

"No!" she answered quickly, the visions of Harry laying still on the cold stone floor with the stone just out of reach coming quickly into focus in her mind. "No, we can do this ourselves," she said firmly, "they've had a hard year, we can handle this by ourselves."

Looking at her like she had gone mad, the group seemed to be in shock for a moment before the questions and comments began to fly. Everyone was concerned about not letting the trio in on their plans to retrieve the stone, but Cassandra held firm. The vision of Harry's unmoving body convinced her that this was the right thing to do no matter what the trio's feelings were about it later.

Startling the group as she spoke Ray asked the question that everyone else had been dancing around. "Why don't we want them in on this? It was their adventure from the start."

A lump in Cassandra throat seemed to form almost instantly. They wanted to know why, but she still didn't think they would accept her if they knew about her visions. The incident with Daniel, Magenta, and Alondra had convinced her even more that even friends couldn't keep secrets. But how else could she explain it?

Taking a deep breath, Cassandra thought hard about what to say. "It's in the forest, right? When we had our detention there," Cassandra quickly looked to Alondra for support in this line of thinking, "something came after Harry. If he goes back into the forest he might not be as lucky as he was last time. We just can't risk it for him, can we?"

It wasn't the whole truth, but it was a part of the truth. Cassandra hoped it would be enough of the truth to persuade the others as well. No matter how she tried she couldn't push the vision of Harry's still body from her mind.

With a decisive nod Daniel seemed to make up his mind on the matter. "Alright then, we don't want Harry to get hurt or anyone else. We can do this ourselves."

Magenta quickly agreed as did Ray and with a bit of trepidation Alondra nodded in agreement as well. With the course of action decided the group began to go over everything they knew about the stone once more. The tension that had been thick in the air only moments ago washing away and cleansing all of them of the distance that had began to build up between.

"The stone is in the forest," Magenta said with some determination, "but so is something that wants the stone."

Daniel nodded before adding more to the information. "We know it's behind the unicorn paddock and about a few hundred meters into the forest."

"And it's being protected by something, but we don't know what" Ray sighed as they all felt the weight of what they had decided to do.

Alondra was the last to speak, her voice much quieter than the others. "We can't let Harry, Ron, or Hermione know about this either."

"Now we know what we're doing, but when and how should we do it?" Cassandra heard herself ask before she realized what she had said it.

The quartet of first years all seemed to be at a loss for answers now. Gathering information was one thing, but planning to rescue the stone from deep inside the forbidden forest was quite something else.

Unexpectedly it was Alondra who spoke up next. "We'll go into the forest and get it tomorrow. It's still the weekend and we wolln't be missed if we leave early."

After some consideration the small group of students agreed, they would meet tomorrow to head into the forbidden forest and search for the stone that was hidden there.

As the group assembled the next morning in the early hours of dawn in the Gryffindor common room they began to prepare themselves for their up coming journey. Cassandra had made a special request from Panthe, Orest, and Quistle to have some extra food brought up from the kitchens. Being the happy house elves they were, they were only to happy to help.

"Have we got everything?" Daniel asked with a hint of impatience in his voice.

Nodding her head as she looked over the things they had gathered to take with them Cassandra replied "Yes, every things ready."

Before they could depart for their journey into the forest, however, another Gryffindor first year appeared at the base of the stairs to the common room. Her short chin length hair slightly messed from a night's sleep and her brown eyes still groggy from dreams. Yawning slightly she looked over the quartet of first years with curiosity.

"What are you guys doing up so early?" Erin asked as she looked over each of the four group members.

"Just going out for an early picnic" Magenta quickly said, a false smile shinning brightly on her face.

"Oh?" Erin seemed to perk up with interest, much to the dismay of the other four first years, "can I come too?" With a quick dash up the stairs she was back down and dressed before any of the group could tell her no.

"Actually, we're going into the forest" Daniel said hoping to scare the shyer Gryffindor away. Unfortunately the opposite effect seemed to be had.

"Really? That sounds like even more fun" Erin chirped happily.

Grudgingly the group had no other opinion than to allow their fellow first year to come with them. If they had refused someone would be left behind that knew what they were planning.

Silently the five first years crept out of the castle, moving along the shadows as George and Fred had taught Cassandra on their many outings together. Though it was morning and they had every right to be about the castle, none of them wished to be seen slipping out so early. It could only lead to questions about where they were going. Daniel had come up with a brilliant idea of telling anyone who they might meet that they were on their way to see Hagrid at his hut. Thankfully that excuse was not needed as the five students made it out of the castle without seeing a single soul.

Once outside of the castle the journey became much easier as professors were not as likely to be wandering about. The small group of first years hurried along quickly towards the grounds keeper's cottage which sat nestled closely next to the forest imposing mass. None group had actually been to the unicorn's paddock yet, but they hoped it wouldn't be too hard to find.

After a bit of searching it was Erin who first spotted the unicorn's paddock and called for the rest of the group. Still trying not to drawn attention to themselves the group of first years slipped quietly into the dense forest, a small path barely visible in front of them.

"Do you think we'll meet up with any of the creatures that are supposed to live in the forest?" Ray asked, her voice wavering with a hint of worry.

Daniel, who was walking close by Ray, gave the younger red head a reassuring smile. "We'll be fine, we're in a good size group."

Somehow his words weren't as reassuring to Cassandra as they were to Ray. Memories of her last trip to the forest began to enter Cass's mind as the group walked deeper and deeper into the forest. The shadow creature which had killed the unicorn and drank its blood was still loose and wandering this forest, as were many other dark creatures. For an instant another image of her trip into the forest flashed into her mind, two cool gray eyes and the sensation of heat of her lips. Cassandra shuddered at the feeling of heat of it.

"You ok Cassie?" Alondra questioned, her eyes shown the concern she had for her dear friend.

Pushing the memories from her mind Cassandra tried to come back to the present. "Yeah, I'm fine, just remembering the last time we were in the forest."

A shared look passed between the two girls. They both knew what they had seen last time they were in the forest, though the rest of the group might never really understand it. This was something the two girls would always have in common, the shadow creature.

Moving deeper still into the forest the bright suns light became dimmer as fewer rays made it through the large canopy of braches above. Thankfully it was not as dark as it had been the last time Cassandra had been to the forest, but the diminished light cast more shadows around the group, something that made Cassandra's heart beat all the faster. If only there was a bit more light she wished inwardly.

It was the sound and not the movement which first caught Cassandra's attention. A loud crashing sound echoed through the quiet forest like a ripple. The intensity of it caused Cassandra to gasp for air as all of her breath was pulled from her chest. A moment later, lying on the forest ground, Cassandra realized that it wasn't the sound which had made her lose all her air, but Daniel's small frame which had grabbed her and pulled her down.

Staring bewildered from the forest floor the confused red head noticed that the entire group was now lying helpless on the ground. Ray, Alondra, and Erin were to the right while Magenta, Daniel and herself were to the left, but there was something in the middle as well. With wide eyes Cassandra slowly realized what it was that stood between her and her friends, a forest troll.

The ugly, oversized, oaf stood eleven feet high with pale green skin, straggly patches of thin brown hair and dark, mad, eyes. In its hand it held a large wooden club, which Cassandra noted with horror was now planted firmly in the ground which she herself has just been standing on. Daniel had saved her by throwing her and himself to the ground in one swift motion. Before she could register the fact completely, however, she began to see more movement from inside what appeared to be a clearing. There were more trolls coming towards the small group now, doing a quick count she could see four more of the massive creatures. A low deep grunt came out of the monstrous creature in front of them before it began to pick up its massively sized club once again.

"Everybody move!" she yelled as loud as she could before finding her footing and sprinting from her place on the ground.

Chapter 139: Daniel Smith

Daniel and Magenta both thought the same way; they sidestepped the approaching creatures rapidly, readying their wands as they went. The trolls were coming fast, too fast: they were only going to get one or two spells off before things became up close and personal.

"I'll take the one on the right!" Daniel shouted. He dimly realized that Cass was no longer with him, but there was no time to search for her. "Other one's yours," he added.

Magenta nodded and aimed her wand at her troll's massive legs. "Femur adheris!" she shouted, waving her weapon at the approaching behemoth on the right. Instantly, its huge legs snapped together, and it pitched forward onto the ground.

"Conjunctivitis!" Daniel shouted, and the other troll reeled back, its eyes instantly bright pink and runny and swollen shut. The club flew from its hand as it clawed at its face. Unfortunately, the massive weapon landed in a tree and was stuck there.

Several more explosions of light and sound shook the woods as Magenta pounded her troll with several more hexes, nothing greatly damaging, but quite unpleasant. Despite the continuing punishment, it had forced itself up and was taking agonizing tiny steps toward the two children, and its stricken companion. A leg-locking spell, completely effective against a human, could only slow the larger and more magic-resistant troll down.

"Co'mon!" Daniel said to his comrade. "Double-team that one!"

He and Magenta charged at the troll. Magenta kicked viciously at its knees and legs, doing very little damage. Troll skeletons contained a far greater ratio of solid bone to marrow as compared to human ones, and were therefore nearly indestructible. Daniel picked up a rock and heaved it at the beast's head. He hit reasonably close to dead center, but it didn't matter. The beast's platemail-like skull could have stopped a slug from a muggle's .45 pistol. Using a mere cobblestone on it was like trying to stop a charging bull with a spitball.

"We have to attack it higher," Magenta said. Her feet were aching from her attempts to kick the blinded beast.

"Keep hexing it," Daniel said. "Distract it."

More bursts of brilliance as Magenta complied. Daniel raced toward a tree and scrambled up it, with agility that was part natural and part desperation. Sixteen feet up, he skittered along a branch, then dropped onto the monster's face, striking and kicking at random. He did little damage, but the troll hurt itself terribly trying to strike him and striking itself instead.

Below, Magenta ran out of hexes and returned to hitting and kicking. She got the behemoth a good one in the privates, eliciting a roar of agony and almost getting stepped on. But then, the second troll was within striking distance. She had no choice but to leap away and hope Daniel could get himself out of this jam.

Daniel, clinging to a handful of the blinded troll's hair, saw the second foe as well. He stood upright atop the huge head and leaped to the other monster, barely evading its huge hand. "Hey, ugly!" he shouted to the first troll. "Over here!"

WHOOOOM! The blind troll threw a haymaker punch, catching the leg-locked one in the head and knocking him to the ground. He landed atop his club, so it wasn't available for Daniel to use, but he appeared to be out of the fight. Daniel went flying downward, but he knew how to fall and received only bruises.

"Good one!" Magenta cheered.

"Yeah," Daniel said, picking himself up. "Let's take the other one now!"

Together, the two preteens raced behind the confused and oozy-eyed troll. Daniel indicated the back of its knee. Both of them kicked at it simultaneously, and the joint gave, bending. The troll hit the ground with a smash. Daniel raced up him and dropped a terrific stomping kick on his face, it obviously hurt him.

Magenta was racing around to find a convenient attack point, but disaster suddenly and unexpectedly struck. Her foot slipped neatly between two exposed tree roots, pinioning her tightly in place. "Daniel! Help me!"

Daniel leaped down to aid her, but the troll's gargantuan arm swept him aside, sent him tumbling to the ground. Nothing broke, but he received a lot of scrapes and bruises. The troll heard his body hit and charged toward the sound, intent on reducing its tormenter to goo.

Meanwhile, the other troll was rising. Despite the powerful roundhouse punch it had taken, it was coming again, even angrier. The child closest to it was Magenta, and it brought its club up to crush her.

Magenta had no idea what happened next. One split second, she realized that she was in mortal danger, and then she was trying to decide between the blasting curse and the disarming spell, and then she was shouting something, and the troll's club exploded in his hand, spewing sawdust and splinters and chunks of wood in all directions.

Daniel, meanwhile, saw the troll lift its foot to crush him. "Lumos solaria!" he shouted. Previously, the spell had yielded only a hot glow of sunny light. This time, it shot a lance of glaring white into the upraised foot. The troll shrieked and fell over backwards, flames and smoke coming from its foot. Blind and now half-lame as well, it turned tail and fled into the forest, its footsteps diminishing in the distance.

Silence slowly settled over the clearing. Daniel eyed Magenta, then looked down at the smoking remnants of the troll's club. "Nice," he said. "What was that?"

"Uhhh... blasting curse," Magenta said, even though it was only half true. She wasn't sure what had happened, and didn't want to discuss it until she had a better idea. "What about you? I didn't know the Sun Ray spell could do that."

"Yeah, I know," Daniel said. "Energy-related spells just work really well for me, I can't explain why."

Magenta heard the sounds of combat in the distance. "Co'mon. Let's see if we can help the others."

Daniel nodded, and the two of them raced toward their comrades.

Chapter 140: Cassandra Serenity

Sprinting from where she lay on the forest floor, Cassandra quickly made distance to the first available troll. Her wand seemed to jump into her hand almost without even reaching for it. This fact was easily forgotten as the lumbering mammoth began to charge at her, club lifted above its head.

Not as quick as Magenta or as agile as Daniel, Cassandra knew that she would have to use her wand instead of relying on any possible physical attacks. Different spells she knew flew through her mind all at once. Which one would work the best against the large attacker she didn't know. The imposing figure loomed closer, its speed increasing with every ragged breath Cassandra took.

"Incutio Conseco" the young red head yelled as bright red light exploded from the tip of her wand.

Zipping through the air with amazing speed the spell struck true and cut deep into the massive troll outer right thigh. Roaring from the pain of the slicing curse the enormous toll quickly became enraged. His dark eyes fixed on the small girl in front of him with a murderous glare. Lips curled back into a snarl showing his rotting, yellow teeth which he began to grind together in fury.

Swinging his club downward at the frail girl, Cassandra barely had time to move out of its way. The force of the club cutting through the air sent her to the ground once again. The entire forest floor seemed to be shaking with the movement of the trolls. Cassandra didn't have time, however, to see what was happening with her friends or the other trolls. All of her attention was focused on the one in front of her, the one which had just missed her once again.

Getting to her feet quickly Cassandra searched for a spell which might work against the enormous creature. Luckily for the young girl she had been studying for just such an encounter. Well not exactly like this she mused as she remembered why she had actually been studying offensive magic. The real reasons varied the earlier fight with the troll in the beginning of the year, the fights in January with Malfoy and his goons, the encounter with the shadow creature. They had all made her want to be more prepared for a fight if there happened to be one. Now she was more grateful for that study and practice.

"Impedimenta" she called as she pointed her wand at the massive creature and a bright blue light erupted from her wand.

The spell did not have the effect she had hoped for, however. Instead of stopping the troll in its tracks, it only seemed to slow the massive creature. She knew it couldn't have been that easy. The time she had spent thinking about a spell and remembering why she had researched so many of them had cost her. Even slowed by her spell the pale green skinned creature had moved in closer to her, close enough to use its club.

Cassandra could see it before it got close enough to hit, but still not having the physical capabilities of her friends she couldn't move fast enough to get fully out of its way. With only the tip of the club and the air around it to hit her she was luckily not hurt as badly as she could have been. Pain shooting up her left arm told her was hit, however, as the air from the attack forced her down to the ground once again.

She could now feel the fury the disgusting troll had felt earlier when she had wounded it. The pain in her arm only served to enrage her, making her all the more dangerous. Getting to her feet with a bit more of a struggle than she had on previous times she narrowed her eyes on the creature which had caused her this pain. Something inside of her began to well up, building in intensity from within the deepest part of her.

Trying to swing its massive club once again at the wounded red head it couldn't know what was about to happen to it. With a deadly stare the young girl watched the still slowed creature begin to swing its wooden weapon. An emotion she hadn't felt to this extent before pulsating through her veins, anger.

Lifting her wand to point it directly at the massive wooden club Cassandra roared "Expelliarmus"

Much to the shock of the troll its enormous club was ripped from its hands and thrown backwards, hitting one of the other trolls sounded in the back. In front of Cassandra the troll she had been fighting with had a look on confusion before more anger settled in its eyes. It fury was only meet by the anger and pain which dwelled within the small girl in front it.

Rampaging forward with all of its might the enormous troll seemed to move faster than it had at any other time in the fight. Cassandra held little care as she felt another stinging pain from her left arm. Something from within her was growing stronger, she could feel it in the air around her and in how it flowed through her.

"Incutio Conseco" she yelled again at her oncoming attacker.

With anger fuelled magic the slicing curse exploded from Cassandra's wand, its once bright red light tainted a dull red by the fury from within her. Slicing deep into the monstrous creature not once, but several times, a horrid roar of pain escaped from the blooded troll before it fell to the ground. It body covered in oozing gashes, as it withered in pain on the forests floor.

The beasts pained cries shook Cassandra from the state of fury she had been in since the troll had hit her with its massive club. Looking on at the damage she had done with wide and disbelieving eyes. Her stomach contracted making her feel as if she would be sick. She had done this; she had been the one to cause such pain and had done it with little regard.

Another cry of pain from the fallen troll made Cassandra's heart tighten. The massive creature could do little more than roll about on the forest floor in pain from the several deep gashes on its body. The sight of it was almost too much to bear.

"Stupefy" she said with a chocked voice, a blue light hitting the large creature and stopping its howls of pain.

A terrible realization was beginning to form within Cassandra when she heard the cries of her friends. They were still fighting and they needed help. She couldn't leave them to fight alone, even if she was hurt and afraid of what she might do.

Looking to her left she saw Magenta and Daniel working together to fight off two trolls. They appeared to be doing alright for themselves, but then where had the scream come from? Looking for her right her question was answered. A massive troll was rounding down on Ray. The frightened girl seemed to be protecting something, but what it was Cassandra couldn't make out at first. After a moment of looking she recognized something she wished she hadn't. Alondra's chestnut colored hair was draped about the forest floor, her body unmoving.

"Oh god," she whispered hoarsely, "this wasn't supposed to happen."