"You're crazy." Ginny said. "It'll never work."
"Yeah it will." Harry said
"You don't think anyone's gonna notice you flying out of a window?"
"At two in the morning, I doubt they'd care."
"How do you expect to get you're broom up here?"
"That's the easy part. The hard part is getting you and Hermione down there on time." They both fell silent as the nurse walked by. When she had moved on, Ginny said:
"Harry, you can't. You almost broke your neck a week ago. There's no way you're gonna be able to..."
"You're the one that wanted me to do it anyway. Remember?"
"Yeah but..."
"Well then don't go telling me not to."
"But..."
"Look. Just get Hermione and yourself out there tonight, and I'll meet you. Okay?"
"But your neck..."
"Do you want Ron to come back?"
"Yeah."
"Then get yourself down there on time."
She sighed. "Alright. I'll go tell Hermione." Harry watched her leave. He wasn't sure exactly how physically ready he was for what was coming, but he didn't really care. Ron needed help.

Later that day, Hermione came running into the hospital wing. "Have you gone mad?" she asked Harry.
"Probably."
"You can't..."
"Hermione, just do what you have to do, and I'll do what I have to do. Okay?"
"But..." Harry sighed. "Alright... well at least use this." She pointed to the bed side table and muttered a few words. A neck brace appeared on the table.
"That won't help much." Harry said.
"Just wear it. If not for your sake then for mine."
"Okay whatever."
"See you tonight." She said as she walked away.

Harry watched the nurse as she walked into her office, locked the door, and blew the light out. He quietly sat up and reached for the neck brace that was hidden between his bed and the bed side table. He slipped it on, still wondering why he needed it, grabbed his wand, and went to the window. "Accio Firebolt." he whispered. In a few minutes, his broom came floating up to the open window. Harry pulled it inside and checked to see if the nurse had noticed. She hadn't. Harry got onto his Firebolt and flew slowly down to the ground. He couldn't see Ginny or Hermione. Where are they? He landed and looked around. Suddenly something touched his shoulder. "What the..."
"Shh!" Ginny said. "Get under here before someone sees you." Harry was pulled under his invisibility cloak. This is odd, he thought. I didn't tell them to use this. He looked at Hermione.
"I felt a little safer with this. Just sneaking around is too noticeable." she said
"Whatever." Harry said. He looked over at Ginny. "You're late."
"Filch." Ginny said. "Come on. Let's get this over with."
"Wait." Hermione said. "Harry? Remember last year when we went in there? Do you think the centaurs are still mad?"
"Maybe. But they got their buddy back when the professor came back. Either way, we're invisible, so it won't matter."
"Do you plan on staying invisible the whole time?" Ginny asked.
"No I don't. I plan on you two staying invisible the whole time." Harry said.
"What?" Ginny said.
"You're not going in there alone." Hermione said.
"No. Not alone. Just not invisible." Harry explained.
"What about you're broom?"
"It'll be fine till we get back."
"Shh." Ginny said. She pointed ahead of them. "Hagrid." Harry looked up. Hagrid's light was still on. The three of them walked as fast as they could. Fang started barking.
"Great." Hermione said. The door on Hagrid's hut opened, and Hagrid stepped out.
"Who's there?" Hargid said. Hagrid looked straight at them. Suddenly Ginny pulled them over to the side of the hut.
"What was that about?" Harry asked.
"Your shoes. He saw your shoes." she said.
"Harry?" Hagrid said. "I know that was you. I'm not lettin' you go in there, Harry." Too bad, Harry thought.
"When I say three, run for it." Harry whispered. The girls nodded. Hagrid came around the corner.
"Harry I know you're against that wall. Come on out." Harry slipped out from under the cloak. "Who else is under there?" Hermione and Ginny came out too. "I know ya want to save yer friend, but I can't let ya go in there. It's too dangerous. Now come on. I'll take you back to the castle."
"Three!" Harry said. He and Ginny bolted into the forest, but Hermione wasn't fast enough. Hagrid grabbed her around the waist and pulled her back. She screamed.
"No! Let me go! Harry!" she called. Harry stopped.
"Come on!" Ginny said. "He'll get all of us if we don't keep moving."
"She's the only one that knows where we're going." Harry said
"Harry! Get back here!" Hagrid screamed.
"We can deal without her." Ginny said. There was a loud crash from behind them. Hagrid was chasing after them.
"Alright let's go." Harry said. The two of them went running through the woods. Eventually they lost Hagrid, but Harry could still hear someone chasing them. "Ginny wait." he said. He threw the invisibility cloak over them at the same time that a centaur galloped past.
"Why don't they like wizards?" Ginny asked
"Long story. Just stay away from them." They started walking. Harry wished he knew where he was. "You have any idea where we are?"
"In the forest."
Harry sighed. "Where are we supposed to go? It's not like there's a sign."
"No clue. Too bad the centaurs hate us. We could ask them." Ginny said.
"Firenze." Harry said.
"Who?"
"The centaur. The one that taught astronomy last year."
"Oh. What about him?"
"He likes humans. If we could find him..."
"They all look alike!" Ginny said. "How're we supposed to find him?"
"I dunno."
"Great plan."
Harry sighed again. "Shut up. At least I try."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Harry didn't get a chance to answer her. A group of centaurs was behind them. He pulled her into some high weeds. They both ducked down as low as they could get. The centaurs stopped right in front of them.
"There are humans in the forest. I can smell them." One of them said.
"Any idea where they are?" Another one asked
The first one stopped and sniffed the air. "They've been here. Not long ago. Keep an eye out."
"Probably Firenze's doing." A third one said
"Yes, well, he'd better hope he finds his friends before we do." The second one said. They galloped away.
"Friendly." Ginny said as they stood up.
"We should probably wear this." Harry said, throwing the cloak over them.
"What good will it do if they can smell us?"
"Dunno."
"Real good plan you have."
"I never have a plan." Harry said "It just kinda happens."
"Alright..."
"Shh!" Harry said. He heard galloping behind them. Harry pulled Ginny into the weeds again. He caught a glimpse of the centaur as he ran past them. "Firenze!" Harry shouted
"What are you doing?" Ginny whispered. Up ahead, the centaur stopped.
"That's Firenze." Harry whispered back.
"Who said that?" Firenze asked.
"Me." Harry said, stepping out from under the cloak.
"Oh. It's you. So you're the human that they're all going crazy over."
"Yeah. Ginny and I."
"Who?" Firenze asked. Ginny pulled the invisibility cloak off of herself. "I see."
"We need your help." Harry said.
"Is this about the other humans?"
"Other humans?" Ginny asked.
"Some centaurs said that they saw two young wizards come into the forest a few days ago."
Two? Harry thought. "Did you see them?" Ginny asked.
"I thought I saw one. Either that or it was a small centaur."
"Do you know where they went?" Harry asked.
"I can show you the path that will take you there, but I will not go with you." Firenze said.
"Why not?" Ginny asked.
"They say something lives there. The stars have been arranged oddly during the last month. The other centaurs think it is an omen."
"Alright then. Show us the path." Harry said. Ginny and Harry followed Firenze under the invisibility cloak. Harry reached up and pulled off his neck brace.
"What are you doing?" Ginny asked.
"This isn't helping me any."
"Harry..."
"I can't fight anything if I can't turn my head to see it."
"Here it is." Firenze said. "Be careful. You don't need to hide. No other centaurs would dare come this close." Harry pulled the cloak off of them and left it in the weeds.
"Thanks." he said to Firenze as he galloped away. Harry turned to Ginny. "Remember where this is." he said to her.
"No problem."

Harry crept down the path. Ginny was very close to him. They had been walking for a while, and they hadn't found anything. Harry was thinking of giving up, when something up ahead of them moved. Ginny gasped. Harry held his wand up, ready to strike... the thing ahead of them whimpered.
"It's Ron." Ginny whispered. "I know it is."
"Shh." Harry said. The two of them moved slowly down the path. When they got close enough to actually tell that it was Ron, Ginny ran to his side, while Harry kept looking around.
"Ginny!" Ron said. "How did you..."
"Shush." Harry said.
"Harry? How'd you find me?"
"Long story." Harry saw something moving in the corner of his eye.
"Harry, you have to run." Ron said
"What?"
"Run! Take Ginny and run. Get out of here."
"We're not leaving without you." Ginny said.
"You have to. She'll find you."
"Who's she?" Harry asked, but he never heard the answer. Just then something hit him in the back of the head, sending a shock of pain down his back. Harry fell forward and...

When Harry woke up, he was lying on the ground. Ginny was next to him. He reached over and shook her. "Ginny." he whispered, but she didn't respond. Harry wondered where Ron was... he sat up and looked around. Everything was dark. Suddenly, in the distance, he saw a bunch of blue eyes coming at him. The blue lights, he thought. When the things got closer, Harry's nose told him they were vengeance deamons. Oh crud, Harry thought. "Ginny." He whispered, shaking her harder. "Ginny!"
"She's not going to wake up." Harry heard. "Lumnos!" The forest was lit up, and Harry looked up at Voldemort.
"You..."
"Yes me. It's always me. Haven't you figured that out yet?"
"I knew it was you."
"Oh really? Then why do you sound so surprised?" Harry couldn't come up with a good answer. He looked at the eyes that kept getting larger. Blue lights... blue eyes... he should have known. If this year had been like the others, they would have figured that out months ago. But it wasn't like the others... "I'm curious, why are you so attached to that girl?" Voldemort asked, pointing at Ginny. "Every time I see her, you're right behind her." Again, Harry couldn't think of an answer.
"What did you do with Ron?" Harry asked
"Who? Oh, him." Voldemort said, pointing his wand into the distance. Harry caught a glimpse of Ron, lying flat on his back, with his head facing the other way. "I think we both know what happens to people who don't obey me." Harry's jaw dropped. "Oh come on. You can't be that surprised. We've been at this for five years now."
"I'll get you for this..." Harry said.
"Funny how you keep saying that." Voldemort said "But it never seems to happen, does it? But you know what? I think I've figured it out. If I try to kill you myself, it never works. If another person tries to kill you, that won't work either. So... what about another animal?" He looked up at the deamons, which were now standing in a circle around them. "I don't really know if you can classify those as animals. I think you know where this is going. But first, I'd like you to know of another silly little girl that betrayed you." Voldemort turned around, went into the forest, and came back with Cho. "And now since I have no use for any of you, I think I'll let my friends have some fun." He snapped his fingers twice, and the deamons started to growl. "Oh, and don't bother looking away. It won't work. Farewell... although I know you won't."
"Wait!" Cho said. Voldemort turned. Harry could see that he looked very annoyed. "You said you wouldn't hurt them."
"Are you stupid?" Harry asked as he got up. "Haven't you heard of what he does to his victims? I know you have. I told you myself." Harry looked at Voldemort. He looked surprised.
"Well... since you two have this all figured out..." He turned and started walking through the forest. His light went with him. Cho turned and looked at Harry. She opened her mouth like she was going to say something -
"You have to be the stupidest person I've ever seen." Harry said. He watched the blue eyes walking around them. "Where's my wand?"
"I dunno."
"Where's your wand?"
"Right here." she said, holding it up. Just then the light went out.
"A little light would be useful!"
"Harry?" he heard. It was Ginny. "Harry... what's going on?"
"Lumnos." Cho whispered. The forest was lit up. Harry jumped. He hadn't realized how close the deamons were. Ginny screamed.
"Harry..."
"Ginny... it's alright." he said as he looked for his wand. "We've gotta find my wand."
"Even if you had it... you wouldn't know what to say..." Ginny said.
"Do you?" Harry asked. She didn't answer. Harry stooped down and grabbed her shoulders. "Ginny! Do you know the spell?" She nodded. "What is it?"
"B-b-b-an-er-an-if-icio. I-it's for demons, b-but I guess it would work."
"Baneranificio." Harry repeated. He found his wand and stood up. Cho's light went out. "Baneranificio!" A bright blue light lit up the forest, and when it faded away, the deamons were gone.
"Wow." Ginny said. "That was a bright light."
"Lumnos." Cho said again. Harry looked down at Ginny. She jumped up.
"Ron!" she screamed. She ran in his direction. Harry dropped his wand and followed her.
"Ginny! Wait!" But she was already on her knees next to Ron. Harry came up beside her. Ginny reached out and touched Ron's neck.
"Well... he's still breathing." she said. Ron opened his eyes and looked up at them.
"But..." Harry said "He said..."
"He missed." Ron said. "I was playing dead." Ginny slapped him.
"You stupid git! You scared me to death."
"Sorry." The light went out again.
"Cho!" Harry said. He heard someone running away. "Well she's certainly less than helpful."
"Hold on." Ginny said. Harry could hear her crawling past him. "Lumnos." she said. She threw Harry's wand at him. "Don't drop it next time." Harry lit his own wand and looked around.
"Umm... anyone remember the way out?"
"That way." Ron said, pointing over toward Ginny. "Hey, I remembered something."
"Ginny?" Harry said. "Could you get him?" Ginny turned around and floated Ron closer to them. They walked back down the path.
"Harry! Wait." Ginny said as she reached into the weeds. She pulled out his invisibility cloak and threw it to him. "Wouldn't want to forget that."
"Thanks."

They continued walking. Harry had no clue where he was going. He asked Ron, but he didn't know either.
"Great." Ginny said. "Now we're lost in a forest full of people hating centaurs." But where are the centaurs? Harry thought. He asked Ron and Ginny.
"That's a good question." Ron said. We should have seen one by now, Harry thought. Just then he felt the ground shaking.
"Get down!" he said. The three of them dove into the weeds. Ron hit the ground hard and screamed in pain.
"Ginny!"
"Sorry."
"Quiet." Harry whispered. A very large group of centaurs came running down the path.
"What is it?" one of them asked. "What's going on?"
"The thing!" another shouted. "It's attacking the school. Hide before it chases us!" He's attacking the school, Harry thought. But he's afraid of Dumbledore... the group of centaurs ran on. Harry looked at Ron.
"Why would he attack the school? He's scared of Dumbledore."
"Dumbledore isn't there." Ginny said.
"What?"
"He left yesterday."
"Why?"
"I dunno. I just saw him leaving." Harry stood up.
"We have to get back to the school."
"Harry." Ron said. "He'll use the deamons."
"He banished them." Ginny said.
"There are more. Hundreds more. I've seen them. I think he breeds them."
"Eww."
"Let's go." Harry said. "If the person Voldemort fears most can't be there, then the person he can't get rid of will be."