The Philosopher's Stone
Chapter Twenty
Detention
Crabbe and Goyle had been given detention with Professor Snape, though none of the other children involved in the fight received a detention slip themselves. Eventually, after a few days they all assumed the matter had been dropped and Blaise and Pansy had even returned to studying with the others. Then, just before final exams were meant to begin and the day Armstrong was scheduled to leave, The Gryffindors and Draco received notices that they had to attend detention that evening.
This was confusing to them, and Ron and Draco were both in favor of protesting it since it had been several weeks since the fight. Hermione and Neville were in favor of just going to the detention, finishing their hour of writing 'I will not fight' and being done with the whole thing. Yuery was concerned that it was another attempt to get him into a private meeting, since Chen would not arrive until tomorrow and Armstrong was leaving tonight.
Armstrong, as it turned out, decided to take the morning train instead of the evening so he would be in the castle one more evening. This assured Yuery nothing would happen then. He considered whether he should go to Armstrong or Snape and warn them that they had been given detention. In the end, he decided not to draw attention to his punishment, so as not to remind anyone that he had gotten into a fight. He had already received enough letters from his parents and grandparents, as well as lectures from Armstrong and Snape to want to avoid reminding them. Likely they would be sitting in McGonagall's classroom anyway and she had been helping Snape keep Yuery from having to meet the Headmaster.
Ron, Hermione, Neville, and Yuery met Draco near the doors that night, Flitch walked up to them a moment later, a smug look upon his face as he leads them out of the castle. "The Forbidden Forrest is the perfect punishment for rotten youths. Pity they no longer allow us to hang you in shackles in the dungeons. That would teach you. Too soft on you these days." Flitch muttered as they walked along. He continued to mutter as they went but Yuery tuned him out instead patting his pockets carefully to ensure he had both his wand and chalk.
He wouldn't use them unless it was necessary but there was no way he was going into the Forrest without adequate protection. His Dad was going to be so angry when he learned about this. It was going to be bad no matter what, but the things he'd heard about the place scared him. The others looked just as frightened, as they saw a light bobbing in the distance. He wondered how long it would take for Armstrong or Snape to get word of this, hopefully before the actually entered the forest so they could put a stop to it.
Hagrid was waiting for them outside his cottage looking depressed as they approached. "Get it together man, you're heading into the forest. Best to keep your wits about you." Flitch sneered.
"What, you were serious?!" Draco said going pale. "There's no way this is allowed. There's…werewolves in there."
"Then you should have behaved, shouldn't you?" Flitch said. "It's no more than you deserve, I'm sure."
"Is this what kept ya? Lecturing the kids? That's not your job, you can go now." Hagrid said with a wave of his hand. Flitch nodded and left after a few more snide comments.
"Don't you worry none. There are no werewolves in there. Just stick to the paths and you'll be fine." Hagrid said with a sniff.
"Are you alright Hagrid?" Yuery asked.
"Had to send Norbert off this morning. Your brother Charlie came for him." Hagrid said sadly. "I don't like it. What if the other dragons are mean to him? He's just a baby."
"I'm sorry Hagrid. I'm sure Charlie will take good care of him." Ron assured.
"Right." Hagrid forced a smile and turned toward the forest. "Something's been attacking the unicorns in here. Another one went missing this evening. We're going in to look for it, but stay safe, stick together. Ron, Hermione you take the first path. Neville, Draco you take the second path. Yuery you're with me."
"Fine, but I want Fang." Draco said pointing at the giant dog.
"I should warn you, he's a bloody coward." Hagrid said as he handed over the lead. "If you get into trouble, send up sparks and I'll come for you. Nothing in the forest will hurt ya as long as you stick to the path."
The groups split up and started down the paths, Yuery, Hermione, and Draco lighting the way with their wands. Yuery and Hagrid soon saw drops of silvery blood along the path. Hagrid was greatly disturbed as they walked quickly deeper into the forest following the trail.
Suddenly, sparks flew up into the sky and the dog's barks could be heard in the distance. "Stay here, I'll be right back with the others. Don't move from this spot." Hagrid rushed out as he ran in the direction of the sparks.
Yuery waited on the path, fingering the chalk in his pocket even as he held his wand high. No one could know he was an alchemist, he reminded himself. It was his edge, his secret weapon. He couldn't give it away because a shadow startled him like a child. Even if the shadows did seem to be moving on their own…
He heard a strange noise just off the path and looking down he noticed the droplets lead in the same direction. He was undecided. He knew he was to wait for Hagrid, but there was something out there. It could be the unicorn and it had clearly been injured.
With a shake of his head, because he already knew this was going to get him into more trouble, Yuery stepped off of the path into the trees. He heard the strange slurping sound again and frowned as he stepped between the trees carefully to avoid twisting an ankle. A few moments later he came upon an awful sight.
Leaning against a fallen tree was a unicorn, it's pure white coat nearly glowing in the minimal light of the moon, its silver blood splashed all around the poor animal who if not dead yet, soon would be. Lurking above it was a shadowy creature, masked by the shadows. Suddenly, the shadowed figure looked up and Yuery felt a great wave a dread as it seemed to look directly at him.
He could feel the darkness coming off the shadowed man in waves. It seemed to float toward him as it said in a whispered voice. "Harry Potter- "
Suddenly, the sound of pounding hooves rushed toward them then it broke through the trees scaring away the shadow creature. Yuery stepped back startled at the sight of his savior. It had the body of a horse, with what appeared to be half a man attached to the top where the neck and head should have been. He blinked rapidly as he wondered if he was dreaming all of this after all.
He had never seen a chimera like this, though to be fair he hadn't seen many chimeras at all. He had heard the adults speak of them and believed his family would be surprised as well. Then as his heartrate calmed, when the man hadn't attacked him, he remembered learning of centaurs in his classes. That he felt made more sense, as the centaur said "Harry Potter, the Forest is not safe tonight. Especially for you. Come I will lead you to safety."
Yuery climbed onto the back as was insisted, and they took off in a run. "What was that back there?" Yuery asked.
"A dark creature beyond hope. For though one can survive if they are but a thread from death by drinking the blood of a unicorn. However, you have slain something so pure that from the moment the blood touches your lips you will have a cursed life, a half-life. Can you not think of one desperate enough to do this?"
"Voldemort?" Yuery guessed. "He has returned then."
"He comes for what is hidden in the castle." The centaur replied, as their path was suddenly surrounded by more of his kind.
An argument broke out between the one he was riding and what Yuery assumed was their leader. Apparently, it was disrespectful to ride on the back of a centaur. Yuery attempted to slide off of his back to avoid further conflict, though the centaur held him in place with a hand on his waist as he argued. "You know what hunts in the forest. You know who this boy is, what has been written in the stars."
"We vowed to stay out of the matters of men."
"He will come for us all."
"Um," Yuery said softly, not sure that he would make things better or worse if he spoke, but he couldn't let this man get in trouble for helping him. "I can get back to the castle from here. I meant no offense."
"You did nothing wrong." The Centaur said, before leaving the others behind, after a final exchange regarding Yuery's importance.
"Everyone keeps calling me that." Yuery said as they trotted along. "But I'm not Harry Potter, I'm Yuery Elric."
"You were born Harry Potter. You are Harry Potter."
"Harry Potter died the night his parents did." Yuery said with a sad shrug. "That has never been who I am, and I am not going to pretend it is now to make people happy. I'm sorry if that disappoints everyone here, at home I am Yuery Elric and that's all I need to be."
"Would you turn your back on destiny child?" the centaur asked after a moment.
"…No."
"Then what you choose to call yourself does not matter."
Before Yuery could respond with another argument, they see Hagrid ahead. He spotted them at the same time and waved them to him looking alarmed.
"Hagrid. Foul and unspeakable things lurk in this forest. Do not allow your young to venture alone."
"Thank you, Finenze, I'll be taking him now." Hagrid said in reply as he lifted the boy off of the back of the centaur. "We best be getting back to the school now."
"Take heed, child, there are dangers in the castle as well." Finenze warned as he backed away.
"I know." Yuery ignored Hagrid's frown as he stepped closer to Finenze again. "Thank you, for saving me tonight. I do hope it didn't bring you too much trouble."
"Mind Destiny. Do what you must to remain neutral to the scheming of men." Finenze disappeared into the trees before Yuery could form a response. He knew what the centaur was talking about, growing up in his father's office he was very familiar with scheming.
"Come on Yuery. I left the others back in my cottage. We need to go." Hagrid said.
"Who set off the alarm?" Yuery asked, concerned.
"Oh, that was Neville. Apparently, Draco grabbed his hand, and it startled him." Hagrid offered. "It didn't help Fang ran off on them. I did warn them he was a coward."
"The unicorn is dead. Something killed it and was drinking its blood." Yuery said as they walked along. Now that he knew the others were alright, he wanted to warn the man what was going on tonight.
"I'm sorry you had to see that Yuery." Hagrid said sadly. "Let's get you some hot tea for your nerves and then get you all back up to the castle. I think you all covered your detention well enough tonight."
"Didn't Flitch say we were to stay until dawn."
"Never mind that. He has no say in how long you stay, that's up to me and the Headmaster." Hagrid puffed up his chest with a frown. "He ain't got no business talking to you lot like he was either. I'm going to tell Dumbledore about that in the morning. For tonight I need to get you all sorted then take care of that poor unicorn."
"Be careful. He may still be lurking out there."
"I'm sure he is." Hagrid said. He seemed to be struggling with something, like he wasn't sure with how much to say.
"I know it was Voldemort, the Centaurs told me." Yuery said. "They had a lot to say actually, especially about my riding Finenze I really do hope he isn't in any trouble for helping me."
"I'll go talk to them; it'll be fine. They are nice enough." Hagrid shrugged as they left the forest. "They just are a bit hotheaded and with the attacks going on it's understandable they're on edge."
"Yuery! Hagrid!" Hermione yelled as they came into the cottage before she threw her arms around Yuery's neck. "We were so worried, I'm glad you're alright."
"I'm fine Hermione, please don't strangle me!" Yuery said in response.
"Glad you're back mate." Ron added as he thumped Yuery on the back.
"I'm sorry for all the trouble." Neville added nervously. "I didn't mean to make things difficult."
"You're fine Neville. It was my fault; I was nervous and wasn't thinking." Draco said.
"Come on now, let's get you all settled in." Hagrid said as he moved around the tiny cottage setting up the kettle and handing out cups. "Now I know I said I was taking you back up to the castle, but I think I'll leave you hear with Fang while I take care of the unicorn then take you up. I don't want it to lay there like that too long."
"That's okay Hagrid, we'll be fine. Thank you." Yuery said, as the man poured them all their tea and gathered his bag to head back into the forest.
"If you get tired, just stretch out wherever. I'll wake you when it's time to go back." Hagrid walked out of the door looking distracted and worried.
"What happened?" Ron asked after a few minutes.
"I saw Voldemort tonight, or a spirit that was once him. It's what's been killing the unicorns. Drinking their blood to stay alive." Yuery said calmly. The others all looked horrified.
"Killing a unicorn is horrible!" Neville said. "It's considered a curse according to my Gram."
"Are you sure it was him?" Hermione frowned. "Isn't he meant to be dead?"
"My parents don't believe he's actually dead. Neither does Dumbledore." Ron offered. He didn't notice the frown Yuery shot at him.
"They're just going to leave the school open with him on the grounds?!" Draco demanded angrily. "That's completely unacceptable! Why would they leave us in danger like that."
"A false sense of bravado…" Yuery sighed, having dealt with politics second hand his entire life. "That, or bait." Before the others could respond a loud pounding was heard at the door, and Armstrong stormed in before they could respond.
"Yuery, Yuery's classmates, come with me." Armstrong demanded angrily. He lead them back toward the castle as Snape emerged looking angry as well. "Dumbledore and McGonagall assured me you were meant to be writing lines. What are you doing down here?"
"They sent us out into the forest to hunt down what was killing unicorns." Draco said immediately, ignoring Yuery's glare as Snape reached them.
"They had you what?!" Snape demanded. He grew paler for a moment, before glaring in Armstrong's direction. "Ensure they make it to my office. Mine. Not their dorms. I need to speak with the headmaster immediately."
