Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters, only the plot…the rest is all J.K.Rowling's…

A/N: Okay, so this is the third chapter… I think you may have a surprise coming… Enjoy!

'What the-?' Ginny began, but was cut out by the same noise.

The bushes moved for a few minutes as the four teenagers watched them in horror. They all knew that many wild beasts were known to live in the Forest, and had no wish whatsoever to encounter them.

However, when a mighty shape got out of the bushes, Hermione frowned. The shape was strangely familiar, and she recognized it as a centaur. The hair that covered its chest was reddish-brown, and its dark eyes were eyeing the teenagers –especially Draco and Blaise – suspiciously. Soon enough, though, the horse-like creature advanced a bit in the moonlight, and Hermione smiled, crying 'Polar!'

The centaur looked at her, surprised, but then weakly smiled too. 'Well, well, small Gryffindor, you have indeed returned, as you promised.'

Hermione got up and walked to him, bowing her head in respect. 'Yes, mighty centaur, I have returned. And I am in desperate need of help.'

The centaur's eyebrows frowned, and he looked at her worriedly 'What is the matter, little one? Do these Slytherins' he pointed to the two boys 'have anything to do with your sadness? I can teach them a lesson, if you wish.'

Hermione smiled, but shook her head. 'No, on the contrary, they are here to help.' Seeing the centaur's surprised look, she added 'I will explain in time. But first, what are you doing? And how come you found us?'

Before Polar could answer, Draco (A/N big mouthed prat he is, can't shut his mouth for two seconds! Sorry, I'll let you go on with the reading) asked 'Granger, who the heck is that?'

He had never seen Hermione's eyes so furious before, they were practically burning as she walked to him and said coldly 'You, Malfoy, are in no right to know who he is, or what he is doing here. So, you will please shut the hell up and NOT speak. Is that clear?'

As Draco nodded fearfully, she turned to Blaise 'And that works for you too, Zabini. For now, it's enough that you know that his name is Polar, and that he is my friend. If you show any disrespect whatsoever towards him, I swear I will hex you into oblivion, no matter how useful you may be on this mission!'

By the time she was finished, the Slytherins' eyes showed confusion and… regret? Hermione then turned to Ginny, and spoke with a very calm voice, completely in opposition with the angry cold one she had used with the Slytherins.

'Ginny, do you mind staying with these two until I speak with Polar? I-we have things to catch up with. You okay with that?'

'Sure' Ginny smiled. 'You go and speak with your friend, and I'll make sure these two don't get lost…Um… Hermione?'

'Yeah?'

'Will you introduce us later?'

Hermione eyed the Slytherins, who were still bewildered, and then Ginny's hopeful look, and smiled 'Maybe.' Then, she turned her back to them and walked to Polar, who had been waiting in silence by the bushes.

'Polar' she said, smirking 'Now that that's taken care of, we can talk.' She seated herself on one big root of the tree, facing Polar. 'So, how is life in the forest?'

'As always, little one. Pretty much the same. The other centaurs still haven't decided if whether or not they will let me back in the clan, but they show a lot more respect than they have before. And, at least, they leave me alone. I think I enjoy this more…'

Hermione nodded silently, and Polar went on.

'This evening, I picked up a scent coming from the castle. Four teenagers, two of whom had the unmistakable smell of Slytherins. So, I followed the scent, tracking you here, to make sure the two weren't on the side of He-who-must-not-be-named. And that they weren't up to something. But, tell me, Tiger' he said, using the nickname he had picked for her when they had first met 'what brings you here? The castle has been unusually quiet these past weeks. And the stars predict trouble soon.'

Hermione's eyes filled with tears, and she whispered 'I need you help, Polar. Badly. The Boy Who Lived and my boyfriend, Ron Weasley, have been poisoned by one of Voldemort's followers. For two weeks, the poison –called deminutio vita –has been draining their live forces, and now, if we don't find a cure soon, they will probably die.'

'No' said Polar, backing a bit. He was dumbstruck. Sure, he had picked signs, here and there, mostly by reading the future, but never had he imagined that it would be that bad. Making up his mind, he said, while wiping Hermione's tears away with his thumb 'I will help you, Tiger, as much as I can. Even if it means guiding Slytherins in the Forest.'

Hermione's eyes showed the gratefulness she didn't knew how to express. So, she just shook Polar's hand and said 'Thank you.'

Polar nodded, his eyes darkening. 'If the Boy Who Lived isn't saved, we are all doomed. My brothers will understand. I hope.'

Hermione nodded once again, then said 'Polar, I- would you like to meet my friend? Ginny Weasley?'

Polar's eyes twinkled. 'So it is true. Harry Potter has found his other half.'

Hermione smiled –her first true smile in weeks –when she answered 'Yes, and better, yet, she's a Gryffindor.'

'Then it will be my pleasure to meet her.'

Back by the place they had picked for sleeping, Draco and Blaise were watching Hermione speak with the centaur. Finally, Draco couldn't take it anymore and he asked Ginny 'Weasley? Can I ask you a question?'

Ginny raised her eyebrows in surprise and suspicion. Since when did Draco Malfoy demand permission before asking a question?

She nodded her head for him to go on.

'Why did Granger blew up at me like that?'

'Have you ever thought that you may have hurt her feelings? For the millionth time?' Ginny asked him coldly. 'You know, Malfoy, Hermione doesn't make that much of a deal when you pick on her, 'cause she's used to it. But when you pick on her friends, especially friends that she respect, then you'd better watch yourself.'

'B-but I-I didn't want to hurt her feelings' Draco said desperately.

'Well, it looks to me like you did. My best advice is to leave her alone for a few hours, until she decides to talk to you. That is, if you don't want her to hex you.'

Malfoy muttered something under his breath, then just stared at the moon for long minutes, while at his side, Blaise was slowly falling asleep.

Finally, after a few hours, Hermione came back, with Polar by her side.

'Everyone, I would like you to meet Polar. He's an old friend of mine.'

Everyone shook hands with the centaur, eyeing him respectfully. They knew that to have the friendship of a centaur was one of the rarest things in the world.

'So, how did you two met?' Zabini asked. (A/N: idiot! Should have kept your mouth shut!)

'Zabini' Hermione answered 'I thought I told you not to ask any questions.'

That certainly shut him up. After talking a bit with Ginny –he didn't give much more than a second glance to the Slytherins, though he was keeping an eye on them –Polar said 'Why don't you youngsters go to sleep? I can stand guard here.'

After a bit of hesitation, Ginny, Draco and Blaise went to take a short nap before the morning. Hermione stayed a bit more, but finally, she went to sleep too.

'You will be here in the morning, right Polar?' she asked.

'I promise. And you know a centaur never backs on his word.'

Hermione nodded, then slowly fell asleep, dreaming of a better time, leaving Polar to stay guard, thinking nostalgically of old times.

Well, what did you think? I thought it was fairly well written… Polar will be f a great help to the four teenagers, but first, he has to trust the Slytherins….

Did I do well?

Tigerlilystar