Disclaimer : I do not own Harry Potter, nor the characters, only the plot…the rest is all J.K.Rowling's…
A/N: OKAY, THIS IS A MESSAGE TO ALL MY READERS (I PUT IT IN CAPSLOCK TO MAKE SURE YOU READ IT!) … If you want to read a GREAT, AWESOME, SUPER-DUPER, FUNNY story on the Marauders and Lily, please go and check out 'The Marauders and their notes' by HeartOfChaos… It's in my favorites… It's REALLY good…
Anyways, now on with the story…
The next morning, Draco was surprisingly the first to wake up. He found Polar alert, while Hermione was asleep near him. It looked to Draco like the two friends had stood up pretty late last night, talking.
He was dying to know how they had known each other, but he knew Weasley was right, that he should let Hermione be for now.
So, he decided to wait.
Polar felt moves behind him, and he turned his piercing black eyes to Draco 'Already up, Slytherin?' he asked him.
Draco's muscles stiffened 'My name is Malfoy', he said.
Polar didn't answer anything. He turned his back to the boy and nudged Hermione with his hoof. 'Little one, it's time for you to wake up' he said softly.
Hermione slowly got up and yawned, smiling when she saw the centaur by her side 'You kept your promise' she said.
'Don't I always?'
Hermione nodded, still smiling, then turned to the others –Ginny and Blaise –who were still sleeping, ignoring Malfoy royally.
'Hey, Gin, wake up' she said to her friend.
The Gryffindor sat up groggily and rubbed her eyes, blinking in the morning light.
'Morning!' she exclaimed. 'Hey, Zabini, get your arse up and let's get moving' she said to Blaise, kicking him –not hard –in the leg.
After loads of grumbling, he finally got up and, after a quick breakfast –some fruits and a bit of juice –they were all ready to go on, deeper into the Forest.
Ginny was leading the way, followed by Blaise and a hurt Draco –he was still a bit pissed off because of being ignored -, with Hermione and Polar closing the way.
'Your friend is quite fierce' the latter told Hermione, referring to Ginny.
'Yeah' Hermione smiled fondly 'And she is particularly protective of her friends and… Harry' she finished in a whisper.
Polar looked at his friend, eyeing her closely. She had changed. A lot. The possible lost of the boys she had grown up with made her even more mature than she already was. He remembered the night he had met her, and understood why.
He was going to tell her that, but just as he opened his mouth to speak, Draco –who had been talking to Blaise –stepped back and came on the other side of Hermione, determined to apologize.
'Um, Granger, could I talk to you for a second?' When Hermione didn't answer, he went on, ignoring Polar's low growl. 'Listen, I'm sorry about last night. I know I'm a jerk sometimes, but honestly, I'm trying my best to change. Besides, I am saving Potter's life, aren't I?'
Hermione thought for a second, then nodded. Knowing he wouldn't get more from her –for now- Draco turned to Polar. 'And, Polar? I apologize again to you also.'
The centaur, however, didn't answer. As they had left the old tree's security, he had felt they were being followed. He couldn't pick on a distinct scent, though, so he waited.
As Draco had fallen back to talk to Hermione, Polar had heard a faint growl. He wasn't sure about it, but the scent he picked later on proved it.
They were being followed.
The scent, however, confused him. Which was a bad thing, for he didn't get confused. Ever.
No, this cannot be, he told himself, I must be getting old. He has disappeared long ago…
Still doubting himself, he decided not to tell Hermione. At least for the moment.
When Draco left, hurrying to join Blaise, he asked her 'He's different from his pairs, isn't he? He and his friend?'
'I honestly don't know, Polar' Hermione answered, her look a bit confused. 'Five months ago, we had this really good game of Truth or Dare. It's a Muggle game' she explained, seeing Polar's frown. 'One person has to ask the other 'truth or dare?'. If the person chooses truth, he has to answer a personal question. If he chooses dare, he has to do an assigned dare. In our case, we played four on four. Slytherin versus Gryffindor.
Polar looked a bit amused –as amused as a centaur can look! –as he asked 'And?'
'Well' Hermione remembered with a smirk 'We won. The Slytherins really didn't know what they were getting into. Me, Harry, Ron and Ginny, we were the best. In the end, they got humiliated. In the front of the whole school.'
Laughing softly, Hermione directed her gaze to Ginny, who had turned to the two Slytherins and, after a quick talk, the two had no choice but to lead the way, as Ginny walked towards Hermione.
'Hey! I told Malfoy and Zabini to lead the way for a few minutes. I'm getting tired of their constant chattering. Really, they're worse than girls. Can't stop talking for a second' she added that last part a bit louder.
'We heard that!' was the Slytherin's answer.
'And with Zabini being a total wimp, this isn't getting any better' Ginny went on.
Hermione laughed out loud at that, shaking her head and ignoring the stares she was getting from the two boys.
'So, what are you talking about?' Ginny asked her and the centaur.
'I was just telling Polar how we beat the Slytherins at Truth or Dare.'
Ginny smiled 'I'll never forget the look on Malfoy's face when he did his last dare. I almost fell out of my chair laughing.'
Hermione nodded, then turned to Polar 'Do you know what Malfoy answered when we asked him who was the person he feared most?'
Polar shook his head, asking 'Who?'
'Lucious Malfoy' Ginny answered.
'His own father?' Polar looked surprised, but after a few moments of thinking, he slowly nodded 'You know, in a way, Lucious is worse than He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named.'
'How is that even possible?' Ginny asked.
Before Polar had a chance of answering, however, they heard Blaise's high-pitched girlish scream –all of England must have heard it, actually –and Ginny muttered 'Not again! Argh, what did he see this time? A spider?'
Just for precaution, however, both she and Hermione took out their wands, while Polar adjusted his bow, then slowly walked to the two boys, who seemed frozen on the spot.
When Hermione reached them, she gasped 'No'
'Well, centaur, we meet again' a low, ragged cold voice said. 'That is to say, old friendships never die.'
'You are no friend of mine' Polar answered, his own voice cold and stiff. All his muscles tightened on his bow, and he was ready to shoot.
'What are you doing back here, Nerasco?' Hermione asked while she placed herself in front of Polar, an icy edge to her voice, her eyes two blazing flames.
Okay… the next chapter should be interesting…and I promise you'll find out how did Hermione and Polar met, how strong is their bond of friendship, and just who the heck is Nerasco…
That is, if I get reviews…smirking evilly
But first, let me tell you why I didn't tell you in this chapter how the centaur and Hermione met: it's because he has to trust the Slytherins in order to unveil his secret…and Slytherins are just not the type to be trusted…at least not until now…
Ta ta for now…and I think I'm gonna let you worry about our heroes…
Tigerlilystar
P.S.
Sorry about the spoilers of 'Slytherin versus Gryffindor' to those who haven't read it!
