Harry Potter: Return of the Death Walker

by WhiteDevilMGN

After a thousand Years of death and isolation Harry Potter will perform a ritual on his search of peace and slumber only to return back to when it all began. With knowledge and experience no ten year old should possess and his memories in a jumble Harry must ready himself and the world for the War that is to come. Further plot to be detailed inside. Lemon Multi:Harry

18. Chapter 18 :: Whispers in the Night

I'm tired, busy, and lazy. This is a simple spell check. I'm eager to start Book 2 already as that's when shit really starts to change, and I've found my original manuscript. This suck has damn coffee stains on it. How I don't know. I don't drink coffee. Anyway enjoy, review and yes, the more Beta's the better.

Oh, before I forget, I don't know how I missed it, but this story has reached 1K followers and favorites. This both is exciting and thrilling for me. Thank you for the support and interest really made my day when I saw that. Never would have guessed give how negative some of the reviews were. Either I'm doing something right or you all are just more proactive then I am. Neat either way. Thanks for enjoy my work. Keep those reviews coming. If they're half as right as I think they are, yes, my writing is crappy. But the story is halfway decent. Hopefully it'll continue to be all uphill from here.

xXxXx

Book I :: Chapter 18 :: Whispers in the Night

Harry woke up the next morning feeling both light-headed and exhausted. Looking around he could see the rays of the morning sun peeking through the hospital wing. As he got up, Harry felt like a sack of bricks and noticed that there was something heavy on his arm. Looking down it wasn't so much a something so much as a part of him.

His left arm was practically open. A few more centimeters and the wound would be open to reveal bone. A black oily tar like substance infected the wound was being sucked into a thick orange-ish paste that felt and weighed about the same as concrete around his wound. It sat there turning and bubbling menacingly as it sat on his limb eating away the black tar-like wound.

"Don't move Mr. Potter." Madam Pomfrey ordered sparking Harry to forcibly freeze his movements.

With only his eyes he eyed the bustling healer rushing over to his side with a large cauldron filled with the orange paste.

"That salve should have done the trick removing whatever dark magic caused that wound. I swear the students here just get worse and worse. If I didn't know better and didn't know how absurd the possibility was, I'd say someone was trying to curse you."

Harry had to choke back a response at how close her assessment was. The knife used was curse with a killing curse of sorts. Nothing like the one hit knockout spell that killed his parents, the one Harry had on the knife was essentially a cascading degeneration spell that killed by breaking down individual cells. Perfect for a slow death and even more perfect for sterilization if properly cared for when used.

Chocking on his response to her statement lead to a sharp pain to shoot up his arm from where the paste sat. Harry winced at the pain as he held his position.

"I told you not to move." Madam Pomfrey grumble in exasperation. "This paste increases your sensitivity as it burns off the dark magic. If you don't want to feel any unnecessary pain than I advise you to listen to me for once."

Thankfully she didn't realize that his slip up was due to him knowing the cause. Sitting still focused on not moving as he watcher Pomfrey do her thing. Noticing something shift off the corner of his eye, Harry saw Hermione sleeping soundly in the bed next to him.

"Did something happen to Hermione?" Harry inquired.

Shooting Hermione a glance Madam Pomfrey huffed in exasperation, "No nothing's wrong with her dear. Despite my wishes, Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape, and the Headmaster wanted to know what happened to you. The poor girl distraught and covered in your blood was forced to tell them how she found you hurt and was trying to get you here without getting caught by whoever attacked you. I ended up having to shoo them away as they were only making things worse. The poor girl was crying her eyes out as she told them what happened. Poor thing could barely keep her eyes open."

Pomfrey's glare returned in full force upon Harry. "You caused that girl quite the worry Mister Potter. She was in quite a state, so begrudgingly I let her rest here next to you after I gave her a calming drought."

Her eyes softened slight as they looked upon Hermione. "Considering how frantic she was I thought it best I watch her to make sure she recovered from the ordeal. Poor girl couldn't bring herself to take her eyes off you," Pomfrey took a breath and sighed caringly as she looked at him with a stern gaze. "She's a good girl that one."

Harry nodded happily. "I know," he said turning to face Hermione. "Thanks Hermione."

"You have a good friend in her Mr. Potter." McGonagall said from behind him as she passed through the open doors to the wing.

Harry turned around and was surprised to see the Headmaster and McGonagall walk in. While McGonagall was welcome sight the unpleasant truth was that Albus and Snape where right behind her.

"Professor McGonagall, Professor Snape... Headmaster." Harry managed to say while holding his tongue.

The two elders nodded in greeting while Snape merely scowled quietly. "Good morning Harry, how are you?" Albus asked with that tone that mimicked a wise old grandfather.

"Better, I think. I'm not bleeding out or being hounded by a Professor," Snape grimace turned even more sour at the subtle insult, "so an improvement all around I guess." Harry replied.

Turning back towards McGonagall he smiled proudly. "You have a really brave student under your wing Professor. She risked getting in trouble to make sure I wasn't found bloodless out in the halls. Not many students out there that would risk running into you or my head of house in the waning hours of the evening."

McGonagall looked like she hadn't slept well in recent days appeared to blossom with pride at his acknowledgement. Hearing his compliment seemed to raise he spirits, something that made talking to her significantly easier. An upset and tired McGonagall was a difficult to endure. With a curt nodded she began to speak. "If any of my Griffon's left a student to such a fate like that it would shame me greatly. Worry not Mr. Potter, her punishment for being out after hours won't be too severe."

Harry could practically hear the "much like yours would be" behind her sentiments.

Harry frowned at this. "Hermione isn't going to take that well. How many points?"

"Fifty from each house, Slytherin and Gryffindor, one hundred points and fifty points respectively. Regardless of the situation you were both out after hours." She said with a stern glare. "However," she started a mirthful glint in her eye, "in light of the situation Hermione was awarded twenty for aiding a fellow student when they were in need." she said with a stern grin.

Harry smiled at that. Hermione might not like losing thirty-five points but at least she had made McGonagall proud of her. The whole points and detention thing were obviously a job thing. In her heart she was radiating pride. "You should express that sentiment later Professor. I'm sure Hermione will appreciated that confidence in private." McGonagall nodded before taking a breath.

"Now Mr. Potter would you tell us what happened." McGonagall asked. Her voice was stern and though a question Harry could tell she was really demanding an answer.

"I honestly don't know much more then what Hermione has told you. I was making my way back to my dorm via a secret passageway to avoid getting ambushed again-" Harry stated eyeing his Head of House deliberately before returning to face McGonagall. While it wasn't his fault Harry did find enjoyment in blaming the man."-by my house when... well I lost feeling in my arm."

"I heard something behind me and turned around and saw a student running off but couldn't see who it was. They had green robes but they could have been stolen or something so I wouldn't say that confirms anything." Harry stated.

Albus appeared to relax his gaze a bit. It was slight but it strongly reminded Harry of a sigh of relief. That confirmed it for Harry. Albus didn't want a culprit found.

"I started bleeding and I began to lose strength in my body as I made my way here. I think I got lost. My head was fuzzy at the time when Hermione found me. Someone attacked me, but who it was I couldn't really say."

"Do you know what kind of magic was used to hurt you?" Albus asked inquisitively.

"I'm guessing a knife since that's what if felt like."

"I see Harry. Thank for your forwardness in this." Albus reassured.

"Mr. Potter, Headmaster. And thank you for the sentiment." Harry stated. Looking back towards McGonagall and her concern and Snape's lack there of Harry had an evil idea. "This might be fun." Harry speculated.

"Honestly, I'm surprised it hadn't happened sooner. My housemates have been quite persistent with having me not associate with other houses and acting on my own. Unlike the rest of my house however, I don't bend to peer pressure very well. Some of them have even taken to creeper tactics and more aggressive methods to get at me. Honestly it's a good thing they don't know where I sleep in my dorm room or I wouldn't know what they would do."

Harry grinned inwardly at the cringe on Snape's face as he stood behind Albus.

The man apparently had an idea as to what happened within his house. Despite the unpleasantness of that thought, Harry wondered just how much he knew and wondered why his gut feeling still looked upon Snape in a positive light. The man had been shown to be an incapable teacher, a greasy creep, and all-around horrible person. So why did he still feel this lingering respect for the man?

"I see," Professor McGonagall stated flatly turning to Snape. "Professor if you would come with me."

Snape glared at McGonagall and ready a retort but under her stare any resistance deflated quickly. You did not mess with a pissed off McGonagall. Retaining his stoic and cold self the two walked out of the Hospital Wing. While she was gone Madam Pomfrey checked his wound and Albus stared at Harry curiously.

Harry was certain Albus would start asking questions but instead he seemed to be quietly observing. This unnerved Harry more so then had he actually asked questions.

The strange atmosphere remained up until McGonagall returned with Snape. Harry flinched when he saw her. She looked right ready to transfigure something into a meat grinder and feed someone – most likely Professor Snape – through it.

"Mr. Potter, considering the situation I would like to make certain of one thing." She said. "How would you as a first year describe the atmosphere of your house?"

Harry stared at her for a moment, her thoughts empty and void. "Well I would describe it as hostile I suppose. Though I can't come up with evidence or examples, it just feels like it's a survival of the fittest environment where if you're not considered pureblood, important politically or economically wealthy, then you're used as a stepping stone for greatness or become the target of belittlement by those around you. It's kind of feels like if you're not the bully then you're either the bullied or a follower." Harry explained.

Professor McGonagall looked at him, readying herself for something. For what Harry didn't know. Her mind was taking in his words and trying to piece together a puzzle she was missing the pieces to.

"Very well, Harry." she said about to leave. She paused for a moment to ask him a question that appeared in the mist of questions she found herself asking. "Mr. Potter, if I might inquire, where do you fit in those three categories and where do you sleep exactly?"

Snape and the Headmaster both perked up at this. It was one of the great Potter mysteries. Eye witnesses would see him enter his room and for those in charge who could bypass the doors and spy in the rooms, his disappearance when asleep was legendary.

Harry smiled, "I'd rather not say where I sleep since its safer that way. It is in the dorms though. As to which side I find myself on I'd say none ma'am."

McGonagall was perplexed at this response. She would have expected Harry to say he was bullied since everyone was aware of the recent shenanigans of the house. "What do you mean none?"

"I don't consider myself a member of the school's house. To be honest I consider myself the only True Slytherin in this school. Out of all the students I believe in Slytherin's true aspirations that all magic not just those who can use it but those who are raised and raise magical's should be respected and protected and that this should be done with both caution and not ambition, but aspirations."

"Harry-" Ablus began.

"Mr. Potter." Harry interjected.

"Potter, you will show respect for your superiors." Snape snapped out only to be glared into submission from McGonagall.

"That's enough Severus." Albus moderated, "Harry is right, it is disrespectful of me to call him such when he doesn't wish it."

"Can I get that recorded so Nymphy can to play back?" Harry asked innocently.

"Nymphy?" Pomprey mutter out in curiosity.

Albus chuckled. "Unfortunately, not at the moment. Mr. Potter, you must understand that Slytherin House is proud of its traditions. They are not use to someone so boldly confident in their independence. While they might not take the first step, it is important that you try to be the better person and bridge that gap. Standing divided only weakens us all." Albus requested.

"Not sure I agree Professor. I've gained some pretty nice abs thanks to them." Harry replied which got a smirk surprisingly out of McGonagall.

Albus just cheerfully laughed. "All the same."

Letting out a sigh, Harry shook his head. "I'll meet them half way Sir, but I won't stick my neck under the guillotine sir." Harry answered.

"At least not unless I know I can pull it out safely," Harry thought to himself.

"That's enough you lot. Mr. Potter needs proper rest and treatment. You can come back later if you need more questions." Pomfrey commanded as she began to move around Harry's bed busily.

"That is fine Poppy. I think Mr. Potter has helped us more then enough. Focus on getting healed Mr. Potter."

Harry nodded even as Poppy shouted them out.

Even as they left Harry could see Professor McGonagall's uncertain. It was written all over her face that she had no idea what to make of Harry's explanation.

Everything he said only made more questions and wonder. Naturally hers wasn't the only mind in deep thought. Even as Madam Pomfrey shooed them away, Dumbledore and Snape had their own worries sparked by Harry's words. All three having drastically different questions in mind. However, despite their desires to continue asking questions, Madam Pomfrey's wrath drove them away.

Harry sat there quietly as he looked over to see if Hermione was still asleep. She was.

He let a grin pass over his lips as he laid still for Madam Pomfrey to continue working her magic. Sometime during the process, he fell asleep in her care, much to her surprise. He had done so still up right, unmoving and ridged.

Harry himself would have been surprised too. He must have been tired if he fell asleep in the presence of her touch. Normally he'd never fall asleep while someone else was touching him regardless if it was by someone applying a paste that would heal his arm.

Once he was healed and the hospitality of the hospital wing over stayed its welcome, Harry made his way out to once again to partake in the joys of school. Explicitly the constant chore of being chased down by his house mates and the wave of assignments that came before the upcoming exams.

The two weeks that followed his release were… interesting. He might even call it entertaining. As it turned out, his and Hermione's detentions were constantly being postponed. The fifth time in a row was particularly funny as they were informed by Filch who look like he had just lost his cat to the plague. Hermione was on eggshells between studying for final exams and the looming treat that she was going to serve her first detention in the near future.

Upon learning of it she had a near mental break down before she was told by her own Head of House how proud she was and that it was merely a part of the job she had to enforce. This calmed Hermione quite a bit, but the consistent postponements were started to loom heavily over her.

Harry on the other had tried his best not to laugh each time he saw her getting flustered over one of any given subject as she continuously reminded him that the finals were coming soon… in a few months.

It wasn't laughter born of watching her suffering or at her odd behavior as others would have called it. He laughed each time because it felt right. The situation felt normal, boring, even annoying. It was warm, comforting, and it was just ripe with an atmosphere which reflected Hermione's natural state. It was a drastic difference to the grim and depressed Hermione that made up most of his memories of her. She was happy if not a bit overly stressed and Harry found it unsurprising that he preferred this Hermione to the one he could remember. It felt like this was the real Hermione Granger.

His own studies were also quite enjoyable to put up with too. With the exception of Potions and Defense Against the Dark Arts, Harry was practicing almost every waking hour he could for the practical aspect of the test.

The written aspect of the tests didn't worry him so much as the practicals did.

Harry knew that he would do poorly on the written portion but would get enough right to pass. He would pass but knew he wouldn't be braking any records. There was just too much accepted knowledge that was considered true that Harry knew to be false. While the material he knew nothing about he would certainly get correct the rest was certain to leave a harsh blow on his grades.

Harry knew if he was going to get at least semi-good grades he'd need to work out his practical issues until they were flawless.

The problem he was dealing with was his magic's instability which was unpredictable and still uncooperative. Ever since that night with his Uncle, Harry had been fighting his magic nearly all the time. At this point it was starting to get annoying and problematic.

Almost a year later his magic still didn't flow like it was supposed to. There was progress but nothing to write home about. While dealing with his magical backup after quidditch was keeping him from exploding both figuratively and literally, it wasn't exactly solving the core issue.

As it stood Harry knew he would pass the Exams, he just wasn't certain he'd excel at them. If he wasn't pressured Harry was sure he could cast any spell properly, even masterfully, that he knew. And that was the problem. Harry knew in a magic duel his opponent wouldn't give him the time to properly cast a spell. Not to mention Harry didn't like the fact he couldn't use his magic as freely as he wished.

Coincidentally it wasn't lost on him that whenever he needed his magic it would work properly for him which left Harry wondering if his problem was mental rather than magical.

Was his experience in war limiting his magic somehow? No, it wouldn't explain why his magic felt so unstable. Could it have been a side effect of the ritual? No, that wouldn't explain why he didn't have problems with his magic before his eleventh birthday. Even if his memories didn't take complete hold over those ten years they were there. As such his problem of magic should have been present long before his eleventh birthday. Instead his instincts about magic leaked through and he had not problems controlling his magic.

These concerns were becoming always present but was more annoying then anything. Harry was confident that when the time came, he'd perform fine. If not, he'd manage something. He always did.

Thankfully he did have something to distract him from his mental ramblings, the philosopher's stone.

Deep in the depths of his trunk within a maze of turning and boiling beakers and cauldrons was a deep ruby read liquid. Inside that liquid was a small crystal begin to form around a droplet of his blood.

A philosopher stone of his own making.

Upon his recovery Harry had decided to challenge his potion skills and limited alchemical skills by making his own stone. If he failed to succeed it wasn't like he had something better to do; yet.

To his disappointment however unlike what he thought, making a second philosopher stone was simpler than he thought it would be.

While it might have been impossible from scratch Harry already had a stone and it didn't take him long to figure out how to make a stone of his own from that one.

A small flake of crystal taken here, observed and measured with a makeshift microscope, and few guesses regarding its structure and magical make up and boom he had already figured out how to make his own stone. To be honest it was kind of disappointing. Harry had hoped that it would challenge his understanding of magic and alchemy.

Nope. Once again, a powerful magical art was low and behold created by blood magic. Though judging from what Harry thought it was more likely created via human sacrifice which was not at all a pleasant thought.

From his own experience Harry felt like the stone was incomplete, false. Semi-complete if you will.

From that small flake taken, Harry had placed it within a pool of blood and what do ya know, it began to form into a larger crystal.

That simple experiment had concluded that Blood was key. However, it also revealed something interesting. Unlike the stone which increased in size, the blood itself appeared to change. It was becoming more crystalline molecularly but by all appearance its viscosity was increasing as well.

His blood that stone was sitting in was becoming both solid and liquid. This got Harry thinking and sparked an idea. A challenge.

A real challenge. One Harry made for himself.

He would create an apparatus that could made the vast quantity of blood that was needed to forge the stone. Human blood. His blood.

Harry had a theory, that blood given willingly to the stone increased its potency just a tiny bit. This theory gave rise to a speculation, that human sacrifice was used to make the first stone and as a result was made impure.

Blood given willingly would be kept 'pure' and would make a true stone. Blood after all was the currency of life, of magic itself. Blood taken unwillingly was always resistant to change unless used to identify a target.

Harry had a solid idea on how to make a stone from the one he had. When his blood crystalized a sands worth of stone, he planned to snow ball that grain into a larger stone. For that he needed way more blood then he had. And that was more of a challenge than making the stone. Figuring out how to get enough blood without killing himself.

The solution to which required a complex combination of blood replenishing drought and boiling pox poison. The first idea, the first solution he came up with, to solve the problem also turned out to work exactly as he need it to.

The apparatus once set used both potions, the first to stimulate blood production in conjunction with the poison to produce an excess of blood. The Blood production potion created a surplus of blood and the Pox Poison was used as substitute for the food needed for blood production. That was all it took. With a near limitless river of blood flowing form him Harry only had to prime his own blood, removing certain impurities form it, and he would be able to form a stone of his own.

And so, Harry created a little sitting station were so long as he was hooked up to the maze-like apparatus of interlocked tubes and vials and refilled the potion mixture, then Harry could make a stone of his own. He did.

Looking at his work, Harry had a stone almost the size of a large ruby. In a months' time, his stone would be of the same size as the one he received from the mirror. The only difference being his was a clean, clear red sphere floating within a cylinder of his own blood.

This success left Harry somewhat bored. So, he went about making a few potions he could with the ingredients that remained from his first trip to Diagon Alley and the Room of Hidden Things. A few salves for cut, a couple of sleeping droughts and the rest for experiments.

His most recent Project however had captivated his interests completely. During one of his experiments he made two astounding discoveries and went about focusing on making a complete product from those two discoveries.

As a result, for two weeks the student body could not see Harry without seeing a cauldron in front of him. To his amusement several students looked on with interest while others seemed torn between their curiosity and the strange obsession that regarding him and potions. The rest would spout insults and insulting jokes which Harry didn't even know were there. His interested only lay in his success and companions.

"Harry come on, can't you sit at the table for once without that cauldron in front of you?" Hermione complained.

Harry shrugged and stirred the pale-yellow liquid in front of him. "Not really. If I'm right, I'm about to make a breakthrough with this one as it is."

Hermione sighed in frustration. "Harry you can't do this. Especially in the great hall. Potion can be volatile and if you mess up, people can get hurt." she lectured.

"Why Mione," Harry said with mock aghast, "You sound as if I was doomed to fail like some amateur. I'm hurt."

"Harry I'm serious." Hermione growled.

"Funny I thought you were Hermione." he said with a cheeky grin as he poured a vial into the cauldron. The yellow liquid turned sky blue and started bubbling without smoke or steam. Harry grinned.

"Harry!" she shouted in annoyance while two others called out to him at the same time. Hermione turned to see Fred and George along with Lee Jordan join them.

"Still annoying Hermione Harry?" one of the twins asked.

"Or has our young firstie finally become a lady?" the other twin questioned.

Harry laughed while Hermione looked insulted with a red blush around her cheeks.

"Relax Hermione, we're only joking." the first said.

"Or did we guess correctly?" the other chimed in with a sinister smile that matched his brothers.

"Do you two ever act your age?" Hermione asked slightly annoyed.

"No." they both replied gleefully.

"You two are incorrigible." She huffed out not wanting to deal with the headache they were forming.

"Thank you" they both replied causing her to huff again.

"As fun as you two picking on Mione is, it is kind of distracting. This part is the delicate phase." Harry muttered as he applied a violet powder to the mixture.

Fred and George stopped to look at the mixture and their curiosity bloomed on their faces. Neither eager to hide their interest.

"What is that your working on anyway Harry?" Jordan asked.

"Yeah half of the Great Hall seems to be avoiding you. What are you making?" Fred asked his interest boiling over much like the potion itself.

Harry grinned, "Just an experiment. If it works, it'll produce some interesting results."

Harry gestured to the rest of the hall. "Everyone else could hear Hermione's complaints about how unstable experimental potions are so naturally they are less curious and more cautious."

"Not like I ever blew up a potion before." Harry grumbled.

"There's a first time for everything Harry." Hermione stated clearly hearing is mutterings.

Fred and George flanked Harry. "Well the great hall isn't really a place you can make potions in." Fred said.

"True," Harry countered, "but there aren't any rules saying I can't either."

"He has a point." George said to his brother.

"Might be one of those unspoken rules thought," Fred added on as the cauldron appeared to be shaking a bit violently even as the contents remained still.

"Wotcher Fred, George. Wotcher Harry. What'cha doing?"

Harry turned to see Tonks walking over to join them. Clear interest showed on her face regarding the growing crowd around him and the cautious and off behavior of those in the Great Hall.

"Experimenting." Harry answered pulling out a pipette with a clear liquid inside it.

Hermione with breathing irritation answered, "He's experimenting and making some kind of potion. Despite how risky it is he's doing it in here for some reason and disregarding the dangers involved."

"Pretty much." Harry agreed happily causing Hermione to sigh again.

Fred and George laughed with Tonks at the two's shenanigans.

"You shouldn't worry that much Hermione. Harry's a wizard when it comes to potions. Took him only a month to catch up to me. If Harry says it's cool than chill. He's got this." Tonks said before looking around, "I mean the teachers haven't stopped him yet."

"They aren't even here" Fred whispered to George who began to snicker. Lately the whole school had noticed the lack of teachers at the table. Only a few sat there and today it was only Flitwick and another Harry didn't recognize, although she seemed loopy, drunk behind her large oversized spectacles.

"That doesn't mean there isn't the chance he could make a mistake, and something goes wrong." Hermione retorted.

"Thanks for that vote of confidence Mione." Harry grumbled out. The noise was making it difficult to concentrate during this delicate part. Trying to calm his hand and wait between the boiling bubbles harry squeezed the pipette in time with the bubbles. The drop missed the bubble and settled visibly into the potion.

"I didn't mean it like that Harry. It's just that something could go wrong. I don't want you to get into trouble if something does happen." Hermione tried to explain.

"Awww, you do care." Harry smiled.

The twins grinned as they looked at Hermione.

"Harry's got a girlfriend" Fred and George sang out resulting in Hermione to turn a cute shade of magenta.

"Knock it off you two," Tonks said slapping George on the shoulder. "I though Harry had an agreement with you to lay off the first years."

The two turned to Harry who had staple grin of a mad scientist. His euphoria as he watched and carefully focus on his work was creepy at best and terrifying at worst. The twins looked at each other and gulped audibly. The two felt torn between teasing Hermione and not losing their inside source to Slytherin House. Neither wanted to even consider what the first year would do to them if he felt like it. The kid destroyed, not killed, destroyed a troll.

They didn't want to think what he could do to them. Not to mention Harry was quite creative in his own pranks.

"Is there a problem Mr. Weasley, Mr. Weasley?"

The group turned around to see Professor McGonagall standing there behind them.

"No ma'am." Fred answered.

"Nothing dubious here" George agreed.

"I doubt that." McGonagall said knowingly. She turned to face Hermione and Harry. Her face could give poker players a run for their money, but Harry could feel the displeasure in her apparent news.

"Ms. Granger, Mr. Potter. Your detention will be tonight at 8 with Hagrid." she said. Hermione frowned with disappointment more so in herself but at least she wasn't freaking out like she originally was.

"Yes Professor." Hermione acknowledged dejectedly.

"Understood Professor." Harry stated, still focused on the contents of his potion. Cautious of any warning signs or errors in his brewing.

Professor McGonagall gave him a quick look before letting out a sigh and walking off, brooding more so then usual towards the head table.

Fred turned to whisper to his brother. "Wow, she didn't say anything about the potion gear." His brother also surprise nodded in confusion with him. Tonks on the other hand was looking between Hermione and Harry.

"Detention with Hagrid?" Tonks asked no one in particular.

"Yeah, Harry got attacked and Hermione helped him. Unfortunately, they didn't make it back before curfew and got caught by Snape." Lee explained having heard about the ordeal from Fred and George. Both of whom were preoccupied with the revelation that McGonagall ignored Harry's potion. That and they had just noticed something amiss and unusual with said potion.

That something being a small droplet inside Harry's potion turning the blue liquid around it into a hard candy like substance.

Harry pulled out a pair of silver tongs and dipped them into the potion pulling out the candy like object just as Lee started going into detail about how they got detention.

The small candy was about the size of a gumball and was a pale sky-blue.

To both Fred and Georges surprise Harry popped it into his mouth and swallowed. Before they could protest or Tonks, Lee, or Hermione could notice. Harry burst into a plume of smoke drawing everyone's attention.

"HARRY!" Hermione shouted, drawing the attention of everyone who wasn't already looking.

McGonagall was already up and rushing having witnessed the reckless actions. Her mind was racing an mile a minute. Harry had just swallowed an unknown substance and exploded into smoke. Between her mind stopping, screaming, and reacting in a trained natural response to such common place stupidity, she found herself perplex as she stopped in her tracks, dumbfounded. The sight before her, when the smoke cleared, had left her and much of the great hall speechless.

They weren't the only ones either. Fred, George, Lee, Tonks, and even Hermione were all speechless at the sight of a six-and-a-half-year-old Harry. Four feet of ruffled hair, big eyes, and cuteness.

"YES!" Harry explained in his childlike voice, overjoyed with his success. Hermione and Tonks breaking out of their stupor were immediately overwhelmed with how cute Harry looked. The Twins were still trying to grasp what just happened and Lee Jordan just stood still like a slack jawed idiot. A trait shared by most of the school.

Harry still wearing his first-year robes that were five years two big, crawled off the seat grabbed his cauldron and began rushing to his trunk. The sleeves of his robe hung off his hands lazily while the rest of the robe collected dust as they dragged themselves with him across the ground. With cauldron in hand he rushed out of the Great Hall eagerly to make the rest of his concoction and catalog his success.

"I'll see you in Detention, Mione. See you around guys." Harry cheerily shouted as he dashed out of the hall leaving everyone speechless.

By the time McGonagall broke out of her stupor Harry was long gone and she was very confused.

"Ms. Tonks, Mr. Weasley... Would any one of you... can any of you tell me what just happened?"

The Twins looked at each.

"I think Harry just made a new potion, Professor." one of them said. The others nodding in agreement.

McGonagall looked at them and then at the image of the boy long gone. She shook her head pinching away a headache forming behind her eyes.

"Of course, he did." She complained, the memories and frustrations of a similarly troublesome group of boys popping into her head.

She walked off feeling that Harry would be the death of her if he didn't start conforming to the common sense of the school.

The school wouldn't see hide or hair of Harry until his detention was due.

Harry walked out of the Castle towards Hagrid's hut with a grin on his face. After leaving the Great Hall he was able to make two bottles worth of his experimental potion and confirm that it was a bigger success then he could imagine.

With the exception of the user's magic maturity, the potion was on par, quality wise, with polyjuice. The potion itself changed the user completely, physically anyway. Harry was for all purposes a six-year-old for the duration of the potion's effects.

During the time he confirmed that the potion... pill... the aging candy, lasted four hours upon being ingested. Afterwards Harry brainstormed a modified version of the potion and went about recording it in his journal.

While still theoretical, Harry was confident that he had the blueprint to make a red potion that would function much like his blue one. The difference however was instead of decreasing the users age it would increase their age. If it worked like he imagined, then when someone ingested the potion, they would age by ten years for four hours instead of de-aging for five years.

Similarly, he knew he could also make it possible to make a blue pill that would de-age someone by ten years but wasn't quite keen on testing that on himself just yet. Not even if it only lasted four hours.

"I wonder if I can make it so that both potions can neutralize each other. If I can maybe I could get rid of the time duration, so they last until its opposite was taken. I mean polyjuice's biggest flaw is that it only lasts an hour..."

Harry paused for a moment and shivered at what sort of trouble could be caused by someone polyjuiced with a potion that lasted half a day. The thought was not a pretty one.

"Harry."

Harry stopped considering it and smiled at Hermione who was standing next to Hagrid. Behind them was Draco and Fang who was slumped lazily on the stairs to the hut.

"Am I late?" Harry asked.

"Nope. 'ight on time." Hagrid answered picking up his crossbow. "'ight then. Professor McGonagall is having you serve your detentions with me. She was goin ter do it but Albus said he needed her ter work on some… 'portant stuff. So, He told her dat I would take care of you lot."

'No wonder she looked so exhausted." Harry thought to himself. "Must have been quite the yelling match."

"And what exactly are we going to be doing?" Draco asked with a smug attitude. His eyes dripping with indignation.

"Hunting." Hagrid answered gesturing to the forest. 'Somethin's been killin' Unicorns in da forest. We're goin ter find out what.

"Wait do you mean to say we're going into the Forbidden Forest? But that's Forbidden." Hermione stammered out trembling slightly. Harry placed a hand on her shoulder.

"Give it up Hermione. At least we're not scrubbing toilets with Snape." Harry said dejectedly. Subtly he pulled her closer into a whisper. "Besides somethings strange has been going on and I'd bet every galleon I own that Dumbledore knows we're about to go into the forest. In fact, I bet he wants us to."

"But why would Dumbledore..." She started to ask when Hagrid called for them to follow him.

"Later." Harry told her.

Malfoy apparently shared her unease and not her silent resignation.

"I'm not going into that blood forest." Malfoy said his voice failing to hide his trembling fear.

"Yer are if yer want ter be stayin at Hogwarts." Hagrid said gruffly.

Harry could only shake his head as Malfoy whimpered in fear. Apparently, the thought of being expelled was far worse than entering the dangerous forest.

Harry felt strangely excited and it wasn't just because he had been in the Forest before. Regardless of how things might have changed by going back in time Harry knew one thing. The Forest was always a place of adventure.

With the right preparation and mindset, the Forest was a boon of flora, fauna, and who knew what else. The best part was, Hogwart's wards extended deep into the forest, protecting any students who might enter. He never knew exactly which ward out of the thousands that were responsible but ironically, the forest was one of the safest places for a Hogwarts student to enter.

It wasn't every day one could say that a forest with man eating wildlife was safer than a girl's bathroom. And for most, there would be fewer days where they'd be right in saying it. And it was for this reason that Harry loved the Forest.

"Wonder why I never bothered to enter the fringes till now?" Harry asked himself in self-reflection.

Taking a long look, Harry started to evaluate the appearance of the forest. Typically, it looked almost too tranquil, like the calm before the storm. Creepy as hell, but it always was always creepy at night. However, it was never nearly as… desolate. Still it was almost serene for Harry.

His fellow students however didn't seem to agree with his assessment. Draco looked like he was going to piss himself. Hermione was already quivering in fear. Gently, Harry rapped his arm comfortingly around her and gave her a quick reassuring squeeze.

He didn't look at her, but Harry could tell his small gesture did the trick in calming her down.

As the group walked in deeper, the creepy and looming pines blanketed the entire path with an unending unease. Even with such dense foliage looming overhead there was a significant amount of moonlight to guide them. Its luminescence illuminated the blanket of mist on the ground only making the journey more unnerving. Massive roots created mast tracks of uneven paths that gripped the earth like a vice.

With each step deeper into the dark, the roots became thicker, the light thinner, and the mist denser.

"This is bloody insane. Wait till my farther hears about this." Draco grumbled.

"Making a few assumptions there aren't you Malfoy; Like, surviving?" Harry chuckled out.

"S-shut up, Potter."

Harry continued to suppress his own mirth but groaned in pain when Hermione elbowed him in his rib cage.

"Right. Sorry. No joking about dying in the spooky woods." Harry whispered to her.

"Righ' then." Hagrid said calling their attention. "Now this 'ere was were the last one was found. From here we'll split up. Hermione you come with me. Malfoy, you and 'Arry go that way an' shout if you find somethin." Hagrid directed.

Harry paused to consider the possible dangers of splitting up. Normally splitting up in these kinds of situation only invited trouble. On the other hand, he thought glancing at Hermione, that wasn't necessarily a bad thing.

At least she'd be in good hands with Hagrid.

"Fine!" Draco spat. "Then I get Fang." he shouted pointing at the dog.

Hagrid just gave a curt nod. "Fine, just so yeh know. He's a bloody coward."

The dog looked at Malfoy and gave him a meek whimper. The color in Draco's face dipped a little.

"Wow, even I'm not that cruel." Harry whispered earning him another elbow from Hermione.

Rubbing his side, they made to split up. This was going to be interesting. Taking a lantern from Hagrid Harry felt Hermione's hands snake around him pulling him into a tight hug. He was unable to see her face, but her words reached his ears over his shoulder.

"Please. Stay safe, I don't like this." She whispered. Harry felt himself falling apart. Her carrying words shook him and he struggled not to break down into an emotional mess.

"Get a room you two, guh." Draco spat out.

Harry just ignored the prat as he focused on Hermione. "I'll be careful. I'm more worried about Malfoy. If he does something stupid, he's liable to get himself killed and Hagrid will take the fall." Harry reassured while stared at Malfoy's small frame.

Not that he wouldn't have it coming to him, Harry thought. Here they were in the 'Forbidden' Forest. The fact that Professor McGonagall was pretty much pulled from giving them detention in favor of Hagrid by something by Dumbledore left Harry very suspicious that there was some angle to be found within the forest.

With the lantern in one hand and wand in the other hand Harry led a grumbling Malfoy through the woods, fang right on their heels.

The duo walked mindlessly through the woods looking for something that was apparently killing Unicorns. As Harry looked about in quiet observation while Malfoy continued to demonstrate his lack of survival common sense.

"Stupid, foul oaf of a man. My father won't stand for this. Me in the forest. I shouldn't even have to suffer like this."

Turning to Harry a frown of discontent grew slightly worse as Harry ignored him.

"Potter! This is all you and that oafs fault."

"Yup." Harry agreed.

"Its all your fault. You and that mudblood's fault."

"Yup." Harry agreed.

Frustration peeking Malfoy continued on, "This is all your fault. All because you got a damn dragon, I have to suffer this… this…"

"Indignation?" Harry suggested.

Malfoy eyed Harry carefully. He had basically insulted him, his friends, his blood for ten minutes straight and nothing, nothing seemed to infuriate him. Stopping he wondered and started to reach for his…

"Point your wand at me Malfoy and I turn out the lantern and leave you."

Draco froze. "Bullocks, you'd be-"

"Completely fine." Harry finished.

"Fine?" Malfoy shouted in disbelief, "This is the Forbidden Forest, there's no way someone like you Potter would be-"

"Okay? Safe? Fine?" Harry said turning around lazily to look at him.

"Malfoy. I'm going to give you some facts. We are in the Forbidden Forest. I destroyed a Troll. Not killed, destroyed. I attacked a troll and turned it into a flesh milkshake. Pumpkin juice is chunkier by comparison to what was left behind. I. Will. Be. Fine."

"You, on the other hand have no such reputation. Your blood won't save you. Your father won't save you. And unless you don't want to die, you better think really hard about who's going to save you if we find the thing that's killing Unicorns."

Malfoy stared back angrily into Harry's lackluster gaze. "You don't get to talk to me like that Potter. Unlike you I am a Pureblood wizard. Unlike you fools I shouldn't even be in this mess." Malfoy shouted back. "When my father hears about this, he'll have all of you in prison for this humiliation."

"Before or after he slaps you for getting caught?" Harry asked as he went back to performing his grid search. Hopefully he'd find a trace of the culprit before Hermione's team. If he did at least he'd be the most likely to encounter the danger.

"Seriously what is that fool Dumbledore playing at letting someone like him hang around."

Harry had to agree with that sentiment. Why was Hagrid still here? He was around for like fifty years or something, what caused Hagrid to stick around. Better question however was why would Albus want Harry in the Forest tonight.

"Probably the same reason he keeps you around." Harry stated.

"Shut it, Potter. What would you know?"

"Don't know, why don't you ask? Worth a shot, right?"

"Piss off."

"I'm good."

Draco ground his teeth in such frustration that Harry could hear his enamel withering away. "I am going to sue all of you."

"Better do it soon, then." Harry advised.

"What?"

Harry paused and glanced back. "Malfoy your family has two things. A loyal 'pureblood' lineage of a dying tree, and money. Neither of those things are long lasting. Blood might get you accepted in society, but its not what makes your family important." Harry stated. Turning around he continued on.

"What makes your family important is your money. And money doesn't stick around forever, nor does it save your life."

Draco rolled his eyes, "What are you on about." He spat out in annoyance.

"You're not a threat to me Malfoy. You're not even an annoyance. You and the other Slytherins, none of you are even within my field of notice. Not you, not them, not even your father. Once your money's gone the worst you are is just another wizard with a wand, and calling back to my Troll statement, I'm fine. The rest of Slytherin, your all just witches and wizards with wands, I don't even need mine to deal with you lot. I can just avoid you. Plus, if I'm being honest. You lot have actually helped me get back into shape."

"You think your better than me Potter."

"Nope. Just saying so." Harry answered. "Just so you know. While we're here, alone, in the Forbidden Forest. Were anything can eat you, and me, or at least try too at least.

"Piss off Potter.

Finally, Harry caught sight of something in the corner of his eye.

It looked like a black robe hovering over the forest floor. His heart began racing. A Dementor? Here? Harry shut his eyes closed firmly focusing on the temperature and when he opened them re-focused on the spot. It was gone and the temperature hadn't dropped. Did he imagine it?

"I mean seriously the giant fool is a mockery of every good wizard out there." Malfoy continuously drooled on.

Harry shot his arm backward grabbing a fist full of Malfoy's robes and flung him into the tree.

"Gya, the hell you think..." Malfoy shouted out before his eye refocused on Harry's cold murderous eyes. His legs became significantly warmer under his robes.

"I saw something." Harry said as he peeked around. Whatever it was… it was gone.

"The hell you on about Potter. Let go!" Malfoy demanded but Harry held him firmly against the tree. "When my Father hears about this."

However, Harry ignored him. Undoing his barriers around his mind, Harry listened for another's thoughts, searching for whatever he saw. But there was nothing. All he heard was Malfoy's thoughts.

"Eighty-seven." Harry sighed as he relaxed knowing the… thing was gone. He knew he saw something. He just wasn't sure what.

"What?"

"Eighty-seven. That is the number of times this year alone you proudly declared, and I quote, 'Wait till my father hears about this.' Seriously Malfoy is there anything your father doesn't hear from you?" Harry asked.

"Shut it Potter." Draco spat swinging his arm to distance Potter away from himself. "At least I have a father."

"I wonder about that." Harry said quietly.

"What's that supposed to mean Potter."

"Was he ever a father to you?" Harry asked.

At that comment Malfoy seemed to get some of his back bone back. "Don't you dare insult my Father Potter. He's a better man then any of you and your mudblood losers."

"It's amazing how you and Ron don't get along. Your hatred of people you refuse to meet half way or even understand is astounding." Harry observed.

Malfoy offended by this statement shouted out his mind without thinking about what his retort could possibly reward him. He scoffed loudly.

"Weasley! I'm nothing like the blood traitor."

Harry laughed. "Let's see. A pureblood wizard with magical parents, a dogmatic philosophy regarding how the wizarding world should function, mindlessly following the words of their wise role models without question. Boldly stating their minds whenever they feel offended regardless of the danger to their life. Yeah, your right Malfoy you wouldn't get along, the two of you are carbon copies." Harry laughed out sarcastically.

"Tell me Malfoy, what is so great about your father?" Harry asked still on edge having spotted an unknown.

"My father stands amongst the highest members of the wizarding government..." he began before Harry cut him off.

"Though blackmail, threats, and bribes."

Malfoy opened his mouth, but Harry cut him off. "Oh, come off it Malfoy, everyone knows that how the current system works. I know it, you know it, everyone knows it.

"You can argue that he has a silver tongue but that doesn't compare to the number of limbs broken to get his way. Violence and lies, that's a bully Malfoy not a wise politician. Also, if he controls the government then what are Lady Longbottom and Director Bones? Last I checked they don't kneel to your father.

"He's wealthy and successful..."

"That was your Grandfather. Surprised? Hogwarts has genealogy records as well as Ministry public files. Not many but there are a few." Harry informed him.

"Ever since your father took over, your family has lost most of its wealth. Specifically, back when the war with You-know-who. Your grandfather through wise business practices and smart spending built an economic empire to the Malfoy name. It was small but there is a book that talks about it in passing. Did you know that? Your father lost that empire and forty percent of your fortune."

Malfoy growled out in frustrated. He didn't want to admit it but everything he said was technically true. This was more frustrating than being manhandled and forced to speak. "MY FATHER IS THE LAST LINE PROTECTING OUR TRADITIONS AND THE PURITY OF MAGIC!" he spat out angry at everything Harry was saying.

Harry smiled grimly a light haze in his eyes.

Before the first Wizarding War, your so-called purity was at its all-time high, Malfoy. Longbottom, Malfoy, Bones, Abbot, Gaunt, Crabb, Goyle, Lovegood, Macmillan, this list goes on. Those names are just the tip of the list of family names, their households, all reduced down to a single heir. It's a long list Malfoy. All of them down to a single heir. All because of the war for blood supremacy. That's three hundred years by the way. For a man who went about following a mad man who killed more than half of Wizarding England's Pureblood population I fail to see how Malfoy Senior is the last line to your so-called beliefs. Who exactly are you fighting? Me? Muggleborn? Muggles? Surprise Malfoy, we haven't done anything. I don't need to do anything. You'll kill yourselves off without us doing anything." Harry said mockingly. "If you want, I can list the houses that are extinct now. They're written down in several history books."

"Want me to list the houses that are now extinct, Malfoy?" Harry asked playfully.

"Shut it Potter." Draco growled out as his fingers twitched around his wand.

"How about how your father's war nearly broke the stature of secrecy and cost all of us our lives. Mock muggles all you want but at least know what you're up against. Do a little homework. Look up something called the Hiroshima bomb. It's a muggle weapon that could flatten Hogwarts as it currently is within a second. Nothing left but a smoldering crater."

Malfoy was now shaking with anger. "You don't talk to me like that Potter. You know nothing about me."

Draco's wand was out in seconds, and similar Malfoy found himself on the ground in half the time. Harry's hand was clutching his neck and his foot was finished applying pressure to his arm until he lost his grip on his wand. Pulling him up, Harry slammed him against the tree his arm held aloft, and Harry's knee dangerously close to his family jewels.

For a few seconds they glared at each other. Harry's bored and passive. Malfoys daring and masking how stunned and terrified he was.

After a few seconds Harry let go of Malfoy completely with a sigh.

"You're right. I know very little about you."

Picking up the lantern Harry simply shrugged. "Doesn't matter really. As you are now, you're not even worth it. Not my time or effort. Blind to the world and not willing to think things out for yourself. Shame too since if I'm right, magically speaking, you're the best chance your name has from rising out of the mud. Magically and otherwise."

Harry walked off not concerning himself with Malfoy. He said his part. Even if Malfoy tried to hex him from behind the worst, he'd do is force Harry to practice deflecting magic again with a flick of his wrist.

Sure, he could kill him easily, but Harry wasn't going down that path again. No, not again. If he was going to live, he'd make sure everyone else lived to suffer along with him.

It was about five minutes later after wandering aimlessly that Harry stumbled upon the white corpse.

"A Unicorn..." Harry muttered. Rushing to it Harry quickly checked to see if it was alive.

"Damn it." Harry cursed. It was long dead. Blood loss if the neck wound was anything to go by. However, Harry knew that such an act was insane. Who would willingly drink Unicorn blood knowing the cost? Even if they were near death, dying even, and would survive even on the brink of death, to drink Unicorn blood would leave you with a cursed life, a half-life. Their bodies would break down until finally they died a painful and hollow death, their soul reduced to a husk of what it once was.

"Malfoy, we should call for Hagrid." Harry said.

No response answered.

"Malfoy?" Harry asked turning around to see Malfoy was nowhere to be seen.

"That dumb idiot." Harry grumbled.

"Damn it, Malfoy. We were supposed to stick together." Harry complained aloud climbing over the tree roots. "My fault I guess for not paying attention to him properly."

Tracing his tracks back Harry spotted a large mound off to the right that he didn't remember passing. The closer he got to it the more panicked Harry became. His light sprint quickly turned to running until finally Harry arrived at the mount.

"Fang?"

"Fang? What's wrong? Where's Malfoy?" Harry asked. The dog all but whimpered unable to move or bark loudly. A slight twitch of its head pointed Harry to where Malfoy was.

The dog tracks fleeing from, whatever it was, lead Harry straight to him.

Harry ran over the slight hill and came face to face with a Dementor-esk figure pinning a very pale and thinning Malfoy. In a brief second the whole world drained before him. Harry could see just barely the look of anguish that became of those facing death and not wanting to die on Malfoy. Eyes glazed with fear, a scream resonating throughout the forest.

"GET AWAY FROM HIM!" Harry shouted at the top of his lungs. Thrusting his wand without thought or hesitation Harry shot a burst of magic out of his wand that rang like cannon fire.

"PROPULSO RETRO!"

The Spell hit like a loaded cement truck at mock two. The wraith repelled violently. Its body crashing into the nearby tree like a ragdoll leaving a blood trail on its exposed bark as it continued flying in the opposite direction of its target. Dirt and stone flew outward fleeing the spells warpath. The wraith crashed into the ground fifty feet away. Its movements wabbly and weak.

Limping in the air, it hovered away, weak and wounded.

Harry crouched down between it and Malfoy. Hell, or high water, Harry was done seeing corpses. Regardless of what the prat might or had done, regardless of if what Tracey said was true or not. Harry was not going to let someone die unless he himself was absolute certain that they were irredeemable.

On a battle field, death was a kindness. In life, death was an end. It he was a prat, he didn't deserve to die. If he was a rapist bastard, evil, cruel, and unworthy of life, Harry wasn't going to let him have the easy way out. Harry wasn't that kind. He knew how cruel immortality was. Never would he give such a people the easy way out.

Not Malfoy, not You-know-who, and certainly not the Dursleys.

Either way, Harry wasn't about to let him die.

With the wraith fleeing out of sight Harry stood down, Certain that whatever it was, was too wounded now to continue the hunt. A quick check of the carnage his spell created confirmed that whatever it was, was hurt badly and wasn't in any condition to hunt.

Not for a while anyway. Harry let out a sigh before turning back and returned to Malfoy. The boy was weak, petrified in fear, and passed out.

Looking around Harry found an open area where he could better defend them. Grabbing Malfoy's arm, he slung him over his shoulder and tried to stand. Mind splitting pain shot through his leg causing him to fall down.

Harry looked down at his leg. His foot sticking off at a slightly irregular angle.

"Twisted ankle, great." Harry complained shifting around to drag Malfoy away. "How did I twist my ankle?"

It took him a while, but Harry managed to get himself and Malfoy into the clearing and cast two Lumos spells, both failing to work. Twice more he tried but internally all he could feel was his magic building inside himself, ripe to burst, yet no pay off.

"Leave it to me to get magic to work only in a dangerous life or death situation." Harry grumbled sarcastically. "In danger of someone dying, my wand is a bloody cannon. Have at it. Need a light for a smoke, sorry buddy all I got is a worthless stick."

Harry stood there silently. "… shite, I'm talking to myself again…"

His attention was again drawn sharp back to reality as he felt a slight trembling underneath him. The ground shuddering ever so slightly. Harry held his breath focusing his hearing as sharply as he could.

The sound of hoofs rang between the trees, of horses galloping across the dark forest undergrowth. Turning Harry faced the source of the sound and gripped his wand tightly. He kept it low and at the ready but not outright pointed.

From between the trees a centaur shot from the shadows. Harry was ready to respond when a voice from behind the massive creature called out to him.

"HARRY!"

Hermione came flying out from behind to centaur landing beside him.

"Are you hurt?" She asked as she flew to his side.

"I've had worse." He said happily. "Just a twisted ankle. Not exactly sure how I got it."

"Yer right there 'Arry?"

"Just fine Hagrid, twisted ankle. Malfoy encountered something that looked like a dementor. It wasn't one but the prat fainted as a result." Harry said his concern surprising even himself.

The centaur came forward and looked down at the boy.

"Dark magic. This was the work of something not of this forest." the centaur said calmly.

"Well Ronon?"

"He'll live. You'd best bring him back to your castle." He said calmly. Ronon raised his head staring up at the sky. "Mars is particularly bright tonight."

Harry looked up himself, Mars did look brighter tonight. The sound of more hoofs drew his attention and two more centaurs appeared. Hagrid raised his brow upon their arrival.

"Hullo Bane, Firenze." the giant greeted.

"Hagrid. Odd time to be walking these young ones."

"Detentions. Albus's word. We're searching for who's been attacking unicorns." Hagrid explained.

"Of course it was," Harry complained under his breath.

"I see," Bane said curtly. Firenze shook his head. "Still it is not safe tonight." he said walking towards Harry.

"Mr. Potter you have been touched much like your friend by the dark presence in the forest. It is not safe to remain." Firenze said.

Harry nodded in understanding. Firenze and Bane both looked up at the stars.

"Mars is particularly bright tonight."

Harry looked up and frowned. "Not Mars, Deimos."

The centaurs looked down at Harry before returning to the sky's grace. Ronon looked back down at Harry, "If you are correct Mr. Potter, then we all should be concerned."

"Hagrid, you should take these young ones back. The forest is not safe tonight. The presence has left." Romon said.

"Right." Hagrid said not willing to argue. He too was feeling uneasy himself and Malfoy needed to be returned to the castle.

Picking up Malfoy Hagrid directed Hermione to do the same for Harry. Instead of picking him up however she offered her shoulder for him to lean on.

After they left the forest Hermione found it impossible not to ask him. "What happened?"

Harry shrugged having no solid idea as to what had happened. "Not sure, but..."

"What?" Hermione asked.

Harry was hesitant to say but acquiesce. "Whatever attacked us – when it attacked Malfoy, my scar began to hurt."

"Your scar?"

Harry nodded. There were only two times his scar hurt, and the implication was unsettling. His scar only hurt when he awoke from very vivid nightmares regarding his parents' deaths and when Quirrell was around. The latter was what concerned Harry the most.

xXxXx

Somehow, I think I jinxed it.

P.S. As stated above I found the manuscript but that was like a week or two ago. Looking it over my high school days reveal I wasn't even half the anime nerd I am now. Sidetracked back to point. Book three's script is set as a crossover with Fate/Zero. I got a Poll up (not sure if its actually there, only got the one account. Tried looking as a guest. Pretty sure I'm just a blind idiot) to see who thinks I should go that route or not.