Chapter 27
Erica's Story And The Forest

Sirius' POV

I wonder who the woman is that stands in front of the Great Hall doors and remarked to Remus' words, but then Harry and Fiana gasp and Harry mutters: "I-I-impo-impo-impossible." This worries me as I wonder when exactly Harry met this woman. Then Fiana makes everything clear to me – and causes me to gasp in shock – as she asks: "Erica?"

This makes everyone gasp, those at the couch with me the hardest as we remember last night's tale while the rest all remembers what we learned about her, thanks to the book just read. The woman smiles and I decide to have a closer look at her, wanting to memorize every aspect of the woman that saved my son's life years ago.
The woman has short brown hair with a wave at the end, making it lie on her shoulders softly, which are still showing signs of having been amazingly muscular and obviously used for heavy-weighted work – such as fighting in wars.
Her face is pulled tight, her forehead slightly large and growing to the back of her head, which is mostly visible by the fact she has no fringe whatsoever. Her eyes are sharp and colored deep blue, the color within which you can easily drown and her lips are naturally thin.
Her whole face actually shows a combination of innocence and inner strength, which makes me know she has the ability to either completely break her enemy or make him or her underestimate her – two abilities that can work wonders in front of enemy front lines.
The rest of her body is still compliantly muscular, but not enough to make people believe she has been working out for war in the last couple of years; more that she has been working hard to keep her body in shape.

All in all she's quite lovely with her blue eyes, thin lips, muscular body and the kind smile that is currently adorning her face as she looks at all the shocked faces of students and teachers. She herself wears a simple blue dress with a halter top black jacket over it that is opened at the front. Then she turns to us four and she says:
"Fiana, Harry, so good to see you. Glad to see you're magical too, sweetling." Harry looks shocked while I can actually feel the emotions coming off of her through her voice and he asks: "B-but – how?" The woman sighs and says: "You know how much of a bully your cousin was and how I had heart and lung problems."

Harry nods, while those that hadn't heard the tale he told us last night look at this new bit of information in shock and she says: "One day, on the 7th of September, Dudley went to me and started pestering me, but the pestering was different from the usual I could handle. He pestered me and bullied me – about you, sweetling."
Harry looks shocked, but her use of the word sweetling makes me know how much she really cares for my son and I smile at this fact as she goes on: "He bullied me and insulted me on my care for you and how you weren't worth any of it and I couldn't mentally take that, so my body reacted and I got a heart attack."

The students gasp, madam Pomfrey now having a hand on her own heart and the other on her pocket where her wand must be and Harry looks as though he wants to go and run at the woman. Instead of that, Erica walks over to us and sits down next to Fiana, softly starting to pat Harry on the head as she continues her story.
"The medicals of the Muggle world, the doctors, instantly came and tried to give me CPR and whatnot to revive me, but it was not to be. Luckily enough is my family quite familiar to the St. Mungo Company and three expert Healers instantly arrived and took me from the doctors when they wanted to give up on me.

They brought me a privat wing my family has at the Hospital and revived me, but I knew I had to get stronger before I could face Dudley again. I decided to rejoin the army and went to fight the Russians in Germany for the Democrats. That took me until 1989 when the wall fell and afterwards I stayed in Germany just a little longer.
I never forgot you, but felt I needed all the experience I could get, so I travelled the world to learn more about fighting and law and with that hoped to find things I could use to permanently remove you from those terrible Muggles and legally embarrass them so badly they would never try what they did to you or me again.
That unfortunately took me years and while I kept up through the papers, did I not contact you or Fiana until finally I arrived back in England and heard you were going to school here. I really wanted to see you again and then I got this letter, read it through and next thing I know I'm here. And I'm damn glad I am."

The woman ends her story, still softly patting Harry's head and the boy has now laid his head back on Viktor's shoulder and is now smiling at her in glee. The woman smiles back and says: "I guess my work with the Dursleys will be quite unnecessary now, seeing the family you've seen to have made for yourself, sweetling."
Harry nods and says: "Sirius and Remus here adopted me through werewolf Laws and Viktor here is my new boyfriend. It's a long story." Then, quite suddenly, he uses his good leg to jump out of Viktor's arms and into Erica's, hugging her and crying badly, muttering about how badly he missed her and how happy he is to see her.
The woman stays shocked for only a few seconds, but then she smiles and hugs the boy close, while I feel glad for her help all those years ago as it made it easier for the boy to accept and ask for human contact and affection. The woman softly makes sure Harry slowly stops crying before softly lifting him up and back into Viktor's lap.

Erica's POV

Never more have I hoped for a better future for my little Harry than the family picture I see now before me. The black-haired man and sandy-brown haired man softly petting his hair and back and the sturdy brown haired boy obviously holds my little sweetling with tender care and an amazing amount of love.
I then smile at my friend of so many years ago, hugging her swiftly as she tells me how much she missed me and when I feel that all of them have come at peace with my return to their lives, do I stand up and loudly ask: "Is anyone against it if I read next?" No one objects and I walk over to the owl stand and start to read.

The Forbidden Forest

"EXCUSE ME?" All the elders shout furious and Sirius asks: "What on earth? The Forest? One of the most dangerous places here at Hogwarts?" He then turns to his son, who has a mixed look of defiant fear on his face and asks: "What were you doing there of all places?" And Harry's answer shocks me as he says: "Serving detention."
The man then turns to the teachers and asks: "Which one of you thought it appropriate to send my eleven year old child to the one place he could most easily get attacked or eaten?" And to his growing shock – and obvious anger – does Professor McGonagall raise her hand. Instantly he shouts: "MINERVA MCGONAGALL!"
The woman looks down and Sirius rants: "I lost count of how many times you gave us detention for sneaking into that Forest in my 4th and you send my son – the son of two of the boys you vowed would never step into the Forest – into that VERY SAME FOREST! WHAT ON EARTH HAPPENED TO YOUR COMMON SENSE?"

Then Remus pulls him back and with the voice of a dominant male, does he say: "If Harry gets hurt Minerva, it will be your name I will take my anger out on. I will not let you endanger my cub. Not for thinking he was out after curfew." But then Harry makes it worse and mutters: "And then her punishment wasn't even the worst of all."
This causes his parents, boyfriend, Fiana and me to look at him shocked, but then I notice that all students of Fourth year and higher look down ashamed and I think: "What on earth happened?" Before I decide to find out for myself. I turn back to the black-haired man and say: "You said all I wanted to, Sirius, thanks." And with that I start to read.

Things couldn't … the last, but at least they were better than the ways of punishments that he was starting to dread. Sure, he had yet to see a student punished like that, but even the twins had – as far as he knew – yet to be caught out of bed after midnight.
He couldn't … the cloak? About that Harry had mixed feelings. On one hand he wanted her to find it, so he could explain where he had gone with it and he could get Hagrid to help him get out of this sticky situation.
On the other hand was it still the only thing he had to relate himself to his father and if McGonagall heard of Norbert, Hagrid would surely get in trouble with her. And Harry cared too much about Hagrid after everything that happened to let the man get blame, when he could face the same himself.

Everyone looks shocked and I shake my head, whispering: "I knew those Muggles blaming my little sweetling for everything would have terrible consequences. They'll pay for this." And all around me heads nod in agreement, while McGonagall looks down in shame, obviously feeling terrible for putting the blame with the wrong person.
I look at the woman in slight pity, but then remember the chapter title and think: "Whether she laid the blame with the wrong person or not, she had no right whatsoever to send eleven year olds to such a dangerous location." I sigh, having read up on the Forest when learning how to better defend myself, shake my head and read on.

There was … bags already.

"Mr. Potter, had I known of Norbert or the Invisibility Cloak, I would not have laid the blame with either of you. I would have laid the blame where it belongs; with Dumbledore for giving the cloak to you without proper rules on when and when not to use it; and with Hagrid for putting you up with such a dangerous creature."
McGonagall says and Harry lowers his head and says: "I know that now, Professor McGonagall. But – back then –." The woman nods and says: "I understand. You were after all only gone from those Muggles for less than a year. Their influence on you still had a great impact on your person and your behavior. I blame you not." The boy smiles at her and I continue the chapter.

Had Harry … Professor McGonagall. This scared Harry even more, because uncle Vernon was known to come up with terrible excuses if he said those words – only to make sure he could blame Harry on whatever had gone wrong. He violently shook his head, begging the woman not to continue and trying to remember that she was not his uncle at the same time. "It doesn't … it, too?"
Harry never felt more betrayed than he did right there. He stared at his Head of House for a single second and thought, "Is that really how she thinks of me? What did I do to make her think that? Is this about that broom incident? But that was months ago? Did my dad do something like this? But then – why? Why would she expect me to do it too? And to NEVILLE no less!"
He felt his heart break and knew. Knew he couldn't trust McGonagall. She was just not the person to talk to about his home life. She would, after all, just think it one big prank he pulled. And Merlin only knew on who she would believe he wanted to pull the prank then.

Everyone looks shocked and hurt and while I feel my heart break over the thoughts of my little sweetling, does Luna say: "One should never be expected to be his parent. Each child is different as times keep changing." Everyone looks at the girl, except McGonagall as she has her head in her hands with her shoulders shaking with tears of regret.
"I really don't want to be rude right now." Neville then suddenly speaks up, making many people look at him and he looks at Snape quite shortly, the same happening with Sirius, Remus and McGonagall before he calmly goes on: "But how can all of you expect him to be his father – if he never got to know the man?"

Everyone seems shocked by this logical question and he goes on: "I mean, I know to Purebloods and most of the Wizarding world, appearances are everything, but you can't judge a person just on how they look, can you? Especially not if a child looks like their parents. It just really wouldn't be fair to said child."
And while many nod, do I get the feeling that Neville isn't just talking about Harry having the pressure of everyone seeing his father in him. Deciding to see who this boy is and who his parents are – or were – I smile encouragingly at the young Fourth year and then, when I see him send me a grateful smile back, do I read on.

Harry caught … thing before!

"To break his trust in you is one thing, Minerva." Snape suddenly interferes, his tone proving that he really has a bone to pick with the woman and then he goes on: "But lying to him is a whole other story. Especially seeing you are being as ironic as can be here." The woman doesn't look at him, but he still goes on:
"You know as well as I do Potter's father and his three – now respectively two – friends were out every other night, if not every night and you quite expect him to be the carbon copy of James Potter, yet you lie about one of the greatest faults the man had. Wanting to spare him his father's faults is one thing, Minerva, but I repeat, lying a whole other."

The man then holds silent
And I take it as my cue to read.

You, Miss … from Gryffindor."

This makes all students in Gryffindor House between 14 and 17 gasp and while mutters break out amongst those that aren't from this school, does one Seventh year say: "I thought it was that they tried to turn the Giant Staircase into an ice slope and almost caused McGonagall to break her neck that cost them those points."
Hermione and Harry look at the Seventh year with clear shock, as if he's grown two extra heads and while others also start to mutter about rumors they had hear, does another student, this one a female Sixth Year say: "I thought they were caught battling whatever was guarding the Third floor that made it that dangerous."
This makes the two turn their heads from one side the other, as if that theory isn't even that far-fetched and then the twins chorus: "But for being out after curfew?" And all of Gryffindor looks at their Head of House, but then Fillius Flitwick asks: "Wait, what made you triple the amount?" And a groan is his only answer, making me read on.

"Fifty?" Harry … pointed nose.

"Let me get this straight." Percy states, his body tense and his glare aimed straight at his ex-Head of House and he goes on: "You knew nothing of Hagrid's dragon. You knew nothing of the Invisibility Cloak. You only knew that they were out after curfew – something my brothers do weekly – and you took 150 points?"
At this the woman doesn't answer, yet Percy continues to rant and starts to shout: "Without listening to their story. Without giving them time to explain. Without questioning even any of them privately. And based on your own crazy theory, where you got that from Merlin only knows. And you called them liars to their own friends?"
Everyone looks at the man shocked and I ask: "Did I just summarize all that happened correctly?" The Ravenclaws nod and Luna says: "Couldn't have asked it better myself." Making the man smile, but then Harry mutters: "And then to think it'll only get worse." Everyone looks worried, while most older years seem ashamed and I read on.

"Professor – please –" … points lost.

Suddenly a rattling sound is heard behind me and the twins shout: "NO WAY!" Together with Hannah Abbott and Susan Bones, Cho Chang and Terry Boot and Astoria and Daphne Greengrass. I look behind me and see rubies, emeralds, sapphires and blue crystals falling into the four Hourglasses attached to the right back wall.
Then Draco Malfoy says: "All Houses just gained 150 each." And the twins cheer: "Gryffindor takes the lead! 254 point! ALRIGHT!" But then Hannah says: "Sorry, but Hufflepuff has 265 points. We're in the lead!" And the twins shout: "Not for long, you're not!" While smiling widely. I smile at the display and read on.

That put … they'd done? Harry fell asleep with the wane hope a Gryffindor punishment wouldn't be like a Dursley punishment.

Again the Gryffindors lower their heads, making me gasp in feared shock as I look from them to my sweetling and Sirius hisses: "You didn't." But they all keep their heads low and one of the twins mutter: "We did." And the other goes on: "We were plain stupid." And the other goes on: "And it was plain wrong."
"That it was." Harry mutters timidly, cuddling close with Viktor, obviously trying not to think of what had happened and apparently he isn't the only one saying it, as Madame Pomfrey says the same, but then with disgust in her tone before she goes on: "He was in my Hospital at least once a week just for all you fools did."

Now the teachers look shocked and Flitwick asks: "But if he was there once a week, then why didn't you notice?" The woman sighs and says: "He had an amazingly valiant excuse and I fell for it. He told me he was practicing his magic, so he could perform on his exams so well, he would be able to earn back all those points."
Everyone looks at the boy shocked and one of the twins asks: "We punish you and hurt you." And the other goes on: "For something we do weekly." And then they chorus: "And you still cover for us?" But Harry lowers his head and shakes it, muttering: "I didn't want my reputation – or your punishment – worsening for being a tattletale."
This makes the Gryffindors look down again and Hermione asks: "Wait a minute. We got punished too, but we never got cursed badly enough to land in the Hospital wing. What's with that?" And Harry mutters: "Just read on." Still cuddling close with Viktor and still obviously scared. I look at my little sweetling in worry and read on.

At first … you one!"
He knew Hermione and Neville would get the same treatment and when he started noticing that some fingers turned to wands being pointed at them, he quickly took the only action he thought was rightful of him to take – if only to apologize to Hermione for befouling her wondrous reputation and to Neville for making him feel as bad as he did.
He used his famous title and scar to make people go after him. He boasted a little with Parvati and Lavender, who luckily enough were big enough lovers of gossip to really care, and soon everyone thought a different story.
Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, wanted to see if he was ready for a girl and wanted the best Hogwarts could offer him – the brains of Hogwarts, Hermione Granger – so he lured her to the Astronomy tower to see if she would be his lover at a later age. But Neville had tried to stop Harry and Harry had laughed in his face, pushing him straight into Professor McGonagall.

Everyone looks shocked and the twins mutter: "That we believed that." Before hitting themselves on the head. But then Hermione and Neville fling themselves at Harry and Neville asks: "You actually thought you had to make up?" And Hermione asks: "You really took all that blame and made that story just to spare us?"
Harry shrugs, while the two hug him tightly and he mutters: "I just really believed it to be my fault. The Dursley life and rules were still too deeply ingrained in my brain. I still too easily blame myself if something bad happens." The two hug him tighter, while his words make the elder years look even more ashamed of themselves. I shake my head and read on.

He sincerely hoped the others would believe him – while part of him hoped not as it would mean they really wanted to know Harry and not the Boy Who Lived – but everyone did and the wands really came out.
Harry took to leaving classes alone, saying he needed to go to the bathroom, talk to teachers, ask them for pointers, forgot his books and many other things. And for weeks, the minute older years, mostly Fifth and higher, realized he was alone, the spell fire started. Harry was glad he was lithe and agile, but still let some spells hit, just to punish himself for letting down his House and ruining the chance of possible friends for himself.
His nights became worse and worse and at least once a week he wasn't sleeping in his own dorm, but in the Hospital wing, claiming to the matron he was studying spells out of his year so he could perform magnificently at the exams and win back his lost points. The students were luckily lenient enough not to curse him when he came out of the Hospital wing, but else it was open fire on Harry Potter.

Everyone looks down, the elder years ashamed of their actions and the younger years ashamed of their Houses and Sirius says: "You know, the funny part here is that Voldemort was supposedly dead for a decade by this time. But apparently all of Gryffindor, Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff saw it fit to continue his work on their Hero."
This makes one of the elder year Lions burst out crying, finally feeling too much guilt to keep herself under control and then, while an angry Madam Pomfrey rushes over to give the girl a Calming Draught, is a terrible question asked silently: "Harry, your nights. Does that mean the same as in your story. Of Erica?"
I look at my sweetling, seeing his hollow eyes and his faraway look, making me hate how he must be reliving that period of his life, but then Neville grabs him and says: "Excuse me a minute." Making everyone in the Great Hall blanch as they watch him take Harry to the antechamber before closing the door behind them.

Hermione is the first to react and she too bursts into tears, Viktor quickly grabbing her and hugging her as she mutters: "He must be reliving the emotions he felt back then. He must be having a relapse. And Neville – how many times did this happen that he realized Harry was on the brink of another suicide attempt."
"OF ANOTHER WHAT?" Fiana and I shout, me feeling as if I'm back to the day I met the young lad and Sirius says: "We discovered a few chapters ago that Harry has suicide attempts that come up every now and again and that Neville is always the one he goes to for help. Neville was apparently the only one who knew."

I blanch myself, the thought that my little sweetling had to rely on someone his age to fight such mental illness and think to myself: "I – I thought all those years ago it would be over. That I taught him enough to keep him from that. Did this really cause a relapse? And how many more will there be during these books?"
I blanch even more at this thought and Fiana hugs me tightly, making me hug her back as I know she can handle considerably less of this than I can, her having become a teacher because she has such a caring and loving heart and I comfort her to the best of my abilities – while looking at the book in fear and then at the door.

Finally after about 10 minutes Sirius does what I would do were it not for Fiana and shouts: "Harry!" Running over to the door to the antechamber. But just as he throws it open, is he thrown to the floor by a small, black-haired blur of cloths and a crashing sound of wheels before I even realize it, does he have a crying Harry Potter in his arms.
The man seems to have expected this as he has reacted a lot faster than I could and while the wheelchair is now lying sideways, is he already sitting up, holding Harry's body close and comforting him, while the way he holds his body indicates how badly he wants to protect the young boy – if possible from the entire world.

Then words the young boy utters come through to me and while his voice is thick with tears and makes it so I can't hear everything, does he mutter: "Love you – don't hate – 'll be good – don't hurt – don't – dead." From which I can take the sentences: "I love you. Don't hate me. I'll be good. Don't hurt me. Don't want to be dead."
I look at the other boy who walked into the room, the happy smile on his face reliving me and making me feel curious as I then ask the question that is probably on the minds of many in the room: "How'd you get him out of it?" And Neville calmly says: "A lot easier than I usually do. I just reminded him of his parents."
This confuses me, but then I understand that he means Sirius and Remus and smile at the brilliance of the boy. In the mean while do I hear Sirius mutter: "Won't ever, pup. Love you too, my son. You're the best I could ever wish for. I'd die before I let you." Making me smile at his words as they seem to calm Harry down amazingly.
Once everyone's calm, Neville and the others having joined the small sofa next to me, and Harry has retaken his seat on Viktor's lap, do I ask: "Feeling better, sweetling? Can I read on?" The boy is held by the Quidditch champ like he was by his mother and shortly looks at me before he nods. I smile at him and read on.

Only Ron stood by him. Dean, Seamus and Neville did too, apparently, but they weren't going to do it openly in fear of being hurt or – in Neville's case – being cast-away even worse.

"That really was stupid of us. We should have shown open support and made people wonder how you lost those points. Then they would have stopped once they heard the truth." Seamus says with his head down, but Harry shakes his head and says: "I wouldn't have said a thing. I was too used to taking blame wherever I was supposed to."
This makes me feel angry beyond words at the Dursleys and I think: "Dudley, just you wait. I know you play a role in that and I would love to see how you respond to a supposedly dead woman coming to visit you. Or maybe I can charm myself to look like a ghost and haunt him for a few days." And with an evil smirk, do I read on.

"They'll all … Quidditch team.

"You WHAT?" All of Gryffindor shouts in pure shock and then the older years shout: "WHY WOULD YOU DO THAT?" While Wood moans: "Worst words I ever heard." Lying his head in his hands. Ravenclaw and Hufflepuff, in the mean time, don't seem to know how to feel about this news and I read on.

"Resign?" Wood … its fun.

"HOW'S THAT EVEN POSSIBLE?" Wood shouts, but then he sees the rest of his team look down in pure shame and mutters: "No. No way. You wouldn't." But these words only make them look more ashamed and I shake my head before reading on, already having a good guess as to what I will be reading next.

The rest … "the Seeker."

"ANTECHAMBER! NOW!" Wood rages and Harry tries getting into his wheelchair, but Wood spats: "Not you, Harry." Making the boy cringe and when Wood notices he sighs and while he tries and fails to keep the anger out of his voice and speak with tranquility does he say: "Sit down, Harry. I'm not angry at you, I'm –Argh!"
He shouts, glaring at the rest of his team and they reluctantly, with their heads low and with an air of having their tails between their legs, leave for the antechamber. Percy then casts a silencing spell on the door and when others look at him he says: "Trust me, you don't want to hear him shouting. Not when he's that furious."

And indeed a few seconds later do muffled shouts and incoherent screams come from the door, the words unable to be understood and the shouts more sounding like high-whispers, but still do I agree with the Weasley brother and think: "Glad I'm not them. Or him for that matter, if he has so much experience with that man's shouts."
Then the Quidditch team returns, their stances making them look like beaten puppies or something and all of them have their heads low enough that their necks are almost invisible. Wood quickly walks out of the room at the end of the line, hugs Harry in comfort and apologizes and then sits back with his team, glaring at them as I read on.

Hermione and … as well-known and because of the rumor Harry helped spread around Hogwarts, but nobody …his misery. Unfortunately did that not always help and often, during the nights after studying did he remember all the curses and hexes he was hit with, which caused the words he often heard the Dursleys mutter at him to come to the forefront of his mind and increase the defeated, ashamed, terribly useless feeling he felt growing inside of him.
Week after week this went on and Harry felt himself silently crying as he fell asleep more and more, the words actually keeping up until his mind went into oblivion and he fell asleep. He slept less and less as the words kept him awake longer and longer as the weeks progressed and finally, after three and a half weeks he couldn't take no more.
The other boys were still at dinner, but Harry's appetite had disappeared after lunch and right after his lesson had he returned to the dorm. He knew he could get into major trouble for this, but didn't care anymore. He entered his dorm and closed the door, using one of his old cloths to stuff under the bottom of the door, thereby muffling the sounds of what was to happen inside the dorm.
He then turned to the walls of his dorm and with tears starting to spring and fall from his eyes he started ramming, hitting and kicking against all the walls around the dorm, injuring himself and causing wounds and scrapes on his skin while he tore his robe and cloths on the sharper edges of the walls.

"HARRY!" Everyone shouts and Neville mutters: "Merlin be blessed for the fact I had to feed Trevor. I don't want to think of what would have happened had I not." Everyone blanches and Ron asks: "You knew of this?" But Neville shakes his head and says: "Had a hunch, but didn't know. Just read on." I nod and do as he asks.

The pain barely registered in his mind, but – because of his life with the Muggles – actually made him feel better about himself. He was doing a much better job of punishing himself than his Head of House or fellow students and, mostly because of the words still ringing through his mind, knew this was the only way to punish a freak like him.
Finally, halfway through diner, Harry stopped, panting his hands on his knees, barely wincing as he had a large cut across the inside of his hand and then turned from the walls to his bed. He looked at it and his mind quickly processed a way that would not only punish him further, but would really get him to his new goal; his ultimate end.
He slowly walked over to the bedposts and started hitting it with his right and left leg, intending on breaking it in half and making large parts of it stick out. The kicks went on and on and while splinters hit and made small cuts in his cloths and legs, did he keep on, crying harder and almost screaming, but not in physical pain.
His body only functioned as a vessel for punishment to him. His skin, his veins, his hair, his face, his heart and his lungs; it didn't matter to him anymore as he was lost in the words his relatives kept telling him and the pain of losing everyone who could one day be a friend.
Finally he heard the pole break and to his sheer luck the downside fell to him, the top pointed and jagged and filled with long, thick razor-sharp wooden needles. He panted, admiring his work and took a few steps back. Tears were now streaming down his face as he knew he would hurt Ron and Hermione immensely with this, but every person had his limit and his was far-breached.
He closed his eyes, took another step back and then ran at the pointed jags, not hearing the door open behind him or the sharp gasp as his entire mind was focus on one thing – to die; to return to his parents and be the boy he always wanted to be.

"Oh god no!" Sirius whispers, his tone almost dead with the sheer pain and terror he must be feeling at hearing this and with that speaks the words probably going through everyone's mind. Since I started this part of the story silence has been ringing through the hall, only to be broken by sobs and cries of pain and shame.
Everyone seems to feel terrible for what I'm reading; terrible for what they pushed the – then – eleven year old boy to do. The teachers also look down, the females crying and McGonagall having her head in her hands as she must be feeling even worse than others for not noticing this. All of them must be feeling that they failed the boy.
Then Sirius, who's eyes are almost black with fear for his son turns to Neville and desperately whispers: "Please tell me that gasp came from you and that this is where you stop him from all of this." Neville's nod makes a wave of relief go through the Great Hall and I mentally bless the young boy before reading on.

But suddenly, he felt something – or someone – crash into him from the side, making them both land hard on the floor next to his bed. He struggled and cried, but the thing – he now recognized as a person – just held him close; one hand on his head to hold it in his shoulder and the other around his arms to hold him from hitting the other person.
He cried and tried to get free, but the exertion of all those hits and kicks had tired him out and eventually he just surrendered to the tears and the embrace he was in. He didn't dare grab onto the person holding him, but was grateful for the comforting hug and shushing sounds nonetheless.

Now, while there is barely a dry face in the hall and while all those that have loved ones are consoling each other, does Sirius turn to Neville, standing up and walking over and then hugs him tightly, the Weasleys and Hermione soon joining the man, while Fiana, Remus and Viktor stay close to Harry and all hug him tightly.
Then Sirius, who's voice is almost choked up with the pride he feels for the boy whispers: "Alice would have been so very, very proud." Neville gasps and Sirius says: "I'll tell you all about her later, alright?" The boy nods, still wide eyed with shock and I smile at the two, continuing to read once everyone has retaken their seats.

Finally he felt himself calm enough, hissing in pain as his mind finally registered how badly he had wounded himself and the person hugging him says, "Don't ever do that again, Harry, you mean too much to us. To Ron, to Hermione, to Hagrid, to all of Hogwarts. Don't let those fair-weather fans get to you; they don't deserve that."
Harry vaguely recognized the voice and when he looked up, he was shocked to see Neville Longbottom looking at him with firmness in his eyes he had never seen before. The boy then looks down at his cloths and says, "The House-elves can fix them. And I have some salves and healing balms for those wounds. Gran knows how clumsy I am, so she taught me all about tending to scrapes and bleeding wounds. But what to do about your bed?"
Harry grabbed his wand, shocked that it seemed in perfect state and didn't even have a scratch and cast a quick Reparo – a spell he learned from the books he stopped studying after his punishment. Neville nodded and while dinner went on in the Great Hall, did Neville tend to him and did he spill his heart to the boy, begging him to keep this quiet.
Neville understood his need, having had the same with the Malfoy-Leg-locking incident and in return made Harry vow he would always come to him when these needs came back up. He also proved, later that night, that Harry could trust him as he waited for the other boys to sleep and then snuck into Harry's bed, sitting up and stroking Harry's hair as he softly talked him into a slumber that, for once, didn't involve the words of the Dursleys.

This makes everyone smile and Neville says: "He does come to me often, but not often enough that we can openly show a good friendship as people would get suspicious of where that suddenly came from. So, us showing off to be just dorm-mates helped keep this secret." Everyone nods, while the Gryffindors smile at him in pride and I read on.

Harry and Neville continued this late night bed thing for a couple more night and then Harry asked for one night not to, to see if his trauma was over. The spells still kept coming and students were still terrible to him, treating him like he wasn't there when they talked about him and insulted him, but with Neville by his side was he able to keep a clear head.
His nightmares lessened and the words stayed in the back of his head, but Neville still came to his bed to help him sleep twice a week, telling Harry he had grown onto him as a little brother he had to care for – and that while Neville was born only one day before Harry was.

Everyone smiles at this even though no one really laughs at the little bit of humor due to earlier read events and Hermione says: "Harry really does have that affect on people. If you care about him or if you befriend him, he becomes like a little or older brother to you and you just want to stay close and help him wherever you can."
And all of the Weasleys, Cedric and his parents, the Malfoys, some of the teachers, his dorm-mates and the Quidditch team all nod in agreement, while I smile at the blushing boy, who hides most of his face in Viktor's loving embrace while I personally feel very glad that he turned out this way despite everything and read on.

Neville's tender care kept the nightmares and memories of his relatives' comments out of his mind, which allowed him to understand and remember more of what he was studying as the exams drew ever closer. Wood's new training schedule worked along as well as the Fifth year trained his team harder, but during shorter times, believing this to be better for his team as it would allow them to sleep more and better and thus grow a healthier condition.
Harry knew Oliver didn't like doing this, but he was grateful as he started studying his extra-course books again – the ones he borrowed from Madame Pince – and that too helped him to study along with his friends as his mind grew and thus got more space for more information.
He, Ron … to themselves, Harry sometimes letting Neville work along with them as a return gift for all his kind help, working late … unexpected test.

"Oh Merlin!" Sirius moans and then I hear Ron mutter: "And this is only the first book. How will he react to the other two?" To which Remus says: "Better not ask, Ron, I don't even feel I want to know right now." The red-head nods and I wonder and fear what more my little Sweetling could have gone through as I read on.

Walking back … for sure."
But Harry was against that plan even more than he was against the glint in Ron's eyes. He didn't want to sneak around anymore, if only to stop the risk of getting an even worse treatment – if that was even possible here – and neither did he want to go to any authority figure, seeing what even his Head of House thought of him. "But we've … of explaining."

"Merlin, is he always like that?" Susan Bones asks the two best friends of my sweetling, while others are shocked at the logic the boy came up with – and while the teachers are ashamed that Harry had such little trust in them – and then, while many of the parents are now glaring at said teachers, do Ron and Hermione chorus:
"You have no idea." And while I can feel a bit of humor returning to the tense atmosphere of the room, does Hermione go on: "And that's not even his best that year. Just wait until after our detention. You'll get to hear something that's still stuck in my mind." And she smiles at her sheepish looking best friend, while I read on.

Hermione looked … its moons.
Ron wanted to open his mouth again, but Harry stopped him and said, "Ron, like I said. It's no secret we hate Snape and his hatred for us will make people think we only picked him because he constantly picks on us. No one will take us seriously. And don't forget what happened last time a teacher didn't want to take us seriously." And finally Ron grumbled and hid himself back in his books. The following Professor McGonagall

"You actually allowed them detention at that hour of the night? And that for breaking curfew? What lesson were they supposed to learn?" Remus spats at his Head of House and the woman says: "I heard that Hagrid needed help with something and allowed him to let them help him. He only told me at what time after he agreed on it with Dumbledore."
And Sirius mutters: "Why am I not even surprised he's involved in all this?" The woman glares at him, but he holds up a hand and says: "Not angrily aimed at you, so quit it." The woman looks shocked and backs off, while her students and some of her colleagues have trouble holding back snickers and I read on.

Harry had … they'd lost and the constant curses he was hit with. He half … they'd got. And with his mind now no longer on the self-punishment factor, he really believed this was a better way to let him learn his lesson – although he wondered if McGonagall had even noticed that he and his friends had already been drastically punished by their fellow school mates.

The woman hits herself on the head and then Sirius mocks: "You know, Remy love, for a cat Animagus, she sure doesn't use her heightened senses often, does she?" The woman glares half-heartedly, but I know she agrees with him and I read on, while thinking: "When did punishing each other become the students' responsibility?"

At eleven … them outside.
Harry trusted Filch as much as he trusted Peeves and he wondered if Filch could perhaps bring the students outside to punish them according to his own beliefs. And his next words didn't relief him of those thoughts. "I bet … so delighted. Was the caretaker planning something before setting out the punishment set to him by the other teachers? Did he have ways to make sure they would not talk? Or was this another 'No one'll believe you, you're just students, I'm a staff member' situation?

At this do I see Harry and Fiana shuddering and do I remember their tales of the Primary School Janitor. "Mr. Filch better hope for himself he didn't. Especially not now that we have these books." Minerva speaks up strongly, obviously on the intent of cleansing her record and showing her students they can rely on her and then she says:
"Misters Weasley, I know you've been with Filch more often than anyone else. I want a full list of names of those that have files at Filch for causes he believes punishable." The twins salute at the woman, but I know they're only willing to do so for the same reasons as she's doing this. To apologize to Harry for failing him.
I smile at the three and then at Harry for the way he has wound them all around his little finger. Of course the boy probably doesn't even realize it himself and by looking at his slightly grateful smile, which is probably both for the professor's need to apologize and to help him forget about the janitor do I know I'm right before I read on.

The moon … so bad. At least Filch wouldn't have anything to do with their punishment and wouldn't be around long enough to do something. His relief … one piece."

"Minerva, please tell me you didn't know they had to go into the Forest." Andromeda Tonks hisses, shocking some as they must have forgotten she was there in the first place, while others are shocked at hearing her venomous tongue. She has taken place next to the Malfoys and is glaring at the woman, who glares back and says:
"No, Andromeda, I didn't. Hagrid told me he needed help with some Unicorns and I thought he meant the herd he keeps close to his hut. I didn't know he meant wild Unicorns living in the Forest." The brown-haired woman nods appeased, while the anger she had portrayed earlier had actually shocked me about her and I read on.

At this … choking noise. Harry looked up and used his arm muscles to make Neville look at him. While Filch spoke, Harry motioned Neville to look up with his eyes and they both saw that the moon was barely half-full and covered by barely transparent clouds. There would be no werewolves about that night.
"That's your … shouldn't you?"
Harry shook his head and muttered, "Just like you should think of the moon cycle if you talk about werewolves." But only Hermione heard him and she too looked up quickly. Hagrid came … his shoulder. This made Harry worry and he wondered what his friend would need those and four First years for. That combination didn't even make sense to him.

"It doesn't make sense to any of us, mate." The twins chorus, sitting closer to the group and holding onto the table tightly. The relief I myself feel at the thought of my sweetling being out of danger when it comes to werewolves has also vanished and I think: "If Hagrid got Sweetling in trouble, I'll show him why I was in the army." And with that I read on.

"Abou' time," … after all."

"Punishment has nothing to do with closeness between friends." Luna Lovegood says and then Andromeda's daughter says: "I like your style, girl. You really know when to make a comment and all." The girl smiles and says: "Thank you. I like your hair." The older girl squeals, while Andromeda shakes her head and I snicker as I read on.

"That's why … to Hagrid, while Harry sent an evil glare at the man for his apparent love to scare and hurt students. To him, the man was no better than his uncle.
"I'm not … this, he'd –"

"Eh Draco son. Sorry to blow your bubble, but while I think it unethical that you have to go into the Forest after curfew, while your punishment is for being caught after curfew, do I still believe that hard work and a firm punishment is the only way a person can grow into a responsible adult." Lucius tells his son and then goes on:
"I'm not saying I want you in that Forest – heavens knows I want you as far away from its creatures as possible – but helping someone with something big and responsible will make you realize your wrong behavior and help you change into a responsible adult." The boy nods at his father and I smile at the man's words before reading on.

"– tell yer … a moment."

"At least he's making sure they're careful." Susan tells her fellow House mate, Hannah Abbot and the other girl asks: "But if even Hagrid thinks it dangerous, then why is he letting them come along on this?" This worries me even further and Harry mutters: "Never really thought of that." Making me shake my head before I read on.

He led … its misery."

"EXCUSE ME!" Almost the entire Hall shouts, those that obviously care for animals the loudest of them all and Fleur Delacour shouts: "But Unicorns are the most amazing, beautiful not to mention fastest creatures on the planet. Their speed is used to improve the speed of racing brooms. What on earth can harm something like that?"
And Cedric, who seems to grow angier as he continues where the French girl left off and starts to shout on and off goes on: "More importantly WHAT WAS HAGRID THINKING? Even he would barely be able to defend a hurt or killed Unicorn so what on earth makes him think four ELEVEN YEAR OLDS CAN?"
No one seems to have an answer for this, but it does increase the worry and fear, mostly in the First to Third years and suddenly I notice that Draco seems to be just as white as Harry was before – when he had his relapse. This helps me in my conclusion that something pure evil is in that Forest and with that scaring thought, do I read on.

"And what … diff'rent directions.

"EXCUSE ME!" Is shouted, followed by almost all adults shouting: "IS HE BLOODY MAD?" I shake my head, wondering how a man who knows the forest so well can be so irresponsible and Sirius angrily mutters: "The other books better have better, more calming and less dangerous contents or this family immigrates!"
"WHAT!" Harry shouts and while tears start to leak from his eyes at the very idea, does he grab onto his mother's arm with a trembling as he goes on: "YOU MEAN I'LL HAVE TO LEAVE HOGWARTS? I CAN'T! PLEASE, DON'T TAKE ME AWAY FROM HOGWARTS! Promise we won't immigrate. Please, mum."

By now the boy has whimpered the last sentence and has tears streaming down his face, obviously terrified of the idea of leaving this school and Remus says: "We won't, cub. We know how much you love Hogwarts. But we will keep you from going back until the safety and security measures have risen up a notch."
The boy's lips tremble, obviously disliking the thought as much as he did the last and Remus hugs him tightly and says: "We love Hogwarts as much as you do, cub, but it's so different now. There's no more trust between Heads and students, the danger rate has gone sky high and – well – what we're reading now isn't helping."

The boy nods and says: "Just don't make it permanent. I know I'll have to graduate one day, but I want to graduate here. This is where I started my magical education journey and I want to end it here too. Like you and mum and father and mother." The two smile at their son, hugging him together and Sirius says:
"You will, Harry. James went to too great lengths for us to stop you from graduating here and we know how much you love this place. We won't take it from you." The boy hugs them both tightly, sighing relieved and everyone smiles before I turn their attention back to the book as I continue reading the chapter.

There's blood … the other.

Now almost everyone slams his hand on his head, Snape and McGonagall even going so far as to groan in agonizing anger and Remus says: "I don't know what's worse. That Hagrid's showing obvious favoritism, taking his favorite students with himself or that he picked pairs of which one is asking for trouble."
But then Dean asks: "Which one?" Remus looks at the boy and he says: "What? With Harry's luck, something's bound to go wrong." The man sighs and says: "Good point, but I meant Neville and Draco's group." The boy nods in agreement and while I can feel that some of the anger has been relieved with humor, do I read on.

Now, if … find yeh –

Now Harry and Hermione share a look, making those around them groan and Percy asks: "You got in trouble, didn't you?" But Hermione shakes her head and says: "It's not us getting in trouble that made Harry and I share a look. It's the fact Hagrid didn't keep to his word." And I read on as Percy moans the question: "Do I want to know?"

So, be … fallen leaves. The little amount of light was no problem to Harry, who was used to long hours in his old cupboard and his eyes quickly adjusted, making him capable to see everything – from the small leaves on a nearby pine tree to the fact Hermione's shoe lace was missing an aglet.
Harry saw … Harry asked. He already knew it couldn't have been a werewolf, because of the moon cycle, but he wanted to see if Hagrid even had an inkling what they were looking for. It would have made him more confident in this dark place that even the teachers seemed to want to avoid.
"Not fast … shouldn' be."

"And that's supposed to make us feel better?" Sirius whimpers and Remus says: "No Sirius, and I don't believe this will be a relieving chapter. We best just stay close together." Sirius nods and instantly Fiana switches places with Viktor, who then goes to sit between Remus and Sirius, allowing the two men closeness to their son.
I smile at this picture and the Weasleys also go sit close together, while Ted and Andromeda join their daughter. Draco and Severus are the last to change seating and while Draco sits down in between his parents does Severus sit down next to Lucius, grabbing the man's knee in comfort. I smile at all the families sitting together and read on.

"A werewolf?" Harry suggested.
He knew it couldn't be a full-grown one, but he had heard rumors of a werewolf, who attacked human and creature alike, especially but not specifically on full-moon nights and he feared the man was in the forest as they spoke.

Remus growls and Harry asks: "Dad?" To which Remus pulls his son close and mutters: "That would be Fenrir Greyback, the werewolf that bit me when I was just 9 years old." Everyone looks at this fact in shock and then Harry shocks them even more and asks: "Then I guess I have to find and thank him, don't I?"
Everyone looks at the boy as if he's grown an extra head and Sirius shouts: "FIND HIM?" While Remus shouts: "THANK HIM? FOR WHAT?" And Harry answers: "For making you a werewolf. It gave you mum as perfect partner and allowed for you to adopt me as your son. Would that have happened if he hadn't bitten you?"

The man looks shocked and then, while a shocked silence had actually rung through the entire hall for a few seconds, does Sirius hug his son and does he shout: "YOU'RE A GENIUS!" The boy looks shocked and Remus hisses: "Sirius, I'm getting a headache of all those shouts. I've got sensitive hearing, remember?"
But Sirius smiles too widely and says: "For years have Jamie and I tried to find reasons to make that guy accept that he's a werewolf and that he should be proud of it. And you find it in a single day! I love you, son!" The boy smiles, hugging his mother close and whispers words I always hoped he would be able to say: "Love you too, mum."

Making Sirius gasp, before he almost takes Harry off of Viktor's lap as he tightens the hug. Everyone smiles at the scene and then Remus says: "Erica, continue reading please. Sirius, stop squashing our son to a pancake." Everyone laughs and Sirius mock-glares at his mate as he lets Harry take back his seat on Viktor's lap, while I read on.

"That wasn' … centaur's hand. Harry's mind was almost blank with shock, but still – as he stared at the amazing sight before him – did he try to remember what he learned about Centaurs. Unfortunately – his mind was and stayed blank.
"Good evening … bright tonight."
Immediately everything Harry learned came back to him and he blanched as he remembered how to understand centaurs. They were creatures coming from the times of Ancient Greece and were badly misunderstood, because they kept to what held them strong in those times; the foretellings of the stars and the Gods they represented. And Mars represented the God of War.
"Yeah," said … seen anythin'?"
The urge to hit himself on the head when Hermione inadvertently insulted the Centaur now overrode his need to be respectful to the creature as he could barely believe that Hagrid hadn't understood the clear warning from the Noble creature. Ronan didn't … is now." This was only further fuel to Harry's worry and he really wanted to step up and talk with the Centaur, but he remembered how times were in Ancient Greece and one vital rule was that foals didn't speak unless spoken too. Only if Hagrid would address them would he be able to speak with Ronan.
"Yeah," said … "All right?" Harry now also raised his head to the sky, not to look at the stars and hope he could find a comforting sign, but out of sheer agitation that Hagrid didn't know how to handle Centaurs at all. Was there even any creature Hagrid knew how to deal with?
"Good evening … the moon."
Harry shook his head and said, "Go back, Hagrid. Go back and address me. Let me handle this; I read all about Centaurs and their behavior. It comes from Ancient Greece, I know all about that." For once he wasn't afraid to show how much he knew, but it obviously had a shocking effect on Hagrid and Hermione, who stared at him.
He growled and said, "Just do it, Hagrid. You didn't even heed their warnings." Hagrid bowed his head to the side and Harry moaned, but then the man shrugged and walked back, saying, "Bane, may I introduce you to Harry Potter. He seems aware of your abilities."
Harry heard the disbelieving tone as well as the Centaurs did and before Hagrid could get them even further in trouble, he stepped forward and made a couple of motions with his legs, a proper ancient greeting between fellow Centaurs.
The two looked shocked, but made the same movement with their hind legs, before with Harry looking up. Harry easily found Mars – the Astronomy lessons were really doing their job – and he squinted his eyes, hoping to catch a glimpse of other, bright planets.
No such luck.
"War is coming." He muttered and the Centaurs nod, before Bane said, "Mars was bright in the Seventies and it will grow bright again. The signs don't lie." Hermione and Hagrid didn't seem to understand at all – or even interested as neither of them raised their heads – but Harry ignored it and asked, "Have Venus or Mercury shone anytime soon? And what of Sirius?"
He heard Hagrid gasp, but paid it no heed as Bane replied, "Mercury shone on the first day of school, but has dimmed ever since. Venus shone brightly during the early beginnings of the Christmas nights – three nights it shone."
Harry's lips thinned and he knew what the Centaurs were telling him. Mercury stood for the intelligence he was growing at Hogwarts, but the dimming light proved he held back. Venus stood for the love he felt when he saw his parents, those three nights during the Christmas holidays.

Everyone looks shocked and while I don't like hearing about these actual signs, does Hermione mutter with awe in her voice: "I really thought they were just making things up. Trying each other up and seeing if they could form a trust bond. Can't believe the stars have been telling Harry's story." Everyone nods and I read on.

Bane then turned to him and said, "You know humans are not welcome in our forest. Only if you wish a star-gaze future will we allow you." Harry felt honored as the last human allowed and accepted by Centaurs was 145 years ago, but Hagrid interfered and said, "Harry won' be needin more studies, thank you. We really nee' to go. C'mon Harry, Hermione."
Harry could barely believe what was happening. He made the same motion with his legs, if only to appease the furious glare the Centaur was giving Hagrid and then quickly left, feeling words would only aggravate the situation more – but feeling terrible he couldn't learn more of this fascinating subject. It would just have to be another thing he would study without anyone knowing.
A single tear ran down his face as he left the two Centaurs alone and he thought, "I might have actually been the first in almost a century and a half to be accepted into a Centaur tribe. I could have achieved something no one in my family could have ever done. Why did you say that, Hagrid?" But he kept strong, knowing that now he was in danger, away from the Centaurs and possibly nearing whatever was attacking the Unicorns.
"Are there … asked Hermione. Harry's lips thinned and he sped up his pace, walking a few paces away from the two, not wanting to hear more disrespectful words.
"Oh, a … said Harry. He wanted to know just how much Hagrid knew of Centaurs and how to treat them, so he slowed his pace a little.
"Did that … being watched. He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them. They had … for yeh!"

"Told you he broke his word." Hermione mutters and Sirius shouts: "IS HE MAD? WHAT THE HELL WAS HE THINKING? WHY ON EARTH LEAVE THEM?" But then he's silenced and Remus says: "Sirius, I love you and I'm just as worried, but you're giving me a major migraine." The black-haired man pouts and I read on.

They heard … the others? He constantly let his eyes go from one side to the other, holding Hermione close in case they would be ambushed and trying to see whatever it could be that he was sure was following them.
At last … the sparks.

"DRACO LUCIEN MALFOY! ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?" Narcissa shouts furiously and then Remus, who by now is holding his head between his hands, moans: "Don't let me silence you too. My headache's still not gone." The response from the fiery woman is a glare before she pulls her son into the antechamber.
Quickly Lucius and Andromeda cast silencing spells and Percy asks: "Like Wood?" And while the former Quidditch captain glares at his Year mate, do the two adults chorus: "Worse." And as muffled shouts come through the door and spell, Lucius ends: "At least when it concerns family. You better just read on, this will take a while." I nod at him and I read on.

"We'll be … and Fang. Harry really thought it stupid to even split up as he had already seen how the path they were taking was first going all the way left before slowly bending to the right, meaning it would soon meet with the end of the path Malfoy and he were now to take.

This makes me put a hand in front of my eyes, but then a sudden muffled yell shocks me to look at the door through my fingers and Lucius mutters something the spell around the room won't let him share, but by his look can I already tell that he's grateful for something. I shake my head, feeling I don't want to know and read on.

They walked … its blood.

"It began to WHAT?" Charlie shouts and while one of the teachers is now as white as a candle, does Parvati say: "But drinking Unicorn blood is a crime fouler than murder. Who would do something like that? The punishment would be given even before there could be a trial; the Unicorn blood's magic makes sure of that."
Then Padma asks: "Do I want to know how you know all that?" And her sister answers: "I wanted to prove Hagrid was a good teacher and that Malfoy was wrong, so I studied all about hoofed Magical Creatures during my Third year." The girl nods, while Hermione, Ron and Harry smile at the tanned girl and I read on.

"AAAAAAAAAARGH!" Malfoy … for fear.

"I can't believe I didn't notice. I thought you were right behind me until I found Hagrid and he shouted where you were. I really would have gone after you had Hagrid not left me with Granger and Longbottom, saying he would save you." Draco says as he walks out of the antechamber with his mother and Harry smiles.
But then I see Hermione looking down with a hand covering her face as if she's trying to avoid looking at Malfoy – or avoid him looking at her and Ron asks: "What's the matter?" And Hermione mutters: "I thought he wanted to gloat over Harry's fear and see if Harry was badly injured or not." The red-head nods and I read on.

Then a … his back.
But Harry didn't. He couldn't. He not only knew Centaur law forbade humans to ride Centaurs, but he also returned his gaze to the killed Unicorn. He knew there was nothing he could do to save it, but he couldn't let it die and leave it to rot. He grabbed his wand and muttered, "Ad fodere." The literal Latin translation to the words to dig. The spell did its work and a perfectly shaped hole appeared just behind the Unicorn.
Harry put away his wand and walked over to the gentle, terribly-sad looking creature. He felt his heart connect to its stolen purity and felt tears start to softly gather in his eyes. He knelt at the creature's legs and slowly lay them to lie over each other; the left front leg to the front and the right to the back and the same with the hind legs – as an ancient way to show that the creature was riding towards the Other world.
Just then rustling and soft hooves sounded close, but Firenze didn't raise his fists and when Harry looked up, he was eye to eye with another, stronger and more beautiful Unicorn. The creature looked first at Harry and then at the Unicorn before him and the way his manes wove in the movement made Harry look down and to his shock, the manes on the Unicorn before him seemed to lie on the ground as if they had woven in the same way only recently; this Unicorn was a foal; the foal of the Unicorn before him.
Harry felt tears fall down his face even quicker than before and he looked back at the Unicorn before him, trying to make the creature understand without words that he knew how it felt; that he had experienced almost the same as he remembered his parents had been murdered. The Unicorn looked straight in Harry's eyes and Harry tried to express his regret, pain and respect all at the same time.
The Unicorn stepped forward and Firenze made a move, but Harry held up his hand, holding the Centaur back. The Unicorn stood between Harry and his foal and again stared at him straight, Harry meeting the gaze with respect and pride. He saw the movement of the manes change and suddenly the tips seemed to sharpen, before a few cut into the creature's skin. His horn glowed brightly and Harry only squinted his eyes, not covering them or closing them to show his respect.
When the light dimmed the Unicorn was gone, but the foal, Firenze and the dug hole were still there. Harry was on his knees and he felt something next to his left leg. Looking down, his eyes widened and he almost screamed. His hand was holding a small bottle of clear Unicorn blood – Unicorn blood that the mother bled to thank Harry for trying to protect her foal.

I shake my head and reread the sentence quietly, while everyone stares at me shocked and before any whispering can start to roam through the hall, does Snape say: "So that's how you got it." Everyone looks at him and he says: "Potter gave me that bottle when I handed him his Battle armor. He told me this story, but I forgot."
I nod, still badly awed as I know another meaning to that given blood and say: "Harry, you do know the meaning behind that gift?" Harry nods and says: "It just said so in the book." But I shake my head and say: "By giving you that blood as a thank you for trying to save the foal, that mere accepted you as her new foal."
Harry looks shocked and asks: "That Unicorn – considers me – her foal?" I nod and say: "You're now a wizard, but by Creature law are you also a Unicorn foal and thus part of whatever herd you wish to join. Your family is as sacred to them as they are to you." I see the boy about to cry and as he hides his face in his mother's shirt, do I read on.

He quickly put the vial away in his inner pocket, mentally blessing the mare for her gift and then – making sure the legs stayed like they were – he lifted the foal into the grave before softly moving fresh grass and dug up earth to cover the creature; the earth as a sign he gave the body to Mother earth and the grass as a sign that the foal's soul will live on through the many forms of Mother Nature. He then stood up and walked back to a stunned Firenze, who had gone back to lowering himself on his front legs. This time he did as the Centaur wanted and climbed on his back.
There was … see that grave? Do you not see what the Potter boy has done for that unicorn?" Firenze … going on, but he did know his chances to learn about star-gazing from the Centaur herd were far from reachable anymore.
"Why's Bane … him anymore. Had he forgotten to show Firenze the same respect he showed Bane and Ronan? They were … your lips."

Parvati nods and Padma asks: "Did you have to know that?" The girl shrugs and says: "Buckbeak was a hoofed Creature too – or partly at least. I wanted to know everything about all hoofed creatures so the teachers could test me and I could prove Hagrid was a fair teacher who taught everything there was to know.
I hoped it would help as the exams were before the appeal, but I didn't have much hope." Harry too shakes his head and says: "As Dumbledore once said; the word of two thirteen year olds will not convince anybody. Let alone the intelligence of one." The girl nods, while Hermione giggles as if she remembers those words and I read on.

Harry stared … isn't it?"

"Although I feel very proud that you have such a beautiful way of looking at it like that." Sirius tells his son, as Remus must have felt he kept the Silencing spell on long enough, before he goes on: "Do I really not want to hear of my eleven year old boy talking so responsibly and maturely about death." Everyone laughs and I read on.

"It is," … understand who –"

"Wait a minute. Are you telling me innocent, pure creatures were only killed and slaughtered, because some mad man wanted to keep alive long enough to steal the Stone? Who?" Hannah Abbott asks terrified and Harry answers: "You answered your own question when you called him a mad man." The girl looks confused and I read on.

"Can you … was Vol –"

"Oh god NO!" Shockingly enough it's not Remus or Sirius shouting this, but McGonagall and she says: "You mean to tell me that You-Know-who was almost on Hogwarts perimeters?" But Hermione cringes in fear and mutters: "Not almost, professor. He was." Everyone looks white with fear as she says this and I read on.

"Harry! Harry, … behind her.

"What happened? I thought Hagrid held you back and told you he would go and save Harry himself?" Collin Creevey asks and Hermione answers: "He did, but I wasn't about to let Malfoy scare either of us and get us in danger, so I told Neville to get him out and went after Hagrid myself." The Third year nods and I read on.

"I'm fine," … back there. I made sure it was respected."
"This is … the unicorn or find out what Harry meant. "You are … those times."
Harry looked up and said, "At least Mars is no longer as bright as before. Let us hope it will not shine just as bright again." The Centaur looked at him, but then nodded silently. He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.
Ron had … him awake.

I hear a few faint snorts, but I know everyone is tense and waiting for whatever will happen next. I quickly check the book and say: "Don't worry, the chapter's almost over." This seems to relieve everyone and Snape mutters: "One more chapter like this and I'll need to brew new Calming Draughts." Many students nod and I read on.

In a … wasn't listening. He didn't want to believe Snape was working for Voldemort, but now he at least had the belief he knew where Snape's hatred for him came from and that made him get a whole new theory – one he rather avoided saying. Snape hated him, but would be too big a suspect if he killed Harry himself, which meant he was trying to get to the Stone to resurrect Voldemort and let the man do the job for him – Voldemort wanted to kill him as a baby after all.

"I really hate how easily you think about death and murder, baby." Sirius mutters, this time pulling Harry onto his lap and holding him tightly. Remus joins him this time and mutters: "Those Dursleys are so going to pay. Treating you as badly as they did, making you think so little of yourself." I shake my head in anger and read on.

Harry didn't want to believe this fully as it meant Snape was willing to put hundreds of students in the danger of being killed by the mad man as well, but it was the only way he could finally explain the man's hatred for him. And Snape's dislike for other Houses didn't really make him think the man would care as to what would happen to most of the students.
"Firenze saved … me off... I guess Snape agreed to do this for Voldemort if in return Voldemort would undo of Quirrell as well. Well, I … of magic."

McGonagall seems to want to nod at first, but then she stops and says: "Well, I still hate fortune-telling, but this Centaur star-gazing seems to have enough proof to be seen as a real and usable form of magic." And while she says this, does she seem blind to the glares Parvati, Lavender and her colleague Sybil Trelawney shoot at her as I read on.

The sky … stopped talking. Harry had wanted to try and get the others' minds on Quirrell and his apparent role in all this, but Hermione was more interested in all Harry knew of the Centaurs and Ron was more interested in thinking of ways to protect the Stone, would the original protections fail. They went … weren't over.

"Oh Merlin." The adults groan, while some excited students lean forward and Harry mutters: "Small surprise, really. A real small surprise compared to all we've read about. A little like the size of a rat's nose, that big." The adults nod, looking comforted and then Harry sighs relieved too and I realize that in his worry, Sirius had almost strangled his son.
I shake my head and mutter: "We'll really need more than a few Calming Draughts to get us through these chapters if this is anything to go by." And I quickly try to let Snape know this before I read on, but he seems too interested in the bottle of Unicorn blood he has taken out of his own pocket. I shake my head and read on.

When Harry … in case

"WHAT DO YOU MEAN, A SET-UP!" Most of the teachers shout and Amelia says: "That's it. Endangering an eleven year old, who is also the last of an Ancient House. Oh, Dumbledore is going to get Life-long Azkaban if it's the last thing I do." And she starts scribbling down furiously on a new piece of parchment.
Others look at me, their eyes asking me to read on, but I hold the book open to them and say: "It's the last piece of the chapter. We're finally through it." And then Ron let's something slip that makes me want to hit him, while Harry and Hermione hit themselves on the head as he says: "And the worst is yet to come."