Thanks again for the feedback. It is greatly appreciated. As I am in the process of moving out of my apartment, this will be the last update for the next couple weeks. I will have another chapter ready as soon as I get settled in my new place. Enjoy.
When the Centaurs returned from deliberating on Jack and Dumbledore's fate both wizards were quietly sitting against a large oak tree. They slowly rose to their feet as Bane approached them, their wands held tightly in his fist.
"We have reached a decision."
Dumbledore nodded as he and Jack followed the Centaur back towards the podium where other forest creatures had gathered once more. Bane was about to deliver the verdict when a shout caught everyone's attention and turned the focus to a wooded area just behind the podium. There in the distance was shining creature, a unicorn the likes of which had not been seen in many years. The proud Centaurs were quickly humbled in the presence of such a magnificent being, as they all dropped to the ground as the unicorn approached them.
The unicorn trotted towards the gathering stopping once she was on the opposite side of the podium. Beside her was a seemingly frightened Centaur foal, quietly looking up at the magical creature beside her unsure what to do next. Slowly the unicorn bent her head down, letting the foal's hand come to rest on her soft mane. The foal was so surprised he nearly back away, but felt a calm come over herself as a soft voice began to whisper in her ear.
Will you speak for me, child The serene voice gently caressed the foal's mind and she nodded her head quietly. I thank you. Will you tell them I wish to hear the fate of Jack Corrigan and Albus Dumbledore?
Nervously, the foal looked up into Bane's eyes as she spoke. "Sh-she wishes to know the fate of the wizards."
Trying to appear unruffled Bane stood up and nodded as he began to tell the wizards what had been decided. "After listening to what you have said Jack, we have decided that as long as you remove the evil from our forest no harm will come to you or Dumbledore. Know this Jack Corrigan…you will no longer be permitted to enter the forest after you leave it today. If you are found in these woods your life is forfeit."
Bane stretched out his hand returning the wands to their rightful owners along with the piece of the Star that had been taken from Jack.
With a sigh Jack nodded, taking his wand, slipping it casually into his robes. "I always thought that Centaurs were smarter than this. You really think that this will bring harm to your people?"
Jack raised the Star in his hand so everyone could see it clearly. He opened his mouth to say more when the young girl speaking for the unicorn stopped them.
"She says that your decision is unacceptable at this time and she also wishes to know where the rest of the Star of the Sorcerer is."
Both Bane and Jack turned abruptly at the young girl's voice. Jack was the first to speak quickly lowering his hand to place the Star in his pocket.
"The rest of the Star is at Hogwart's…I assure you it is safe."
"Your words have truth in them, but you have not yet completed the task you were given." The foal spoke with conviction and Jack couldn't help but turn away.
"I'm trying. I'm only one man. What you've asked of me will take time."
"What is this task?" Bane queried the tone in his voice demanding an answer.
"It is not your concern." The foal spoke as the unicorn stamped her hooves against the ground. "You will not deny Corrigan access to the forest, nor will you harm him when he enters the forest again."
"But…" Bane started to speak but the foal raised her arm stopping him in his tracks.
"Once he has completed his task you may enforce your banishment on him, but not before then."
This time Jack was the surprised one as he raised a concerned eyebrow. "What?"
"The Centaurs are the guardians of the forest. Their decision will be upheld."
Glaring at the foal and the unicorn Jack groaned loudly. "But I didn't do anything wrong. I wasn't the one that put the Star here. I'm just the guy that found it. How can you banish me for that!"
"You were warned of the repercussions of being found with the Star before you left us."
Still incensed Jack shook his head. "I'm only doing this because…"
"Enough!" The foal raised her hand in the air to silence Jack. "You will accept your punishment and return to Hogwart's to complete your task."
With that the unicorn moved away from the foal, softly running her snout along the foal's chest before she did so. A moment later the unicorn took off at a gallop disappearing into the thick of the forest. Bane motioned for Dumbledore and Jack to be on their way and the two wizards gathered themselves to leave.
> > > >
Harry relayed Sirius's message to Hermione and Ron who were both unnerved by Black's decision to come to Hogsmeade. It was a risky move that none of them anticipated and none were certain would succeed. The chances of Sirius being seen or worse, being caught were high. Harry wished desperately that there were a way he could have talked his godfather out of it, but he knew that it was too late. The wizard was already on his way, and the only thing he could do was hope for the best.
> > > >
Daniel and the others had left Snape's office and made their way into the lower depths of the castle. They stopped at a worn looking doorway when Severus pulled out his wand, crisply waving it at the doorknob.
"Alohomora." The lock clicked and the wizard pushed the door open, motioning for the others to go inside.
"What are we doing here?" Daniel asked as he closed the door behind them.
"We need to get in touch with Ollivander. This is only other fireplace in the castle that's connected to the floo network besides the one in Dumbledore's office."
Carter sighed as she brought her hands to her hips. "Why do we need to speak with the shopkeeper?"
"He knows quite a lot about this little trinket." Snape held up the incomplete Star in his left hand as he stepped up to the fireplace.
A moment later he'd dropped a handful of floo powder into the fireplace, calling out 'Ollivander's' as he did so. The others blinked as the green blaze rose up from the ashes and Severus knelt down, placing his face in the fire.
"Ollivander, are you there?" He asked as he looked around the fireplace on the other side.
Finally, the wiry frame of the shopkeeper came into view. "Severus is that you?"
"Yes. I need to speak with you."
Ollivander shook his head furiously. "Now is not a good time."
"Damn it old man. This is important."
In a flash Ollivander reached for his wand, sending red sparks hurtling towards the fireplace. Snape barely managed to get himself out of the fire before the sparks singed him. When he pulled his head from the fire, the smell of burnt hair was pungent in the room.
"Tell me that wasn't supposed to happen that way." Daniel spoke up as he bent down to help shaken wizard to his feet.
> > > >
As they parted ways with the Centaurs Jack kept a firm grasp on the necklace in his pocket, while he followed Dumbledore back towards the school. Jack stopped walking a mile or so from Hogwarts, taking a seat on a nearby tree stump. He could see the Headmaster smiling back at him as the old wizard took a seat next to him.
"You're surprisingly quiet, Dumbledore." Jack commented as he took his hand from his pocket.
"Was there something you wished me to say?"
"Damn it! Why do you do that!" Dumbledore raised an eyebrow, his smile fading.
"What is it that you think I'm doing, Jack?"
"That! You're acting like this whole thing is nothing, like you don't want to know why that unicorn stepped in to help us."
Dumbledore shrugged his shoulders. "I already know why she saw fit to assist us."
"What? How could you possibly…"
"You'd be surprised at the things I know, Corrigan. Though I am curious to know why it is you think I don't." Albus continued to stroke his beard as he watched Jack carefully.
"You realize what I'm going to do before this tournament is over?" It was meant to be a question, but it sounded more like an admission of guilt as Jack ruefully looked away.
"You will do what must be done."
He snapped his head up, glaring at Dumbledore. "You say that like you don't even care."
"On the contrary, what you are attempting to do is of great importance to me. I simply will not allow myself to dwell on a matter which I know must happen."
Jack smirked, shaking his head as he stood up from the worn tree stump. "How is it that you know so much?"
"Seers are not the only ones with foresight into the future, Jack."
"Are you sure you don't have the Sight?" Albus smiled softly as he shook his head.
"You are not the only one with whom the unicorns have spoken. We each have a part to play in the days to come, some more delicate than others, but each as vital as the next."
Again Jack sighed. "What if I can't complete my task? What if I don't want to see this happen?"
"You have already set things in motion. There is no choice but to see it through to the end now."
With that the conversation ended and the two wizards set back on the path towards Hogwart's. Jack and Dumbledore parted ways just before they reached the school. Albus made his way back up to his office, while Jack skulked about the grounds searching out a particular face. The sound of a leaf being crunched behind him and Jack spun around, his wand at the ready.
"I thought I saw you down here. What the bloody hell are you doing on the school grounds?" Moody growled as he pointed his wand in the other wizard's face.
"I came here to make sure you do your job." Jack slapped the wand away from his face, glaring angrily at Hogwart's teacher.
Snorting Moody shook his head. "I'll make certain Potter gets through this task."
"Does he know what's in the egg?"
"Don't you worry. He's well on his way to figuring it out."
Jack's jaw nearly hit the ground as he gaped at Moody. "The second task is tomorrow! What the hell have you been up to?"
"He'll be ready in time, Corrigan. I know what I'm doing."
Rolling his eyes Jack nodded his head. "I can see that."
Grumbling Moody cautiously peered around the area, carefully leading Jack into the castle making certain no one saw them.
tbc...