Chapter 3: Into The Woods, Where Questions Will Be Answered and Pants Will Be Soiled
[*coughMALFOYcough*] (SHUT IT GRYFFINDOR)
Christmas came just as quickly as it went, and soon it was Easter. The day Hermione and I returned from break, we were filled in on everything we had missed-Snape up in Quirrell's "grill", as Harry had joked. Muggles never ceased to amaze me with their strange sayings. I have no idea what being on top of someone's cooking appliance has to do with threatening them-and we sat around the Common Room fire, deciding what to do next.
"Alright, so the dog-Fluffy-is guarding the Sorcerer's Stone, that Hagrid got out of vault 713. Harry's almost been killed by Snape during the Quidditch game, so you all think he's trying to get it. And Harry, you said you saw Snape threatening Quirrell. So in conclusion…" I trailed off, looking at Hermione expectantly.
"What?"
"I did all that so you could find an answer. Do you expect me to do all the work?" I snorted. Hermione rolled her eyes.
"In conclusion, we have to get to it before he does." She said.
"I like the way your thinking." I said, sitting down in between Harry and Ron, who had been quiet the entire time.
"What do you two think?"
"It'll be dangerous, but we have no other choice." Harry shrugged. The portrait swung open, and Rob walked in.
"Stop shaking your hips like that. Mom said you can't have a boyfriend until your graduate." I sneered. Harry and Ron laughed.
"Your hilarious." Rob sniffed. "Filch is waiting outside to take four Gryffindors to detention." He added with a smirk. I glowered at him. "Hey, don't shoot the messenger." He said, raising his hands in surrender as he walked up to another sixth year.
Harry, Draco and I had been assigned to the same team. Figures, as if detention in the middle of the Forbidden Forest wasn't bad enough. After Neville had shot up red sparks, Hagrid had run to see what the problem was. Malfoy, the Clabbert, had snuck up behind Neville and scared him as a joke. So Hagrid assigned new groups, figuring that Malfoy would have a harder time scaring us, and that I'd give him a good kick if he tried anything. Fang trotted along behind us, his head low to the ground in fear.
"The nerve of that half-breed. Sending us to do servant work." Malfoy complained. I didn't stop him this time. It was technically Hagrid's fault that we were in this mess. He was the one who couldn't let the dragon egg alone. "My father will be hearing about this-did you hear that?" He asked, clinging to my arm as he looked off to the right. "What if it's a werewolf?"
"It's probably Greyback, fresh out of Azkaban and out to get you." I sneered.
"Shut up, Gryffindor! You don't know what your talking about!" Draco snapped, but his grip on my arm tightened.
"Who's Greyback?" Harry quipped, obviously sensing Malfoy's distress."A Malfoy family friend." I said, casting a sideways look at the increasingly hysterical boy latching on to my arm.
What we did find latter that night was worse than a werewolf. I only caught a glimpse of a figure bending over something before Malfoy was dragging me away, screaming bloody murder. The git didn't stop running until he reached the other group.
"Malfoy! Wa's wrong?" Hagrid asked, raising his crossbow.
"There's something in the forest! It's drinking from an unicorn!" Malfoy wheezed, bending over to catch his breath. I yanked my arm from his, and ran back to where I assumed Harry was. I heard the distant sound of twigs snapping as Hagrid and Co. followed. An arm reached out and swooped me off the ground. I hung upside down screaming and flailing around in futile attempts to free myself.
"Silence yourself, young human." A smooth, young voice barked. I was set down upright, and starred in awe at the creature in front of me. A centaur. He had white-blond hair and a palomino-or golden-body. "What are you doing in the forest?""De-detention." I said, clearing my throat. "We're looking for the thing that's killing the unicorns."
"What is your name?" He asked, slitting his eyes and leaning forward. I stood up hastily, knowing that centaurs were classified as a level XXXX dangerous beast.
"I'm Belladonna Von Crestor Gryffindor." I said, offering my hand. The centaur reached out hesitantly, and his brilliant blue eyes bore into my green ones before he took my hand in a firm grip.
"My name is Firenze." Said the centaur. As he let go of my hand, I remembered I had left Harry with the thing.
"Harry! I've left Harry!" I panicked, looking around me for the route to where I was headed.
"The Potter boy is in the forest?" Firenze asked, suddenly very alert.
"Yes! And there was something with him! It was drinking unicorn blood! I have to go get him-" I froze in shock when Firenze lowered himself onto his front legs.
"We must make haste." He said. I hesitated before mounting him. He speed off without needing to be told where to go. I held on to his shoulders in terror. Now, you must think I'm a bloody awful Gryffindor for being frightened of riding a centaur. Let me tell you, it's not as simple as ridding a horse, or nearly as comfortable. Let's also remember that these are very prideful creatures, and the last person I know of who tried to ride a centaur got stomped into the dirt. Needless to say he didn't survive. I didn't have the foggiest idea of where we were until Firenze jumped. If I had ever though I would die, that was then. He reared up on his back legs, and I slipped so far down his back I had to cling on to his waist. By the time I straightened up, the thing had gone.
"Potter boy, it is dangerous to be in the forest, especially for you. Can you ride? We must get you out of here." Harry staggered to his feet and Firenze lowered himself back down. I grasped Harry's hand and helped him on. He hung on tightly to may waist and I held on to Firenze's shoulders.
We had almost made it out of the forest when we were stopped by two other centaurs.
"Uh-oh." I mumbled, ducking my head out of their sight.
"Firenze! You have humans on our back! Have you no shame? Are you nothing more that a common mule?"
"This is the Potter boy! It's important that we get him out of the forest!"
"Our job is not to serve as donkeys for stray humans in our forest! We are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens!"
Firenze reeled up on his back legs, causing Harry and I to slide back and hold on tighter.
"Did you not see the unicorn? Did the heavens not tell you why it was killed? Our job is to protect this forest, and if I must have humans at my side, so be it!" And with that, he set off at a full gallop, slowing to a trot only after we were a good distance away.
"What was that thing you saved me from?" Harry asked.
Firenze didn't speak for a long time, and I looked over my shoulder at Harry, who shared my same curious expression.
"Do you know what unicorn blood is used for?" Firenze finally said.
"No. We only use the horn and tail in Potions." Harry said.
"That's because it's a monstrous thing, to slay an unicorn." Firenze said.
"The blood of an unicorn keeps you alive." I said, remembering a lecture that seemed eons ago.
"But at a terrible price." Firenze said, nodding. "You have slain something pure and defenseless to help yourself, and you will live a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touched your lips." Firenze said, his voice low. I shivered.
"But who would be that desperate? If your going to be damned, death would be a better choice, right?" I asked.
"Not unless you need something to keep you alive until you can drink something else, something that will restore you to full power. Do you know what's hidden in the school at this moment?"
"The Sorcerer's Stone!" Harry exclaimed. "The Elixir of Life-of course! But who would-"
"Can you think of anybody who has waited many years to return?" Firenze asked. I tensed, and turned to Harry.
"Ten, to be precise." I choked. Firenze nodded, and Harry's eyes widened.
"Can this mean-that it was Vol-"
"Harry? Bella? Oh, Merlin, are you two alright?" Hermione was running at full speed down the path, Hagrid and Neville puffing behind her. Malfoy lurked a little way back.
"This is where I leave you." Firenze said. Harry hopped off and helped me down. As soon as my feet touched the ground, Firenze was galloping back into the thickest part of the forest.
"Hagrid, there's an unicorn in the clearing back there." Harry said, jerking his thumb over his shoulder. Hagrid was off in an instant, stumbling out of sight.
"Hermione, we have a problem. We know who's going after the stone." I whispered to her. "He's the one drinking unicorn blood!"
"How is that a problem? Now we know who were up against!"
"It's a problem." I assured her, falling into silence as Malfoy and Neville caught up.
"We should head back into the castle." Harry said.
"And how are we supposed to do that?" Malfoy snapped. "Unless that scar gives you some super power your not sharing, we have no idea where were we are."
"Shut it, Malfoy. We have Fang." I said, switching to a coo at the last part and bending down to scratch behind the dog's ear.
"Oh, yes, because he's been SO useful." Malfoy sneered. I gave him a swift kick in the shin before following Fang, who had already bolted ahead, most likely eager to get out of the forest himself.
"Gryffindor, you'll regret that!" He hissed. Harry chuckled as he and the rest of the Gryffindor's followed me.
"Hurry up, Malfoy. I'd hate to leave you with Greyback." I called over my shoulder. Malfoy hobbled to the front, staying close at my side.
"Why would I be the person to protect you?" I asked, yanking my arm free from his grasp.
"You wouldn't leave me out here." He said, scowling. "You've to much Gryffindor in you for that."
"Eh, I suppose." I shrugged offering my arm back. He grasped my wrist, inching closer and looking off into the darkness.
It took a little while, but we made it back to Hagrid's. Malfoy let go of my wrist at once, and I opened the door to the hut for Fang. I slammed the heavy door closed, and the five of us made our way up to the castle. Draco went his own way in the Entrance Hall, veering off towards the dungeons while the rest of us trudged up to the seventh floor. Ron had fallen asleep in the Common Room waiting for us. Harry and Neville woke him up, and Hermione and I dragged ourselves up to our dormitory. After we had changed into our pajamas and brushed our teeth, we slid into bed.
"Bella?""Hm?" I mumbled, face buried in Chess' fur.
"You never told me who's after the Sorcerer's Stone."
"He's back." I whispered. "You-Know-Who."
The next morning, a Saturday, was bright and cheerful. Too bad Hermione had us sitting in the library, studding for exams.
"Sometimes," I started, wile flipping the page of my potions book. "I wish we'd left you to the troll."
"Don't be so bitter, Bella." Hermione mumbled from behind a stack of books, already used to my near constant complaining when it came to academic work. Ron and Harry had disappeared hours ago, "looking for a quill". I pushed back some caramel strands that had fallen out of my bun and set down my book, scribbling down the correct number of scarabs needed for a cold potion on a piece of parchment, along with the other ingredients I had to look up again. My search was interrupted when a black book bag slammed on the table. I looked up-startled out of my reading trance-to thank the person that had interrupted my studying. The "thank goodness you're here!" caught in my throat when green eyes meet gray.
"Malfoy!" I said, forgetting to put an insulting tone to the name. "What are you doing here?" He glanced around, even went as far as turning in a complete circle before addressing me.
"Can I borrow your Transfiguration book?" He asked, in what he probably thought was a friendly voice. It sounded like he was in pain, or at least constipated.
"Why? Go get Blaise's…or someone's." I said, setting down my quill.
"Well, you see, I'm going to need your notes as well…and possibly a few demonstrations…" He said all of this in a whisper, casting Hermione-who had never once averted her eyes from her books-a sharp glare.
"Crabble or Goyle can help you, assuming they haven't eaten their books yet, which is highly unlikely." I said, choosing school work over Malfoy and picking up my quill. He must have sensed his near defeat, because he seemed to panic a little, glancing around the table for anything he could use to his advantage. "I don't need any help, Malfoy, I have Hermione." I said, flipping to the table of contents in my potions book before turning to page 109.
"Gryffindor, come on." He hissed. "I'm going to fail the exam."
"Tough."
"Your impossible!" He snapped, taking my quill.
"Hey! Bella! I just found a floor plan for your house! Right here in Gordric Gryffindor, A Her-" Ron's voice cut off, and I glanced up to see him eyeing Malfoy.
"Let me see." I said, holding my hand out towards Ron. He handed me the book.
"What are you doing here?" Ron growled at the boy.
"That's none of your business, Weaselbee." Malfoy smirked.
"That's strange and slightly unnerving." I said, handing the book back to Ron. "Imagine if some stalker got hold of that." I added, shuddering. "Any who, Malfoy here came to deliver a message." I said, waving a folded piece of parchment. "Snape wants to see me." I lied, packing my things into my bag. Malfoy raised an eyebrow.
"For what?" Ron asked.
"Snape doesn't need a reason to bother me." I shrugged. "I'll see you at dinner." I said, as I pulled my bulging bag onto my shoulder and walked towards the library entrance, Malfoy at my heels. Madam Prince glanced at us for a split second before returning to a cart of books. As soon as we were in the empty hallway, I turned to Malfoy.
"Were are we going?" I asked, readjusting my bag on my shoulder.
"Empty classroom?" He suggested.
"You don't honestly think I want to go into a CLASSROOM any time soon." I said, rolling my eyes. "Were going outside."
"Why'd you even ask, then?" He sneered.
"I gave you a chance, and I didn't like your answer." I shrugged, walking towards the Entrance Hall.
When we found a nice shady spot under a tree by the lake, we set down our things. I pulled out A Beginners Guide to Transfiguration and my wand.
"Alright, what are you having trouble with?" I asked, flipping the book over to the Table of Contents.
"Well, my matches are sharp, and my quills are wooden." He grumbled.
"Let's do the quill first. Grab that sick." I said, pointing to a small piece of wood behind him.
"Accio Stick." He drawled lazily.
"Alright, now turn it into a quill."
"I just told you I can't." He snapped.
"Calm down, Malfoy." I said, picking my wand up from the grass. I flicked my wrist, and the stick transfigured into a perfect white quill. "Now turn it back into a stick." He copied my movement, but all he was able to do was turn it brown. He glared at me.
"Hey, no use getting mad at me for something you can't do." I said.
"Now what?" He demanded.
"We keep trying."
The bugger didn't get it. I spent all of dinner sitting under that tree, trying to help him, and he still couldn't do it.
"Alright, Malfoy. I'll give you two more chances. It's 8:54, curfew starts in six minutes." I said, shoving my book back into my bag. He waved his wand unenthusiastically. Nothing happened. "Alright, lets try this; if you don't get it this time, I'll hit you in the face with my bag." He eyed my book bag, brimming with books and supplies before flicking his wrist. The stick transformed into a white quill.
"Darn, I was looking forward to knocking out your front teeth." I mumbled. He stood up, dusting off his robes.
"Well, Gryffindor, seems your not useless after all." Malfoy sneered.
"Seems like it." I said, holding out my hand. He looked at it, then back at me. "Well, help me up." He rolled his eyes, grabbing my hand and yanking me up. "Thank you."
"Sure sure." He said, shoving the newly transfigured quill into his bag. We walked towards the castle in complete silence. Until, predictably, I broke it.
"You know you owe me a favor now, doncha?" I said, peeking at him from the corner of my eye.
"Well well well. Someone woke up on the Slytherin side of the bed today." He smirked."Malfoy, even Gryffindors have others indebted to them." I said coolly as we entered the school.
"I'll keep that in mind." He said. "One favor." He stressed, veering off towards the dungeons.
Waking up was no problem the next morning, despite the fact that it was a Saturday. My stomach gave me the will to rise, rumbling so loudly I was sure the Hufflepuffs could hear it. I showered and dressed faster than you can say eggs and bacon. Hermione awoke wile I was running my brush trough my hair hurriedly, drying it with each yank.
"Bewu?" She mumbled, rubbing the sleep from her eyes.
"Hmm?" I asked, shoving Chess out of the way before pulling my wand out form under my pillow.
"Why…awake?" She yawned.
"Grammar is not your strong point in the morning, is it?" I chuckled, trying to take the attention off my abnormal behavior. For all she and the boy's knew, Snape kept me last night to clean his storage room; a penalty for breaking one of his glass vials last lesson, something I had in fact done, and the excuse was worth the five points from Gryffindor.
"Where are you going?" She called after me, as I rushed to the door. I paused in the doorframe.
"Go back to sleep." I said, waving her off, and descending the stairs. I had to cast Lumnos to light my path; the sun hadn't yet risen. The school was literally deserted. Not even Peeves could be heard. All but for Blaise, who I ran into while entering the Great Hall.
"Bella, up so early?" He asked, smiling.
"Malfoy kept me from diner last night, and my stomach was making a fuss." I chuckled, linking my arm through his as we walked into the empty Great Hall. Breakfast still hadn't been served, which was understandable, but aggravating. It was, after all, 5:56 AM.
"Ah, fiddle sticks." I grumbled, tapping my foot and deciding whether it was a good idea to storm the kitchen.
"We'll wait." Blaise said, reading my mind and pulling me towards the Slytherin table. I sat down across from him, looking around the Great Hall. "What is it?"
"It's strange sitting here. It feels…forbidden, and…rebellious." I smirked, wiggling around a bit. Blaise chuckled.
"Alright, how did Draco keep the Heir of Gryffindor from her din-din's last night?" He said in a playful tone. I swatted his arm.
"He needed help with studying. Exams are next week." I said, leaning my cheek on my hand.
"That's right." Blaise sighed. "I had him help me with my transfiguration. My matches were sharp and my quills were wooden. I think I've mastered it now." I raised my eyebrows.
"Oh? And when did he teach you this, exactly?" I asked, trying hard to seem nonchalant.
"Last week." Blaise said, after a moment of thought. "Why?"
"Oh, no reason, just keeping the conversation going." I shrugged.
Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. Dong. The bell tower signaled six o' clock, and the table was suddenly brimming with food.
"Thank Merlin." I groaned, biting into a slice of toast.
"So, have your folks decided where your going this year?" Blaise asked, pilling some eggs onto his plate. "Mrs. Malfoy say something about a villa."
"I'm pretty sure it's in China." I said, after I had swallowed. "Pass the jam. Thank you. Mom said she wanted to go to some spa. I doubt Lucious is happy about it."
"What about your dad?"
"Dad does whatever mum wants him to, naturally. Rob got a bit cheesed off, though. Wanted to go to Germany, where he could get bladdered."
"Smart bloke." Blaise chuckled. We glanced up as Dumbledore waltzed into the Great Hall, smiling at us and whishing us a good morning as he walked up to the staff table. I stuffed some more toast into my mouth, chewing quickly in fear of being caught at the Slytherin table. I downed it with a glass of milk.
"Calm down, Bella. You'll eat your fork." Blaise chuckled lightly. I stopped shoveling my eggs into my mouth, as Professor Snape came in.
"Didn't think he'd be one to wake so early." I observed, as he cast us an uninterested glance before sitting at the staff table. Several Ravenclaws and two Hufflepuffs came in. "Yup, that's my cue to scram." I said, getting up. "I'll see you in the beginning of summer. We probably won't leave until a week in." I said, kissing Blaise on the cheek.
"Until then, Gryffindor."
"Till then, Zabini."
Bleeding little liar, that Malfoy is. LIAR.