DISCLAIMER: THE BOOK BELONGS TO J. I HAVE ONLY BORROWED BOTH CHARACTERS AND PLOTLINE.

CHAPTER 12

The next day Darren came to Harry after the first class and dragged him to a corner "it's tonight Harry, Ron and I have made Hagrid give us a detention we'll be taking Nobert…"

"What? Whose Nobert?"

"The dragon…"

"Oh right!"

"a ways into the forbidden forest where Charlie has promised to come and relieve us of him." Darren continued speaking as if he had not been interrupted.

Harry tried to suppress his growing anger almost shouting in anger, " Darren don't be stupid, would you risk your life so easily?"

"What! I'm not risking anything."

Of course thought harry he doesn't know anything, the next time he saw Hagrid he was going to kill him. Hagrid was a teacher, he knew the risks.

"Darren please get help, don't do this by yourselves."

Looked conflicted for one moment Darren then turned to Harry and then asked "Will you help?"

Harry stayed silent, if he was involved then at least he knew the danger, not that he would be of any other use. "Okay," he agreed "but I don't have an alibi."

"Don't worry his brother said winking "Hagrid will gladly give you detention too."

Harry hoped that by the evening Nobert the dragon had eaten Hagrid. He was so mad at him.

"Oh and tomorrow is finally my first quidditch match with Ravenclaw," Darren said quickly "the puff's are already out of the running and if beat you guys tomorrow then you guys leave too and we will get to enter the finals which Slytherin's have already reached."

"Excellent! You really know how to cut it close don't you, hope we survive the night and don't get expelled or worse killed or you kiss the game goodbye."

Harry joined Ron and Darren in the evening at front entrance, he had apologized to Draco for not being able to join him and to tell him to continue with the potion tonight alone. Ron looked Harry once over and said in a voice that carried brotherly concern "Harry if you're scared you don't have to come, me and Darren will manage."

Harry bit down a retort and said "Ron your scared yourself. I can see your hands shaking. Look I honestly think Hagrid is way in over his head putting students' lives at risk but I'm here to see that my brother is safe. He is my twin Ron and I will protect him no matter what you say."

Ron looked properly cowed for a moment and the nodded Darren hugged Harry and whispered a thank you in his ear, he knew Harry was cautious by nature, that he hated situations which could expose them to the public so he fully appreciated his support and sent a wave of gratitude in his direction. They set of apprehensively into the darkening night towards Hagrids hut.

Hagrid had built a large wooden crate which had been stuffed with straw and large quantities of meat and had a few roughly hewn openings on the sides for air. Harry sighed, the crate was too bulky and Charlie would have difficulty lifting it, also Nobert whom Harry had seen and instantly fallen in love with, how could he not the dragon was small and silvery blue with eyes that held the universe, was not that small and had started to breathe fire, the hay and crate were not immume to flames and hagrid had stuffed enough meat in it so that was heavier than Nobert himself.

So while Ron and Darren were arguing about how they were going to move the crate and Hagrid sniffled is corner with Nobert, Harry quietly whispered a few lightening spells and fire resistant charms with wand less magic. He then walked over to Nobert and peered into his eyes, it was like an instant connection had been forged between them. Feeling slightly disconcerted Harry pried Nobert of Hagrid unsure how he knew that he would not be hurt by the dragon, he lifted him up and gently paced him inside the crate and sealed it shut. Almost sensing his sudden distress he softly crooned to the baby dragon and stopped when he felt him calm down. Hagrid looked at him with unshed tears "He likes you harry, he normally only lets me approach him, you have such a gentle touch."

Harry knew this must be killing Hagrid so he hugged him and let the man cry for a minute.

"Guys, Guys stop arguing!" he called out to Darren and Ron, everything is ready, Hagrid will lift the carton it won't be too heavy for him trust me." Of course it wouldn't now with the lightening charms cast on it. Nodding the boys opened the door to Hagrids hut wide and let him carry out the box carefully without tilting it."

They stood at the edge of the forest, it looked so frightening , all dark with massive trees and gnarly roots, the occasional screech tearing into the night. "Feeling brave Ron?" Harry couldn't help asking, the obviously unsettled boy gave him a sickly smile but stood his ground.

"Alright let's get this over with," Darren said gently nudging Hagrid. Entering the forest, it seemed as if they were cut off from the rest of the world the place was shrouded in magic so ancient it seemed to seep from the cracks of the earth. Quietly following them at the end Harry heard a noise that sounded like twigs breaking like the crackling of footsteps. Momentarily distracted he followed the noise with his eyes it seemed to coming from his left, as if drawn by something pulling him he left the path they were on unable to disregard the pull.

He stopped suddenly, he saw a clearing ahead of him were a patch of moonlight glowed eerily and lying in the center was a fallen unicorn. A wound could be seen at its throat spilling silver blood, and leaning over it was a dark figure cloaked but exuding a powerful malevolent aura so strong Harry shuddered.

Frightened out of his mind Harry new he had to act fast, that thing feeding on the unicorn had to be stopped if he continued sucking out the life source of the magnificent beast it would die. Focusing his energy on a sizeable rock he lifted it and threw it at the dark creature, startled the creature turned its face to Harry.

Red gleaming eyes, slits for a nose and silver blood dribbling down the sides of its mouth it was as if the thing was not whole It appeared weak and translucent . Aiming for Harry, it charged in his direction. Harry fell over in his haste get away from the thing and watched as it disappeared into the night.

Making his way to the silver unicorn he knelt beside it and held his palm over the wound 'sano' he whispered, a blue mist ghosted over the wound closing it. Not sure he could do anymore Harry tried to think frantically when from out of the cover of the woods came a group of centaurs tall and proud.

"Harry Potter, I am Firenze, dweller of the forbidden forest. You should not have been out tonight, there is great evil in this forest."

Harry smiled not trying to think how his name was known to centaurs he said "Too late!" ruefully.

"No the evil still exists Harry Potter, take your friends and leave, we will take the unicorn from here. "Rozen," Firenze called out to another younger centaur with golden locks of hair, "guide Harry Potter to his friends and come back."

Nudging him towards where Darren and the others were waiting for him, "Harry!" cried Darren spying his brother, he was looking a bit wild eyed "where on earth were you? We've been calling for you and running around." pulling him into a rough hug Harry laughed sheepishly, "I was lost" he said simply, "has Charlie come?"

"Yeah, he's there with the other's come say bye to Nobert."

Harry jogged over to where the stocky dragon tamer stood. "Charlie!" he called out and went to hug him, he was his favorite Weasley. Charlie ruffled his hair and held him then held him at arm's length to look into the green eyes, "You look good harry, taller" flushing under the scrutiny Harry hit him on head and pushed him away laughing, and laid a hand on Noberts crate he felt the dragon sleeping. Softly bidding good bye to the dragon he waited for Charlie to portkey out with his charge.

Sitting in Hagrids warm cottage with a mug of steaming cocoa Harry watched as the flames danced merrily in the furnace, Hagrid had been sobbing like a baby and had almost consumed two flagons of mead. He was now mumbling incoherently. Ron leaned over to him and patted him on his arm sympathetically. Suddenly rearing his head back Hagrid growled, Ron hastily withdrew his hand.

"I will never get a chance like this again" he moaned " a dragon's egg is so rare, to have been given it for nothing was a blessing. At least I got to see Nobert." he cried.

Curious Darren asked "Hagrid, you honestly didn't have to bargain for it? Hagrid nodded "Yes, I was sitting at the pub when a man in a dark hooded cloak sat down beside me, he told me I looked like a man who cared for animals and of course I agreed. I love them. He asked me if I had hands on experience with large beasts so I told him of Fluffy."

"Fluffy?" Darren asked puzzled "Hagrid, it doesn't sound scary." he said raising an eyebrow.

"Oh but he is Darren" Hagrid assured him, "he is a gigantic three headed dog." Ron spat a bit oh his cocoa "Why call it fluffy then?"

Hagrid snorted "Because he is very gentle of course." Ron just rolled his eyes.

"Where is this dog?" Harry asked suddenly.

"It's guarding the philosophers stone of course."

harry stood stock still and slowly asked "Did you tell the man this Hagrid?"

Looking stricken he whispered "Yes in exchange for the egg." and promptly collapsed on the table.

Not even trying to shift the man to a better position they left the cottage. "Darren you better get some rest." harry said "you have a match tomorrow."

"Oh yeah! Shit I forgot, I'm in so much trouble!" he started jogging towards the castle followed by Ron. Harry on the other hand walked back slowly, tonight had been too adventurous for him now he knew what guarded the entrance to the stones chamber, he would have to learn of a way to subdue it but what was frightening him now was that a man who could potentially be Voldemort's minion also knew it.