Chapter 4: Forbidden

Harry Potter paused before exiting the tunnel. He did not want to be here, but he didn't have a choice. He had left Godric's Hallow after promising the people there that he would find the man who had done this and bring him to justice. He had appealed to his history of dealing with dark wizards. He had assured them that the Americans were helping him, that Travers was acting alone and not for the country, a country which the people didn't trust after the war. Sorry, Near war.

The American's had repaid that gesture by demanding the lead on the investigation. After a lengthily argument, Brown had convinced Harry to accept a dual effort instead of a joint effort. They would conduct their investigation their way and Harry would conduct a British investigation his way. Travers couldn't win a two front war.

Thus he had headed off to Rolla, Kansas, to where Travers had begun his life, to find out what he could about Travers. He was doing what Dumbledore did, defeating Travers like Dumbledore defeated Voldemort: investigating his past, looking for weaknesses to exploit and strengths to look out for.

But now he was at the base of the Whomping Willow, about to do something he had sworn he would never, ever do. He took a deep breath, pulled out his wand and exited onto Hogwarts' grounds. He stunned the tree and looked out over the grounds he loved so much.

A full moon illuminated a calm lake and slightly rustling, frost covered grass. The Greenhouses sparkled across the lawn from a large hut which was glowing with firelight. Harry remembered the hut as Hagrid's hut; but after Hagrid moved to France, it had become the Residence of Hogwarts' new gamekeeper: Ron Weasley, and by default the Headmistress' Residence too. Harry wondered what Ron did with the acromantulas in the forest, but he was proud of him for taking the job anyway.

Sadly, he wouldn't be visiting them today. Instead he walked quietly past the hut and into the forest. Once he was out of sight of the Hut, he pulled out his wand and whispered "Lumos." His wand tip illuminated with a soft light that seemed to die only a few inches from Harry's feet. Harry sighed, oh well.

The last time he had been in this forest it had been on Dumbledore's post-mortem orders. He had promised Dumbledore that he would never do what he was about to do. What would Dumbledore do now? Would he be in this forest? Was there something that Harry had missed? He had been to Rolla and looked for Travers' parents: they were dead. He had looked for Travers' three muggle brothers: they were dead. He had found Travers' witch sister: dead. He had searched out his childhood friend: dead. He had searched out all his former jobs. Travers had held two jobs before he had inherited the family fortune after his parents had died from "Cardiac Arrest." Harry knew better, he had seen the formula before, with a family named Riddle. Both of Travers' bosses were dead. Travers had ensured that no one could do what Dumbledore had done to Voldemort. If anyone wanted to dig up Travers' history they would have to actually dig it up.

And that led Harry to the Forbidden Forrest tonight, to break his oath to Dumbledore. But would Dumbledore do the same thing? Dumbledore had not considered himself worthy, but he had considered Harry worthy. Harry was worthy because he didn't want to own it and he didn't want to use it. And he still didn't, so he was still worthy to use it. He just had to make sure he was respectful. Slowly, he took the first step off the path, toward his destination.

Harry heard a crack in the darkness. He froze.

"Who's there?" came a deep voice. "I'm armed, announce yourself!"

"I'm Harry James Potter, Head of the Auror department and friend of all magical creatures. I'm following a lead on the Godric's Hollow grave robbery."

"Godric's Hollow is a long way from here, Harry Potter," said the centaur emerging into the light of Harry's wand. "That would not bring you here."

Harry smiled. "You always knew when I was lying Firenze. Good to see you Professor."

The centaur smiled. "It's not Professor anymore. I retired when I was accepted back into the herd."

"How did you manage that?"

"The Battle. The Herd realized that not all wizards are bad. They began to help Hagrid and the Headmaster patrol and control the forest. With Hagrid's departure, it's our duty now, and in return we have a representative on the Board of Governors." He pointed to himself and winked. "It might also have had to do with saving the leader's life in the battle," he added. "Where are you going tonight?"

"Aragog's lair," Harry said.

The smile faded from Firenze's face. "What business do you have there?" he said.

"Retrieving personal property," Harry said. "I'm a little lost," he admitted.

"I will take you there, and then you need to get out of here as soon as possible. That is cursed ground. Turn off your light so no one can see us."

Harry put out his light and walked next to Firenze through twists and turns, past tree after tree until they arrived at a small clearing flooded with moonlight. Memories of Death Eaters began to flood Harry's mind, but he pushed them back. No time for them today.

"This is as far as I go, Harry Potter," Firenze said.

"I understand," Harry said. He crossed the lair in silence and arrived at a trail on the other side. He disappeared into the foliage. He looked back, Firenze was not in view.

Harry took a deep breath and pulled out his wand. He thought of Dumbledore. "I'm sorry Professor," he said, blinking a tear out of his eye. "Accio Resurrection Stone." The ground shook, leaves rustled and suddenly a small green stone emerged from the forest floor and hovered in front of Harry's face. He pocketed the stone.

Suddenly a loud crack rang out across the grounds. Harry rushed back across the clearing to a startled Firenze. "Was that you?" Firenze asked.

"No," Harry said. "It was out on the grounds. We need to go."

"I agree," Firenze said. "Hop on, we'll get there faster."

Harry paused, but Firenze didn't change his mind. He got on the centaur's back and the two of them raced back through the forest.