I'd like to thank everyone for the reviews, follows and favorites for this story. It makes me feel all warm and fuzzy inside. Seriously, here's a little lightning bolt shaped cookie for all of you. Well, it's there, you just...can't see it, I guess

A little past ten the same morning found Harry on his hands and knees in the Forbidden Forest. It hadn't taken him long to get away from the others in the Great Hall, though he was sure he'd have to answer for his unexplained disappearance later.

He swept his watering eyes back and forth, scratched up hands searching amongst leaves and brush alike in a frenzy.

"It's got to be here," he cried aloud, "I know it was somewhere in this area-it has to be, it just-"

A rustling made him jump to his feet, wand out and a spell on his lips. To his surprise, it was neither a rogue Death Eater seeking revenge or someone from the castle looking for bodies. It was Firenze, the centaur who had gone against his herd by helping Harry and was still something of an enigma to him. The centaur's eyes locked on his.

"What are you doing in these woods again, Harry Potter? We assumed you would not venture here again, this being where the...moment happened."

Harry frowned and then began to shake as be realized what Firenze was referring to. This was the campsite. This was where he had gone to meet his end at the tip of Voldemort's wand.

He took a deep breath and calmed himself. "Yeah, I, erm, dropped something when I was last here. Fell out of my pockets, probably-"

The stone, slipping out of his numb fingers as he stood before his approaching death, it wouldn't be long now, Sirius said it would be quicker and easier than falling asleep-

"I highly doubt that, young Harry," Firenze dropped his head down to look Harry in the eye. "You are searching

for the Stone, no?"

Harry's eyes widened. "You know about the Resurrection Stone?"

"Even my kind know of the Peverells. The old tales are of great import to many creatures of higher thought and morality."

Harry tilted his chin up. "Suppose I am. It's mine, isn't it? I can use it however I like."

Firenze inclined his head, "Indeed, it is yours, Harry Potter. But have you not already used it for its' intended purpose? You saw your loved ones before meeting the Evil One, correct?"

Harry clenched his jaw, eyes shut. "I did."

"I too lost my parents, when I was but a foal. I know the deep sadness, the emptiness inside that takes and takes and gives back nothing in return."

Harry, who was still sitting in the dirt, had been contemplating trying to outrun the centaur but when he heard Firenze speak about his own loss he became confused and said angrily, "Then you should understand why I want to see them again! To have them there, so briefly..."

He held back tears. "My mum, she looked at me and I-I didn't want to let her go. Any of them. It was all my fault and they'll never know-how-HOW SORRY I AM!"

Firenze put a hand on Harry's shaking shoulders. "Then there is nothing I can do to sway your decision. I see your resolve and...regardless of my thoughts on this matter, Harry Potter...you are the keeper of your own destiny and ultimately only you can choose what path to take."

"I get to choose my own path now, huh? S'bout time." Harry muttered bitterly, not bothering to wipe his eyes.

Firenze gave an audible sigh. "I wish you well on your journey, Harry Potter. Should you ever need guidance...look to the stars."

Before Harry could say anything else Firenze galloped off into the depths of the forest. "He gets more mysterious every bloody time I see him." Harry shook his head briefly before resuming his search in the dirt.

Without realizing it, his travels had led him towards a cluster of shrubs that had some sort of strange fungi on them. Harry didn't fancy touching the foreign plant and was about to move on to another section of greenery when something caught his eye. Peeking out from under a rotten leaf-

"Yes!" Harry felt tears of relief and gladness prick his eyes. Slowly he reached out, moving the tiniest of twigs and branches aside, as if afraid the stone might come alive and run from him. He rose, holding the stone in the palm of his hand for a moment, stroking the smooth surface with his thumb. It looked so unremarkable...

Finally, he couldn't hold off any longer. Harry closed his eyes, eagerly turning the stone over in his hands once, twice, three times-

He held his breath and opened his eyes. Looking around he whispered, "Mum?" Seeing no one, Harry began to sob quietly, but a slight noise behind him made him whirl around. He gasped and exclaimed, "What-what are YOU doing here?"

Dark eyes stared back at him, saying nothing.

A/N: Two more cookies to those who can guess our mystery character correctly! See you next time on "Lemon Drops"!