A/N: Sorry, but I finally found some spare time to post this. Reviews, favourites and follows are always welcome.

"Wait until my father hears about this. This is servant stuff. Dumbledore will never hear the end of this…"

As they walked through the Forbidden Forest, Harry tried to keep a look out for anything that could possibly be dangerous. It was dark, and he had very little clue as to what creatures could be lurking in the forest. The Forbidden Forest was intended to be banned from students and with good reason – it was dangerous. Harry spent long enough in the Wizarding World to know that magical beasts tended to be more dangerous than normal animals that one would find in parks or zoos. He had no idea why the school would permit going into the Forbidden Forest as a punishment let alone a detention for first year students. Harry had no regrets about giving Norbert to Ron's brother Charlie though, other than losing 50 points from Gryffindor – which made him even more unpopular with the other students.

"My father is on the school board…"

Harry really wished Malfoy would be silent. He didn't seem to care or notice that Hermione, Neville, Hagrid and himself were deliberately ignoring him.

"…He would be flabbergasted that I would be given such a disgusting task with a big half-"

"Shut up, Malfoy – I doubt he would be happy to hear that you have been sneaking out of bed after hours." Hagrid interjected, he obviously had enough of Malfoy's voice.

Malfoy made what sounded like a small whine and became silent. Even though he could not see him, Harry knew that Draco would be sulking. Harry wanted to mutter a quick 'thanks' to Hagrid but decided that this was not the place or the time.

Harry didn't like going into the forest. He could just see the outlines of trees ahead of him, the firm trunks stood before him like giant feet stuck into the ground; it was like the trunks stood as barriers forbidding him to enter. The whole place had a musty smell, like they were walking into a cloud of gas. Harry assumed that he would have liked the place if he were here during the daytime when there was light to guide him, to let him see what was before him, but there wasn't and at the present moment he hated being here. He hated to admit it, but he was terrified.

For a period of time, they all walked together in deathly silence. Nobody dared to talk. As much as Harry respected Hagrid, he didn't like that Hagrid seemed to think that there was nothing wrong with walking around at night in a forest filled with magical creatures, many of them dangerous. He was glad however, that Hagrid apologised about their trouble with Norbert and promised to make it up to them later.

"But what if whatever's been attacking it is still there?" Hermione said in a worried tone.

Hagrid shrugged, "Maybe, I hope not. I don't know what it is. It'd have to be something that is fast enough to catch a unicorn."

"A werewolf?" Neville asked timidly.

"Definitely not," Hagrid firmly shook his head, "werewolves aren't fast enough and it's not full moon."

"See that-" Hagrid pointed to the ground, there were small droplets of a shimmering silver substance, "Unicorn blood, it means that we're close. Come on."

"Now," Hagrid said in a quiet voice, "By the looks of it, I think we'd better split up. Harry and Malfoy, you'll go with Fang. He'll protect you. Hermione and Neville, yer comin' with me. I assume you all know how to send red sparks if yer in trouble. The sooner we find the poor creature, the better."

So Harry and Malfoy went one way with Fang while Hagrid took Hermione and Neville the other.

"I'm holding on to his leash," Malfoy said in his usual drawling tone, "That way, if you get lost you'll be left all alone."

"Whatever," Harry sighed, not wanting to have an argument with Malfoy in this situation, "I'm keeping the lamp."

They continued to walk in silence. Harry noticed that there was more and more unicorn blood appearing beneath their feet, droplets slowly became silver pools that shone under the moonlight. Fang sniffed at the ground, his sense of smell was leading them closer to the unicorn. They looked like spills of mercury – Harry wondered if unicorn blood had high mercury content.

"It's entirely your fault, you and your insufferable git of a girlfriend. It's your fault that I'm here. You didn't have to smuggle the stupid little dragon up to the tower."

Harry responded with anger, "Well, you didn't have to get out of bed to try and get us into trouble. If it wasn't for you, we all wouldn't be in this mess. So shut up."

"No, you shouldn't have been out of been out after hours in the first place. I think-"

"I don't care what you think, Malfoy."

Suddenly, they heard a rustle and a growl. They both turned to see the unicorn before them, lying lifelessly on the ground. Harry was horrified to the core; a creature so intrinsically good and beautiful was slain so brutally. Harry hadn't been any more shocked and disgusted in his life.

Took one step towards it and then froze to see a cloaked figure kneeling before it, devouring its blood like an animal would eat prey. It turned to look at them to reveal unicorn blood dripping from its face. It let out a low inhuman growl then swooped out of the shadows towards them, levitating as if it did not have any feet. Harry, Malfoy and Fang all stood there transfixed.

"AARGGHH!" Malfoy screamed and bolted away, taking fang with him. Harry listened as Malfoy's screams and Fang's barks became fainter and fainter as they ran into the distance.

Harry stood there alone armed with only a lamp in hand against the hooded figure. The creature slowly coming towards him was pure, conscienceless evil and it was over twice his size. His whole body was trembling. He had no idea what to do and he knew it was stupid to think that he could possibly out run a creature that could catch a unicorn. A piercing pain erupted on his forehead; his scar was hurting but more painful than he had previously known it to. The pain became so sharp that he fell to the ground, leaving him immobile and defenceless against the monster. Harry believed that he was done for; the creature would surely kill him too.

Unexpectedly, Harry could hear the sound of hooves coming closer. He looked up expecting another unicorn to try and defend the death of the other one but instead there was a huge half-man, half-horse running straight for the hooded figure. It was a centaur and it was defending him.

With a powerful whinny and sharp kicks of its hind legs, the figure glided away back into the shadows, fleeing the centaur and leaving Harry. The pain that Harry had experienced had dissipated as quickly as it had come, leaving behind only a tingling sensation on his forehead. He got up on his feet as fast has he could manage.

"Thank you," He said politely but cautiously to the centaur, as he had no idea if the centaur could understand English. Maybe it wasn't defending him at all.

The centaur turned to him, with a facial expression that Harry could only interpret as concern, "Human foals should not be here, it is far too dangerous, especially for one like you Harry Evans."

"Sir," Harry said timidly, he had very little idea of what he should say, "What was that thing? Why did it kill the unicorn?"

The centaur flicked its ears and bent down to meet Harry at face level, "It is a monstrous thing to slay a unicorn. Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death but at a terrible price. You have slain something pure and defenceless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."

Harry gasped, "But who would want such a life?"

"I think you already know the answer to that, Harry Evans."

Harry thought for a minute, remembering the pain in his scar. He thought about what kind evil would kill something as benevolent and innocent as a unicorn for purely for its own gain. The thought about something that would kill anything and anyone in its path just to get what it wanted. It was the kind of evil that killed his mother and left him an orphan. An evil that had hurt so many people.

"It's Voldemort, isn't it?" He whispered lightly.

The centaur nodded solemnly, "Now what do you think he is after?"

Harry's eyes widened as all the puzzle pieces were falling into place.

"He wants something stronger to bring him eternal life. He wants the philosopher's stone to make the Elixir of Life. He'll pursue it at any cost."

The centaur nodded again, then spoke "It is very strange, Harry Evans, that you of all wizards were the only that Voldemort could not kill. Wizards with exceptional skill, noble hearts and prestigious birth have tried and ended up dead beneath his feet. How strange that a boy who's birth status in the greater eyes of Wizarding society is deemed low enough to be considered an instant outcast, is able to survive an attack by the most evil wizard of all time? It is stranger that they would celebrate him as a hero."

Harry did not know what to reply, he felt embarrassed that even a centaur knew about his mother's former profession and that he had no proven father.

The centaur continued, "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times. Things have been wrong for some time. Well, I will allow you this once to get on my back, most centaurs would find this degrading but the sooner you are out of the forest the better."

And so, Harry was brought back to Hagrid and the others on the back of the centaur. He was glad to see that the others were fine (well, maybe not as much for Malfoy). However the centaur that saved him, Firenze, angered the two centaurs that Hagrid had found to help when they found out that Firenze had 'let a human ride on his back as if he were a common mule.' However Firenze did not seem too concerned that he had offended members of his own race, believing that protecting Harry was important in defending the forest against what he deemed to be an 'upcoming threat'.

Harry left the forest deep in thought, feeling deeply troubled. The fears that he was feeling needed to be acted upon soon or else the consequences would be severe.

Severus was both surprised and suspicious that Albus had called for a meeting on the top of the astronomy tower at midnight. It was unusual that Albus wanted to see him somewhere other than his office but Severus supposed that information they would be talking about was so sensitive at the moment that he didn't want the portraits in his study to overhear him.

When Severus arrived, he found Dumbledore looking out onto the forest in the distance admiring the landscape, humming to himself. He had caught Dumbledore doing this numerous times before, but never the same tune twice.

"Good evening, Severus."

"Evening, Albus." Severus replied, "Has Hagrid returned with Harry yet?"

"Not yet," Albus turned to him and frowned, in a way that was strange for his uncommonly calm demeanour. He was just as concerned about the children as Severus was.

Severus was not amused, "They shouldn't be out there in this current situation. What is Hagrid thinking of taking them out there? This will only end terribly. His assumption that all magical beasts can be sweet and cuddly as well as his laissez-faire approach to child-minding will only end in tragedy someday …"

"Remember that I've let you be a teacher after all these years despite the mountain of complaints from parents."

"That is irrelevant," Severus lamented, "You should not have allowed Harry to be lead into the forest. Especially with what is happening. I'm positive that Quirrell is there with Voldemort acting on his behalf right now, drinking unicorn blood as we speak."

"He is, but I doubt that he will be in a position to attack Harry. He is too weak, but still elusive enough to keep away from me. It would be foolish of us to attack him outright. How will it look if we just attacked him? The piece of Voldemort's soul that is with him will simply attach itself to something else and we will have to start looking for it all over again. Besides, Quirrell is a coward and a fool – his true colours will show themselves soon and then will be the time to act."

"It is still not right for you to do that. I hate the way you act like this is all just an orchestra with you appointed as the conductor."

"We must tread carefully. Harry will be fine tonight. If something does happen, I believe that Hagrid be taking excellent care of him."

He hated when Albus acted like this. His whole 'I don't have to explain myself' attitude was not endearing when he had to just hope that Albus had everything planned out for the best. Not to mention his lack of general concern for common sense and safety.

Severus and Albus fell silent. For a moment, they did nothing but stare at the forest, hoping to see some sign of Hagrid and the children. The place lit up only by the light enlightening from the moon and the stars above.

"It is a powerful thing, love." Albus continued in his usual absentminded tone, "The protection that Lily had sacrificed herself to save Harry with is the most powerful spell I have ever come across. No ordinary witch or wizard could have pulled off something like that. Love that deep lasts well after death. It is a mark, deeper and far more potent than the one that Tom left on his forehead. It would have taken true strength, especially when you consider how frail and weak her depression had made her. After everything she had been through."

"Lily was never an ordinary witch."

"I only hope that her sacrifice can protect him as long as possible. At least he seems to have settled in just fine at Hogwarts."

"Albus, he has a difficult journey ahead. It doesn't help that he is being bullied by the Malfoy boy."

"It is important to remember that Draco's attitudes are the reflection of both the beliefs instilled on him by Lucius and poor, overindulgent parenting."

"Speaking of poor parenting, I want to talk to you about the Dursleys. I have seen that they have been horrible guardians for Harry. If it wasn't for Lily's protection, he would be a little monster by now."

Albus shook his head, "I have worked it out that Lily's sacrifice can be extended to her living relatives – that includes her sister, Petunia Dursley. I understand that you disliked her, even as a child. She is her only closest living relative. I know that she, her husband and son are awful for him to have to live with but the most important thing was that Harry was safe from Tom. That was all that mattered. I find it distasteful that she transferred all of her resent and jealousy over magical abilities that Lily inherited to Harry."

"I think not having any family would be better than ones that are abusive and neglectful. Look at what happened to me."

"Well, you can't just whisk him away."

Severus had to agree; he couldn't just take Harry from the Dursleys and take care of the boy himself or put him with people he did not know. He watched as Albus walked over to pick up something that was underneath one of the benches. It was a sleek, silvery cloth. Severus had been through enough experiences to know what it really was.

"Potter's old invisibility cloak," Severus said with eyes widened, he was surprised to see it. He remembered the countless pranks that Potter played on him using that cloak.

"Yes, Harry must have left it here when he was giving the dragon to Charlie Weasley. James endowed it to Harry as well as everything else he owned in his will."

Severus frowned distastefully, "I know. Even I have to admit that is was a good way to spite his estranged Death Eater cousins, leaving everything to a muggle born prostitute and her son."

"That's not why he did it," Albus shook his head, "He did it as retribution for all the suffering he caused you as a teenager. He wanted Harry to have a better life. James had matured considerably since he left school and was great asset to the Order. Besides, you can't hold on to a grudge forever Severus."

Severus scoffed. He didn't believe that a spoilt brat like Potter would be capable of such altruism.

"Well," He said, "Forgiveness isn't one of my best qualities."

"I know…" Albus was quiet before speaking again, "The only reason why Potter is dead is because I was borrowing his cloak to study it, to uncover its qualities. He could have easily hid from the Death Eaters that night using his cloak. For that, I feel partially responsible for his death."

Albus frowned and shook his head in remorse. Albus rarely expressed emotion but when he did, it was strong and genuine. Severus ran his hand over the cloak; it was finer and softer than silk. The cloak was something magnificent, he could feel a peculiar magic illuminating from it. It was a cloak that would be invisible forever, never losing its power and impervious to all charms including revealing charms. There were none like it. He remembered the old tales that his mother had read to him when he was a child. He recognised what it really was instantly.

He decided to comfort Albus, "You were not the one who killed him."

He then continued, "I doubt that Potter appreciated it's full worth or for what it really is. I bet he only liked it because he could use it for pranks."

"James did not know what it really but he did love to use it. It was passed down to him from his direct ancestors. It was the last thing that directly reminded him of his parents. Now it belongs to Harry. I should go now, and return it to Harry's dorm before he gets back. He must be worried sick about it."

"Ok, I'll see you later Albus."

Albus turned away and left with a small 'pop', leaving Severus on the tower riddled with anxiety. He only felt alright again once he spotted a group of lamp lights leaving the forest.