I woke up with a groan, rolling onto my side and bringing a hand to my head as something in my arms clattered to the ground with a heavy thud. What… What happened? God, my head. I eventually managed to sit up, taking a moment to let the nausea pass, before opening my eyes. I was in my shed, which wasn't entirely strange except for the fact that I hadn't been allowed to sleep in my shed in some time thanks to being escorted for the last few months. My back ached and I rubbed at my neck as well, having apparently climbed on top of my desk to sleep. The pounding in my head didn't relent at all though, and I dropped my head into my hands as I struggled to remember what had happened to get me here and in this shape.

I… I'd gone into town to sell some things. I'd gotten permission to go alone and wanted a drink after making some good sales… I… I was watching a card game and then… My memory was a bit fuzzy as I remembered vaguely someone in a cloak and the cheers and groans of drunkards as they won or lost their money playing cards. I furrowed my brows, trying to think of how many drinks I'd had. I swore it was just the one… Then, I glanced at what had fallen out of my lap and paled.

A huge black egg was resting on the wooden floors. An egg I recognized immediately after working under Magnus for as long as I did, and one that brought back the flood of memories from the night before.

I sipped at my drink idly, watching the trio of men playing cards and wondering how well I would do if I tried to play a hand. I'd gotten a sizeable amount of money from selling the goods I had made and losing a couple of coins wouldn't be detrimental given Hogwarts was providing me with everything I needed. The money I earned was just a precaution should I need to leave and fend for myself, or for when I was finished with my work and ceased to be useful. The thought made my drink taste sour and I set the mug down before one of the men spotted me watching.

"Y-You want in?" They asked, voice vaguely familiar but I was a bit tipsy and couldn't place it if I tried.

I hesitated on joining, frowning lightly before they added a bit more.

"Only a Sickle."

I wrinkled my nose and begrudgingly nodded, fishing out a Sickle from my earnings and placing it on the table. "One game."

The trio nodded and one game turned to two and then four. I either had great luck or the game was rigged in my favor—which wouldn't make sense given none of these men knew me. The more money I earned, the more I reached for my mug until I finally chose to stop playing cards. The room felt hot and I tugged at the collar of my robes with a big grin on my face as the last of my earnings were pushed toward me.

"I've never been so lucky," I chimed, tucking the coins away with fumbling fingers with a chuckle. "I feel like a Niffler, haha."

"You work with creatures?"

"Mm, used to. I only work with a few now," I hummed, putting my bag of coins away and reaching for my drink to find it refilled and eagerly chugging it down. "I'm an 'pprentice up at the school."

"An apprentice? In what?"

"Creatures, runes mostly." I pouted then both at the empty mug and what the thought of my work reminded me of. "They keep restricting me though. I lose a little too much blood one time and now they think I'm… I'm crazy or somethin'. I didn't mean to. I was excited for progress." I glanced at the hooded man across from me. "I got nothin' but my work, ya know? Runes and talkin' to creatures."

"Talking to them?"

I snorted. "Sounds crazy. Gotta keep it secret though. Not supposed to tell no one about the whole…" I waved at my head. "Mind thing."

"Do you know a lot of creatures? Are there many up at the school?"

"Nah. Not many. Forest has lots but—" I hiccuped with a frown, something telling me I shouldn't be this drunk after two drinks but the thought faded away rather quickly as I thought about the creatures at Hogwarts. "There's not many dangerous ones. That's nice. I used to work with dragons a-and those cat ones. Nun… Nundos… No. Nundus?" My brows furrowed in confusion before they spoke up again curiously.

"I-I'm not a fan of those but… I heard there's a three-headed dog up there. Is that true?"

I nodded, head bobbing as I toyed with my empty mug. "Fluffy's great. Good boy he is. Great at guarding things."

"But they're vicious, aren't they? How do you calm such a beast?"

"Mm? Nah, it's easy if ya talk to him… ah, but most can't do that. Just me and only a teeny bit," I mused, pinching my fingers together. "Everyone else just plays music. Hagrid has a flute I think. Singing works fine too until he can't hear ya and then blam!" I slapped my palms on the table before holding them up with a shrug. "Dog food."

"I see. You sound like you know a lot about creatures. You worked with dragons before?"

I nodded. "Lots and lots. Magnus had all sorts. He was…" My chipper mood faltered. "He was so kind to me and then he was…"

"Apologies, I just… have something that I was hoping I could pass along if I found the right person."

I tipped my head curiously before he pulled a dark object out of his robe, making my eyes widen.

"It seems I've been rather lucky to find you, sir. I'm sure you could care for this better than I."

I felt sick as I stared at the black dragon egg on the ground; guilt, fear, and worry churned in my gut the longer I stared and the more I understood what I'd just done. I stood up quickly only to have to steady myself and cover my mouth as vertigo set in and threatened to make me vomit. Mind racing, I drew my wand and placed my hand on the runes on my desk, testing for Dark Magic or charms. There was no response so I stumbled over to the kitchenette, digging through the cupboards before downing a vial of general medication for hangovers but with little effect.

The panicking thought of having been poisoned flickered through my mind and I knocked things off the shelf to get to the next vial. I downed it as well and felt some of the vertigo ease away instantly, though it did little to help my growing panic. Already my breath was short and hitching in my chest as I tried to think of what to do. Seeing the egg only made the panic worse and I faltered back away from it before collapsing to the ground, burying my face in my knees and covering my head.

Memories of what happened back with Magnus fluttered through my mind as the consequences of what I'd done fueled my anxiety. I had given away so much to a stranger, to a possible threat to more than just me but all those attending Hogwarts. I'd told him how to get past Fluffy, how I studied runes, and even my legilimency training. I told him about Magnus and my last job, about talking to creatures, and provided answers to whatever he asked. It was possible Veritaserum was used but obviously, I had been drugged by the cloaked figure at the pub who'd given me the dragon egg.

Being drugged wouldn't help me though. I had given away secret information. I had grown lax in the peace I'd been provided and if the troll attacking me hadn't made that obvious, this certainly did and I didn't know what to do. Going to Dumbledore was the most sensible option but walking in with a dragon egg and explaining how I'd betrayed his trust and given away so much had me terrified.

Dumbledore may have acted kind this far but I'd read the stories and heard of his accomplishments. He was a powerful wizard who could easily dispose of me if he wanted. As an orphaned half-blood with no remaining family only being hidden here because of an old friend, the option was there. It wouldn't be difficult for him to do now that I'd endangered the entirety of the school, especially with Harry Potter attending. My actions were unforgivable in my eyes and perhaps it was the paranoia that I had forgotten after fleeing my old job, but I was scared of what would happen now.

I had grown too comfortable at Hogwarts. I had started to feel as though it were my home and that I was safe within the grounds. Now, I had ruined it with a single night out and if Dumbledore didn't dispose of me, then You-Know-Who's followers would. Or I would be imprisoned or tormented or whatever else. It didn't matter. All that mattered was how badly I'd messed up and what I was going to do now.

The egg. I lifted my worried eyes from behind my knees and stared at the only thing I'd gotten out of this mess. I need to get rid of it. I couldn't just destroy it though, for multiple reasons. Dragon eggs weren't easily smashed or hexed and I'd worked with creatures for long enough to know I wouldn't be able to kill one even if I wanted to. This meant keeping it alive until I could get rid of it, which wouldn't be easy with the regulations. That, and I didn't know the first thing about caring for dragon eggs. I would need help… I would need to tell someone.

A knock on the shed door startled me, sending my already racing heart into triple time until a gruff voice spoke from the other side of the door.

"Ya in here, Farlan? McGonagall said ya weren't inside. Ya know ya can't be holed up in here all night. Dumbledore's orders."

Hagrid. An idea came to mind, starting to form quickly as I scrambled to my feet and scooped up the egg off the floor. It was a poor plan. One I wasn't sure would work but it was all I had and Hagrid wasn't the brightest. He wouldn't ask many questions and deflecting them would be easy. Yes. It's my only option. I can find somewhere for it while he cares for it a-and then… And then what? I didn't know. The thought of Dumbledore finding out what I'd done filled me with dread and I nearly dropped the egg again when Hagrid knocked, warning me he would come in if I didn't answer.

So, I hastily made it to the door and opened it, earning a raised brow from him and a gruff frown for my disheveled appearance. I undoubtedly looked like a mess after what I'd been through but that didn't matter right now as I pulled the door open further and he saw the egg. His eyes went wide and before he could say anything, I spoke up nervously.

"I-I need your help."

Something was wrong with Farlan, Hagrid knew. Not just because the man had suddenly given him the task of caring for a dragon egg but because he was on edge. Every sound seemed to make him jump and Hagrid had noticed his lack of presence at mealtimes. He'd asked McGonagall how he was doing since she was in charge of bringing him around the castle but even she was worried. Something had happened on his trip into town and the young man was very tight-lipped about it.

Hagrid attempted to find out, asking him questions about the egg mostly, but he refused to say more than him getting it by chance betting in a card game. Hagrid might have been thrilled at the prospect of owning a dragon—for as little of a time as it would be—but Farlan was being eaten away by fear and the half-giant was concerned.

He couldn't say he and Farlan were close but they were friends at the very least. Farlan was an odd one but Hagrid was hardly one to judge given his own oddities. Hagrid just didn't understand half of what Farlan was doing or why he did things like skipping meals or injuring himself. Hagrid still had flashbacks to finding him near unconscious with blood flowing freely from his wrist, but the man brushed it off. That only worried him more but the longer he knew Farlan the more he understood him.

The man was just awkward and could get lost in his studies. Hagrid doubted he actually thought of harming himself that day and—as the man had repeatedly groaned to McGonagall—had just not been paying attention. Hagrid didn't understand how he'd not realized something so worrying but Farlan didn't think like most people. There was a pain in his eyes sometimes that had Hagrid rushing to his aid even if the man felt annoyed by him. Being his escort helped, but the worry he'd do something stupid again lingered every time Hagrid went to collect him from the shed.

He had thought they'd gotten closer while caring for the dragon egg. Farlan visited every day to help, even though he'd left a majority of the task to Hagrid. He brought books and knowledge from the library with him, helping Hagrid as best he could while also trying to get in contact with someone who would take the dragon chick. Moving it was best done while it was young and small, but finding somewhere to send it wasn't easy and Farlan had obviously had trouble finding somewhere until the day it started hatching.

Then, he'd finally gotten some color in his cheeks back, announcing he'd gotten ahold of one of the older Weasleys who worked at a dragon reserve. Hagrid was relieved and saddened. He always wanted a dragon but also knew he didn't have any way to properly care for it nor the knowledge of how to do so. The trio of Gryffindors he'd befriended had told him much the same when he'd shown them the egg. Farlan wasn't thrilled when he found out they knew, but Hagrid wasn't the only one who trusted them.

He had also hoped having them around might get Farlan talking. They'd gotten him to tell them about some sensitive things regarding the Philosopher's Stone and, while Hagrid hadn't approved at the time, Farlan had been right that there was little they could do with the information. The apprentice liked the trio for reasons probably similar to Hagrid's and even they had noticed the young man's poor condition.

They'd asked Hagrid about him when they first found out about the dragon, letting him know the odd behavior was happening in the castle as well as outside. It was worrying and they'd agreed to help Hagrid try and figure out why the man was on edge. Hagrid was just worried that something bad would happen to the man before they figured it all out.

"It's almost out," Harry said, drawing Hagrid's gaze to the egg covered in cracks as the other two first-years leaned in to see and Farlan lightly tapped his wand on the runic stones he'd placed around the egg for safety.

Hagrid had argued that there was little the baby could do but Farlan was cautious when the students were there, not knowing what danger the little beast would present to them. The runes on the stones glowed an eerie red before the little dragon escaped the confines of its egg and fumbled onto the table. It was black just like the egg with vibrant orange eyes and wings that looked far too large for its leathery body. It let out a sneeze, shooting sparks out of its snout that hit the edge of the runic circle and vanished.

"Isn't he beautiful?" Hagrid cooed, reaching for the creature that instantly snapped at his fingers.

"It's a girl," Farlan said then, surprising him and the trio.

"How do you know?" Hermione asked and Farlan stiffened, drawing his eyes away from the dragon he'd locked eyes with for a moment.

"I've worked with dragons before," he fibbed, not wanting to explain the true reason he knew.

He hadn't expected his legilimency to work on a dragon but perhaps because it was newly hatched and vulnerable it hadn't built up its mental defenses like the adult ones. They were highly intelligent creatures, after all, with minds and personalities of their own. He'd been hesitant to try his luck with them under Magnus, feeling as though they were nearly human underneath all those scales. They wouldn't be controlled so easily or even conversed to if they didn't wish it themselves. So getting something from the baby dragon had been a surprise.

Suddenly though, Hagrid lurched to his feet and rushed to the window, surprising the group.

"What's the matter?"

"Someone was lookin' in through the gap in the curtains. It's a kid. He's runnin' back up to the school."

Harry rushed for the door as Farlan muttered a curse under his breath.

"We can't do anything, though I doubt many would believe we're keeping a dragon here."

"Can't you just let it go?"

"It's a dragon," Farlan argued with a shake of his head. "As a baby, it will die. As an adult… it can cause a lot of trouble."

"But that was Malfoy," Harry pointed out. "He'll come bursting in here any minute."

Farlan shook his head. "He won't. Not yet. If he's a Malfoy, he'll wait until it's beneficial to him and until he has proof. If we're lucky, Charlie will have found a way to take her by then."

"Charlie?"

"Weasley," Farlan clarified with a small hint of an awkward smile. "The twins gave me his information and I sent an owl already. He needed to find the right time and way to take her. It might take a week or so, but the dragon will have a home with someone who knows how to deal with her."

The trio relaxed somewhat at that, hopeful that the dragon would be long gone by the time Malfoy decided to make his move. Sure enough, two weeks had passed and Charlie had already responded saying he would take her, but only discreetly. Farlan was concerned about this obviously, given the dragon was rather large and… attached to him.

While Hagrid had been tasked with the majority of her care, Farlan had become her favorite and she often clung to him when he dropped by to help feed her rats. It took him quite a bit of effort to pull her off so he could leave until… Well, until she was too big to be handled so easily. At that point, she had been brought into his shed which was far more secure than Hagrid's hut. He did his best to deal with her there and when Saturday came around, the exhausted man looked more than ready to be done with her.

There was just one problem, Malfoy had discovered when they would be taking the dragon to the towers to meet Charlie. Ron—another begrudging helper in feeding the beast—had been bit and forced to visit Madam Pomfrey when none of Farlan's concoctions helped the swelling. To make fun of him, Malfoy had claimed to be borrowing a book; one that help Charlie's letter.

"You've got to be joking," Farlan muttered when they dropped by to take the dragon late that evening.

"It's fine. We have an invisibility cloak."

Farlan went to question said cloak but brought a hand to his head instead. "I don't want to know. Not right now."

The trio exchanged looks knowing that the usual Farlan would have been eager to ask about it but he'd been different lately and they still hadn't figured out why. The tiredness had come from the clingy dragon baby but his eyes darted around more often and he was obviously on edge and twitchy. They wanted to question him but the dragon's appearance had prevented that. Now that they were taking it, they might have a better chance.

"Thank you," Farlan said as they covered the crate and picked it up to carry to the tower. "I would do it but…" He glanced off uneasily toward the castle before shaking his head. "Sorry. Thank you for taking her. If anything occurs, I will try to deal with it."

They nodded and it was honestly a miracle they managed to carry the beast all the way to the tower. They'd even gotten to see Malfoy get caught by McGonagall and knowing they were safe abandoned the cloak at the top of the stairs and went to where Charlie and his friends soon met them. They took the dragon easily and were soon flying off with her. Harry and Hermione were more than pleased to be rid of the beast but had forgotten the cloak. Filch was waiting for them at the bottom.

What was worse was that Neville had been caught as well. Four students being out of bed after hours had made McGonagall furious and when asking for an explanation they had forgotten Farlan's offer. Misunderstanding what happened, McGonagall ended up making Neville feel he'd been tricked by Harry and Hermione and they lost a hundred and fifty house points, which made their task suddenly feel it wasn't worth the effort.

If Farlan had found out, it appeared he hadn't helped as he promised. Hermione argued it was possible he couldn't help after punishments had been given but Harry wasn't sure and felt a bit betrayed himself. Then, they were given the time for their detention and the four students met with Filch who led them outside, mocking them.

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh? Oh, yes. Hard work and pain are the best teachers if you ask me. It's just a pity they let the old punishments die out. Hang you by your wrists from the ceiling for a few days, I've got the chains still in my office, keep 'em well oiled in case they're ever needed. Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."

The group crossed the grounds until Hagrid called out to them, making Filch grumble but uplifting the spirits of the Gryffindors with him.

"I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, boy. It's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece," Filch snipped, making Malfoy pale.

"The forest? We can't go in there at night! There are all sorts of things in there! Werewolves I heard!"

"That's your problem, isn't it?" Filch scoff. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"

Hagrid headed over with Farlan in his wake, having gone unnoticed behind the half-giant until now.

"About time. I've been waitin' half an hour already," Hagrid complained. "All right, Hermione? Harry?"

"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid. They're here to be punished, after all," Filch grumbled as Farlan frowned.

"And it's not your place to punish them, it's ours. Go back to patrolling the castle."

Filch scoffed, turning away. "I'll be back at dawn for what's left of them."

Farlan rolled his eyes as Malfoy turned to them with a hint of fear in his voice.

"I'm not going in that forest."

"Ya are of ya want to stay at Hogwarts," Hagrid countered. "Ya did wrong and now ya have ta pay for it."

"But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing this, he'd—"

"Hogwarts punishments are out of the restrictive hands of anyone but the headmaster," Farlan said, cutting him off. "Your father and even the Minister of Magic have no pull here. You either go in while doing what we say or go back and pack because you will be expelled. Up to you."

Malfoy didn't move, just frowning slightly as Harry cracked a small smirk at his suffering.

"Right then," Hagrid said now that he'd gone quiet. "Now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, and I don't want no one takin' risks. Follow us over here a moment."

Hagrid brought them over to the edge of the forest where a small trail could be seen with something on the ground glinting in the moonlight. "Look there. See that stuff shinin' on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there been hurt badly by something. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try and find the poor thing. We might have ta put it out of its misery."

Harry noticed Farlan looking a bit sad about this but Malfoy interrupted once more.

"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?"

"Nothing in the forest will bother us so long as you're with Hagrid or me," Farlan explained. "The creatures know Hagrid and I've worked with creatures since I graduated and know how to handle them. Most in here know to keep their distance from anyone wandering in. So long as you keep to the path, you'll be fine."

"We're gonna split into two parties and follow the trail in different directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've been staggerin' around since last night at least," Hagrid explained. "Harry and Hermione, ya go with Farlan and Neville and Malfoy will stay with me. Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? And if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, and we'll all come and find ya. So be careful. Farlan?"

Farlan nodded, eyes surprisingly serious and sharp in the moonlight. "I'll take care of them."

Hagrid nodded, trusting the young man though he didn't know his skills in anything other than handling creatures. The confidence behind his words was enough though, and despite his uneasiness lately, Hagrid knew he would sooner risk his life than let any of the kids come to harm. They'll be safe, he mused, stepping off onto the trail on one side as the others went their own way.

The forest was dark so I offered the two students with me a small stone.

"What's this?"

"A runic stone for light," I told them, tapping the stones with my wand and making them glow.

"But couldn't we just use a Lumos spell?" Harry asked and I shrugged, leading the way through the trees.

"If you want your wand to be occupied should something come up, sure?"

Harry winced at the thought as I eyed the silvery blood on the trail we were following, mind drifting back to what I'd promised the students and how I should go about making up for this mess I'd put them in. They shouldn't have gotten caught in the middle of it and my uneasiness had been the only reason why I hadn't done the transport myself.

"I'm… sorry," I muttered, drawing their attention to me as I rubbed the back of my neck. "About not stopping this. I tried to argue with McGonagall about the points but she wouldn't listen. All I could do was change what kind of detention you had to this… which isn't exactly helpful."

Harry shook his head. "It's better than scrubbing toilets or something, I'm sure. Are there… um, actually werewolves in here?"

"Wolves, yes. Werewolves, not so much. I'd have to ask Dumbledore for specifics but there is a pack of highly intelligent wolves in here. They keep to themselves though, as do most of the creatures. The ones here are well-fed and are aware of who they can and cannot mess with. One of the wolves won't go after a unicorn. They're not quick enough and unicorns hold a high amount of magic. Taking one down wouldn't be easy for anyone. It's why Hagrid was concerned. The unicorns haven't been hurt before."

Hermione looked a little pale and a hint of sympathy rolled through me.

"Sorry," I muttered. "I'm not exactly thrilled about this either but if it's hurt bad, it's better to put it out of its misery than have it die a slow, painful death. The death of some magical creatures are dangerous as well and have an effect on the surroundings. Some good, some bad. With unicorns, it's—" I heard something then, whipping my head around and holding out a hand to stop the two with me. "Get behind the oak tree, now."

They were quick to do so and I grabbed a stone from my hip pouch as well as drew my wand cautiously. Something had been moving through the leaves on the forest floor but whatever it was drifted off, making me frown as I gestured for the kids to come back to my side.

"What was it?" Harry breathed, keeping quiet.

"I don't know, but it's not anything that should be in here. Very few creatures would move across the ground and make a sound like that. Less of that approximate size."

"You could tell how big it was by the sound?" Hermione asked.

"Vaguely. Larger creatures have more trouble going unnoticed in the undergrowth. They would move bushes, tree branches, have individual footfalls. This almost sounded like it was sliding through the dead leaves."

"So not a werewolf?"

"Not even close. Come on. Stay close."

We kept moving as Hermione spoke up again.

"How do you know so much?" She whispered, trying to keep her voice down. "About creatures, I mean. I know you're an apprentice but—"

"I worked on a magical creature reserve after I left Hogwarts," I explained. "It was one of the few jobs I could get and I was decent at it. The owner was…" My heart ached to talk about Magnus but I pressed on. "He cared about the creatures, which is far more than most would. I learned a lot about them from him."

We reached a clearing then and I stopped the students once more, seeing something move on the edge of it.

"Show yourself," I called, eyes narrowed before a centaur stepped through between the trees.

I lowered my wand immediately, having never faced a centaur but knowing enough from Hagrid's warnings and what I've read to know threatening it wouldn't be helpful. No, centaurs were a proud species and they deserved nothing but respect. I eyed the chestnut horse and the red-bearded man for a moment before offering him a small bow.

"Apologies for my rudeness. Hagrid informed me there would be centaurs in the forest but with something else killing the unicorns one must be cautious."

The man hummed, spotting the two behind me. "You are the apprentice, yes?"

I nodded. "Farlan Daggrow. This is Harry and Hermione, students from the school."

"Ronan," he introduced. "Good evening. Students, are you? And do you learn much, up at the school?"

"A bit," Hermione offered shyly as he sighed.

"A bit. Well, that's something." He glanced up at the sky then. "Mars is bright tonight."

A shiver went through me at the ominous words, glancing up myself. The students looked at me in confusion but I lightly brushed the thought aside for later.

"Might you know anything of the hurt unicorn and what's been after it, Ronan?"

He was quiet for a moment before answering. "Always the innocent are the first victims. So it has been for ages past, so it is now."

Remembering how devastated my mother had been when she'd heard about my father's death made me swallow thickly.

"Yes… Yes, that's true."

Ronan glanced back down at me, almost curious before giving one last tidbit of advice. "The forest hides many secrets."

I nodded as another centaur stepped out to join him. He was black as the night around him and wilder looking but I offered him the same bow I had Ronan before speaking.

"I wish you would inform Hagrid or myself if you learn anything more. I… appreciate the wisdom you've offered tonight and will keep it in mind."

The two nodded and I gestured for the students to follow, though that uneasiness still filled me.

"What was that about?" Harry asked. "They kept talking about Mars."

"Centaurs are well known to study the stars and that is their way of Divination. You'll be allowed to choose electives in your third year and Divination is one of them."

"Did you take Divination?"

I nodded. "Yes. The professor said I had a knack for it but it was not my favorite subject. I don't recommend it if you find out after the first day you have no skill in it." I glanced at Hermione, who looked determined. "Though 'skill' is probably not the right word. Divination is not something you can learn, per se. You are either gifted or not. Those that are, go far and can become Seers that make prophecies through visions. Most are not and never get that far. If you have no gift or sign of one the first day, I suggest picking another elective and saving yourself the trouble."

"So, you knew what the centaurs were saying then? What they meant about Mars?"

I hesitated but nodded. "Mars is the God of war in Roman mythology. Its brightness a warning. It doesn't bode well, is all… the last war just ended," I murmured under my breath.

"Could we have heard the centaurs earlier?" Harry asked, drawing my thoughts away from the ominous warning.

"No. It wasn't hooves we heard and they wouldn't harm a unicorn."

We walked for a good while longer and I almost considered doubling back. We shouldn't keep the students in the forest for too long, even with protection, especially when there was something potentially dangerous killing unicorns. Hagrid hadn't sent up any sparks though, and he'd told me ahead of time that he would give me a sign should he choose to head back early. So, we kept following the blood trail and when I started to see it become thicker and more common, I drew the two students in close.

"Stay close to me and darken the stones. We're nearly upon it, if the blood is anything to go by," I said, cautiously. "We don't know what attacked it and if it's still around. If it is, I want you to stay silent, and should anything happen run back the way we came and set off your red sparks, understand? I won't have any students being harmed under my care."

They nodded and we moved toward a clearing where we finally caught sight of the vibrantly white unicorn. It was a sorrowful sight that made Hermione suck in a sharp breath and cover her mouth. It had fallen and its legs were stuck out at odd angles, potentially broken. I went to take a step forward but froze as the sound from before reappeared. A bush nearby shifted and a hooded figure crawled out over the ground toward the unicorn, lowering its head to drink its blood. My throat was tight with fear at the sight. Drinking unicorn blood was the worst thing a human or beast could do because of the cost of doing so. I didn't know what this creature was though. It was unlike any I'd ever seen or heard of. The closest I could think of would be a Dementor or Lethifold but this creature lacked the chilly cold and killing abilities those creatures held.

I didn't know how to handle this creature and that was dangerous by itself. Having two students with me only made it more so. I lightly pushed the students back, muttering as quietly as I could under my breath.

"Back. We need to go."

They didn't argue and started to walk backward before there was a sharp snap. Hermione had stepped on a stick and that had been enough to draw its attention toward us. Silver blood dribbled down its front and Harry let out a sharp cry of pain. I wasn't sure what happened to him but hastily moved in front of the two as the creature swept toward us. My wand was out quickly and I cast the only spell I knew that should deter the creature if it was a Lethifold or Dementor.

"Expecto patronum!"

A white light shot from my wand and took shape, shifting into a fox that stood between the creature and us, but it swept right over it unbothered and my heart lodged itself in my throat. I cursed under my breath, canceling the spell and pulling off the chain wrapped around my neck, tossing it to the floor after adding magic to it. It glowed an ominous red in the dark but did as I hoped and the creature hit an invisible barrier before the rush of hooves came up from behind us.

A centaur leaped over us all, scaring off the creature as I grabbed the chain and turned back toward the two students. Hermione was pale and trembling and Harry was on his knees looking pained. I gave one more glance at the palomino centaur with white-blonde hair, but quickly helped the students to their feet.

"Are you both alright?"

They both nodded and the centaur approached, eyeing Harry before turning to me.

"Thank you," I said, offering him a small bow.

"You have the Potter boy," he declared, glancing briefly over his shoulder. "You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time, especially for him. Can you ride?"

I shook my head hastily. "No. We will leave but we cannot ride you. Your herd will not hear of it. I can protect them until we're out."

He hesitated but nodded his consent. "You must leave quickly."

"We will. Thank you again."

He bowed his head as I gathered the two up and hurried them along; sending a small, floating fire to light our way.

"Quickly, as he said," I urged them as we ran into the forest. "Stay in front of me. Don't shift from the trail."

"But what was that?" Harry asked, concerned.

"I don't know," I said. "I assumed a Lethifold or a strange Dementor but my patronus didn't affect it. It was dangerous though. I don't know its skills but what it was doing…"

"What do you mean?"

I grit my teeth, swinging my wand to use a cutting curse to slice through some low branches in our way. "Unicorns are powerful magic beings. Killing one is terrible but drinking its blood is far worse. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive but at a price. The moment the blood touches your lips, you're cursed to live a half-life. You would have to be desperate and uncaring of suffering. You—" I cut myself short, everything clicking into place and suddenly feeling sick.

"What's wrong?" He asked, starting to pant along with Hermione so I slowed our pace a bit.

"I… I've made a mistake," I muttered. "A terrible one. I should have—" I grit my teeth reaching up to pull at my hair in frustration and fear.

"Farlan?" Hermione murmured, voice tinged with worry.

"No sane man would drink unicorns' blood, but an insane man would if it meant surviving until they got something better."

Harry paled in understanding. "The Philosopher's Stone. The Elixir of Life. Then… was that thing…"

Bushes rustled nearby and my wand was quickly aimed at the sound only for Hagrid and the other students to come down the trail. I lowered my wand as Hagrid approached in concern.

"Are you alright?" He asked, giving everyone a once-over before looking at me for answers.

"We found the unicorn in a clearing. It's dead but we need to return the students and…" I swallowed thickly. "I need to speak with the headmaster."

Hagrid looked uncertain but nodded, herding the students together while we left the forest and sent them back to Filch to escort them to their dorms. Hagrid stayed with me for a moment, able to tell how uneasy I was.

"Did ya see what did it then?" He asked and I nodded.

"It was no creature, Hagrid, and it's only because of a centaur that things weren't… weren't far worse." I glanced over at him warily, clenching and unclenching my hands in concern. "I'm sorry but I-I've done something terrible."

His gaze softened with worry but he nodded and gave me a small nudge. "Go see Dumbledore. We can talk after."

Begrudgingly, I nodded and made my way toward the castle, trembling with anxiety and hoping beyond hope that there was something that could be done to fix my mistake before someone got hurt. Or killed.