Draco Dormiens Suscitat
Draco doesn't run away during detention in year one. Not all the Malfoys are as bad as they seem. Draco has the tools to help the boy who lived, but will Harry and the Gryffindors be able to look past his Slytherin roots? No Slash, No Pairings so far. Rated M for future chapters.
Disclaimer. I DO NOT own Harry Potter or any of the characters. I am writing this purely for fun, and am open to input! This is my first attempt at writing a Fic, and I am in no way shape or form a writer, so I will always accept help along the way.
So Harry set off into the heart of the forest with Malfoy and Fang. They walked for nearly half an hour, deeper and deeper into the forest, until the path became almost impossible to follow because the trees were so thick. Harry thought the blood seemed to be getting thicker. There were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Harry could see a clearing ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.
"Look—" he murmured, holding out his arm to stop Malfoy.
Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer.
It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. Harry had never seen anything so beautiful and sad. Its long, slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen, and its mane was spread pearly-white on the dark leaves.
Harry had taken one step toward it when a slithering sound made him freeze where he stood. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered…. Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Harry, Malfoy, and Fang stood transfixed. The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, lowered its head over the wound in the animal's side, and began to drink its blood.
*End Cannon*
Harry and Malfoy froze, while Fang let out a howl and ran away. The hooded figure snapped his head in the direction of Fang's howl, and slowly stood, unicorn blood dripping from its mouth. Harry heard Malfoy's breathing speed up and wondered why the blonde had not run away with Fang. Knowing that Slytherins lacked courage, he assumed he was frozen in fear and too panicked to run. His thoughts were interrupted when his forehead split with pain, making his eyes water and bringing him to his knees. The creature, as if floating, slinked closer to Harry as the pain in his scar only intensified.
As he clutched his scar, Harry thought about what the creature could possibly be. It moved like a snake but held the weight of a man. It was cloaked and low to the ground with movements Harry could only describe as terrifying. Naïve to the possibilities in the magical world he had only just joined, his mind raced only to be disrupted by another wave of searing pain in his scar.
Harry heard hooves behind him, and to his surprise, saw Malfoy step between himself and the creature, wand raised, with a spell on his lips. Before Malfoy could mutter a spell or wave his wand, something huge soared over both boys, and galloped towards the creature. Everything went black.
When Harry finally came to, the first thing he noticed was the sound of whispered tones. He tried to open his eyes, but a bright light filled his vision and brought the pain back to his scar. He settled for using his other senses instead of sight, noting that his head wasn't on the ground. He was surprisingly comfortable with his head resting under a cloak. What made it seem even more strange, was that he could easily tell that it wasn't his own. The next thing he noticed was the dull yet manageable pain in his head, right behind his scar. Although it wasn't nearly bad as before, he hoped that it would go away soon. He turned his attention back to the voices and strained his ears to make out the words in the conversation.
"—He's ill, you have to help me get him out of the forest before that thing comes back." Harry was surprised to hear Malfoy talk about him without using insults and thought he might have heard a hint of concern in his voice.
"I sense your friend to be awake," the other voice spoke, "he should be able to walk on his own, but I will guide you to the edge of the forest. The forest is not safe at this time – especially for him."
Harry tensed when he heard the second voice announce he was awake and tried opening his eyes once more. The light didn't seem as bad before, so he looked around for its source and couldn't find any, also realizing his glasses were missing. Harry heard the two approaching, noting the difference in the rhythmic sound of hooves, and hurried footsteps of Malfoy. Malfoy reached him first, and for the first time that Harry could recall, spoke to him without any sound of contempt in his voice.
"You alright Potter? You don't look so good." Malfoy asked, concerned.
"Erm yeah…. Thanks Malfoy. Not sure where my glasses are though."
Harry could see the shape of Malfoy lean to the ground to pick something up and heard him whisper, "Reparro."
"Here." said Malfoy as he thrusted the glasses towards Harry.
Harry accepted the glasses and looked up towards the light. It seemed to be suspended above Malfoy and a large Centaur. It was not one of the other Centaurs he had seen earlier, but instead a Palomino bodied, younger Centaur with astonishingly blue eyes. Harry sat up, and out of the corner of his eye saw Malfoy wave his wand, and the light was gone.
"What was that thing?" Harry asked the two.
"I don't know… but whatever it is ran away once Firenze got here. I don't want to stay to find out. Can you walk?" Malfoy looked over his shoulder while he spoke, gesturing to the Centaur named Firenze.
The Centaur did not come closer, but lifted his chin in greeting, speaking to Harry for the first time, "Mr. Potter, I am pleased to see you looking better, but I must insist we save pleasantries until we reach the safety of the Hogwarts grounds. There is more than one dangerous creature in this forest."
Harry hurriedly stood and was surprised yet again when Malfoy extended a hand to help him up. Taking it cautiously, he was helped to his feet. Harry patted the dirt from his robes and noticed that Malfoy was wearing his school uniform but not his robes. Harry reached down and picked up his makeshift pillow, cleaning it as best he could. Harry muttered a quiet expression of thanks as he gestured the robe towards the other boy. Malfoy accepted it unceremoniously and fastened it around his shoulders, moving away from Harry and closer to Firenze. Harry wasn't far behind, and once both boys seemed ready to travel, Firenze set off at a trot.
While Harry walked, Firenze tried his best to explain the events of the evening. Momentarily, Harry stopped thinking about what Malfoy had done and listened, Firenze told of the horrible crime drinking unicorn blood was, and hinting at who would be desperate enough to do such a thing. When it clicked that whoever would drink the blood of a unicorn, would also want to possess the sorcerer stone, Harry stopped walking altogether.
"Voldemort." Harry said in a whisper.
Before he could ask Firenze any more, they heard voices up ahead, and when they turned the corner on the narrow path, saw Hagrid, Hermione, and Neville.
"Blimey, Harry!" Hagrid's voice boomed, "Gave me quite a fright yeh did. Been looking fer yeh ever since Fang found us. Didn't stop whining nether did he. Hermione and Neville been helping me. Firenze, d'nt normally see yeh this close to the castle, everything alright?"
Harry opened his mouth to respond when Hermione crashed into him and gave him a rib breaking hug. Neville hung back near Hagrid but had a look of relief on his face. The students didn't notice Malfoy standing off to the side silently watching the three friends interact with a thoughtful look on his face.
Firenze responded to Hagrid first, "Hagrid, it is good to see you. I fear you were too late to save the unicorn, and it will not be the last casualty. Dark times are upon us," he looked to the stars as he spoke, "the balance of nature is uncertain. I know not when, but there is a great evil approaching, however the planets have been wrong before. I take it you can lead the young back to the castle without my help." He looked again to the stars and continued, "Centaurs are not the servants of humans. I will face the consequences of my decision to save these children." With that, the majestic beast turned and disappeared into the night.
"A'right yeh three, follow me." Hagrid said while securing his crossbow over his shoulder, and as an afterthought, he added, "Malfoy, you too."
With that the four first years set off after Hagrid silently, slowly letting their fear creep away. Malfoy followed behind Harry, Hermione, and Neville, and soon they saw the glowing lights of the castle. When they reached the front doors, Filch was waiting for them. Leading them through the castle, they stopped by the painting of the Fat Lady and the three Gryffindors waited, watching Filch lead Malfoy away.
Once in the common area, Hermione walked towards Ron to wake him up after falling asleep waiting for them. Neville slipped away and went up to the boys' shared room. Hermione shook Ron awake, and noticed that Harry seemed occupied by his thoughts. As she filled Ron in with what had happened, Harry didn't pay much attention, instead letting his mind run through everything another time, determined to understand what had happened. It was clear that he wasn't in the mood to talk, so he and Ron said goodnight to Hermione, and went to their dormitories. Harry didn't remember falling asleep that night, and he couldn't remember when his thoughts had turned to dreams, but they were filled with floating lights, snakes, and the hooded figure.
End Ch. 1