I didn't sleep much Saturday night. I was too worried for Harry and Hermione, both giving Norbert to Charlie, to sleep. Would they be caught? Would Draco keep his word and stay quiet? Would Charlie even show up?

When day finally came I got up quickly, and made my way to the Common Room. I waited for Anthony and Lisa to wake up, then we all made our way down to the Common Room.

"If he has an invisibility cloak, then he should be fine." Anthony said as we entered the entrance hall.

"Hopefully, still I wish they didn't have to..." I stopped when we saw the hourglasses the kept track of the points. Gryffindor point total was down one hundred and fifty points.

"Excuse me, Professor McGonagall." We all turned to see Percy Weasley approaching his head of house with a confused expression on his face.

"Yes Mr. Weasley?" The elderly professor replied, raising an eyebrow.

"Some of us were just wondering." Percy said, motioning to large group of Gryffindor's that had gathered in the hall. "If their is some sort of mistake?" Percy finished, and McGonagall gave a low sigh.

"I'm afraid not. Last night three of your housemates were caught out of bed, atop the Astronomy tower, in the middle of the night. For there action's I was forced to take fifty point's each."

McGonagall's response was met with silent shock. The Gryffindor's all stared at her, then looked at each other, wondering who had done it.

"May I ask who Professor?" Percy finally asked, and McGonagall then shook her head.

"It was none of your sibling's Mr. Weasley, now good day." And with that the elderly head of Gryffindor house strode off, leaving her student's standing there in shock.

"Who-could-have-done-something-so-stupid!?" I heard an older Gryffindor girl, I only recognized from the Quidditch pitch ,ask in horror.

"No idea Angelina." Percy replied annoyingly. "All we know is that, surprisingly, Fred and George aren't involved." Percy said, and the twin looked at him rolling there eyes.

"Hey." Fred said.

"Not cool." George added.

"We've worked hard getting Gryffindor in the lead, we wouldn't do something that risky, especially right now." Fred explained.

George nodded. "And if we did, we sure as hell wouldn't get caught."

"What's going on?" The Gryffindor's turned to see Oliver Wood walking towards them, he glanced at the hourglass, then turned to Percy with a confused expression.

"Surely that's a mistake?" He asked the elder Weasley, who shook his head.

"No, McGonagall said that..."

We all scurried out of the Entrance hall, found a empty classroom, then turned to each other in shock.

"They got caught, they had a invisibility cloak, and got caught?" Lisa asked, half in shock, half in curiosity..

"Must have been." Anthony replied stroking his chin. "I wonder if the dragon was delivered or not." He added, and I sighed.

"This is such a mess...Harry only lost those points helping Hagrid, and if they did lost fifty points apiece, who else was out? Ron Hand was to hurt to be out last night." I reminded them, and both looked at each other curiously.

"True, we'll just have to ask...or listen. I'm sure it will get out." Lisa said, and I nodded.

"Yeah, and everyone outside of Slytherin will turn against Harry...Well everyone except me."

"We won't turn against him either." Lisa began looking at Anthony who nodded. "but I don't think there much we can do to help them." Lisa admitted and I nodded.

"All we can do is be there for them." I replied, and the other two nodded, then we exited the classroom and headed for breakfast.

The truth leaked out around lunch, no idea how. Supposedly it was Harry, Hermione, and surprisingly Neville. When word spread the three of them were instantly ostracized by Gryffindor, other than Ron. To my annoyance, most of my housemates, along with Hufflepuff also jumped on the Harry hate train, seemingly also tired of Slytherin seven year win streak. Though thankfully, no one in Ravenclaw hated Harry while I was around.

I was finally able to track Harry and company down after dinner. Harry, and Hermione both looked horrible, guilt etched on pale faces.

"What happened?" I asked, and Harry just sighed and shrugged.

"We were idiots. We got Norbert away safely to Charlie, but we forgot the invisibility cloak on top of the Astronomy tower, Filch caught us and took us to McGonagall." Harry explained, and I could help myself and hugged him, which seemed to shock Harry.

"This in not your fault." I said, and he gave a dark chuckle.

"Who's fault is it then?" He asked, as we separated.

"Hagrid's." I said, and before Harry could argue I held up my hand. "I love Hagrid to, but he shouldn't have had a Dragon in the first place, or let you two take it all by yourselves." I said, and Harry shook his head.

"Hagrid's a friend, what would have happened if he'd been caught with a Dragon." Harry said, and I nodded.

"I don't know." I admitted. "Still, it's not your fault that he had one in the first place."

"I guess, doesn't change to fact we shouldn't have been stupid and dropped the cloak." Hermione added.

"We were just so happy that Malfoy had gotten caught." Harry said, and I tilted my head and looked at him confused.

"Draco?" I asked. "He was also out?" I asked, and Harry nodded.

"Yeah, he tried to tell McGonagall about Norbert. Said we had a Dragon. She didn't believe him and dragged him by his ear to Snape. It was wonderful, to wonderful...then we forgot the cloak."

"Then Filch took us to McGonagall. "Hermione interjected. "Bringing poor Neville who tried to warn us."

"So that's why he was out." I said thoughtfully, the the pair nodded.

"Yeah."

"Well, like I said I'm truly sorry, I'll try and keep the Ravenclaw's off your backs." I promised.

"I hope you can." Harry said. "Well, where going to go back to the Common Room and...try to fit it." Harry said, and I gave him one last sorrowful look.

"I'm sorry."

The trio nodded then departed, leaving me to make my way back to my Common Room.

The next few weeks were filled with constant scorn for Harry. People insulted him openly, no one wanted to associate with him, and he'd even told me he offered to resign from the Gryffindor Quidditch team.

Me, Lisa, and Anthony were some of the only people other than Ron who would associate with them. I had convinced the rest of my year mates to lay off him, but that just meant they ignored him.

The rest of my house was an odd mix of annoyance that he'd put Slytherin back in the lead, yet also weary to go after him to much. Seemingly my begging at Harry behest had done something, as most of the other Ravenclaw's just threw him ignored looks, far better insults from Hufflepuff, Gryffindor, and the faux appreciation from Slytherin.

Thankfully no one had taken anything out on me, and being I was his twin, no one was angry I still spoke and studied with him. Well, almost no one was angry with me...

"You must be loving this...you're finally the more popular Potter."

I turned and glared at the annoying sight of a accusing Smith.

"Don't you have anything better to do? I mean, exams are in a week." I replied rolling my eyes, but Smith just smirked.

"I bet it was you who convinced Harry to go out at night." He added eagerly.

"Why on earth would I do that?" I asked, pure annoyance soaking every word I spoke.

"Because, it makes you look good by comparison." Smith replied, pointing his finger at me accusingly, and at that I narrowed my eyes, more furious at the boy's than I'd ever been.

"I-would-never try and make Harry look bad." I replied with venom, and the boy smirked.

"Hit a nerve I see." He said, crossing his arms and leaning against the corridor wall.

"You can insult me all day Smith." I said glaring bullets at the boy. "But the moment you suggest I would do anything to hurt Harry, that's to far."

"Really, to far?" Smith replied.

"Yes. To far." I replied, and attempted to leave before the boy could say anything else.

Smith wasn't done, and began to follow me through the corridor. "They say the truth hits the hardest..."

I snapped. I swirled around to face the boy, pulled out my wand and pointed it at him.

"Flipendo." I said, and out of the tip of my wand an orange beam of light burst forth. Smith smirk turned to shock as he tried to reach for his wand, but it was to late, the boy was hit and hurled backwards...

"Ugh!" Smith roared as his back hit the corridor floor, hard.

"POTTER!"

I turned and saw the shocked, and furious looking Professor McGonagall rushing towards us, followed closely by stern looking Percy Weasley. The elderly Professor bent down to check on Smith while I froze with fear.

"You seem fine." She told Smith, who was writhing around in apparent agony on the floor, then turned to Percy. " Just to be safe, take him to the hospital wing Mr. Weasley."

Percy nodded as they helped Smith stand up, then led him to the hospital wing. McGonagall then turned to me with a furious expression.

"As for you." She said, then grabbed me by the wrist and began to pull me along. "Filius will not be pleased. Your brother, and now you..."

Professor McGonagall muttered angerly to me all the way to Professor Flitwick office, dragging me by the wrist the whole way. She opened the door, and I saw Professor Flitwick sitting at his desk grading papers.

"Filius." Professor McGonagall said sternly. He looked up, and his usual cheerful grin disappeared when he saw me.

"Yes Minerva?" He asked, looking at me worriedly, as McGonagall made me take the seat opposite of him.

"Miss Potter decided to try and duplicate her brother's recent behavior, and used Flipendo on another student." She explained, looking at me crossly the whole time.

"Really?" Flitwick replied, then also turning to me. "Is that true Miss Potter?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Yes sir." I replied, seeing no benefit to lying now.

"Hm..." Flitwick thought for a moment, then turned back to Professor McGonagall.

"You saw all this Minerva?" He asked, and she nodded.

"I'm afraid so." McGonagall replied, and Flitwick gave a weary sigh.

"Who did she cast the charm on?" He asked.

"Zachariah Smith." McGonagall replied, and Flitwick nodded.

"That at least explains some things, you remember what Severus said."

"It doesn't make it okay. This time of behavior must end." McGonagall replied, and Flitwick nodded.

"It must, still..." He then turned to me. "Miss Potter, why did you jinx Mr. Smith?" He asked me, and the stern look he was giving me made me sink in my seat.

"He...he was...insulting me...saying things...doesn't really matter." I slowly chocked out, and the Professor shared a disapproving look.

"You do realize that no matter what he said, nothing gives you permission to jinx a fellow student." Flitwick told me, and I sank further into my seat.

"I...I know sir." I replied wearily. "I...just snapped." I quietly admitted, and Flitwick sighed.

"You will have detention." Flitwick told me, and I nodded.

"Yes sir." I replied, disappointed in myself.

"If it happens again, points will be taken, understood?" He asked, and I nodded. "Good, you're dismissed, Minerva, stay a moment."

I left the classroom with my head hung low, yet relieved he hadn't take any points. It would be horrible to end up like Harry.

When the door closed Flitwick couldn't help but chuckle, which caused McGonagall to turn to him with a confused, yet stern expression.

"What's so funny?" She asked, and Flitwick turned to her with a smile.

"Just the fact that the Potter's are just like their parents." Flitwick began. "I mean how many times did James and friends sneak out at night?" He asked, and McGonagall's stern face softened.

"More than was reported, somehow he always and his friends were always able to slip away." She replied, a small smile on her face.

"Don't forgot, that for all the praise Lily get's as a angel, she could get nasty if worked up? Remember what she did to Mary Macdonald, the hairbrush affair of 76?" Flitwick added, and McGonagall couldn't help but laugh.

"Oh I'm well aware that Lily wasn't always a saint, she had a huge temper if pushed the wrong way, and if you messed with her friends..." McGonagall replied, wiping a tear from her eyes. "I miss those two."

"I do to." Flitwick admitted rubbing the back of his neck. "I do to. Though their is one major differences between the children, and parents."

"And what would that be?" McGonagall asked smirking.

"This time, one is mine."

I walked through the corridors, no clear destination in mind, still in shock at what I'd done. I had attacked someone, granted it was Smith, but still...

I took a heavy sigh. "I can't believe I did that." I muttered to myself.

"Sarah."

I turned to see Harry, still looking rather down, looking at me worriedly.

"Harry. "I replied with a nod.

"You okay?" He asked, and I gave him a confused look.

"Yes, why would I not be." I lied, not wanting Harry to worry and more than he had to.

"It's just...you look upset." He replied, concern in every word.

"Don't worry about me." I said, patting him on the shoulders comfortingly. "I'm fine."

Harry didn't look convinced, but he nodded. "Okay, just let me know if anyth..."

Harry stopped, and looked around. "Do you hear that?" He asked, and I listened, to what seemed to be whimpering from a nearby classroom...

"Yeah." I replied as we both approached the classroom and heard the voice of Professor Quirrell.

"No — no — not again, please —" We heard Quirrell mutter nervously, and we both got closer.

"All right — all right —" We heard Quirrell continue to mutter then he strode out of the room, straightening his turban. He looked worse than I'd ever seen him, Pale, and even looked close to tears.

"Sir!" I said worriedly, and the paled faced Quirrell turned around and when he noticed it was us, froze in absolute terror.

"M...M...Mr. P...Potter M...Miss P...Potter" He began, his hand shaking uncontrollably.

"Sir, are you okay?" I asked, taking a step towards him.

"AH!" The Professor screamed, and took several steps backwards, away from us. "G...G...Got to g...go. E...e...exams to p...prepare." He said suddenly, then stormed off out of sight.

"He's terrified." I said, stating the obvious.

"Yeah." Harry said worriedly, then stepped inside the classroom where Quirrell had just been, I looked around nervously then followed.

The classroom was empty, but on the other side was an open door. Harry started to approach it.

"Harry, we have no idea where that goes." I said nervously, and Harry turned to me, then stopped.

"You're right, besides, don't want more trouble anyways." Harry admitted, and my eyes opened in shock. Harry...was actually listening to me.

"Still. I bet you anything that was Snape who just threatened Quirrell, and he went out that way. Harry told me, nodding to the door. And I gave him a conflicted look.

"I...don't know." I replied, and Harry shrugged.

"Think whatever you want, but I'm off to the Library to tell Ron and Hermione about this." He replied, then strode out of the room, leaving me confused as to what to believe.

"You seem...distant." Lisa told me the next morning at breakfast, and I turned to her.

"Yesterday wasn't good to me." I replied, as both Anthony and Lisa looked at each other worriedly.

"What's that supposed to mean?" Anthony asked, and I shrugged.

"It means..."

I stopped as the rustle of owls filled the Great Hall as mail arrived, and everyone turned to me as I received a letter with the Hogwarts seal.

Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight.

Meet Mr. Filch in the entrance hall.

Professor Flitwick

I noticed that Harry, Hermione, and Neville had gotten notes at the Gryffindor table, as well as Draco...

"What did you do?" Lisa asked me as she saw the note, and I couldn't help but grin.

"I finally snapped at Smith." I admitted, and everyone looked at me with wide eyes.

"What'd you do to him?" Anthony finally asked.

"I used Flipendo on him." I replied, and I noticed that Lisa was trying to hide a small smirk. "For the record, at the time, it was...enjoyable." I admitted, and Anthony just shook his head and sighed.

"Well, at least you didn't lose any points." He eventually said, and I nodded.

"Yeah, besides, seems like I won't be alone." I said, as I looked over at Harry reading his note, and wondered what they had planned for us tonight.

I didn't bother going to bed, and just sat in Common Room reading. My latest favorite was, The Mad Revolution, Which was another book on Grindelwald...

"I still don't your obsession." Lisa said, motioning to the book. "How many books have you read on him now?" She asked, and I shrugged.

"Twelfth, and not my fault he's so interesting. Besides' he was in power for over twenty five year's, their is a lot to learn." I added, and Lisa just shook her head.

"I still think it's odd, but again, we are in the same house as Mr. Chimaera Tears himself." She replied, grinning at Anthony who was deep into his own book.

"Chimaera Tear's our no longer of interest to me." Anthony replied, while still looking down at his book. "My new...interest, is the affects Ramora on the Indian Oceans currents." He replied, and both me and Lisa shared a confused look.

"Ramora?" Lisa asked, and Anthony nodded enthusiastically.

"Yeah, massive silver, fish, that can anchor ships in place. Supposedly the current around them..."

"Why-are-my-best-friends-so-odd." Lisa interrupted him, and Anthony shrugged.

"You asked." He replied, turning back to his book.

"No I didn't. I made a comment on Ch...whatever." Lisa said, giving up, before turning to me. "What time do you need to leave?" She asked, and I sighed.

"Probably now." I said, looking out the window at the night sky. I stood, then turned to Anthony and Lisa. "Don't bother staying up, I'll tell you how it goes in the morning."

They both nodded, and I walked towards the door and out into the castle. I reached the entrance hall. I looked around and saw Filch already there, unlit lamp in hand, and he had a sadistic sort of look on his face.

"Eager know are we?" He asked me with a grin. "I know I am, wish I was in charge of your detention, I'd teach you all real good..." Filch told me, and I shuddered at the thought. "You scared? Should be, you trouble makers deserve it."

He stopped when we heard footsteps, and we both turned to see Draco standing there. He cast an annoyed look at Filch, then looked at me with a confused look.

"What'd you do?" He asked, and I shrugged.

"Something stupid." I answered, then remembering how he broke his promise, frowned at him.

"What?" Draco asked, noticing my apparent change in mood, and I shook my head.

"Later." I replied, motioning towards Filch, and Draco nodded.

Luckily we didn't have to wait long, as Harry, Hermione, and a sniffing Neville came strolling out of the dark corridor. When they noticed Malfoy, they looked annoyed, but when they noticed me, they looked shocked.

"Sarah? What are you doing here?" Harry asked, but before I could answer, Filch stopped him.

"Enough chit chat. Follow me," Filch ordered, cutting Harry off. Lighting the lamp and leading us out of the entrance hall and onto the dark grounds.

"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at us. "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."

Me and Harry glanced at each other, both of us wondering where in the world we were going, Draco rolled his eyes at Filch in annoyance, while Hermione was attempting to comfort Neville, whom was still sniffing, clearly terrified.

And I couldn't blame him. If Filch was this happy, it had to be horrible.

We continued across the grounds until we saw Hagrid's hut in the distance, the windows lit.

"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up, I want ter get started." Hagrid voice boomed, and I noticed Harry's nerves seemed to disappear, as he looked relived.

Me, on the other hand, was still nervous. I loved Hagrid, but some things that might seem dangerous to most, didn't faze him in the slightest...

"I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf?" Filch's voice interrupted my thoughts, and I noticed he was looking at Harry. "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."

Neville let out a little moan, which Hermione tried to comfort. While both me and Draco stopped dead in our tracks.

"The forest?" Draco repeated, for the first time I'd ever known him, nervously "We can't go in there at night — there's all sorts of things in there — werewolves, I heard."

"I agree with him." I said nodding to Draco. Who widened his eyes, then smirked. I noticed Harry look at me aghast but I shrugged if off. "Professor Dumbledore himself said the forest was off limits? That it was dangerous." I added, and at the mention of Dumbledore, Harry frown faded.

Saying I agreed with Draco, but because of Dumbledore's logic, must have softened the sting. While Neville seemed even more afraid as he clutched Harry's sleeve in terror.

"The head master's warning only applied to behaving student's I'm afraid, and that's your problem, isn't it? Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?" Filch replied to us gleefully, then turned around and kept walking. Me and Draco now followed slightly behind, and we shared a look.

"He's insane." Draco mouthed to me, and I couldn't help but agree.

"Mental." I mouthed in return, shaking my head. Then noticing Harry glancing back at me, ran up to the others.

"What are you talking about?" Harry mouthed to me, glancing back at Draco in annoyance.

"About how he's..." I began motioning to Filch. "Insane." I finished, and Harry couldn't help but nod his head and grumble.

"Even a broken clock's right twice a day." He muttered, and I gave him a small smile.

As we approached his house, Hagrid came strolling over to us, Feng right behind him. He was carrying a large, wooden, crossbow, with a quiver hung around his shoulder.

"Abou' time," he began, then turned to us.. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Sarah, Hermione?"

"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," Filch said, looking at us coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."

"That's why yer late, is it?" replied Hagrid, frowning at Filch. "Bin lecturin' them, eh? 'Snot your place ter do that. Yeh've done yer bit, I'll take over from here."

I'll be back at dawn," said Filch, "for what's left of them," Filch said the last part nastily, grinning at us with an evil smirk. Then turned, and headed back up towards the castle.

As soon as Filch was out of earshot, Draco turned to Hagrid. "I'm not going in that forest," Draco said, fear evident in his voice. I noticed Harry had a rather pleased expression.

"Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," replied Hagrid fiercely. "Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer 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—"

"—tell yer that's how it is at Hogwarts," Hagrid growled, interrupting Draco. "Copyin' lines! What good's that ter anyone? Yeh'll do summat useful or yeh'll get out. If yeh think yer father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off ter the castle an' pack. Go on."

Draco looked at Hagrid furiously, while I noticed Harry trying to hide a smirk on his face. I didn't say anything...but I somewhat agreed with Draco. Not about how this was servants stuff, but the fact they were sending a bunch of first years into the forest, a forest usually off limits, was insane.

Draco finally dropped his gaze, and Hagrid looked quite pleased.

"Right then," said Hagrid, "now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, an' I don' want no one takin' risks. Follow me over here a moment."

At the mention of dangerous I gulped, as Hagrid led us to the edge of the forest. Hagrid held his lamp up, he showed us a winding dirt path that led straight into thick trees, and I couldn't help but shudder at the breeze.

"Look there," Hagrid said, pointing at some silvery substance on the ground, "see that stuff shinin' on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there bin hurt badly by summat. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try an' find the poor thing. We might have ter put it out of its misery."

"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" Draco asked, fear etched in his voice.

"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang," replied Hagrid. Draco didn't look convinced, and again, I couldn't help but agree...Hagrid didn't always know the definition of safe.

"An' keep ter the path. Right, now, we're gonna split inter two parties an' follow the trail in diff'rent directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've bin staggerin' around since last night at least."

"I want Fang," Draco said quickly, looking at Feng look teeth.

"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, Sarah, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, an' Fang'll go the other."

I noticed Draco look at Neville with disappointment, and Neville looked back terrified.

"Now, if any of us finds the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get yer wands out an' practice now — that's it — an' if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, an' we'll all come an' find yeh — so, be careful — let's go."

We entered the forest, which was dark, and so thick with trees you could hardly see the sky. I had to admit, I was terrified, everywhere there were noises, and I wondered what in the world was out there.

We finally reached the intersection, and we split up. Draco voice, complaining about Neville, faded as we eventually no longer heard them.

We all walked silently, eyes fixed on the ground, all looking for the silvery blue blood. The only way you could really see it, was when the moon broke through the trees, and made it much easier to notice.

And the whole time, Hagrid looked worried, a thought that terrified me.

"Could a werewolf be killing the unicorns?" Harry asked.

"Not fast enough," replied Hagrid. "It's not easy ter catch a unicorn, they're powerful magic creatures. I never knew one ter be hurt before."

"Oh goody. "I said under my breath. "It's fast."

We passed a large, mossy tree stump and started to hear the sound of running water, and I realized we must be near a stream. On the path, Unicorn blood, was still spattered every so often.

"You all right, Sarah Hermione?" Hagrid whispered to us, and I tried to put on a brave face. "Don' worry, it can't've gone far if it's this badly hurt, an' then we'll be able ter — GET BEHIND THAT TREE!"

I nearly had a heart attack as Hagrid grabbed all of us and hoisted us off the path, and behind a giant oak tree. He reached behind his back, pulling our an arrow and putting it in his crossbow, aiming it, looking ready to fire. All of us listened to, hearing the sound of something slithering over dead leaves, like a cloak trailing along the ground. Hagrid was squinting at the path, but soon the sound faded away.

And I could finally breathe again.

"I knew it," Hagrid murmured. "There's summat in here that shouldn' be."

"A werewolf?" Harry suggested.

"Or a Vampire?" I added, and Hagrid shook his head.

"That wasn' no werewolf, nor vampire, an' it wasn' no unicorn, neither," Hagrid replied grimly. "Right, follow me, but careful, now."

I gulped, and made sure I was between Harry and Hermione, as we trailed behind Hagrid.

We all walked much slower now, listening to anything and everything. Trying to find whatever that noise was. My mind was racing, every possibility worse than the last. A sudden noise made me jump as something definitely moved in the clearly ahead.

"Who's there?" Hagrid called. "Show yerself — I'm armed!"

The creature that had moved in the Clearing came forward, and I braced for the worse, only for it to look...civilized, and not the evil monster killing unicorns. The creature was half man, half horse. Above the waist he looked like a man, with red beard, and hair. However the lower half of his body was that or a horse, complete with a chestnut body, and a long, reddish tail.

Mine, Harry, and Hermione mouth jaws dropped.

"Oh, it's you, Ronan," Hagrid began, relief in his voice. "How are yeh?" Hagrid said, as we walked up and shook the creatures hand.

"Good evening to you, Hagrid," replied Ronan. He had a deep, sorrowful voice. "Were you going to shoot me?"

"Can't be too careful, Ronan," replied Hagrid, patting his crossbow. "There's summat bad loose in his forest. This is Harry Potter an' Sarah Potter, as well as Hermione Granger, by the way. Students up at the school. An' this is Ronan, you three. He's a centaur."

"We'd noticed," Hermione replied faintly.

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

"Erm —" Harry said awkwardly.

"Uh." I replied, to scared to really answer.

"A bit," Hermione added timidly.

"A bit. Well, that's something." Ronan replied sighing, then looked up at the night sky. "Mars is bright tonight."

What in the word did that mean...

"Yeah," replied Hagrid, glancing up as well. "Listen, I'm glad we've run inter yeh, Ronan, 'cause there's a unicorn bin hurt — you seen anythin'?"

Ronan continued to stare up at the sky, then sighed again, before finally replying.

"Always the innocent are the first victims," he said. "So it has been for ages past, so it is now."

Me, Harry, and Hermione shared a look of confusion, as Hagrid looked slightly impatient.

"Yeah," Hagrid replied, "but have yeh seen anythin' Ronan? Anythin' unusual?"

"Mars is bright tonight," Ronan repeated, while Hagrid continued to stare at him impatiently. "Unusually bright."

"Yeah, but I was meanin' anythin' unusual a bit nearer home," Hagrid replied. "So yeh haven't noticed anythin' strange?"

Again their was a long pause, before Ronan finally spoke again.

"The forest hides many secrets." Ronan replied, and again me, Hermione, and Harry looked at each other, totally lost.

I jumped at the sound of trees moving behind Ronan, and Hagrid raised his bow, but it turned out to be another centaur, this one with black hair, and a thicker build.

"Hullo, Bane," Hagrid said to the new centaur. "All right?"

"Good evening, Hagrid, I hope you are well?" Bane replied with curt nod.

"Well enough. Look, I've jus' bin askin' Ronan, you seen anythin' odd in here lately? There's a unicorn bin injured — would yeh know anythin' about it?"

Bane, like Ronan, didn't answer immediately and walked over and stood by Ronan, joining him in staring up into the night sky.

"Mars is bright tonight," Bane finally said.

"We've heard," replied Hagrid grumpily. "Well, if either of you do see anythin', let me know, won't yeh? We'll be off, then."

We followed Hagrid out of the clearing, looking at Ronan and Bane over our shoulders, until the pair finally disappeared amongst the trees.

"Never," Hagrid began irritably, "try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin' closer'n the moon."

"Are there many of them in here?" Hermione asked.

"Oh, a fair few… Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but they're good enough about turnin' up if ever I want a word. They're deep, mind, centaurs… they know things… jus' don' let on much."

"D'you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?" Harry asked.

Hagrid shook his head. Did that sound like hooves to you? Nah, if yeh ask me, that was what's bin killin' the unicorns – never heard anythin' like it before."

"Then what could it be?" I asked, and Hagrid looked at me worriedly.

"Summat dark." He admitted, and again I felt my face go pale, and I looked around us nervously.

The four of us continued to walk down the path. Harry kept looking over his shoulder, a act that just made me more nervous. We turned a bend, when Hermione suddenly grabbed Hagrid by the arm.

"Hagrid! Look! Red sparks, the others are in trouble!" Hermione said, pointing at red flashes in the distance.

"You three wait here!" Hagrid told us, he began to run towards the sparks. "Stay on the path, I'll come back for yeh!"

The three of us looked at each other. I started to shake, we were all alone with nobody, and something was in here with us...

Harry took my hand. "It'll be fine." He told me, and I tried to smile in reply, but it wasn't convincing.

"You don't think they've been hurt, do you?" Hermione asked us in a whisper.

"I don't care if Malfoy has, but if something's got Neville… it's our fault he's here in the first place...speaking of which, why are you here anyway?" Harry asked me, and I shook my head.

"Later." I replied, looking around us in terror. I don't think it's wise to make much noise." I added in a whisper, and Harry nodded.

The minutes passed slowly, as every sound seemed to amplify. Whatever is killing the unicorns could be anywhere. What if it saw us? What if Hagrid didn't come back? What if it...

A loud crunch announced the return of Hagrid, whom was fuming, followed by a terrified looking Neville, and an half annoyed, half amused, Draco.

Supposedly Draco had grabbed Neville from behind as a joke, Neville had panicked, and sent up the red sparks.

"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups — Neville, you stay with me an' Hermione, Harry an' Sarah , you go with Fang an' this idiot." Hagrid explained, and me and Harry exchanged looks." I'm sorry," Hagrid added in a whisper, "but he'll have a harder time frightenin' you two, an' we've gotta get this done."

Both of us nodded, Harry much more bravely, and we set off with Draco, and Feng. Draco complained the whole time, saying he was to good too do this kind of work, while Harry just rolled his eyes and in response. I, on the other hand, thought every sound was going to kill us, and made sure to walk between the two boys.

"You wait till my father hears about this. This is servant's stuff." Draco complained loudly, and Harry rolled his eyes.

"If I didn't know better, Draco, I'd say you were scared." Harry said with a smirk, and Draco just rolled his eyes.

"Scared, Potter?!" Draco replied, sounding offended.

"I think you'd be foolish not to be." I added, looking around in terror. "This place is freaky."

"Come on Sarah, it's not so bad." Harry said, trying to comfort me.

"Yeah, besides, if anyone's going to die in here, it's going to be him." Draco said as he nodded at Harry. "He'd probably run straight at it."

I went pale, as Harry glared at Draco.

"Shut it, Malfoy." He said, and Draco looked back at him smugly.

"You know you wou..."

"Look —" Harry interrupted Draco, holding out his arm to stop both of us from going any further.

Something was beaming pure white in front of us. We all cautiously inched closer.

I nearly puked when I saw what it was, the dead unicorn. Something so beautiful shouldn't be killed like this. It's body twisted, it's legs spread oddly in the different directions, it was heartbreaking.

Harry had hardly taken one step towards the creature when the familiar slithering sound over leaves made him freeze. I went pale, and Draco, whom hadn't been there earlier, looked at us both with a confused expression.

"What?" Draco asked.

Before either of us could say anything, a hooded figure came out of the shadows. I could barley breath as the masked monster glided over to the deceased unicorn, lowered itself near the creatures wound, and started to drink it's blood.

"AAAAAAAAAARGH!" Draco screamed in terror, then turned around and ran. Feng soon joined him, and I felt weak.

"What...is...that?" I asked in horror as the creature looked straight at Harry, unicorn blood dripping from it's mouth. It stood, and started to glide towards him.

I began to shake uncontrollably, but knew we had to act. I raced over to Harry as quick as I could.

"Harry, we have to run." I pleaded with him, but Harry didn't respond, I tried to take his hand and lead him away.

"Ugh!" Harry shouted, and grabbed his scar. He began to walk backwards and fell over onto the ground, looking to be in pain.

"Harry!" I shouted, and saw the creature had was getting closer, I didn't know what to do...I grabbed Harry, and put myself in between the monster and Harry, if the monster wanted Harry...it had to get past me first.

A galloping sound, and something jumping over us made me look up, and I felt a small sense of relief.

A centaur, neither Ronan or Bane, attacked the hooded creature and drove it off. I sighed in relief, but noticed Harry had slumped to his knees, clutching his scar, and looking at the ground.

"Harry." I said in horror, but he just held up his hand.

"G...give me..." He said, and I understood.

"Of course." I replied, then turned to the centaur, who was looking at the both of us curiously.

He looked much younger than both Ronan and Bane, with white, blond hair, and a light golden colored body. The creature respectfully waited for Harry to regain himself, before speaking.

"Are you all right?" He asked the both of us, while I helped Harry to his feet.

"Yes — thank you — what was that?" Harry asked, still clutching his scar.

The centaur didn't answer, he just stared at Harry with his pure blue eyes, right at Harry's scar

"You are the Potter boy," The creature guessed, and Harry nodded, then it turned to me. "And you are the Potter girl?" He asked, and I nodded.

"Yes." I replied, and the creature looked at both of us thoughtfully.

"You both better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time — especially for you two. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way." He asked, and we both nodded.

"I think so." I replied, and the creature looked satisfied.

"My name is Firenze," he told us, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that we could climb onto his back. We did, and were about to take off, when through the other side of the clearing, Bane and Ronan burst through the trees.

"Firenze!" Bane said furiously. "What are you doing? You have humans on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"

"Do you realize who they are?" replied Firenze. "These are the Potter children. The quicker they leave this forest, the better."

"What have you been telling them?" Bane growled. "Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?"

Ronan nervously pawed the ground. "I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best," He explained in a gloomy voice.

Bane kicked his back legs furiously.

"For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!"

Firenze, without warning, bucked in anger and me and Harry had to hold tight as not to fall off.

"Do you not see that unicorn?" Firenze roared at Bane. "Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must."

Firenze then turned, and took off, leaving Ronan and Bane behind. Me and Harry both holding on us tightly as we could. Both of us looked at each other.

"What we they talking about?" Harry asked me.

"No idea." I replied.

Harry then turned to Firenze. "Why's Bane so angry?" Harry asked. "What was that thing you saved us from, anyway?"

Firenze started to slow. "Keep your heads bowed, branches." He warned us, but didn't answer the question.

The three of us continued through the forest in silence. I started taking deep breaths trying to calm myself, while Harry seemed disappointed that Firenze didn't want to talk.

"Harry Potter, Sarah Potter, do either of you know what unicorn blood is used for?" Firenze asked suddenly, and both of us looked to each other, then shook our heads.

"No," replied Harry, seeming startled. "We've only used the horn and tail hair in Potions."

"I don't even know if you can use unicorn blood." I added, and the creature seemed the shudder at the thought.

"That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn, "Firenze explained. "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 defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."

Both me and Harry shared a horrified look. Harry looking confused, while I looked sick.

"But who'd be that desperate?" Harry asked.

"Only someone who is truly sick." I added, and the Firenze nodded in agreement.

"Indeed." Firenze agreed.

"If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?" Harry added, and Firenze nodded.

"It is," He agreed, "unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else — something that will bring you back to full strength and power — something that will mean you can never die. Tell me Potters, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"

I went pale, as Harry looked at me, his eyes lighting up.

"The Sorcerer's Stone! Of course — the Elixir of Life! But I don't understand who —"

"Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?" Firenze asked us, I nearly fell off Firenze. Harry looked about the same as he realized whom Firenze was referring to, and I shook my head, trying to push away the possibility.

"No, it can't be...it can't." I whispered to myself.

"Do you mean," Harry eventually croaked, "that was Vol- "

My breath almost stopped at the mention of the name, but another familiar voice, made me calm down.

"Harry! Sarah!, are you all right?" Hermione asked as she ran towards us, Hagrid right behind her.

"I'm fine," replied Harry.. "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."

"I...I..." I replied, not really able to say anything.

"This is where I leave you," Firenze told us as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn. "You both are safe now."

Both of us slid off his back, me grabbing a nearby tree and trying not to feint.

"Good luck, young Potters," Firenze told us. "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."

Firenze then turned around, and sped off, leaving both me and Harry looking at each other, Harry looked nervous, while I looked...

"You look like you're going to puke." Hermione told me worriedly, and I waved her off.

"I...I don't know." Was all I could say in response.

After Hagrid found the Unicorn, we finally left the forest and silently made our way back to the castle. I was terrified when I was forced to split with the Gryffindor's and every step, every shadow, up to the common room was a monster waiting to kill me.

I finally made it to the eagle door knocker, and luckily the riddle was simpler than usual. The common room was empty, and I didn't feel like walking up the stairs to the dorms. All I could do was curl up the sofa, and lay there in a vain attempt to sleep.