"Why is the chapter after the forest that we are specifically not allowed in?" asked Hermione, remembering the chapter that Dumbledore had put that warning out at.
"I don't know. The only thing I can think of is for detention, but they only do that for the older years, to get some plants that can be used for potion ingredients, and they never go very far into the forest," said Cedric, frowning.
Things couldn't have been worse.
"Not true, they can always get worse," said Cedric.
Filch took them down to Professor McGonagall's study on the first floor, where they sat and waited without saying a word to each other. Hermione was trembling.
"It'll be all right, Hermione," said Harry, though he wasn't quite sure how. "We know to avoid this, okay?"
She nodded, though the look on her face still said that she was upset about getting caught.
Excuses, alibis, and wild cover-up stories chased each other around Harry's brain, each more feeble than the last.
"Somehow, I don't think it would work very well even if you had one of those ready; remember, she's had to deal with the Weasley twins the last two years," said Cedric.
He couldn't see how they were going to get out of trouble this time. They were cornered. How could they have been so stupid to forget the cloak?
Harry agreed with the sentiment. How could he be so stupid?
There was no reason on earth that Professor McGonagall would accept for their being out of bed and creeping around the school in the dead of night, let alone being up the tallest astronomy tower, which was out-of-bounds except for classes. Add Norbert and the invisibility cloak, and they might as well be packing their bags already.
"The most you'll get is lost points and detention, especially since Professor McGonagall won't believe the part about Norbert, as shown in the last chapter. Remember, Malfoy already tried to tell her," said Cedric.
Had Harry thought that things couldn't have been worse? He was wrong. When Professor McGonagall appeared, she was leading Neville.
"What's Neville doing there?" Hermione asked.
"Harry!" Neville burst out, the moment he saw the other two. "I was trying to find you to warm you, I heard Malfoy saying he was going to catch you, he said you had a drag-"
"Oh, no," Harry moaned; that was someone else who got into trouble because of his mistake. He should have considered the fact that someone might have overheard Malfoy.
"How did Neville know that we weren't in the tower?" asked Hermione. "And why would he believe anything Malfoy said?"
"Well, it could be the fact that we, or at least, I wasn't anywhere to be found that made him worry," said Harry. "I mean, neither of us made any plans to seem like we were in bed. He probably heard this, searched for us outside of the tower, went up to the tower to look for us, saw my bed empty, and then tried to find us, in which he got caught doing."
Hermione winced lightly; she hadn't thought to make sure it seemed like she was in bed, even if only to stop other students from breaking the rules by trying to find her.
Harry shook his head violently to shut Neville up, but Professor McGonagall had seen. She looked more likely to breathe fire than Norbert as she towered over the three of them.
Cedric would have laughed, but wasn't in the mood for it, since two of his friends were facing trouble.
"I would never have believed it of any of you."
"Sadly, you three are pretty well behaved, so it kind of is unbelievable," said Cedric.
"No, it's not that they're well behaved, they've just had a good streak of not getting caught, and usually work within the rules to find whatever it is that you're looking for," said Luna.
"Mr. Filch says you were up in the astronomy tower. It's one o'clock in the morning. Explain yourselves."
"It's not like it'll help," Hermione said softly. She already knew that nothing they said would be taken seriously.
It was the first time Hermione had ever failed to answer a teacher's question. She was staring at her slippers, as still as a statue.
I'm probably terrified thought Hermione.
"I think I've got a good idea of what's been going on," said Professor McGonagall. "It doesn't take a genius to work it out. You fed Draco Malfoy some cock-and-bull story about a dragon, trying to get him out of bed and into trouble."
"Okay, that doesn't make sense, because there's no reason for either of you to be outside of your common room if that was true," said Cedric. "The rumor mill at the school works rather well, after all; so you would hear about it without having to venture outside." He shook his head. "I can't believe Professor McGonagall would believe that."
"I've already caught him. I suppose you think it's funny that Longbottom here heard the story and believed it, too?"
"No, we don't," said Harry, scowling. While Professor McGonagall might seem like a good teacher, he didn't have a very high opinion of her at the moment.
Harry caught Neville's eye and tried to tell him without words that this wasn't true, because Neville was looking stunned and hurt.
Both Harry and Hermione looked at each other, automatically deciding to make friends with Neville, if only for the fact of making sure something like this didn't really happen to him.
Poor, blundering Neville – Harry knew what it must have cost him to try and find them in the dark, to warn them.
"I'm disgusted," said Professor McGonagall. "Four students out of bed in one night! I've never heard of such a thing before!"
"I really doubt that," said Cedric coolly. His own opinion of McGonagall was low at the moment from how judgmental she was being, to think someone as nice as Harry and Hermione were would do something that low.
"You, Miss Granger, I thought you had more sense."
"That sounds like a low blow," Harry said.
"As for you, Mr. Potter, I thought Gryffindor meant more to you than this."
"That one definitely is a low blow," Hermione said.
"All three of you will receive detention – yes, you too, Mr. Longbottom, nothing gives you the right to walk around school at night, especially these days, it's very dangerous –"
They all exchanged looks at that. How was it dangerous, especially since it was a peaceful time. Unless she was talking about Fluffy…
"– and fifty points will be taken from Gryffindor."
"That's not too bad," said Cedric.
"Fifty?" Harry gasped
"No, never question a teacher about the points they remove," Cedric groaned. "It's a sure-fire way of gaining more points taken away."
– they would lose the lead, the lead he'd won in the last Quidditch match.
"No one's gained anymore points to keep us in the lead since then?" Hermione asked, sounding surprised.
"Fifty points each," said Professor McGonagall, breathing heavily through her long, pointed nose.
Harry's face went white as he realized exactly how much that was; it was pretty much all of the points he won in the last match.
"Professor – please –"
"You can't –"
"Never say a teacher can or can't do something, Harry," Hermione said softly, shaking her head.
"Don't tell me what I can and can't do, Potter. Now get back to bed, all of you. I've never been more ashamed of Gryffindor students."
"So does that mean that when the Weasley twins lost a hundred points apiece didn't anger her, or when Lee Jordan blew up the Great Hall and lost three hundred point didn't make her ashamed?" said Cedric scantily. "Seems to be a bit of a double standard: the twins and Lee Jordan lose a lot more in one go than you three do, but it's you that she's ashamed of?"
A hundred and fifty points lost. That put Gryffindor in last place.
"Okay, so that basically means we've gain nothing between now and the match; in fact, we probably lost some points thanks to Snape," said Harry.
"And, of course, all of the other houses got some more points as well," said Hermione, "don't forget that."
"Either way, it's sounding like I'm the only one able to gain the house points," said Harry. The others nodded; it did sound like that, especially if loosing the hundred and fifty put them in last place – it meant that they'd gained no points since then, or, at least, made it seem that way.
In one night, they'd ruined any chance Gryffindor had had for the house cup.
"Actually, you could probably get those points back during the next Quidditch match, as well as answering any and all questions asked by the teachers, minus Snape," said Cedric. "That would build those points up quickly."
Hermione thought about it, and realized that he was right. If Harry got the Snitch in the last match, they would gain the hundred and fifty back, plus whatever the chasers scored as well, while her answering any questions correctly would earn her at least five to ten points – she didn't know why she thought it would be that much, but a part of her seemed to say that was the amount she'd gain for every question answered correctly. She'd earn about twenty to forty, depending on the amount, per day at an average of one question per class that would gain Gryffindor points – meaning Potions and History of Magic were excluded.
Harry felt as though the bottom had dropped out of his stomach. How could they ever make up for this?
"Winning the match and answering any and all questions in the classes where it's fair, plus yelling at the Gryffindors," said Hermione; it was partially their faults for not doing much, and relying on Harry so much. Plus, she had the feeling that the twins probably lost quite a bit as well, even if it was small amounts.
"Why would you yell at the Gryffindors?" asked Cedric.
"Because the Gryffindors obviously are not doing a damn thing to help keep us in the lead," said Harry – Hermione shot him a dirty look for his cursing, but didn't say anything, as that was pretty much what she was going to say to begin with. "Or, at least, they're not doing enough, losing more points than they're gaining."
Harry didn't sleep all night. He could hear Neville sobbing into his pillow for what seemed like hours.
Poor Neville the four thought.
Harry couldn't think of anything to say to comfort him.
"Kind of hard to," said Hermione. Cedric suddenly had a thought: How would the Gryffindors react when they found out who it was that lost all of those points? After all, when the twins and Lee Jordan lost points, they were treated all right – of course, they hadn't been in first place, though they had been close to it. But Harry was famous. Would that effect their attitudes?
He knew Neville, like himself, was dreading the dawn. What would happen when the rest of the Gryffindor found out what they'd done?
"What would happen?" Harry asked, unable to help himself. "I mean, how did they treat the twins and Lee Jordan when they lost all of those points? Will they treat me the same as them, or differently?"
"I don't know," said Cedric. "I was actually just thinking about that myself."
At first, Gryffindors passing the giant hourglasses that recorded the house points the next day thought there'd been a mistake. How could they suddenly be a hundred and fifty points fewer than yesterday?
"I wonder how much time lapsed between that and them hearing the story," said Cedric.
And then the story started to spread. Harry Potter, the famous Harry Potter, their hero of two Quidditch matches, had lost them all those points, him and a couple of other stupid first years.
"Hey," Hermione said, glaring at the book. That was rather rude of these people.
From being one of the most popular and admired people at the school, Harry was suddenly the most hated.
"Apparently your fame interferes with everything," Hermione said, pursing her lips. "In fact, I'd say it's just like Muggle actors, actresses, and singers."
"What do you mean?" said Cedric.
"Muggles have a habit of building their famous people up only to do everything to tear them down after a while," Hermione said. "They can go from being well liked to being hated like that." She snapped her fingers. "In fact, it can get so bad that people will one day like the persons music or movie – depending on who they are – only to change their minds the minute they hear rumors of something bad about said person."
Even Ravenclaws and Hufflepuffs turned on him, because everyone had been longing to see Slytherin lose the house cup.
"And what, you guys can't do something yourselves about it," said Hermione, glaring at Cedric. He winced, though he knew why she was glaring at him; as the only person who was definitely in another house, he could easily be blamed. He also had the feeling that he was going with the flow, copying everyone else actions.
Everywhere Harry went, people pointed and didn't trouble to lower their voices as they insulted him.
"Gee, these people make me really want to join the wizarding world," said Harry sarcastically.
Slytherins, on the other hand, clapped as he walked past them, whistling and cheering, "Thanks Potter, we owe you one!"
"Of course," Hermione said, then thought of something. "You know what, I have to wonder just how much the Slytherins actually worked for the house cup. I mean, with Snape so biased, how do we know that he just doesn't give points to Slytherin for whatever he can, whether for the most ridiculous things to giving them too many points for a single question, while, at the same time, taking points from every single other house for the most ridiculous reasons as well? It could explain why Slytherins have been winning the cup for so long."
"You know, I've thought the same thing. I wonder if there's a book that highlights how many points Snape gives and takes," said Cedric.
Only Ron stood by him.
"He better. He is your friend, after all," Luna said.
"They'll all forget this in a few weeks. Fred and George have lost loads of points in all the time they've been here, and people still like them."
"Yeah, but their not famous, are they," said Harry.
"They've never lost a hundred and fifty points in one go, though, have they?" said Harry miserably.
"Technically, you only lost fifty in one go," said Cedric. "Hermione and Neville are the other one hundred points. And Fred and George both lost a hundred each in one go, more than you did. You're taking Hermione's and Neville's point loss on yourself."
"Well – no," Ron admitted.
It was a bit late to repair the damage, but Harry swore to himself not to meddle in things that weren't his business from now on.
"I don't think that'll last very long," said Hermione, a small smile flashing on her face. It was gone rather quickly.
He'd had it with sneaking around and spying. He felt so ashamed of himself that he went to Wood and offered to resign from the Quidditch team.
"Wood's not going to like that," said Cedric.
"Resign?" Wood thundered. "What good'll that do? How are we going to get any points back if we can't win at Quidditch?"
"Honestly," Hermione scoffed.
But even Quidditch had lost its fun.
Cedric's eyes widened. He never thought that possible.
The rest of the team wouldn't speak to Harry during practice, and if they had to speak about him, they called him "the Seeker."
Hermione and Neville were suffering, too. They didn't have as bad a time as Harry, because they weren't as well known, but nobody would speak to them, either.
"It's because of their association with me, isn't it," said Harry. No one answered, but they all agreed on that.
Hermione had stopped drawing attention to herself in class, keeping her head down and working in silent.
Hermione shook her head at her new attitude. It would be much better if she drew a little attention to herself, even if it was only by answering questions.
Harry was almost glad that exams weren't far away. All the studying he had to do kept his mind off his misery. He, Ron, and Hermione kept to themselves, working late into the night, trying to remember the ingredients in complicated potions, learn charms and spells by heart, memorize the dates of magical discoveries and goblin rebellions…
"How fun," Harry said, a bit glumly. While he didn't mind studying, it would be nice if he was able to do something else.
Then, about a week before the exams were due to start, Harry's new resolution not to interfere in anything that didn't concern him was put to an unexpected test.
"Something that must deal with either Snape, Quirrell, or both comes to your attention," Hermione said. "That's really the only thing I think you would really care about noticing."
"That does make sense," Cedric said, while Harry nodded.
Walking back from the library on his own one afternoon, he heard somebody whimpering from a classroom up ahead. As he drew closer, he heard Quirrell's voice.
"No – no – not again, please –"
It sounded as though someone was threatening him. Harry moved closer.
"All right – all right –" he heard Quirrell sob.
"Did you hear someone else in there, Harry?" Hermione asked. Harry shrugged, unable to really answer that, as this hadn't happened yet.
"I wouldn't think so, since I think Harry would have mentioned hearing someone else," said Luna.
Next second, Quirrell came hurrying out of the classroom straightening his turban.
Hermione and Luna both looked at each other. What was up with that turban?
He was pale and looked as though he was about to cry. He strode out of sight; Harry didn't think Quirrell had even noticed him. He waited until Quirrell's footsteps had disappeared, them peered into the classroom. It was empty, but a door stood ajar at the other end. Harry was halfway toward it before he remembered what he'd promised himself about not meddling.
"Dang, I would have thought you would have just shoved that promise away," Cedric said. He really wanted to know what was going on with Quirrell.
All the same, he'd have gambled twelve Sorcerer's Stones that Snape had just left the room, and from what Harry had just heard, Snape would be walking with a new spring in his step – Quirrell seemed to have given in at last.
"Harry, you shouldn't gamble things you don't have," said Hermione. Part of her was screaming that she was a bit of a hypocrite – after all, she didn't exactly have the wizarding money that they were betting with – but she knew she could easily get it when it came to that time. If not, she could mentally convert what she owed in her head from wizarding to Muggle money.
Harry went back to the library, where Hermione was testing Ron on Astronomy. Harry told them what he'd heard.
"You tell us everything," Hermione said. "At least, I hope you do."
"Snape's done it, then!" said Ron. "If Quirrell's told him how to break his Anti-Dark Force spell –"
"I don't think there's such a thing," said Cedric. "especially since you can't really tell if a person is really dark, since it any spell learned can be used for good or evil."
"There's still Fluffy, though," said Hermione.
"That's true…" said Harry, only to suddenly smack himself.
"What is it?" Hermione asked.
"Remember what Cedric said earlier, about ways of getting information out of Hagrid," he said.
"Yeah…" Hermione started, only to go "Oh," as she realized what he was getting at.
"What?" Cedric asked.
"Hagrid received the dragon he always wanted from someone unknown. Now, how many people walk around with eggs in their pockets, especially if it's illegal," Harry said.
"You think whoever gave him that egg got that information," Luna said. The two nodded.
"It does make sense," Cedric said. "And since Hagrid was also having a few drinks as well…"
"There's no way he didn't breach the subject about Fluffy and how to get past him," Hermione finished.
"Maybe Snape's found out how to get past him without asking Hagrid," said Ron, looking up at the thousands of books surrounding them. "I bet there's a book somewhere in here telling you how to get past a giant three-headed dog."
"That's true, however most of those spells are probably lethal, and beyond the power of first years," said Cedric.
"So what do we do, Harry?"
The light of adventure was kindling again in Ron's eyes,
"He wants up to do more snooping, even after seeing the consequences of such actions," Hermione said, looking deeply disapproving.
but Hermione answered before Harry could.
"I probably want us to go to someone of authority," said Hermione. While she still had some respect for the Professors, this book had erased quite a bit of that respect. Not even Dumbledore – who hadn't done anything so far – had must respect from her, simply because his actions had caused her friend to be placed with the worst people in the world.
"Go to Dumbledore. That's what we should've have done ages ago. If we try anything ourselves we'll be thrown out for sure."
"Well, luckily for you, Dumbledore is your best bet, at least when it comes to listen to you," said Cedric.
"But we've got no proof!" said Harry. "Quirrell's too scared to back us up. Snape's only got to say he doesn't know how the troll got in at Halloween and that he was nowhere near the third floor – who do you think they'll believe, him or us?"
"Dumbledore would at least find out the facts," Cedric said.
"It's not exactly a secret we hate him, Dumbledore'll think we made it up to get him sacked. Filch wouldn't help us if his life depended in it, he's too friendly with Snape, and the more students get thrown out, the better, he'll think. And don't forget, we're not supposed to know about the Stone or Fluffy. That'll take a lot of explaining."
"Hey, at least your reasonable," Hermione said, shrugging. Something told her that, after the way his family treated him, as well as way Professor McGonagall acted, he probably had very little to no trust over authority figures.
Hermione looked convinced, but Ron didn't.
"If we just do a bit of poking around –"
"Somehow, I have the feeling that you and Hermione are being watched closely, so it's not safe to do any poking around," said Cedric.
"No," said Harry flatly, "we've done enough poking around."
"I already have the whole school pretty much hating me. No reason to add to it," said Harry, shrugging. However, Hermione, Cedric, and Luna could see the hurt from the students' actions. Hermione's jaw clenched; she could deal with people not liking her, but Harry didn't deserve it.
He pulled a map of Jupiter toward him and started to learn the names of its moons.
The following morning, notes were delivered to Harry, Hermione , and Neville at the breakfast table. They were all the same:
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Flich in the entrance hall.
Professor M. McGonagall.
"There sending first years into the forest?" Cedric said, enraged. It was barely safe for sixth and seventh years to go there, so why would they send three – four he mentally corrected himself, remembering that Malfoy also had detention – first years into the forest, with how dangerous as it was.
Harry had forgotten they still had detention to do in the furor over the points they'd lost. He half expected Hermione to complain that this was a while night of studying lost, but she didn't say a word. Like Harry, she felt they deserved what they'd got.
"None of you deserved that. You were trying to help a friend, after all. Now, if you had been doing that for a prank, then you would deserve it," said Luna.
At eleven o'clock that night, they said good-bye to Ron in the common room and went down to the entrance hall with Neville. Filch was already there – and so was Malfoy. Harry had also forgotten that Malfoy had gotten a detention, too.
"You know, that's kind of funny, since him getting detention had been part of the reason for our good mood when we were caught," said Hermione.
"Follow me," said Filch, lighting a lamp and leading them outside.
"I bet you'll think twice about breaking a school rule again, won't you, eh?" he said, leering at them. "Oh yes…hard work and pain are the best teachers if you as 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…"
Harry's and Hermione's eyes widened at that, both gulping while thanking Merlin that they wouldn't be punished like that. Hermione was quite sure she'd end up telling her parents, who would skin Filch alive if they found out; while Harry as sure that the Dursleys would pay Filch themselves to make it worse.
"Right, off we go, and don't think of running off, now, it'll be worse for you if you do."
Cedric was wondering what would happen if someone ever got the idea of using a memory charm on Filch.
They marched off across the dark grounds. Neville kept sniffling. Harry wondered what their punishment was going to be. It must be something really horrible, or Filch wouldn't be sounding so delighted.
"It's kind of sad that Dumbledore keeps someone who gets delighted at punishing students, and wants to use corporeal punishment," said Hermione; her opinion of Dumbledore was going even lower.
The moon was bright, but clouds scudding across it kept throwing them into darkness. Ahead, Harry could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut. Then they heard a distant shout.
"Is that you, Filch? Hurry up. I want ter get started."
"At least Hagrid will be with you," Cedric said, though he was still worried.
Harry's heart rose; if they were going to be working with Hagrid it wouldn't be so bad.
'Harry, we're obviously going into the forest for some reason, so it can still be bad," said Hermione.
His relief must have showed in his face, because Filch said, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, but – it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."
"He would probably love it if you didn't," said Cedric, scowling.
At this, Neville let out a little moan, and Malfoy stopped dead in his tracks.
"The forest?" he repeated, and he didn't sound quite as cool as usual. "We can't go in there at night – there's all sorts of things in here – werewolves, I heard."
"Well, unless it's a full moon, you won't have to deal with werewolves," said Cedric.
Neville clutched the sleeve of Harry's robe and made a choking noise.
"It's a full moon," Hermione said gloomily.
"How do you figure?" asked Harry.
"I have the feeling that Neville probably wouldn't be so scared unless there was a reason," said Hermione.
"And most of the wizarding world knows that werewolves can only appear during a full moon, so…" said Luna.
"It makes sense for it be a be a full moon," finished Harry.
"That's your problem, isn't it?" said Filch, his voice cracking with glee. "Should've thought of them werewolves before you got in trouble, shouldn't you?"
"I will not maim Filch, I will not maim Filch," chanted Hermione; he did not have a place to be near children if he was going to act like that.
"So does that mean you will kill him?" asked Luna innocently. Harry and Cedric both laughed, while Hermione got a rather pensive look on her face, realizing that she did leave room for herself to kill him if she wished too, if she every became someone who would willingly do that.
Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrow hung over his shoulder.
"That makes me think that whatever we're going to do in the forest is going to be dangerous," said Harry.
"Abou' time," he said. "I bin waitin' fer half an hour already. All right, Harry, Hermione?"
"He shouldn't show favoritism towards us," Hermione said, "someone might accuse him of not actually punishing us or something if he does. I mean, we are supposed to be punished, after all."
"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," said Filch coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."
Harry snorted at the look on Hermione's face as she realized she had just basically said the same thing as Filch.
"That's why yer late, is it?" said 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."
"That is true, since only Hagrid would really know what your going to be doing," said Cedric.
"I'll be back at dawn," said Filch, "for what's left of them," he added nastily, and he turned and started back toward the castle, his lamp bobbing away in the darkness.
Malfoy now turned to Hagrid.
"He's going to try and get out of being punished, isn't he?" said Hermione.
"Most likely," said Cedric.
"I'm not going in that forest," he said, and Harry was pleased to hear the note of panic in his voice.
"Yes, that would definitely please me," said Harry.
"Yeh are if yeh want ter stay at Hogwarts," said Hagrid fiercely. "Yeh've done wrong an' now yeh've got ter pay fer it."
"Luckily for Hagrid. Because he was charged with the detentions, he basically has the power to decide your detention," said Cedric. "The teacher, caretaker, or groundkeeper can all decide whatever you detention is, if they're the ones in charge of them, so Malfoy can't really do anything."
"Though, I do believe that there are some limits to what they are allowed to do," Hermione said. "Otherwise Filch wouldn't be wishing to use his whips if he could do whatever he wanted."
"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 –"
"Can do anything without complaining?" asked Harry.
"Doubt it. After all, in his mind, he's a king while were all serfs," said Hermione.
"Technically, you would clean without magic as the normal detention," said Cedric. "Very few teachers make a person write lines."
"– tell yer that's how it is at Hogwarts," Hagrid growled. "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!"
"I don't think he would be expelled. I think he'd just get more detention with Hagrid," said Cedric.
"I like how Hagrid pretty much tells him that the idea of detention is to make an impression on you to not do whatever you did again," said Hermione. Maybe if the teachers at the primary school had done that instead of writing lines, the other students wouldn't have continued to bully her as they did.
Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped his gaze.
"I think he knows that he's under Hagrid's mercy," said Luna.
"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."
"I think that basically means that you will not be finding and harvesting herbs," said Cedric, a frown on his face.
He led them to the very edge of the forest. Holding his lamp up high, he pointed down a narrow, winding earth track that disappeared into the thick black trees. A light breeze lifted their hair as they looked into the forest.
"Look there," said Hagrid, "see that stuff shinin' on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood."
Cedric's eyes widened as his mouth dropped.
"Okay, I'm going to take a while guess, and say that a hurt unicorn isn't a good thing," said Harry.
"No, it's not. I've never heard of anything able to actually catch a unicorn, much less harm it," said Cedric. "And I think I would have heard about it from my dad, considering where he works in the ministry."
"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."
"Okay, so basically he wants us to find a unicorn that's been hurt, but doesn't think about the fact that whatever it is that hurt said unicorn could still be there in the forest, and might hurt one of us," said Hermione. "And since we don't know what it is, it also means that we don't know it's weaknesses it might have, if it has any of them."
Yeah, this is a job that should be left to teachers in general; not even seventh years should have to deal with this for a detention," said Cedric.
"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" said Malfoy, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.
"I don't blame him," muttered Harry.
"There's nothin' that lives in the forest that'll hurt yeh if yer with me or Fang," said Hagrid.
"I'd say that's normally true, but with something unknown that's able to hurt unicorns, well, I wouldn't bank on having either of them really keeping you guys safe," said Cedric
"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' since last night at least."
"Poor unicorn," said Luna.
"I want Fang," said Malfoy quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.
"All right, but I warn yeh, he's a coward," said Hagrid.
"Nice," said Cedric, rolling his eyes. "He tells you that nothing will harm you so long as he or Fang are will you, but with Fang being a coward, I have no doubt he'd bolt at the first chance."
"You know that this makes it even more important that we not get caught, if we even decide to help Hagrid out," said Harry to Hermione.
"So me, Harry, an' Hermione'll go one way an' Draco, Neville, an' Fang'll go the other."
"That's pure favoritism right there," said Hermione. "Plus, that's the worst pairing he could chose. I mean, Draco is always bullying Neville. It would be better if he put me or Harry with Malfoy."
"Preferably me," said Harry; somehow, he had the feeling that Malfoy would end up cursed if left with Hermione; he also had the feeling that Malfoy wouldn't attempt anything with him.
"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."
The forest was black and silent. A little way into it they reached a fork in the earth path, and Harry, Hermione, and Hagrid took the left path while Malfoy, Neville, and Fang took the right.
They walked in silence, their eyes on the ground. Every now and then a ray of moonlight through the branches above lit a spot of silver-blue blood on the fallen leaves.
"It seems like the bloods getting thinner, meaning that the unicorn probably didn't go the way you did," said Luna.
Harry saw that Hagrid looked very worried.
"Could a werewolf be killing the unicorns?" Harry asked.
"I don't think they can," said Cedric, trying to think of something that could. He was coming up with nothing, other than human. But who would be dark and cruel enough to harm something so beautiful and innocent? There was only one person he could think of, and he was really hoping he was wrong, especially since, as far as he knew, killing unicorns wouldn't' do anything for him. He shivered lightly at his thoughts, before mentally shaking his head.
"Not fast enough," said Hagrid. "It's not easy ter catch a unicorn, they're powerful magic creatures. I never knew one ter be hurt before."
They walked past the mossy tree stump. Harry could hear running water; there must be a stream somewhere close by.
"You must have good ears," said Hermione.
There were still spots of unicorn blood here and there along the winding path.
"You all right, Hermione?" Hagrid whispered.
"Why is he worried about me?" Hermione asked; did he think little of her.
"You might have a look on your face that suggests something that needs to be said to comfort you," Cedric said. "And, no, I don't think that's the look," he added when she narrowed her eyes at him.
"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!"
The four tensed, afraid that something bad was about to happen.
Hagrid seized Harry and Hermione and hoisted them off the path behind a towering oak. He pulled out an arrow and fitted it into his crossbow, raising it, ready to fire. There three of them listened. Something was slithering over dead leaves nearby: it sounded like a cloak trailing along the ground.
"A wizard?" Cedric muttered, slightly confused. At least it wasn't who he was thinking; as far as he knew, Voldemort didn't have a body to cloak.
Hagrid was squinting up the dark path, but after a few seconds, the sound faded away.
"I knew it," he murmured. "There's summat in here that shouldn't be."
"A werewolf?" Harry suggested.
"I think Malfoy put that into your head," said Cedric, shaking his head.
"Werewolves don't wear cloaks when transformed," he explained.
"That wasn' no werewolf an' it wasn' no unicorn,"
"Well, since unicorns are horse shaped, it should have sounded like hooves if it was one, same with centaurs," said Cedric.
"Centaurs?" Harry asked. He nodded.
""Yeah, I've heard that there's a herd in the forest," said Cedric.
"neither," said Hagrid grimly. "Right, follow me, but careful, now."
They walked more slowly, ears straining for the faintest sound. Suddenly, in a clearing ahead, something definitely moved.
And into the clearing came – was it a man, or a horse?
"A centaur," Hermione said.
To the waist, a man, with red hair and beard, but below that was horse's gleaming chestnit body with a long, reddish tail. Harry and Hermione's jaws dropped.
"Oh, it's you, Ronan," said Hagrid in relief. "How are yeh?"
He walked forward and shook the centaur's hand.
"Good evening to you, Hagrid," said Ronan. He had a deep, sorrowful voice. "Were you going to shoot me?"
"Yes, he was until he knew who you were," said Harry.
"Can't be too careful, Ronan," said Hagrid, patting his crossbow. "There's summat bad loose in this forest. This is Harry Potter an' Hermione Granger by the way. Students up at the school. An' this is Ronan, you two. He's a centaur."
"We'd noticed," said Hermione faintly.
"Kind of hard not to," she added.
"Good evening," said Ronan. "Students, are you? And do you learn much, up at the school?"
"Erm –"
"A bit," said Hermione timidly.
"Do you not learn enough, Hermione?" asked Harry, amused.
"I'm probably still surprised, and since I don't know how the centaurs will act, I'm probably afraid of them going crazy," said Hermione sensibly.
"A bit. Well, that's something." Ronan sighed. He flung back his head and stared at the sky. "Mars is bright tonight."
"Wait. Isn't Mars a god of war?" asked Hermione.
"Yes, he is," Luna said.
"So what does that mean, if Mars is bright?" Harry asked.
"I don't know, but I have the feeling that it's nothing good," said Cedric.
"Yeah," said Hagrid, glancing up, too. "Listen, I'm glad we've run inter yeh, Ronan, 'cause there's a unicorn bin hurt – you seen anythin'?"
"I don't think he'll get an answer he's looking for," Cedric said.
Ronan didn't answer immediately. He stared unblinkingly upward, then sighed again.
"Always the innocent are the first victims," he said.
"That's so true," said Hermione, thinking about what she'd read about all of the wars she'd read about, and all of the innocents that had been killed during them, simply because they'd been in the wrong place at the wrong time, or because of who their parents were.
"So it has been for ages past, so it is now."
"And so it will be in the future as well," Harry said; he didn't really know why he said that, but it just seemed to be appropriate and true.
"Yeah," said Hagrid, "but have yeh seen anythin', Ronan? Anythin' unusual?"
"Mars being bright probably is unusual to them," said Cedric.
"Mars is bright tonight," Ronan repeated, while Hagrid watched him impatiently. "Unusually bright."
"Like I said, Mars being bright is unusual," Cedric said.
"Yeah, but I was meanin' anythin' unusual a bit nearer home," said Hagrid.
"Why do I get the feeling that the centaur will say they didn't notice anything?" Hermione said.
"Because my dad once said that centaurs aren't concerned with anything but keeping secrets that could save lives and are not interested in anything closer than the moon," said Cedric; apparently, his father had dealt with them before, and didn't have a very high opinion of them. At least, that's what the others were getting at.
"So yeh haven't noticed anythin' strange?"
Yet again, Ronan took a while to answer. At last, he said, "The forest hides many secrets."
"I think that's his way of saying yes, but he has no plans of telling us," said Harry.
A movement in the trees behind Ronan made Hagrid raise his bow again, but it was only a second centaur, black-haired and bodied and wlder-looking than Ronan.
"Hullo, Bane," said Hagrid. "All right?"
"Good evening, Hagrid. I hope you are well?"
"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 walked over to stand next to Ronan. He looked skyward.
"I think I know what he's going to say," said Hermione.
"So do I," Harry, Cedric, and Luna said.
"'Mars is bright tonight,'" the four said all together.
"Mars is bright tonight," he said simply.
The four laughed at themselves.
"We've heard," said Hagrid grumpily.
"I get the feeling that Hagrid doesn't like things being repeated often," said Hermione.
"Well, if either of you do see anythin', let me know, won't yeh?"
"They most likely won't," said Harry.
"We'll be off, then."
Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing, staring over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked their view.
"That's kind of rude," said Luna.
"We've never seen centaurs before," Harry said, shrugging. "We probably don't mean to stare, but we're probably surprised as well."
"Never," said Hagrid irritably, "try an' get a straight answer out of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers Not interested in anythin' closer 'n the moon."
"Yup, the centaurs irritated Hagrid a bit, there," said Hermione.
"Are there many of them in here?" asked Hermione.
"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."
"Which can be annoying," Harry said.
"D'you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?" said Harry.
"No, because it would have sounded like a unicorn; you would have heard hooves," said Cedric.
"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."
"If it sounded like a cloak being dragged over things, it was probably a cloak," said Harry.
They walked through the dense, dark trees. Harry kept looking nervously over his shoulder. He had the nasty feeling they were being watched.
"I would say you're being paranoid if you were anywhere other than the forbidden forest," said Cedric.
He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow with them. They had just passed a bend in the path when Hermione grabbed Hagrid's arm.
"Oh no, now what?" Harry said.
"Hagrid! Look! Red sparks, the others are in trouble!"
"Neville better be okay," said Hermione.
"Yeah, since it's partially our fault he's in trouble," agreed Harry.
"And if Malfoy has done anything to him," Hermione said.
"He's dead," Harry finished.
Both Luna and Cedric kept looking between the two with surprise and amuse at how the two seemed to know what each other were thinking.
"You two wait here!" Hagrid shouted. "Stay on the path, I'll come back for yeh!"
"Wait, something's dangerous is in the forest, and he leaves you alone?" Cedric said, suddenly furious at Hagrid. Both Harry and Hermione could be attacked.
They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and stood looking at each other, very scared, until they couldn't hear anything but the rustling of leaves around them.
"We're going to be very conscious of our surroundings until he comes back, aren't we," said Hermione. Harry nodded.
"That's good, less chance of you being attacked, then, though I'm not sure exactly how much damage you can do," said Cedric.
"You don't think they've been hurt, do you?" whispered Hermione.
"I don't care if Malfoy has, but if something's got Neville…it's our fault he's here in the first place."
"Seems our books selves have the same sentiments as our real selves," said Hermione.
The minutes dragged by. Their ears seemed sharper than usual. Harry's seemed to be picking up every sigh of the wind, every cracking twig. What was going on? Where were the others?
At last, a great crunching noise announced Hagrid's return. Malfoy, Neville, and Fang were with him. Hagrid was fuming. Malfoy, it seemed, had sneaked up behind Neville and grabbed him as a joke.
"That idiot," said Cedric. "Doesn't he realize just how dangerous doing that was. Something else could have seen the sparks and attacked them before Hagrid got there."
Neville had panicked and sent up the sparks.
"We'll be lucky ter catch anythin' now, with the racket you two were makin'. Right, we're changin' groups – Neville, you say with me an' Hermione, Harry you go with Fang an' this idiot. I'm sorry," Hagrid added in a whisper to Harry, "but he'll have a harder time frightenin' you, an' we've gotta get this done."
"I actually think he should have kept Malfoy with him, and sent me and Hermione out, since I really don't want to be near Malfoy," said Harry.
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.
"I think that means that you're going to find the unicorn soon," said Luna a bit gloomily. She couldn't see how it was still alive with how much blood it had lost.
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.
All four of the kids had reactions to this image. Hermione and Luna were outright crying, silently, while Harry and Cedric were blinking back tears; it was hard hearing about something like that. Harry pulled Luna to him, careful not to obstruct the book so that she could still read. Cedric had done the same, though, since he had no book to worry about, he was able hold her to him better than Harry.
It still took a few minutes before Luna could read.
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….
"Get out of there," Cedric said, almost sure that whatever it was that had made the bush quiver was whatever had killed the unicorn.
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.
Four mouths dropped open as disgust and horror appeared on their faces.
"What does it mean to drink unicorn blood?" Hermione asked.
"I don't know. That's like a forbidden topic," said Cedric.
"AAAAAAAAAARGH!"
Malfoy let out a terrible scream and bolted – so did Fang.
If what was going on wasn't so horrifying, the four might have chuckled, since the statement sounded a bit funny to hear.
The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at Harry – unicorn blood was dribbling down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly toward Harry – he couldn't move for fear.
"Get out of there, Harry," Luna commanded, sounding a bit terrified. Harry held her firmly to him, letting her know that he was all right.
Then a pain like he'd never felt before pierced his head; it was as though his scar were on fire.
"What?" Harry said, his hand coming up to said scar. "What's up with my scar?"
"I don't know, but didn't that happen at the welcoming feast?" Hermione said.
"Yeah, it did, when I looked Snape in the eye the first time," said Harry. Luna's eyes narrowed, as she also remembered that Quirrell had been talking to Snape at the same time, leaving the back of his head pointing in Harry's direction as well… And didn't it say that, when Harry overheard Quirrell being threatened, he had rushed out of the room, straightening said turban…
She didn't really think much about the turban before, but now she could see that there might be something that turban was hiding… Something that was connected to the scar…
Half blinded, he staggered backward. He heard hooves behind him, galloping, and something jumped clean over Harry, charging at the figure.
The pain in Harry's head was so bad he fell to his knees. It took a minute or two to pass. When he looked up, the figure had gone. A centaur was standing over him, not Ronan or Bane; this one looked younger; he had white-blond hair and a palomino body.
"Great, another centaur," Harry said; he really didn't want to deal with the rather annoying ways of the centaurs again.
"Are you all right?" said the centaur, pulling Harry to his feet.
"Yes – thank you – what was that?"
The centaurs didn't answer. He had astonishing blue eyes, like pale sapphires. He looked carefully at Harry, his eyes lingering on the scar that stood out, livid, on Harry's forehead.
"He doesn't seem much like the other centaurs," said Hermione, noticing, immediately, the difference in manners between this centaur and the other two.
"Maybe he won't be as annoying as the others, then," said Harry.
"You are the Potter boy," he said. "You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time – especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way."
"Definitely not like the other two," Harry muttered before he noticed that Cedric and Luna were both looking at him in shock. "What?"
"A centaur is willing to let you ride him," the two said, as if it explained everything; which, to them, it did.
"Okay, what's that got to do with anything," said Harry. Even Hermione looked curious.
"Centaurs are rather proud creatures. To them, allowing humans to ride them is likening them to common mules, which is an insult. That one is allowing you to ride him, well, it's like an honor they don't often bestow," said Cedric, with Luna nodding her head.
"My name is Firenze," he added, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Harry could clamber onto his back.
There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the side of the clearing. Ronan and Bane came bursting through the trees, their flanks heaving and sweaty.
"Uh-oh," said Cedric. "Somehow, I don't think they'll take Harry riding Firenze very well."
"Well, considering how unhelpful they were, I have to agree with you," said Hermione.
"Firenze!" Bane thundered. "What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"
"Do you realize who this is?" said Firenze. "This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better."
"What have you been telling him?" growled Bane. "Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come on the movement of the planets?"
Ronan pawed the ground nervously. "I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best," he said in his gloomy voice.
Bane kicked his back legs in anger.
"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!"
"Oh, that's an insult towards Firenze," said Cedric.
"You know, he's giving us some more information than the Firenze was," said Harry. "At least, he basically saying he has information. All it would take is someone good at reading stars themselves to know what they were talking about. Of course, I have the feeling that there's no one as good as the centaurs in the regard."
"Well, I'm pretty sure that, if we learn everything we can about the sky and planets, we can attempt to interpret them," said Hermione, though she didn't really look completely happy about doing such a thing; the logical girl wasn't too into things that were based more on faith than actual fact; it was why she wasn't really religious, something that kind of irritated her Christian grandparents, on her father's side, to no end.
Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger, so that Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on.
"Do you not see that unicorn?" Firenze bellowed 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."
And Firenze whisked around; with Harry clutching on as best he could, they lunged off into the trees, leaving Ronan and Bane behind them.
"I'm probably wondering what the hell is happening," said Harry.
Harry didn't have a clue what was going on.
"Why's Bane so angry?" he asked. "What was that thing you saved me from, anyway?"
Firenze slowed to a walk, warned Harry to keep his head bowed in case of low-hanging branches, but did not answer Harry's question.
"Lovely, I'm being left with a mystery."
They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Harry thought Firenze didn't want to talk to him anymore.
Hermione scowled, wondering if she had been too hasty in thinking that Firenze was nice.
They were passing through a particularly dense patch of trees, however, when Firenze suddenly stopped.
"Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
"Not a clue," said Harry. The others nodded.
"I've wondered about it, but my parents never gave me an answer to the question," Cedric said.
"No," said Harry, startled by the odd question. "We've only used the horn and tail hair in Potions."
"That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn," said Firenze. "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."
"Oh, no wonder they never want to talk about it," said Cedric. "That's kind of horrible. Who'd be that desperate?"
"I can think of someone," said Hermione.
"So can I," Luna said.
"And I think anyone evil enough would do it," Hermione said.
Harry stared at the back of Firenze's head, which was dappled silver in the moonlight.
"But who'd be that desperate?" he wondered aloud. "If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?"
"To people like us, yes," said Cedric. "But to evil…I don't think so."
"Yeah, especially if it's who I think it is," said Hermione. "Plus, just because your cursed, it probably doesn't mean…" Her eyes suddenly widened.
"The Stone," she muttered softly.
"What about the Stone?" Harry asked.
"What if whoever it is that was just drinking the unicorn's blood is only doing so until they get to the Stone. Remember, it has that Elixir of Life thing to it," she explained. "Whoever holds the Stone would gain two thinks: unlimited economic resources, and an unlimited lifespan."
"It is," Firenze 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. Mr. Potter, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"
"The Sorcerer's Stone! Of course – the Elixir of Life! But I don't understand who –"
"Can you really say that, Harry?" Hermione asked. "I mean, don't you remember what Hagrid told you about what happened when your parents died?"
"You think it's Voldemort," he said.
"Yes, I do," she said. "I don't know why, other than what Hagrid said, but I do know that his name, when separated, could easily be translated into French as 'flight of death' or 'flight from death'; either way it makes me think he considers himself above death itself."
"Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?"
It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around Harry's heart. Over the rustling of the trees, he seemed to hear once more what Hagrid had told him on the night they had met: "Some say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough human left in him to die."
"It seems like I figure it out myself," said Harry. Neither he nor Hermione noticed Cedric's quiet state. Cedric was having a bit of trouble – or, rather, he didn't want to believe – that Voldemort was still alive. However, he was also thinking about what Hermione had said about the name. If he had known it meant that, then he could see how she came up with what she said about Voldemort.
"Do you mean," Harry croaked, "that was Vol-"
"Harry! Harry, are you all right?"
"Sorry for interrupting your conversation," said Hermione, smiling lightly at him. "I'm probably really worried about you, though."
"It's okay, Hermione, at least you found me," Harry said.
Hermione was running toward them down the path, Hagrid puffing along behind her.
"I'm fine," said Harry, hardly knowing what he was saying. "The unicorn's dead, Hagrid, it's in that clearing back there."
"This is where I leave you," Firenze murmured as Hagrid hurried off to examine the unicorn.
"He just forgets about you guys again," Cedric said, shaking his head.
"You are safe now."
"At least there's that," Cedric said.
Harry slid off his back.
"Good luck, Harry Potter," said Firenze. "The planets have been read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of those times."
"I think we all do," said Hermione. "I was thinking about it. If Mars is the god of war, and it being bright, it might mean that war is coming. At least, that's what I think it means."
"When did you begin to think about it?" Harry asked. She turned a glare on him, before finally saying, "I started to think about it when I mentioned the thing about Voldemort's name. And then, I thought about what Dumbledore mentioned in the first chapter, about how precious little people had to celebrate, which usually says war, and that's pretty much when it clicked."
Harry was looking at her with astonishment in his eyes for how easy she was able to put pieces of a puzzle together, especially since the pieces weren't anywhere close to each other in the book.
He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him.
"Yeah, I can see why you're a bit afraid. I mean, he did kill your parents, and try to kill you," Cedric said, shaking as well.
Ron had fallen asleep in the dark common room, waiting for them to return.
"That's nice of him," said Luna.
He shouted something about Quidditch fouls
There was some sniggering at that, but it was quick, as there were more important things on their minds.
when Harry roughly shook him awake. In a matter of seconds, though, he was wide-eyed as Harry began to tell him and Hermione what had happened in the forest.
Harry couldn't sit down. He paced up and down in front of the fire. He was still shaking.
"You must be wound up on nerves," said Hermione.
"I probably am, especially since the information is a bit overwhelming," said Harry.
"Snape wants the stone for Voldemort…and Voldemort's waiting in the forest…and all this time we thought Snape just wanted to get rich…"
"Stop saying the name!" said Ron in a terrified whisper, as if he thought Voldemort could hear them.
"You know, I'm going to get really angry if people keep telling me not to say his name," said Harry.
Harry wasn't listening.
"Smart idea, since telling you to stop saying the name isn't exactly productive for you," said Hermione.
"Firenze saved me, but he shouldn't have done so…."
"Yes, he should have," said Luna, not liking the fact that Harry didn't think he should have been saved.
"Bane was furious…"
"So what, that just goes to show that Bane isn't worth anything," said Hermione.
"he was talking about interfering with what the planets say is going to happen…."
"Okay, so basically, he lets his life be controlled by fortunetelling, despite the fact that it's not very conclusive, and the future is always changing," said Hermione, scoffing. Cedric had the feeling that she would hate Divination.
"They must show that Voldemort's coming back…."
"No one wants that," Cedric said. "I would have thought the centaurs, when they saw that, would at least try to warn someone so that it didn't happen."
"Didn't you say that they never say anything about what they see? What makes you think this would be any different?" Harry said.
"Voldemort's for the purebloods, and only purebloods. Centaurs, which are considered half-breeds, would be exterminated if he had his way. Everything non-pureblood would be exterminated," Cedric said. "I would have thought centaurs would want to keep that from happening."
"Some people would rather die than change their ways," Hermione said. "It's their nature."
"Bane thinks Firenze should have let Voldemort kill me….I suppose that's written in the stars as well."
"Well, if it is, it isn't going to happen," Luna said, wrapping her one arm around Harry rather tightly. He responded by tightening his own arm, which was still around her shoulders from the impromptu comfort hug he gave her earlier in the chapter.
"Will you stop saying the name!" Ron hissed.
"No," Harry said simply, as if Ron was actually there. He had to admit, he was kind of glad that he wasn't, as it meant, to him, that he honestly didn't have to become friends with Ron. While he didn't mean that he would have to become friends with him, there was a chance that, had Ron been there, he would have felt honor bound to becoming his friend as he was in the book.
Not that he felt honor bound to becoming Cedric's, Luna's, or Hermione's friends, because he didn't. But, with the way Ron sounded in the book, something told him that Ron would insist on making said friendship happen.
"So all I've got to wait for now is Snape to steal the Stone,"
"Or Quirrell," said Hermione.
"I do believe that it is most likely Quirrell as well," said Luna. "Especially since I don't think he has his own body."
The others looked at her, before Hermione thought of something.
"Is there such a think as possession in the wizarding world?" Hermione asked.
"Yeah…" Cedric said, before his face paled. Harry noticed, but didn't know why he went pale. However, instead of asking, he waited for Luna to continue, wanting very much to know what was going to happen next.
Harry went on feverishly, "then Voldemort will be able to come and finish me off…."
"He won't have an easy time," Hermione declared.
"Well, I suppose Bane'll be happy."
"I definitely don't like Bane," Luna said.
Hermione looked very frightened, but she had a word of comfort.
"Harry, everyone says Dumbledore's the only one You-Know-Who"
"No!" Hermione groaned, putting her head down into her hands, while the others looked amused.
"I win," said Luna.
"I know that. I'm just trying to figure out why I said that, especially when I have no problem saying his actual name," said Hermione.
"It probably the way we do that. We're taught to fear it as children, and, for Muggleborns, pretty much the first things they're told – at least, what my friend was told by one of the upper classmen – is about Harry, Voldemort, and the fact that we don't speak his name," said Cedric. "They're told a bit of the history about him, kind of like Hagrid told you, only painted in an even worst light, which strikes fear into them as it does for everyone."
"So, basically, we're taught to fear his name by word of mouth, who were either taught by their own parents, or other students, with facts that, while true, can also be embellished to make his be seen even worse than he actually," said Hermione. "Plus, the fact that books probably do it as well, and, while they might be more true than others, they are also written by people who, while they might have lived through that time period, can also embellish facts, and…"
She paused there, a look of shock crossing her face as she realized what she was about to say. Harry, who remembered how they'd run into each other, had an idea of what was surprising her.
"You were about to say that not even books could be trusted, because the people who write them are biased and can either make it seem worse than it was, or who might even downplay it, or something like that, weren't you?" said Harry.
"Something like that," she admitted. "While I don't think people would lie about things like that, there are probably those who did agree with him, even if they didn't with his methods, and would probably make it seem better than it was. And, then, on the other hand, you have those who lost family to him, and would do everything to make him seem even more terrible because of it. And I honestly can't believe I'm saying this."
"Neither can we," Cedric said, having noticed in the book that Hermione treated books like they were Merlin.
"I don't know why," Hermione said.
"I think I do," said Luna. "This book is showing you things about some people that you wouldn't know, like Dumbledore, but the you in the book doesn't know this so you still think that books are Merlin. However, since you know differently, you've realize something important – just because a book hold information doesn't make it right, because a person biased will always get in the way, even if they try not to." She turned back to the book before anything else could be said.
"was ever afraid of. With Dumbledore around, You-Know-Who won't touch you. Anyway, who says the centaurs are right? It sounds like fortune telling to me, and Professor McGonagall says that's a very imprecise branch of magic."
"That is true, it is a very imprecise branch of magic, because the future is always changing, and just because you've been forward doesn't mean you will be able to fully keep something from happening," said Cedric, only to then wonder about reading these books. After all, even if they knew what was going to happen, it didn't mean they'd be able to stop it from happening. Plus, what if they did, but something even worse happened, what then? He'd have to bring that up after the books were read, just to see what could be prevented, and then brainstorm possible consequences to keeping these things from happening.
The sky had turned light before they stopped talking. They went to bed exhausted, their throats sore. But the night's surprises weren't over.
"Please, don't be bad," Hermione said.
When Harry pulled back his sheets, he found is invisibility cloak folded underneath them. There was a note pinned to it.
Just in case.
"That's the end," said Luna. "That was an interesting chapter."
"I've got the feeling that it's going to get even more interesting," said Hermione. "I don't think there's much left to the book." She motioned to the fact that there were just a small clump left.
"I agree," said Luna. "Should we continue, or save the next two chapters for tomorrow?"
Hermione took a glance at the clock, then the others.
"I think we should continue, and get this book over with," said Harry. Cedric nodded, knowing that if they didn't, he'd probably be unable to sleep until they did.
"Okay, then," said Luna, and she handed the book over to Harry.