Stormseeker: Borrowed Destiny

"Snape was talking to Professor Quirrell?" Ron says, raising an eyebrow.

"What's more, it sounded like Snape was threatening him," I say.

"You know what this means, don't you?" Neville says.

"Of course," I say. "Obviously, this means Quirrell is evil." The two of them look at me as if I've gone completely mental. "What?"

"You're joking, right?" Ron says. "The twins have been rubbing off on you?"

"I'm serious, Ron!" I say. "I know Snape, and I trust him. There's no way that he's evil!"

"I think most of Gryffindor would beg to differ with that," Neville comments. "He's scary! Whenever we're in Potions, he just looks at me and I clam up, and forget what I'm doing! And then he mocks me and takes points away."

"Okay, so he's not exactly the nicest person sometimes," I say. "But he's not evil!"

Ron and Neville don't look the least bit convinced of that. "I think Snape must be trying to get the Philosopher's Stone," Ron says.

"Do you know what a Philosopher's Stone is?" I ask.

"I think I might have heard of it before, but I'm not sure," Ron says.

"Like, an old legend or something," Neville suggests. "Dunno."

"Hmm," I say. "Maybe we'll be able to find more information in the library. We can see if they have any books on magical gemstones or the like."

In deference to their suspicions, I don't mention that I had been intending on asking Snape himself about the conversation at our next Occlumency lesson. Perhaps I'll just keep that quiet, instead. I still really don't think that Snape is evil or anything, but there's just enough niggling doubt to wonder if mine and Dumbledore's trust in him might not be misplaced.

"If this thing is really as rare and valuable as suggested, why is it being kept here at Hogwarts?" Ron wonders.

"Safest place there is besides Gringotts?" Neville suggests.

"Somehow I doubt that," I say darkly. "From what I've seen, Hogwarts isn't even particularly safe."

They both look to the floor. They know what I'm thinking. Nothing needs to be said.

The day of our detention arrives. Nobody told us what would be expected of us until Filch takes us out to Hagrid's hut after sunset. I have to scratch my head a bit and look around as Hagrid meets us.

"They're sending us into the Forbidden Forest, at night mind you, as punishment for being out of bed?" I say incredulously.

"I suppose it's just as well that they don't know you've been sneaking into the Forbidden Forest every night for like a month," Ron says dryly.

"Hello, boys," Hagrid says in greeting. "Ready to get started? This will be dangerous, so you better keep close to me and keep an eye out." He's got that big dog Fang along, so this must be serious.

"This is ridiculous," Ron mutters. "They're sending first years out into the Forbidden Forest! At night! And it's a full moon, too, on top of that."

"Don't worry," Hagrid says. "You'll be safe, so long as you've got me and Fang with you. Come along now, boys."

"Full moon?" I say, raising an eyebrow at Ron, then looking to Hagrid. "Are there really werewolves out in this forest?"

"Don't you worry none about that, either," Hagrid says. He leads us off into the forest. A ways in, he points at something silvery spotting the ground. "See that? Unicorn blood. I found one dead last week, and it looks like another one is hurt, too."

"What would hurt a unicorn?" Ron wonders.

"That wouldn't be the cause of a small dragon, by chance, would it?" I say, a little uneasily.

"No, no," Hagrid says. "Wasn't Norbert that did that, that much is for sure. Besides, unicorns are quick and powerful magical beasts. A dragon wouldn't be fast enough, especially one that's still so young and clumsy."

The forest is quiet tonight. Too quiet. It's making my skin crawl, and I shudder involuntarily. There's more signs of silver blood along the trail, and we continue following it deeper into the forest. Then, there's a sound of something brushing through leaves nearby, and Hagrid nocks a bolt into his crossbow, preparing to fire.

"There's something out here," Hagrid says quietly. "Something that shouldn't be here. Come out! Out where I can see you! I'm warning you, I'm armed!"

Out into the clearing before us strides a chestnut centaur. I raise an eyebrow. Surely a centaur wouldn't be killing unicorns, would he?

"Oh, it's just you, Ronan," Hagrid says. "Sorry about that. Can't be too careful."

"Good evening, Hagrid," Ronan says. "And who is this with you?"

"I'm Harry Potter," I say. "And this is my friend, Ron Weasley. We're students at Hogwarts. It's a pleasure to meet you." I bow toward him.

"Students," Ronan says. "I see." He looks up and stares at the sky. "Mars is bright tonight."

"Um," I stammer, uncertain what to say to that. I really haven't been paying much attention in Astronomy class. Is Mars a star? What's that supposed to mean?

"Ronan," Hagrid says. "We're looking for a unicorn that's been injured. Have you seen it, by chance?"

"The innocent are always the first victims," Ronan says. "So it has always been."

"But have you seen anything, Ronan?" Hagrid says. "Anything unusual?"

"Mars is bright tonight," Ronan repeats unhelpfully. "Unusually bright."

"That doesn't answer his question," I interject. "We could stand here all night going on about Mars! He wanted to know if you've seen anything unusual in the forest, not up in the sky!"

Ronan pauses for a long moment, and then replies, "The forest hides many secrets."

Ron mutters something about bloody centaurs. There's a movement in the trees behind Ronan, and another centaur emerges into the clearing, this one black.

"Evening, Bane," Hagrid says. "I don't suppose you've seen anything odd lately, either?"

Bane also looks to the sky, and says, "Mars is bright tonight."

"Argh!" I exclaim. "What's the big deal about Mars, anyway? What's that even supposed to mean?" I take a deep breath and rub my temples, trying to calm myself. I shouldn't let them get to me. I've never met a centaur before, and after this, I'm not sure I'm too eager to meet another one.

"Mars is a symbol of war," Ron supplies helpfully.

"What, you mean you pay attention in Astronomy?" I say, smirking at Ron. "I don't know why it's even a requirement. I don't care about what's going on in the sky."

"You do not learn much at your school, do you?" Ronan comments.

I sigh in frustration, and Hagrid says, "Well, let us know if you see anything. We'll be off, then." Once we're out of earshot, Hagrid comments, "Never try to get a straight answer out of a centaur. They don't care about anything closer than the moon."

"Are they all like that?" I wonder.

"Eh, I imagine they think they're being clear as day," Hagrid says. "Or as clear as they care to let on to our kind, anyway."

We continue on. That unicorn looks to have lost a lot of blood. I have my doubts that we'll be finding the poor thing still alive. Sure enough, ahead in a clearing, there's a gorgeous white equine form laying sprawled out on the ground, unmoving. Maybe if those damned centaurs hadn't been so intent upon babbling on about Mars, we could have found it sooner.

I approach the unicorn impulsively, to take a closer look at the poor creature and see what might have wounded it. But then, there's something moving nearby. A cloaked and hooded figure in the darkness. It reminds me of Sardill. It spots me, and we stare at one another, frozen for one terrifying moment.

And then it raises a hand, and I spot the wand in its hand for one fleeting moment before darkness surrounds me. Pain overtakes me. I'm choking. I can't breathe. I try to cry out to Hagrid to save me, but nothing comes out. I collapse.

I wake, rubbing my throat for a moment. Much appreciated protection there, Hagrid. I sigh and dig out one of Snape's Wideye potions. I'm going to need it to get through today again. I kind of wish that this had been a weekend. I don't look forward to sitting through classes again. Oh well, no help for it.

After breakfast, I go to Filch with the note stating our detention at eleven o'clock. "I don't suppose we could have our detention a little earlier, by any chance?"

"You didn't complain about being up late when you were wandering around the castle, did you?" Filch retorts.

"I'm not complaining," I say. "I'm just eager to spend more time in detention."

"So break a few more rules," Filch says. "If you push it enough, perhaps I can convince Dumbledore to let me pull out the chains and thumbscrews for you."

That failing, I just grab Ron and preemptively head out to Hagrid's hut after dinner. Nobody can exactly complain if we don't show up at Filch's office for our detention if we were at our detention in the first place, right?

"Evening, boys," Hagrid says. "What brings you out this way? Out to see the little guy?"

"We're here for our detention," I say.

"Isn't that not until eleven o'clock?" Hagrid says.

"We're here early," I say.

"We're going to detention early?" Ron says, raising an eyebrow.

"Our detention is sending us into the Forbidden Forest," I tell him seriously. "I'd rather not be in there in the middle of the night if I can possibly help it. I'd like to survive this night."

"Oh, man," Ron says. "Seriously?"

"Well, I suppose it can't hurt to get started early," Hagrid says. "And don't worry, boys. You'll be safe so long as you're with me. I won't let anything hurt you."

That was more reassuring before I died out there. "All the same, I'd like to take Norbert along with us, too," I say.

"I suppose," Hagrid says. "Well, if we're starting early, might as well get going, then. Come, Fang!"

Accompanied by Hagrid's large hound, the three of us head out into the forest to Norbert's little lair. The dragonling is more than happy to come with us, and tags along at my side as we continue into the forest.

"Here we go," Hagrid says, pointing toward some spots of unicorn blood splattered on the ground. I'm not really sure, but I think it might look a bit fresher. But that might be just my mind playing into expectations. "This is what we're looking for. I found a dead unicorn last week, and it looks like another one's been hurt."

"Maybe if we find it fast enough, we might still be able to help it," I suggest.

We don't find the unicorns before we run across the centaurs, however. Ronan prances out of the trees and stops before us, and says, "Good evening, Hagrid."

"Ah, hello, Ronan," Hagrid says, and introduces me and Ron.

I put in, "Mars is bright tonight."

"Indeed," Ronan agrees, looking a little surprised and impressed.

"And time is of the essence," I add. "Let's go, Hagrid."

"Yeah, can't stop and chat," Hagrid says. "We're tracking down a wounded unicorn." I tug at his sleeve, practically dragging him away from the centaur. Once we're away from the clearing, he says, "Not very eager to talk to centaurs, are you?"

"Just that there's a unicorn bleeding to death out there while they prattle on about the stars," I say.

"And what was that bit about Mars?" Hagrid says.

"Just guessing at what they'd probably say," I say. "Oh! Mars is bright! The moon is full! The sun is in Aries! The dog barks are midnight!"

I go quiet as we come upon a clearing and spot something white moving slowly across the ground. Silvery blood oozes out of the creature's once-pristine flank. Thank Shazmar, we're not too late. It's still alive. Perhaps we can still save it.

A hooded figure in a black cloak appears at the edge of the trees, and raises its hand toward me. Norbert is having nothing of that, however. The little dragon snarls and snaps at the cloaked figure, who quickly retreats. I breathe a sigh of relief.

"What the heck was that?" Ron wonders. "Is someone else out here?"

"Whoever might've hurt the unicorn, probably," I say. "Can we still save it, Hagrid?"

"Think so," Hagrid says, approaching the unicorn. It doesn't look pleased at wizards being so close, but is in no condition to protest much. "Lucky you wanted to come out early. I don't think it'd have lasted till eleven. Wish I'd gotten a better look at whoever -- or whatever -- that was."

With the unicorn's bleeding stopped for the moment, the three of us try to guide the creature back to the Hogwarts grounds. When we near the edge of the Forbidden Forest, I send Norbert off back to his lair. "Don't want to be seen too close to the castle," I tell him. Once he's gone, however, I keep my hand on my wand and my eyes on the shadows for any sign of that cloaked figure. I don't see it again, however, and we make it back without incident.

"Alright, kids," Hagrid says. "Run along and get Professor Kettleburn, and then head to bed. I'll look after this critter till he gets here."

"Where's Kettleburn's office?" I ask.

Hagrid gives directions, and Ron and I head off that way. However, Filch intercepts us on our way there.

"There you are," Filch says. "Trying to skip out on your detention, are you?"

"No, sir," I say. "We need to get Professor Kettleburn. Hagrid's got a wounded unicorn outside who needs help."

"Really now," Filch says. "I think you're just making excuses, now. Come along back to my office."

"Mr. Filch!" I exclaim. "There's a dying unicorn out there! We don't have time for this!"

"We've got to get Professor Kettleburn!" Ron insists.

"Nope," Filch says. "You're coming with me, right now."

"Ron, get to Kettleburn," I say. "I'll keep him busy." I glare at Filch. "I'll risk another detention to save a life." Ron nods and turns to run off.

"Get back here, you miserable little brat!" Filch calls. "Oh, you're in trouble now."

"I can live with that," I say. "I would not, however, be able to live with my conscience if that poor unicorn died because of you!"

Filch grabs my arm and practically drags me back to his office. I don't dare try to hex him, though. I'm in for enough trouble as it is. But surely they will realize this time that my intentions are good and that I'm not lying about the unicorn or trying to get out of detention.

"Hagrid took us out for our detention in the Forbidden Forest early," I try to explain. "Because there was a unicorn hurt out there, and if we didn't find it soon, it would have died."

"And how did you know you were being sent into the Forbidden Forest?" Filch demands.

"Hagrid told me, of course," I say.

"I still think you're a little liar, Potter," Filch says. "Just like your father. He was constantly getting into trouble, too, you know."

"You'll see," I say.

"Now, you just stay right here," Filch says. "And we'll see who is telling the truth here."

Filch heads out, leaving me alone in the office for the moment. Definitely not one of my favorite places in Hogwarts. The room is dingy and dismal, and a collection of chains and manacles hangs behind Filch's desk. There's also a cabinet labeled "Confiscated and Highly Dangerous". Oh, if that's not an invitation to poke around and see if there's anything interesting inside, I don't know what is.

"Alohomora," I say quietly, and the lock opens, allowing me to look inside. Hmm, some dungbombs, a nose-biting teacup, a few objects I can't immediately identify... Nothing particularly interesting. Drat. I close and lock the cabinet again and look around the room a bit more.

Sitting on Filch's desk, underneath some nondescript and uninteresting papers, is a book titled Learn Magic Fast with Kwikspell. What's this? Why would Filch be trying to learn magic at his age? I scratch my head in puzzlement. Could he be a Squib? I wouldn't think that this would be a problem, back at home, but I also have to think that back home, there's also a higher level of magic than here. It probably takes a lot more for a latent mage to push through and get their magic working. I kind of wish I could just send him back to Torn Elkandu for training. They'd probably be able to teach him.

I really wish that I could read auras. At least then I would be able to tell at a glance what sort of magic someone like Filch might just be able to use. As it is, however, I haven't seen any evidence that that particular ability is even known in this universe. Oh well. I guess I'm not going to be learning it anytime soon.

Filch returns to his office momentarily. "You are fortunate, Potter, that Hagrid backs up your story. And did, indeed, have a wounded unicorn. So you'd best count your blessings and run along to your common room before I change my mind."

"Will the unicorn be alright, sir?" I ask.

"Professor Kettleburn expected it to make a full recovery," Filch says.

"Thank you, sir," I say. "Good night."

I head back up to Gryffindor Tower, feeling pretty good about myself. I managed to save a life tonight. And most importantly, managed to avoid dying myself.

Ron meets up with me back in the common room, and grins at me as I approach. "I take it by the look on your face that we didn't get detention again?"

"Heh," I say. "Yeah, Filch let me go. Good job on getting Kettleburn. I heard the unicorn's going to make it."

"Why do you suppose somebody would want to hurt a unicorn, anyway?" Ron wonders.

"Hmm," I say. "I'm afraid I don't know much about unicorns." I go to dig out a copy of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them and look up unicorns. At least this isn't an obscure, arcane subject.

"Anything useful in there?" Ron wonders, leaning over to look.

"Well, the horn, hair, and blood have magical properties, it says," I say. "You wouldn't need to kill it for the hair. Maybe the culprit was after their blood for some reason? Unfortunately, the damned book doesn't specify just what these magical properties are. Useless thing. Let's just go to bed."

"Yeah," Ron says. "Good idea."

I find myself thinking about the unicorns as I lay in bed, however. If they're anything like the unicorns back home, I'd imagine that they probably have innate healing powers. Perhaps that dark figure is looking for their horns or blood or something to save his life. It's a horrifying thought, and one that descends into nightmares of shadows stalking me as I drift into sleep.