Band of Brothers

Band of Brothers

Chapter Five - The Forest

Tom woke up around four o'clock in the morning. He sat down at a tree stump and looked around. The forest was so peaceful all around; not a mouse was stirring… well there was Neville snoring but just about it. The forest was quiet nonetheless and Tom couldn't help noticing to look up to the sky once in a while for a search plane. Deciding to have a look around, Tom threw a scarf around his neck; winter cloak on he set off into the morning.

After taking twenty steps, well away from the boys' side of the forest, he noticed Michelle sleeping under a pine tree with broken stumps next to her, making her area of sleeping look cozy. Tom walked over to her and sat down. Picking up a handful of snow he tossed it on to her face. She stirred, mumbled a bit and began to open her eyes.

'Tom?' she mumbled, her eyes half opened, 'what're you doing here?'

'We're moving out in two hours, better wake up the girls,' Tom informed.

She yawned, stretching out her arms she said, 'Tom… d'you think we'll make it out of this alive? I mean… what about the Slytherins? They're probably dead and I don't think I want to bet that all of them are still alive. Either one of them has crack and gone ballistic or… well I dunno…'

'We'll find Slytherin…' Tom said. 'Michelle, wake up the girls, we're leaving soon.'

In just a few short few minutes all the boys and girls were all up and ready for their search for Slytherin. Tom took lead and left off into the depths of the forest, everyone behind him following tiredly. As they trudged through the thick snow of winter, Tom began to lose himself to his thoughts…

This was like the Forest of Ardennes. This was where the 101st Airborne Division held off against the heavy German Panzer divisions taking casualties through each fight. Looking around the dense forest Tom could see an open space in the terrain of forest just ahead. 'We're coming up to some flat ground ahead, we'll check around for a bit then move again, 'kay?'

'Yeah… sure… why not…' panted Ron, holding his stomach.

'Sure, why not?' said Harry.

Tom continued to march through the snow, his mind dead set on getting out of the forest. After a few minutes they arrived to the plain field and set down. Tom immediately began searching through the snow for something but not quite sure what but something! After an endless search he fiddled with something in his knapsack pulling out a mini shovel. It couldn't be more than twenty inches in length. He began scooping up the ground that later turned out to be a foxhole.

'The hell you doing, Tom?' Harry asked. 'What're you looking for?'

'Stuff… you'll find out…' Tom answered between scoops. He scooped out clods of dirt another ten times, everyone watching him with nervous looks on their faces. Just then Tom struck gold. Whatever he was looking for, he found it. Tom pulled out a long, heavy crate. Taking the lid off he stared into it… canned goods. It was old, very old indeed but Tom seemed satisfied, anything that looked and tasted like food was good enough for him.

'All right, here's how we're going to split it up,' Tom started. 'There's about twenty-four cans in here and ten of us, that means all of us gets two each. That leaves four extra that we'll use when we're all done.' Tom looked at the crate again then started, 'If any of you chicken out on eating this then you can pass it to me! I don't want any food here wasted okay? You'll be living on these cans for weeks so eat little, right? If it comes down to hunting, then we'll hunt Kay? Good, now stand up 'cause we got a long way to go.'

They started off again trying to find a way out of the forest.

'How far d'you think we're going?' Ron complained.

'When he says stop?' suggested Harry. 'Really I think us wizards should be more fit, I mean this hasn't even been a mile yet and we're all tired.'

'I think he's being too hard on us!' Hermione pouted. 'He should treat us much more nicely, walk less, break more! I mean he's not a pain before this, why start here?'

Michelle who was ahead of them heard the conversation. She slowed down so the three were at her sides when she spoke, 'Honestly! D'you think anyone will listen to him if he went nice on you? You know you're too spoiled for your own good! Well not all of you but some… I mean if he can do this then so should we, which isn't too hard.'

'You know you got a point,' Harry pointed out. 'If he softens up then we'll just take him for granted, or there's going to be hell around. He wants to know that we'll listen and work as a team, right Ron?'

'I wouldn't mind cursing him now,' Ron muttered. 'We've all got our wands here, why not use it instead of walking?'

'Didn't you hear him?' Hermione asked. 'This whole area is charmed so we can't get out! Sure we can use spells in here but nothing that will get us out! Besides, we wouldn't be able to get out of this forest even if this place wasn't charmed.'

The gang of Gryffindors walked on; everybody tired, legs aching. Tom however had the energy to continue onwards without noticing any pain or tiredness and was always looking out for any signs of life - which was nothing except for a few animals. Once or twice they thought they heard the Slytherins but it was only the wind. As they walked for another ten minutes Tom kneed down to the ground putting his hand up to halt the rest of the Gryffindors.

'Shh…' Tom whispered quietly,'Everyone! Get behind a tree!'

With that all of the Gryffindors ran to their separate tree, hiding behind it. Tom was to the furthest tree ahead of the rest. Pulling out his wand Tom waited quietly keeping his breathing low. Peeking around the trunk of the tree he could only see the fog mist of the snow. All of sudden he began to hear footsteps coming near in front of him.

'C'mon, c'mon…' Tom muttered looking around the tree trunk. 'Where the hell are you…?'

Just then five figures began to appear. It was hard to tell since they were far away and because they had winter cloaks on as well. The voices began to grow louder and louder and soon enough, they were nearing Tom's tree. Counting three, Tom jumped out, his wand raised. The five people were dressed in winter cloaks with scars, bruises and cuts.

'Slytherin's here! You can all come out now!' Tom shouted. The rest of the Gryffindors nervously peeked around their tree, then stepped out. 'Malfoy, Parkinson, Terri, Joanna and Goyle… where's everyone else?'

'They're dead…' Draco Malfoy said. 'When the plane crashed they got killed, only us left. What about you?'

Tom looked over his shoulder then said, 'No one, we were lucky. You know we were looking for you but it looks like you found us.'

'Right… you lot looking for us? Why?' Joanna asked. 'None of you like us so why start now? You hate us and we hate you. Simple.'

Tom stepped forward then spoke, 'The only reason we came looking for you was because it was their idea!' he said jerking his thumb back. 'I didn't want too - let's just get the hell outta here Kay? Good. Now join up with us and I'll lead you out - '

'You?' Malfoy said sneered. 'I don't think so, Riddle, I'll take lead - '

'Yeah right… Look where you guys were going! You went the opposite direction - right into us! Now follow me because it might be the only chance you get to leave this place!'

'Fine Riddle, but if you screw us up then I'll take lead, okay?' Malfoy asked.

Tom snorted then said; 'If I screw up then I'll let Harry take the lead, not you.' He walked off with the Gryffindors following behind, Slytherin after. The air around them seemed tense as though someone was watching them. From time to time Tom caught a glimpse of Draco Malfoy itching for his wand. 'Don't try to hex me, Malfoy,' Tom warned, 'Or you'll be sorry…' With this they continued their path out of the woods.

About an hour later everyone began to slow down while Tom just kept on moving forward. The Slytherins were practically dragging each other to avoid collapsing on to the ground while the Gryffindors were already used to this kind of punishment. Tom pulled out a piece of parchment then spoke out 'Alright ten minute rest!' Everyone sighed relief then sat down on the cold ground, Michelle ran to his side.

'What's that?' she asked to the parchment.

'A magical map the shows anyplace you want,' Tom said knowledgeably. 'Since we're somewhere in Belgium, near Bastogne I'm guessing, then it'll show us on the map - see?' Michelle peered over and saw little tiny dots on the piece of paper; each of them marked with their own name. Tom examined the map for a few minutes then said 'We're about ten miles away to the nearest magical community and since we walk about, what - three or four miles? We should reach it by today or tomorrow.

'Say Michelle?' Tom started, 'This is a little personal…'

*

Harry looked over at both Tom and Michelle who were talking in deep whispers. Harry turned to Hermione and Ron and asked, 'What d'you think they're up too?' He looked over at them again, Michelle was looking a bit shocked while Tom was telling her something in very low whisper. 'C'mon, let's see?'

'Oh I don't k now…' Hermione said. 'I mean, what happens if it's something personal? Secret?'

'Then we ignore it,' Ron suggested. 'C'mon, they won't be keeping secrets from us in this kind of situation! I say we go and find out!'

'Then we're agreed,' Harry concluded, 'let's go.'

They both walked quietly to the tree nearest Tom and Michelle. Leaning around he heard both of them talking, Michelle was sounding both serious and sad for some reason.

'… I mean if we're supposed to keep him alive then we'll end up dead!' Tom said. 'Besides, Voldemort's goons are all over the place! I tell you, that was a Death Eater who shot us down along with those Slytherins.' Tom sighed then spoke 'I have to tell you something you might not like…'

Michelle hesitated, then said, 'Yes… what is it?'

'I'm thinking - not sure yet, but thinking. Maybe I should just quit this business and - well that dream, you know? It had some sort of impact on me. I mean, I feel like I can do it again! Go into the fight, win a battle, get out alive!'

'What are you getting at?' Michelle asked nervously.

'What I'm saying is… maybe I should be in the airborne,' (Author's note: So I'm getting carried away, as long as it's still related to Harry Potter!) Tom finished. 'In that dream it was so real and you know it was real! So… maybe after this year during the summer I should sign up in a cadet school or some such.'

Michelle looked at his speechless then spoke out during her silence, 'And what? Leave me finishing the mission?'

'No, I'll stay and finish it off but… listen… which ever path I choose is the one I want okay? Don't follow me unless you know what you're doing because it's the path you choose that will shape your future.'

Harry looked over at Hermione looking as though she was going to burst into tears at Tom's last words. There was a few minutes silence that gave Harry time to think. Who were Tom and Michelle trying to protect and what was the mission? Were they here to protect Harry from Voldemort but failed when the plane crashed? Next thing Harry knew was that Michelle broke the silence.

'You know, you never told me about the sorting after the first day here?' Michelle said.

Tom seemed to be taken by surprise. 'Oh - that… well the Sorting Hat sorted me into Gryffindor but at first it wanted to put me in Slytherin!'

Michelle didn't seem to be surprised at all, 'Well of course not he would! You're all scared that he'd put you in Slytherin but why not when you have the blood of Slytherin in you! Well not just Slytherin but Gryffindor too…'

'Well lucky for me I had a choice,' said Tom placing the map inside his breast pocket. 'Anyway… I didn't tell anyone about this so keep this quiet okay?' Michelle nodded as Tom threw his knapsack in front. 'I brought a few things from that crazy dream I had…' He took out his wand, pointed it at the knapsack, muttered a few spells then a jet of yellow light shot out. The bag began to wiggle a bit then fell silent, nothing happened however Tom seemed pleased. Whatever Tom wanted to achieve, Harry would find out soon…

Tom unzipped his bag then looked in, he smiled. Pulling out of the bag was his M1 Carbine that he left at school. 'Cool huh? Plus, and that's not all, I can change it to whatever I want!' He waved his wand around above the weapon, yellow jets of light shot out of his wand then made contact with the Carbine. The weapon began to wiggle a bit then changed shape. It became an atlas. 'I picked up this neat trick during our time at Hogwarts. Pretty cool huh?'

Harry was staring unbelieving at the weapon, and not just him but Ron and Hermione as well. At least now they would be safe from both Muggles and wizards.

'Wow… this is neat!' Michelle said in awe. 'But… what're you going to do about this?'

'I'll show them! But let's just say we found it in the forest some time okay?' Tom said. 'Now let's get back to the crowd and rally them up, it's been half an hour already.' They both stood up and left back to the pack of stranded Gryffindors and Slytherins.

'C'mon…' Harry started, 'Let's get back before he finds out we're missing…'

*

Tom rallied the group together and soon they were marching off. During their walk some people began to ask where Tom got the submachine gun, he answered 'Found it'. The sun began its path to settle and yet there was no end out of the forest. Checking his map once or twice on their long walk Tom said that they were making progress and only had a few miles to go. Night began to leer on them and only the moon was their source of light.

At last Tom gave them the signal to stop and get some sleep. Tom had told them that they would need the sleep for tomorrow however Harry knew that there was another reason for their delay. He could have them all marching right now but instead he stopped. Harry was going to find out why.

His thoughts were correct. Tom was going to meet with Michelle again to carry on their conversation from that afternoon. Just as he suspected, both of them were sitting down talking together. Not wanting to miss out, Harry tried to get as closest as he can until he began to hear their voices more clearly.

'… you know… if you decide to join the army, when you're at legal age of course,' Michelle said, 'Well I think it's best if I come along!'

'You nuts?' Tom said shocked. 'I told you before, you might be making the wrong choice! I mean… what happens if you - I dunno - quit and make a fool of yourself? The boys we'll make fun of you and the girls we'll tease you everywhere you go!'

Michelle snorted then responded, 'What makes you think they'll make fun of me? We've been through more horrors than anyone on this planet! Well I guess not all… but still… doesn't this forest kind of make you feel itchy for the trigger?'

'Huh?' Tom asked puzzled.

'What I'm saying is… This forest and everything around… you might think the Death Eaters lured us in here…' Michelle spoke quietly. Michelle began to look around then neared Tom and spoke quietly, 'You know we've been dating for what? Two years… You never… you know…'

'What?' Tom asked.

'This…' She pulled him to her and gave him a good soft kiss. Soon enough he was returning and Harry though he'd probably avoid this and get some sleep.

Just a few paces from the scene a drawling voice was heard. 'Well, well, well… Potter's gone to have a show isn't he? Wouldn't Granger be ready for one of those hmm?' It was Draco Malfoy.

'What d'you want Malfoy? What're you even doing out here?' Harry asked outraged. 'You're supposed to be with the rest of those stinkin' Slytherins!'

'I can ask you the same thing… You know you and Granger never put on a show? Or perhaps you two just do it in a broom closet or - ' That was as far as he got. Harry punched Malfoy hard in the face as he stumbled into the tree behind him. The branch shook as snow fell down on top of them two.

Harry was looking outraged while Malfoy was looking pleased, dusting himself off from the snow. 'What? I'm speaking the truth, could I?' Malfoy said with a smirk on his face. 'You could have - ' Harry grabbed him by the collar and shoved him into the tree behind, his face red with rage.

'I never, never - have not! You know you're going to pay for that - ' but soon footsteps were heard. Tom and Michelle went darting into their position, wand out. Tom and Michelle had their wands pointed at Malfoy.

'The hell you two doing here?' Tom asked coldly. 'Thought I told you to get some sleep for tomorrow?'

'Fine, fine, fine… we're going,' drawled Malfoy as he walked back to his own part of the forest.

Harry stood where he was. 'C'mon Harry, back to the Gryffindor area,' Tom said walking towards the sleeping Gryffindors. 'You know we're going to wake up early in the morning to reach that magical community town.'

'Alright I'm coming…' Harry said reluctantly as they walked off.