Into the Forest
The next morning, the Great Hall was abuzz with murmers. Everyone wanted to know how Gryffindor had lost one hundred and fifty points in one night, and how Slytherin had also lost forty points as well. A couple of seniors glared at her and Malfoy as they made their way to breakfast. Vanessa Flint and her friend, Elle Phillips even stopped them and the former scolded them, "I told you not to do something stupid. Yet, here we are!"
As the words reached her side of the hall where she sat with her fellow Slytherins, she came to know that it was Harry who had lost Gryffindor points. Slytherins started cheering, now seemingly forgetting that Slytherin also lost points. Apparently, seeing the downfall of Gryffindor was much more important than maintaining their own points.
If Harry had lost Gryffindor points then that could only mean that he and Hermione got caught. Even after what she did, it wasn't enough. She met with Harry after breakfast and he told her what exactly had happened. Norbert was safely handed over to Charlie's friends but they forgot to take the Invisibility Cloak when they descended the tower. Then McGonagall caught them along with Neville who came to help them. Professor McGonagall then took fifty points from each student along with giving them detention.
Hayley resisted the urge to kick Harry in the shins and calmed herself down as he was already getting a lot of hate from the whole school except the Slytherins of course. So instead of yelling at him for being stupid, she patted his back gently and reassured him, "Don't worry about it. They'll forget about it in a week or so."
As the days went by, Hayley didn't know she'd be proven wrong so quickly. The hate the Gryffindors were getting for losing points increased as no one was talking to them and everyone kept their distance from them. Harry looked depressed and Hayley did everything in her power to cheer him up but it didn't work. She asked Harry to teach her flying, even though she's been doing much better in her flying lessons but she thought it would cheer him up since he loved flying more than anything.
But that seemed to have depressed him more and he told her how the Gryffindor Quidditch team had been treating him, ignoring him and only talking to him when necessary and referring to him as a 'Seeker.' So Harry decided to busy himself with homework and studies, and swore not to do anymore spying or sneaking around.
The days were racing by and exams were approaching fast. Harry and Ron were growing nervous as they were still behind on their revision and Hermione kept telling them 'I told you to follow my study schedules but you two won't listen!'
Meanwhile, Hayley was already finished with most of her revisions and was focusing more on Potions because she didn't want to make any mistakes and give Professor Snape more reasons to insult her. She mostly studied in the Slytherin common room after dinner and she was currently sitting in a corner with her Potion's notes out. She was trying to memorize all the ingredients and the exact measurements used in a potion called Sleeping Draught.
As she read the ingredients jotted down on her notes, the words didn't register in her mind and she kept repeating the same sentence. She tightly shut her eyes and took a deep breath. Maybe she needed to take a break, she thought. She put her quill and parchment aside and leaned back in her seat. After several minutes, she decided to call it a night and study in the morning so she gathered her things and that's when she noticed the heavy book still tucked inside her bag.
She took it out, the leather cover was worn out and its pages were yellow. She had completely forgotten about this book and didn't have much to read it. She decided to give it a read and see what kind of information it yielded. For some reason, she wanted to so this in private so she gathered her things and went to her dorm room.
She entered and was grateful to find it empty. She flopped down on her bed, her book bag now discarded at the foot the bed and flipped open the book.
The book held the same information about the prophecies and foretelling of future events through cryptic messages. She searched the table of contents and found a chapter on Seers. Although the book was called Oracles and Seers, there wasn't much information on the later. She skipped to that particular chapter and there was a detailed explanation regarding why these two were different. It read:
The terms Oracle and Seer are often used interchangeably, yet they possess distinct abilities. An Oracle serves as a conduit for prophetic messages, delivering cryptic and often ambiguous predictions that require interpretation. These messages, while insightful, can be misleading due to their symbolic nature and reliance on external interpretation. In contrast, a Seer possesses the innate ability to directly perceive an individual's future with absolute certainty. Unlike an Oracle’s enigmatic prophecies, a Seer’s visions depict events that are unalterable, revealing a predetermined fate rather than a potential outcome. This fundamental difference—between the fluidity of an Oracle’s prophecy and the fixed nature of a Seer’s vision—distinguishes their roles in the mystical arts.
She processed this new information in her head. It didn't make much sense to her but she kept an open mind. She still didn't have any confirmation that the 'visions' she was having were of the future. None of it had come true yet, regarding Professor Quirrell or even that bizarre interaction with the grown up versions of her and Malfoy.
She read that paragraph one more time and her eyes caught on some words; unaltered, a predetermined fate. So the future can't be changed? She speculated. If that were to be true then what was the point? What was the point in seeing someone's future when one couldn't even change it, for better or for worse? What good it would to do know future events and still unable to do anything to change it?
The more she thought about it the more frustrated she felt. She couldn't read anymore so she slammed the book shut and threw it away, it bounced on the bed before coming to a stop with a thump. She settled back on her pillows and stared at the dark ceiling. She sighed deeply as the thought of her being a... She shook her head, she didn't even want to think of the possibility.
Nothing good would come out of that and besides it would be better not to know the future, right?
—•••—
About a week before the exams were due, she was studying with Ron and Hermione in the library when Harry hurried in. He looked uneasy as he sat down.
"What's the matter?" Hayley asked. Harry told them what he'd heard; Professor Quirrell was talking to someone and sobbing as he reluctantly agreed to do something. Harry didn't see who Quirrell was talking to but he said he could bet twelve Philosopher's Stones that it was Snape.
"Snape's done it, then!" said Ron. "If Quirrell has told him how to break his Anti-Dark Force spell—"
"There's still Fluffy, though," Hermione interjected.
"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. So what do we do now?"
The light of adventure was kindling again in Ron's eyes, but Hermione answered before Harry could.
"Go to Dumbledore. That's what we should have done ages ago. If we try anything ourselves we'll be thrown out for sure."
"No," said Hayley seriously. "We can't. We aren't supposed to know about the Stone and Fluffy. If we told Dumbledore about this then there'll be a lot of explaining to do. They'll know we've been sneaking around at night!"
"She's right and 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? 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 on it, he's too friendly with Snape, and the more students get thrown out, the better, he'll think."
Hermione looked convinced, but Ron didn't. "If we just do a bit of poking around—"
"No," said Harry flatly, "we've done enough poking around." He pulled a map of Jupiter toward him and started to learn the names of its moons. Hayley was also relieved to know that Harry had given up on his quest before they all landed in some serious trouble.
The following morning, notes were delivered to Hayley and Malfoy at the breakfast table. It read:
Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch in the Entrance Hall.
Professor McGonagall.
She groaned as she crumbled the note in her hand. She had forgotten about that detention. And it was at Eleven o'clock tonight. Seriously? At night? She wanted to sleep in early so that she could wake up tomorrow morning to revise with a fresh mind.
Theo, who was sitting right in front of her reached for the crumpled note before she could stop him. He smoothed it out and read, a grin taking form on his face. "Oooh. Detention. You are in so much trouble."
Hayley snatched it back and this time, she tore it up. Theo laughed and teased, "Someone's not happy about detention."
Of course she wasn't!
Theo turned his attention on Malfoy who was sitting a few seats away, "Draco, do you have any special plans tonight?"
The curly haired boy clearly knew that Malfoy also had to attend detention and wanted to rile him up. Hayley also wanted to see how Malfoy would react to this, if anyone could tease Malfoy, it was Theo. The blonde's eyes turned furious, his cheeks reddened and he clenched his jaw like he was holding himself back.
"It's none of your business, Theo." He voice was clipped and tight. He went back to his breakfast, trying to ignore Theo and engaged in a conversation with Crabbe and Goyle.
"How is it not my business?" Theo looked hurt, resting a hand on his heart, but the mischievous glint in his eyes told otherwise. "My closest friend has landed himself in trouble. How can I not worry?"
"I don't need you to worry about me. I am perfectly fine!" Malfoy said harshly, his cheeks still flushed. Theo's grin widened and he rested his chin on his hand as he leaned forward.
"I'll lend you my shoulder after your detention if you need to cry." Theo said. Blaise snickered behind his hand and Pansy was also trying hard not to laugh. Hayley, on the other hand, grinned widely as Theo continued to tease Malfoy.
"Shut up and don't talk to me!" Malfoy was fuming, his uneasiness had transformed into anger now. But Theo remained unfazed.
"Don't worry, Draco. We won't tell your father you got into trouble, not once but twice. So relax." As Theo said those words, Malfoy's expressions changed and it became clear that he was indeed afraid his father would find out about his detention. He had already gotten one when Snape found out he'd called Hayley's mother a mudblood. A highly offensive word in the Wizarding World that even a man like Snape didn't tolerate.
Fear showed across Draco's face but only for a moment, as the anger took over once again, "I won't expect you to understand since your father already thinks of you as a disappointment!"
Theo's grin vanished as his whole demeanor changed, his relaxed posture became stiff and his face showed hurt. Blaise frowned and glared at Malfoy and Pansy looked at Theo with a worried expression. Hayley was confused at the sudden change of mood, even Daphne and Millicent had those confused expressions as if they also couldn't understand why Theo would react in such a manner since he was also teasing Malfoy in a similar way.
She looked at her fellow Slytherins one by one to read their reactions but it was Malfoy's reaction that made her pause. He looked at Theo with guilt in his eyes and he shook his head, his lips parting slightly as if trying to take back his statement but no words came out of his mouth. Hayley never thought she'd see Draco showing such emotions.
Theo stood up and gathered his bag, "I'll see you guys in class."
He left before anyone could stop him. Blaise gave Draco a glare and followed after Theo. Pansy also stood up as she fixed her furious eyes on the blonde, "You are such a jerk, Draco! You know he's—"
Pansy cut herself off before she could say more and also stormed out. After that little incident, Malfoy became awfully quiet and didn't speak much throughout the whole day, and kept looking at Theo, his hands clenching and unclenching in silent regret. Hayley got the sense that Theo was a bit sensitive when it came to his father and it was something that only a few of them were privy to because Daphne, Millicent, Crabbe and Goyle kept asking each other what exactly was so wrong with what Malfoy said.
Hayley decided not to pry into their matter and kept to herself as she and Malfoy waited for the Gryffindors in the Entrance Hall at Eleven o'clock that night to serve their detention. Filch kept leering at them and basically, fantasized about torturing students with chains and hanging them upside down. After a few minutes, Harry, Hermione and Neville arrived and they all set out in the direction of Hagrid's hut. It was dark outside despite having a full moon but the clouds covered the sky, drowning them into shadows.
Neville kept sniffling and Filch was delighted at the thought of punishment they were gonna receive as he led the way. Hayley could see the lighted windows of Hagrid's hut and heard a distant shout. It was Hagrid and Hayley was grateful to hear his voice, "Is that you, Filch? Hurry up! I want to get started."
A look of relief crossed Harry's face but Filch caught that look and sneered, "I suppose you think you'll be enjoying yourself with that oaf? Well, think again, boy— it's into the forest you're going and I'm much mistaken if you'll all come out in one piece."
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 there... werewolves, I heard."
Neville clutched the sleeve of Harry's robe and made a choking noise. Hayley swallowed as she felt her mouth growing dry.
"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?"
Hagrid came striding toward them out of the dark, Fang at his heel. He was carrying his large crossbow, and a quiver of arrows hung over his shoulder. At least he was prepared, Hayley thought gratefully.
"About time. I've been waiting for half an hour already." Then he looked at Harry, Hayley and Hermione and added, "all right, you guys?"
"I shouldn't be too friendly to them, Hagrid," said Filch coldly, "they're here to be punished, after all."
"That's why you're late, isn't it?" said Hagrid, frowning at Filch. "Been lecturing them, eh? It's not your place to do that. You've done your bit, I'll take over from here."
"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. Something about that statement made Hayley sweat and tremble slightly.
Malfoy now turned to Hagrid.
"I'm not going in that forest," he said. There was a note of panic in his voice and Hayley was relieved to know she wasn't the only one.
"You are if you want to stay at Hogwarts," said Hagrid fiercely. "You've done wrong and now you've got to pay for it."
"But this is servant stuff, it's not for students to do. I thought we'd be copying lines or something, if my father knew I was doing this, he'd—"
"Tell you that's how it is at Hogwarts," Hagrid growled, interrupting Malfoy mid sentence. "Copying lines! What good is that to anyone? You'll do something useful or you'll get out. If you think your father'd rather you were expelled, then get back off to the castle an' pack. Go on."
Malfoy didn't move. He looked at Hagrid furiously, but then dropped his gaze. Whoa, Hayley did not think she'd ever seen Hagrid so angry. It was a good thing it wasn't her on the receiving end of it.
"Right then," Hagrid commanded their attention. "Now, listen carefully, 'cause it's dangerous what we're gonna do tonight, and I don't want no one taking risks. Follow me over here for a moment."
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, pointing to something, "see that stuff shining on the ground? Silvery stuff? That's unicorn blood. There's a unicorn in there that's been hurt badly by something. This is the second time in a week. I found one dead last Wednesday. We're gonna try and find the poor thing. We might have to put it out of its misery."
She couldn't help but feel sad for the creature.
"And what if whatever hurt the unicorn finds us first?" said Malfoy, unable to keep the fear out of his voice.
"There's nothing that lives in the forest that'll hurt you if you're with me or Fang," said Hagrid. "And keep to the path. Right, now, we're gonna split into two parties and follow the trail in different directions. There's blood all over the place, it must've been staggering around since last night at least."
"I want Fang," said Malfoy quickly, looking at Fang's long teeth.
"All right, but I warn you, he's a coward," said Hagrid. "So me, Harry, and Hermione'll go one way and Hayley, Draco, Neville and Fang'll go the other. Now, if any of us find the unicorn, we'll send up green sparks, right? Get your wands out and practice now— that's it— and if anyone gets in trouble, send up red sparks, and we'll all come and find you— 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 Hayley, 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. Fang kept wimpering as they went in deeper, Neville was moaning with fear as Hayley and Malfoy carefully observed their surroundings. The blonde's face was paler than usual, his eyes alert and focused. The trail of silver blood was fading and they found very small traces on the path they were currently on.
Malfoy's shoulders were now relaxed and Hayley also became used to her surroundings as they didn't find anything out of the ordinary. It was then that she tried to broach the subject regarding Theo. She cleared her throat and addressed him, "So... What's the matter with you and Theo?"
Malfoy paused and sneered at her, "It's none of your business!"
She raised her hands in surrender, "You are right. It's not. But Theo was hurt by your comment. Did you even apologize?"
He didn't reply and kept going down the dirt path. She again tried, "You know, that's not how you treat a friend, Malfoy. You owe him an apology."
"We are not friends! We are just some childhood acquaintances who played together occasionally." Malfoy replied, his lips were pursed into a thin line.
"Yeah that's what we call childhood friends, genius!" Hayley said, "and Theo considers you a friend, that's why he reacted the way he did. He wouldn't have cared if it was someone else but the fact that it was you and he got offended says how much your opinion means to him."
Malfoy was in deep thought now and he kept clenching and unclenching his fists. Hayley realize d it was a sign of uneasiness. "I- I didn't mean to."
He admitted in a low voice and Hayley barely heard him. She was surprised to know he'd admit that to her of all people. It seemed Malfoy did consider Theo a friend because the way he was staring at the ground with that expression of guilt and regret like he himself couldn't believe it.
But then he blinked and snapped his head in her direction, he bared his teeth, "Stay out of this! I don't need you to tell what I should do or not!"
"Alright! I was just trying to help!" She snapped back and crossed her arm. Neville silently watched their interaction, keeping his distance.
"I don't need help from someone who looks like a hag in the dark!" He yelled out. Hayley gasped as she took offense.
"Excuse me!? A hag? How dare you say that to me?" She screamed as she jabbed a finger at him. Malfoy scoffed and waved a hand in her direction.
"Have you looked at yourself? Your hair is wild and the way it waves around— its so creepy in the dark."
She was left speechless and sputtered, trying to say something snarky or anything that will put the pale brat in his place but she was truly at a loss for words. She knew that her hair was a wild mess as she mostly kept her hair unbound but she didn't know anyone would compare her to a hag. She stomped her foot and stormed off, going ahead of them to keep some distance between them.
Her surroundings turned darker and the trees grew thicker as she put some distance between her and her companions. How dare he call her a hag? That little rascal will pay for this! Fine. If he truly thought she looked like a hag then alright. She'll show him.
She sneaked behind a tree and waited for them to catch up. Malfoy, Neville and Fang came into view and she adjusted her hair in front of her face so that it covered her face fully. Malfoy came near and she jumped in front of him, her hands raised in front of her, fingers curved like they were claws.
Malfoy jumped back and yelled out with a start. Neville, however, let out a great scream and shoot out red sparks in the sky, crying loudly, "A hag! A hag!"
That did something to her self esteem as she heard Neville call her a hag. But ignoring the blow to herself, she profusely apologized to Neville and tried to calm him down, "I am so sorry, Neville! I didn't mean to scare you like that! I was trying to scare Malfoy. Please don't cry."
She heard Malfoy laugh behind her, it was a loud and deep laugh as he hunched forward, clutching his stomach. Her face burned with embarrassment but she ignored him and tried to help Neville calm down. She heard Hagrid's heavy footsteps as he came running to them, worry etched on his features as he asked them what was going on. She didn't answer as her insides burned with shame.
It was Malfoy who told Hagrid what happened and she couldn't meet his eyes as he said in anger, "This isn't a joke! The forest is very dangerous at a time like this! Now come along— we'll meet with the others."
Neville was now sniffling as they reunited with Harry and Hermione. Hagrid told them what happened and Malfoy kept snickering so she glared at him but it didn't stop him. Hagrid made them switch up and paired her, Malfoy and Harry along with Fang. They didn't object.
Hagrid, Hermione and Neville took a path and disappeared through the trees. They also started walking, following the trail of silver-blue blood. It was Harry who broke the silence, "You couldn't have picked another place and time for your pranks? We were onto something, you know."
She looked at him sheepishly, "Well, it was a great prank that could only be carried out here and at this time."
Harry exhaled deeply and shook his head slightly. Hayley gave him a grin, "You should have seen Malfoy's face."
Harry grinned back, "It's a shame I wasn't there."
"I wasn't scared!" Malfoy shouted at them from behind.
"Yeah. Yeah. Keep telling yourself that!" Hayley waved her hand at him, nonchalantly.
They set out into the heart of the forest, walking in silence as they went deep inside. 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. Hayley noticed the blood was getting thicker, there were splashes on the roots of a tree, as though the poor creature had been thrashing around in pain close by. Hayley saw a clearing ahead, through the tangled branches of an ancient oak.
"Look—" Harry murmured, holding out his arm to stop them.
Something bright white was gleaming on the ground. They inched closer. It was the unicorn all right, and it was dead. She had never seen such a beautiful creature before and it deeply saddened her that her first encounter with the creature was under these circumstances. She carefully looked at it and noticed its long, slender legs were stuck out at odd angles where it had fallen and its mane was spread pearly-white on the dark leaves.
Harry had taken one step toward it and Hayley was going to follow after him when a slithering sound made them freeze where they stood. A bush on the edge of the clearing quivered. Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came crawling across the ground like some stalking beast. Hayley, 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.
A wave of fear washed over her as she gaped at the sight before her. She stood frozen with fear and then—
Malfoy let out a terrible scream and bolted. So did Fang. The hooded figure raised its head and looked right at them— unicorn blood was dribbling down its front. It got to its feet and came swiftly toward them where they stood and a terrible feeling took place in the pit of her stomach, it felt like dread and despair.
Then she heard Harry yell out in pain and she whirled to him, grabbing him by his shoulders. He was clutching at his forehead and she realized it was his scar. Something rustled behind her and she turned to look. The figure was now much closer to them and it looked right at her. She felt a familiar sensation of being detached from her surroundings, her body going limp as her mind retreated to somewhere she'd never been before. The figure vanished, the sounds of the forest disappeared and she braced herself for whatever she's about to see.
—•••—
Harry Potter had never felt such pain before; it was as though his scar was on fire. Half blinded, he staggered backward. He felt Hayley's hands on his shoulders and noticed the figure closing in on them. One second, Hayley was holding him and the next, her body fell on him as if going limp. He realized that she had fainted. They both fell to their knees as Harry couldn't balance their weight. His forehead burned as he tried to wake her up but she didn't respond.
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 that he yelled out. 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. It was someone he had never met before.
"Are you all right?" said the centaur, eyeing Harry and Hayley who was still unconscious in his arms. The centaur helped him up as he adjusted Hayley so that she was now sprawled on his back, her arms dangling over his shoulders.
"Yes, thank you— What was that?" The centaur didn't answer. He had astonishingly blue eyes, like pale sapphires. He looked carefully at Harry, his eyes lingering on the scar that stood out, livid, on Harry's forehead.
"You are the Potter boy," he said, then his eyes drifted to his sister, "and the Potter girl. You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time— especially for you two. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way."
"You know us?" Harry said as he looked at the centaur suspiciously. He tightened his hold on Hayley and wished with all his heart that everything was alright with her and she'd just fainted due to fear.
The centaur nodded as he looked up at the sky, "the stars can tell so much if one knows where to look."
"My name is Firenze," he added, as he lowered himself on to his front legs so that Harry could clamber onto his back. But it was a bit difficult since he had to adjust Hayley as well but nonetheless, they both were seated safely on Firenze's back.
There was suddenly a sound of more galloping from the other side of the clearing. Ronan and Bane came bursting through the trees, their flanks heaving and sweaty.
"Firenze!" Bane thundered. "What are you doing? You have humans on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"
"Do you realize who they are?" said Firenze. "They are the Potter twins. The quicker they leave this forest, the better."
"What have you been telling them?" growled Bane. "Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?"
Ronan 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!"
Firenze suddenly reared on to his hind legs in anger, so that Harry had to grab his shoulders to stay on and it caused Hayley to slip from his hold but he quickly caught her. He changed her position so that now she was between him and the back of the centaur.
"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 up 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 plunged off into the trees, leaving Ronan and Bane behind them.
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. They made their way through the trees in silence for so long that Harry thought Firenze didn't want to talk to him anymore. 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?"
"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."
Harry stared at the back of Firenze's head, which was dappled silver in moonlight.
"But who'd be that desperate?" he wondered aloud. "If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?"
"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 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."
But before Harry could reply, the moonlight escaped through the thick canopy and he saw Hayley's open eyes. He thought she'd gained consciousness but instead of green, white eyes greeted him and his stomach dropped.
He shook her, "Hayley? Hayley? Wake up!"
He grew frantic, he didn't know what to do. "Firenze! There's something wrong with her! Hurry! We need to take her to madam Pomfrey!"
Firenze was silent, as if contemplating something but then he answered, "Relax, Mr. Potter. Your sister is in a trance. She'll be alright once she wakes up."
Harry couldn't understand what he meant by that. A trance? So he asked, "What does that mean?"
"It's something she must figure out herself. Just know that it is a gift very few possess."
Harry looked down at Hayley's face that was devoid of any emotions, the eerie white of her eyes hauntingly staring back at him. What if she... What if she never woke up? What will he do then? What can he do to help her?
"Harry! Harry, are you all right? And Hayley?" Hermione was running toward them down the path, Hagrid puffing along behind her. Harry blinked his thoughts away and focused his attention on Hermione.
"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. "You are safe now."
"Hermione can you please help me with Hayley?" Harry lowered his sister so that Hermione can catch her. Hermione let out an omph as Hayley's entire weight was shifted onto her. Harry slid off Firenze's back and took Hayley from Hermione's arms and lifted her on 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."
He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leaving Harry shivering behind him. Hermione turned to them and examined Hayley as worry bloomed on her face. "How long as she been like this?"
Hermione did not sound surprised at all and didn't even ask what was going on with her. Harry replied, "Uh... Fifteen minutes or twenty. I am not sure."
Harry saw her purse her lips in a thin line and avoided meeting his eyes, so he firmly asked, "Hermione. Has this happened before?"
She nodded slowly, "But not for this long. I... I don't know what's going—"
Hermione paused when Hayley let out a whimper and stirred. She groaned and lifted her head which was resting on Harry's shoulder. "Hayley? Are you awake?"
"Yeah. What— How am I here?" Hayley slid off his back and Harry turned around to examine his sister more carefully. Her eyes had turned back to green now and she looked confused. "What was that figure?"
"Nevermind that! What happened to you?" Harry asked, his heart drumming inside his chest. He had never seen Hayley like that and he wasn't sure if he was willing to see that again. She blinked at him and exchanged a look with Hermione.
"I'll tell you everything, Harry, but not now. I have a terrible headache. I promise I'll you everything tomorrow." She said, pressing a hand to her forehead but before Harry could press more, he saw a trail of blood coming out of nose.
Hayley also realized this and wiped it with the sleeve of her robes but the blood wouldn't stop. She tipped her head back and Hermione provided her with a handkerchief. Harry could only watch as Hayley dabbed at her nose, trying to wipe the blood which was now dripping down her chin. "Let's go and see Madam Pomfrey."
It was the only thing Harry could say but Hayley refused and said she'd be alright. She could be so stubborn sometimes, Harry thought with annoyance and worry. The blood finally stopped when they were back inside the castle. Hayley bid her goodbyes and took the stairs that will lead her to the dungeons.
Harry did not like this feeling at all. He thought he knew everything about her. He thought there were no secrets between them. She used to tell Harry everything but then why didn't she tell him this?
Were they growing apart that they had their own friends? Did she not need him anymore? No. He mustn't think that way. There must be a reason why Hayley didn't tell him what was going on.
He ran up to the Gryffindor tower and saw Ron sleeping in the dark common room and jerked him awake. He yelled out something about Quidditch foul but quickly came to his senses when Harry started to tell him about what exactly happened in the forest.
It was at dawn that he finally went to bed and found some that shocked him. It was his Invisibility Cloak with a note attached to it:
Just in case.