Chapter 19
It was a cold March night as the group headed off into the Forbidden Forrest. Everyone had split off into teams; Ron and Hermione had gone with Hagrid; and Draco, Harry, and Alyssa had been sent off with Fang. At least Alyssa had some idea what was going on at that point, what Quirrel was doing.
“Unicorn blood can grant life.” They explained, fixing their dual cutlass at their waist. “But at the cost of it being cursed, ever only living a half-life. It’s the consequence of killing something so genuinely pure. If Quirrel is resorting to this; that means that he hast to act much faster. This is the second time this week, meaning that his trips are becoming more frequent.”
“So, whoever is attacked to Quirrel need unicorn blood, and further the Elixir of Life. They are after immortality, are currently in a state worse than death, and it is not connected to either Wonderland or the Other world, not truly.” Harry let out a soft sigh. “At this point I feel like we have the answers, we’re just missing what it is that’s happening.”
“I wonder. Queen, you survived the killing curse and that rebound onto Voldemort. It’s said that killed him but considering you survived, I wonder if there is a way that he did as well.”
Alyssa went to respond but held up a hand as a rustling hit their ears. They were grateful that they had dark vision and Detective mode, and yet as the forest grew more entangled, even they were having a hard time figuring things out.
“Alyssa?” Draco whispered. “What’s going on?”
“I’m not sure, but something isn’t right here.” They responded, hands instinctually going for their swords. Eventually the slithering vanished into the distance, and they eased up a bit. “We should be careful; we can discuss his involvement when we get back to the castle.”
“Right.” Draco and Harry nodded, falling into a slightly more defensive positioning. As they headed forward, the blood grew thicker, and Alyssa realized there was no chance that the Unicorn had survived.
“Look-“As Draco pointed, Alyssa’s blood ran somewhat cold as they pulled the shadows around them up even more defensively. In the center of the clearing ahead of them was one of the most beautiful, sad, scene. The snow-white creature’s legs were sprawled out, its beautiful hair fallen in the blood-soaked leaves of the forest floor. Alyssa felt the shadows shift, heart racing as nodded towards a nearby log.
Heading forward, the group hid behind it, glancing down at the clearing below. The slithering, hissing filled the air again and a dark cloaked figure scrambled forward. It was crawling on the ground like a stalking beast, oddly reptilian in its movement.
No one could react as it reached the dead creature, lowering its head to the being’s neck to begin drinking. Fang let out a terrified whine and bolted, and Alyssa watched as Harry drew back an arrow.
As he took aim, they allowed themselves to slip through the shadows, entering the tree line and heading forward. They wanted to get a better look at what was going on; attempt to figure out what the creature was.
A cold, breathy sound hit Alyssa’s ears and they stumbled back a little. The creature’s breathing was hollow and raged, but it gripped Alyssa’s heart more than anything truly had. The nurses, Pyramid Head, the Grinning Doctor.
Nothing was like what stood before them because nothing was still so innately human in their monstrosity. Changed into a creature of nightmares, without having any connection to the othering.
A snapping sounded under foot, and the creature glanced up, eyes landing on exactly where Alyssa stood. Before it could lunge it let out a screeched scream of agony as an arrow plunged into its shoulder, whipping around as two more flew forward.
Taking a calming breath Alyssa drew their swords, swinging quickly at it, slashing through one of the creature’s eyes. As the sounds of hooves came crashing forward the creature let out one final scream before scrambling away, easily escaping into the shadowy distance.
“Are you quite alright?”
Glancing up Alyssa took in the younger centaur. He had warm almond skin, and a palomino body flecked with snow white. His eyes were soft, round, and an enchanting blue, pale and yet sapphire at the same time. His face was cleanly shaven, and his hair was somewhat short, a snow white held in a half ponytail.
“Yeah, were al- Alyssa you’re staining.” Harry scolded, and they quickly shook their head.
“Sorry, I… That wasn’t… I wasn’t thinking. I should have let Harry just handle it…” Alyssa found themselves in awe of the man. Blinking a few times, Alyssa glanced up at the sky, then back to the centaur. “Mars is unusually bright tonight.”
“Do you understand the signs that you perceive I wonder?”
“Um… Only so far as from someone who’s probably a bit too into wicca, astrology stuff. I’m not a wizard. Well technically-“
The young Centaur faltered slightly then let out a soft chuckle. “It’s best that we get the three of you back to Hagrid and the school from where you came. You are not entirely human yourself, I can sense on you that you were created under an astrological anomaly.”
“What do you mean?” Draco asked as they started back the way they had come. “Draco Malfoy. That’s Alyssa Wayne-“
“And Harry Queen, a prophecy was told about you as well. It would seem like that was proven wrong, the signs of your death misread.”
“The Horcrux that Constantine removed.” Harry nodded, returning his bow to his back.
“Precisely.”
“We never caught your name.” Alyssa put their swords away, a twinge of pain crossing their face for a moment as the adrenalin faded. Quickly they pulled a Health Drink out of the nothing, taking a drink before causing it to vanish. The horrid taste never grew on them, and they still found themselves grimacing as their ankle healed.
“Firenze, are you certain that you’re alright?”
“Yeah, that stuff tastes terrible but it does the trick for an injury like that. I don’t know what come over me there, I’m normally smarter than that, I shouldn’t have gotten close. We know who it is, at least for the most part.”
“I think you know exactly who it was.”
“Voldemort is using Quirrell’s body, the joke’s on him though-“Draco was cut short as the sound of more hooves approached the group. Quickly two older centaurs cut them off, neither looking exactly impressed.
“Firenze! What are you doing? What have you been telling these children?” The first demanded and Alyssa shot him a cold glare. He had slightly darker skin then Firenze, with more direct strength to him, and a deep coconut body, and long flowing black hair, and a short black beard. “Remember Firenze that we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens.”
“Against the heavens? Against them?” Alyssa could feel their blood boiling slightly as they glared at the man, the centaur next to him kicking at the ground uncomfortably.
He was a little smaller than the first, with warm tan skin, and short ginger hair with thick waves. His body was a deep sorrel red brown.
“Bane, he probably just did what he thought was best.”
Bane reared back in anger.
“What he thought was for the best? What dose that have 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.”
“I will have you know that I am not just some stray human, nor did we enter your forest for no reason. We came here to find the injured Unicorn which confirmed our theories on what is happening back at the school.” Alyssa glared coldly, willing their face to change. “Mars if the god of war, I know that you must have foreseen death in this forest. Unlike you I do not see the need to mince my words.”
“You know nothing of divination Child of the Haloed Sun. Your power dose not hold any sway over us.”
“Did you not see that Unicorn Bane?” Firenze raised up on his hind legs in anger as well. “Do you not understand why it was killed, or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I will set myself against what is lurking in this forest, yes Bane, even with humans at my side if I must.”
Before either of the older centaurs could respond, Firenze quickly started towards the exit. Harry and Draco immediately started after him but Alyssa took a moment to glare some more at the two before following after.
“Tom Riddle is Lord Voldemort; he’s starting to become desperate for life. He’s going to have to go after the Philosopher’s stone soon, I don’t think that Quirrel’s body is strong enough to sustain him anymore.” Alyssa noted, pacing slightly.
“the only person that Voldemort-“
“Eh, we know his actual name let’s all agree to just calling him that.” Alyssa said, smirking to themselves.
“Well, the only person that he’s afraid of is Dumbledor, and he’s here at the castle.” Hermione said and Alyssa rolled their eyes “Look I know he’s not a good person himself, but I think we have time. Harry needs to get to bed, he has a quidditch game tomorrow, the last of this semester.”
“We should all get some sleep. The professors have been laying the homework on thick for the coming exams.” Nevil gave a nod.
“Alright. But I do have to ask. We have the option of transferring houses between years. It wouldn’t cost Gryffindor the cup for this year, but… Do we really want to go back to that next year?” Alyssa asked, collapsing to the couch. “I won’t judge you if you do, but I… I don’t. Every other house treated me so much better, and I just. I can’t stay in a house that only hardly bothers to put up with me because they have to.”
“I’m staying.” Harry gave a small nod. “We don’t stay in the dorm anymore, and while things have gotten really severe with you, I’m still comfortable with being here. Not only that but I want to keep my position on the team. Quidditch is definitely something that brings me a good amount of joy.”
“I think I’m going to stay as well, there really isn’t any point for me to change either.” Hermione shook her head. “I don’t know if it would be a great idea for you to go to Slytherin. I think that would only make Gryffindor feel comfortable in their views of you.”
“I agree.” Alyssa nodded, “Now, I will only give the hesitation to. When exactly do exams happen?”
“The first week of June, last week of May.” Hermione gave a small nod. “We can talk more in the morning.”
“Right, right.” Alyssa nodded, following them down to the dorms before heading to bed.