Back to Detentions
Chapter 22
Draco was confused. Why was he being pulled away from the rest of the group? Then he thought back to his conversation with his godfather earlier that day. He did realize how he abruptly left, but he was already on McGonagall’s bad side and didn’t want to make it worse. Draco had meant to send Severus a letter after lunch except that thought slipped his mind.
Filch started to lead Weasley, Potter, Granger, and Blaise towards the Forbidden Forest and looked at Draco, "I think you can escort yourself to the dungeons." Draco turned and started to walk away when Filch rushed the others along, "Hurry up. Hagrid's waiting for you."
Draco walked through the corridors not in any hurry. He was trying to give himself time to think through what he was going to tell his godfather. He wasn't going to pretend this change in detention was to clean cauldrons for an hour. The walk was shorter than Draco wanted. He didn't like being unprepared, especially with important things like this.
Draco stood in front of Severus's study knowing that is where he wanted him to go. He knocked on the door and waited a moment for the door to open. Severus welcomed Draco inside and told him to sit in his usual spot.
Draco sat down with his godfather right behind. There was already tea and pastries laid out on a table between them. Draco looked around not wanting to start this conversation.
"Draco, you already know why I pulled you from your planned detention, so what is it that you were going to tell me earlier today?" Severus asked as he started to pour two cups of tea.
Draco sighed knowing this was going to be a long conversation, "This is going to sound crazy ok, but over the summer I seemed to go back in time. One moment it was 1996 and I was going to sleep in my room and next I woke up and I was eleven again. I remember everything from the past. . . or I guess the future now, and I'm just stuck here."
Severus looked at him with a serious expression. "Draco, I know things have been hard for you this past year, but now it's the time to make up lies and play games. This is serious and I'm starting to worry about you."
"But I'm not lying!" Draco tried to convince, "I know it's hard to believe, but you have to. You're the only one I have talked to about this."
"Okay so you said you just woke five years into the past. Do you have any idea what would have triggered it?" Severus questioned trying to make sense of what he was being told. Draco could tell though, his godfather didn't fully believe him yet
Draco sighed then pulled the dragon necklace he always wore from under his robes. "This is going to take a bit of explaining ok?" he waited for his godfather to nod, "So I was in the Manor over summer break, and had returned to my room after a long night. On my bed though was this necklace. I had lost it earlier that summer and had been so happy to find it again. There was something different about it though, it had a crack in it. I didn’t care in the slightest that it was broken and just wanted to keep it safe, so I wouldn’t lose it again. Though, maybe wearing it wasn't the smartest decision. I wasn't really thinking when I did that. Anyways, when I woke up the next morning, I had gone back in time. "
Severus had a blank expression on his face. "And this magic lets you tell people about the future?" Draco shrugged, "That morning I got a note saying I could only tell five. I don't really know how much I can say."
"And you're telling the truth?" Severus asked. "Yes! I don't really know how to prove it. I'll take Veritaserum if that's what it takes." Draco exclaimed. Severus shook his head. "There's no need for that. I believe you. It's just a lot to take in. I suppose it does explain how you have been excelling in your class with ease though."
Draco groaned, "This is still really confusing for me too. I wish I could just go back in time again, but since the necklace had the magic added to it after I lost it-" "You can't go back in time without having the spelled object." Severus finished for him. Draco just merely nodded.
Severus checked the time and realized how long they had been talking for, "Draco, I think this is enough talking for tonight. It is clearly causing you distress. But before you leave I need to express that we should continue to talk about this subject. One thing I have noticed over this past year is you went from a confident prideful little boy, to a closed off and reserved one. I can only imagine what you have been through, but it seems it was some horrific stuff because it made you lose that confidence."
"Of course, Do you want to have weekly teas like we used to?" Draco offered. "I would love to. Also, see me after your classes have ended tomorrow," Severus replied.
Draco was confused. They usually had tea on Sundays. “What for?”
Severus gave him a smirk and said, “Do you really think you’re getting out of this without any sort of punishment? You’re scrubbing cauldrons tomorrow.”
Draco sighed, but didn’t complain. Anything was better than going back into that forest. He got up from his chair and Severus led him to the door. "One more thing Draco. If you ever need to talk more often please come to me, okay?" Severus said like he always did. Draco nodded, "Thank you, Sev. Owl me for when you want to meet again."
After saying their goodbyes, Draco left his godfather's study and walked back up to his dorm. He thought about the conversation he had with Severus and was happy with how it went. He was glad Severus didn't push him to talk about his past life because he wasn't ready to talk about it yet. So much had happened and he wasn't proud of who he was.
When Draco entered the dorm, Potter was still awake on his bed. Draco walked over to Potter's bed when he waved him over. "We need to talk," Harry said in a serious tone.
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Harry's POV
Filch led Harry, Ron, Hermione, and Zabini outside towards Hagrid. "'Bout time yeh all got here," Hagrid explained. "What are we doing Hagrid?" Harry asked. Filch answered instead, "You'll be assisting Hagrid in the Forbidden Forest tonight."
"We can't go in there!" Zabini shouted. "Oh yeh all will be fine. It's yer punishment anyways. Yeh have no choice," Hagrid explained, Filch left back to the castle and Hagrid lead the group into the forest.
"Now this forest is a dangerous place an' I don't want anyone get hurt," Hagrid told them and pointed towards a shiny liquid on the forest ground, "Look over here, that there is unicorn blood. There's been a unicorn that's been hurt. We're goin’ to try and find it."
"What if something hurts us first?" Zabini questioned out of fear. "As long as yer with me or Fang nothing'll hurt yeh," Hagrid reassured, "We're going to have to split into groups to cover more area. Ron and Hermione will go with me and Harry and Mr. Zabini will go with Fang. Send sparks if you find anything"
Harry internally groaned. Of course he was the one to be stuck with Zabini. The groups broke off in different directions and Harry walked silently next to Zabini. For some reason he didn't like the quiet. He didn't like to admit it, but this forest was a bit creepy.
"Your friends with Draco, right?" Harry asked, breaking the silence. "Yeah, since we were little," Zabini explained. Harry just nodded not knowing what else to say.
They walked deeper into the forest. Harry looked around and the trees were tall and the only light was from the moon and the lantern Zabini held. "Look Potter, I know things with Draco and you are rocky, but if you find a way to hurt him even more you'll have more enemies than you can count." Zabini said sternly.
"I don't want to hurt Draco. I think of him as a friend and only want to make him happy. I know sometimes we fight, but I think we just let anger overcome us too much," Harry tried to explain.
"Draco doesn't need more people to fight with. He needs someone to look out for him, and I can't do that over in Gryffindor. He sometimes gets in over his head and will distance himself from others," Zabini sighed.
"Yeah, I guess he does that," Harry agreed, "but is it even my place to say anything?" " Has he ever opened up to you about anything?" Zabini questioned. Harry thought for a moment, "Well he told me that Snape was his godfather."
"He must trust you somewhat then. If you care even a little for Draco, can you keep an eye on him?" Zabini asked. "Yeah, of course," Harry told him.
They continued to walk until they got to a clearing in the forest. "What is that?" Zabini whispered as he pointed to a hooded figure. "I don't know," Harry said as they walked closer. He could see the figure was eating something, but he couldn't tell what.
When they were only a few feet away, the figure raised its head to look at the two students feeling their presence. It focused its gaze straight on Harry. His scar started to burn and he was blinded with pain. Harry's eyes grew wide as he saw the unicorn laying under the figure. It started to move closer to Harry, but Harry couldn't move. Fear took over his body.
Right before the figure was about to touch Harry, he heard hooves galloping in the distance. The figure must have sensed something was coming too and quickly floated away, disappearing into the shadows of the forest.
Harry looked over at Zabini and saw he was too frozen in fear. He needed to think quickly on what to do. Sparks! Hagrid said to send sparks in the sky. "Periculum," he shouted and red sparks exploded out of his wand.
Zabini had snapped out of it and Harry saw his eyes fixated on something behind him. Harry turned around and saw a centaur standing beside him. "Mr. Potter, are you okay?" the centaur asked concerned.
"Yeah, yeah I'm fine now," Harry answered. The centaur looked down at him, "You shouldn't be in the forest at this time. It is dangerous. Can you ride?" "Um, yeah, but what about Zabini? I can't leave him here." Harry asked.
"I can't take him with us. He will be fine, but you need to leave," the centaur expressed. Harry turned towards Zabini. "Hagrid should be over here soon since I sent the sparks. Will you be okay if I leave?"
"Potter, I can take care of myself, okay. I was just spooked by whatever that thing was," Zabini said. Harry nodded and got onto the centaur's back. The centaur moved fast through the forest. Harry didn't realize how far they had gone into it. He was starting to feel bad for leaving Zabini by himself, but this centaur really made it apparent that he should leave and with his scar still burning he knew he needed to listen.
As they got closer to the edge of the forest, another centaur ran in front of them to stop them. "Firenze," the centaur shouted, "What are you doing with a human on your back? Do you have no shame?"
"Bane, do you realize who this is," Firenze tried to point out, "This is the Potter boy. The faster he leaves the forest the better." Bane growled, "Firenze we are not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movement of the planets?"
Another centaur had now appeared, "Bane, I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best." "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!" Bane thundered.
Firenze wasn't happy with that statement. "Do you not see that unicorn? Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planters 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 with that Firenze started back on their path.
Harry was startled with that conversation. "Firenze, What was that creature back there?" The centaur slowed its pace, "Do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
Harry shook his head, "No we haven't learned about that." "It is a monstrous thing to kill a unicorn. You have to have nothing to even consider it. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even when you are moments away from death, but only at a terrible price. You have killed something so 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." Firenze explained.
"But why would someone do that?" Harry wondered, "Wouldn't it just be better to die than be cursed?" "It is," Firenze agreed, "unless you need to stay alive to drink something else- something that will bring you back to full life. Sometimes that will make sure you never die. Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?"
"The Sorcerer's Stone!" Harry realized, "Of course! But who would want-" "Can you think of someone who has wanted nothing more than to return to power, who has clung to life, waiting for this chance?" Firenze questioned.
Harry thought back to Diagon Alley. He could remember what Hagrid had said, hearing it replay in his mind. Harry gulped, and it grew harder to breathe. "But you don't mean that was Vol-" Harry was cut off by shouting in the distance.
"Harry!" Hermione called out, "Are you alright? We came running when we saw the sparks. Zabini said you had already left back to the castle." Ron and Zabini trailed behind her.
"Yeah, Firenze said I should probably leave," Harry said, jumping off the centaurs back. "This is where I should leave you Mr. Potter. Think twice before coming into the forest again." Firenze and galloped off into the dark forest.
"I'm going to head back up to the castle. Remember what we talked about, Potter," Zabini said and left too. "What did you and Zabini talk about?" Ron questioned.
"We just talked about Draco, but that's not important right now," Harry said, "Let's head back up to the common room. We need to talk."
The group of Gryffindors hurried back through the castle and back to their common room. Hermione and Ron tried to aske what was so important, but Harry said they needed to talk in private.
Harry was relieved to see that no one else was still up. The group sat huddled together in front of the fireplace and waited for Harry to explain what was going on. As he started to explain what he saw in the forest his body started to shake.
"Voldemort is back. I saw him in the forest or what's left of him," Harry started to speak, "He's been living off of unicorn blood. It's what's keeping him alive. That's why Snape wants the stone. He wants to give it to Voldemort, so he can come back to life. He's waiting in the forest, waiting for Snape to strike."
"Stop saying that name," Ron said terrified. Harry didn't listen though. "Firenze saved my life, but he shouldn't have done so, Bane was furious with him. They keep talking about interfering with what the planets say will happen. I think it shows that Voldemort's coming back soon. Blane thinks. . . Blane thinks that Firenze should have left me for Voldemort to kill. I think that might be in the stars too."
"Just stop saying that bloody name!" Ron said harshly. "So now all that is stopping me from death is if Snape gets that stone to Voldemort," Harry said hysterically, "Great I'll be dead before sundown."
Hermione and Ron both looked terrified at what Harry had told them. Ron stayed silent, but Hermione spoke up, "Harry, Snape has failed to get the stone yet. It could take him the rest of the school year to even get close. We also have Dumbledore here. They say that You-know-who was only scared of one person, Dumbledore. As long as he is here You-know-who won't step foot into the castle. And who says the centaurs are right. Maybe the stars and planets will change."
Harry nodded but didn't fully feel safe. He got up from his spot and looked down at the others. "We should probably head to bed. It's been a long day." They all agreed and headed to their dorm rooms for sleep.
When Harry entered their dorm he noticed that Draco's bed was still empty. "Draco still must be with Snape." Ron sat on his bed and yawned, "I would choose the forest over that punishment any day."
Harry smiled. "You should get some rest. I'm going to wait up for Draco. Make sure he's ok after spending all that time with Snape." By the time Harry had finished his sentence, Ron was already snoring himself to sleep.
Harry sat up on his bed alone with his thoughts. He hated to admit it, but part of him was scared. He didn't want to die at the hands of Voldemort like his parents did. He needed to find a way to stop him.
The rest of his thoughts were interrupted by the sound of the door clicking open. Harry looked over and saw Draco walking inside. He gave him a soft smile and waved Draco over to his bed. When Draco got close enough, Harry told him, "We need to talk." just like he did with Hermione and Ron.
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Draco and Harry's POVs
Harry dragged Draco down into the common room. "Sorry I don't want to wake the others and this is important," Harry explained when he saw the confusion on Draco's face. Draco starting to become nervous with the way potter was talking. What was so important that it couldn't wait until the morning?"
Harry, too, was becoming nervous. He didn't want to offend Draco like he had before, but he needed to know this about his godfather. "Voldemort's back." Harry started, "I saw him in the forbidden forest tonight during my detention. . . that is why snape wants the Stone, to give it to Voldemort. . . He's been living in the the forest for a while now, drinking unicorn's blood to stay alive. . . waiting for Snape to bring him the stone.
Once Draco heard the word Voldemort leave Potter's mouth, it started to become hard to breathe. Draco knew what was happening. He could feel his anxiety start to rise. If he was in the right mind, he would have tried to take control of this, but all that was on Draco's mind was his life with that monster. How he fell asleep to screams echoing through his home, how he let that innocent man die.
The man that ruined his life again and again. The man that haunted his nightmares was back sooner than he could have even imagined.
Harry became worried as he saw Draco's breath quicken. He didn't mean for this to affect Draco like this. "Draco are you okay?" Harry asked, "What's wrong?" Draco looked at him and it looked like he was gasping for air at this point.
As Draco’s breathing became shallower, he grabbed onto his wrist. He could feel the sting of the fresh cuts from earlier that day. The pain only distracted him for a moment though.
Harry quickly moved beside Draco and grabbed his hand. "Look at me Draco. Everything is going to be fine. I need you to follow my breathing okay? Deep breath. . . hold it. . . deep breath out." Draco followed Potter's command. "Good job Draco. Let's do it again okay?" They sat in front of the fire just breathing until Draco had finally calmed down.
Draco grew embarrassed. Of course Potter had to see him like this. "Does this happen often?" Harry asked once he was sure Draco was okay. Draco shook his head, "Just when I get really anxious about something."
"What made you so anxious just now?" Harry wondered. Draco sighed not really wanting to admit this out loud. He didn't want to look Potter in the eye so he looked into the fire. "That Voldemort is back. I was thinking about what would happen if he got ahold of the Stone."
Harry nodded, understanding the feeling. "That's why we need to stop Snape from stealing it. If he doesn't get it neither does Voldemort. I know he is your godfather, but what he is doing is wrong"
Draco internally groaned. He knew that he needed to tell Potter he didn't believe Severus was the one behind this anymore. If there was one thing that was good about finding out Voldemort was back, it was that it eliminated all remaining suspicions Draco still had about Severus. With what he knew about his godfather when he asked for help, he wouldn’t willingly bring that man back.
"About that. Severus and I talked, and I don't think he's the one planning on stealing the Stone anymore," Draco could see Potter was about to say something, "And before you start saying that I'm wrong I want you to know that I'm not trying to convince you that it isn't him. I know you fully believe that. But can I ask the same of you? I trust him and maybe you don't, but I'm not going to let you believe that I don't"
"I can do that, but me or one of the others might say things about him that aren't very nice. I don't want to hurt you because of what I think of him," Harry explained.
"Potter I'm used to people saying things about my godfather, and I understand where they come from," Draco said, "I know a different part of him. He's different when we're alone. He actually cares about me and makes sure that I know it."
Harry could only nod. He had never had someone who cared for him like that. It was the one thing he longed for the most, to have someone to be a caring parental figure in his life.
Draco put his hand on Potter's shoulder to get his attention again, "Let's go up and get some sleep. A lot has happened today and there's a lot more to come," Harry agreed and allowed Draco to drag him back up to their dorm. They entered quietly not wanting to disturb the rest of their dorm mates. They both got settled under their covers and tried to fall asleep after a night full of events.
Harry laid in his bed for a couple of minutes, but he knew he would have trouble falling asleep. His mind was filled with thoughts of Voldemort. "Draco," he whispered. It took a moment but Draco replied, "Yeah Potter?" "I can't fall asleep. I'm scared," Harry admitted.
When Potter said that, it made him think of when he would go to his mother saying he was scared to sleep. She would always go with him to his bed and stay until he fell asleep. Slowly Draco got out of his own bed and walked over to Potter's. "Budger over would you?"
"What?" Harry asked, confused. "Move over," Draco repeated. Harry scooted over to make room for Draco and he climbed into bed beside him. Harry let out a sigh, he felt more safe with Draco near him.
"Thank you," Harry whispered to the boy beside him. "Be quiet, I'm sleeping" was the only response he got