Chapter Eleven, Norbert and into the Forest

It was the day before term started and Izzy was heading towards Professor McGonagall's office to have tea and to discuss her family. Fred, George and Ron were escorting her to their Head of House's office, not wanting her out of their sight. It had been that way for a few days now, ever since she had left the Hospital Wing: her Potion regime had to be increased, due to Izzy not taking them during the mirror incident. However, she was slowly getting better; (or back to the state she was in before the mirror) which everyone was thankful for, but it was a long process.
"Thanks guys, I'll see you later." Izzy said, hugging each of them in turn and giving them a small smile before she entered the office.
"If I ever see Dumbledore again I'll kill him!" Fred growled, as the door shut behind Izzy.
"We'll help!" Ron and George added darkly.
"Let's go, before Percy comes searching for us." George sighed, as the brothers headed back to Gryffindor Tower to finish their homework while they waited for Izzy.

"Good afternoon, Miss Potter." Professor McGonagall greeted warmly, as Izzy entered her office. "Have a seat, and help yourself to a biscuit and some tea." The Professor said, pouring her own cup of tea. Once Izzy had gotten herself situated the Head of Gryffindor smiled warmly at her, taking a sip of her tea. "Your parents and grandparents would be so proud of you, Izzy." Professor McGonagall told her.
"What were they like?" Izzy asked eagerly, she loved having these talks as it helped put the mirror out of her mind as she learned more about her family. 
"Your grandparents: Euphemia and Fleamont or Mia and Monty as they liked to be called were the kindest people you'd ever meet. They were my best friends while in school as you know, Monty was in Gryffindor with me and Mia was in Slytherin.

Mia wasn't like some Slytherin students that have graced these Halls; she was kind and considerate but if you got on her bad side you'd know it, the same with your grandfather. He'd get into a lot of trouble for duelling in the Halls or after hours as he was picked on because of his name. He soon became one of the greatest duellists I know along with becoming a famous Potion Master. Mia had long blonde hair and baby-blue eyes, whereas, Monty had dark, raven hair, hazel eyes and wore round glasses. Your father was the spitting image of him right down to the hair that never lay flat, which is why your grandfather created that Potion, to the round glasses. They loved him so very much, but were blessed with him later in life so they spoiled him at a young age, but he turned out into a kind and caring man despite that much like his parents. Although, he did show off trying to impress your mother but she wasn't having any of it, until their Seventh Year when he'd stopped showing off." She explained, smiling sadly as Izzy listened raptly, her eyes shining with her eagerness.

"When Mia and Monty found out Lily and James were expecting you they were so happy and loved you so much already. But unfortunately, Mia died from Dragon Pox a few months before you were born and Monty died from Dragon Pox and a broken heart a day or two later." Professor McGonagall continued to explain, telling Izzy all about the love her grandparents had for each other, her parents and for her and the same goes for her parents. "Lily and James loved you so very much, Izzy. James would call you his little Princess and how he'd always protect you from everything. He'd be so proud that you were a Seeker as he was convinced you'd be an amazing Seeker; you were always flying on a toy one that you had." She reminisced over the letter and photo she'd received from Lily, as she handed Izzy a tissue as they both dapped at their eyes.

"Never forget how much they love you and how proud they are of you. I'll try and find the pictures they sent me and give them to you next time."
"Thank you Professor." Isadora said gratefully.
"You're welcome. Now, off you go I have some homework to mark. Oh, and Izzy please try to remember to take your Potions." Professor McGonagall added.
"I promise." Izzy swore, she drained the last of her tea before leaving the office feeling mixed emotions but also happier as she learnt more of her family.

***

"Izzy, how're you feeling?" Neville asked, as Hermione thumped a large book on to their table in the Library. A book that Izzy recognised. It was the first day back after Christmas break and the group had gotten together on their lunch break to research Nicholas Flamel and had also been informed of what had happened during the break. Izzy shrugged, not really sure at the moment, she missed seeing her parents, but she also now had photos that Professor McGonagall had given her at breakfast.
"Getting there, I guess." Izzy shrugged. "Is that book what I think it is?" She asked Hermione, who was watching her, concerned.
"It is. I can't believe we were looking in the wrong section. I checked this out after you, a few weeks ago." Hermione said, as she flipped through the book trying to find the right page.

"Here it is!" Hermione gasped. "'Nicholas Flamel is the only known maker of the Philosophers' Stone'." read Hermione.
"The what?" Neville and Ron asked, confused.
"Honestly, don't you two read." Hermione teased, causing Isadora to stifle giggles behind her hand.
"'The Philosophers' Stone is a legendary substance that has been known to have astonishing powers: it can turn any metal into pure gold, and can make the Elixir of Life which will make the drinker immortal.'" read Isadora.
"'The only Stone currently in existence belongs to Mr Nicholas Flamel, the noted Alchemist. As of last year he and his wife celebrated their 665th birthday.'" Hermione finished reading. "That's what Fluffy's guarding on the third floor: The Philosophers' Stone." She said triumphantly, pointing to the book.
"I think it's time we spoke to Hagrid, again." Ron spoke up softly.

"If you three go tonight after dinner I'll cover for you." Neville whispered, looking around them discreetly to make sure they weren't being overheard. "I don't think it's a good idea if we all go."
"I agree. Hermione, you better return that book if we don't want to be late for Potions." Izzy said, as they quickly packed up their belongings and rushed out of the Library. Neville tells them how angry his Gran was over what Dumbledore had done to Izzy, and how he wouldn't be surprised if after the trial in the holidays, he would spend the remainder of his days in Azkaban.

***

Later that evening the four rushed back up to the Gryffindor Common Room and changed out of their school robes, and worked on their homework and studying for the upcoming exams, at least until Percy stopped watching them. Finally, after finishing the last of their homework Neville wished them good luck and went over to distract Percy. When they got their chance Izzy, Ron and Hermione put their school cloaks on and snuck out of the Tower and put the Invisibility Cloak on. Slowly but surely they made their way down halls, and the moving staircases sticking to the shadows so they wouldn't be heard or bumped into by anyone until they finally reached the Entrance Hall.

"Ron, is anyone coming from your side?" Hermione whispered, as she and Izzy checked the other two directions. Ron looked behind him and up the dimly lit Grand Staircase.
"No." Ron whispered, as the three pushed open the great, wooden doors and snuck out into pouring rain, their only light being that of the Full Moon.

As Hagrid's Hut loomed closer Izzy pulled off the Cloak draping it over her arm as the three ran the remaining feet towards the door and knocked loudly whilst looking behind them to make sure they weren't being followed.
"Oh, hello." Hagrid said, startled. "Sorry I don't wish to be rude but I'm in no fit state to entertain today and besides, you all should head back it's late." Hagrid apologised, closing the door.
"We know about The Philosophers' Stone." Izzy, Ron and Hermione cried together.
"Oh!" Hagrid exclaimed, pushing the door back open suddenly before he stepped back and allowed them in.
"We think Snape's trying to steal it." Izzy said, hanging up her Dad's Cloak and taking off her wet school one.
"Blimey! You three and Neville aren't still on about him are yeh?" Hagrid asked, as he stoked the fire that had a large brass pot hanging over it.

"Hagrid, we know he's after it. We just don't know why!" Ron exclaimed, as he and Hermione sat at the table on either side of Izzy who was stroking Fang.
"Snape's one of the teachers protecting the Stone! He's not about to steal it, come on, now." Hagrid said, trying to shoo them out.
"One of the teachers?" Ron asked, sharing a look with Izzy and Hermione.
"Of course! There's other things guarding the Stone isn't there? Spells and enchantments?" Hermione asked.
"Waste of bloody time if you ask me." Hagrid grumbled. "No ones gonna get past Fluffy. Not a soul knows how, except for me and Dumbledore." Hagrid growled, spitting out his former friend's name. "I shouldn't have told you that! I should not have told you that!" Suddenly a rattling and tapping sound came from inside the pot causing Hagrid to quickly put on some oven-gloves and reach into the pot, bringing out a large bronze coloured dragon egg. 

"Whoa!" Ron and Izzy gasped amazed, as Hagrid rushed over to the table with the hot egg trying not to drop it.
"Hagrid, what is that?" Hermione asked cautiously.
"That's a Norwegian Ridgeback egg." Izzy and Ron answered together.
"They're really rare, my brother Charlie works with them in Romania. Hagrid, where did you get one?" Ron asked curiously.
"I won it, off a stranger I met down the pub." Hagrid replied, as the rattling increased, "seemed glad to be rid of it as a matter of fact." A second later the egg burst open sending shards of egg flying off in all directions causing the four of them to shield their face. When they looked back there was a cute little dragon sitting on top of the table with a piece of shell sitting on top of his head as he looked at them making curious chirping noises.

"Oh, bless him. Look, he knows his Mummy." Hagrid gushed, when the baby dragon turned towards him. "Hello Norbert." He cooed, tickling the dragon under the chin only for it to sneeze, sending sparks flying out of its nostrils catching Hagrid's beard alight. "Of course, he's got to be trained up a bit first." Hagrid said, patting the fire out and smiling reassuringly at them. "Who's that?" He asked, spotting someone outside his window.
"Malfoy!" Izzy said, spotting the blonde boy running away when he'd been caught.
"Oh dear." Hagrid groaned.

***

Oh dear indeed. On their way back into the Castle they had been stopped by Professor McGonagall and Malfoy. The four of them had fifty points taken from their Houses and would now be spending detention in the Forbidden Forest with Hagrid who had a job in there, now that Professor McGonagall would have Charlie Weasley pick Norbert up and take him to Romania but not before they were terrorised by Mr Filch who was escorting them back down to Hagrid.
"Oh, pull yourself together man!" Mr Filch snapped, having enough of Hagrid worrying about Norbert. "You're going into the Forest after all. Got to have your wits about you."
"The F-Forest?" Malfoy stuttered. "I thought it was a joke! We can't go in there! Students aren't allowed and there's... werewolves!" He exclaimed, as they heard a werewolf howl from somewhere in the Forest.

"There's more than werewolves in those trees, lad, you can be sure of that." Mr Filch said wickedly. "Nighty night." He cackled, as he walked back up to the castle.
"Alright," Hagrid said, as he loaded his large crossbow. "Let's go." He said, leading them into the Forest. They'd only been walking through the Forest for ten minutes when they came across a large patch of something silvery on the ground.
"Hagrid, err, what exactly is that?" Izzy asked anxiously, not sure if she truly wanted to know when something out of the corner of her eye caught her attention, and it seemed Hagrid caught sight of it too as a large concerned frown was spread across his features. Someone else was in the Forest with them, wearing a long dark cloak. Once the figure passed Hagrid turned his attention back to the four frightened pre-teens.

"It's what we're here for." He said ominously. "See that?" He asked, holding up two fingers covered in the substance. "That's unicorn blood. A few weeks ago I found one dead, now this one has been hurt badly by something I've never seen in these Forests before. It's our job to find it and put it out of its misery. Ron, Hermione, you two will be with me and Izzy you'll be with Malfoy." Hagrid instructed.
"Fine!" Malfoy snapped. "Then I get Fang." He said, looking at the large boar-hound.
"Fine. But just so you know, he's a bloody coward. Stick to the path!" Hagrid warned, as Fang let out a whimper causing Draco to roll his eyes.
As the two groups split off, after Hagrid once again warned them to stick to the path and to send up red sparks if they needed them, Draco had not once stopped complaining.
"It's alright to be scared you know." Izzy said, stopping Draco's ranting and raving.

"Scared?" Draco scoffed. "I'm not scared, Pottah!" He spat only to let out a yelp when they heard something come from somewhere around them. It sounded like a creature was in pain. "Did you hear that?" He asked nervously, his eyes looking around them rapidly.
"Come on Fang." Izzy called, holding her lantern up higher as she spotted more silvery blood on the ground. Draco grumbling just slightly ahead of her. As they came upon a clearing, the blood falling in larger puddles, Fang let out a loud, menacing growl attracting Izzy's attention to see he stood just in front of Malfoy both their eyes fixed on something up ahead.
"What is it, Fang?" Izzy asked softly, she followed his line of sight to see a sad and horrible sight. The unicorn was splayed across the ground, its legs bent at awkward angles with the hooded figure hunched over the unicorn's neck drinking its blood. Suddenly Draco screamed a blood curdling scream, startling Izzy and attracting the figure's attention.

It growled at them with blood running down it's chin as a pain bloomed in her scar, more painful than anything she's ever felt. While she was crippled with the pain Draco ran away screaming with Fang bolting after him as the figure stalked towards Izzy as if she was now its prey. One hand clamped to her throbbing forehead Izzy stumbled backwards, trying to keep the stalking figure in her line of sight. The pain was so intense now that she could barely see and ended up tripping backwards over a root sticking up out of the ground. But still she tried to get away only to feel her back pressed up to a small ravine that a large oak tree sat on. Just when she thought the figure was about to attack her, she heard galloping footsteps behind her and for something or someone to leap over her and chase off the figure.

With the pain slowly ebbing away now that the figure was no longer around, Izzy cautiously climbed to her feet just for the person who saved her to return, causing shock to flow throughout her. It had been a Centaur that had saved her: he had a palomino body and chestnut coloured hair and beard that matched his tail.
"Isadora Potter you must leave." He said in a soothing voice. "The Forest is not safe at this time, especially for you. You are known to many creatures here."
"T-Thank you." Izzy gasped. "What was that thing you saved me from?" She asked, confused and frightened.
"A monstrous creature." He said, as he turned to look at the now dead unicorn, Izzy followed his gaze and couldn't help a tear to fall down her cheek for the poor unicorn.

"To have slain something so pure. The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. From the moment the blood touches your lips you will have a cursed life, a half life."
"How can anyone be so cruel?" Izzy muttered, as she walked over to the unicorn and brushed its mane out of its face and gently closed its eyes. Watched on curiously by the Centaur who was astounded by this girl's kindness. "I'm so sorry this happened to you." Izzy apologised to the unicorn. "But who would choose such a life?" She asked, appalled.
"Can you think of no one?" He asked.
"Voldemort." Izzy whispered, as the dots started to form in her mind.
"Yes. Do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment, Isadora?" The Centaur asked.
"The Philosophers' Stone." Isadora replied, her eyes wide, as the sound of barking and running feet could be heard just up on the hill.

"Izzy!" Ron and Hermione cried relieved, when they saw she was relatively unharmed.
"Hello Firenze." Hagrid said, lowering his crossbow only slightly. "I see you've met Izzy. You all right there, Izzy?" Hagrid asked, concerned, noticing how shaken she was. Izzy nodded, not sure she could speak much at the moment.
"Isadora, this is where I leave you. You are safe now. Good luck." Firenze bid.
"Thank you Firenze." Izzy said gratefully.
"You are most welcome. Hagrid, I would suggest getting them all out of the Forest. In case it comes back." Firenze said, before he took off.
"Come on, let's go." Hagrid said. "No, not that way Izzy. C'mere, I'll lift you up." Hagrid said, looking around cautiously with his crossbow raised before reaching an arm down, taking hold of Izzy's hand and pulling her back up onto the bank beside them.

The walk back to the castle was in a dead, tense silence. Hagrid kept looking around anxiously with his crossbow raised and ready to fire, not at all comforted by what had happened to his friend while in his detention. He would be reporting everything to McGonagall when he got the chance. They dropped Malfoy back off at the Slytherin Common Room, Hagrid making sure he went inside before he walked Izzy, Ron and Hermione back up toward Gryffindor Tower. Once the Fat Lady portrait had closed behind them Hagrid took off for Professor McGonagall's office. While inside the Common Room as the sun was just beginning to rise, Ron and Hermione sat in front of the fireplace while Izzy paced in front of them and told them everything that had happened from the time Draco had ditched her and the time they had found her once again.

"You mean You-Know-Who's out there right now? In the Forest?" Hermione asked, her voice trembling.
"He's weak and living off those poor unicorns. But don't you see we had it wrong! Snape doesn't want the Stone for himself, he wants the Stone for Voldemort. With the Elixir of Life Voldemort will be strong again he'll... he'll come back!" Izzy exclaimed, flopping down into the armchair opposite Hermione.
"You don't think he'll try to kill you, do you?" Ron asked worriedly.
"I think if Firenze didn't get there when he did, I would be dead right now." Izzy said flatly, causing Ron and Hermione to flinch.
"And to think I've been worrying about my Potions Final." Ron joked but it fell flat. "But seriously, Izzy, he won't get to you, we won't let it. I won't let it! You're my little sister." Ron said, getting up and pulling Izzy into a hug, Hermione following soon after. Izzy closed her eyes and held tightly to two of best friends. Feeling incredibly grateful they were there right now.