The crisp chill of spring clung to the stones of Hogwarts, though the days were growing longer and the air filled with the scents of blooming wildflowers. Yet the atmosphere in the Gryffindor common room was tense. The aftermath of Norbert's midnight departure still weighed heavily on Harry, Hermione, Ron—and especially Lennon, whose role in the escapade had not gone unnoticed.
They had lost fifty points each. Gryffindor had plummeted to the bottom of the House Cup standings. Whispers followed them through corridors, and even some of their fellow Gryffindors looked away with tight expressions.
"It's not fair," Ron muttered for the hundredth time as he flopped down onto a couch. "We were helping Hagrid."
"We broke rules," Hermione said primly, though her voice wavered. "And we got caught. That's how Hogwarts works."
Lennon said nothing. She stared into the fireplace, jaw tight.
"Lennon?" Harry asked. "You okay?"
She shook her head. "I'm just angry. Not at the punishment. At how we're being treated for doing the right thing. And… I hate seeing you three blamed when this isn't on you alone."
As if summoned by fate, a note fluttered through the open window and landed in Harry's lap. It was sealed with wax—the unmistakable crest of the school.
He broke it open.
**Your detention will take place at eleven o'clock tonight. Meet Mr. Filch at the entrance hall.**
Lennon read over his shoulder. "Tonight?"
Ron groaned. "Do you think they'll make us polish trophies or clean bedpans?"
"Knowing Filch, probably."
---
But Lennon had an odd feeling, one she couldn't shake even as they met Filch at the appointed hour. He led them through the silent castle with his usual muttering and grim pleasure, his lantern swinging with every step.
"You'll be serving your detention in the Forbidden Forest," he said with clear satisfaction.
Ron stopped in his tracks. "The *Forbidden* Forest?"
"Should be forbidden to everyone if you ask me," Filch grunted. "But that's where yer going."
They met Hagrid at the edge of the woods, lantern in one hand, Fang on a short leash.
"Bit dangerous tonight," Hagrid admitted, looking over the group. "Something's been hurtin' the unicorns."
Lennon's breath caught at that. Unicorns were gentle, magical creatures—innocent, pure. And someone, or something, was hunting them.
"Right," Hagrid said, scanning the group. "We'll split into pairs. Ron, with me. Hermione, with Fang. Lennon, you'll take Harry. And you—"
Draco Malfoy stepped forward from the shadows with a dramatic huff, clearly not thrilled. "You forgot me."
"Oh no I didn't," Hagrid said with a sigh. "Draco's here 'cause he got caught tattlin' and wanderin' where he shouldn't've been. You're with Neville."
Neville, who had shown up accidentally while trying to warn them during the dragon fiasco, flinched. "Wait—what?"
"You'll be fine," Hagrid said, handing them another lantern. "You two go east. If you find anythin', send red sparks. Green if you're safe."
Draco looked like he might faint.
---
Lennon tightened her cloak and nodded to Harry.
"Stay close," she said. "And keep your wand ready."
They entered the forest, the thick canopy blotting out the stars. The scent of damp earth and moss clung to everything, and the trees seemed to lean in, whispering in a language older than time.
Lennon moved carefully, eyes scanning the path.
"I've only ever been in here once," she whispered. "Not a place you forget."
"Why are you so calm?" Harry asked, voice hushed.
She gave a faint smile. "Because you're here. And I have to be."
They moved deeper, the path winding through ancient roots and shadowed hollows. Then—a glint. A shimmer of silver.
"There," Lennon pointed. A trail of silvery blood, stark against the dark forest floor.
They followed it.
The air grew colder.
And then, in a clearing, they saw it.
A unicorn, collapsed on its side, its silver blood staining the grass. Kneeling beside it—something cloaked and hooded, slithering across the earth like smoke. Its face was hidden, but its presence exuded malice.
Harry gasped. Pain exploded in his forehead.
The figure turned sharply, sensing them.
Lennon stepped in front of Harry, wand raised.
"Back away!" she shouted.
The creature hissed, beginning to rise—
But suddenly, something crashed through the brush. A centaur—a great, golden-haired creature—charged into the clearing, bow drawn.
"Begone, foul thing!" he cried.
The hooded figure vanished into the trees, moving with unnatural speed.
Harry fell to his knees, clutching his scar.
The centaur approached them. "You must leave this forest. This place is not safe tonight."
"Who—what was that?" Lennon asked, helping Harry up.
The centaur's eyes darkened. "That was a servant of death. A creature that drinks unicorn blood to stay alive. But at a terrible cost."
Harry looked up. "Why did it hurt me?"
"You carry something in you that draws darkness," the centaur said. "Be wary, young wizard."
He turned to Lennon. "Protect him."
"I will," she whispered.
---
Back in the common room, after Hagrid marched them to safety and Filch begrudgingly dismissed them, Lennon paced while the others settled.
"Voldemort," Harry said softly. "That thing... it was him, wasn't it?"
"It's possible," Hermione replied. "The unicorn blood… it keeps people alive who should be dead."
Ron shuddered. "That's disgusting."
Lennon sat down, running a hand through her hair.
"You're right," she said. "It makes sense. If he's after the Stone—he must be growing stronger."
Hermione looked up. "The Mirror. The trapdoor. The dragon. The forest. It's all connected."
Lennon nodded. "And someone is helping him from within these walls."
They sat in silence, the gravity of it settling over them like dust.
Harry clenched his fists. "We have to stop him."
Lennon placed a hand on his shoulder.
"We will," she said. "Together."