It was almost 11pm and five students were walking towards Hagrid's hut with Filch. He looked back at them and sneered:

"Oh I wish they never let the old punishments die. There'd be a time wandering at night would see you hanging by your thumbs in the dungeons. God I miss the screams."

Hermione shuddered and moved even closer to Y/N. He squeezed her with the arm he had wrapped around her shoulder as he snapped at the caretaker:

"Seriously you've got issues Filch. If I was you, I'd be more concerned with the relationship between you and that cat. When someone told you to love pussy I don't think that's what they meant."

Filch glared at Y/N furiously while the other four looked at him puzzled.

I'm glad they don't get that meaning Y/N chuckled to himself. Filch sneered again:

"You brats will be spending the evening with Hagrid. He has some business in the forest."

Malfoy made a noise that resembled a scared little girl. Harry and Ron look frightened. Hermione hugged Y/N tighter. Y/N was the only one to reply:

"Cool. It's been a while since I was in there. And by the way we know numbnuts, it was written on our bloody detention slips".

Filch didn't answer as the group walked the rest of the way in silence.

They arrived and knocked on Hagrid's door. He opened it and a huge smile broke across his face at seeing Y/N.

"Y/N! Yer did a fantastic job with Norbert. He's so happy in there, flying around chasing birds. Yer a natural daddy".

Y/N smiled happily.

"Thanks Hagrid. I'm going to miss Norbert though. So what exactly are we looking for in the forest?"

No one was paying any attention to Filch so he slunk off like the creepy bastard he was. Hagrid looked at Y/N worried as he replied with a serious tone:

"I'll tell you when we get there. Just try to keep calm ok Y/N, for Hermione."

Y/N narrowed his eyes. He was tempted to use legilimency but didn't want to violate the trust of one of his closest friends. Instead he answered earnestly:

"That isn't reassuring Hagrid"

Hermione looked at Y/N with fear in her eyes, as she interlocked their hands and fingers. Y/N looked down at her worried face and she heard him in her mind.

Don't be afraid Hermione. I'll keep you safe.

—~—

The six walked towards the Forbidden Forest and entered it. Hagrid had his crossbow primed and Y/N unsheathed his wand. After a while Y/N stopped dead, looking forward with trepidation as he muttered:

"No...."

Hermione looked at Y/N concerned. If he was fearful how bad must it be? She asked:

"What's wrong Y/N?"

And was surprised when he didn't answer, instead he walked forward and sheathed his wand, releasing her hand. She watched as he walked up to a tree and touched a silvery substance smeared on some of the leaves. Hermione asked fearfully:

"Y/N, what is that?"

Y/N answered instantly:

"Unicorn blood. This is why we're here Hagrid?"

The half giant sighed.

"Yes. Y/N I'm sorry. I found one dead on Thursday. Looks like this one is in trouble."

Hermione watched Y/N as he looked around carefully, replying:

"I've got a trail Hagrid"

Y/N pointed away from the group.

"You can do that?" Ron asked stunned. Y/N replied almost disinterested:

"Jacob used to drop me in the middle of magical creature reserves and forests and tell me to survive. Sometimes I'd be alone for weeks with no food, no weapons. Just my wits. So yeah, I can follow a trail Ronald"

Hermione ran up to Y/N and hugged him even tighter. Hagrid nodded and stared:

"Wha're you thinkin' Y/N?"

Y/N looked at Hagrid as the half giant heard him in his mind:

You take Hermione the opposite way to safety. I'll follow the trail and hopefully find what's doing this and fucking end them.

Hagrid stared at the boy before asking:

"You sure Y/N?"

Y/N nodded and answered:

"Yeah. I'll take Harry and Malfuck. You take Ron and Hermione. I'll follow the blood trail- you check if there is anything that way."

"Y/N no..." Hermione said sadly as she began to tear up. Y/N smiled reassuringly as he stroked her face and she leant into his hand with a smile. He spoke with a warm and gentle tone:

"Hey it's ok. Just stay right by Hagrid's side alright. Hagrid will protect you or die trying won't you Hagrid."

Hermione gulped and looked up at Hagrid as he answered:

"Course I will, but it won't come ter that. You sure about this Y/N?"

He knew exactly what Y/N was doing. Y/N was sending Hagrid and Hermione away from the dangerous trail and sending himself straight towards it.

"You don't even need to ask me that Hagrid"

"We-Well then I get Fang" Malfoy stuttered in fear.

"Fine" Hagrid growled at the blonde prick. "Just so you know, he's a bloody coward."

The large bloodhound whimpered almost on command. Y/N hugged Hermione one last time before turning his attention back to the trail of blood. He dabbed his fingers in it and held the tip of his wand to the substance, stating calmly:

Avenseguim

The others watched in awe as the blood transfigured into a stream of gold Y/N blew around him:

"Y/N what was that?" Harry asked stunned. Y/N chuckled and answered:

"Little trick Newt taught me. Let's go"

He followed it slowly as the other two boys and the bloodhound walked off behind him. Hermione watched as they disappeared deep into the forest.

—~—

Hagrid, Ron and Hermione had been walking through the forest for about ten minutes, it was quiet except for the usual bird and animal calls that would occasionally occur. Ron though, instead of reassuring a distressed Hermione like Hagrid had asked, was still trembling in fear. Hagrid was fast running out of patience. He snapped at the boy:

"Pull yourself together Ron, can't ya see how upset 'Ermione is. We're walking away from danger so calm down."

"What? What do you mean?" Hermione shrieked in horror. Hagrid looked down sympathetically as he answered:

"It's what Y/N wanted 'Ermione. He told me so."

Hagrid smiled sadly, tapping his temple. They continued forward, and after a few minutes they heard Malfoy scream, Fang bark and saw red sparks fly high in the air before hearing explosions and trees collapsing.

"Y/N!!!" Hermione screamed as she bolted towards the chaos. Hagrid yelled "'ERMIONE!!!" and chased after her, Ron in tow.

—~—

Y/N followed the golden trail which was leading him along a trail of unicorn blood. He was focused on the trail and his surroundings, keenly aware that the forest had become silent. He gripped his wands tight, the only noise audible was Malfoy's whining:

"Wait til I tell my father. This is servant stuff."

"If I didn't know better, I'd say you were scared Malfoy" Harry chuckled back.

"Shut up both of you"'Y/N stopped dead with one of his wands pointing at the pair. Harry was about to ask why Y/N had two wands when Y/N's next words chilled them both to the bone:

"We're not alone"

"What?" Malfoy shrieked, nearly in tears.

"We're being hunted" Y/N replied. "Wands out boys and be ready for anything. Harry if anything kicks off you stay behind me!"

Harry nodded at his friend in fear. Y/N kept moving forward slowly until he reached a clearing. As he stepped into the clearing he saw in front of him a unicorn dead on the ground and a strange hooded figure leaning over it, drinking its blood.

"Harry stay behind me" Y/N whispered as the creature looked up and smiled a disturbing smile. All that could be seen was the unicorn blood dripping from its mouth. That, and it's teeth.

Y/N's face hardened as Draco screamed in terror, Fang barked loudly, and the pair of them turned and fled. Harry collapsed and started to grab his scar, screaming in pain. Y/N looked forward in realisation, muttering "Voldemort" before shooting red sparks high in the air:

Vermillious

He instantly cast a shield with his left wand as the creature rose up from the unicorn towards the two boys.

Protego

Y/N yelled back to Harry, at the same time casting spells with his right wand, desperately attempting to hold this Wraith of Voldemort back:

Flipendo

"Harry get up!"

Stupify

"Harry you need to get the fuck out of here!"

Confringo

"Harry I don't know how much longer I can hold him! Run!"

Y/N abandoned his shield as he went on the offensive, duel wielding, casting a tirade of spells at the dark entity in front of him:

Bombarda maxima

Diffindo

Incendio

Impedimenta

Reducto

The spells seemed to have little effect, bouncing off the creature into nearby trees. Crashes and bangs and explosions could be heard for miles around. The creature would be momentarily pushed back by Y/N's assault before moving forward again, getting closer and closer to the boys.

Harry looked up through his pain just as Y/N muttered "Fuck it"

Avada Kedavra

Harry saw a green light shoot from Y/N's wand, the creature narrowly dodged it as it roared, a shockwave shooting towards the pair of first years. Y/N threw up a dual protego shield, desperately attempting to hold the shockwave back as he screamed in desperation:

"HARRY RUN!!!"

The creature got closer and just as it was about to pounce on Y/N, a shadow shot over the pair of boys, straight towards the creature. Harry looked on in shock as the shadows owner, a strange horse-man animal, reared up on its hind legs, thrashing towards the dark entity which quickly fled, soaring along the forest brush.

The horse-man turned to look at the two boys as Y/N sheathed his wands and placed his hands on his knees, exhausted.

"Thanks Firenze. Not sure how much longer I could have held him off"

Firenze the Centaur looked at Y/N with a smile, replying:

"Y/N, my old friend, my young brother. It is good to see you."

Y/N smiled, linking arms with the Centaur in a tradition Centaur greeting, before hugging the much larger being. Firenze smiled and hugged back, before Y/N looked up and said:

"Your help was most appreciated brother".

Firenze smiled again before looking at Harry, his face turning serious.

"You should not be in the forest Harry Potter. Your name is known by many creatures here".

Harry stood, the pain in his head disappearing almost instantly as he spoke:

"You know my name?"

Y/N chuckled and Firenze smiled.

"Yes, I know your name Harry"

Y/N introduced him.

"Harry this is Firenze, one of the Centaur herd whose ancestral hunting grounds form the Forbidden Forest".

The Centaur nodded to Harry before he turned to Y/N.

"You know who that was Y/N?"

"Voldemort. Bastard must be drinking the unicorn blood to keep himself alive. He must be desperate" Y/N replied and Firenze nodded.

"That thing was Voldemort?" Harry exclaimed in shock before asking Y/N puzzled: "What do you mean he was desperate, Y/N?"

"Unicorn blood can keep one alive even if they are moments from death. But it comes at a terrible cost. To slay one so pure. It brings a terrible curse to the one who consumes it, they are doomed to live a half life." Firenze explained solemnly.

Y/N nodded and opened his mouth to speak, but before he could mutter a sound he was tackled to the ground. Firenze looked shocked but smiled when he saw a mass of brown hair on top of his young friend.

"What did you think you were doing Y/N? Sending us away from danger like that while you ran towards it. I was so scared for you!"

Hermione hugged Y/N tightly before they awkwardly stood, Hermione refusing to let Y/N go for even a moment. Firenze smiled looking down at the pair.

"So, this is the soulmate spoken off in the stars. You would be proud of your mate, girl. He stood tall and proud and fought the Dark One bravely. I know you will both have a happy life together, blessed with many offspring. The stars have already announced it."

Firenze smiled at the pair while he spoke. Hermione froze, looked at Y/N, and felt herself blushing bright red. She buried her face in his chest. Y/N felt the heat rise in his own cheeks and hugged her back, turning his face away from the other boys and Hagrid. Firenze chuckled.

"Our foals are the same at your age".

Hagrid smiled before speaking:

"I see you've met our young Harry there Firenze. You already know Y/N quite well."

"Yes Hagrid, Y/N is beloved and respected among our people and welcome to always return to our camp whenever he needs the stars' guidance."

Y/N turned back, having somewhat pushed his blush down, as he replied:

"You honour me Firenze. Again I thank you. Please give your brothers and sisters my praises"

Firenze smiled and nodded.

"I bid you farewell now Harry Potter. You know what is in the school. You know who seeks it. But you are safe now. I take my leave."

With that he turned and ran into the forest.

"What happened Y/N? What was it?" Hagrid asked. Harry answered before Y/N could:

"It was Voldemort. Y/N fought him"

Hagrid and the two first year boys next to him paled.

"Did you really fight you-know-who Y/N?"
Ron asked in shock.

"Not by choice Ron. But Harry needed protecting"

Hermione squeezed Y/N's torso even tighter. She wasn't letting go anytime soon.

"C'mon you lot. Let's get back. Detention is finished" Hagrid said with a serious tone as he looked around the forest apprehensively.