A hundred and fifty points from Gryffindor?"
The incredulous whispers echoed through the corridors of Hogwarts as Arthur and Draco made their way to the Great Hall for breakfast. The news of Gryffindor's massive point loss had spread like wildfire, and students from every house were abuzz with gossip.
"Can you believe it? All because of Potter and his friends," a Hufflepuff murmured to her companion.
Arthur kept his gaze forward, feeling the weight of the stares. The events of the previous night were still fresh in his mind, but the current scandal had captured everyone's attention.
As they entered the Great Hall, the buzz of conversation only intensified. Students craned their necks to catch a glimpse of the culprits who had caused such a stir. The Gryffindor table was noticeably quieter, with Harry, Hermione, and Ron sitting with downcast expressions.
As they approached the Slytherin table, Arthur and Draco were immediately intercepted by a group of their housemates. Pansy Parkinson, Blaise Zabini, and Theodore Nott looked up with raised eyebrows, while Adrian Pucey smirked from across the table.
"Forty points from Slytherin?" Pansy scoffed, folding her arms. "You're making Gryffindor look reasonable in comparison. What were you two even doing?"
Arthur shot a quick look at Draco, unsure how much to reveal, but Draco, ever defiant, leaned back with a smirk. "Just dealing with some Gryffindor nonsense. Nothing for you to worry about."
Blaise raised an eyebrow, his expression as cool as ever. "So it's true? Potter and his little gang lost a hundred and fifty, but you two managed to chip off forty of ours in the process?"
"Not exactly how it happened," Arthur muttered, glancing around as more Slytherins tuned in. "But sure, that's what people are saying."
Theodore Nott gave a dry chuckle. "Didn't realize you were both so eager to make Slytherin famous for losing points. You'd think you'd at least leave that to Gryffindors."
Pucey added, "Just make sure you're not out to set any records here. Another forty points lost, and we might actually start looking like Hufflepuff." His words were met with a ripple of laughter from the nearby students.
Arthur rolled his eyes, trying to keep his frustration in check, but Draco didn't let the comments go. "Relax, we'll earn them back. At least we're not hiding in the shadows like the rest of you."
Pansy narrowed her eyes but said nothing, and Blaise simply shrugged, turning back to his breakfast. Between Draco's grumbling and the sidelong stares they received, breakfast in the Great Hall was no less uncomfortable. The whispers around them didn't help; everyone seemed to have an opinion about Gryffindor's "scandal."
Arthur was stirring his porridge absent-mindedly when the flutter of wings overhead signaled the arrival of the morning post. Owls swooped down, dropping letters and parcels in front of students. Arthur barely paid attention—until a large, tawny owl landed directly in front of him, extending its leg toward him. Hanging from its leg was a letter sealed with the a Hogwarts crest, specifically for the Slytherin House.
Arthur exchanged a glance with Draco, who had received a similar letter. The two shared a brief moment of dread. Hesitantly, they both broke their seals and read:
You are hereby ordered to report to the Entrance Hall at 11:00 PM tonight to serve detention, following your violation of school rules by being outside after hours.
Such reckless behavior, especially at night, is unacceptable and unbecoming of a student of Slytherin House. This type of misconduct cannot be tolerated.
Your detention will be under the supervision of Mr. Filch. Consider this your first and final warning. Any further transgressions will be dealt with severely.
Professor S. Snape
Arthur's stomach sank as he glanced over at Draco, who wore a matching look of dismay. "Detention," Draco muttered, his voice dripping with irritation. "With Filch."
After enduring the uncomfortable breakfast, the rest of the day passed with lingering stares and occasional whispers from both Slytherin and other houses. The tension built up until, finally, eleven o'clock approached, and Arthur found himself standing in the Entrance Hall with Draco. The nervous energy between them was nearly palpable as they waited for Filch to arrive.
Filch soon appeared, a twisted grin on his face as he saw them. "Glad you're both here," he sneered. "Detention in the Forbidden Forest is one of my favorites. Perhaps tonight you'll learn what real trouble looks like." His delight at their discomfort was clear.
They were soon joined by Harry, Hermione, and Neville, each looking as anxious as Arthur felt. Filch wasted no time leading the group through the dark corridors and out to the edge of the grounds. There, waiting by his hut with a grim expression, was Hagrid. His massive crossbow was slung across his back, and a quiver of arrows hung from his shoulder.
"Right then, listen up," Hagrid said, his deep voice serious. "Somethin's been attackin' unicorns in the forest. That's what we'll be investigatin' tonight. Gotta keep yer eyes open, and don' go wanderin' off. Stick close ter me, and you'll be fine."
Arthur felt his stomach twist as he glanced at the looming shadows of the Forbidden Forest. Stories about the creatures that lurked within the forest were the stuff of nightmares, and he couldn't believe they were actually going in at night. Draco looked equally uneasy, glancing back at the castle as if hoping for an excuse to turn around.
"Split into groups," Hagrid continued. "Harry, you go with Fang, Draco, and Arthur here. Hermione, Neville, and I'll head off this way. Remember, send up red sparks if yeh run into trouble, green sparks if yeh find the unicorn."
As they moved deeper into the forest, Arthur's heart pounded in his chest. The canopy of twisted branches overhead blocked most of the moonlight, casting eerie shadows around them. Every crack of a branch or rustle of leaves made him flinch. Draco was nervously glancing around, trying to appear unbothered, though his hand stayed close to his wand.
"Why do we have to do this?" Draco whispered as they stepped over a fallen log. "This is servant work, not something students should be doing. And for what? Forty measly points."
"Quiet," Arthur muttered, sensing Draco's complaints would only make things worse if something was indeed stalking them.
Suddenly, Fang stopped, his ears pricking up as he let out a low growl. Arthur tightened his grip on his wand, looking around cautiously. There was a faint glimmer in the distance—a silvery trail on the ground.
"It's the unicorn's blood," Harry whispered, kneeling down to inspect it. The silvery liquid glinted faintly, casting an eerie glow on their surroundings.
Just as they began to follow the trail, a branch snapped somewhere nearby. Arthur's heart leapt into his throat. The four of them froze, peering into the darkness, each of them clutching their wands. Fang let out a whimper and backed up slightly, his normally brave demeanor replaced with nervousness.
A soft rustling echoed from the shadows, growing closer. Arthur glanced at Draco, who had gone pale, his eyes wide as he whispered, "What...what do you think it is?"
Before anyone could answer, a figure emerged from the trees—a centaur, with a solemn expression and a powerful build. His silver-blonde hair shone faintly in the moonlight, and his intense gaze swept over the group. Arthur recognized him as one of the forest's guardians.
"What are you doing here?" the centaur asked in a deep, steady voice. "This forest is not safe for humans, especially at night."
Arthur felt an odd mixture of relief and awe, though he struggled to find his voice. It was Harry who spoke up, his fear turning into indignation. "We're here because we're being punished! Filch and Hagrid sent us in to investigate some silly unicorn attacks."
The centaur's expression grew stern. "Unicorns are noble creatures, and the magic that has harmed them is dark indeed. There is nothing 'silly' about it."
Arthur felt a rush of curiosity but didn't dare question the centaur. He knew better than to push his luck with the powerful creature. The centaur's gaze lingered on him for a moment, almost as if he were trying to read Arthur's thoughts.
"Stay on the path," the centaur advised, his voice softer. "And if you encounter what you seek, I suggest you turn back. Some magic is better left undisturbed."
With that, the centaur melted back into the shadows, leaving them to ponder his warning.
Arthur exchanged a glance with Harry, both of them feeling the weight of the centaur's words. They continued deeper into the forest, following the blood trail. The sense of foreboding grew stronger with every step, each of them acutely aware that whatever had harmed the unicorn might still be close by.
As they rounded a corner, they stopped dead in their tracks. Just ahead, lying on the ground, was the body of a unicorn. Its once-glorious white coat was marred by silvery blood, and the sight was as heartbreaking as it was unsettling.
Before any of them could react, a shadow shifted near the unicorn's body. Something was moving, its shape indistinct and unsettling. A cold, unnatural chill filled the air as the shadow approached, and Arthur's instincts screamed at him to run.
The figure moved closer, its form flickering in the dim light. Arthur caught a glimpse of what looked like a face—a pale, twisted face, with empty, hungry eyes. It let out a faint, ghostly whisper that seemed to pierce right through him.
"Go!" Arthur hissed, and, barely needing the command, they turned and bolted back down the path, their footsteps echoing through the darkness as they sprinted for safety.
Even though he gave order, Arthur stood frozen, unable to tear his eyes away from the monstrous shadow that loomed before him. A bone-deep chill coursed through his veins as his wand hand trembled. The shadow's grotesque form flickered and twisted, as though it was made of living smoke.
"Arthur, MOVE!" Harry's voice cut through the air, but Arthur couldn't. He could feel something building inside him—hot and foreign, as if his magic had taken on a will of its own.
Draco, standing a few paces away, tugged on Fang's leash desperately. "This is mad! We've got to get out of here!" Fang barked once before whimpering and cowering behind Draco.
When Arthur couldn't respond, Draco cursed under his breath, his fear overtaking him. He turned and bolted into the darkness, possibly to get Hagrid, his figure quickly swallowed by the trees
"Arthur!" Harry shouted, stepping closer. His wand was raised, but his focus was on Arthur, whose skin had begun to pale unnaturally, his hair streaked with bright white as the transformation surged through him.
Arthur groaned, gripping his chest. "Harry… something's wrong. It's my magic—it's… out of control!"
The shadow halted, its head tilting unnaturally as though studying him. Then it lunged, a low, guttural sound reverberating through the clearing.
Harry gritted his teeth. "Arthur, we need to—"
Before he could finish, Arthur's body convulsed, and his head snapped upward. His eyes glowed faintly, the pupils now slitted, and his breath misted in the cold air. A wave of blinding white light exploded outward from him, so bright that Harry had to shield his eyes.
The shadow let out an inhuman shriek and recoiled, the force of the light driving it back. Its form twisted violently before it dissolved into nothing, the forest falling eerily silent.
As the light faded, Arthur collapsed to his knees, his body trembling. His hair was now entirely white, his skin ghostly pale, and his breathing shallow.
Harry rushed to his side, grabbing his shoulder. "Arthur! Talk to me! What just happened?"
Arthur shook his head weakly, his voice barely above a whisper. "I don't… I don't know. My magic—it felt like it wasn't mine anymore. Like it was trying to protect me."
Harry's grip tightened. "You didn't just protect yourself. You destroyed that thing, whatever it was. But your hair—your skin…" He trailed off, his concern etched clearly on his face. "You're still changing."
Arthur groaned, clutching his head. "It's my Metamorphmagus ability… but it's never been this strong. Something's amplifying it."
Heavy footsteps and a rustling of branches signaled Hagrid's arrival with Ron, Neville and a frightened Draco. He burst into the clearing, his crossbow at the ready. "What in blazes happened here?
"Something attacked us, but Arthur… he used some kind of magic I've never seen before."
Hagrid knelt by the unicorn's body, his expression grim as he inspected the scene. "Light like that doesn't come from just anywhere," he said slowly, looking back at Arthur with a mixture of curiosity and concern. "Yer hair… yer face… You're not hurt, are yeh?"
Arthur shook his head, though his exhaustion was evident. "Not hurt… just tired."
"The shadow was about to attack us, and then Arthur—he just… changed, Harry said.
"Changed how?" Hermione asked, stepping closer. Her tone was a mix of fear and fascination.
Arthur managed to sit upright, his breathing still uneven. "It wasn't on purpose," he murmured. "It just… happened. I couldn't control it."
Draco crossed his arms, his usual bravado nowhere to be seen. "This is mad. First, the forest, then that… thing, and now you're turning into some sort of human lighthouse? What's next, Arthur?"
Draco helped him to his feet, slinging Arthur's arm over his shoulder. "Whatever that thing was, it's gone now. But we need to get back to the castle."
As they started back, Arthur glanced over his shoulder at the spot where the shadow had vanished. A lingering unease gnawed at him. Whatever had awakened his magic tonight was still out there—and it wasn't done with him yet.
When they finally emerged into the open grounds, the sight of the castle brought a collective sigh of relief. Hagrid stopped, turning to face the students. "Not a word about this to anyone, d'ye hear? Especially not that shadow. I'll be speakin' to Dumbledore about this first thing in the mornin'."
The group nodded silently, the gravity of the night's events weighing heavily on them. Arthur, still leaning on Draco for support, glanced back at the forest one last time. The centaur's warning echoed in his mind: Some magic is better left undisturbed.
Whatever had awakened in him, he knew it was far from over. And the shadow in the forest—it wasn't just hunting unicorns. It had been hunting something far more dangerous.
Him