Bane kicked his back legs obviously angry. "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!"
Firenze reared on his hind legs in anger."Do you not see that unicorn! He bellowed back at Bane. "Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what lurks in this forest Bane, yes, with humans alongside if I must." Firenze took the shoulders of both boys and guided them away from the other two centaurs.
"Why is Bane so angry? Neville asked. "What was that thing you saved us from anyway?"
Firenze was quiet for a bit then asked, "Do you not know what unicorn blood is used for?"
Harry grimly answered, "The blood of a unicorn will keep you alive, even if you're an inch from death, but it will be a cursed life from the moment it touches your lips unless the unicorn you got it from gives it willingly."
Firenze nodded. "Just so."
"But who'd be that desperate? Wouldn't death be better?" Neville asked.
"It would be." Firenze agreed. "Unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else- something that will bring you back to full strength and power-something that means you can never die-"
"The stone." Harry said flatly. "But who?"
"Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?"
Harry shuddered.
Neville was put in mind of something his Gran had said a week before school. "Neville there are many who believe He-Who-Must-Not-Be-Named is gone, and maybe that is so, but I don't believe it because there are many dark magics that can prolong life. Maybe Harry Potter finished him I pray that that is so. But I don't bank on it. A baby defeating for good one of the darkest wizards ever? Highly doubtful. I suspect one day he'll return as powerful as ever. You study hard so when he does you're ready to fight him, understood?"
Neville said, "You-Know-Who?"
The same moment Neville spoke Harry ground out, "Voldemort" through gritted teeth.
A loud bark was heard followed by loud footsteps."Are yeh' boys alright?"
"We're fine Hagrid. The unicorn is dead in a clearing back that way."
Hagrid headed off to examine the unicorn.
"This is where I leave you, you will be safe now," said Firenze. "Good Luck Harry Potter. The planets have been read wrongly before even by centaurs." then he turned and cantered into the forest.*
Harry grimaced. "Luck is for those that can't plan, and I don't believe in leaving things to chance."
"Harry what stone?" Neville asked.
"I'll explain later. Right now, I need to think."
Hagrid and Fang returned, then Hagrid headed back towards the school. Neville and Harry followed Hagrid the rest of the way from the forest. As they neared the school they noticed an odd glow in the night sky. As they exited the last of the trees they noticed Hagrid's hut was aflame. Hagrid shouted, "Norbert!"
...
The partners of Davies, Corner, and Ogden were thrilled they had been called to a meeting to discuss an out of court settlement with Marchbanks, Doge, Diggle and Trent.
After polite greetings had been exchanged. Horace said, "Shall we go straight to business gentlemen?"
He grinned as they paled but agreed. Stephen and Perseus had agreed to let him do all the arguing since that was his specialty."Now first I want to verify a few things. You became the legal firm representing the Potter family how?"
"Albus Dumbledore named us to the position November 5th 1980."
"Did he give you any instructions?"
"Just to look after the Potters' interests."
"That's it?"
Elphais Doge looked nervously at his partners. They exchanged glances then he nervously said "Yes."
"Did James Potter confirm this appointment?"
"No, he was in hiding with his family by that point."
"And after the Potters were killed?"
"Albus said, 'Look after young Harry's interests.'"
Horace gave a wolfish smile and said, "Precisely how is allowing the press and others to lionize a child instead of protecting his privacy, allowing the ministry to take a piece of his property, and failing to see to it that the goblins had permission to invest Lord Potter's gold, oh, and my personal favorite, failing to see his guardian got the funds to provide for him, seeing to his interests?"
The four wizards looked at him in dismay.
"No gentlemen, I and my partners have our instructions. There will be no quiet out of court settlement. The wizarding world will have to answer for their outrageous behavior towards a small orphaned child that saved them; as will you and Albus Dumbledore. Good day, gentlemen."
....
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