Cloaked figure unmasked

"Anyway, are you ok?" he repeated. I waved him off.

"I'm fine but my classmate here is knocked out for some unknown reason and there is a dead unicorn over there," I said pointing at Harry before moving my hand and pointing at the dead unicorn.

Before Firenze was able to speak a sudden voice came from behind him, "What happened?"

It was Hagrid, Ron and Draco.

I sighed, "We found the attacker, well he was wearing a cloak over his face so I couldn't identify him or her. I don't really know what happened but after seeing the cloaked figure, Harry started to hold his scar in pain and passed out," I explained convincingly.

Ron ran towards the unconscious Harry while Hagrid followed closely. Ron got on his knees and shook Harry a bit in an attempt to wake him. It wasn't long before Harry started to open his eyes and looked around in confusion.

"Thank Merlin, yeh're fine," said Hagrid as he sighed in relief.

"What happened Harry?" asked Ron with a concerned look.

Harry looked at me expectantly. "What?" I asked.

"You would know more than me, I fell unconscious unexpectedly after seeing the cloaked figure," he said with a shrug.

"There's not much to tell, as soon as you fell unconscious, I threw some spells like reducto which you guys probably heard and that scared it away. It seemed incredibly weak," I said holding my chin with my hand as I pretended to be in deep thought.

"Do you think it's a vampire?" asked Draco unexpectedly.

"No." I said shaking my head, "if it was a vampire, I don't think it would need to cut open a wound this large to drink its blood. It has fangs for a reason. Plus, vampires wouldn't be so desperate as to go for unicorns, normal human blood would do a good enough job," I explained.

What could it be then?" Harry chimed in after hearing my explanation.

"Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?" asked Firenze.

"No," said Harry shaking his head. "We've only used the horn and tail hair for potions so far."

"That is because it is a cursed thing, to slay a unicorn that is," I explained, "It is said that only a person who has nothing to lose at all, at the end of the rope per se, would stoop the level so low as to commit such a crime. The blood of a unicorn will keep someone alive, even if they are an inch from death, but it comes at a horrible price."

"Due to slaying such a pure and holy creature so defenceless only to save your life, the person will live a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips," I concluded.

"Exactly," said Firenze while nodding at my explanation.

"Unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to drink something else—something that can bring you back to your full strength and power—something that will mean you can never face death. Harry Potter, do you know what exactly is hidden in the school at this very moment?" asked Firenze.

Harry was confused for a couple of seconds before looking at Ron in astonishment and realisation.

"The stone! Of course—the elixir of life! But I don't understand who—"

"Can you really think of nobody who has waited for decades to return to power, who has clung to life like a cockroach, waiting for their chance?" Firenze pushed.

I could see Harry pale at the thought, he was slightly shaking.

"D-Do you mean," Harry spoke dryly, "that was Vol-"

"ENOUGH!!!" yelled Hagrid.

"No more if this nonsense, we need to head back to the school, it is clearly not safe out here. Firenze, please take the unicorn with you," said Hagrid to which Firenze nodded solemnly.

"May we meet again if fate allows it, Harry Potter," said Firenze as he waved goodbye and carried the dead horse with him. A couple of other centaurs arrived and helped him carry it as they too disappeared into the darkness of the forest.

We soon got ready and headed back to the castle. It was an awkward walk back; Harry was probably thinking of Voldemort. but I couldn't help but be in a semi-good mood. After all, I had accomplished my goal. Voldemort would probably believe me until I confront him. He has no way of verifying if what I said was true or not. He can't ask Draco since he's being secretive and Draco is a child, telling him would be unwise.

So, there was a cause for celebration.

We soon arrived back at the hut where Hagrid said his goodbye and walked back into his house. Filch who had been informed by Hagrid walked over to us with a grim face. He couldn't believe that we came out alive. And grumbled that we didn't even stay in there for an hour and had to come back already.

He complained the whole way back before disappearing after reaching the castle courtyard. Draco made his way back on his own to the Slytherin common room and Harry, Ron and I made our way back to the Gryffindor one.

"Harry are you ok?" asked Ron who looked over to see Harry still in thought. Harry raised his head up and looked at Ron and then at me.

"Do you think that Voldemort is back?" asked Harry seriously. Ron hesitated since he wasn't sure. It was evident on his face.

I simply shrugged, "Probably, after all, he vanished, a body was never found. There are many mysteries about you know who. It doesn't really matter whether he is alive or not though. This thing about the philosopher's stone you guys mentioned and being able to give Voldemort strength again. It seems that someone is trying to steal it," I pretended to analyse.

Ron and Harry looked at me in shock, "H-How did you get all that from a simple conversation?" asked Ron.

"Weasley, don't compare me to your mental capacity, you wouldn't understand. It's not hard to figure all of this out, but since you two seem to be on the case, I'll let both of you work on it. As I said before, it doesn't matter who is trying to steal the stone, you just need to stop them, right?" I asked.

"Right!" said Harry while Ron had indignant written all over his face after being called stupid. I simply ignored him as we all went to our assigned beds and went to sleep.