I was really starting to hate being in this room. The last time was only three days ago, right before falling unconscious, and then there was the time I was sentenced to five weeks of detention. At least this time I wasn't getting into trouble, or starting to feel sick. Dumbledore and Hagrid were having a private conversation, loud enough to hear that they were talking, but not loud enough to actually hear what they were saying. So I was just sitting there bored. Absent-mindedly I started looking at my fingernails. My face curled when I saw I had chipped the nail on my right index.

I had repaired my nail and was in the middle of changing their color from a Slytherin green to a sparkly black when their conversation ended and Dumbledore sat back down at his desk. “I hope you are alright after your ordeal, Miss Potter.”

“No permanent damage done.” I said holding up my hand to admire my work. “Professor.” I added and placed my wand back in its holder and paid attention. I'll do my other hand when I get back to my room.

“Well I'm glad to hear that. But I am concerned you might not understand the gravity of the situation. Do you know why anyone would seek out unicorn blood?”

“I know that unicorn horn is used in healing potions.”

“That is true. While their horns will shed naturally and can be collected harmlessly, their blood is only imbued with magic as the creature takes its last breath. And while their horns do have healing properties, there are limits. Its blood, however, will keep you alive, even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. You have slain something so pure and defenseless to save yourself and you will have but a half life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips.” It seemed almost like he was quoting a textbook.

“But who would willingly accept that life?” I asked, trying to focus my thoughts to when Draco and I first saw the figure that attacked us.

“Only someone who has already been touched by death. I am not sure how yet, but I fear a grave evil is seeking resurrection. And I can only think of one dark wizard desperate enough to escape death's clutches.”

He seemed to be waiting for me to say something, but I had no idea where his train of thought was going.

“The one who killed your parents, Holly. The one that made you an orphan.”

“Voldemort? You think Voldemort is alive?”

“He is the only one powerful enough to break into Gringotts, get this close to Hogwarts undetected, and to hunt down a unicorn.”

“Broke into Gringotts… that was the same vault professor McGonagall stopped at. Is that why you think Voldemort is here? Are we all at risk?” I did my best to show concern.

Dumbledore held up his hand in reassurance. “I can assure you that everyone is safe within the castle and on the castle grounds. With that said, there will be no further excursions into the Forbidden Forest as part of any detentions. And as for the former contents of that vault, it is perfectly safe.” Dumbledore stood up. “Now, I think it's time to get you back to your common room. As it is now past curfew, Mr. Hagrid will escort you.”

I rose from my seat. “Thank you professor.” I turned to see Hagrid looking sheepish, which was quite a strange sight given his extremely large stature.

“Come on Holly. Let's get ya back ta yer room.” He said as I approached. He held the door open for me and waited for me to exit first. “I'm really sorry ‘bout tonight. I feel just awful ‘bout it.”

“No need to apologize, Hagrid. We're all okay.”

“But I keep letting you down. I was the one that took ya to yer aunt and uncle's the night yer parents were killed. I shoulda kept an eye on ya. Made sure they were treating ya right.”

“That's not your fault. Family is supposed to take care of each other. So you were close to them? To James and Lily?”

“Closer to yer mum I'd say. She had kind eyes. And looking into them made you want to be a better person.”

It looked like he wanted to say more, or wanted me to say more, but I had no interest in hearing about them. I don't know how or why the world knows me as Holly Potter, but I know they aren't my real parents.

After several minutes of walking we got to the infamous moving stairs, something that has caused countless students to be late for class countless times. Somehow I have avoided this predicament to this point but now I stand on the third floor landing with Hagrid, just waiting. My eyes were drawn down the corridor leading to ‘cerbie’.

“Ahh, there we are!” Hagrid exclaimed, noticing I wasn't paying attention to the stairs.
“Nothin’ down that way ya need to concern yerself with!”

I turned my head back to the stairs and continued walking, with Hagrid just a step behind me. “If that were so, why is it off limits?”

“Well that would be due to a rather private issue between Professor Dumbledore and Nicholas Flamel.” He paused for a bit, “I shouldn't ‘ave said that…I should not ‘ave said that. Just forget you ever heard that name.”

“So it has nothing to do with a giant three headed monster?”

“Fluffy ain't no monster! He's actually quite sweet, he is.”

“Fluffy? Who named it Fluffy?”

“Well, I did. I got him from an Irishman last year. Dumbledore needed him to guard the uh… forget I said that! No more questions! Let's just get you back to yer common room and ya can get some rest.”

There were still a few people working in small study groups, but it seemed like all fifth and seventh years. With them all wrapped up in their studies I was able to get to my room without having to talk to anyone.

Pansy was laying on her bed leafing through a magazine, most likely Teen Witch Weekly or Modern Teen Witch. “You okay, Holly? Draco told me you were attacked.” She asked, not taking her eyes off her magazine.

I started changing out of my school clothes and into a pair of pajamas as I replied. “I chipped a nail.”

“You poor thing.”

“But I've already fixed it. Had to talk to Dumbledore… again. At least nothing bad happened this time.”

“Yet.”

“Ahh. That's better.” I said as I plopped down on my bed. “Now for my other hand.” I said out loud to myself and started changing the nail color of my left hand to match my right.

“You seem… different.” Pansy, to my knowledge, still hadn't glanced up from her magazine.

“I just feel, I don't know, like I'm free. Like a weight has been lifted.”

“I was talking about your hair. It seems a bit darker.” Pansy finally looked up from her magazine. “Ooo. Love the nails by the way. And that outfit. Nice. When did you pick that up?”

I had forgone the green and silver pajamas I had been wearing for a black cami nightdress with a split going up the left side. “I picked it up over the break at Twilfitt and Tattings.”

“You're definitely gonna drive a certain redhead wild if she sees you in that.”

I had a devilish smirk, unable to decide which redhead I wanted to drive wild more.

“I know that look. I don't need to be worried, do I?”

I tilted my head to the side a bit and pursed my lips to think of any situation that might directly affect her. Not thinking of any I straightened up and said “No. I think you'll be fine. I think I'm going to take a bath.”

I heard her say “Morgana help whoever gets in her way.” to herself as I was leaving the room.