64: Chapter 64 Warning on the Eve of the Forbidden Forest

After dinner, the Slytherin Dungeon was quieter than usual.

Quidditch training hadn't finished, the upperclassmen hadn't returned, and only a few first-years sat by the fireplace.

Draco tapped his fork twice against the edge of his plate and tilted his chin toward the Gryffindor table.

"Potter, everyone in Gryffindor is talking about the detention today."

Allen flipped a page in his book.

"The louder they talk, the better."

Pansy held her cup.

"That sounds just like a Slytherin."

Draco added.

"He is one, after all."

Zabini glanced at the entrance to the Great Hall.

"The detention is set for tonight; Hagrid is taking them into the Forbidden Forest."

Crabbe stopped chewing.

"The Forbidden Forest?"

Goyle looked up.

"At night?"

Nott placed his parchment on the table.

"Harry, Hermione, Ron, Longbottom, and the spot where Draco was supposed to go, are all empty."

Draco scoffed.

"I told you, I'm not that stupid."

Pansy glared at him.

"Wasn't it you who ran to Hagrid's hut in the middle of the night a few days ago?"

Draco's face darkened.

"Do you have to bring that up?"

Allen turned the page.

"She's right. Remembering your embarrassing moments is more useful than remembering your triumphs."

Draco picked up his pumpkin juice and took a sip.

"Fine, I'll remember that."

Nott didn't sit down; he tapped his finger on the paper.

"There's one more thing."

Allen looked up.

"Speak."

"Hagrid was talking to Firenze outside the greenhouse this afternoon."

Zabini raised an eyebrow.

"A Centaur?"

Nott nodded.

"The Forbidden Forest isn't peaceful today."

Draco frowned.

"Since when does Hagrid chat with Centaurs?"

"Hagrid chats with everyone."

Pansy put down her cup.

"That's not the point. The point is that the Forbidden Forest isn't peaceful."

Crabbe looked at Goyle.

"Has the Forbidden Forest ever been peaceful?"

Goyle thought about it seriously.

"No."

Allen didn't speak.

Under the table, inside the Portable Space, the Void suddenly moved.

The black snake, which had been coiled next to the ebony box, lifted its head, its body tense, its silver slit pupils fixed in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

The next moment, the silver fork in Allen's hand slipped by an inch.

Draco saw it first.

"Are you zoning out?"

Allen closed his book.

"Stay in the Dungeon tonight."

Draco was stunned.

"What do you mean?"

"Exactly what I said."

Zabini looked at him.

"Is something happening out there?"

Allen stood up.

"You don't need to know the details."

Pansy was unhappy.

"It's always like this. You tell us to shut up, tell us not to run around, and when we ask, you just say we don't need to know."

Allen looked at her.

"Knowing too much won't do you any good."

Pansy pursed her lips and didn't ask further.

Nott looked at Allen.

"Is it related to the Forbidden Forest?"

"Yes."

Draco put down his cup.

"Hagrid is taking Potter and the others in there; aren't you worried they'll run into something?"

"They will."

"And you can just sit there?"

Allen glanced at him.

"Do you want to go save them?"

Draco paused.

"I didn't say that."

"Then don't ask stupid questions."

Crabbe lowered his voice.

"Will something really happen?"

Goyle followed up.

"Will people die?"

The Great Hall grew a bit quieter.

Zabini looked up at Allen.

"What exactly is in the Forbidden Forest?"

Allen tucked the book into his robes.

"Unicorns."

Pansy was stunned.

"What's dangerous about Unicorns?"

Nott's expression changed.

"A dead Unicorn is dangerous."

Allen glanced at him.

"Your reaction is fast enough."

Draco stood up a bit straighter.

"Who would kill a Unicorn?"

No one answered.

A few seconds later, Nott spoke in a low voice.

"Someone who can touch Unicorn blood wouldn't be an ordinary Wizard."

Pansy looked at Nott.

"Did your father tell you that?"

"It was written in books at home."

Nott rolled up the parchment.

"Unicorn blood can sustain life, but it also brings a curse. People who do such things are usually already dying."

Draco's expression slowly darkened.

"Are you saying there's a dying Dark Wizard in the Forbidden Forest?"

Allen said.

"Something like that."

Zabini looked around, lowering his voice.

"Quirrell?"

Draco turned his head immediately.

"Are you crazy?"

Zabini shrugged.

"I'm just guessing."

Nott didn't deny it.

"He has indeed been looking worse lately."

Pansy looked at Allen.

"Do you think it's him?"

Allen didn't answer, only saying.

"No one leaves the Dungeon tonight."

Draco frowned.

"What about you?"

"I'm going out for a bit."

"You just said no one should leave."

"You aren't me."

Draco stood up.

"I'll go with you."

"No need."

"You're going to the Forbidden Forest alone?"

"Yes."

"You've lost your mind."

Allen looked at him.

"I'm more clear-headed than you."

Draco was choked up, but he didn't back down.

"Hagrid is over there, and the Professor might be there too. If you go now, what if you run into them?"

"I won't."

"How can you be so sure?"

"Because I won't take the main path."

Crabbe was stunned.

"Then what path are you taking?"

Goyle answered quickly.

"His own path."

Pansy raised her hand and rubbed her forehead.

"You two, stop it."

Nott asked.

"What are you going for?"

Allen paused.

"To take a look."

Zabini chuckled.

"The 'take a look' you talk about is usually not just taking a look."

Draco stared at him.

"You aren't going for Harry, are you?"

"No."

"That's good."

Allen turned to leave.

Draco took a step after him.

"Wait."

Allen stopped.

"What else?"

Draco lowered his voice.

"If it really is Quirrell, or something else, is it worth it for you to go alone?"

"It is."

"Just to take a look at a Unicorn?"

"Yes."

Draco stared at him, trying to see something else on his face, but finally only asked one thing.

"What exactly are you looking for?"

Allen said.

"Blood."

The few people at the table were stunned.

Pansy spoke first.

"What did you say?"

"Unicorn blood."

Zabini's eyes flickered.

"What do you need that for?"

"To do research."

Draco almost laughed out loud, but held it back.

"You're going into the Forbidden Forest in the middle of the night to touch Unicorn blood, just to do research?"

"Yes."

"You say it so casually."

Allen looked at him.

"If you can go for me, I won't go."

Draco immediately shut his mouth.

Crabbe asked quietly.

"What research can you do with Unicorn blood?"

Goyle followed up.

"Can you drink it?"

Pansy turned and glared at the two of them.

"Can you two stop thinking about putting everything in your mouths?"

Nott, however, didn't laugh.

"You want to touch something cursed."

Allen said.

"I'm only taking a little."

"Aren't you afraid of trouble?"

"Even if I am, I have to go."

Draco immediately followed up.

"Then you shouldn't go alone even more."

Allen looked at him.

"You sound like a Gryffindor right now."

Draco's face sank.

"I just think it's not worth it."

"It's worth it for me, and that's enough."

Footsteps came from outside the Great Hall; the upperclassmen's training was over, and the corridor was getting noisy.

Allen handed the book to Nott.

"Put this back in the dormitory for me."

Nott took the book.

"When will you be back?"

"Not sure."

Pansy frowned.

"If you go out like this, what if you get caught?"

"Then I'll say I was sleepwalking."

Draco sneered.

"You really think the Professors are as easy to fool as Goyle?"

Goyle retorted very seriously.

"I might not believe it."

Crabbe nodded.

"Me too."

At this, even Zabini laughed.

The atmosphere eased a little.

Allen lowered his head and tapped his fingertip on the edge of the table.

In the Portable Space, the Void had started to stir.

That aura was getting closer.

It wasn't the scent of a living creature.

It was something left behind by death.

It was cold, dirty, and carried the smell of a soul that was about to dissipate.

Allen looked up.

"Draco."

"What?"

"If anyone asks about me tonight, say I'm sleeping."

Draco looked at him.

"You use that line every time."

"As long as it works."

"What if Snape comes to ask?"

"The same line."

Nott nodded.

"I'll follow up."

Zabini also said.

"I can testify."

Pansy curled her lip.

"I get it now; you guys have been in cahoots for a long time."

Draco tilted his head to look at her.

"You only just realized?"

Pansy rolled her eyes at him and turned back to look at Allen.

"Must you go?"

"Yes."

"Then bring some brains back with you."

"I'll try."

Draco made an unhappy clicking sound.

"You can joke at a time like this."

Allen didn't respond.

He reached into his sleeve, felt his wand, and turned to walk out of the Great Hall.

Draco chased him to the door.

"Potter."

Allen turned back.

"Speak."

Draco stood at the door, suppressing his anger.

"Don't die in the Forbidden Forest."

Allen glanced at him.

"Rest assured."

"I'm not worried about you."

"I know."

"I just don't want to explain it to anyone else."

"Then you can be even more assured."

After saying this, Allen walked out of the Great Hall.

The corridor was brightly lit, and the students' chatter rose and fell.

He didn't return to the Dungeon, but turned directly into the side corridor.

Footsteps followed for a moment behind him, then stopped.

Draco didn't follow after all.

After turning the corner, Allen slowed his pace.

The Void bumped against the ebony box in the space, the snake's tail circled the cracked pocket watch, and finally stared fixedly in the direction of the Forbidden Forest.

Allen said in a low voice.

"Quiet."

The Void flicked its tongue and didn't move again, but those silver slit pupils never closed.

He pushed open the side door, and the night wind rushed in.

At the end of the lawn, the Forbidden Forest weighed heavily on the horizon.

In the distance, there was a faint light from a lantern.

Hagrid had already taken them in.

Allen pulled his hood down and rested his fingers on his wand.

"Harry is going to his death, the Professor is going to clean up, and I'm going to pick up things."

After saying this, he walked forward.

The wind blew from the forest edge, carrying the smell of blood.

The Void in the space became completely agitated.

Allen's eyes darkened.

"It has begun, as expected."