The most dangerous creatures in the Forbidden Forest were theoretically the giant spiders and the Zouwu. However, Tom had decimated the spider population during his last visit, and it would take years for them to recover. As for the Zouwu, one of Tom's own mounts, they were practically revered elders to the young Death Eaters.
That left the centaurs and unicorns... hardly a credible threat.
The centaurs were bound by an agreement with Dumbledore not to harm the students, and unicorns, well, they weren't exactly known for their aggression. Beyond that were the odd trolls here and there, but those creatures tended to be solitary and easily avoided.
...
Predictably soon enough, Harry and Malfoy's band of fledgling Death Eaters ran into trouble: centaurs. The creatures blocked their path, unmoving.
"..."
Looking at these young wizards who seemed not only unafraid but downright eager for a fight, Firenze and the other centaurs found themselves in an awkward position. They couldn't very well start firing arrows at children, but neither could they simply allow them to trample through their territory. They just stood there, sending someone to fetch Dumbledore.
Seeing Firenze's indecision, Harry – ever the pragmatist – was about to begin negotiations when he felt a tug on his sleeve.
"Oi, Scarface, look over there..."
Noting Malfoy's strange tone, Harry discreetly followed his gaze. Half-hidden behind a thick tree, a large black dog lurked.
He recognized that dog!
Tom's recent warning flashed through his mind, and Harry's eyes lit up with devious understanding.
"Petrificus Totalus (Petrify them all)!"
Harry and Malfoy, those two cunning old foxes in young bodies, simultaneously cast Petrificus Totalis.
Sirius Black, in his dog form, was caught completely off guard. He yelped, scrambling to avoid the spells.
"It's him! It's Sirius!"
Hearing Harry's shout, Sirius barely had time to process how he'd been discovered. A hail of spells from behind forced him to flee in sheer panic.
"Stun!"
"Petrify!"
"Densaugeo!"
"Expelliarmus!"
"..."
Seeing these young wizards suddenly lose interest in their territory and turn their attention elsewhere, the centaurs breathed a collective sigh of relief. That black dog is in for a world of hurt... wait, where did that dog even come from?
...
How much time had passed?
They're insane! Utterly bonkers!
The disheveled Sirius hid in a cave, a picture of pathetic absurdity. Only the students' youth and inexperience had allowed him to escape; even so, he'd taken over a dozen minor curses in the process. His current appearance was... best left unsaid.
"Sigh…"
Just as he began to relax, leaning against the damp cave wall, Harry's earlier expression flashed in Sirius's mind… James, Lily, I've failed you!
It must be Snape corrupting Harry! The boy gave me food once, that proves he's fundamentally kind. It MUST be Snape's fault, otherwise Harry wouldn't have become so... so Snape-like!
Hmph! After I deal with that traitor Peter Pettigrew, I'll set Harry straight.
Though, realistically, Sirius knew that even after taking his revenge, he'd likely be captured and thrown back into Azkaban. But a little delusion never hurt anyone. It gave him motivation.
...
While the Death Eaters-in-training were busy chasing Sirius through the Forbidden Forest, equally intriguing events were unfolding within the walls of Hogwarts Castle.
In the Gryffindor common room, Fred, as usual, produced the Marauder's Map they'd pilfered from Filch.
"So? Is Ron still wrapped up in that bloke?"
George leaned in close, a look of pure, gleeful gossip on his face.
"Why don't we just take a gander?"
The twins unfolded the Marauder's Map and declared in unison, "I solemnly swear that I am up to no good!"
As the words left their lips, the blank parchment transformed, revealing a detailed layout of the castle and the names of its inhabitants flitting about.
"Let's see, Ron's room is... aha, here!"
The twins expertly located Ron's dormitory on the map.
"Huh? That Peter Pettigrew geezer isn't glued to Ron anymore. Did they have a falling out?"
Judging by George's disappointed tone, they'd clearly been hoping for more. Ever since Ron had started at Hogwarts, they'd noticed via the Marauder's Map that he often shared a bed with a "Peter Pettigrew."
But at some point, the two had started sleeping in separate beds.
This greatly disappointed George and Fred. They were prepared to accept their younger brother's... eccentricities! Even if Ron and Peter Pettigrew's relationship was frowned upon by society, they would stand by Ron's side.
So why?! Why were they sleeping in separate beds?!
No! We need to have a chat with little Ron, let him know that not everyone is against their relationship!
George and Fred exchanged a meaningful glance, instantly understanding each other. Suppressing their mischievous grins, they stood and left the common room, heading towards Ron's dormitory.
...
Inside Ron's dormitory.
Despite the absence of classes, Ron hadn't finished the previous day's homework. Besides, Seamus wasn't there, so Ron was currently copying answers with Dean.
Their method was simple, yet surprisingly effective.
Since Ron was a terrible student, Dean was too, so any time Ron chose A and Dean chose B for a question, the answer was almost always C. They'd "escaped death" from Snape's wrath countless times using this method. Otherwise, Snape would have a field day torturing them for their abysmal work.
Knock, knock, knock…
A knock echoed at the door. Ron went to open it.
Upon swinging the door open…
"Hello, little Ron."
"What do you want?"
George and Fred didn't immediately answer. Instead, they peered into Ron's dorm room... Bill was there, but Neville and Seamus weren't.
Confirming that Peter Pettigrew wasn't present and that everyone else was someone they knew, George and Fred pulled Ron out of the room. They didn't want their conversation to be overheard, or Ron would definitely try to make a run for it.
After being dragged down the hall for a few feet, Ron finally couldn't contain his curiosity. "What are you doing?"
"Ahem... Ron, where's your boyfriend?"
"What?!!"
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We are climbing the charts faster than ever because the work I am putting in this time is on a completely different level of excellence.
The Top 10 is within our reach, and every Powerstone is a step closer. Smash the vote button and share your best theories in the comments so I can see who is really paying attention to the plot!