THE FORBIDDEN FOREST
can never die. Mr. Potter, do you know what is hidden in the
school at this very moment?”
“The Sorcerer’s Stone! Of course — the Elixir of Life! But I don’t
understand who —”
“Can you think of nobody who has waited many years to return
to power, who has clung to life, awaiting their chance?”
It was as though an iron fist had clenched suddenly around
Harry’s heart. Over the rustling of the trees, he seemed to hear once
more what Hagrid had told him on the night they had met: “Some
say he died. Codswallop, in my opinion. Dunno if he had enough
human left in him to die.”
“Do you mean,” Harry croaked, “that was Vol —”
“Harry! Harry, are you all right?”
Hermione was running toward them down the path, Hagrid
puffing along behind her.
“I’m fine,” said Harry, hardly knowing what he was saying. “The
unicorns dead, Hagrid, it’s in that clearing back there.”
“This is where I leave you,” Firenze murmured as Hagrid hur-
ried off to examine the unicorn. “You are safe now.”
Harry slid off his back.
“Good luck, Harry Potter,” said Firenze. “The planets have been
read wrongly before now, even by centaurs. I hope this is one of
those times.”
He turned and cantered back into the depths of the forest, leav-
ing Harry shivering behind him.
Ron had fallen asleep in the dark common room, waiting for them
to return. He shouted something about Quidditch fouls when
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