HP: The Dropout Who Saved the World

~ Push the story forward with your Power Stones

~ Every 400 PS = Bonus Chapter!

*********************************************************************************

Bound on the ground, Jane secretly made a victory sign.

Her plan had succeeded, and the little figure in her heart was jubilantly waving a victory flag.

Goodbye, Dumbledore! Tonight I'll be setting sail!

Though her ankle had twisted when the professors cast their spells, and her arm was scratched when she fell - it hurt a bit.

But these minor injuries were nothing compared to her impending expulsion.

They were medals of honor!

Then she felt her body levitate and move forward as Dumbledore discussed with the professors about temporarily keeping her under surveillance in the headmaster's office while waiting for Ministry officials.

But at that moment, a clear trill rang through the air, interrupting the professors' conversation.

"Fawkes has arrived," Dumbledore extended his hand, ready to welcome his phoenix.

He expected Fawkes to land on his shoulder and nuzzle his cheek with golden-red feathers to comfort his master.

But to his surprise, Fawkes merely glanced at him before flying straight to Jane's side!

All the professors froze, watching Fawkes in amazement.

The legendary immortal and highly intelligent sacred bird circled above Jane, trilling. Finally, it stopped and gracefully landed on her shoulder, shedding tears that fell drop by drop onto her injured arm.

Phoenix tears had healing properties, and the scratches visibly healed before their eyes.

"Fawkes... why?" Dumbledore's long white beard trembled as he asked in an almost urgent voice.

Fawkes couldn't speak, only trill, and it responded with a high, clear call.

Dumbledore heard his old friend's disapproval in that sound.

Then the branches ahead rustled as dense undergrowth parted, revealing a black-haired, dark-bodied centaur, followed by the red-haired, red-tailed Ronan.

They seemed to be arguing about the stars.

"Hello, Bane, Ronan, we meet again," Hagrid greeted them.

Heaven knows how awkward he felt, having to act normal after a student had just burned down a large portion of the centaurs' habitat!

The two centaurs nodded in greeting to him and bowed slightly to Dumbledore.

They examined Jane carefully, holding their bows.

Just when everyone thought they would confront Jane, Ronan nervously pawed the ground and spoke in a worried tone: "The planets have strayed from their courses."

Bane's voice was wilder: "We've sworn never to go against the heavens' will."

They circled Jane anxiously twice, appearing deeply troubled.

More rustling came from the forest as a third centaur emerged. He had platinum blonde hair and startlingly blue eyes. He gracefully trotted to their side, observing Jane.

Then he bowed to Dumbledore: "I am Firenze. There are some friends who wish to meet this girl."

So the group proceeded deeper into the Forbidden Forest.

Crossing a nearly dry stream and circling around fallen trees, they finally reached a clearing. There stood many white creatures, gleaming in the forest.

"Unicorns," Hagrid whispered.

All the professors were stunned, having never seen so many pure white creatures together.

"Merlin—" Professors McGonagall and Flitwick exclaimed.

A weakened unicorn lay on the ground, surrounded by silvery blood stains, showing signs of painful struggle. Its long legs were bent, too weak to stand, its mane spread out like pearls and jade against the black fallen leaves.

Several companion unicorns were tending to it, feeding it unknown fruits.

"Stay where you are. They don't wish much contact with humans."

Firenze blocked Dumbledore and the others, while bending his front legs to lower himself, gesturing for Jane to climb onto his back.

Dumbledore waved his wand, removing the binding spell from Jane.

Jane noticed Bane and Ronan seemed to want to say something but held back.

Then she drew closer to these pure white creatures, sliding off the centaur's back onto the ground.

Firenze withdrew, joining his centaur companions.

The silver-white creatures gathered around Jane, encircling her in layers, their large blue eyes shining with gentle, pure light. One unicorn lowered its head, inviting Jane to stroke it.

She reached out, feeling the white mane flow like silk, warm and velvet-like under her hand. Then a second and third unicorn slowly approached, carrying fallen horns in their mouths, which they placed in Jane's palm.

The weakened unicorn made soft whinnying sounds, and they tugged at Jane's robes with their mouths, leading her to its side.

The prone unicorn rested its head in Jane's palm, nuzzling her gently, then extended its tongue to lick her swollen ankle.

The swelling gradually disappeared, and when she tried moving her foot, there was no pain at all.

"This is... a remarkable scene..." Dumbledore's blue eyes shifted slightly, rippling like a disturbed lake as he marveled, "The miracle of life..."

Professor Sprout covered her mouth, tears flowing with emotion: "I knew it! She wasn't that kind of person!"

Professors McGonagall and Flitwick's faces broke into smiles, genuinely happy for Jane.

Even the seemingly coldest Professor Snape's eyes trembled at the sight.

Hagrid, seeing these pure white beings, was too moved to speak.

Unicorns were the purest creatures, generally avoiding human contact. Only females with pure souls and clean hearts might gain their favor. For Jane to receive unicorn horns freely given was unheard of.

Now no one could believe Jane was evil, given the unicorns' acceptance.

This completely absolved her of the arson charge.

Firenze turned his human torso toward the professors, unlike his companions, he rarely spoke in riddles:

"A fugitive lurks in the forest, killing unicorns to gain a cursed life—"

His words were cut short as Ronan and Bane roared: "Firenze, silence! You're interfering with fate!"

Firenze roared back in anger: "The planets' paths have already shifted, destiny has changed!"

Ignoring his companions' anger, he spoke quickly:

"This child encountered a dying unicorn that was to be killed by that fugitive. She set fire to the forest, saved it, and drove away the dark wizard."

He stared directly at Jane, who had returned from the unicorn herd, and said softly:

"Good luck, child. The stars of destiny will favor you."

Everything became clear.

To the unicorns, she was a kind and pure witch who had saved their companion; to the centaurs, she was a righteous agent who had driven away a dark wizard threatening the forest's creatures.

Therefore, they didn't hold Jane accountable for destroying large parts of the forest, instead speaking cheerfully:

"Since some Acromantulas came here, they've been breeding uncontrollably, destroying the natives' territory. This fire just happened to burn their nest - quite a few of those creatures' offspring must have perished."

Hagrid suddenly trembled and covered his face.

Centaur Bane patted Jane's shoulder: "Child, you've done a great service in eliminating this menace!"

Now only the identity of the dark wizard remained unclear.

But no matter how Dumbledore inquired, the centaurs remained silent.

"Can't you guess who lurks in silence, yearning to rise again?"

"Who desperately clings to a cursed life, waiting for their moment?"

Firenze left these words hanging as he and his centaur companions disappeared into the forest.