"My apologies, Firenze. I completely forgot you were waiting for me out here," Allen said with sincere remorse, dismounting Gaia's back and bowing his head slightly.
"No apology is necessary, Allen. I understand completely. I saw you and Gaia soaring back, and I know you have had an incredible night seeing her restored to the true glory of a unicorn," Firenze replied, his voice calm and steady. He then congratulated Gaia again. "Congratulations, Gaia. You have the gift of flight."
Gaia couldn't help but respond with a burst of pure joy, flapping her magnificent new wings a few times, letting out a graceful, happy neigh that echoed softly through the morning air.
As the sun fully crested the horizon, Allen bid a warm farewell to Gaia and Firenze, eager to return to the protective walls of Hogwarts Castle.
Before Allen departed, Firenze repeated his request, urging Allen warmly: "When your schedule permits, you must come visit the centaur tribe. You are an honored guest." Allen readily agreed, feeling a genuine bond had been forged with the wise centaur.
Back at Hogwarts, the air was thick with tension as the final examinations rapidly approached. Despite Allen's inherent academic confidence, he was diligently reviewing all his textbooks and notes, participating fully in the demanding, high-stakes study environment. Repetition was an excellent habit, and humility coupled with common sense were qualities Allen greatly admired.
In sharp contrast to Allen, whose life felt invigorating and full, Harry Potter was clearly struggling. Ever since his terrifying encounter in the Forbidden Forest, he had suffered from a sharp, persistent throbbing pain in his famous lightning-bolt scar. The debilitating pain was making focused study almost impossible.
Neville noticed that Harry had barely slept all night. Whispering to Seamus, they concluded that Harry must be suffering from crippling exam anxiety. Seamus, believing that Allen might be the only student—other than the professors—capable of helping Harry, secretly approached him during a break.
Allen instantly suspected that Harry's sleepless nights weren't just about exams. His distress had to be connected to that harrowing journey into the Forbidden Forest. Allen took advantage of his free afternoon walking schedule to locate Harry and subtly inquire about his well-being.
His suspicion was immediately confirmed. Harry admitted he was constantly waking up from the same recurring nightmares, now worse than ever. The dream always featured a hooded figure with a chilling, blood-stained mouth, which now transformed into a cloud of black smoke that hurtled directly toward him before he woke up screaming.
"Allen, do you think I'm weak? Am I too fragile? I get scared too easily and have these awful nightmares every single night," Harry confided, worried his friends would see him as a liability. This was why he had avoided telling Ron or Hermione. Allen, in contrast, seemed knowledgeable, unflappable, and entirely reliable. In fact, Harry sometimes viewed Allen almost as an older, more stable brother figure.
"Harry, Gryffindor is defined by bravery. The Sorting Hat selected you for Gryffindor, so that courage must be a core quality of yours. The Sorting Hat simply doesn't make mistakes," Allen gently reassured him. He genuinely believed that sentiment.
"But the Sorting Hat actually tried to put me in Slytherin first," Harry muttered, finally confessing his secret shame. He had always taken the Sorting Hat's decision personally; if he hadn't vigorously insisted, he might have ended up in Slytherin.
"Harry, everyone possesses a multitude of traits. Who says a Slytherin can't be brave? And there are certainly ambitious students in Gryffindor, too. The Sorting Hat saw your most extraordinary potential. The fact that you were ultimately placed in Gryffindor means you truly possess the necessary courage and fearlessness." Harry still looked unconvinced by Allen's philosophical perspective, but Allen decided not to push the matter further. The truth of Harry's inner Gryffindor would eventually reveal itself.
"Let's focus on the nightmares. They are likely related to that shadowy figure you encountered, perhaps some lingering magical residue or even a deeper link between you two. It's possible that the intense experience in the Forbidden Forest combined with your previous nightmares has simply amplified the trauma."
Allen couldn't openly tell Harry that the figure he'd passed through was the murderer of his parents! His immediate goal was to alleviate Harry's acute suffering, ease his pain, and help him successfully complete his exams—not to prematurely drag him into an inescapable pursuit of Voldemort.
"Harry, I know of a specific potion that can significantly soothe headaches and promote deep sleep. I happen to know the exact formula, but it requires two specific ingredients: powdered moonstone and a syrup made from Strake root. To my knowledge, Professor Snape keeps both securely stocked in his private pantry. If we approach Professor Snape for assistance..." Before Allen could finish his logical suggestion, Harry angrily cut him off.
"No! I absolutely cannot ask Snape. He wouldn't help me even if I were dying." Harry's headache was making it nearly impossible to control his volatile emotions.
Allen personally would have had no issue approaching Professor Snape; it was entirely logical for a student to seek medicinal aid from their Potions Master! He might receive a bit of sarcasm, but he would ultimately secure the necessary supplies. However, if Harry refused, they needed alternative plans.
The most legitimate method, of course, was to use an owl postal service for procurement; while time-consuming, it would yield the desired results. The second-best method was to seek help from the upper-year students, but even they might not possess such rare components. Madam Pomfrey would certainly have the herbs, but how could Harry explain the need without revealing the context?
Allen decided he would go to the Owlery on the top floor of the West Tower to find Benny and order the components. He would also attempt to consult Professor Snape himself. If possible, he could perhaps borrow the medicine from the professor for immediate use and then resupply Professor Snape when his own ordered ingredients arrived!
Regardless of Allen's conscientious plan to discuss the matter with Professor Snape, Harry immediately sought out Hermione and Ron in the Gryffindor common room.
"Why don't we just go to Madam Pomfrey?" Hermione's first and most sensible thought was always to seek official adult help.
"But how am I supposed to explain this to Madam Pomfrey? Besides, she'll probably just give me a Sleeping Draught, not the specific ingredients Allen mentioned!" Harry scratched his head, frustrated and uncomfortable.
"Why don't we just sneak into Snape's office and steal some? We can sneak it back after we get the ordered medicine," Ron blurted out, a suggestion that caused the others to exchange surprised, guilty glances.
Harry accepted the reckless offer without a moment of hesitation. He absolutely refused to beg for help from someone who openly disliked him, but a quiet, untraceable theft? That was suddenly appealing.
"Harry, we absolutely cannot sneak into the staff rooms or Snape's private quarters..." Hermione protested, pursing her lips tightly in disapproval.
But Harry couldn't resist the allure. If only he could cure the crippling pain in his scar and the nightmares that plagued him day and night, life would be blissful again! The temptation was too strong, and Harry instantly decided to proceed with the clandestine operation.
"We have Potions class this afternoon. You two are responsible for keeping Professor Snape thoroughly distracted while I slip into his personal storage room to get the ingredients."
Although Hermione was fiercely opposed to Harry's decision, her loyalty to him had solidified during their first year, and she was willing to take major risks for her friend.
"Done!" Harry agreed immediately. The trio then began excitedly discussing how exactly they would successfully distract Snape and keep him preoccupied for the entire class period.
"Harry, as long as you keep making conspicuous mistakes in the potion, that should consume most of his attention," Hermione suggested, stating the painful truth matter-of-factly.
Though Harry hated being publicly reprimanded, he couldn't deny that it was an effective tactic.
"Maybe we could cause a bit of chaos in the class, so that Harry doesn't get singled out," Ron chipped in, a suggestion that clearly pleased Harry more. The group ultimately decided to quietly consult George and Fred—the reigning experts in creating productive, large-scale diversions.