Unicorn Blood

"It's me, Hagrid."

Hagrid relaxed when he heard the voice. He turned back to the others.

"No need to be afraid. That's Ronan, a centaur who lives in the Forbidden Forest. Maybe he can give us a clue."

Soon, Ronan stepped out from among the trees.

It was Edmund's first time seeing a centaur. He could not help studying him for a moment.

The name suited him. Ronan truly did look like someone born from the forest itself.

Hagrid went forward, greeted him, and asked about the unicorn.

Ronan, however, remained maddeningly cryptic. He only raised his head toward the night sky and repeated the same line in a mysterious tone.

"Mars is bright tonight."

Before long, another centaur appeared. His name was Bane, and he was equally unwilling to say anything plainly.

After they parted from the two centaurs, Hagrid grumbled in frustration.

"Bunch o' stargazers, the lot of them. Can't say a straight word without dragging the stars into it."

Edmund, however, understood what the centaurs meant.

Mars represented war and disaster.

'So I really am going to fight Quirrell tonight.'

His grip on his wand tightened.

Soon, the group reached a fork in the path. Blood marked both directions.

Harry spoke up.

"Let's split up."

Hagrid hesitated, then nodded. He took Neville, Ron, and Malfoy down one path. Before leaving, he repeatedly reminded Harry to send red sparks with his wand if he found anything.

Edmund followed Harry down the other path. The bloodstains grew clearer as they went.

"Wait, Harry. I see it."

Edmund stopped him and looked toward a thorny thicket on the right. Through the gaps, he could faintly make out a unicorn's body.

With a sweep of his wand, he summoned a gust of wind that pushed the thorns aside, then strode through.

Beneath a thick tree, a unicorn knelt on the ground, her body shining with a faint glow.

Silver blood still seeped from her flawless white coat. Her long legs trembled as they struggled to support her elegant body, and weak cries slipped from her mouth, each one softer than the last.

The sight had a heartbreaking beauty to it.

Edmund realized she was not dead yet and hurried forward.

Ordinary unicorns rarely allowed male wizards to approach. Only pure-hearted young women could usually get near them, and in some cases even ride them.

This unicorn, however, no longer had the strength to stop Edmund.

He aimed his wand at her and cast healing charms one after another.

The wounds across her body began closing at visible speed, but her breathing continued to weaken.

Edmund understood the problem. Dark magic was involved. A simple healing charm could not cure that.

After a brief thought, he reached into his pocket and took out a bottle of deep blue potion.

It was something he had drawn before.

Sanctifying Elixir: removes injuries and negative conditions caused by dark forces.

Dark magic should count as a dark force.

Desperate times called for desperate measures.

He gently opened the unicorn's mouth. The unicorn seemed to understand that the handsome young human before her was trying to save her, and she cooperated.

Edmund poured the entire potion into her mouth, then continued casting healing magic to lessen her pain.

Fortunately, the Sanctifying Elixir took effect before long. Wisps of black smoke began escaping from the unicorn's body.

Edmund stepped back, wary of the smoke.

His caution proved correct. When the black vapor drifted upward and touched a nearby tree, the entire tree withered rapidly until it became dead wood.

The unicorn slowly stood and walked to Edmund's side. She rubbed her face gently against him, expressing her gratitude.

Harry stared in shock. He had not expected Edmund to save a unicorn that had been on the verge of death.

They were both first-years. How was the gap this wide?

Edmund ran his hand gently through the unicorn's smooth coat, feeling the softness beneath his palm.

"There, there. You are all right now."

"Mmm."

The unicorn let out a long cry. It was clearly her own language, yet Edmund somehow understood her meaning.

"You are saying you can find the dark wizard who hurt you?"

The unicorn nodded and indicated that he should climb onto her back.

"May I?"

Remembering what he knew about unicorns, Edmund hesitated.

The unicorn nodded firmly again.

Edmund stopped hesitating and mounted her.

This unicorn was probably not fully grown yet. An adult unicorn should stand much taller at the shoulder. The one before him was still closer to a foal.

"Harry, stay here and do not wander off. Send a signal and have Hagrid come meet you."

After calling that out, Edmund and the unicorn vanished into the vast darkness, leaving Harry standing there in a daze.

x

x

x

If you're enjoying the story so far, consider supporting me on Patreon ❤️
You'll get weekly early access to chapters, along with some exclusive content:

https://www.patreon.com/cw/auroraclairevale