Unicorn Blood

"Hagrid, these two are now your responsibility!"

Outside Hagrid's hut, Filch escorted Harry and Draco, wearing a scornful expression.

"Sending the two of you to the Forbidden Forest, that's too lenient!"

Without waiting for any response and ignoring Hagrid's surprised gaze, Filch hobbled away.

Hagrid observed Harry with his head bowed, struggling to find the right words.

"Harry? This little wizard is Harry?"

Hagrid couldn't believe his eyes.

Luke had warned him earlier at the house, advising him not to be too astonished.

Hagrid didn't take it seriously at the time.

And now...

"Harry?"

Hagrid cautiously called out.

Harry nodded helplessly.

Meanwhile, Draco, witnessing the mutual acknowledgment between the two, looked puzzled.

"Hey, Draco?"

Just then, the hut's door swung open, and Luke emerged with a cup of steaming sweetened coffee.

"Geralt, why are you here?"

Draco questioned, puzzled. Shouldn't Luke be in bed at this hour?

"I sensed something amiss with you two, so I came out to check—well, we're on a date." Luke seamlessly switched to a reliable fib, noticing Draco's skeptical gaze.

Hermione trailed softly behind him, her steps delicate.

Draco nodded in understanding after hearing this explanation.

Who would believe they were here for any reason other than a date in the middle of the night with Hermione in tow!

"Wait - why is Weasley here!"

Draco stared at Ron, who emerged from the hut and exclaimed.

"Why can't I be here!"

Ron grimaced at Draco and walked over to Harry.

Observing Rona standing beside Harry, Draco comprehended. This is an attempt to snatch someone away from him!

Draco's eyes turned unkind suddenly.

"Weasley, don't think I can't do anything to you!" he harshly remarked.

"You've said this many times!"

"But you never followed through once!"

Ron wrinkled his nose, standing his ground against Draco.

Luke and Hermione chose not to take sides, sipping their coffee and discussing magical spells, treating it almost like a date. Harry shot a malicious glance at Draco, his face calm. In his hand was a bottle of the Gender Bender 3000 that Luke had given to Draco tonight.

Seeing that things were getting out of hand, Hagrid quickly intervened in the confrontation between Ron and Draco.

"Both of you, show some restraint!" Hagrid blew his beard and stared at the two young wizards. It was pretty frustrating!

"Alright, you are all gathering with me in the Forbidden Forest. This is a dangerous task, and you can't afford to be careless!" Hagrid warned them.

Entering the Forbidden Forest could mean encountering danger at any moment.

"So, listen up, everyone. Something calls my name out. Because there are many forks in the Forbidden Forest, we must split into teams to patrol and prevent other outsiders or young wizards from entering. Hagrid patrols it every night."

The teams were quickly formed. Hermione naturally followed Luke, and Harry, ready to confront Draco, joined him. Finally, only Ron and Hagrid were left.

Luke led Hermione with an oil lamp, choosing the leftmost path for their patrol. The moonlight illuminated the weedy path, casting eerie shadows of branches with their claw-like shapes. Dim lights revealed the surroundings and a cold wind occasionally swept through.

"Come on, there's nothing dangerous around here," Luke quietly opened his communication device, speaking to Hermione, who was holding onto the corner of his shirt behind him. It was his first time in the Forbidden Forest, and he needed to familiarize himself with the environment to avoid getting lost on future trips. As for encountering the eight-eyed spider this time, it all depended on luck.

After all, Hagrid wouldn't be foolish enough to place the eight-eyed spider on the outskirts of the Forbidden Forest. Hence, the spiders were most likely deep within the Forbidden Forest.

"What is this?" Hermione suddenly made a discovery, pointing to the ground in the distance, and she asked Luke.

Luke also noticed something liquid-like in the distance. Upon closer inspection, they found a pool of viscous silver-white liquid. The mysterious substance glistened in the moonlight.

Curious, Hermione crouched down, preparing to touch it with her fingers.

"Don't move; that's unicorn blood," Luke hastily stopped Hermione's movements.

"Unicorn blood?" she echoed, retracting her fingers and turning to Luke.

"Who would harm a unicorn?" Hermione had read about unicorns in "Magical Creatures," where they were described as beautiful creatures symbolizing nobility, pride, and purity. However, their blood carried a deadly curse; any creature consuming it would be cursed with life instead of death.

"Let's follow the blood trail and see," Luke suggested, having suspicions about his senior, Tom, who might rely on unicorn blood to sustain his life.

Under the moonlight, the unicorn's blood emitted a crystal silver glow, making it easy for them to trace the creature's path.

"Yeah!" Hermione nodded, and the two ventured deeper into the Forbidden Forest without hesitation.

As they progressed, the splattered blood became denser, surrounded by branches and leaves.

"Hagrid!" Suddenly, the two heard a panicked and sharp female voice. Besides Hermione, only one woman remained on the team.

"Harry?"

The two exchanged glances and rushed towards Harry's voice.

Unexpectedly, Harry had encountered Tommy.

Pulling out his second wand as he trotted, Luke seized the opportunity to try the newly learned crucio.

 ....

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