Death of the Unicorn

However, after another Apparition class, Anthony didn't see Hagrid at the entrance to the hall where they had planned to meet. They had arranged to go to Flourish and Blotts Bookstore today.

"What are you doing standing here, Henry?" Professor Sprout asked curiously as she passed by. "Aren't you going to listen to Minerva's report?"

A few students covered their faces and backpacks with their textbooks as they snuck past, giggling. Anthony caught a glimpse of Zuko's logo on their bags.

Professor McGonagall had been invited to give a report to the Transfiguration Society and had invited her colleagues to attend the banquet afterward. But because Anthony had a prior commitment, he had regretfully declined.

"Me? I'm waiting for Hagrid," Anthony replied. "We agreed to go to the bookstore together today..."

Professor Sprout smiled. "Oh, I remember. If I were you, I'd go straight to his hut and check on him. He might've lost track of time in the pumpkin patch."

"I'll wait a little longer and then go find him," Anthony said. Although Hagrid occasionally forgot things, he usually remembered at the last minute. Even if he was late, it wouldn't be too late. If he didn't show up, something serious might have happened.

As he glanced around, a school owl flew over and landed on the railing beside him, presenting a note hastily tied to its leg. Anthony pulled out some corn kernels from his bag—unlike Scabbers, his mouse wasn't interested in corn—and unhooked the note from the owl's leg.

Anthony unfolded the note, glanced at it, and showed it to Professor Sprout. "It's from Hagrid," he said, as she leaned in to read.

"Can't go to Flourish and Blotts today. The unicorn is dead. You can come over if you want. Fang is in the house, and he knows how to find me. Hagrid."

"What?" Professor Sprout asked, confused. "Which unicorn died?"

Anthony frowned. "Last time I spoke with Hagrid, he mentioned an injured unicorn mother. I think she's the one that died."

"Injured?"

"Yes, something strange attacked her just after she gave birth," Anthony explained.

At that moment, a group of professors happened to be walking along the porch. Professor McGonagall and Professor Flitwick were deep in conversation, with Professor Trelawney following them with an ethereal expression, as if gliding across the ground.

"What could possibly want to harm a unicorn?" Professor Sprout said in disbelief.

Professor Quirrell was trailing behind them. He glanced nervously at Professor Sprout and Anthony, offering a pale greeting. Snape followed closely, his mouth twisted into a sneer as he snorted disdainfully, causing Professor Quirrell to flinch.

"Severus," Professor Sprout said disapprovingly.

"Pomona, we're about to leave," Professor McGonagall called out. "I hope your shopping goes well, Henry."

"I wish you good luck with your report. Enjoy the victory banquet," Anthony replied, folding the note and tucking it back into his pocket. "I think I should go, Pomona."

"Of course you should!" Professor Sprout agreed immediately. "Please offer my condolences to the unicorn on my behalf. And tell Hagrid if there's anything he needs, not to hesitate to ask for help."

Anthony nodded and quickly made his way out of the castle.

…

The moment Fang caught Anthony's scent, the dog barked excitedly. It raced around the house, causing the stove and the pots and pans in the cabinets to rattle dangerously.

Anthony opened the door with his left hand while using his right to calm the big dog that rushed over. "Okay, Fang, okay!" he said firmly. "Bring the rope over, and let's go find Hagrid."

Fang eagerly tried to lick his nose. After repeating the command twice, Fang finally retrieved the dog leash from the corner.

Anthony clipped the leash onto Fang's collar. "Come on, Fang, let's go find Hagrid."

Under Fang's lead, they ventured into the dense forest, heading deep into the Forbidden Forest. Perhaps because a unicorn had died, there was a faint sense of unrest throughout the forest, as if something dangerous and unfamiliar was lurking among the dark shadows of the trees.

Fang tucked his tail between his legs, whimpering softly, and tried to retreat several times. He looked up at Anthony with a pleading expression before cautiously moving forward again. Anthony patted his head reassuringly. "Just find Hagrid, okay?"

The deeper they ventured into the Forbidden Forest, the quieter it became. There were no sounds of insects or birds, the sun couldn't penetrate the dense canopy, and even the wind seemed to have stilled. Apart from the rustling of leaves as Anthony and Fang moved through the trees, there was no sound. Although it was growing warmer, the forest remained eerily silent, as if it had fallen into an endless winter.

As they trudged through the layers of leaves, Anthony could almost hear Fang's rapid heartbeat beneath his anxious panting. Even Anthony couldn't help but wonder why there seemed to be no living creatures in the Forbidden Forest at that moment.

After what felt like an eternity, a faint sound emerged from ahead. Fang perked up and rushed towards a thicket of thorn bushes and dense branches, pulling the leash in Anthony's hand taut and nearly dragging him into the woods.

"Hey, hey, wait!" Anthony whispered urgently, stumbling as he was dragged along, ducking just in time to avoid low-hanging branches.

It wasn't until Fang suddenly stopped that Anthony had the chance to take in his surroundings. They had arrived at a clearing in the forest. In the shadows of the surrounding trees, pure white unicorns gathered in small groups, their eyes filled with sorrow as they gazed at the center of the clearing. It was as if a silent wave of sadness had spread across the silver-white expanse of the Forbidden Forest.

In the middle of the clearing, Hagrid was kneeling with his back to them. A small wooden box lay open beside him, revealing white gauze and a small vial. If Anthony remembered correctly from what Professor Sprout had once shown him, it was likely a vial of essence of dittany.

Fang quietly approached Hagrid's side. One of the unicorns shifted slightly, but another, taller unicorn gently stopped it with its horn.

Fang nudged Hagrid's arm. Hagrid lowered the handkerchief he had been using and turned around, his eyes red from crying. He hugged Fang's large head, and at that moment, Anthony finally saw what had been hidden by Hagrid's broad frame.

It was a scene more heartbreaking than anything Anthony had ever witnessed.

The once-majestic unicorn lay on the ground, its beautiful neck twisted in a stiff, unnatural posture. Its lifeless eyes stared blankly to the side, frozen in a gentle yet sorrowful expression. A pool of silver-white blood, both solid and fluid, lay beside it. Two small golden unicorns, barely old enough to have their horns, were nestled against their mother's body, gently nudging her as if trying to wake her.

Hearing about a unicorn's death and witnessing it firsthand were two entirely different experiences. Just looking at the scene before him, Anthony was overwhelmed with grief, feeling as though he couldn't breathe.

"Oh, Henry! There you are!" Hagrid suddenly broke the silence. The large man stood up, took a few steps towards Anthony, and embraced him tightly, his voice choked with sobs. "Thank you for coming... It's so hard... I have to find the one who did this..." He blew his nose loudly into his hands and shook his fist in anger.

Anthony struggled to support Hagrid, and the heavy mood that had settled over him was oddly lightened by Hagrid's outburst. "It's okay, Hagrid, it's okay," he said soothingly. As he looked up, he noticed the unicorns behind the trees watching him cautiously and with suspicion.