I could finally see. After taking Vitamix, I could feel my magic gathering—the extra charge of energy in my body helping me see and hear much better than normal. I panted, my heart nearly beating out of my chest as the Vitamix ran through my veins. It felt like chains that had burdened my body had come undone, that I could finally move freely and use my strange anatomy to its fullest. At least, until the Vitamix's effects ran out. Even still, I had to stop myself from laughing at how exhilarating this potion was.
Harry watched as Peterson's slightly elongated ears twitched, his head snapping toward any sound they picked up. Finally, he stared off to their left, his expression quickly changing to one of seriousness.
"This way…" he mumbled, moving quietly and effortlessly through the forest, his eyes piercing through the night. He avoided every branch, twig, and tree root even without the light of his lantern, which Harry was still holding.
Harry was still trying to learn everything about wizarding culture, having only discovered he was a wizard earlier that year. But even he could tell the difference between someone raised in the magical world and someone like himself. Peterson, who had lived his entire life surrounded by magic, was far ahead of him in nearly every subject. Watching him take a potion that slightly changed his features without hesitation told Harry just how much more he had to learn—even if it was a little worrisome.
"It hurts… P-please…"
I heard the whimpers of pain growing louder as I led Potter and myself toward the sound. My footsteps quickened in fear of being too late.
"Peterson! Slow down!" Potter yelled, falling behind, but I hardly heard him over the cries of pain and desperation.
"Please… help… anyone…" she cried out.
Coming over a ridge, I finally saw the stomach-churning scene.
The most beautiful and innocent-looking creature, her pure white mane glowing in the moonlight, lay on the ground. Her legs weakly kicked as she tried to escape the grasp of a cloaked figure hunched over her, near her neck. The unicorn looked at me, fear and pain reflecting in her watering silver eyes, pleading with me.
"H-Help me…" she whispered, her voice barely a breath.
The cloaked figure stood, and in that moment, I realized—it wasn't a magical creature at all. It wasn't a predator. It was a wizard.
I couldn't see much of his face, only the beads of silver blood dripping from his chin, staining the unicorn's pristine coat. He was killing her. Taking the life of this innocent, majestic being for his own selfish gain.
Before I knew it, I was screaming at the top of my lungs.
"Flipendo!!"
The hooded figure barely moved, waving a hand as my spell bounced harmlessly off an invisible shield.
"Avis!" I shouted next, conjuring a flock of ravens that swarmed him. He reached up, clutching his hood to keep it from falling, even as the birds pecked at him.
'So that's your weakness…' I thought, gritting my teeth.
I squeezed my eyes shut, shielding myself from my own spell before raising my wand high.
"Lumos Maxima!!"
A brilliant white light burst into the sky, turning night into day for a fleeting moment. When I opened my eyes again, the hooded figure was gone, vanishing into the shadows.
I groaned, my head throbbing as the Vitamix began to wear off.
Beside me, Potter was clutching his forehead in pain, likely from my blinding light. But now wasn't the time to worry about him.
I turned back to the unicorn, her breath shallow.
"Thank… you…" she murmured.
I rushed to her side, her body too weak to stand.
"You'll be fine. The bad man is gone now," I whispered, my wand ringing softly as it translated my words.
Her mane, once pristine, was now stained with shimmering silver blood. It was beautifully horrific, and my stomach turned at the sight of how deep her wounds were.
"Get Hagrid!" I screamed at Harry.
He hesitated only for a second before running off, leaving me alone with her.
"Don't leave me… please…" she begged, her desperate silver eyes locked onto mine.
I bit my lip, gently stroking her mane. "Of course. I'll stay with you until you get better."
She let out a weak huff, nudging me lightly with her hoof. "I'm not… I know that…"
My eyes burned, a lump forming in my throat. My grip on my wand tightened, knowing there was nothing I could do.
"I'm sorry…" I whispered, unable to say the words properly.
"Don't apologize… It's thanks to you… I may be more at peace…"
I faltered, surprised that she knew English—before realizing the true weight of her words.
I put my wand away and used both hands to comfort her, gently brushing her mane back into place, trying to restore her dignity.
"You're more beautiful than I ever imagined a unicorn could be," I said, my voice shaking.
"I look like a mess."
I shook my head, pressing my forehead against hers. Her skin was cold.
"I will never see a creature more perfect than you," I murmured, sniffling, forcing a smile to keep myself from breaking down.
The wind blew, and silence stretched between us.
"I… I don't want to die…" she finally whimpered, tears slipping from her eyes.
I gripped her mane tightly, unwilling to let go.
"I'll be right here. I'm not going anywhere…" I whispered, holding her close.
Her warm breath tickled my stomach.
Then… it stopped.
I held my breath, my chest convulsing as I fought back tears.
"…Unicorn?" I asked, lying to myself, hoping for a response.
I slowly pulled back, looking at my hands—stained with thick, viscous silver. Her blood.
My hands began to tremble, my mind finally catching up with the truth I had been denying.
"Ah… Ah… NOOOO!!"
A guttural, agonized scream tore from my throat, the sound resembling that of a grieving wolf.
I continued to wail until my breath failed me.
A large hand rested on my shoulder. I turned slightly and saw Hagrid looking down at me, sorrow written across his face.
I huffed, trying to quiet my sobs, my gaze drifting back to the lifeless unicorn in my lap.
She almost looked as if she were only sleeping… as if she might wake at any moment.
"We'll give 'er a proper send-off… but we should get goin' now," Hagrid whispered.
I looked up at him, anger burning in my eyes. He was asking me to leave her.
It was then I noticed the Gryffindor trio watching from a distance.
I clenched my jaw, unwilling to let anyone—especially someone who might tell others, or worse, my parents—see me like this.
Slowly, I turned back to the unicorn.
Biting my quaking lip, I reached into my robes and pulled out the empty vial that had once held my Vitamix.
I dipped it into the small pool of shimmering silver blood at my knees, letting it fill before corking it tightly.
I wanted to keep some part of her with me.
I would never go back on my word.
I would stay with her.
Always.