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Hagrid spoke as they walked, "Listen, what we're doing tonight is very dangerous—well, any time you enter the Forbidden Forest, there's no safe moment," he sighed, "Even after spending half my life in these woods, I can't afford to be careless... I don't want you two getting into trouble because of negligence, but it's indeed an excellent opportunity to learn about magical creatures."
Leading Tom and Hermione to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, Hagrid raised his lantern high, illuminating a winding path gradually disappearing into the dense woods. A few silver drops glittered on the path, reflecting the light.
"Unicorn blood," Hagrid pointed at the silver drops, "very unusual. Unicorns rarely get severely injured, and they usually don't come near the forest's edge. Our task tonight is to find that injured unicorn and end its suffering."
A gentle breeze passed, making Tom shiver involuntarily. He was secretly glad he had come prepared.
[Main Quest Triggered:
Forest Elves: Find the injured unicorn and end its suffering. Quest Reward: ?
Vanquish Evil: Defeat the mastermind behind this. Quest Reward: ?
Eradicate All Evils: Put an end to it all! Quest Reward: Version Update]
Along with their progression, the bloodstains became denser. Finally, in a clearing, they saw a shining creature. It lay unnaturally on the ground, its silver mane spread over the fallen leaves like pearls.
What was once an elegant and exquisite creature now twisted and struggled in the muddy ground.
Despite the distance, Tom could hear its painful gasps.
Hagrid didn't rush forward; instead, he stepped back, hiding behind a tree, and readied his giant crossbow before walking out.
"Expulso!"
As Hagrid reached the edge of the clearing, a flash of light erupted. In the nearby woods, a figure clad in black robes appeared, launching a surprise attack.
"Armor Protego!" Tom reacted swiftly, casting a shield spell on Hagrid. However, the cutting curse from the black-robed wizard shattered the shield like paper. Tom estimated that the severing curse was at least a seventh-level spell.
At the same time, Hagrid responded by firing his crossbow. The arrow, coated in a blue glow, whizzed through the air. Simultaneously, two loud bangs followed as Tom fired his enchanted bullets at the black-robed wizard. The armor that shielded the wizard erupted into multiple blood blossoms, a sudden and unexpected strike causing him to stagger back.
Hot shell casings fell to the ground, rolling a few times and losing their last bit of kinetic energy, leaving only trails of white smoke.
While the black-robed wizard was still recovering, Tom, quick on his feet, grabbed Hermione, and they rolled into the nearby bushes, disappearing from view. At the same time, Hagrid, treating the broken crossbow like a club, charged at the intruder.
The black-robed wizard, intending to retaliate, chanted, "Avada Kedavra!"
A green light flashed, but it missed its mark. Tom, having emptied his magazine, transformed back into human form and shifted direction, avoiding the killing curse.
The black-robed wizard, realizing he was now outnumbered, created a smokescreen and fled. He knew that at best, he could only trade one for one, so retreat was the wiser choice.
Three heads might be expected in such a creature as a three-headed dog, but Hagrid was bewildered. He hurried to catch up, only to find a deserted forest. The three-headed dog, known as Fluffy, was actually Tom, who had no intention of getting overly involved. After chasing off the attacker, Tom changed direction and found a secluded spot to revert to his human form.
So, Hagrid saw an empty forest, filled with confusion. He was puzzled: Wasn't that three-headed dog just his Fluffy? But why would Fluffy appear here? Various doubts crowded his mind.
Now was not the time to ponder, though. He turned around, found Hermione and Tom hiding in the bushes, and led them to the dying unicorn.
The unicorn's life force was fading fast. It lay motionless on the ground, breathing almost inaudibly. Only a faint movement in its chest and abdomen indicated that it was still alive.
Hagrid knelt beside it, desperately conducting a check, trying to save this innocent life. However, after a while, he sadly realized there was nothing he could do. The unicorn was beyond saving. Only if Dumbledore and Newt Scamander were present would there be a slim chance.
Tom also knelt beside the unicorn. He couldn't do anything, just gently stroked its neck, hoping to ease its suffering.
"I'll avenge you," he whispered softly. The unicorn's beautiful eyelashes trembled, but that was the extent of its reaction. Soon, the sparkle in its eyes faded.
It died. Mortally wounded and unable to recover.
The last few drops of silver blood dripped from its wound. Tom caught them with his hand, carefully examining the blood.
[Cursed Blood: From a pure and innocent being, brings an irremovable curse to the soul]
Tom thought for a moment, took out his wand, and transfigured a twig into a cup. He collected the scattered blood around the area and sealed the cup's mouth.
"This place isn't safe," Tom said sternly to the mournful Hagrid. "We need to find Professor Dumbledore quickly."
Hagrid also came to his senses, realizing the black-robed person might come back for revenge. He immediately got up, leading Tom and Hermione back towards the castle.
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(End of this chapter)