"Cassandra?"
Hearing that name, Harry froze for a moment.
He shook his head and let out a bitter smile.
"No... I read the letter she left behind. She should have already..."
"Mmm..."
The unicorn shook her head.
"No... I don't think so. But putting Cassandra aside... isn't there anyone else you'd like to ask about?"
As she spoke, she caught the hem of Harry's robes in her mouth and tugged it from side to side.
"Haaarry! Haaarry!"
In that instant, realization struck Harry.
Of course!
That was why this unicorn had always seemed so familiar.
That was why she knew so much.
The way she tugged on his robes... the tone of her voice...
It all reminded him of an old friend.
Poppy Sweeting of Hufflepuff.
Harry covered his mouth in shock. With a trembling hand, he pointed at the unicorn.
"Y-you... You're Poppy?"
"You only figured it out now?"
The unicorn...
Or rather, Poppy in her unicorn form, made her horn disappear before rubbing her head repeatedly against Harry's chest, clearly expressing her dissatisfaction at not having been recognized immediately by her old friend.
"B-but... how did you end up like this?" Harry asked, still struggling to believe it.
Poppy had been human.
How had she become a unicorn?
"Animagus," she replied. "But becoming a Magical Animagus comes with a price. This is what happened to me."
She smiled cheerfully.
"But honestly, I love it. I get to spend every day with magical creatures, play with them up close... It makes me happy. Don't you think?"
"I... suppose so..."
Harry scratched the back of his head, unable to fully understand her way of thinking.
Then again, it suited the Poppy he knew perfectly.
She had always adored magical creatures. Years ago, she, Harry, and Vivi had even rescued a dragon from poachers.
It had also been Poppy's idea to build the magical creatures sanctuary inside the Room of Requirement.
"Of course!"
Poppy grabbed Harry's sleeve with her mouth once again, happily shaking it back and forth.
"Haaarry! Haaarry!"
It was exactly what she used to do as a young girl, constantly grabbing his sleeve and swinging it around.
Harry smiled before glancing back at the wound on her side.
"But... are you going to be alright? You're still bleeding. Maybe... maybe I should bring Professor Dumbledore here. He's the greatest wizard of this era. I'm sure he could remove the curse."
He paused.
"Or Professor Snape. He's an extraordinary Potions Master. The Blood-Replenishing Potions you just drank were brewed by him."
Poppy chuckled.
"Well, he certainly sounds much more skilled than Professor Sharp, doesn't he?"
She leaned in conspiratorially.
"By the way... are there still any Weasleys at Hogwarts this year?"
Harry laughed.
"There are. Five brothers, all in Gryffindor."
Then he added with a grin,
"The relationship between Professor Snape and the Weasleys... let's just say it's about as far from friendly as possible. Calling them mortal enemies wouldn't be much of an exaggeration."
"Hahaha..."
Poppy burst into laughter.
Then she shook her head.
"I'd better not return to Hogwarts. I don't want anyone discovering my little secret. You know how it is... Magical Animagi are incredibly rare. One that transforms into a unicorn is even rarer."
"Then what are you going to do about the curse?" Harry asked.
Poppy gently rubbed her muzzle against his cheek.
"I'm going to need your help."
She smiled warmly.
"You're the Heir of Ancient Magic. Once you've fully regained that power... perhaps you'll be able to heal me."
Harry nodded firmly.
"You can count on me, Poppy. It won't be long before I can help you."
"Okay."
She happily tugged on his sleeve again.
"Haaarry..."
Harry smiled.
"Every night, I'll bring you Blood-Replenishing Potions at the edge of the Forbidden Forest. Leaving that wound untreated isn't a good idea."
"Deal."
Suddenly, Poppy lifted her head.
"Be careful. Someone's coming."
Harry immediately drew his wand and traced an 'R' shape through the air.
"Revelio!"
With his vision enhanced by the spell, he saw a tall blue silhouette approaching through the bushes.
It was a spell he and Vivi had developed together. Within its range, it revealed living beings: blue represented allies, while red marked enemies.
Harry relaxed.
"It's Hagrid. A friend of mine."
"Oh."
A moment later, the bushes rustled.
Hagrid emerged carrying his crossbow.
"Harry!"
He lowered the weapon and hurried over.
"Thank goodness! You're alright!"
Then he noticed the unicorn.
"Good evening, Miss Poppy... You're injured?"
"Good evening, Hagrid."
Poppy's voice became soft and ethereal once more.
She cast Harry a meaningful glance before replying,
"Fortunately, this young wizard arrived in time. Thanks to him, I escaped being killed by a Dark Wizard."
"A Dark Wizard?"
Hagrid immediately raised his crossbow again, scanning the forest cautiously.
"He's already gone, Hagrid."
Harry grabbed his arm.
"I drove him away."
"You did?"
Hagrid looked at Harry with a broad smile.
"I knew it. You're every bit as brave as your mum and dad, Harry. A young wizard your age showing the courage to face a Dark Wizard is impressive enough... but actually driving one away? That's remarkable."
Poppy remained silent.
A barely concealed smile flickered across her face.
Oh, Hagrid...
If only you knew how many Dark Wizards this 'young Harry' has defeated...
"And what about Miss Poppy's injury?" Hagrid asked again. "Perhaps Madam Pomfrey could treat her in the Hospital Wing."
"That won't be necessary. Thank you for your concern, Hagrid."
Poppy smiled gently.
"It's getting late. I should be going."
She turned back to Harry.
"Don't forget our promise."
"I won't, Miss Poppy."
Harry nodded.
Poppy shook her head, gently pressed her face against his in an affectionate gesture, and then disappeared into the depths of the Forbidden Forest.
"My goodness..."
Hagrid discreetly wiped away a tear.
"I always thought unicorns only approached girls with the purest hearts... I never imagined they'd be so affectionate toward boys too."
Harry smiled.
"Maybe it's because my heart is pretty pure too, Hagrid."
He gave Hagrid's arm a light pat.
"Just like yours. Otherwise, Miss Poppy never would have become your friend, would she?"
"Oh, Harry..."
Hagrid ruffled Harry's already messy hair and gave him a warm smile.
That boy...
He always knew exactly what to say to warm someone's heart.
-----------------------------------------------------------------/-------------------------------------------------------------------
Read more chapters on my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/cw/SailorTranslations