Chapter Thirty-Nine: The Unicorn

It seemed as though the Forbidden Forest was often shrouded in a light mist, obscuring the vision of those within. As Professor Kettleburn and Shevin ventured deeper, the surroundings grew ever darker, and a single oil lamp proved insufficient to illuminate the path for both of them.

“Lumos Maxima,” Shevin intoned, raising his wand.

A bright light burst forth from the tip of his wand, dispelling the nearby gloom and allowing Shevin to finally see the world within the Forbidden Forest.

Towering trees, so massive that it would take two people to encircle their trunks, stood sentinel around them. Looking up from the forest floor, the tops were invisible, lost in a tangle of overlapping branches and leaves that blotted out the sky. The bark was dark, and though summer had only just passed, there were few leaves to be seen. Many branches were bare, twisted into strange shapes and layered atop one another, lending the place a somber, eerie atmosphere.

The soil underfoot was a uniform gray, surprisingly dry despite the pervasive mist. Each step revealed a firm, unyielding texture, so that not even a trace of dirt clung to their shoes.

“Dim your wand a bit,” Professor Kettleburn advised. “Too much light will startle the smaller creatures of the forest. Why else do you think I didn’t bring a brighter lamp?”

“Oh, I see,” Shevin nodded, switching to a standard illumination charm.

The professor led Shevin along a narrow path, clearly worn by many years of passage. Occasionally, he would point out small animals along the way, sharing stories about the creatures of the Forbidden Forest and their habits.

The animals seemed quite familiar with Professor Kettleburn, showing no fear at his approach. From time to time, a playful rabbit or a graceful deer would hop over to stand before them, casting curious glances at the unfamiliar Shevin.

“Professor, why must the Forbidden Forest be patrolled every day?” Shevin asked, his curiosity piqued.

“Originally, the position of Forbidden Forest Keeper at Hogwarts was created to prevent outsiders from sneaking into the school through the forest. That’s why daily patrols are necessary,” Professor Kettleburn replied with a smile. “Nowadays, it’s nearly impossible for anyone to infiltrate the forest, especially since it’s almost impossible to get past the territory of the centaurs.”

“Still, the daily patrols became a tradition. Over time, every forest keeper has been someone who loves magical creatures, treating the patrols as a way to interact with them. We all find great joy in it.”

“What a wonderful passion to have!” Shevin nodded in admiration. “So, what magical creatures live in the Forbidden Forest?”

“Oh, there are many,” the professor said, his tone dreamy. “Thestrals, unicorns, hippogriffs…”

Just then, a beautiful creature glowing with silver light emerged from the bushes ahead, stepping into view. She was draped in pure silver fur, resembling an elegant, noble foal, with a long, spiraling horn atop her head.

“Aha, you’re in luck!” Professor Kettleburn exclaimed to Shevin. “Your very first time in the Forbidden Forest, and you get to see a sacred unicorn.”

“When unicorns are newly born, they’re golden all over. Around the age of two, they gradually turn silver, and by four, they grow the magical horn. Only at seven do they acquire the pure white coat unique to adult unicorns,” he explained. “Take a look at this one—her fur is still silver, but her horn is fully developed. She must be a young unicorn, somewhere between four and seven years old.”

Shevin, captivated by her beauty, stepped forward cautiously, eager to observe her up close.

“I hate to disappoint you, but I must tell you—unicorns are more inclined to trust pure-hearted maidens than males,” Professor Kettleburn commented, noticing Shevin’s approach.

Yet, to their surprise, the unicorn did not shy away from Shevin. Instead, she lifted a silvery hoof and quietly moved a step closer.

She stretched her head out, gently nuzzling the wand in Shevin’s hand.

The little cat perched on Shevin’s shoulder seemed intrigued by the unicorn and suddenly leapt onto her back, settling contentedly into the silvery mane behind her neck.

“Come back here! Don’t be naughty!” Shevin’s expression darkened as he hurried to retrieve his mischievous kitten.

Professor Kettleburn smiled knowingly at the sight. “Don’t worry. As long as the unicorn doesn’t object, she’s accepted your cat. Who knows, they might get along splendidly.”

Shevin glanced at the unicorn, who still pressed her head against his wand, a trace of longing in her expression.

“Professor, why does she seem so attached to my wand?” Shevin asked, puzzled.

At that, the professor’s demeanor grew serious. “That’s unusual. Even wands with unicorn tail hair as their core don’t usually elicit such a reaction. What is your wand made of?”

“Unicorn horn nerve…” Shevin murmured, gazing at his straight pine wand.

“No wonder…” Professor Kettleburn nodded with a sigh. “I remember, a few years ago, an evil dark wizard attacked a unicorn in the Galloway Forest. The unicorn had just given birth and was weak. To protect her foal, she was cruelly slain by the dark wizard.”

“When the Ministry found them, all that remained was her bloodless body and, nestled safely in the grass, the unharmed unicorn foal,” the professor recounted sorrowfully, dabbing at his eyes. “That foal must be the one before us now—her name is Cecily. The Department for the Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures brought her to me here in the Forbidden Forest, but once she was able to move about, she vanished. I’d thought she’d left for good…”

“So, she’s come for this?” Shevin opened his palm, displaying the straight, slender, fourteen-inch pine wand, etched with intricate patterns.

“If you want it, take it,” he said softly. “The core came from your mother.”

Cecily gazed longingly at the wand, but did not take it. Instead, she nudged Shevin’s open hand gently toward his body, as if telling him to keep it.

“The wand chose you; that means Cecily’s mother has accepted you,” Professor Kettleburn said, his tone full of emotion. “Keep it. This wand belongs to you.”

Shevin breathed a quiet sigh of relief, closed his fingers around the wand, and with his left hand stroked Cecily’s smooth neck. In a low voice, he vowed, “Don’t worry. If I ever encounter the dark wizard who hurt your mother, I will be sure to avenge her.”

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