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Christmas passed quickly.
On the first day back at school, their first class was Care of Magical Creatures.
To be honest, in this snowy weather, Darren really didn't want to leave the castle.
But he had no choice. Wizards don't get sick leave—one dose of dicine fixes everything.
A true cruelty to lazy students.
When they arrived at Hagrid's cabin, they saw that Hagrid wasn't there.
Instead, a stern-looking witch was standing in front of the hut.
"Where is Hagrid?"
Darren frowned, glancing anxiously toward the cabin's windows.
"He's not feeling well," the witch replied crisply.
"So Headmaster Dumbledore asked to take over your lessons for now. I'm Professor Glapland. Everyone, follow —class is starting, and you're all far too slow!"
Harry and Ron exchanged looks.
Darren pressed against Hagrid's window, trying to peek inside.
Professor Glapland imdiately pulled him back.
"You mustn't do that, child. It's very rude."
"But I want to know how Hagrid is."
[Ding, Holy Father Value 30]
[Ding, Holy Father Value 40]
[Ding, Holy Father Value 30]
[Ding… ]
Professor Glapland softened. "Co after class. That's the proper ti."
It was a reasonable suggestion—much better than Darren hovering uselessly.
And he couldn't see anything through Hagrid's curtains anyway.
So Darren followed her reluctantly toward the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
As soon as they arrived, he noticed a stunning unicorn lying there.
Its silvery-white mane shimred beautifully, making several girls gasp in excitent.
"All girls forward, boys step back!" Professor Glapland called.
"Unicorns dislike n—"
Before she finished speaking, the unicorn stood up proudly and approached Darren.
It lowered its head and gently rubbed its horn against his arm.
With a soft, lodic voice, it said,
"Cub, why are you here? It has been years since I saw you. You've grown."
Cub?
Darren blinked. Then he rembered—the unicorn he had saved in first year.
The one who had given him its blood, earning him thousands of Galleons—and several days in St. Mungo's.
He had assud the unicorn would never return.
Seeing it now, completely healed, was unexpected.
"It's you!"
Darren examined it carefully.
"You're really alright."
[Ding, Holy Father Value 50]
[Ding, Holy Father Value 60]
[Ding… ]
The unicorn—Erica—nuzzled him excitedly.
"I had a toxin no spell could cure. I thought I would die.
But you invented a new antidote, and I survived.
So tell —what do you want? I'll give you anything. Even my life. Unicorns repay their debts!"
It pranced around Darren, thrilled.
Naturally, Darren didn't want its life.
He thought for a mont, then smiled softly.
"As repaynt… just give one tail hair."
Erica froze.
Tail hair? That worthless thing?
Unicorn tail hair grows back constantly—it ant nothing.
"Change your request!" Erica insisted anxiously.
Darren only laughed and stroked its mane.
"What else would I want? I don't need immortality, and I won't sell your body parts for money.
And I don't want you feeling pressured because I saved you."
[Ding, Holy Father Value 100]
[Ding, Holy Father Value 100]
[Ding, Holy Father Value 100]
[Ding… ]
Erica stared at him, overwheld.
Humans never saved unicorns selflessly.
Yet this boy felt… pure. Peaceful. Safe.
Professor Glapland approached curiously, and Erica quickly said:
"Don't worry. I'll co find you soon—with a gift.
I promised her I'd serve as a teaching specin today."
A teaching specin?
Darren resisted the urge to laugh.
At least wizards didn't dissect magical creatures—wands made such things unnecessary.
"Boys, back again!"
Professor Glapland called sharply.
Unicorns disliked n.
Erica only tolerated Darren because he had saved her—and because unicorns adored their "cubs."
Across the clearing, girls surrounded Erica, petting her happily.
Darren watched them for a while, then looked at Harry and Ron.
Both were staring at the unicorn with interest.
Harry murmured, "I still wish Hagrid were teaching."
"Yeah," Ron sighed. "Even if he raises Blast-Ended Skrewts, I—"
He was cut off.
Malfoy strutted over, waving a newspaper.
"Look at this! That oaf won't be coming back. He should be ashad.
By tomorrow they'll throw him out of Hogwarts—I said so!"
He smirked.
"A man like him should never have been a professor.
He even dared to threaten a student once!"
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