Old Friend

The Charms shot out from the tip of Harry's wand, and the unique light of the Cruciatus Curse even dyed the surrounding forest an eerie and sinister crimson.

The black-robed figure, caught off guard, was struck squarely by the Cruciatus Curse.

It let out a scream that was inhuman, like a stone scraping against glass, making one's teeth ache.

The figure that had been swooping down towards Harry seemed to vanish into the dense forest like a kite with a broken string.

Harry's forehead pain had disappeared—or rather, he had transferred that pain to the black figure through the Cruciatus Curse.

He was panting heavily; the sensation he had just experienced was truly unbearable. If it weren't for the almost torturous pain that prevented him from concentrating, he probably wouldn't have used the Cruciatus Curse, an Unforgivable Curse, but rather a lesser, more palatable Charms.

"Harry... Harry? Is that you?"

The ethereal yet weak voice rang in Harry's ears once more.

"Who?" Harry looked up abruptly, pulling out a bottle of Cheering Charm from his pocket, pushing the stopper open with his thumb, and gulping it down.

A warm feeling spread from his throat to his limbs, and his spirits were greatly lifted.

Using the Unforgivable Curse has side effects, but Harry's side effects seem to be much milder than many others. He doesn't experience the pain of his soul being torn apart, nor does he have any turbulent negative emotions—he just feels a little mentally exhausted after each use.

"Harry, I'm here."

Following the sound, Harry fixed his gaze on the Unicorn lying on the ground.

She was truly beautiful; even her long legs, contorted in pain, could not diminish her beauty. Her mane, spread across the dark tree roots, was as white as pearls.

"You... you can talk?" Harry frowned. "Are you Unicorn?"

He stepped forward, took two bottles of Cheering Charm from his pocket, unscrewed the caps, and poured them into the Unicorn's mouth.

Then, he put away Darkie's wand, took out his own wand, and pointed it at the wound on the Unicorn's body where silvery-white blood was still flowing.

"Episkey (Episkey)!"

However, it had no effect. The gruesome wound showed no sign of healing, and blood continued to flow, trickling down the white fur and onto the ground.

"Harry, it's no use."

The Unicorn's voice rang out again, and she neighed twice more, her eyes filled with tenderness as she looked at Harry.

"If Veratia sees you using the Cruciatus Curse again, she'll be furious, Harry."

Harry jumped to his feet, asking incredulously, "Who... who are you?"

He didn't remember ever meeting Unicorn —damn it, these Unicorn seemed to be sexist, never getting close to him and boys Ominis, but getting along very well with Veratia, Cassandra, and Pabbie.

Could it be... that the Unicorn in front of them was once their friend?

"I think you should give me some Blood Replenishing Potion," the Unicorn said.

Harry quickly searched his pockets for Blood Replenishing Potion. He pulled out two bottles he had bought from the Potions shop, but after thinking for a moment, he put them back. He then found two bottles of Potions that he had obtained from Professor Snape, which were personally brewed by Snape.

Only Potions made by Potions Master have the best restorative effects.

Whether the Unicorn in front of him was Veratia's friend or a stranger, Harry couldn't bear to watch her lose her life.

After the Unicorn drank two bottles of Blood Replenishing Potion, some light returned to its eyes. Although the hideous wound was still bleeding, it was no longer flowing as profusely as before.

"It's a very vicious curse," the Unicorn said. "That person... he also had a strong aura of curse on him. I don't know who he is, but he is definitely a very terrible and powerful Dark Wizard, just like Victor Luke Wood."

Following the Unicorn's warning, Harry indeed discovered the Dark Magic Curse on the wound.

He picked up his wand again, aimed it at the wound, and recited the Charms Veratia had invented to Purification Curse.

"Purusor (Purusor)!"

The effect was remarkable; the Dark Magic Curse on the wound was slowly fading.

Harry was overjoyed and continued to use the Purification Charm to remove the curse marks from the Unicorn's wounds.

Unfortunately, once the curse reaches a certain threshold, it stops diminishing and stubbornly remains on the wound.

"Such Charms is useless unless you are fifteen years old or Veratia comes to break it," the Unicorn said softly.

Harry then remembered that there was something he hadn't asked the Unicorn.

How do you know who I am? Have I seen you before?

"Of course you've seen me, Harry." A sly glint flashed in the Unicorn's bright eyes. "We've known each other for over a hundred years... Oh, it seems you've successfully returned to a hundred years in the future. I haven't even congratulated you yet."

As it spoke, the Unicorn roused itself and stood up again.

She walked around Harry twice, nudged Harry clothes with her nose, and gave him a very human-like smile.

"Oh dear, I hadn't noticed, but you've reverted to your childhood self—I think it was around the age when you were first assigned to a different Sorting, right?"

"Yeah, that's right." Harry scratched his head. "I don't know why I went back a hundred years in the future, and even back to when I was eleven, but... as you can see, it just happened out of nowhere."

"Since you disappeared, the Order of the Phoenix has been dead in name only," the Unicorn said softly, her tone full of regret. "Veratia has stopped going to class. She said she was going to look for you... Many people said you were dead, and even Headmaster Black advised her to accept the fact. But after thanking everyone for their kindness, she disappeared, and I haven't heard from her since."

Harry's heart skipped a beat.

Could it be...?

Is Veratia really trapped somewhere?

Or are we trapped in Time Vortex?

Otherwise, why hasn't she shown up to look for me yet?

"And what about Sebastian and Ominis?" Harry asked again.

"Those two..." Unicorn thought for a moment, then shook her head and said, "The last time I heard about them was back in seventh grade, but I haven't heard from them since."

Harry's mind was in turmoil. He wondered where Sebastian and Ominis had gone. Could they have been imprisoned in Azkaban because of Solomon's affair?

"Don't you want to hear from others?" The Unicorn lowered its neck, tilting its head to look at Harry. "Like... like Cassandra?"