The Unicorn (Revised)

The group arrived at the place where the unicorn had been injured earlier.

"Unicorns?" The professors were still somewhat puzzled as they looked at the sacred creatures.

A group of unicorns surrounded a weakened unicorn. There was a great deal of silvery-white blood beneath it, and it lay against the pitch-black ground like a sacred moon in the night sky. Several of its fellow unicorns were tending to it.

That was right. Mia had led Quirrell elsewhere so their attacks wouldn't hit it.

"Wait a moment. They don't like contact with humans."

"Go on, child," Firenze said to Mia.

The unicorns moved apart, and the weakened unicorn pushed itself up, approached Mia, and lowered its head to nuzzle her affectionately. Mia cautiously placed a hand on its mane. Then the other unicorns gathered around her too, watching her with gentle, clear eyes.

One unicorn gave Mia some of its blood. Blood given willingly by a unicorn carried a blessing.

The unicorns surrounded the beautiful girl, and the sacred, beautiful scene left even the professors somewhat awestruck.

"Oh, my goodness. I knew Mia couldn't be a bad child." Hagrid covered his slightly moist eyes.

Dumbledore gazed intently at the scene. Perhaps things weren't as he had thought? He knew what Mia's parents had been like, and he had personally delivered Mia to the Dursleys. He couldn't bear to be harsh with the child either.

Unicorns disliked contact with humans. Only women with pure souls and kind, untainted hearts had a chance of earning their favor.

The unicorns' affection told the professors beyond doubt that Mia was no bad child. There might be more to the matter.

"The child was trying to save that unicorn." Firenze explained what had happened to the professors.

"While observing the stars, I noticed their paths were changing. Centaurs do not interfere lightly in human destinies, but I had to do so today. This child may well change many outcomes that were already set."

All the professors realized what Firenze had just said.

"Outcomes that were already set?" Professor McGonagall hadn't expected that Mia really couldn't escape the fate of opposing Voldemort either.

"I'm sorry, professors. I shouldn't have entered the Forbidden Forest without permission." Seeing that the professors didn't seem angry, Mia hurried to strike while the iron was hot and admit her mistake.

"You did very well, child, but the Forbidden Forest is dangerous. We don't want any of you getting hurt, understand?" Dumbledore's expression softened, and he chose not to pursue Mia's use of an Unforgivable Curse.

"Yes, Professor."

"Since you broke a school rule, your punishment will be to clean the Trophy Room for a month." Just as the matter was about to be brushed aside so lightly-

"We have this child to thank, too. Not only did she come to the Forbidden Forest late at night and help us kill quite a few Acromantulas, but their nest was also caught up in that duel just now. You see, ever since some Acromantulas came here, they've been breeding unchecked and destroying the native inhabitants' territory everywhere. We really do have you to thank, child!" Firenze said cheerfully.

Mia covered her eyes, feeling somewhat distraught, while Hagrid guiltily covered his face.

"Mia Potter! You'll clean the Trophy Room for three months!"

Realizing he seemed to have accidentally caused trouble, Firenze guiltily shut his mouth.

As soon as he had finished speaking, he hurried away. He was afraid that if he accidentally said anything else out of turn, Mia might end up cleaning the Trophy Room for a year.

Dumbledore had originally wanted to ask Mia a few more questions, but Snape whisked her off to Madam Pomfrey for a checkup.

They had only just learned that Mia had used an Unforgivable Curse because her opponent had used one too. Worried that the child might have other injuries, they hurried to have her checked first.

Fortunately, Mia was fine.

"Next time you run into danger, run, understand? Don't charge in headfirst!" Snape lectured Mia sternly. Mia obediently listened to the reprimand and was very sincere about it, but she would do the same thing again next time.

"Don't use the Unforgivable Curses lightly unless you're in danger, understand? Also, come to my office over the next few days. I'll teach you spells." Snape didn't forbid Mia from using the Unforgivable Curses. He knew Quirrell's identity, and Voldemort would very likely set his sights on Mia because of this, so he had to make her stronger, at least enough to protect herself.

"Really?" Mia looked at Snape in delighted surprise.

"Do you like Dark Magic?" Snape asked.

"Yes! I like all magic." Mia nodded.

"I'll write you a permission slip for the library's Restricted Section. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me, but whatever you want to do, make sure you tell me first." Snape thought that since Mia liked it, he might as well let her do it, so she wouldn't work on her own and get hurt. Besides, Mia was exceptionally gifted, and he also believed she wouldn't turn out the way Dumbledore feared, so he decided to let her do it.

"Thank you, Professor, you're the best!" Mia hadn't expected an extra surprise. She threw herself excitedly into Snape's arms, and he gently patted her back.

"Go and get some rest. If you feel unwell, remember to tell me."

"All right, Professor! Good night!" With that, she bounced away.