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Chapter 109 – Unicorn Affinity
"Ha. Judging by the look of you, you should've learned your lesson by now."
Filch's voice dripped with resentment as he marched them down the corridor.
"If it were up to me, we'd still use the proper punishments—hang you by the wrists from the ceiling like in the old days. These new rules are far too soft. Corporal punishment builds character. Strengthens memory. I still keep chains in my office, polished every morning. Wouldn't mind seeing them used again…"
He glanced back at them with a strange excitement, almost hoping someone would bolt so he had an excuse to chase them down. But everyone stayed frozen in place, which clearly disappointed him.
They walked through the dark corridors until they stepped onto the cold lawn outside. Darren could just make out Hagrid's hut in the distance.
"Filch! You're here—hurry up, I want to get started!"
Hagrid's booming voice carried across the grass.
Harry's face immediately brightened, maybe a little too obviously, because Filch snorted.
"You think going into the Forbidden Forest with that oaf is something to celebrate, do you? Ha! Let's see how cheerful you are once you're deep in the woods at this hour."
"I'm not going into the Forbidden Forest—I'm not—!"
Malfoy's voice cracked with fear. He actually took half a step back as if he might run.
Filch looked delighted by his panic.
"Well, go on then. Off with you," Filch said, pushing them toward Hagrid. "I'll collect what's left of you in the morning."
Harry went pale. Darren looked even paler—trembling, even. Before Harry could speak, Darren whispered tremulously:
"Brother… I'll protect you."
[Ding, Father's Blessing +100]
[Ding, Father's Blessing +50]
Harry was visibly moved. Darren suspected the other surge of Father's Value was from Dumbledore. The Headmaster had clearly been listening—and watching. After all, who else would hear a whisper delivered right into Harry's ear?
The old man obviously had a reason for sending them into the Forbidden Forest at night. He wanted Harry to face Voldemort. Wanted him to understand his fate.
Poor savior, Darren thought sympathetically.
Harry misunderstood his silence as fear and quickly whispered back, "If there's danger, you run first. I'll protect you."
Darren opened his mouth to say something very… system-friendly, but Hagrid cut him off.
"Alright, alright—Darren, Harry, you two okay?"
Hagrid gave them both a hearty pat on the shoulder. They grabbed fistfuls of his coat to stay upright; otherwise they would've been knocked face-first into the dirt in front of Malfoy.
"Me—I'm not going!" Malfoy shouted again.
Hagrid's expression darkened.
"You're goin' whether you want to or not. You think detention is optional? Or do you want to be expelled tonight? If your father would be proud of that, then sure—turn around and leave."
Malfoy froze. Expulsion was the magic word. He followed, trembling and humiliated.
"Right then," Hagrid said. "Stick close. Don't wander. What we're doing tonight is dangerous, and I don't want anyone hurt."
Darren nodded obediently, all while peeking around with interest. Dangerous? Sure. But with Dumbledore shadowing them, what was there to fear?
And this was a legendary moment from the original story. He'd never stepped foot here before, always keeping up the Holy Father persona. Now he could finally walk in as himself—openly and legitimately.
[Ding, host has entered the Forbidden Forest. Forbidden Forest Random Reward unlocked. Open reward box?]
[Open!]
So he did have to walk into the forest to get the prize.
[Ding, congratulations. Reward obtained: Unicorn Affinity.]
Unicorn Affinity: Unicorns have +100 favorability toward you. This may allow certain… opportunities.
The system's description was suspiciously suggestive. Darren immediately thought of several illegal interpretations and forcibly shut his brain down. Thankfully, no one could read minds here—other than Snape, and he wasn't around.
He composed himself quickly and followed Hagrid along a narrow dirt trail leading deeper into the woods. There wasn't even a sliver of moonlight inside. Only cold wind scraping through branches, raising goosebumps on their arms.
"Look there…"
Hagrid pointed to the ground.
They peered down. A pool of silver liquid shimmered faintly.
"That's unicorn blood," Hagrid said grimly. "Something in the forest hurt it. This is the second one. Last Wednesday, I found a unicorn dead…"
Malfoy made a strangled noise.
"We need to find what's attackin' them and put a stop to it," Hagrid continued. "But searchin' alone is too slow. We'll split into two groups—hopefully we can help the poor creature fast."
Malfoy looked ready to faint.
"What if that thing attacks me?" he stammered.
"As long as you stay with me or Fang, no creature in this forest'll touch you," Hagrid said proudly.
Darren almost commented that creatures probably avoided Hagrid because he looked terrifying enough to wrestle a mountain troll. But he swallowed the thought.
A Holy Father must maintain dignity.
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