The Last Slytherin - Chapter 19

After Neal, Harry and Hermoine disappeared, Filch looked at Hagrid and said, “Ok, I’ll be back at dawn to pick up what’s left of them”. While Filch is gong back, Draco snorted, “that damn sure is arrogant”.

Ron replied, “more than you? you are the epitome of arrogance”.

Harry and Hermoine were slowly following Neal, who was walking in some random direction for a while. From time to time, Neal is stopping and checking something on the ground with Lumos spell, then changing his direction.

As it happened three to four times, Hermoine asked, “what are you doing, exactly?”. Neal replied while checking something on the ground, “unicorn’s blood”. He stood up and showed them silvery sticky blood on his fingers, “I’m actually here for something else but it seems we’ve encountered a problem”.

As Harry and Hermoine frowned, Neal continued, “so far there are three to four traces of unicorn blood from the starting to now. Do you know what that means?”.

While Harry is thinking, Hermoine replied, “don’t tell me, something is after the Unicorn to kill it. So, it began to flee for its life?”. Neal nodded, “yes. Judging by the temperature, it might be around 30min to an hour. It’s more likely dead”.

Harry then asked, “Then why in the hell are you looking for a dead animal? For unicorn parts? I know they are too expensive”. Neal looked at him in annoyance, “Unicorn is Hogwarts property. Try to take even one of its parts illegally and sell it, you will be expelled or worse, will be sent to Askaban Prison”.

Harry asked, “Then why?”. Neal replied while he continues to walk, “because those who drink the Unicorn blood will become Immortal”.

Both of them almost screamed, “What?”. Neal replied, “Ah, wrong words. Not exactly immortal but it will keep you alive no matter what even if you are at an inch away from death. But at a terrible price though. From the moment the blood touches your lips, you will start to live a cursed life, a half-life.

Only those who have nothing to lose and everything to gain will do such a thing. You can think of it as a cursed version of drinking an Elixir of life potion made from the Philosopher’s stone. Do you know what is a Philosopher’s stone?”.

As Hermoine nodded, Neal shouted, “found it”. They stopped beside him as he showed it, “see, a trail of Unicorn’s blood. The animal’s body must be somewhere. Be careful and stay far away, the culprit might be a werewolf”.

After that, Neal began to run fast following the trail while Harry said, “why do I feel this incident is connected to the stone Fluffy is guarding?”. Hermoine replied, “don’t be ridiculous. Didn’t you hear him say drinker will live a cursed life?.

Snape looks normal though. I don’t think he’s behind this incident. Moreover, just like Neal said, it might be a werewolf”. Harry then said, “But I can’t help but think what if Snape is working for someone? maybe someone needed the stone which produces Elixir of Life and makes him immortal?

Since Snape hasn’t been successful yet even though almost a year passed, his master was desperate enough to drink Unicorn’s blood, I guess?”.

Before Hermoine could think about his theory and reply, Neal shouted, “who are you? Show your self” and started firing different spells on an unknown person with full black robes and hood to cover himself up. He skillfully dodged them and ran away successfully.

Neal cursed, “dammit”. As he returned to the dead body of the Unicorn, he found Harry touching his scar on the forehead while Hermoine asking if he’s okay. Neal asked, “what happened?”. Harry replied, “nothing. Did he escape?”.

Neal nodded, “one thing for sure. He’s very skillful. Easily dodged all of my spells even though they are only up to the third-year level”. Then he looked at the dead Unicorn and sighed, “poor creature”. He pointed his Black walnut wand to it, “Offero”. It’s wound closed and the blood is drawn back to the inside of it. Hermoine said in a whisper, “the counter spell that returns target to its previous state”.

Neal replied, “but can’t bring one to life again”. Then, he used a floating charm to pick up the dead Unicorn and started to walk in a specific direction. While he was walking fast, he spoke, “keep up and stay close to me”.

While Harry mumbled, “as if I need your protection”, Neal replied, “well, it would be helpful to me if that were true. After all, I never see you excelling in anything other than being a seeker. Anyway, arguments aside, please maintain silence. Forest trolls are seen around here.

Don’t wake them up if you want to go back to castle in one piece”. As both of them nodded, they slowly walked while following Neal who is walking like he knew the path this time.

After a while, he looked back and nodded, “now, we’re safe. If you want to ask any questions? You can do so”. Hermoine asked, “I’ll ask the most obvious question. Where are we going?”. Before he even replied, an arrow fired towards them and stuck on the ground before their feet.

Neal looked at them, “to meet them”. Before them, at least a dozen creatures who have a human upper body and horse lower body. They carry bows with them. One of them spoke, “go back, humans. This isn’t a place for you”.

Neal shouted, “Bane, it’s me”. Neal stepped forward while telling Harry and Hermoine to stay there. After going near to them, they saw his face and put the bow down. “It’s you, Slytherin”.

While Neal nodded, another Centaur spoke, “how unexpected. My divination showed me Potter would visit us, not you”. Neal looked at him and replied, “Potter also came with me, Firenze. I guess your divinations aren’t complete truths. Last time you told me that a wolf’s going to attack me while I was returning but instead, a werewolf did”.

As Firenze got embarrassed, Neal looked back, “Harry, Hermoine, you may come”. They both walk towards the centaurs and stood beside Neal. While Hermoine mumbled, “so, this is a centaur”, Harry looked at Firenza who was looking at him intently.

He spoke, “Harry Potter must return to Hogwarts. The forest isn’t safe for you”. Neal replied, “wow, Firenze, I’m the one who you all are indebted to but it seems you care more about Harry, eh”.

Firenze once again said, “Harry Potter must return, now. It’s unsafe for him here”. Bane turned serious and spoke, “Neal. Something bad is going to happen. You must return, now”. Neal then said, “a message from Magorian. It’s about a deal. Let Firenze escort both of them to Hagrid. I’ll return after passing the whole message”.

While Harry and Hermoine turned curious, Firenze picked up two of them and placed them on his back, “We’re going”. While Hermoine spoke, “wait, what about Neal”, Firenza started to run fast while Hermoine screamed, “wait”.