Hogwarts: My Grandmother is the Queen

Chapter 110 Quirrell in the Forbidden Forest

That afternoon, Henry did not rush back to the common room.

He stayed in Hagrid's cabin, sitting by the fireplace with the unicorn.

The fire in the fireplace was burning brightly, and it lay at Henry's feet, its head resting on his lap. Occasionally, it would let out a soft purr, as if it were dreaming.

Hagrid sat opposite him, holding a large cup of tea, his eyes darting between the unicorn and Henry, his expression a mixture of envy and satisfaction.

"It really likes you," Hagrid said softly, as if afraid of waking the unicorn. "I've never seen a unicorn so close to a person. They usually don't even let you get close. The cushion I gave you was made from fur I collected from the bushes."

Henry gently stroked the unicorn's mane; the touch was incredibly soft, like touching a piece of silk woven from moonlight, smooth and silky.

"Maybe it's because I saved it," he said.

Hagrid shook his head: "It's not just because of that. Mr. Scamander also rescued it, I fed it, and Miss Granger changed its water—but it only gets close to you."

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He paused for a moment, his tone becoming somewhat serious.

"Henry, unicorns can read minds. They chose you because you deserve it."

Henry didn't speak; he simply continued stroking the unicorn, his gaze fixed on the flickering flames.

He remembered what Newt had said and the characteristics of unicorns.

Could it be that I am truly innocent?

Henry dismissed the idea in less than a second.

Pure? Don't make your brother laugh.

After resting for a few days in Hagrid's cabin, the unicorn's injuries were mostly healed.

The students were extremely curious about the unicorn, and many came to see it. However, to avoid frightening it, the professors had to temporarily announce a rule that no one was allowed to approach Hagrid's hut except Henry.

On his next visit to Hagrid's cabin, Henry found the unicorn leisurely munching on a handful of dew-covered grass.

Seeing him approach, the unicorn came over, nuzzled his shoulder with its head, and tugged at the corner of his clothes, as if trying to pull him outside.

Henry understood what it meant, and he reached out and stroked its neck.

"It's time to go," he said softly. "Your injuries have almost healed, and it's time to return to the forest."

The unicorn looked at him, and something seemed to be gleaming in its eyes.

Henry patted the unicorn's head. Hagrid was still asleep in the cabin, snoring loudly. He didn't wake him, but instead led the unicorn and Tooth into the Forbidden Forest.

The morning air was cool and refreshing, making one feel relaxed and happy.

A thin layer of mist shrouded the edge of the Forbidden Forest, like a mysterious veil.

Birds are calling in the distance, their calls clear and melodious.

Henry took a deep breath and walked toward the Forbidden Forest.

The unicorn walked beside him, its steps light and its hooves barely making a sound on the grass.

Ya Ya ran around him like a frolicker, circling him from front to back.

They walked along familiar paths, through bushes, and across streams.

Henry walked slowly, as if savoring these final moments together.

The unicorn would occasionally stop to sniff the roadside flowers and plants, then quickly catch up with him again.

After walking for a few minutes without venturing any deeper, they came to an open meadow, a place where unicorns often came.

The morning light spilled onto the grass, making the dewdrops sparkle. In the distance, several white figures moved about.

The unicorn stopped and looked over there.

Then it turned around and looked at Henry.

In those eyes, there was reluctance, gratitude, and some other indescribable emotion.

It lowered its head and gently nuzzled Henry's shoulder.

Henry reached out and gently stroked its neck.

"Go," he said softly. "They're waiting for you."

The unicorn looked at him and nuzzled against him.

Then, it raised its head and let out a soft hiss.

The sound was very soft and gentle, like a silver bell swaying gently in the wind.

In the distance, the white figures raised their heads and looked this way.

The unicorn glanced at Henry again.

Then it turned and walked over there.

It walked very slowly, and after a few steps, it stopped and looked back at Henry.

Henry stood there, watching it silently.

The sunlight shone on him, warm and comforting.

The unicorn looked at him for a moment, then turned and continued walking forward.

This time, it did not turn back.

Its silhouette grew farther and farther away, fading into the distance, until it finally disappeared into the distance.

Henry stood there for a while, until the white figures were completely out of sight, before he took a deep breath and turned around.

It's time to go back.

The Forbidden Forest was quiet in the early morning, with the occasional bird call, but those calls seemed to come from another world.

Henry and Yaya walked back, their pace quickening compared to when they arrived.

The unicorn is gone, Newt has left, and Hagrid is still sleeping.

I still have a lot to do today. I haven't finished my Potions class paper yet, and there's another Quidditch practice session this afternoon. Draco and the others said they're going to hold a small exchange meeting tonight.

He walked briskly, thinking about these everyday matters as he went.

Just then, he heard a voice.

"Your Highness Henry."

The voice was very soft and slow, with a slightly hoarse tone.

Henry stopped in his tracks and slowly turned around. There was a person standing in the shadows of the trees not far away.

He was wearing a black robe and a large purple scarf wrapped around his head. His face was unnaturally pale, and he stood there stiffly, as if trying to make himself look normal.

It's Professor Quirrell.

Henry's heart skipped a beat, but his face remained expressionless.

"Professor Quirrell," he said with a slight bow, "what brings you here?"

Quirrell looked at him, a smile tugging at the corners of his mouth, but the smile looked somewhat distorted.

"I—I was gathering some herbs in the Forbidden Forest," he said, his voice stammering as usual, "I never expected—to meet you here. Are you alone?"

Henry nodded.

"I'm taking a friend home."

"A friend?" Quirrell narrowed his eyes. "That unicorn?"

Henry did not deny it.

Quirrell's smile deepened—if it could be called a smile.

"Unicorns—" he said, his voice carrying a strange undertone, "are the purest of creatures. Their willingness to be close to you means that you—you have a pure heart."

He paused, then took a step forward.

"You must really enjoy this feeling, right? Being worshipped by everyone—everyone? Being recognized by the unicorn? Being watched by the entire school?"

Henry looked at him without saying a word.

Quirrell took another step forward.

"I know that feeling," he said, his voice lower and less stuttering. "To be looked up to, to be envied, to be treated as someone special. That feeling—it's wonderful, isn't it?"

Ya Ya watched him walk forward and barked loudly.

But for some reason, Quirrell only glanced at it, and it tucked its tail between its legs and slunk away.