Madonna and Tom strolled on the dampsoil,which kept wheelingthem deeper intothe vast wilderness of the forest. Although both of the young souls werefully drainedof their energy, still they continued their fearsome journey, not knowing what the outcome could be. Some time later, they entered a part of the forest which seemed to be completely distinct from the rest; it was quite strange looking with monstrous trees rooted on both sides, hardly leaving a space for them to walk. Its shinny leaves hunglike stars twinkling in the branches. The whole area seemed to be glittering in the moonlight.
A sudden noise startled both of them;it was like a creaturewas wailing in excruciating pain and fear. Following the source of sound,they soon foundan animal laying on the ground with blood gushing out of adeep wound on its neck. It seemed that the animal wason the verge of dying. They looked closer and found out that it was a Unicorn. It was clear that the werewolf had attacked it, as it had claw marks on its entire body. And now they understood the reason for the bloodstains on wolf'smouth was from the severe wounds of this poor Unicorn.
Madonna went near the fascinating creature;she wanted to help it as much as she could, she just couldn't let it die without any help. She asked for Riddle's assistance too, but neitherof the two young fellowsknew exactly how to save the life of this precious creature. A sudden thought came into her mind; she remembered thatDittany leavescould heal the wounds of Unicorns, she had read it in her AdvancedPotionsMaking text-book. She told Tom and quickly they started searching forDittanyleaves. It seemed completely impossible to search for those tiny leaves in this boundless woodland, where every shurb and herb seemed so similar to each other. But after rentless searching, they found out the dark green Dittany leaves.
Madonna plucked the leaves and hurried to make the potion, as she was afraid that the creature had very little time left in it.She quickly made the healing potion and applied it to the Unicorn. Both of them then waited for the potion to start it's effects, but the condition of the Unicorndidn't seem any better than before. It was utterly distressing and heart breaking for her, despiteall her troubles and hardwork she still couldn't save the creature.
Then, all of a sudden, a miracle seemed to take place. Greenishsmoke billowed upwards and when it was cleared, Madonnanoticed that the bleeding had stopped. The Wound now looked several days old; new skin stretched over what had been open flesh. TheUnicorn seemed to slowlyopen its eyes and started to breathe normally, it seemedto be less pathetic and its agony seemed to lessena bit.
Madonna was happy as the potion had at last worked. But still, the unicorn was not completely healed. She asked Tom if he could managesome of its wounds by his magic. Riddle chanted some of his healing spells, not knowing whether it wouldwork on it. But with Madonna's continuous prayers, Riddle's magic seemed to heal some of its deathly wounds.
The tame, exquisite creature seemed to be getting well. It slowly sat up on the wet puddle, and after a few of it's failed attempts, it stood up firmly on the mud-caked floor. Madonna couldn't express her happiness, she has finally succeeded in saving the life of this gentle, mystical creature. The unicorn seemed to be deeply obliged to both of them for saving itslife. It bent down its head near Madonna, to gently rub it with her hands. Itlooked like the Unicornhad become deeply attached to her. It rubbed its head against her, indicating itsrespect and gratitude towards them. The sudden crushing noise of the pebbles and broken twigs on the ground indicated someone's footsteps from the back side of the forest.
Looking behind,they were relieved to see Professor Kettleburn, with hislittle Knarl on his shoulders,coming towards them. He was shocked to see both of his students with the Unicorn. He was more surprised when he saw the deep claw marks on the Unicorn's body, though it was much better condition than before. Madonna narrated the whole story to him.
Riddle quickly took him to the werewolf,which was still under the full body-binding curse, lying stiff on the ground. Professor was greatly shocked and felt deeply sorry for the troubles that they had gone throughbecause of his negligence. Although he was an expert of magical creatures, he didn't know exactly what to doin this situation, he decided to summon Professor Dumbledore here. Maddona was continuously assisting the Unicorn to get better. After sometime Professor Dumbledore arrived, with a few other Hogwarts teachers. The warewolf seemed somewhat unusual to him, it was frightened to its witsand deeply hurt.
Professor Dumbledore inspected the Unicorn and praised Madonna for all the troubles she took for saving the life of this helpless creature. It was now in a much better condition because of her love and continuous efforts.
Professor Kettleburn brought the Unicorn to a safer place, while Professor Dumbledore took the responsibility of safely returning both of the students to Hogwarts. As soon as they returned from the Forbidden Forest, he ordered the head-boy, "Mr Felixs, quickly take both of students to the hospital wing, and after they are completely well, they must meet me in my chamber. "
Madonna needed some serious treatments although Riddle wasn't that badly hurt. She needed two days of complete bed rest to heal all her wounds and weariness. Sophia and Henry continuously took care of her and assisted her in every possible situation. After she got a bit better she was concerned about whetherRiddle was alright. She found out from other students that Riddle never acted sick or differentafter coming out of the Forbidden Forest. The headboy acknowledged her kindly, "Professor Dumbledore wanted to meet both of you, Miss Phillips and Mr Riddle soon after you get well. And Mr Riddle is already waiting for you in front of Professer Dumbledore's office."
She became nervous of what decision Professor would take after the incident that took place in the Forbidden forest. But Madonna thought to herself thatwhatever had happened in that night, it was not her fault in at all. She tried her best to get hold of the situation and avoid any mishappings, but what could she do if troubles always followed her around?
After hearing her situation, Henry insisted to assist her to Dumbledore's office. After they had reached thefront of Dumbledore's office Henry left her, as Riddle was waiting for her there.Both Riddle and Madonna exchanged glancesfor a second and together they entered Dumbledore's cabin.
"Miss Phillips and Mr Riddle, are you alright now?I wanted to discuss whatever happened in the forbidden forest."
"But, Professor...we didn't know what to do in that situation and that creature suddenly attacked us so..." Madonna sprung into the conversation.
"I know that it is not be your fault, but I fear that Hogwarts might be in great trouble and no one of us is any longer safe in here. There is something that I want to say, which may worry you deeply—
The werewolf which attacked you was none other than a student of Hogwarts. His name is Christopher Nott, studying in the same year as you are, and is a brilliant posession of the Hufflepuff house."
His words greatly shocked Riddle and Madonna simultaneously.
"On his parents'request, and by the pleadings of all other Hufflepuffs, speaking of his loyalty and kindness, I have decidedwith Headmaster Dippet to keep him in Hogwarts."
"But, Professor it's dangerous and against the rules of our school to keep students like himin Hogwarts." Riddle protested.
"There could be other students in Hogwarts too, who have hidden their identity, to conceal their monster within, which can be even more dangerous than Christopher", replied Professor. Riddle became silent.
"But Professor, if we keep him like this he could harm other students too" Madonna interrupted.
"Ididn't know exactly what happened on that fateful night but I think he somehow he lost his self-control. Something very dark and much evil than your imaginations, strictly related to the dark magic is luring all the creature with unusual traits to lose their self-control. There are so many dangerous creatures that are beyond your imagination. And some sort of dark magic is trying to take control over them. I fear that Hogwarts is being threatenedby some powerful dark wizards and none of the students are safe here. If we cannot solve this mystery immediately then I suppose we shall have to send back all the students."
"But, Professor, Hogwarts is our only home." The words came out of Riddle and Madonna's mouth in the same pace.
"I know how both of you greatly adorn Hogwarts and think it to be your home. But I cannot risk the lives of any of the students. And I must do what isright for you all."
"But Professor, could we do anything that might stop this from happening?"she replied.
"I think you both are too young to be any part of this trouble. And I suggest it would be better if you keep yourselves out of this matter. But you could ask Christopher about what exactly had happened that night,although he says that he doesn't remember anything. And unless we have found out a proper solution to this,for the safety of all students,we have to close Hogwarts"_
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