Tears for the Unicorn

Durmstrang, Year 4

Theme: Discovering the Truth

Prompts: [First/Last Line] It was 11 o'clock when time stopped.; [Creature] Unicorn

Word Count: 3085 (+100; Google Docs)

AN: EWE fic with slight (AU) references to Cursed Child. Warning for canon-level violence and character deaths.

It was 11 o'clock when time stopped, and silver soaked the ground. Under the light of the moon, Harry Potter died a glorious death while Draco Malfoy's dreams were shattered. It was 11 o'clock, and only Neville stood to witness it all.

6 Months Earlier

Smack!

Auror Longbottom's gaze snapped to his superior, Gawain Robards, as the latest issue of the Daily Prophet was slammed down. A picture of a clearing dominated as "Unicorn Herds Go Missing. Foul Play Suspected!" danced across the page.

"You've heard of this, I presume, Longbottom?"

Neville nodded, "Of course, sir. Isn't the Creatures division handling it?"

Robards grunted, "They were when it looked like a simple migration shift, but the latest site has had unusually high levels of magic. Then there's this letter Potter brought in."

Expensive-looking parchment read:

Pity the mother who cries

As her daughter draws her last breath.

Grieve with the healer who decides

Who may live and who will die

At the loss of the unicorns on these lands.

Will you stop me

From doing what I must

To right the wrongs of the past

At the expense of the future?

Neville's heart began to race; yeah, he could see why this might change things. One herd here or there disappearing wasn't that big of a deal. If the cause was man-made, however, unicorns might start to deny humans access to important, life-saving potion supplies. The Ministry couldn't afford for the herds to stop cooperating because a radical with a cause chose to attack.

"I'm on it, Sir." Neville scanned the parchment for clues. Something about its rich texture and coloration niggled in his mind. He recognized it from somewhere.

"May I perform Geminio? I'd like to keep a copy on hand; it's setting off alarms in my head."

Robards nodded, and with the copy in his pocket, Neville went to the Creatures' division to learn what their sensors had picked up.

"As you can see, we're quite sure that the magic here is human, that is to say wizard, and within a week of the attack. We noted the use of a Portkey which could make things easier—"

"—but many are the purebloods who've unregistered Portkeys here and there. Anything else to report?"

"Only that we identified two unknown signatures. Unicorn numbers have already been decreasing. We can't afford to have entire herds wiped out as well. I just don't know how whoever did this could have found them. This particular herd was known for being exceptionally cautious; it must have taken weeks of planning."

"I see."

Without a stronger lead, Neville headed to Lupine Pines, a werewolf village that was the nearest town to the herd's territory. He had no doubt that the only thing protecting the locals from being accused unjustly was that unicorn stallions were well-known for attacking any dark creatures who entered their territory. Still, it seemed prudent to go there in case the actual perpetrator had come looking for information about the herd's whereabouts.

"Visitors?" asked Amou, the village's elder, scratching his chin. "Can't say that we get many visitors. Potter comes regularly enough, always going out on adventures with the cubs or helping out when anti-lycan groups give us trouble, but there's nothing unusual about that."

Neville knew well about Harry's efforts to help werewolves in memory of Professor Lupin. That was nothing new. "And what of the month leading up to the unicorn's disappearance? Has no one come snooping about?"

"Hmmm… the last moon. Now that you ask, there was one fellow, about your age."

"Height? Weight? Distinguishing features?"

"Average-sized. He had white-blond hair and fancy robes like he needed to impress someone."

That… sounded remarkably familiar.

Supper with Gran later that week provided another clue.

Neville had been lounging in the informal sitting room and enjoying a bit of a nightcap with his grandmother when he spied her stationery set, specifically the fine parchment resting on top of her desk, identical in shade to the letter now resting in his pocket.

"Grandmother, whoever is your parchment supplier?"

Augusta's old eyes were still as piercing as they'd been when he was a child.

"I'm going to guess you've not suddenly taken up calligraphy, Grandson. This has something to do with a case?" she asked shrewdly.

Neville hmm'd, "Can't say much more than that, but yeah. A suspect wrote on some parchment that looks quite a bit like that. Knowing your supplier could be an important lead."

"You've grown to be so like your father, Neville. When he was on a case, he couldn't let the topic settle either, not even for supper with the family." Though her smiling visage was now cast in the shadow of grief, Augusta continued. "Alawick & Co. They cost a pretty knut, and not many bother with such quality anymore, but I wouldn't go anywhere else."

Somehow, Neville was not surprised when a trip to the supplier uncovered Draco Malfoy on their rather short list of regulars, nor was he terribly shocked to hear that another herd had disappeared. The fourth in three months.

"Let me get this straight, on the word of werewolves you want to bring in Draco Malfoy for questioning?"

"Werewolves living near each of the forests where the unicorns have disappeared. There's also the parchment supplier. The list of individuals who buy that particular type of parchment is ridiculously small."

"I suppose you've confirmed that Malfoy's the only blond that is on that list then? And you've questioned the wolves under Veritaserum? You know that's the only situation in which their word might be taken seriously, and even if you've done all that, do you have a motive for Malfoy to go to such trouble? What could he have to gain, unless he takes more after his aunt than anyone suspected?"

Neville stood firm under the chastisement of his boss.

"Everything points to him. You know that if it weren't for his family's money, you wouldn't care a rat's ass about my bringing him in for questioning, but if you want proof, I'll get it to you, Sir. Let's just hope that I can do it before the next attack. Blood, unicorn blood, was found at the last scene, you know." He hissed venomously.

As Neville stalked out, he noticed Harry follow.

"Wanna talk?"

Neville huffed. "What's there to say? Malfoy's killing unicorns, and Robards' a lackey."

"You've faced killers before. What gets you about this one?"

"Would you laugh if I said it had to do with potions?"

"Maybe a little. Why?"

"You know how nearly every part of a unicorn can be used to strengthen healing potions?"

"Don't some even require hairs and such?"

"Yep, it's the Potion Master's Guild that gets the supplies. It has an agreement with the unicorns in order to stay in good supply without risking the cursed life.

"Anyway, shortly after the war, I took over my parents' guardianship from Gran and found out she'd been insisting on them against medical advice, in the hope they'd recover. Valuable potion ingredients were wasted just to keep a fool's hope alive. Of course, I stopped the practice immediately, but… I can't forget about it. I owe this my all for what was given then."

Harry was silent. "Want any help? Last year, I—I saw a unicorn die. It was indescribably sad, but for a moment, I felt at peace. It'd been a long time since I felt that."

Neville processed this. Since the war, he'd had to watch guilt for the lives lost eat at his friend. If lending a helping hand could help bring Harry peace, he wasn't going to say no.

"I'll stay lead on this, but I won't say no to some help. Once I get the evidence I need, I'll send a Patronus. You deserve to see the bastard go down as well, Harry."

Though the official trail ran cold, Harry proved to be invaluable, using his connections to get any information he could, even just the speculation.

Amos Diggory, the head of the Department of Regulation and Control of Magical Creatures, proved to be a treasure trove of evidence, albeit mostly circumstantial. Dozens of letters from Malfoy had come through to DRCMC, implying but never outright stating a threat against the majestic beasts.

Regardless, Neville couldn't get past the wall of connections protecting Malfoy from justice. If he could just find the motive... everything changed after a visit with his parents.

Being a frequent visitor of the hospital, Neville had seen more than a few strange scenes play out in St Mungo's reception area. Having his prime suspect bowl him over while carrying a pregnant woman was not the norm, however. Malfoy looked dreadful, and Neville wondered what could have possibly caused the aristocratic prat to change so dramatically.

"You have to help her, help my son!" Draco demanded of the nearest healer. A security officer came between the two.

"—I'm sorry, Mr. Malfoy, but as you've been told, your wife's condition is terminal. Your family does not qualify for the types of treatment that may prolong her life. We can't admit you here."

Does not qualify for treatments… what in the name of Merlin?

"She's been stronger, doing better. Please, you can't turn us away. You can't! It's not even for me; she's innocent. The child growing inside her doubly so!"

"Former Death Eaters and their kin are not eligible for unicorn-based treatments, Mr. Malfoy. Even if I were willing to put your wife under risk for the curse, with the shortages, I have no choice."

Neville's hands clinched without his permission. He'd never heard anything so preposterous. Unicorns provided potions' ingredients without any thought of who it might go to. That was the whole point of the system. The morals or lack thereof of a patient's family did not matter.

Before he could react, Malfoy scowled and turned to leave with Neville swiftly following. As much as he didn't like the man, he had to offer whatever help he could for the woman.

"Malfoy, wait!"

"I don't have time for interrogations right now."

The woman in his arms moaned weakly.

"I just want to help. I've some medical training."

Malfoy's eyes searched his. Whatever he sought, he must have found, or else his desperation had reached its peak.

"Wait fifteen seconds, then follow. I'll change the wards so that guests are allowed, just this once," he said before apparating away. Before following, Neville sent his patronus off to Harry, explaining that he was going to Malfoy Manor and would report if backup was needed.

Pop!

As the familiar form of the manor's foyer came into view, Draco felt a momentary sense of peace. Then the slight weight of his wife's form caught his attention. Up to that point, Astoria had held the slightest tension throughout her body, a tension that was ominously missing now.

"Wake up, Sweetheart. You've got this. You're going to be okay," he whispered frantically before setting her on the settee. Gentle fingers sought her pulse; it was far too weak.

Draco summoned a goblet of unicorn blood from the kitchen, muttering encouragement all the while as he helped his beloved drink.

So caught up was he in this task, that Draco failed to recognize Longbottom's presence until after she'd recovered, his wife's eyes closed for a more healing rest.

Draco nodded towards the door.

"Does it amuse you to see me brought low? Dozens of imbeciles will protect me from the noose if I request it, but providing unicorn blood to a Death Eater is treason."

Longbottom snorted. "I notice that in spite of the restrictions, your supply is not insignificant," Apparently, even his sense of justice could not show pity on a dying woman. "Don't misunderstand, if what I saw at Mungo's was genuine, I can see why you might go to such lengths, but she doesn't appear to be cursed. I'm curious as to how that could be."

Grudgingly, Draco began, "A number of unicorns live about the property, under my protection. They willingly provide what they can for Astoria, but without a Potions Master willing to create more specialized potions, the blood is just a stop-gap measure, as you saw. It was enough when it was just her, but with the child, Scorpius who she has fought so hard to keep, I'm helpless to do much more than watch. We came to St Mungo's because she believes he may come soon, and she wanted to make sure everything was alright. Instead, the trip nearly killed them both, and all we have to show for it is you who would see me punished for saving the creatures." A humorless laugh bubbled forth.

"Maybe I should turn myself in. With me in jail, Tory could divorce me and separate herself from the Malfoy name. D'you think the Healers would help her then?" Draco was too tired to hide the desperation in his voice.

Longbottom's shrug wasn't encouraging.

"You claim they're safe. Mind if I walk around, see that for myself?"

"Follow me." Longbottom looked askance towards the sitting room.

"She always sleeps deeply afterwards. I've a monitor should anything change."

The woods surrounding his home gave off an artificial sense of peace. Seeing Longbottom's expression, Draco explained the phenomenon.

"It's the unicorns. Their large numbers changed the ambient magic."

All around, glimpses of horns and white could be seen, but the real beauty came when they entered the clearing.

It always took Draco's breath away, seeing the ethereal beings in harmony with the world around them. Adults ate grass or lapped at the nearby stream as golden colts raced around the clearing's edges. Some of the stallions kept watch of the humans but were otherwise unbothered by their presence.

Serenity, a mare who had taken a shine to Astoria, had just come over for a visit when Longbottom found his tongue. "W—Why did you bring them here? I know for your wife, but this is..."

"The first time was desperation, mostly. Tory needed unicorn blood; the world denied her it because of me. I went to the Forest of Dean and sought out the unicorns, ready to beg if they'd only grant my wife a few sips of the blood." Draco's eyes clouded over in remembrance.

"It was chaos, unicorns running this way and that in fear. That night, someone had come and killed three of their number. I offered an oath of safety if they'd help my wife and alerted the proper authorities on where the bodies could be found, fully expecting everything to be resolved within the week. Instead, the attack was ignored, and Dean's unicorns became permanent residents. Astoria's needs are great, and my forest is large, so when I learned of other attacks, I had to help. Lately, I've been trying to get them out before the attacks can happen."

"The letters, they were warning about the attacks?"

"You've seen them then?"

"Yes, but in a very different context. What do you say to this?" Longbottom handed Draco a scrap of Alawick parchment with a poem written across. Draco scanned it quickly.

"I say that it looks as though someone is trying to set me up. If I were behind all of this, I'd just be shooting myself in the foot. Hiding the unicorns gives Astoria a steady supply of blood, that's true, but the supplies that could really help are denied to us more than ever. What did the owl look like that delivered it?"

"N—none of your business, Malfoy. It was sent to an Auror who is beyond reproach."

"Yet he didn't share the species of owl. I know I'm your top suspect, but were there any other names that repeatedly came up in your investigation? If we can only stop them, I'd be happy to negotiate the return of the unicorns for Astoria's treatment,"

There was a telling pause.

"Well?"

"Auror Potter has legitimate business in the lycan villages."

Before more could be said, the monitoring charm went off, and nothing mattered so much as getting back to Astoria.

"Longbottom, you said you've healer training. Does that include helping women in labor?"

"In theory?"

"Perhaps you'll be more helpful than I thought."

Just as the house came into sight, the wards fell, and Draco's worst nightmare came to light. "The unicorns! Whoever's after them must have followed you here while the wards were down. I—I'm bound by oath to help them. Please, protect my family!"

Leaving Astoria was the hardest thing he'd ever done.

Fighting against the Master of Death proved to be an exercise in futility until ultimately, Draco was forced to watch, impotently, as unicorn after unicorn fell to Potter's wand.

After what seemed to be hours, a distraction came in the form of Longbottom coming up the hill. His cries asking Potter for an explanation offered just enough distraction for Draco to break free from the bindings that had kept him frozen, too late to save anyone.

Potter monologued, "Don't you see, Nev? I am Death's Master. Six months ago, I got to see a unicorn die. Something about their innocence seems to mess with the veil. With every death, I come closer to discovering how to bring back those killed by Voldemort. Isn't that great? It's worth any cost. Amos agrees."

The madman turned to Draco, "Thank you so much for your touching correspondence warning us of the attacks. You've made such a wonderful scapegoat for our plans. And now, it's time to die."

Defeating a man with all three Hallows would be impossible. Ghostly bodies grabbed at him as the Elder wand overpowered his opponent's every spell. And the cloak, for all that it only covered Potter's back, meant that the man could not be killed. Nothing could be more futile. In his rage, Draco found that he didn't care.

Neither duelist remembered Longbottom, however.

"Accio Invisibility Cloak!"

The absence of his cloak distracted Potter just enough for Draco to cast the killing blow.

"Sectumsempra!"

Draco turned to a shuddering Longbottom. "You saved me against your friend. Why?"

Longbottom stiffened. "The Harry I knew, my friend, would never have done this. He's suffered from guilt since the war. I can only guess the Hallows used his guilt to turn the Master into a bringer of death."

"Absolute power corrupts absolutely,"

"Precisely."

Suddenly, he remembered where Longbottom had been.

"Astoria?"

Longbottom's voice was soft.

"You've a strong son, Draco. T—take comfort in that."

It was 11 o'clock when Draco's world ended.