Self-Writing Book

Hagrid and the four children were walking to Dumbledore's office. If she needs night feedings, you need to make sure you have permission to be up that late, Hagrid had explained.

They came to a gargoyle and Hagrid said, Canary Creams. The gargoyle moved to reveal a moving staircase. At the top was a door, which Hagrid pounded. When it opened, everyone went in. Hermione, Harry, Ron, Mora, Hagrid, greeted Dumbledore. Please have a seat. Dumbledore sat in a large, straight back chair as everyone found a place to sit. I suppose you need to see me about something urgent.

Yes, sir, said Mora. She began telling the story of how Hagrid had discovered Pearl, which he corroborated. Then she was talking about how each of them had gone out but that she had been chosen. Sir, this unicorn is young and malnourished. She needs care, and since I am the one she likes, I need to be able to go to her when she needs me. If this means in the middle of the night, I need your permission to walk through the school to get to her.

Dumbledore sat back in the chair, in thought. A very interesting, well-spoken case. I grant you the right to walk only from Gryffindor Tower to the stables and back. Walking anywhere else after curfew will be cause enough for a penalty against your house. But, I trust you won't be doing that. Dumbledore looked over his half moon glasses at her, eyes twinkling.

I promise, sir, that I will not be seen anywhere else at night, said Mora.

Good. Now, I have a bit of curiosity to satisfy. May I see Pearl? asked Dumbledore.

Yes, sir. As much as she wants to be seen.

They all exited Dumbledore's room and went to the stables. Pearl was in the last stall, the largest one, and the furthest away from the entrance. Mora went first to find Pearl lying down, asleep, in the hay. She awoke and raised her head as Mora entered. Hello, young one, Mora said, lightly. Some people wanted to visit you. Is that all right with you?

The strange voice whispered again, Show them in.

Mora looked at Pearl. Did Pearl understand what she was saying? Shaking her head, she turned to everyone. You may come in, one at a time, and slowly.

Dumbledore walked in, and squatted down. She is very young, he said to Mora. Much too young to be alone. Turning to Pearl, I don't know what happened to your mother, but I am sorry. You chose a fine lady to take care of you. He stood and slowly walked out.

After everyone had seen Pearl again, Mora said goodbye. She rubbed Pearl's back, and walked away. Once more, the whisper came, saying, Thank you.

Dumbledore stood with the others. I think it's best that no one else know about Pearl. Unicorns can be used for many things and I don't want her to be just a potion ingredient for someone. She needs protection. He smiled.

Isn't Mahshi guarding the mysors? Harry asked. Couldn't we bring them in here and she can look after Pearl, too.

That sounds like a good idea, Dumbledore said. Unfortunately, as a guard for Pearl, you will not be able to use her as a messenger except in emergency situations. However, we do have many school owls you might use.

Thank you, sir. I will go get Mahshi right now.

Mora left with Hagrid and they came back with several cages of mysors and Mashi on her shoulder. They placed the cages in a stall next to Pearl and Mora went in to talk to her. Pearl, this is Mahshi. She will look after you when I am away.

Mora then turned to her flacon. This is Pearl. Protect her from anyone except for those present now. Mahshi looked around and made a cooing noise in her throat. Mora kissed the forehead of the falcon and let her walk off her shoulder to sit on a low wall that divided the stall of mysors from Pearl.

They all walked out of the stable. Dumbledore said, I will mix up some proper additive to put in her milk for tonight. I don't want to see her suffer from not getting enough nutrition. Tomorrow, I want to meet you in Professor Snape's lab to show you how to make more. Mora nodded.

And here is a very valuable piece of paper. He handed Mora a sheet titled Permission to Browse. This is so you can go into the Restricted Section of the Library. You might want to read about the care of unicorns. They are fascinating creatures. Unfortunately, their magic is very powerful, so their secrets must be protected. Dumbledore then said goodbye to everyone and strode ahead to the main entrance.

Wow. He's right. Few students get to go into the Restricted Section, said Ron.

I wish I could go. I'm sure they have wonderful books back there, sighed Hermione.

I just can't believe you have two pets now, Harry said. And one of them is a unicorn. It's just amazing.

I know! It's great. You're so lucky, Ron added.

I do not think it is as wonderful as you make it to be. Mora looked at the others. They were standing, shocked. Think about the situation. Yes, I have a unicorn in my care. That means I wake up early to feed her. I have to make sure she stays relatively happy and safe. It is responsibility; a large amount of it. Mora's face softened into a large smile. However, I think it will be fun and I look forward to it.

They all went back inside. Hermione came up with an idea. Why don't we get our homework and do it in the library? Harry and Ron groaned. Mora, you could go start reading about unicorns.

Everyone agreed and a short time later, while the rest were studying, Mora had entered the Restricted Section. Madam Pince, the librarian had only given her minor problems about her pass.

Mora walked towards the back to the magical creatures section. Dragons, flying horses, ah! Unicorns. She pulled the book down and took it back to the desk. Madam Pince checked it out and warned Mora to return it before she left. It was one of the few that could not leave the library.

Mora went to the long table and sat next to Hermione. She opened the dusty cover and began reading.


An Overview of the Creature Known As the Unicorn

Unicorns are fantastically useful animals. Their hair is used in wand cores, their blood has properties of sustaining life, and their horns are magic amplifiers. They are solitary creatures and do not usually enjoy human company.


She turned the page. Nothing was written. She whispered, to no one in particular, But I wanted to know more about raising a young unicorn. Words began to appear on the page.


It is not recommended to steal a unicorn from the wild. They are fierce warriors and tend to gore anyone who tries to steal from them.
However, if one is found, and the unicorn accepts a human as a surrogate mother, one can raise it successfully. If the animal is young, a formula for a milk additive can be made so that they will retain all of their magical capabilities. If the animal is older, they can eat grass or hay as any member of the equine family. Weaning a young unicorn is fairly easy and only takes a few days once they begin eating solid food.
One thing to note is that unicorns who are orphaned and raised by a human mature much faster than in the wild, so that they might go back to where they lived as soon as possible.


I understand. Now why was I chosen as a surrogate mother? whispered Mora. The words changed again.


No one understands why unicorns choose certain people over another. Many theories have been suggested. One says that a unicorn can foresee the future and knows it will be able to help later in one's life. Another states that unicorns can communicate with people through telepathy and can sense who they can to.
One thing has been observed that seems odd is that unicorns usually prefer females. Still no one understands why.


What use does a unicorn have that a mother would be taken away from its child?


Unicorns are valuable for many forms of magic.
The blood is drunk to save one's life at a cost of killing a pure being. Blood can also be taken to be used in potions as it useful for extending life without killing the unicorn. This too has a cost of a life filled with hallucinations that drive one insane.
Unicorn hair is stronger than steel when braided into a rope but is light in weight. It is also used in wands to concentrate and add to one's own magic. It has a magic of its own that has yet to be discovered, but some rumor it to be the power to be unseen and secretive.
Though only tested once, magic can be pushed through a unicorn horn. When the experiment occurred, the magic was amplified a hundred fold. However, the wizard was in control of the magic for only a few seconds before it vaporized him. Normally unicorn horn is ground or sliced for potions to increase strength, potency, amplify the strength of the potion, and if treated correctly, for beauty potions. These are very precise and powerful potions and if carried out wrong, can become deadly poisons.
Unicorn hooves are used in Flight Dust which has been outlawed due to a few things. One, the amount of hoof it takes to manufacture a small amount of the Dust is staggering. And, second, the uncertain length of time the Dust could be potent: many crashes occurred due to the failing of the Dust in mid-flight. In potion making, the use of hooves have only been speculated to help with levitation and stealth but no successful potion has ever been made.
The rarest and most valuable unicorn product is their milk. It can be drunk straight which gives the drinker strength, courage, speed, and stealth; the main attributes of the unicorn species.
This can explain the fascination that man has with these creatures and why some would try to exploit them for possible products for magical uses.


Then, how do I care for an orphaned unicorn, who is not weaned yet?


First, find out what happened to the mother. If she was killed, make sure the killer is found so the baby will be in no danger. If the assassin cannot be found, protect the baby well. If what killed the mother was natural death, there is nothing special that needs to be done. However, if the cause of death was disease, watch the baby for signs of illness. They are normally resilient and resistant to most viruses but they can contract them. A special formula for this case can be found if needed.
Second, feed the baby with milk supplemented with the potion below. They should be fed every four hours during daylight and once after sunset. There is no set amount of how much formula should be given at each feeding. Just make sure they are full and refuse any more milk before stopping the feeding. To determine when they should be weaned, offer hay, grass and other typical equine food with their bottle. If they want to eat solid food, they will. Usually this will only take a week or two after they are found because under human care, they wean faster than under their mother's care.
Third, unicorns are clean animals so keep their sleeping area full of clean straw or other bedding materials.

Potion for supplement-
Three scoops of powdered bat wings
One scoop of horn of unicorn (powdered)
Three sprigs of spearmint
One gram of squid liver
Enough moon distilled water to fill size 2 cauldron.

Add water to cauldron. Bring to a boil. Add the bat wings, spearmint, and liver. Cook for five minutes. Take cauldron off the heat and allow to cool. Slowly stir in unicorn horn. The optimal color of the potion should be a clear sky blue. If it turns opaque, throw away. Allow this to sit for an hour or so. It will turn into a crystalized powder and will be ready to mix in with milk at this time.


I think that is all the questions I have for now. Thank you.


You're welcome.


As the words faded away, Mora shut the book and smiled. Enjoy the book? asked Dumbledore, who was standing behind her.

Mora turned around. Yes, sir. That is a wonderful book.

And did the book give you a recipe for the supplement?

Yes, sir.

Good! It's a simple potion. It's very hard to mess it up. But here's the supplement I promised you. You use one cup of this for every gallon of milk, which will be delivered to the door of the stable.

Mora took the jar from him. Thank you sir.

You're welcome. Good luck with Pearl. Dumbledore began to walk away. And if you need any help the books can't provide, don't be afraid to ask me.
Mora nodded and Dumbledore walked away.

He's so nice, said Hermione.

Yes, he is. Are you finished with your homework? Mora said.

said Ron.

Same here, said Harry.

chimed Hermione. The boys groaned.

Good. I think I will go prepare the milk for Pearl's next feeding. I will see you later tonight, at dinner.

What about your homework? asked Hermione.

Mora blushed. I finished almost all of it last night. She stood and picked up her book. I will finish the rest of it later tonight. Goodbye.

Mora walked back to return the book and then out of the library. Walking outside onto the school grounds, she sighed. iNow the question that remains is what happened to Pearl's mother?'/i