Hello everyone!

Thank you for your messages, here is the new chapter, I wish you a very enjoyable read.


My one and only Universe

Chapter 6 : Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers

Ginny carefully affixed her letter to the leg of a gorgeous grey owl. The aviary was a cacophony of squawks and hoots from various raptors, creating an overwhelming noise. Ginny's red hair mirrored the soft morning light as she stroked the speckled bird's feathers gently, then she nudged it encouragingly into flight. Having woken unusually early and unable to return to sleep, Ginny had decided to write to her parents to assure them of her safe arrival at Hogwarts. She had slipped silently from her dormitory, careful not to stir Jessica and Anny from their sleep.

The previous day's events in Defense Against the Dark Arts had prompted fervent discussion amongst Ginny's group, lasting well into the afternoon. Their young professor had been conspicuously absent from dinner and by the time the candles were extinguished, wild and somewhat absurd rumours about him had begun circulating - he was a vampire in self-exile, or a Ministry spy under the effects of Polyjuice Potion.

Leaving the din of the aviary behind, Ginny found solace by the lakeside. Her gaze trailed the grey silhouette of the dispatched barn owl against the morning sky until it was but a speck in the distance. The light breeze ruffled her hair and she breathed in deeply, savoring the fresh air. As a countryside dweller, she cherished these moments of serenity in Hogwarts Park's early hours. Few knew of this secret morning routine, even amongst her friends. During her fourth year, Anny had trailed her one morning and discovered her in the midst of a daydream. Ginny remembered her stammered excuses before admitting her secret to Anny. She was oddly relieved when Anny swore to keep it to herself.

Since that shared secret, the bond between the two girls had strengthened, and Ginny saw Anny as a trusted confidante. Similarly, Ginny had lent a listening ear to Anny's woes over the years. The most significant event had occurred in their sixth year when a group of Slytherins targeted Anny after discovering her Muggle-born status. Incensed, Ginny had faced them bravely, defying odds of four against one, until Jim and Elliot arrived as reinforcements.

Since then, open war had been declared between the two groups, and their frequent clashes had become somewhat of a running theme in the school. Her seventh year was especially memorable due to the numerous detention slips she'd earned for her conflicts with Malfoy's gang. But with them graduated, Ginny had expected a less chaotic new year... Upon reflection, she realised she had already engaged in a skirmish with Wormz's group and had nearly injured a professor within the first two days. A peaceful year seemed more like a wishful dream now.

Engrossed in her thoughts and staring into the horizon, Ginny failed to notice the figure approaching her.

"You're up early, Ginny."

The sudden address made Ginny startle. It was the same Ravenclaw who had introduced himself at King's Cross Station. The Forbidden Forest served as a backdrop behind him. Flushing slightly at the unexpected encounter, she mumbled incoherently before gathering her composure.

"Hello, Scott. I could say the same about you!" she retorted playfully, fiddling with a loose strand of her hair to mask her surprise.

Scott Ashwing chuckled, ruffling his hair. Towering over Ginny, Scott bore the traits of a skilled athlete. The eagle emblem on his chest suggested that he was as competent in academics as he was in physical prowess.

"I just wanted some fresh air," he explained as he drew closer. "Would you like to join me for a walk before heading back to the castle?"

Ginny agreed with a nod. Since their fourth-year encounter, Scott had left quite an impression on her. While she had had a few minor crushes and casual flings, none of them felt as significant as this. With Scott, she was compelled to make a good impression, to conceal her flaws from him.

Their walk was silent for several minutes. The towering edifice of the castle was still far, promising a lengthy journey ahead. Ginny stole glances at Scott from the corner of her eye, observing his faint smirk and the determined, almost ethereal, look in his eyes. She quickly averted her gaze when he turned to look at her.

"You're rather quiet today," Scott remarked, breaking their shared silence.

Ginny simply shrugged, choosing to remain silent.

"So, what do you think about the new Defense Against the Dark Arts professor?" Scott queried further.

Ginny shot him a surprised look. The professor had become the talk of the school, and Ginny found the constant chatter tiresome.

"Meh," she responded nonchalantly, avoiding Scott's gaze. "He tried to challenge us, but Jim thinks he's not that great at duelling."

To her surprise, Scott burst into hearty laughter. His laughter echoed around them before fading away into a content sigh.

"What? Did I say something funny?" Ginny inquired, her cheeks flushed. She pursed her lips slightly, wondering what she had said to amuse him so much.

Scott offered her a cryptic smile and a casual wink.

"Not really," he replied. "I was just expecting you to say that he was some sort of hermit crab ghost or something. Like all the rumours going around since yesterday."

Ginny felt her defensiveness melt away, replaced by a chuckle. The remainder of their walk was spent in light-hearted conversation. They finally reached the grand doors of the castle and entered the Great Hall. Jessica, Anny, Jim, and Elliot were already seated, awaiting Ginny's arrival. Scott waved goodbye and went to join the Ravenclaw table. On the Gryffindor side, Jim was teasing Ginny with exaggerated gestures while Anny tried to dissuade him.

"So, Gin! Spill it! What were you up to with Ashwing?" Jim asked eagerly as soon as Ginny joined them. Jessica and Anny leaned in, clearly interested in her response.

"Nothing much, it's none of your business!" she retorted, sitting next to Elliot while Jessica grumbled.

Elliot, as usual, was silent and seemed to be removed from the conversation as he dunked a piece of toast into his bowl of milk.

"You guys didn't do anything?" he asked, not looking up from his breakfast.

Ginny was about to retort when the shrill cries of incoming owls and hawks cut her off. All eyes turned towards a speckled white raptor that dropped a newspaper onto the table, narrowly missing Jim's bowl. Annoyed, Jim flung the newspaper towards Elliot.

"You really need to train your bird, Elliot! It's been seven years and it still can't aim properly!"

Elliot didn't reply, preferring to immerse himself in the news. Ginny glimpsed the front-page headline: "Magical storm dissipates in seconds" with an accompanying photo of a black cloud mass suddenly exploding into particles of dust.

"Are you interested in this?" Elliot asked, noticing Ginny's attention.

The redhead grabbed a crepe from the table and savoured it. "Not really, but I heard about it before school started."

Elliot folded the newspaper to a specific page and passed it to Ginny. "Here, I have a meeting with the prefects before the first class this morning, I'll read it later."

Ginny took the newspaper, and Elliot rose from his seat. Offering a brief wave and a mumbled "see you later!" to his friends, he disappeared. Already engrossed in the article, Ginny barely noticed his departure.

'Magical researchers stumped.'

The magical storm that had unfolded in the Aberdeen region in Northern England was baffling the magical community. The storm had grown in size for a week before vanishing as abruptly as it had appeared. Emilien Knowles, a runes expert and the inventor of unburnable wood, posited that such a phenomenon had no natural explanation. He suggested that only an unimaginable amount of magical power could have created it, comparable to the combined efforts of the entire European wizarding community to create a minuscule version of such a storm.

The rest of the article lauded Professor Emilien Knowles's research. Setting the newspaper back on the table, Ginny found herself the focus of three pairs of curious eyes.

"What?" she asked defensively.

A grinning Jim responded, "Don't think you're getting off the hook that easily, dear. What happened this morning with Scott?"


Harry carefully replaced the newspaper on the floor, having not left the confines of his classroom since his class with the seventh year Gryffindors and Slytherins. He'd spent a substantial part of the night engrossed in deciphering the numerous period newspapers that he had managed to procure through the Hogwarts House Elves. His newfound position as a professor endowed him with the privilege of summoning these creatures as and when required. It was a stroke of good fortune that these diligent beings had painstakingly preserved various newspapers, converting them into rich archives and historical testimonials.

For hours on end, Harry had been painstakingly combing through news articles dating from 1945 to the present. This world had several distinguishing features compared to his own: while Dumbledore had successfully repelled and vanquished Grindelwald in 1945 as expected, Voldemort was noticeably absent from any records. The Dark Lord was a nonentity in this world. For the past quarter-century, there hadn't been a single notable dark wizard, and the resident witches and wizards were in the midst of a peaceful golden age. True, some wizards did stray off the righteous path, but none succeeded in launching a significant movement.

Hence, the Boy Who Lived had the opportunity to rediscover certain aspects of people he had known in his original universe. Lucius Malfoy had amassed a fortune in auctions and held possession of an entire alley near Knockturn Alley. The mention of Lupin, recognized as a distinguished wizard-researcher, had ignited hope within Harry of stumbling across the name of Potter in one of these newspapers. However, there was no such luck. Perhaps, just like Voldemort, the Potters did not exist in this world. But what of his mother? The Blacks? Or even Severus Snape?

With a sigh of disappointment, Harry discarded another newspaper onto the already sizeable pile on the floor. Despite Voldemort's nonexistence in this world, the pain and sensation he had experienced were too distinct to be mistaken – they were clear indicators of Voldemort's presence. Yet, several anomalies remained. For instance, could he indeed be connected to a Voldemort from an entirely different universe? How he wished for Hermione's company, her knack for solving puzzles, her ability to formulate theories and solutions.

However, Hermione was absent, and he had to soldier on alone. Firstly, he had to verify his suspicions and confirm or dismiss the presence of Voldemort in this world. After that...

As he ran his hand through his unkempt hair, he lightly traced the lightning bolt-shaped scar on his forehead with a fingertip.

He needed to ensure that this peaceful world stayed that way.

The inter-universal traveler abruptly rose, nearly toppling the chair he was seated in. The clock read 8 o'clock, and his first class of the day was scheduled to begin in half an hour. With a swift flick of his hand, he commanded the scattered newspapers on the floor to fly into a nearby cupboard. For now, he lacked any concrete leads regarding the arrival of the dark wizard, and it was unwise to act hastily. His innate Gryffindor tendency of diving headfirst into action had resulted in numerous complications in the past, and Hermione's consistent reminders about approaching problems calmly had eventually sunk in. At least, that's what he'd led her to believe.

The day sped by faster than anticipated. The morning, dedicated to the third years from Ravenclaw and Slytherin, was spent in simple introductions, addressing queries, and revising spells theoretically learned the previous year. He even noticed a few familiar faces – probably students he'd encountered in his original universe. When Harry pledged to introduce some magical creatures for study in upcoming classes, the room was filled with approving murmurs. The wave of excitement that washed over the room broughta warm smile to the Boy Who Lived's face, reminiscing his most fulfilling year in Defense Against the Dark Arts under the mentorship of Professor Lupin.

The thought of Lupin nudged Harry to plan a visit at his earliest convenience while simultaneously pondering whether Lupin was a werewolf in this universe as well.

By noon, his stomach issued a protest, reminding him of his skipped meals and lack of sleep. Deciding to heed its demands, Harry stepped out of his classroom, making a beeline for the Great Hall.

"We didn't see you at dinner last night, Professor Majes,"

The deep, gravelly voice halted Harry in his tracks as he entered the left wing of the castle. Recognizing the distinctive timbre of Bermatus, the potions master, Harry turned to face him. Clad in his characteristic grubby light blue robes, the elderly professor limped towards him.

"I was engrossed in my research and lost track of time last night..." Harry explained, waiting patiently for the professor to reach him.

Upon reaching him, Bermatus scrutinized Harry as one would a student scheming a prank.

"You know, peculiar rumors are circulating about you after merely two days in office. If you'd like some advice, avoid drawing unnecessary attention."

Harry responded with a playful smile.

"Oh, rumors, I've been the center of those all my life..." he retorted, his tone a mix of weary and amused.

Bermatus, however, remained stern, his narrowed gaze never leaving Harry. The two men continued their journey towards the Great Hall in uncomfortable silence.

Moments later, the sight of the four house tables greeted Harry. His gaze instinctively drifted towards the Gryffindor table where Ginny and her group were seated. He inadvertently locked eyes with Eliott, the Gryffindor prefect, and swiftly looked away. Joining the staff table, he savored the sumptuous chicken served by the House Elves. Hagrid, thrilled to see him, launched into a near-incomprehensible tale about breeding explosive fireflies, deeming it an unmissable spectacle.

After some time, Harry had hoped to return to his classroom, prepare his upcoming lesson, and ponder upon the series of events he was entangled in. But Hogwarts never ceased to amaze him with its penchant for the extraordinary, whether pleasant or otherwise.

This time, the sudden entrance of four Hufflepuff students into the Great Hall caused a significant commotion. The blond student leading the group, presumably between 14 and 15 years old, flung the large door open, instantly commanding the attention of around fifty pairs of eyes. As the other three students staggered in, out of breath, the leader managed to gather his breath.

"Professor! I..." He panted, struggling to form a coherent sentence. "In the... There's..." He inhaled deeply, steadying himself. "A Unicorn is injured in the park! Near the Forbidden Forest!".

The news erupted like a bombshell within the room. Students from every house, aware of the unicorn's pure and sacred nature, rushed outside before the present professors could react. Hagrid, the half-giant, rose abruptly, toppling numerous glasses and jostling the table in his haste. He sprinted towards the exit, with Harry trailing anxiously close behind.

Once outside, the accident site was easy to find: a sizable crowd of students had already encircled the injured creature. Harry pressed on with Hagrid, shoving students aside a tad rudely to reach the fallen unicorn. As they stooped beside the magical beast, Headmaster Dumbledore and Professor McGonagall arrived on the scene.

Beside the towering figure of Hagrid, Harry assessed the multiple wounds marring the unicorn's pristine white coat. There were about ten injuries oozing with a silver fluid. Notably, the wounds were unnatural; Harry recognized these gashes with a chilling familiarity: the lacerations were undoubtedly caused by slicing spells. The constant murmuring from the crowd disrupted his focus, and his mind raced to comprehend the situation. Such cruelty was unheard of in his world, except...

His gaze hardened, and for a moment, he lost connection with reality. Except during his first year when Voldemort had restored his strength by consuming a unicorn's blood.

"Harry! Harry!" Hagrid's gruff voice brought Harry back from his ominous thoughts.

Recognizing the new professor was now alert, the half-giant continued :

"Help me move her to my place!"

Out of the corner of his eye, Harry saw Dumbledore and McGonagall subtly urging him to comply with a nod before trying to disperse the crowd. Dumbledore, rarely raising his voice, ordered the students with a firm tone to return to their classrooms. As he prepared to leave, Harry locked eyes with Ginny.

Never losing focus, he brandished his wand, and the unicorn's white mass levitated as lightly as a feather. In stride with Hagrid, they managed to transport the creature into the welcoming warmth of the gamekeeper's humble dwelling. A disarray of objects cluttered the small living room, making Harry wonder how Hagrid managed to reside there without feeling claustrophobic. Upon noticing the new entrant, Fang, the resident hound, gave an inquiring whimper. An affectionate stroke from Hagrid pacified him, and he lay down quietly. Realizing the need for space, Hagrid cleared his furniture and laid a carpet on the floor.

"She's just a baby, barely five months old..." Hagrid clarified as he gestured Harry to place the unicorn on the carpet.

"It appears that the wounds aren't irreversible," Harry noted, gently caressing the creature's head.

The unicorn, gradually regaining consciousness, sniffed Harry's hand before resting its head on the ground. Shortly after, Hagrid returned with a vial brimming with a reddish liquid.

"Yes, the wounds may not be irreversible for humans, but a unicorn is extremely delicate, especially at this tender age," explained the half-giant, squatting down. He uncorked the vial and handed it over to Harry.

"This is a potent healing potion; suffice to say, it's quite powerful. The problem is, it isn't pleasant. I'll hold her down while you apply the potion to the wounds."

"This is a potent healing potion; it has proven effective in... certain scenarios. However, it's rather unpleasant. I'll hold her steady while you apply the potion to her wounds."

Harry nodded, a bead of sweat trickling down his forehead. Healing magic had never been his forte, and he often found himself causing more harm than good. At Hagrid's signal, he carefully dripped the potion onto the largest wound. The unicorn's reaction was immediate; she thrashed about wildly, attempting to break free. But Hagrid's colossal strength kept her pinned to the ground.

"Keep going!" he instructed, his voice strained.

It took nearly a quarter of an hour for Harry to administer the potion to all the wounds. The creature seemed to to the have acclimated discomfort and was now resting peacefully, her breathing slow and steady, and warm air puffing from her nostrils.

"We'll need to let her heal now," Hagrid stated, opening a half-empty bottle of whiskey and downing it in a single swig. "I'll try to get her back into the forest in three or four days."

Harry's eyes remained fixed on the resting unicorn. He inspected its horn thoughtfully before speaking.

"Hagrid... These wounds... They were inflicted by..."

"A wizard, or perhaps multiple wizards, yes," Hagrid interjected, seating himself heavily. "I don't know who would do this, but it's a terrible act against a poor, innocent creature."

Harry moved to sit at the table, his gaze falling upon the cakes placed in the center. Rule number one: never partake of Hagrid's cakes. Noticing Harry's line of sight, Hagrid perked up.

"Fancy a piece of homemade cake?" he offered, pushing the plate towards Harry.

Rule number two: never accept when Hagrid offers you cake. If he does, recall rule number one and politely decline.

"No, thank you," Harry responded politely. "Has a unicorn been injured like this before?"

Hagrid shoved a piece of cake into his mouth, seemingly oblivious to its unpalatable taste.

"No, this isn't the first time," he mumbled around his mouthful, causing Harry's blood to run cold and a chill to creep down his spine. "Well, not exactly. During the centaurs' rebellion, they wounded a unicorn as a protest symbol. Caused quite a stir at the time. Since then, unicorns have been a protected species among wizards and sentient magical beings."

"The centaurs' rebellion?" Harry asked, curiosity piqued.

Hagrid grunted, his massive shoulders shrugging.

"Some years back, the Ministry declared a part of the Forbidden Forest as their own and tried to evict the centaurs. The centaurs revolted, which was extraordinary considering their typically solitary lifestyle. A group of students aided them in their fight; there were a few Weasleys among them if I remember correctly."

Harry's surprise was palpable.

"Weasleys!"

"Yup, the redheads. They've all graduated now, except for the youngest. Shouldn't you be heading back to your class?" Hagrid asked, his tone more of a suggestion than a question.

The ancient clock hanging on the wall revealed it was past 2:30 p.m., and his lesson with the fourth-year students had already commenced. Hagrid assured Harry that he would tend to the unicorn, nullifying any reason for worry. He advised Harry to reassure the students that the unicorn was expected to recover and reclaim its freedom in a few days. Expressing his gratitude, Harry turned towards the grand wooden door.

"One more thing, Harry," Hagrid added, already gripping the doorknob. A unique spark glimmered in the giant's eyes. "If you find the scoundrel who hurt the unicorn, don't let them go unpunished."

Silently, Harry closed the door behind him.


The portrait of the Fat Lady swung shut behind Ginny as she traversed the small corridor leading to the Gryffindor common room. Their last class for the day had drawn to a close, and the group had elected to convene quietly in their common room before descending to the Great Hall for dinner. As was tradition, Anny and Eliott prepared for their weekly game of wizard chess, while Ginny sank into the couch with a weary sigh.

The day had been rather long, and especially following the unicorn incident, they had been subjected to two tedious hours of History of Magic, succeeded by an equally dull Botany class. Jim and Jessica took seats beside her on the couch, and she noticed the boy with short hair seemed unusually hyperactive.

"So," he commenced, his fingers drumming on the armrest in a display of impatience, "Who do you think did it?"

Jessica arched an eyebrow.

"Did what exactly?" she asked, used to her friend's outrageous theories.

"I'm serious this time! The unicorn - someone has inflicted those wounds. It's definitely the work of a wizard!"

At this, Ginny straightened in her seat.

"What gives you that impression? There are numerous creatures within the Forbidden Forest capable of injuring a unicorn..." she reasoned calmly.

Undeterred, Jim stood and positioned himself before the two girls.

"We all saw the same thing, didn't we? Those injuries aren't bite marks or anything other than the result of a spell!"

"For once, I find myself agreeing with Jim," Eliott admitted, his gaze still focused on the chessboard, and in the same breath, moving his rook towards the white pieces.

"See! Mr 'Always Right' has just confirmed it!" Jim triumphantly announced.

Eliott responded with a grunt, clearly displeased at being called by his nickname. It seemed each time he voiced an opinion, Jim had a smart retort ready, a habit since their first encounter in their first year. Ginny knew Eliott used his reputation to trick them into believing fallacies occasionally but was also swift to rectify any falsehoods.

"So, you believe it's a student?" Ginny queried, leaning back in her chair, hands resting behind her head.

Jim faced her.

"Wormz's gang, perhaps?"

Ginny responded with a shake of her head.

"Wormz might be an irritant, but I doubt he'd stoop as low as to harm a Unicorn."

"I concur with Ginny," Anny chimed in, far more engrossed in their conversation than the chess match before her. "I just can't see him doing something so egregious..."

"Why do you continue to defend him, after everything he's done to us?" Jessica retorted with irritation.

Anny, flustered, chose to remain silent.

"Then who could it be? An intruder who infiltrated the castle?" Jimcontinued, dismissing the objections from the girls.

"Breaking into Hogwarts undetected is virtually impossible given the castle's protective enchantments," Eliott pointed out. "And besides, we don't really have a way to confirm that."

Suddenly, a spark ignited in Ginny's eyes, accompanied by a mischievous grin.

"Actually, I do have a way."

Flipping open her suitcase, she retrieved an aged piece of parchment. Clutching the ancient artifact, she hurried back to her friends, who greeted her arrival with eager anticipation.

"Merlin's beard! The Marauder's Map!" Jim exclaimed, his eyes wide with surprise. "Did Ron finally decide to hand it over?"

Holding her head high, Ginny unfolded the parchment amongst them.

"Guess again! I had to sneak it out from him before leaving home. I solemnly swear that I am up to no good."

As she uttered the words, the magical map sprang to life. The familiar message appeared on the map: Messrs. Moony, Wormtail, Padfoot, and Prongs, Purveyors of Aids to Magical Mischief-Makers, are proud to present THE MARAUDER'S MAP.

Depicted on the weathered paper were the castle's corridors, right down to the hidden rooms. A flurry of names filled in the scene, moving about in the labyrinth of the castle. Dumbledore paced in his tower as per usual, and the majority of the teachers were ensconced in their quarters.

"This is going to be harder than we thought," observed Jessica, taking into account the number of names on the map.

"It's like searching for a needle in a haystack," Anny agreed, having just ended her chess game - predictably with Eliott declaring victory. Seeing her friends' puzzled expressions, she clarified, "It's a Muggle expression..."

"If we're dealing with an intruder, we should look for isolated names, perhaps someone who keeps to the outskirts," Eliott suggested, settling down next to the map.

"But we don't even know the extent of the map's capabilities. Can it detect Animagi or disillusionment charms?" Jim questioned thoughtfully.

Ginny looked at him, surprised.

"What?" he defended himself.

"Nothing, it's just... rare to hear you making such insightful comments," she explained with a smile, earning herself a playful swat on the head. She replied with her tongue-out gesture number five: okay, I deserved that one...

Without concrete clues, the group was left to watch the names meandering on the map. Ginny focused on the isolated ones and furrowed her brow when she recognized a familiar name.

"Hey, your Ravenclaw crush Scott is wandering alone, Ginny. Why don't you keep him company?" Jim teased innocently.

Ginny sighed, opting to save her sharp retorts for when they were alone and she could accompany them with well-aimed punches.

"What's he doing alone anyway? Where is he? On the second floor? There's nothing there..." Jim continued his musings.

Although it was unusual for Scott to be without his group of friends, Ginny felt he was entitled to roam as he pleased.

"On a separate note, I don't see Professor Majes," Anny mumbled, more to herself than to the group.

"Just because you can't see him doesn't mean he isn't there. He could be anywhere in the castle, couldn't he?" Jessica pointed out, on the verge of abandoning the search.

Anny shared that the professors were primarily located in the compartment, and they were more easily discernible than the students since their names on the map commenced with "Professor".

However, Harry Majes was conspicuously absent from his quarters and classrooms. Following a meticulous twenty-minute search, they reluctantly accepted Anny's explanation as the most plausible. The map encompassed the entirety of the castle, extending even to the outdoor park. Notably, Hagrid was visible in his dwelling, accompanied by his faithful dog Fang, and a newcomer labeled by the map as a "Magical Creature".

"This is peculiar indeed. He's nowhere to be seen. I've been saying from the outset that I've no fondness for this fellow," Jim admitted, finally tearing his eyes away from the map after several minutes.

"Could he have vacated the castle?" Ginny queried, contemplating the diverse possibilities.

"Or perhaps he's simply untraceable by the map," Jessica conjectured.

"Nonetheless, there's no concrete evidence linking any of this to the Unicorn."

Ginny was on the verge of uttering something but halted at the last moment. Sensing her hesitation, Jim and Jessica prompted her to speak her mind.

"It's rather trivial," she commenced, her hands nervously brushing her short hair. "It's just that his demeanor near the Unicorn earlier was a bit off-kilter. It was as though... he was reliving a painful memory."

At this, Jim snapped his fingers.

"Because it's he who wounded it! It makes perfect sense!"

Eliott exhaled a sigh, placing a comforting hand on his shoulder.

"Are you not leaping to conclusions rather prematurely?"

Jim responded with a dismissive "not in the slightest," and the group spent a considerable amount of time considering various possibilities, albeit fruitlessly. Based on their understanding, the sole method to evade detection by the Marauder's Map was to be physically outside the castle's confines.

The mournful rumbling of Jim's stomach abruptly interrupted their deliberation; it was high time they ate!

Ginny stowed her map before accompanying the group to the Great Hall. The group came to a stunned halt upon entering the room.

Professor Harry Majes was seated at the professors' table.


Harry exited the Great Hall promptly after his meal. Having foregone sleep the previous night, fatigue began to enshroud his muscles. He traversed the castle wings with a brisk pace, aiming to reach the solitude of his quarters for some much-needed respite. In the span of just two days, he felt as though he had validated his notorious reputation as a magnet for trouble.

An abrupt whistle sounded just above him, and he instinctively dodged to the right, narrowly avoiding a sugar bomb that detonated upon impact with the ground, scattering sweet powder over a substantial area. The mischievous ghost's laughter echoed hauntingly down the hallway.

"PEEVES!" Harry bellowed in a commanding tone.

However, the ghost was already far gone. Resigning with a sigh, he resumed his path and noted that he was a mere few dozen meters from his quarters. As Hagrid had shared, the unicorn had been assaulted in the forest and had painfully dragged itself to the fringe for an indeterminate reason. The fact that struck Hagrid the most was the unheard-of departure of young unicorns from their parents. He surmised that the parents had most likely met the same fate. To confirm his theory, he intended to scout the Forbidden Forest soon, and Harry had consented to join him.

Lying on his bed, the weary survivor allowed the inviting allure of sleep to wash over him.

Several floors above and in a different wing of the school, Ginny Weasley was embarkingon a similar journey into the realm of dreams. Just on the verge of slumber, a vivid image flashed before her mind's eye. It painted the portrait of a boy with radiant emerald green eyes and unruly chestnut hair, battling with the desperation of a lone survivor against the most formidable dark wizard she had ever encountered.


End of Chapter 6.

Next chapter this weekend : The madness of Harry Majes.