Chapter 79: The Magical Animagus

“Cassandra?”

Harry paused for a moment when he heard the name.

He shook his head, chuckling self-deprecatingly. “No, I’ve read her letters. She should’ve been long gone by now…”

The unicorn let out a low hum and shook its head. “No, that’s unlikely… But apart from Cassandra, isn’t there anyone else you’d like to ask about?”

As it spoke, it grabbed Harry’s robes with its mouth, tugging them back and forth playfully.

“Ha-rry! Ha-rry!”

A sudden realization dawned on Harry.

I knew it! No wonder this unicorn lady felt so familiar!

I knew it! No wonder she knows so much!

The familiar gesture and tone instantly reminded him of an old friend.

Hufflepuff’s Poppy Sweeting!

Harry gasped, covering his mouth in shock, his trembling hand pointing at the unicorn. “Y-you… you’re Poppy?”

“Took you long enough to figure it out!”

The unicorn—no, Poppy in unicorn form—retracted her horn and began nuzzling her head against Harry’s chest, as if venting her frustration at not being recognized by her old friend.

“But, how… how did you end up like this?” Harry still found it hard to believe.

Poppy had always been human. How could she now be a unicorn?

“Animagus,” Poppy replied. “Becoming a magical Animagus has its price… but honestly, I don’t mind. This way, I can interact with magical creatures up close and play with them as much as I want… It’s quite wonderful, isn’t it?”

“Is it… really?” Harry didn’t quite understand this mindset. Back then, Poppy had always been like this—adoring magical creatures, even helping him and Veratia rescue a dragon from poachers.

The Room of Requirement’s magical creature sanctuary had been established under Poppy’s suggestion.

“Of course,” Poppy said, grabbing Harry’s robes with her mouth again, tugging playfully. “Ha-rry! Ha-rry!”

Just like the little girl who used to pull at his robes all the time.

“But… are you sure your injury isn’t serious?” Harry asked hesitantly, glancing at Poppy’s wound. “It’s still bleeding. Maybe… I could fetch Professor Dumbledore? He’s the greatest white wizard of our time; surely, he could lift the curse on your wound. Or maybe Professor Snape? He’s an exceptional Potions Master, and the Blood-Replenishing Potion you just took was brewed by him.”

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“He seems much more competent than Professor Sharp, don’t you think?” Poppy quipped with a smile, before leaning in closer and whispering conspiratorially. “By the way, do you still have any Weasleys this year? If I remember correctly, the Potions professors always seem to have it out for them…”

“There are five brothers in total, all in Gryffindor,” Harry remarked wryly. “The relationship between Snape and them? Let’s just say it’s far from harmonious—more like sworn enemies.”

Poppy giggled, her laughter light and tinkling. Then she added, “Anyway, let’s keep my little secret under wraps when we get back to Hogwarts, alright? You know, magical Animagi are rare, especially unicorn Animagi.”

“But what about your curse?” Harry scratched his head.

“That’s where you come in,” Poppy said, nuzzling her head against Harry’s face. “You’re the heir to ancient magic. Maybe once you fully regain your powers, you can help me…”

“I will, Poppy. I promise,” Harry nodded firmly. “I’ll help you as soon as I can.”

“Alright,” Poppy replied, tugging at Harry’s robes again.

“Every night, I’ll bring Blood-Replenishing Potion to the edge of the Forbidden Forest,” Harry promised. “It’s not good for your wound to remain unhealed.”

“I’ll hold you to that,” Poppy said.

Suddenly, she lifted her head and warned, “Be careful. Someone’s coming!”

Harry swiftly drew his wand and traced an R in the air.

“Revelio!”

With the aid of the Revelio Charm—co-developed by him and Veratia—he could see a tall, blue figure moving toward them from the bushes.

The spell revealed creatures within its range, with blue signifying friendliness and red hostility.

“It’s Hagrid,” Harry said, lowering his wand. “He’s a friend.”

“Oh,” Poppy replied with a nod.

Sure enough, a rustling sound came from the bushes, and Hagrid’s massive form emerged.

“Harry!” Hagrid lowered his crossbow and thumped his chest in relief. “Thank heavens you’re alright—oh, Miss Poppy, good evening… Are you hurt?”

“Good evening, Hagrid,” Poppy’s ethereal voice returned. She gave Harry a meaningful glance before replying, “Thanks to this young man, I was spared from being killed by a dark wizard.”

“A dark wizard?” Hagrid raised his crossbow again, scanning their surroundings.

“He’s gone, Hagrid,” Harry said, tugging at his arm. “I drove him off.”

“Really?” Hagrid beamed at Harry. “I knew it! You’re just as brave as your parents were, Harry. For someone your age to face a dark wizard—it’s no small feat, let alone defeating one!”

Poppy said nothing, though her eyes glimmered with amusement.

Oh, Hagrid, if only you knew how many dark wizards this “little Harry” has defeated…

“By the way, Miss Poppy, is your injury alright?” Hagrid asked again. “Perhaps we could visit Madam Pomfrey in the hospital wing?”

“No need, Hagrid. Thank you,” Poppy replied softly. “It’s getting late, and I should be going. Harry, don’t forget our agreement.”

“Of course, Miss Poppy,” Harry nodded.

Poppy shook her head fondly, nuzzling Harry’s face one last time before turning to leave.

“Goodness…” Hagrid wiped a tear from his eye, clearly moved. “I thought unicorns only bonded with the purest of young maidens, but it seems they like boys too…”

“Well, I have a pretty pure heart too, Hagrid,” Harry said, patting Hagrid’s arm. “Just like you. Otherwise, Poppy wouldn’t be your friend, right?”

“Oh, Harry…”

Hagrid ruffled Harry’s messy hair, a warm smile spreading across his face.

This kid…

He always knows just what to say to warm your heart.

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