The dense forest fell utterly silent.
A sorrowful, powerless whinny suddenly rang out—as if the unicorn was making its final farewell to the world.
Night wind stirred the treetops, leaves swaying as originally dim moonlight broke free from clouds, cascading downward.
Silver radiance gently caressed the unicorn's noble countenance, like bidding farewell to an old friend.
Its satin-like coat appeared even more sacred now, loneliness and sorrow flowing slowly through the woodland.
"It's dying, Tiger."
"Such a beautiful life..."
Hermione whispered with choked emotion.
She gripped Tiger's hand tightly, sniffling sadly while her eyes grew increasingly red and swollen.
"Why did he have to kill it..."
As everyone stood in melancholy silence, Tiger stepped forward, crouching beside the unicorn with his deep gaze lowered slightly.
As if sensing something, the unicorn's half-closed eyes slowly opened.
The moment it glimpsed Tiger's silhouette, star-like pupils contracted almost imperceptibly.
The legendary horn that only favored pure maidens used its final strength to gently touch Tiger's palm.
Life possesses light.
Tiger could clearly sense that before this faint glow extinguished, the unicorn was attempting to bestow a blessing upon him.
Unfortunately...
"Want to come to hell with me?"
Tiger gently stroked the warm horn.
Rather than asking, it resembled notification—his calm tone carried undeniable meaning.
"..."
The unicorn weakly lowered its head.
Faint light on its horn slowly died, yet pure, crystalline eyes didn't close again.
Gradually dimming pupils still gazed at Tiger, carrying final attachment and tranquility.
"Then let's go."
"Find that bastard."
"Bite through its neck and bring it home."
Bone-deep coldness spread throughout the forest.
The moment his words fell, flames suddenly blazed—the hand stroking the horn transformed into stark white bone.
Flames from hell's abyss, carrying endless malevolence and curses, spiraled upward along the horn's patterns.
Heart-stopping molten streams seemed alive as they burned the unicorn's body, corroding into its very soul.
Accompanied by a shrill neigh, the unicorn rolled to its feet, restlessly and painfully stamping hooves.
Amid Draco and others' exclamations, its body began undergoing earth-shattering transformation.
Snow-white sacred fur, under hellfire's merciless ravaging, became scorched and twisted.
Like broken fragments floating on lava—both desolate and eerie, emanating indescribable horror and despair.
Belly flesh was completely consumed, leaving only stark ribs exposed to everyone's view.
The next second, hellfire suddenly contracted back into the unicorn's body—painful neighing ceased abruptly.
Then, an even more surging torrent of blazing light burst from within the creature.
Roaring flames soared skyward, tearing the forest's dark gloom to shreds.
Black smoke that originally poured from nostrils completely transformed into flames, intertwining with distorted air.
Eyes filled with hellfire revealed unprecedented violence and madness, as if capable of penetrating humanity's deepest fears and despair.
"Night... Nightmare?!"
Rui Li Shafiq gasped in disbelief.
That lightning-black horn could only belong to legendary creatures.
But legends remained legends.
No one had ever witnessed a nightmare firsthand.
They were hell's guiding messengers—no one desired encountering them while still alive.
"I knew it..." Ramos Tiamat solemnly smoothed his robe's wrinkles.
Then he stepped forward, prostrating devoutly before hooves wrapped in hellfire.
Mysterious, lingering prayers echoed through the forest.
"Thank hell."
"You're breathtakingly beautiful."
Tiger's gaze was entranced as he stroked the nightmare, which affectionately nuzzled his palm.
However, as it lowered its head, bullet holes in its neck oozed copper water from melted projectiles.
Tiger's gaze froze.
Then he turned irritably toward the shocked young Malfoy.
"Your aim was pretty decent."
"Four bullets—didn't miss a single one."
The nightmare raised its head with dissatisfied snorting, scorching hellfire spraying outward.
Everyone silently retreated several paces.
Young Malfoy: (ΩДΩ)!
(Recommended to be enjoyed with "Happy" by Pharrell Williams for double effect.)
"Clap along if you feel like a room without a roof, because I'm happy~~"
"Clap along if you feel like happiness is the truth, because I'm happy~~"
"Clap along if you know what happiness is to you, because I'm happy~~"
Meanwhile, elsewhere.
Venom held the girls' hands, dancing cheerful steps around the campfire. Clear, melodious harmonies made other little snakes sway involuntarily to the rhythm.
Male prefect Bested held a wine glass, half-leaning against a tree while drinking alone, not participating.
But this nobleman who usually made witty conversation only at parties had eyes overflowing with genuine warmth and smiles.
As if all the world's beauty had condensed into this precious moment...
"Prefect Bested."
"Your vanilla pan-seared lamb chops."
Lisa boldly carried over a plate, eyes carrying mischievous hints.
"Careful—I might have poisoned it."
"That's nothing, Lisa."
Atlantic Bested directly accepted the plate, laughing with particular earnestness:
"Even if poisoned, dying here would be an excellent choice, wouldn't it?"
"Tch..."
Lisa curled her lip and walked back.
She despised this serious demeanor most—or rather, she was least skilled at handling such people.
Watching the crowd singing and dancing joyfully nearby, Lisa couldn't help breathing deeply of the evening breeze's freshness.
This freedom and comfort seemed penetrating every cell, making her entire being feel refreshed.
In four years at Slytherin House, this marked her first experience of such pure happiness.
Perhaps that Bested fellow felt similarly...
This unrestrained laughter, this carefree joy—for Slytherins, it was truly rare.
Around the campfire, cheerful and pleasant laughter and shouts flew toward night skies like free birds...
Suddenly, Venom ceased singing.
The Slytherins also quieted, gazing at Venom with some confusion.
"Oh, I smell it."
"Chocolate beans... so fragrant..."
Venom slowly turned its head.
Pale, fierce eyes looked toward dark undergrowth depths, crimson tongue licking mouth corners.
"Slytherins! Alert!"
Male prefect Bested immediately threw down his wine glass, smile suddenly becoming serious and frigid.
"Everyone! Draw your wands!"
"Center on the campfire! Form circles! Seventh and sixth years on outer rings!"
"Selwyn! Avery! Take the first years! Stand in the center!"
"Fifth years provide Shield Charm reinforcement to outer rings!"
"Fourth years cast binding transfiguration spells!"
"Third years! Second years! Don't forget the curses you left in the common room!"
Thanks to long-maintained order, the little snakes didn't panic but quickly arranged themselves in circular formation according to male prefect Bested's commands.
Hearing rustling sounds from the forest, little snakes' faces showed tension.
"Don't panic, my darlings."
"I'm here..."
Halfway through speaking, Venom seemed remembering something.
It turned slightly toward Lisa, baring meat-grinder fangs in wide grins:
"Hey, Lisa, protect the coals."
"I prefer eating cooked lately..."
Lisa's mouth twitched as images of charcoal-grilled heads instantly flashed through her mind.
"Don't even think about it, Venom."
"This is the one thing I absolutely won't make for you."
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