Though the centaur was tall and imposing, Hagrid's massive frame was no less impressive.

"Hagrid, I've warned you before!" the centaur bellowed. "Keep those spiders in check! If they so much as step out of their webs again, they'll regret it!"

"There are loads of creatures in the Forbidden Forest!" Hagrid shot back, undaunted. "Can't you lot just get along? This is Hogwarts' forest, not yours!"

"Get along? With Acromantulas?" Malfoy couldn't hold back any longer, finally finding his voice. "You've got to be kidding!"

"Honestly, I reckon it's a bit tricky too. Evening, Hagrid. And you are, Mr. Centaur?" Edward interjected smoothly, cutting through the tension.

The centaurs and Hagrid turned their attention to the four students and the weakened unicorn lying nearby.

"Bane," the centaur replied haughtily. "I can see you were quite brave back there, clever too, using burning branches to fend off those spiders."

"And you saved a unicorn's life—a noble act. What's your name, lad?" Bane's gaze locked onto Edward's, completely ignoring Hagrid, who looked utterly baffled.

"Edward Bedivere. Thank you for your help," Edward said with a slight nod.

"Help? Don't misunderstand. We were merely defending ourselves. Those spiders encroached on our territory, simple as that," Bane said with a dismissive snort. "Still, if your mates hadn't slowed you down, I'm certain you'd have made it out unscathed."

"Mars is growing brighter. Remember our words, Hagrid," Bane added cryptically. "Farewell, young Bedivere."

With that, Bane led the other centaurs to retrieve their arrows and galloped off into the dark, vanishing in moments.

"Bunch of star-gazing mules," Hagrid muttered under his breath, clearly annoyed.

While Bane and Edward spoke, Hagrid checked on the unicorn. Seeing its wounds were starting to heal, he stood and faced the four students.

"Merlin's beard, I don't even know where to start," Hagrid said, slapping his cheeks. "The worst trouble the Weasley twins ever got into doesn't hold a candle to this!"

"Sneaking into the Forbidden Forest at midnight, fighting giant spiders, saving a unicorn, and nearly setting half the forest on fire? Edward, I never would've thought you'd drag three Slytherins into something like this!" His tone was a mix of exasperation and disbelief.

"Oh, right, you're a Slytherin too. I keep thinking you're a Gryffindor," he added.

"So, what, Gryffindors are just a bunch of reckless troublemakers?" Pansy asked, raising an eyebrow, clearly miffed by Hagrid's comment.

"No, no, that's not what I meant," Hagrid said, scratching his head, regretting his words. "Alright, come on, what's the story with you lot?"

"Let's walk and talk. This isn't the place for it. My hut's just over there," he said, pointing to the faint outline of his roof near the forest's edge.

"What about her?" Daphne gestured to the unicorn, still concerned about its condition.

"Well, unicorns don't usually let people get close—they're a bit proud, you know. Not many natural predators either," Hagrid said thoughtfully. "I can fetch some herbs for it tomorrow, unless someone wants to ask if it'd like to come along."

Daphne immediately turned to Edward.

Though Edward was certain the villain who attacked the unicorn was no longer in the forest, he couldn't resist Daphne's earnest request. He'd try, but only if the unicorn was willing.

Kneeling beside it, Edward gently stroked its mane and asked silently. After a moment, the unicorn nodded, stood, and followed him docilely, like a tame foal.

"Edward, what in Merlin's name did you do? Not even Merlin's silver tongue could make a unicorn that obedient!" Hagrid exclaimed, shaking his head in disbelief as they headed to his hut.

The unicorn trailed behind them, calm and gentle, as if it were Edward's pet. Hagrid, who'd struggled to even approach these creatures before, was floored.

"That's not the point, Hagrid. Did you hear what we said? Something—probably a wizard—is hunting unicorns in the forest, drinking their blood," Edward said gravely.

He'd already filled Hagrid in, and Hagrid believed him without hesitation.

"Right, of course. I'll tell Dumbledore," Hagrid said.

"But I've got to say, sneaking into the Forbidden Forest through a secret passage in the middle of the night? That's dead dangerous! You should've at least told a teacher—"

"And found a dead unicorn by the time we got there," Daphne cut in coldly.

"Well, probably, yeah. What you did was brave, no doubt, but still—" Hagrid tried to argue, but he knew he couldn't match the logic of someone like Professor McGonagall. If they hadn't acted, the unicorn would likely be dead, a thought he couldn't bear.

"I suggest you stop talking and get us back to the castle," Malfoy said haughtily, exhausted and desperate for his dorm.

"And take care of that unicorn. It's your job, not ours," Pansy added, though her eyes lingered fondly on the creature.

Soon, they reached the edge of the forest, stepping into familiar grounds.

"I'll check on you later. Rest up," Edward said, following Hagrid's instructions to settle the unicorn in a clearing behind the hut.

The unicorn lay down, its eyes heavy and head drooping, clearly drained.

"Thank you, Edward—is that your name? You'll come back, won't you?" it seemed to say, a touch of sadness in its gaze as he prepared to leave.

"Of course," Edward replied with a nod.

Hagrid left Fang with the unicorn for company and escorted the four young wizards toward the castle. The Slytherin common room, tucked in the dungeons, was closer to the entrance hall.

They were incredibly lucky—no ghosts, no Filch, no one at all. Hagrid even wondered if he'd needed to escort them, as they didn't seem to need any explaining.

"Here we are. Hope you lot can finally get a good night's sleep. G'night," Hagrid said, rubbing his hands as he gestured for them to go.

"Emerald," Malfoy muttered quickly to the wall, diving into the common room first, followed by Pansy and Daphne.

"Goodnight, Hagrid. Take care of the unicorn," Edward said, ready to head in too.

Exhausted from the night's rollercoaster, even he needed rest.

"Edward, hold on a sec," Hagrid called suddenly.

"What's up, Hagrid?"

"Well, erm…" Hagrid's big hands twisted together, his bearded face shifting as if unsure. "Could you—"

"Edward, if you don't get in here soon, Snape might drag you to his office for a potion," Daphne called back.

Hagrid glanced at Daphne, still waiting for her friend, and held back whatever he was about to say.

"Nothing, Edward. Get some rest. We'll talk later," he said.

"Alright, goodnight. I'll check on the unicorn tomorrow," Edward replied, not pressing further. Whatever it was, Hagrid clearly didn't want to say it in front of Daphne.

The common room wall closed behind him, and Edward felt a wave of relief. The night had been thrilling, chaotic, and probably broke fifty school rules—recruiting Pansy, nearly catching the castle's culprit, saving a unicorn, battling Acromantulas. But most importantly, he'd gotten his friends back safely, unharmed.

Well, except for the spiders.

The only regret was not catching the villain causing havoc in the castle.

Edward considered using the last of his Felix Felicis to check the passage for clues, but something told him it'd be fruitless—and he might run into Peeves or Filch.

Better to sleep.

Malfoy had already vanished into the boys' dorm, and Pansy and Daphne whispered goodnights before heading to the girls'. Edward glanced at the roaring fire in the common room and pushed open his dorm door.

He slept dreamlessly.

The next morning's Herbology class, usually a favorite, saw three students struggling. Daphne, Malfoy, and Pansy yawned constantly, barely awake. The warm greenhouse didn't help, especially after their 2 a.m. return.

Edward, however, was unaffected, answering questions with his usual enthusiasm.

"I don't get it. What's your body made of, iron?" Malfoy muttered after Edward stopped him from face-planting into a pile of dragon dung for the third time. "And you were up exercising at six!"

Pansy and Daphne were smarter, using enchanted stickers to make it look like their eyes were open while they dozed. Impressively, they managed to sleep sitting up.

When the dizzying Herbology class ended, the three Slytherins, too exhausted to visit the unicorn, decided to rest in the common room. Edward, keeping his promise, headed to the library for some self-study. With the second half of the term underway, he wanted to prep for final exams.

He'd once had detention with Snape, but after a misunderstanding before Christmas, it was canceled—though Snape never returned his copy of Advanced Potion-Making. Edward knew Snape wanted him to focus on studies, not distractions.

But those "distractions" were now hard to ignore, especially with a potential "Dark Knight" lurking in the castle.

After an hour of focused study in the library, a large shadow blocked the sunlight from the window.

"Edward, fancy popping by my place later?" Hagrid asked, grinning as he stuffed books into his pocket.