Draco's eyes lit up. "What did you see?"
Pansy's cheeks flushed. "N-nothing!"
Something clicked in Draco's sharp mind. "If you won't tell me, you're hiding something! The prefect's a girl, isn't he?"
Pansy panicked. "The prefect's a bloke, all right! Look, once he was showering in the prefects' private bathroom upstairs, and I... I accidentally caught a glimpse!"
Draco's expression twisted in confusion. "Accidentally? If memory serves, the Slytherin prefects' bathroom is off-limits to everyone but Prefect Erwin and the Head Prefect—and it's tucked away in a remote spot. What were you doing there?"
Pansy's face burned crimson. "None of your business! Stay put—I'm off to find the prefect!"
She bolted without another word.
Draco watched her flee, piecing it together. His eyes widened. "Pansy... she spied on the prefect bathing?"
He'd uncovered a bombshell. If this didn't involve Erwin, he might've spread it far and wide—secrets were worthless if kept entirely to yourself. But Draco wasn't one for idle gossip, especially not about this.
What he didn't notice was the figure lurking behind him, face etched with icy resolve and a flicker of murderous intent.
Draco shivered and spun around. "Hermione! Here to see the prefect and the unicorn?"
She brushed past him without a word, sprinting toward the Black Lake.
Draco shook his head. "Odd girl. Always stirring up trouble." He turned toward the crowd. "Better find Harry—wonder if he's spotted anything new."
Unicorns held no charm for him; dragons were the true thrill, the pinnacle of a wizard's wildest dreams.
Lying on the grass, absently stroking Beth's mane, Erwin felt her tense beneath his hand. He blinked open his eyes and glanced around.
Pansy and Hermione were approaching, one after the other, through the thinning corridor crowd.
Erwin sighed and patted Beth's head. "Easy now. I'm right here—no one's going to hurt you. They're just classmates. You've caused quite the stir, haven't you?"
Beth let out a soft whinny.
Erwin chuckled. "You want to protect me? Don't worry, I can handle myself. Just behave."
She nuzzled his leg affectionately, then neighed twice more.
"All right," Erwin said with a nod. "Head back now."
Beth turned and vanished into the forest in a flash of silver.
Pansy and Hermione reached his side, both looking crestfallen.
"Why'd the unicorn bolt?" Pansy asked.
Hermione's eyes dimmed with disappointment. Unicorns were irresistible to any witch—pure, ethereal beauty incarnate.
Erwin shrugged. "She's just hungry. Went off to forage."
What else could he say? Admit Beth sensed their impure intentions and wanted nothing to do with them? That'd sting.
Pansy pressed on. "Prefect, why do the unicorns take to you so well?"
Erwin met her gaze steadily. "Dunno. Probably my pure heart."
He didn't bat an eye. So what if the unicorns' favor meant nothing definitive? Why couldn't he claim a spotless soul? As for his so-called "golden talent"? Best left unspoken. Erwin Cavendish was pure as driven snow—or so he'd let them believe.
The words left a twinge of guilt, though.
To his surprise, Pansy nodded earnestly. "You're right, Prefect. You're the kindest, most selfless person I know. All you've done for our studies, for a stronger Hogwarts—you've sacrificed so much. No one deserves that title more."
Erwin rubbed his nose, suppressing a wince. This girl's too perceptive for her own good.
With Beth gone, the gawkers dispersed, leaving only a handful of professors murmuring among themselves.
Professor McGonagall beamed at Erwin. "See? I knew his goodness ran deep. Unicorns peer straight into the soul—especially the young ones, without all that raw power clouding their judgment. They're spot-on at sorting good from evil. Erwin's favor marks him as the wizarding world's next great pillar of integrity!"
The others murmured agreement. They all admired Erwin—the brilliant, diligent sort any professor would cherish.
Yet they'd harbored quiet fears. His talent was prodigious; soon, Hogwarts' curriculum wouldn't suffice. He'd crave forbidden paths, like the Dark Arts. Some had watched him warily, wondering if he'd stray.
But now? The unicorn's endorsement was ironclad. Erwin's reputation as the flawless, upright student was sealed—no smears could touch it.
An unexpected windfall, and Erwin hadn't even tried.
Only Snape's gaze lingered, clouded with doubt. He knew Erwin inside out, his concern sharpening his scrutiny. The boy was no saint, far from pure-hearted. Scheming came as naturally as breathing, and his plots were masterfully woven.
So why the unicorn's blessing?
McGonagall clapped her hands. "Right, that's enough excitement. Class awaits! I must dash off a letter before Erwin's paper hits Transfiguration Today . He's overturned our assumptions—unicorns aren't exclusive to witches after all!"
Sprout's eyes widened. " Transfiguration Today ?"
McGonagall nodded briskly. "Precisely. His theory on Transfiguration's inherent counter-curse, fully validated. The journal's publishing it Friday—haven't told him yet. It'll be a proper surprise when it arrives!"
The professors smiled, conspiring in delight over the reveal.
Snape slipped away without a word. As he strode off, a rare smile tugged at his lips, lending him an uncommon handsomeness. Pity no one was around to see it.