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Chapter 55 – Phoenix Tears in the Forbidden Forest
Quirinus Quirrell.
Quirrell was missing from the staff table.
Logically speaking, his body should still have been able to withstand Voldemort's possession before Halloween. His absence at this point was… suspicious.
Wait.
Audrey suddenly understood.
Could the one who wiped out more than thirty members of the Grey family be the Dark Lord himself?
Wasn't Voldemort famously incapable of understanding affection? Why would he avenge his daughter?
Her public image was already in ruins, all right?
She turned it over in her mind again and again, until a chain of logic slowly formed.
First, Voldemort had confirmed in the Hogwarts library that his daughter was studying here.
Then he deduced that she was using the alias Audrey Astray.
Audrey Astray was a world-famous superstar in the Muggle world—
And Voldemort's daughter singing for Muggles?
That was absolutely intolerable.
She didn't know whether she was right, but the reasoning felt disturbingly solid.
In a rage, Voldemort slaughtered the Grey family—only to overestimate Quirrell's physical limits. His body must have collapsed under the strain.
Which meant Quirrell's absence today likely had only one explanation.
Tonight… he would appear in the Forbidden Forest.
Hunting unicorns.
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While Audrey was still thinking, the captains of the newly formed Audrey's Guard were decided.
Slytherin's representative was, naturally, Dorka Yaxley.
Gryffindor's choice surprised many—Oliver Wood, the Quidditch captain.
Hufflepuff selected a seventh-year named Luther Kroll.
Ravenclaw's captain was Penelope Clearwater.
"Audrey," Penelope said calmly, "you should appoint the overall commander."
Every student in the Hall turned to her, eyes bright with anticipation.
"Then… Iseline Windsor."
Thunderous applause followed.
No one objected.
The surname Windsor carried weight. Even if some pure-bloods grumbled privately, no one dared challenge it openly—though if the rest of the royal family ever heard of this, they might very well storm Hogwarts shouting Who are you trying to insult?!
Iseline herself was overjoyed. She jumped up and hugged Audrey tightly.
Audrey: I feel like you're taking advantage of me, but I have no evidence.
Audrey's Guard?
What a dramatic name.
She didn't take it seriously at all—just another student craze, like idol worship or a fan club. [Fu]
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As expected, Quirrell took leave from his afternoon Defence Against the Dark Arts class.
Audrey, equally unsurprised, spent the afternoon sprawled lazily in her dormitory.
After enjoying a luxurious hot pot dinner in her room, she prepared to turn in early.
She reached into her sachet, pulled out handfuls of Galleons, scattered them across the bed—
Then leapt high into the air and threw herself down into the pile with a whoosh.
Golden coins bounced and clinked, rolling everywhere, their crisp sounds filling the room.
Audrey's eyes curved into happy crescents.
Wonderful.
Momo's bed was meticulous, yes—but it could never compare to the joy of sleeping on real gold.
Luxury, after all, had to be hands-on.
Just as she closed her eyes, her heart gave a sharp pulse.
Something was wrong.
The Forbidden Forest.
This was a spell she had discreetly placed last Friday—a simple link, similar in principle to the Dark Mark, connecting her to certain magical creatures.
And now, the one in danger was—
Heidi.
The same unicorn from before.
Audrey shot upright. Galleons flew into the air.
"Sizzle—!"
She vanished.
The coins fell back onto the carpet with dull, scattered thuds.
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Deep within the Forbidden Forest.
A crescent moon hung high, its pale light casting a sacred glow over the silver mane of the unicorn lying on the ground.
Heidi lay motionless, her body still save for the occasional involuntary twitch.
A figure in black robes knelt beside her, drinking deeply from the wound in her neck.
A cold voice echoed from behind him.
"Trash. You're already this weak after killing only thirty people?"
The figure shuddered violently.
"M-Master," Quirrell stammered, his voice hoarse, "I will find the Philosopher's Stone as soon as possible, I swear—"
"Silence! You know nothing about the Stone. Stop embarrassing yourself."
"Y-yes… I'm sorry, Master."
"Are you done?" the voice sneered. "If so, we're leaving."
Quirrell struggled to his feet.
Whoosh.
A figure appeared beside the fallen unicorn.
"Avada Kedavra!"
Green light tore through the air.
Voldemort's scream rang out, sharp with fury.
"Stop, you fool! That's my little water snake!!"
But Quirrell's Killing Curse meant nothing to Hydras.
His pitiful strength—barely one and a half Ru—was inferior even to old Barty Crouch.
And Hydras was no longer just a dragon.
She now bore dual constitutions—fire dragon and phoenix.
Her power had soared to eleven.
Her strongest state yet.
She caught the curse bare-handed.
It shattered harmlessly against her scales.
If dragon scales failed, she still had the phoenix body.
And phoenixes are reborn from ashes.
Quirrell stood frozen.
Voldemort couldn't see—but he could feel.
Ecstasy flooded him.
This was his daughter.
His natural ally.
The greatest weapon in the world.
A few more years of growth—and after his resurrection, even Dumbledore would stand no chance against them together.
"I beg your pardon, young master," Quirrell said hastily, bowing low. "Your strength is extraordinary. I was blind. Please forgive my offense."
Hydras ignored him completely and knelt beside Heidi.
The unicorn's silver blood stained the earth. Her breathing was shallow, her eyes slowly dimming, the glow in her horn fading.
Hydras examined the wound.
Dark magic had penetrated deep.
Ordinary healing wouldn't be enough.
Healing spells couldn't even touch it.
"Little water snake," Voldemort said softly, "girls like beautiful things, don't they?"
His shrill voice echoed through the forest.
"But beauty is useless—like rose petals. Short-lived. Fragile."
"It should be honoured to restore my strength. Do not grieve."
Hydras sneered.
"She's my partner."
Then—
She cried.
Phoenix tears fell upon Heidi's wound.
Dark magic dissolved instantly, like ash scattered by the wind.
Heidi's condition stabilized.
Hydras raised her wand. Pale green light bathed the unicorn, flesh knitting together in seconds.
Moments later, Heidi staggered upright.
She pressed her head gently against Hydras, then slipped behind her.
Hydras fed her a potion.
"You're safe now. Go home. It's dangerous at night—don't wander alone anymore."
Heidi nodded, turned, and vanished into the trees.
Hydras reverted to her human form.
Audrey Astray.
"Your Majesty," she said coolly, "stop hunting unicorns in the Forbidden Forest."
She tossed two money pouches forward.
"Two thousand Galleons. Enough unicorn blood for an entire school year."
Voldemort exploded.
"Hydras! Is that how you speak to your father?"
Audrey shrugged.
"I've never seen a father kill his daughter's friend."
She turned and flew away toward Hogwarts—
Her heart aching fiercely.
Two thousand Galleons…
She wouldn't risk abandoning her phoenix body.
Voldemort, who had split his soul seven times, was far too unstable. Who could guarantee he wouldn't seize Quirrell's body in a rage and cast Avada Kedavra?
Hehehe.
Hydras dead?
(Applause if you get it.)
"Hydras!" Voldemort shouted. "Daddy was wrong this time. Will you forgive me?"
Audrey smiled.
Her heart settled.
He wouldn't kill her.
The test was a success.
She now knew Voldemort's bottom line.
Which meant—she could push it a little more.
Conclusion: Voldemort would not sever ties with her before dealing with Dumbledore.
Disobedience was… acceptable.
Which meant she could confidently refuse something as childish as a first-year dungeon obstacle course.
First year—secure.
Second and third—no Old Fu, Young Fu irrelevant.
Perfect.
Hydras soared higher, then vanished with a whoosh.
Voldemort spoke softly, dangerously.
"Quirrell… Hydras is more important than I thought. This Christmas, I'll prepare a grand gift for her."
Quirrell swallowed.
"Master… our funds are limited."
"Useless! Go earn some."
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