HP: It's a snake, not a badger.

Chapter 72 Variation: The Big Kid 1

"The recovery has been good these past two days, and I estimate it will be back to normal next week."

Severus lowered his eyes, thinking that once Emeric returned to normal, he could pay off some of his debts, and the rest could be settled with gifts after Emeric's death.

The lifelessness and emptiness in the man's eyes pierced Emeric's heart like needles. He didn't understand what the future held, but Severus's eyes should have been sparkling, not so lifeless.

He suddenly had a good idea. Although he didn't know why Severus was sad, he was good at comforting people.

"Sifer, the little bird told me there's a unicorn coming-of-age ceremony today, and I want to go see it. Can you come with me? It's a full moon today, and we can also go pick moonflowers."

"If you're lucky, you might even find a unicorn's feather!"

The unicorn hair pricked Severus; his stock was almost depleted, and replenishing it would be best, but going into the Forbidden Forest at night was too dangerous.

As if sensing his hesitation, Emeric continued, "I believe you can protect me, Severus. Let's go, let's go!"

Nine-year-old Emeric is very persistent and loves to take advantage of opportunities. Once he noticed Severus was starting to waver, he continued his performance.

"Severus, if you're worried, that's fine with me, I..."

His voice grew softer and softer, tinged with disappointment and sadness. He lowered his head and looked pitifully at the ground. After this series of moves, Severus had no choice but to agree.

"Alright, stick close to me tonight, you hear me?"

"good!"

Severus put down his pen, rubbed his forehead, and said that Emerick had been particularly fussy these past few days since he got a little older, changing his mind every now and then.

When she was little, she was quiet and well-behaved, and later she became considerate and gentle. But when she was around ten years old, why did she become so restless and cry whenever things didn't go her way?

Seeing that he had softened and agreed, Emeric immediately became quiet and obedient, as if he hadn't been the person just now. He thoughtfully served Severus tea and water, laid out snacks, and tidied up the parchment on the table.

Busy as a little bee, seeing his adorable appearance, Severus's anger subsided. Apart from Gryffindor's dismal academic performance, no one was injured.

"Severus, the ceremony starts at 10 o'clock, when should we go?"

"Time Manifests"

"Go change your clothes in ten minutes."

"Okay~"

Emeric hurriedly ran back to get dressed, and specially dug out a robe identical to Severus's; he wanted to wear exactly the same one as the person he liked.

The two dodged the young wizards who roamed at night and the professors who patrolled at night, and it took them quite a bit of effort to leave the castle and reach the edge of the Forbidden Forest.

Two little tails followed behind them, sneaking around in the corner. Behind those two tails, there were two more tails. None of the three groups noticed each other; they were all very harmonious.

By the time they approached Unicorn Valley, the moon was already halfway up the sky, an hour away from its highest point. The unicorns sitting in the middle seemed to sense their presence and became somewhat restless.

"Stop, or you'll be spotted."

"It's alright, Severus. They'll like us. We're Silas. Unicorns don't run away."

"Emerick, what do you mean? What do you mean by calling us Silas?"

Severus suddenly remembered the Albanian ritual where he put magic into a basin of water. What exactly had Emerick been hiding from him back then?

The fact that he became Silas, and the price Emeric paid for it—so much information flashed through his mind, but in the end, all that remained was that he wasn't worth Emeric doing it.

"Sifer, I don't know what price I'll pay in the future, but you deserve it. You deserve everything I've done. Please don't doubt yourself, okay?"

The tiny cub reached out and hugged the man's waist, leaning against him, its smoky purple eyes meeting his with tenderness. No matter how old he was, no matter when, Emeric would always be drawn to Severus, and would always fall in love with him.

"Let's not talk about this anymore. After my brain grows back, you can ask the grown-up me. Right now, I don't know anything. A few days ago, I grew a little bigger and sensed your presence, which is why I dared to ask you to come see the unicorn."

"Severus, they won't attack us, shall we go over there?"

"it is good."

With a dry, hoarse throat, he managed to squeeze out a single word as Emeric led him forward. The outer ring of unicorns parted to create a gap, as if welcoming them in.

They walked up to the unicorn that was about to reach adulthood, and Emerick took Severus's hand to touch the baby unicorn's head. The soft touch made the man unable to resist stroking it.

"Sifer, look, they like you. Let's sit down and participate in the ceremony together~"

Before he could answer, Emeric took out a picnic blanket, spread it on the ground, placed two cushions on it, and gently tugged at Severus's sleeve, gesturing for him to sit down.

Severus was unusually dazed, his usually fluent mouth at a loss for words, and could only sit down with Emeric's help, as the moon was about to reach its highest point.

The large unicorns stood up and brought flowers to place next to the little unicorn, forming a circle that surrounded them and the little unicorn.

The pure white moonlight shone on them, and the little unicorn in front of them began to molt, its white new fur replacing its pale yellow old fur.

Emerick immediately pulled out a bag and started filling it, a master at ruining the atmosphere, turning the sacred scene into something a little comical.

Gellert, hiding in the woods, covered his face. He didn't recognize the brat, but Dumbledore, who was nearby, was quite interested. He also wanted the little unicorn's fur.

Harry and Draco, on the other hand, didn't think that far ahead. They were considering whether to help, feeling that Emeric couldn't handle the situation alone.

He filled three bags, and Emeric proudly put his hands on his hips. He didn't let a single tuft of fur escape his grasp, and the little unicorn had grown up completely. It left the circle and stood with the other unicorns.

At this moment, the moonlight reached its highest point, shining directly on the center of the circle. The unicorns looked up and neighed at the sky, releasing magic towards the moon. White magic fell like snow into the circle.

"Severus...it hurts, it hurts so much, can you...hug me?"

As the magic flowed onto his body, Emeric's body grew rapidly. His bones cracked and popped, and he was in so much pain that tears welled up in his eyes. He collapsed into Severus's arms, trembling.

Soon, Emeric returned to his original form. The unicorn's blessing made up for the lost magic power, the horns on his head were much larger than before, his long flaxen hair covered his entire body, and the clothes he wore changed into the priest's robes he had seen before.

The boy's breath brushed against Severus's ear, the warm breath reddening his ear.

"Emerick, get off me."

"I'm sorry, Severus, I'm too weak right now. Let me rest for a bit."

"Severus, we need to get the people following us out first. Albus, Gellert, Draco and Harry, are you coming out yourselves, or should we ask them to come out?"

Emeric tilted his head and raised the vine in his hand. If they didn't want to come out on their own, then let the vine invite them out.

"We'll walk by ourselves."

"Brother Airi, we didn't mean to..."

They pushed aside the bushes and came out at the same time, hoping the other could help them share the burden.