The week had flown by in a blur of classes, laughter, and quiet evenings spent in the warmth of the Hufflepuff common room. It was a Saturday morning when Iris, sitting at breakfast with stars in her eyes, said something that sparked a whole new adventure.
"I read that there are unicorns in the Forbidden Forest," she said, buttering her toast with wide-eyed wonder. "Real unicorns. Do you think we'll ever get to see one?"
Hadrian lowered his goblet of pumpkin juice and raised an eyebrow. "You want to go into the Forbidden Forest?"
"I want to see unicorns," she said with exaggerated patience, then added in a conspiratorial whisper, "I think we should talk to that big guy, Hagrid."
Dora snorted softly. "Why am I not surprised?"
Hadrian grinned. "You're both insane. I like it. Let's go after breakfast."
Later, at Hagrid's Hut
The walk to the gamekeeper's hut was brisk and chilly, the scent of pine in the air and damp grass underfoot. The half-giant's wooden home stood cozy at the edge of the forest, smoke puffing from the chimney like a sleepy dragon.
Hadrian knocked once.
A low thud and the sound of scrambling inside preceded the door swinging open to reveal Hagrid, broad as ever, in a patchy coat and a proud bushy beard.
"Wotcher! 'Bout time someone came visitin'," he said cheerfully, eyes twinkling. "You must be… well I'll be — you're the Potter twins, aren't yeh?"
Iris blinked. "You know who we are?"
Hagrid chuckled, eyes softening. "Knew yer mum an' dad, I did. Lily used ter charm the lilies around the castle for fun, and James—well, he was a menace on a broom but with a heart o' gold. Blimey, yeh both got bits of 'em in yer faces."
The siblings exchanged a look. Hadrian instinctively ran a hand through his currently Lily red hair. Hagrid chuckled again.
"So what brings yeh lot to my little corner o' the world?"
Iris brightened. "We want to see unicorns!"
At that, Hagrid scratched his beard thoughtfully. "Mmm… not somethin' we usually show first-years, but unicorns do love a kind heart. And I reckon I can make an exception."
He held up a massive finger. "But yeh need to know — unicorns don't like the presence of men. If a male gets too close, they shy away, sometimes even bolt. That means you, Hadrian."
Hadrian, who had been casually leaning against the fence, looked thoughtful. "I might have a workaround," he said cryptically.
That Afternoon – Forest Edge
The trio met Hagrid at the forest's edge, just past the pumpkin patch. Dora and Iris were buzzing with excitement, while Hadrian looked suspiciously calm.
"Ready?" Hagrid asked.
"Yep!" chirped Iris.
"Absolutely," Dora said.
Hadrian gave a casual shrug. "Let's see what the forest thinks of us."
As they entered the trees, the dappled light filtered through the canopy in gentle shafts. The deeper they went, the quieter it got, the ground turning soft with moss and leaf litter.
After a short walk, Hagrid slowed and pointed. "There — near the clearing."
They peered through the branches to see them: three unicorns, ethereal and ghostly white, grazing in silence, manes glinting with a silver sheen. Iris gasped, and even Dora stilled in awe.
But as Hadrian took a step forward, the nearest unicorn lifted its head and took a cautious step back.
"Hang on," Hadrian muttered.
In one fluid motion, he closed his eyes, concentrated, and shifted — his features softened, frame slimmed, and his hair flowed into a glossy wave. A mirror of Iris, yet subtly distinct. His clothes altered just enough to be ambiguous.
The change was seamless. And immediate.
Iris blinked. "You're me again!"
"Just enough," he said with a grin. "Let's see if they buy it."
And they did.
The unicorns didn't so much as flinch. One even stepped forward, cautiously nosing Iris's hand, and after a hesitant sniff, it did the same to Hadrian. Both girls? laughed, delighted, and Dora stood to the side, arms crossed but smiling in quiet amusement.
Hagrid just shook his head, awed. "Never seen that before. Yer somethin' else, you three."
They stayed for a long while, the unicorns content to share space with them, the forest filled with quiet magic.
As the sun began to set, they turned back toward the castle, hearts light and spirits full.
And though he never said it out loud, Hadrian felt it — this, right here, was why he made the changes. For quiet joy, for magical moments, for Iris and Dora.