[HPforGrownups] Re: Unicorn horns

[Taryn Kimel]

No: HPFGUIDX 90570

Sylvia:
> I may have just imagined it, as I can't find the reference, but I 
> have a feeling that unicorn horns were used for something or other 
> (potions, possibly).  Perhaps I'm confusing it with unicorn hairs 
> being used in wands, together with things like dragon's heart-
> strings. Do unicorns shed their horns or would there be any way of 
> obtaining a horn without killing the creature, which would be 
> unthinkable. I'm probably going off on a completely wild-goose chase 
> here but it's worrying me a bit. Can anyone help?

Entropy:
Don't know if this is what you're looking for, but:

Book 1, The Forbidden Forest (pg. 258 US ed.)

"Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"
"No," said Harry, startled by the odd question. "We've only used the
horn and tail hair in Potions."
"That is because it is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn," said
Firenze.

Taryn:
Also, if you'd like another reference...

While Hagrid asked the man behind the counter for a supply of some basic potion ingredients for Harry, Harry himself examined silver unicorn horns at twenty-one Galleons each and miniscule, glitter-black beetle eyes (five Knuts a scoop). [PS/SS, American paperback, pg. 81]

So we do know that, however they get them, they /are/ available whole. I'd very much doubt they would kill the unicorns expressly for the horns, which I'm positive would be illegal, and in the quote I gave Harry and Hagrid were in a perfectly respectable Apothecary shop in Diagon Alley. A good question, at any rate.

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Taryn : http://taryn.shirataki.net

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