House: Gryffindor
Position: Prefect 2 stand-in
Category: Drabble
Prompt: Professor Firenze
Word Count: 491 words, excluding header, author notes, and title
Beta: Lumi, Tiggs, and CK
A/N: This was written for The Houses Competition, Y2R6.
Mars is Bright
Firenze was by the lake, his students sitting cross-legged, staring at him while he pointed out the positions of the planets and constellations in the sky. His other hand was against his forehead blocking the sun from his bright blue eyes.
Firenze preferred to hold his classes outside. He liked feeling the wind blow through his hair and being under the open sky without a roof blocking the sun's rays from soaking into his skin. It was harder to see the planets, but he could point out their directions so students would have a general idea when they did their homework later.
"There," he said pointing over the lake, "that is Aquila and there," he said turning slightly to the left, "is…" He narrowed his eyes in disbelief. "Mars," he finished quietly. "Class dismissed!" he cried before galloping off towards the Forbidden Forest, the students staring after him in disbelief as they watched him fade from view.
He galloped through the forest, the branches tangling in his long, golden hair, before stopping suddenly at an archway.
"May I enter?" he shouted into the shadows.
"You are no longer welcome here," a voice hissed back.
Bodies began to emerge from the shadows, tails swishing in agitation. A herd of centaurs blocked Firenze's path from allowing further entry into their village. Eyes were narrowed in anger and a few faces stared at him with raised eyebrows. Firenze stood up taller before continuing to address the crowd.
"I know I am no longer wanted but I come to give a warning."
"Speak then, exiled one, only then will we determine if you can cross the threshold."
"Mars!" he cried, "Mars is bright tonight!"
"Do you think you are the only one who turns to see the sky?" an elder Centaur asked. "We are always aware of how the planets align. Has it been so long since you have departed the herd that you no longer remember our ways?"
A few centaurs chuckled but Firenze would not be deterred.
"Of course not, but last time you did not heed its warning and our forest was disturbed."
"Our forest, is no longer your concern. You choose this fate when you allowed yourself to be disgraced and ridden by a human!" The elder centaur shouted at him.
Firenze's eyes scanned the group looking for a friend in the crowd of foes. The crowd of angry creatures that were once his family turned on him, heckling him to leave. His eyes clashed with bright green eyes.
"Brother!" He pleaded at the face, "Please?"
The blonde-haired creature just shook his head at him and turned away.
"Fine." Firenze admonished, "Just remember even if you do not stand up and fight, he will turn to destroy us next."
With that ominous admission hanging in the air, he galloped back towards the school determined he would fight against the evils that were coming, for his family, even if they would not.