Warrior of Fury

A/N: This is a story that was originally written by Prustan, who, via PM, allowed me to adopt it. I have been sitting on this for almost a year, and decided to finally give it a go. I hope I do it justice.

DISCLAIMER: Talk to my lawyers! Just kidding. Chapter one and the original idea belong to the BRILLIANT Prustan.

SUMMARY: Warrior of the Light, four will seek to unite with your glory, The Scholar, The Seer, The Traitor's Kin, and The Warrior of Fury. Beware and watch carefully, lest the Traitor make your choice for you. Should you choose the Traitor's Kin, beware. The darkness will be much stronger, and victory will not be certain. The stars have named the strongest of the many that will fall... The Innocent, The Wolf, The Wolf's Mate, The Wise Fool, and The Artist. Choose wisely, and you may defeat the Darkness before it forms. Choose foolishly, and you will fall into darkness yourself.

Chapter One: A Message From The Stars

Hogwarts was sleeping fitfully, as she had since her Headmaster had ordered her to sleep fourteen years ago, after she had expressed her disapproval of Professor Snape. Lately however, her dreams had taken a much darker turn, as if she sensed the danger to the students that lived within her usually welcoming walls. At each mental twitch, something strange happened-a staircase moved, the enchanted lights dimmed, doors shifted, portraits jumped, or something banged down in the kitchens and startled some of the house elves. It had happened so often that the humans took no notice of it anymore and just assumed it was some byproduct of the high levels of ambient magic.

Out in the Forbidden Forest, the centaurs were watching the night sky, looking for new signs and portents. One particular configuration shocked them all with both clarity of the message and the order to reveal it to one wizard. Harry Potter.

Amongst the hushed whispers throughout the herd, one question kept getting asked-who was going to tell the wizard and when? Firenze thought back to the time he had briefly met the boy three years ago, and raised his voice.

"I would like to tell the Warrior of the Light the message from the stars. Would anyone like to accompany me?"

There was an indignant snort from a black stallion named Bane.

"What makes you think you are worthy to deliver such a message, Firenze?" he sneered.

"You would only let him ride you again, like some common horse, and completely forget the mission. No. Let me tell the whelp."

Another interruption, this time from a laughing palomino mare.

"You would tell him, Bane? No. He would insult you out of ignorance and you would attack him. I would be a much better choice for this honor."

"ENOUGH!" roared Magorian, the leader of the herd.

"All three of you will go. Layla, I expect you to kick Firenze if he wanders off topic or Bane if he takes offence to any unintended insult. Now, when will you tell him?"

"Tomorrow when the children come to feed Hagrid's latest abomination," Firenze answered quickly.

"Good," Magorian said.

"Be sure that you tell him the message from the stars. Nothing more. Nothing less."

The day had dawned bright and clear, and the students had eaten breakfast and filled the halls on their way to their various classes. Harry Potter was on his way to Care of Magical Creatures with his friends Hermione Granger and Ronald Weasley.

"So, any ideas on what horribly dangerous creatures Hagrid is going to show us today?" Ron asked.

"No, mate," Harry replied.

"I just hope it isn't worse than those Blast Ended Skrewts he had last time."

Hermione merely snorted. Knowing Hagrid, it would be much worse.

"Come on you two. You know how he gets if we are late."

"Yes, Hermione," the two boys chorused as they continued walking.

~oooOooo~

The trio made it to Hagrid's Hut with plenty of time to spare and chatted with the beaming half-giant while they waited for the rest of the class. Soon enough the class was assembled and waiting with some apprehension as to what Hagrid was going to show them today. Before he could start however, they all heard a rustling of leaves from the forest and turned to see three centaurs emerge.

They approached the class but stopped before any of the students could get nervous. The mare took a step forward.

"Peace. We bring a message from the stars to Harry Potter. May we speak with him alone?"

Hagrid motioned Harry forward.

"Don' worry 'Arry. Centaurs are right honourable they are. Consider it the highest of crimes to harm children. You'll be fine. Prob'ly won' understand what they're tellin' you though."

Harry smiled nervously and followed the centaurs away from the others-still within sight of the class, but far enough away that their conversation could not be overheard.

"Greetings Firenze. Bane. An honour to see you again," he said, deciding to be polite.

"May I have the privilege of your name, Madame?" he asked the mare.

"I am Layla," she replied, looking surprised.

"Harry Potter, Warrior of the Light, we come bearing a message for you. This message is the clearest message the stars have ever given, and this is the first time we have been told by the stars to give their knowledge to a non-centaur. This message consists of one main prophecy, and two warnings."

Firenze spoke next.

"Warrior of the Light, four lights will seek to unite with your glory, The Scholar, The Seer, The Traitor's Kin, and The Warrior of Fury. Each will love you, and each will bring skills and abilities to help you against the coming darkness. You must choose which one you will unite with, and thus choose the power of the dark and the course of the fight to defeat it. Choose carefully, and listen to the guidance of the stars."

"The stars give you this first warning," spoke Bane, his voice a dissatisfied rumble.

"Beware and watch carefully, lest the Traitor make your choice for you. He seeks to steal The Scholar for himself, and bind you to his Kin against your will."

Layla spoke again.

"The stars give you this second warning. Should you choose the Traitor's Kin, beware. The darkness will be much stronger, and victory will not be certain. Even should you defeat this coming darkness, those fallen will leave the Light weak, and vulnerable to the Darkness that will arise after. The stars have named the strongest of the many that will fall, should you take this path. The Innocent, The Wolf, The Wolf's Mate, The Wise Fool, and The Artist. Choose wisely, and you may defeat the Darkness before it forms. Choose foolishly, and you will fall into darkness yourself."

Harry stood quietly for a moment, taking in what he had been told before he spoke again.

"Who should I tell about what you have said, so that I may receive advice on how to proceed? And do the stars give any further clues about the identities of the four lights?"

Bane gave a snort.

"Tell no one, at least until you know who the traitor is and have properly dealt with him. That way, the dark forces won't know what the stars have revealed."

"If you must tell someone, do not tell a male," Firenze added.

"And you already know three of the Lights. The Warrior of Fury will soon be revealed, but be sure to befriend her when she is. She will be in pain and-OW!"

Firenze stopped talking with a swift kick from Layla.

"Think very carefully about what you have been told today Harry Potter. Your choice will seal the fates of many, including your own," she said before bowing to the wizard and turning away.

Harry watched the three retreat into the forest, his head spinning from what he had just been told.

'As if I didn't have enough to worry about,' he thought as he returned to class.

'I didn't need to be told that my choice of friends would determine whether or not loads of people live or die."