"Ah Hagrid, Apollo my most prized Abraxan has escaped," Madam Maxime wailed staring at the white horse as it flew off towards the Forbidden Forest with two screaming children atop of him.
"Fred and Hermione don't worry," he called loudly hoping the two children atop of the winged horse could hear him.
"Oh no, what have they done now, Professor McGonagall asked hurrying towards the half giant with Professor Dumbledore at her side.
"Minerva they are in the forest," Hagrid replied grimly.
"We had better go after them, all manner of beasts is in there and they'd happily eat two small children." Albus told them hurrying into the forest his wand at the ready.
Meanwhile inside the forest Apollo had landed next to a small pond, terrified that he might take flight again, Hermione and Fred had scaled down the tall horse and taking each other's hands had set off walking in the direction Hermione was certain they had come from.
"Are you sure we are going the right way," Fred asked his eyes scanning the dark trees worriedly. His older brothers had told tails of the forest at Hogwarts and the dangerous beasts that lived within it.
"I think so," she replied, clutching his hand tighter when they heard a scuttling in the trees.
"It's a rabbit," Fred told her pointing at the small fluffy creature that emerged from a small bush.
"Oh, it's so cute," she squealed rushing forward to pick up the small white creature.
"What should we name it," he asked her, reaching out one finger to stroke between its soft ears.
"How about Flopsy," she asked, Fred nodded in agreement, Flopsy was the perfect name for a bunny rabbit.
"Come on we should keep walking," he told her reaching out to grip onto her arm while she held their new pet securely with both hands. Together they walked taking in the sights and sounds of the forest, hopeful to see Hogwarts towers so that they'd know they were going the right way.
"I think were lost," Hermione whispered after a while, her lower lip trembling, Fred wrapped his arms around her trying to comfort her, but he too felt the same, Flopsy squeaked from where she was squished between their bodies.
"Children what are you doing in the forest, it isn't safe for humans so young to be here alone," a kind deep voice asked from behind them, both he and Hermione screamed turning to see a man with the body of a horse.
"You're a centaur," Fred whispered stepping in front of Hermione to try and keep her safe.
"You are not in danger from me, Centaurs do not harm children, my name is Firenze," the centaur spoke kindly holding his hand out to shake.
"Fred," he replied tentatively shaking the creature's hand.
"I'm Hermione and this is Flopsy," Hermione spoke stepping forward Flopsy held tightly to her chest.
"I believe we will meet again when you are older Hermione," The centaur spoke quietly to the girl with a knowing smile.
"Mr Firenze do you know how to get back to Hogwarts," she asked nervously.
"I do, you've managed to get very far from the castle, and it will be dark soon, climb onto my back and I will take you back to the school," the centaur spoke told them. Fred climbed up first and then reached down to pull Hermione and Flopsy up too.
"Hold on tightly," Firenze told them as he began to gallop in the direction they had come from.
"Hermione we were walking the wrong direction," Fred told her.
"Sorry," she squeaked her eyes closed in fright.
"Hermione, Fred," a familiar voice spoke when Firenze stopped.
"Oh, Mr Dumbledore I thought we'd never see you again," Hermione cried jumping off Firenze and running to hug the aged headmaster Flopsy still heled tightly in one arm. Fred Jumped down and hugged him too.
"I am relieved to see that you are both safe, thank you for finding them Firenze," the professor spoke calmly.
"The forest is dangerous for ones so young who do not progress all of their memories," The centaur spoke before turning and galloping back into the forest.
"Come along children, everyone will be worried about you, I see you have a new Friend Dumbledore spoke smiling down at the struggling white rabbit.
"This is Flopsy," Hermione told him as they each took one of his hands so that they could return to the school.
"Flopsy what a splendid name for a rabbit," the Headmaster chuckled.