A/N Hiya, chapter two is up, little Albus' story is on its way, read on and please
review!

Disclaimer - The plot and any unrecognised characters (i.e. Pannaby) belong to me, but Dumbledore belongs to JKRowling. Thank you!

Chapter Two - Fawtrow and Pannaby

The first light of the sun shone hazily through the tree's branches, and layered warmth upon the sleeping face of the young boy. He stirred slightly as a cool breeze fluttered through his hair, but it did not disturb his peaceful, fearless dreams in the slightest. Even though he was sleeping, even though he was not aware of where he was, or what he was doing, he looked safe upon the bed of leaves and flower petals. The aroma rising from the flowers scented his mind and relaxed his exhausted body, soothing him at last. As he slept soundly, he did not notice the two strange figures standing silently nearby.

The soft sound of hooves trotting over the dry leaves echoed around the trees, and between them stood an astonishing sight. The magnificent body of a palomino horse shone, smooth and beautiful in the morning sun; his tail gleaming a glossy, bright white. But where the neck and head of a horse should have been, the head and naked torso of a man stood.

Thick, silver blonde hair draped down his back, glinting enchantingly in the light. His skin was pale, and clear, and he had a muscular physique. He had very striking features; two, deep, very profound hazel eyes were set above a thin, very straight nose. His cheekbones were well pronounced and locks of blonde hair lay around his face, making him appear very majestic. Upon his handsome face, was clearly set the wisdom and strength of age.

There was no doubting the identity of this creature: he was a centaur. Half-man, half-horse, the centaurs were wiser than any man, and fairer than any woman. He stood, gracefully in the early sunlight, surveying the small child upon the ground. Beside him, stood another centaur; chestnut brown, and with dark hair and dark eyes; eyes that showed sadness through their shadowy depths. He too had the look of wisdom on his face.

The only noise between those trees was the spring birds, singing for the final arrival of their beloved season. Between the branches of the tall trees, you could make out a clear blue sky, free of clouds and full of sunshine. The two mysterious centaurs continued to gaze at the boy whom they had found wandering alone in the woods the night before. The dark centaur raised his elegant head and closed his eyes for a moment. He seemed to be in deep thought, as he did not move, except for the rise and fall of his chest. The palomino centaur looked at his companion and sighed.

"We were right to bring him here, Fawtrow." He spoke in a low, shrewd voice. His voice was calming, and soothing as though it spoke from the forest itself; speaking from the trees and the leaves and the birdsong.

The centaurs seemed very graceful in the way they moved through the forest; they treated it with a respect that only they and the forest could understand. They were a part of the forest, a part of its beauty and tranquillity, as was the forest a part of them. The dark centaur opened his dark, sorrowful eyes and returned his gaze to the boy. He still slept, he slept as though he had not slept in days, and he looked better for it; his pale face had lightened, and his cuts and scratches were not bleeding anymore. He looked peaceful, but still very tense, even as he slept; he had shivered in the night, even though he had been laden with warmth. The dark eyes rose to meet the blonde centaur.

"Yes, he would have frozen in the cold." He said, in a flat, sad voice. A slight breeze ruffled through the slivery blonde hair of the taller centaur. He raised his face to the breeze and closed his eyes; he breathed in the air caressing his skin and then let it flow back out.

"He is only a little one." The dark centaur continued, the breeze now flowing through his hair. He looked back at the young boy, sleeping sweetly on the bed they had made for him, and sighed deeply.

"Yet," the palomino centaur spoke with a more far away voice this time, still facing the breeze.

"We did not predict his coming. And no man should ever enter our Forest in these ages." A saddened expression came across the older centaurs face; his hazel eyes looked empty for a moment, as though recalling a memory from long ago.

"He is no man of which you speak, Pannaby." Fawtrow said in the same flat tone.

"He is no more than a child. We do not harm the innocent." He raised his eyes to the white centaur, Pannaby. Pannaby stamped his hooves angrily.

"I did not think of harming the boy!" he stated, looking enraged.

"But our Forest is no safe place for the man-child to stay; remember our laws, Fawtrow. Remember the others; they will not welcome him as we will! Their hearts are still hardened by the loss of Conatus and the Northern herd." Pannaby stared sadly at his friend, trying to see reason in the dark depths of his eyes.

"Too long has this feud lasted, my friend." Fawtrow said, in a gentle, wise voice, laying a chestnut haired hand on his quiver strap. He wrenched it apart and it fell with a soft clunk onto the floor. The delicately feathered arrow tails fluttered in the wind, but the detailed case lay motionless, after many uses. He took the well carved bow from his shoulder and let that fall upon the quiver. The weapons lay sadly upon the ground, to be used no more. Fawtrow stared at them for a moment, but then turned his head away.

"Too long has the blood of our race and wizard-kind been shed. It will end and by this boy it shall be so, for it is not our purpose to fight and die in an unworthy battle." His words were defiant but held the bitterness of the long, weary battle he had fought in. He took a few steps closer to the sleeping child, and sighed a deep, tiresome sigh.

"You are right of course." Said Pannaby. He opened his mouth to speak once more, but Fawtrow shot out an arm, silencing him.
They both watched as the little boy stirred upon the leaves, and then opened his bright blue eyes. For a moment, he blinked sleepily around at the trees and shielded his brow from the sunlight with a small arm. His thick, auburn hair glinted in the light and looked silky around his young face. He flinched as he lifted his left arm, and looked down to see a long cut lining his elbow; he laid his hand on the cut and soothed it gently. He made no noise but had the same quietness about him, the bareness and peacefulness together. It was only when he stood up that he noticed the two strange figures watching him.

He let out a short gasp, and his blue eyes widened. He stood very still, not daring to move. Pannaby smiled at the little boy standing alone in their forest.

"Do not be afraid, little one." He said softly, his voice soothing away the child's fears. Albus continued to stare at them, unblinking. He didn't seem afraid, just very shocked. The birds continued to sing, harmonising with the sweet sound of the morning.

"We will not hurt you." Albus softened a little, he liked these words; he did not want to be hurt anymore. Pannaby took a step forward, but the boy did not move away, he just stood, staring at him.

"Will you tell me your name, man-child?" Fawtrow asked, in his flat voice. Albus blushed and looked away. His father had always told people his name; he only knew his first name. But he could tell these centaurs his name, they were not armed, they did not look like they would harm him.

"Albus." He said, looking at the dark centaur, looking into his fathomless dark eyes. Fawtrow nodded and smiled wisely.

"That is a good name, Albus. But do you have another?" he studied Albus, and sensed a great deal of emptiness upon the boy. He took another step closer.

"They called my father Dumbledore. But he is dead now, and I never knew my last name." he spoke quietly and sadly of his father. For him, the grief of his father's death was still shadowing his steps, haunting his mind. Before either of the centaurs could speak again, Albus began.

"And you are centaurs of the forests." Both centaurs smiled and Pannaby laughed slightly.

"Indeed we are, Albus Dumbledore. My name is Pannaby and this is my friend Fawtrow. This is our forest." He spoke kindly to the child, and Albus felt warmer towards the strange creatures in front of him, as they spoke his name. Albus Dumbledore. He liked that. Then Fawtrow took a more serious tone.

"Last night I found you fleeing a man. I brought you here, you are safe now." A flicker of fear passed over the boy's face as he heard of the night's events. Albus felt a slight prickling at the corner of his eyes.

"Yes," he whispered. "Yes, I was running from him, he chased me and then I - I -" tears blossomed from his eyes as he cried silently, staring into space. Pannaby trotted forward and held the boy to his chest, letting him cry into his soft blonde hair. Albus felt warm and safe in the arms of this strange, but wonderful being.

"Hush, now, Albus, you will stay with us now. You will be safe." And with that, he lifted the boy up onto his back, and reared his hind legs. Albus put his arms around the soft furry chest and felt the smooth hair beneath his legs. Pannaby took a horn from around his neck and raising it to his lips; he blew three, sweet notes. Then, smiling at Fawtrow he said.

"Lets ride!" and with that, they galloped through the tree's, through the patches of sunlight and out of sight.

As they left, they did not notice what was strange upon the early morning sky; a single star shone brightly against the clear blue. The star did not look familiar, but new, and proud in the way it shone so brightly. The wind rushing through the trees slowed to a breeze and it sang with the birds in a sweet melody: a new star, a new life.

*

Well, that's chapter number two!! I really hope you liked it, please review! I would really appreciate it!!

Thanks to all my reviews for chapter one!!

Amandela - Thanks very much, I know, I hate cliff-hangers too, but its great writing
them!! : ) keep reading!!

makaro1- Thanks very much, and yes I am going to keep writing!! *never fear*

Noura - I totally agree with you, Dumbledore is a great guy, and I'm really glad you
like my style :) and don't worry - he'll have a growth spurt!!

Athena Hermmie - Thanks very much, keep reading!! : )

ping*pong - OK, how many times did you review my story?! lol.thanks very much,
and, yes, I'm pretty sure I know where I'm going!! Thanks again and
keep reading!!

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I'm glad you like it, keep reading chum!!

Thanks everyone!! Keep reading!!

helma
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