"You will come with us." The black centaur said coolly.
"Agreed." I squeaked, watching his finger, holding the trigger delicately.
"Follow me." Said the blond. "And don't try to do anything foolish, we will not hesitate to shoot."
"I swear I will not try to be foolish." But if I do something stupid I probably didn't mean to.
The blond walked ahead of me at a considerable pace. The other two centaurs walked behind me, aiming their weapons at me and speaking in an undertone. I crossed my arms protectively over my chest and followed the centaur. I tripped once on a rock but righted myself at once, looking back to make sure the centaurs weren't preparing to shoot.
"Keep moving." Ordered the black-haired one.
I nodded and scurried to regain what time I had lost. The blond centaur led us into a small clearing. I was amazed at the structures that had been built. Along the trees thatched roofs had been built and walls had been procured but no house had a door really. In between every wall were possessions such as weapons and blankets. Female centaurs were watching the foals outside of the houses. Not that they could really be called houses. Baby centaurs were inside with their mothers, learning to walk. Baby from the waist up and foal body. It was an extremely odd combination.
One mother was humming to a sleeping infant lying on a soft blanket. I felt incomplete with only two legs among a four-legged culture.
"Bane!" Shouted the blond. "We have a human!"
Another centaur with dark eyes galloped out from the woods and into the clearing.
"Shall we kill her?" Asked the blond. "Or is she foal enough?"
"She is on the brink of adulthood, but she is indeed a foal." Bane squinted at me. "What clothes are these?"
Everyone in the clearing was watching me now, whispering quietly. I was the only person with clothes. Would they take them from me?
"Er… they're a little dirty, I know, but… I do have a reason. I just washed up from the sea and…."
"No, I did not ask why they were dirty. I asked what kind of clothes they were."
"These are called blue jeans and this is called an undershirt."
"Where is the over shirt?" Bane asked.
"The usual shirt, you mean? I took it off because it was too shredded to bother with."
"I have never seen men wear these clothes before." He said suspiciously.
"O- Oh? Do you see humans often?" I asked politely.
He sneered. "I try not to."
"So, you don't like humans. I see." I bit my lip. "Is this your forest? I'm really sorry, I got lost in it… I'm just trying to find… someone… who…might help me." I blushed.
"Where is your herd?"
"My what?" I said dumbly.
"Your family." Said the blond.
"They… they're dead now. They died in an airplane crash." They were frowning. "An airplane is…."
Bane cut me off. "We know perfectly well what an airplane is. Why didn't they use their wands to free themselves like the rest of you men do?"
"Wands? What wands?"
There was a gasp.
"She's a muggle!" Said a female centaur.
"How did you survive?" Asked Bane.
"I'm not really sure." I admitted. "I just sort of… floated down."
"Ah, muggle-born." Said the female centaur who had spoken before. "You are a witch."
At this point I was ready to believe anything.
"That is how you are still alive. Let me take her to the school, Bane." The female said.
"Not you, Vimélana." Bane said sternly. "You have important duties here. Where is Firenze?"
"Right here, sir." A centaur with white-blond hair rode into the clearing. "I shall take her to Hogwarts at once."
"Has the year even started yet?" Asked another centaur.
"No, but some of the teachers are there already. They can help her." Bane looked meaningfully at Firenze. "Return as soon as you get here there. No dilly-dallying."
"Of course sir." He looked at me with pale blue eyes. "Come, let us go." And he walked ahead of me. I ran to catch up to him and we left the clearing behind.
He didn't speak at all until we were a good distance from the clearing. "What is your name?"
"Favian." I said, shocked that he cared.
"Favian, that's a nice name. Your accent is not from here, or England. Where are you from?"
"America."
"Oh? Was your herd coming to Britain?"
"Yes." I nodded. Then I asked, "Do you hate humans too?"
"No." Firenze blinked slowly. "I do not."
"Oh good." I felt filled with relief.
"Is this your first time in the Forbidden Forest?"
"Yes. I've never even been in the country before."
"They call it Scotland now."
"Oh." I could hear his brogue, I just hadn't thought about it. "That was my first encounter with centaurs."
Firenze sighed. "I apologize."
"It's not your fault."
"I'm glad you feel that way."
"Is it your fault?" I asked.
"No."
I was perplexed.
"The reason that Bane detests humans is because of the actions of a few. He holds your entire race accountable."
I didn't ask what these actions were. "That's sad."
"Yes it is. Come; let's make better time to Hogwarts. Get on my back if you will."
I hesitantly straddled him. I held onto his bare shoulders as he began to gallop. I kept my head down because of low branches. I didn't want to be knocked off. Minutes later we had reached the other end of the forest. I got off of Firenze's back.
"Thank you." I said sincerely.
"It was my pleasure, Favian. Hagrid is not home so do not try the hut."
"Oh okay."
"Head straight to the castle and knock on the door three times. It will open and you will probably be able to find a teacher. I wish you luck, Favian." And he galloped away.
I was left at the edge of the forest. A few feet more and I was behind a tiny hut. I wanted to run to the door and have someone take me in, but I knew that Hagrid, whoever this person was, wasn't home. There was a garden full of weeds that looked edible to me. But everything looked edible to me; I was utterly starving.
Etched against the darkening sky was an enormous castle.
"Hogwarts." I voiced. I felt so alone.
Slowly I traipsed up to the castle, passing a large, intimidating tree that almost looked capable of harm. I steered clear of it, even though I knew I was being silly. I finally reached what appeared to be the entrance. The stairway was guarded by two stone pigs with wings. Not very fearsome, but whatever floats whoever's boat…. I went up the stairs more quickly than I had approached the castle. I raised a trembling fist to knock on the great oak door.
Once.
Twice.
A third time.
And the door opened.
"Hello?" My voice echoed in the empty hallway. I thought I heard whispering, but all I could see were paintings and a few torches. At least I knew somebody was there. "Um, I'm really sorry to barge in like this, but I… I've just lost my way." I was going to say parents but my throat constricted and my eyes welled with tears. Losing my parents was like having a constant heartache, knowing that I would never see them again. At least I had been able to tell them I loved them.
I could've sworn I had seen a painting move, but when I turned to look the woman in the portrait was still leaning on her frilly umbrella. And then she winked at me. I blinked rapidly. She was smiling the same as before. I must've been really tired. But why not moving paintings? This was a different world, full of magic and human-hating centaurs.
"Did- did you just move?" I asked in a shaking voice.
"Why, yes I did!" She straightened up and laughed. Her red hair was in ringlets around her neck but most was put up in a bun. She tossed her umbrella to rest upon her shoulder. "And did you just speak?"
"I… I guess so."
"Amazing!" She continued to laugh.
"Abigail! Stop teasing the poor girl! Can't you see she's been through the mill?" A portly man said from another portrait. He wore a long black robe and a crinkly smile. "Hello, are you lost then?"
"Yes and no." I admitted. "I know I'm in Scotland now in a place called Hogwarts but that's all."
"Look at the state of her attire, Mendague! She's in dire need of a bath and clean clothes!"
"Abigail, she's suffered enough without your teasing her."
"I'm not! I'm looking out for the lass's welfare, you old coot. I'll be back." And she ran from the painting, pink skirts flying behind her. She reappeared in another painting, stopping only to say excuse me before running to the next.
Dazed, I stood in the middle of the room, unsure of where to go or what to do.
"First time to Hogwarts?" Mendague asked delicately.
I nodded vaguely.
"You don't look like a first year. You look like you're fifteen at least."
"I am."
"Did you come from an American school then? Which one? Red and White Rosebuds? Salem's Sorcery? King George's Academy?"
"I went to Horseheads High School." I said.
"Never heard of it! Must be new! Who was the headmaster?"
"Do you mean principal?"
"No… I… Oh dear." Mendague speculated for a moment. "Are… are you a muggle then?"
"According to the centaurs I'm muggle-born, whatever that means." I put a hand to my forehead. I leaned against the wall and slid to the floor.
"I didn't think you could be a muggle, not if you got in here." Mendague got back his cheerful demeanor. "So this must all be a shock for you then! What do your parents think?"
I didn't say anything. My arm was still bruised from where my mother had squeezed it the night before. I didn't want the bruises to heal; they were the last reminder I had of her.
"Where are your parents?" He persisted.
"I don't know." I whispered.
"They lost you?"
"I lost them."
"You'll find them soon enough. Professor Dumbledore of McGonagall will help you. Just you wait."
He was wrong, of course. I didn't counter him; I couldn't bring myself to say it again.
"Ah! If I'm not very much mistaken, here they come now!"
There was a sound of approaching footsteps, clattering through the hallway. I drew a shuddering breath, wondering what creatures would confront me.
"Professors! Pleasure to see you!" Said Mendague happily.
"Who is this?" Asked a rather severe-looking woman. Her hair was drawn back in a tight bun and her lips were pursed. When she looked at my eyes, which must've been filled with tears again, her expression softened.
"Well, well, I suppose we should feed this girl." An old man with twinkling blue eyes and half-moon spectacles smiled warmly at me. His beard was long and white and could've wrapped around his head a few times if he ever cared to try. They both wore long cloaks and pointy hats. I felt like I was at a very serious Halloween party.
"What is your name?" Asked the woman.
"F-Favian." I closed my eyes for a moment and breathed deeply. "Favian Clark."
"Well, Ms. Clark, what is it that brought you to Hogwarts?" The woman continued.
"Minerva," the old man said quietly, "let's get her fed before she has to go into that. I can see it is not a happy tale she has to tell and what worse way to tell it than on an empty stomach?" He reached a hand down and I took it. He helped me to my feet. "Come, Favian, let's get you to the kitchens."