Okay, maybe the last chappie was weird and made no sense, but hopefully, this will make more sense!
If you're sitting there, reading this like, okay, a centaur at Hogwarts...whatever...
Don't worry! All will be revealed in due time...ooooh! boogedy boogedy boogedy!
Chapter 1
Hermione Granger hurried along to her sixth year classes. She was happy with her classes this year. She was heading to Charms, one of her favorite classes that she excelled in (though she excelled in all of her classes!) and was holding several books. She walked in the classroom and quickly found a seat, setting her books down. Just as she was about to sit down, Professor Flitwick called her over. Curious, wondering what in the world it could possibly be, she sighed and walked up to him.
"Ah, Miss Granger! Professor Mc Gonagall wishes to see you!"
"Oh. Well. Alright. Thank you Professor Flitwick! Right now?"
"Yes! Absolutely! At once!"
"Alright."
"You may leave your books here!" The funny little man said, notioning to Hermione's books with his wand.
"Thank you sir." She said, and hurried from the class room.
Minerva Mc Gonagall sat at her desk, looking across at the nervous young centaur, standing there. She smiled at how they had managed to make her a Hogwarts robe that fit the child's whole body.
"It's very nice to have another Gryffindor." The Professor said. "Especially one so...unusual. You musn't be afraid. The students at Hogwarts are very friendly. Most of the time anyway..." She said, thinking of Draco Malfoy. Though she could not help but feel an element of pity for the boy; what an embarrassment to have Lucius Malfoy, a Death Eater, as a father!
She turned her attention back to the fidgeting young centaur girl. "You'll fit right in!" Professor Mc Gonagall said smiling, forcing confidence into the smile. "Ah, Cinder was it?"
Cider laughed. "No. Cider."
"But you want to be called Cinder? Or was it Cindy?"
"No. No. Ah, just Cider." She smiled at the teacher.
"Ah, Cider. Sorry." The professor smiled self mockingly. "I do forget now and then."
"It's quite alright."
They sat, or in Cindy's case, stood, in akward silence.
"You will be the first centaur child at this school." Mac Gonagall said gently.
Cider sighed as she was reminded of that enormous fact. She felt nervous every time she thought of stepping in a classroom.
Minerva could see that she had not helped the girl's anxiety. She cleared her throat and tried to make conversation.
"I understand the Sorting Hat had a problem of where to place you?"
"Y-yes, actually. It...wanted to put me in...oh...what's it called...it starts with an R..."
"Ravenclaw?" Minerva said, surprised.
"Yes! That was it. But it said I'd be most useful in Gryffindor..."
"Useful? What a strange thing for it to say..." Minerva said, wondering. "Well. You should take it as a compliment if the sorting hat thinks you're useful! Though I'd think it would put you in Hufflepuff if you're a hard worker..."
Cider shrugged and Minerva smiled. "Well you'll do fine in Gryffindor, I'm sure of it!"
Just then, Hermione Granger came in.
"Ah! There we are! Miss Granger!" The Professor stood and walked around her desk and over to Hermione, who was staring at Cider as if she was lime green. She seemed to sense rather quickly that she was being rude and smiled at her.
"Miss Granger, I called you here to show our newest student around! Since you're doing so well in your classes, and you are a Prefect, I thought I would have you show her to her classes, and the Gryffindor dorms, where she will be staying! And, I would also like you to help her, as she is just starting out, but we can't put her in first years because she's much too old for that level! So I'd like you to try and help her catch up! I will help you as much as needed!"
"Oh! Well...alright! Come with me, ah, what's her name?"
"Cinder!"
"No." Cider said. Minerva stared a moment, blankly. Then she laughed.
"Oh! Yes, I'm so sorry dear! Cindy?"
"No. Cider."
"Ah, yes. Sorry dear, terribly sorry."
"Oh, it's alright!"
"Well show Cider around, Miss Granger. Oh, and Cider, this is Hermione Granger."
"Oh, hello Hermione." Cider said shyly.
Hermione smiled, a little excited at meeting a centaur. And learning that she would be coming to Hogwarts. Staying at Hogwarts.
She must be the first centaur ever to come to Hogwarts!
"Well, come on Cider! I'll show you around! Do you have your schedule?"
"Y-yes! Here!" Cider handed it to her.
Hermione peered at it, as she slowly walked out of Professor Mac Gonagall's office. Cider followed her out into the wide, open hall as well, and Professor Mac Gonagall gently closed the door behind them.
"Have a good day, Cinder!" The Professor called merrily. "I hope you like your classes here, dear!"
"Oh, it's-" The door shut. "Cider..."
Hermione giggled. Cider blushed.
"Oh, I'm sorry Cider! I'm not laughing at you."
"Oh, it's alright. Trust me. It's fine." Cider said, smiling. She decided she rather liked Hermione, whom she found very nice and polite. Most of the Hogwarts staff had been friendly so far, though many had stared at her as she walked through the halls in her Hogwarts robe.
They neared a classroom.
"Alright." Hermione said, peering at the schedule. "First you'll have this class...Magic History... It's not too bad. A lot of notes, but you don't really have to do anything in it. Next...ooh...you poor thing..."
"What?" Cider said nervously.
"Potions...with Professor Snape..." Hermione winced.
"What? What's wrong?"
"Oh, nothing, just...Snape is...grumpy I guess...I don't know..." She muttered as an afterthought. "He's always hated Harry."
Cider stared. "Do you mean Harry Potter, Harry? As in, the Boy Who Lived Harry?"
Hermione laughed. "Yes. That Harry. Though I don't think he'd want you to mention that to him. He's kind of...tired of it I guess..." She looked sad.
"Oh. Alright."
"Then you have..." Hermione kept walking. "Ah!" she smiled. "Hagrid! Care of Magical Creatures. These are a lot of first level classes! You'll have a lot of catching up to do!"
Cider groaned. "Hmm..." Hermione said. "You even have Broom Practice!"
"But I can't fly a broom!" Cider cried, giggling a little at the ridiculous idea of herself on a broom.
"Well, who says you can't?" Hermione said.
"Well, I mean, I'm a centaur! I'd probably fall off!"
"Well, if this is on here, then Dumbledore obviously thinks you can..." Hermione said gently.
Cider was silent a while as she thought over that. The idea that Dumbledore really thought she could do it made it seem possible. She looked up, out one of the windows on the hall.
"I've always wondered what flying would be like." She murmured softly.
Hermione smiled. "Well, now you will! I'll help you with everything! Don't worry. You'll do fine!" Hermione smiled, and to the young centaur's surprise, grabbed her hand, and pulled her along quickly down the hall.
Cider giggled. "Where in the world are we going?"
"To Gryffindor common rooms! We've got to see your room!" Hermione said, laughing too.
They ran down the halls, both grinning, to the Gryffindor common rooms.
Hope you liked that! Now REVIEW! Pleeeeaaaase?
