Chapter Three: Promises of the Future
Dumbledore nodded and grinned down at her. "You know where to find me, Miss Sage. Do not be afraid to seek my counsel."
"I shall keep that in mind, Sir. Thank you."
He nodded once more and walked away. Adara closed the door and crossed her room to the large window. She looked down upon the grounds, then out over the Forbidden Forest. She had almost forgotten how beautiful it was. She remembered her first time ever being there and smiled to herself.
The green grass, the dense trees. It was all so lovely there. The centaurs were great company and the unicorns were her friends. She wondered for a moment how they were doing, then decided to pay them a visit when her day was done.
She checked the time and walked to the door. The next class would be starting shortly and she did not want to be late. The following class caused her to go to the owlry to retrieve the feather of an eagle owl. She did as asked and brought it back to the Professor.
Graft constantly cast her quizzical looks throughout the day. Adara had no doubts that the Professor was very curious over what had happened earlier, but she did not speak a word of it. She preferred to avoid the topic entirely, if at all possible. The students followed their instructions, and Adara made her way around the desks, occasionally helping them when needed. Defense Against the Dark Arts had always been her best and favourite subject.
When the day's classes were done, Adara quickly scurried out of the room and back to her chambers. She grabbed a light cloak and went down to the Great Hall for supper. Dumbledore looked up when she seated herself and smiled brightly.
"How did you enjoy your first day back, my dear?"
"It was quite enjoyable, Sir, thank you."
He glanced at her cloak and his eyes glittered knowingly. "Planning to pay a visit to some old friends?"
Adara grinned back and nodded. "Indeed I am, if that is alright."
"Of course, of course. I know better than to think you'd remain within the castle walls," he chuckled.
"It's difficult for one such as I to stay put for long." She smiled back and began eating her dinner. When the feast ended, she took up her cloak and went out onto the grounds. She breathed the air deeply and beamed. The night was cooler than usual, but that didn't affect her the way it did most. Hardly anything did. Adara looked off in the distance at an old, beat up shack near the edge of the woods. She didn't have to think of where she wanted to go, her feet simply took her there. When she arrived at the cottage, she raised one delicate hand and knocked lightly.
"Comin', comin'," called a hearty voice from inside. The door swung open and there stood a startled giant of a man with a bushy black beard and kind eyes. "Well looky here." He grinned broadly down at her. "What brings yeh back to Hogwarts, Adara?"
"Greetings, Hagrid. It's been a long time. I thought I should say hello while I was out. Is there room inside for old friends?"
"O' course! Come on in." Hagrid's face brightened as he stepped aside to allow her passage.
Adara swept into the small house and immediately payed homage to Fang, Hagrid's large boarhound. "Still afraid of the dark, my furry friend?" she laughed softly.
"Tha' he is," Hagrid chuckled. "It seems he missed yeh."
Fang's paws rested on Adara's shoulders as he stood on his hind legs to lick her face. Adara couldn't help but chuckle at the affectionate animal. "I'm glad to see you too." She patted the dog's head lightly and he dropped back to the floor. Adara seated herself on a comfy old chair with Fang at her feet.
"How long's it been?" Hagrid smiled and took a seat across from her. "Four years? Five maybe? Where yeh been all this time?"
"Beauxbatons, my friend. The Headmaster thought it would be better for me there. He was right, to an extent. It felt more like home, but I missed the Professors and students greatly. And even a certain gentle giant." She smiled warmly at Hagrid who blushed faintly beneath the beard.
"Yah, well, yeh been missed here too."
"I can tell," she laughed and stroked Fang's fur again.
"Dear me, where're meh manners? Yeh want some tea?"
"That would be lovely, thank you."
Hagrid instantly rose and put a kettle in the hearth to boil. "So what brings yeh back?"
Adara continued petting Fang, much to his delight, as she spoke to her old friend. "I received a letter from Professor Dumbledore asking me to return and assist the new Defense Professor."
"Did it take yeh long to get here?"
"Not really. Had I left a bit sooner I would not have missed the Sorting ceremony though."
"Tha's good. Glad yeh could make it." He walked over to the kettle and took it out of the fire with an old rag. He set about making tea for them both and handed a cup to Adara.
She smiled and thanked him then sat back to enjoy the company. They chatted back and forth about what had happened in the past five years. He told her about how he'd become the Care of Magical Creatures Professor, about Harry, Ron and Hermione's adventures, the Tri-Wizard Tournament that had taken place and many other things. However, out of all the things he'd told her, one in particular made her stop and stare. Not with joy or pride, but with fear and anger.
"He's returned? How is that possible?"
"I dunno. But he's back jus' the same. Take care, Adara. I'll bet he's after blood, more now than ever."
She nodded and finished her tea. "Then it's a good thing the Headmaster called me back when he did. Has there been any news?"
Hagrid shook his bushy head and looked down at his own empty cup. "'Fraid not. Professor Dumbledore dun talk 'bout it much. I'm sure he's busy makin' the right prep'rations, though."
"I'm certain he is, Hagrid." Adara stood and nodded to her old friend. "I should be on my way, but I will be sure to speak with the Headmaster about this. If Voldemort has risen into power again, my services will likely be called upon. Do take care, old friend, and keep safe."
"You too, Adara, you too."
Adara walked in silence to the forest. Much was now on her mind. 'How is it possible that I did not sense him? Has he found a way to shield himself from me?' Fire burned in her veins as she walked through the trees. Her hatred for Voldemort ran deeper than any other's. Many had lost friends and loved ones to that creature, but she had lost everything, everyone. Only Adara remained in her family. She had never known another like herself.
"What troubles you, beautiful one?" came a whispering from behind her.
She did not need to turn to know what spoke. "Greetings, my friend. Tell me, are the others still here?"
"Yes and no. They still reside within these sacred woods, but are not present in this area. Would you care to greet them again?"
"I would indeed, Ronan." Adara turned and smiled up at the centaur. "Could you take me to them?"
Ronan pawed the ground and nodded his great head. "Of course." He kneeled before her so that she might climb onto his back. Adara swiftly hopped up and waited for him to take her to the others.
It was a short ride, for centaurs, despite their bulk, were incredibly fast. Adara's slender arms were wrapped loosely around the beast's waist as he galloped through the forest to a clearing. "We are here, young one."
Adara slid down with ease and grace and made her way to a nearby boulder to sit down. Ronan emitted a loud cry to call the others to him. From the many shadows of the woods, a few forms loomed about the trees. Slowly they began to make their way into the light and Adara gazed at the friends she knew best. "Greetings, star gazers. I have returned."
"Could it be? Is this the Star Child we see before us?" called out an aged centaur who's hair and pelt had gone grey.
Adara nodded and smiled serenely at him. "Indeed it is, old one." She stood and curtsied gracefully to him. "Have the stars been speaking to you lately, my friend?"
"They have told of many things that have come to pass, and those things that still may."
"Shall we hold palaver then? I would like to learn of that which has transpired. I have heard many great and terrible things from the others."
"What things have you heard?" questioned a relatively young centaur from behind his father.
Adara's navy eyes turned to him. A small grin traced her thin lips. "That the dark one has risen again, and that his power is growing quickly."
The centaur elder came forward and looked down at Adara with gentleness. "This much is true, child of the heavens. Is that why you have returned?"
"I wish I could say yes, my friend, but then I would be lying. I have returned simply because Headmaster Dumbledore called for me. He wishes me to be the assistant to the Defense Against the Dark Arts Professor."
The old one nodded and pawed the ground restlessly then looked up to the night sky. "They are shining brightly tonight."
Adara's eyes rose to meet the glittering stars. "Yes. Brightly, but coldly, my friend. I fear the future lies solidly within them this time. Few paths are being shown, and fewer still shall be walked."