The first thing that appeared – completely out of thin air, it seemed – was a pair of impossibly large and brilliant blue eyes. These were followed almost immediately by huge bat-like ears, and an oddly proportioned body. By the time the rest of the body appeared, even Jack, who knew so little about the creatures of the wizarding world, knew what Sebastian was.
"You're a house elf…" Harry said, visibly shocked by the revelation. As well he should be, since Sebastian was like no house elf Harry – or anyone else – had ever seen.
He was taller than Dobby by about ten inches, as neat as a pin, and wearing a complete outfit consisting of trousers that had clearly been tailored to fit his odd little body, a sweater and vest, and a neat little tie. He even wore shoes. But even more amazingly, he was as articulate as anyone Harry had ever spoken with – far more than even Dobby, who was as odd a house elf as had ever been born.
"Yes," Sebastian agreed. "I am."
Even Dobby looked shocked.
"Dobby has never heard of a house elf living in the Forbidden Forest of Hogwarts."
"My existence is something of a secret," Sebastian told them all, looking at the centaurs without the same fear that practically every other house elf might have held when dealing with creatures much larger and far more imposing than themselves. "It is necessary."
"You live here?" Zip asked, unable to hide his own curiosity.
Sebastian nodded.
"All my life."
"It's not safe here," Bip said, looking around. "We should-"
"It's as safe here as anywhere in the Forest," Sebastian said, confidently. "The Dark One is gone, and will not return any time soon."
"How do you know that?" Rip asked, more than just a little challenge in his voice and his ugly face filled with suspicion.
"I know."
"But how?" Harry asked, just as curiously.
"Dumbledore and the others ran him off," Sebastian told them. "He apparated with another – presumably Severus Snape – although I'm not certain."
"How do you know that?" Jack asked.
"I am in constant contact with the house of the Great Lady," Sebastian said, probably realizing that Jack was getting annoyed.
"The Great Lady?" Rip echoed.
"The Wizard world knows her as Cassandra Trelawny."
"How do you know her?" Harry asked.
"She was my mistress," the house elf told him. "I was – and still am – tied to her house, although I was freed long ago and given the choice of servitude."
"Sebastian is a free house elf?" Dobby asked, incredulous.
The house elf nodded.
"I am, yes. But I remain with the House of the Great Lady out of gratitude and love – which is more of a shackle than any chain could ever be."
He obviously didn't feel chained, though; to judge from the way he spoke.
"Dumbledore is in the Forest?" Rip asked.
Sebastian nodded.
"He and some others are coming looking for Colonel O'Neill." Sebastian looked at Harry. "They are unaware that you are in the Forest, Harry Potter. You placed yourself in grave danger forcing Dobby to bring you here."
It was the only time Harry had ever heard such an accusatory tone from a house elf – and never towards himself. The centaurs were equally surprised, although they had very little contact with house elves in general. They were still aware of the servitude of the little creatures, even though they would never have a use for the things themselves.
Jack scowled, looking at Harry.
"You forced Dobby to bring you?"
The little house elf hid his head as if ashamed of himself, but Harry flushed under that disapproving glance and the accusatory tone in Jack's voice.
"I… I wanted to help… I thought you were in danger."
"So you dragged Dobby into it?"
It was clear Jack couldn't have been more disappointed, and Harry felt his stomach clench, knowing full well that he had absolutely no defense for himself.
"I-"
"Now is not the time, Jack O'Neill," Sebastian said, interrupting – something else that house elves would never do under ordinary circumstances.
"He's right," Zip said. "If Dumbledore is in the Forest looking for you, then we should go find him."
"He's coming this direction," Sebastian said. "It won't be long."
"Get back on my back, Jack," Rip said, moving to stand beside O'Neill once more. "In case we need to move quickly."
Zip didn't even ask Harry. Instead, he simply reached down and grabbed the boy by the back of his jacket, pulling him off his feet and onto his broad back. The centaurs weren't entirely certain they trusted the odd little house elf, and they were going to be ready to get the humans out of danger should any come looking for them.
Jack did as Rip suggested, awkwardly climbing back onto the centaur with a helpful boost from Bip, and then he looked over at Harry.
"We're not done with this conversation, young man," he said.
Harry nodded, looking down at his lap. It had seemed like a good idea when they'd been doing it, but now it didn't at all.
OOOOOOOOOO
The small group (in numbers, not size, since no one could ever call Hagrid small) stopped up short when Sirius suddenly appeared out of nowhere in front of them. At least, the dog that was Sirius in his other form appeared. An instant later – while Sam was still trying to catch her breath from having such a large creature appear under her nose – Black resumed his natural form.
"Harry's in the Forest." He told Dumbledore.
"Harry?" Daniel repeated.
"Are you certain, Sirius?" Minerva asked.
The wizard nodded.
"I caught his scent. He's with Jack and the centaurs – and they're not far away. What do you want to do?"
What he was really asking Dumbledore was if the old wizard wanted him to make himself scarce, since as far as Harry was concerned, Sirius was dead.
Dumbledore shook his head.
"Voldemort knows you're alive. Harry might as well learn as well. The secret is out."
Sirius nodded, feeling relieved. He wanted to see Harry – and he was going to find out what he was doing in the Forest, too, since he had no business being there.
"Follow me, then. We're close."
He reverted back to dog form, and moved out slowly, the others following.