Colt
"Friendships Past and Future"
Everything seemed to be happening in fast motion for Harry. He had awoken only a few nights previously in Severus's cave, wounded and completely lost, and now found himself living in a magical castle with two-legs. When he thought about how fast things had happened, it made his head swim.
But some thoughts and feelings, no matter how unpleasant, were unavoidable. Once again, Harry found himself curled up in front of the fireplace, stretched out on his back, watching the flickering flames and thinking about his herd.
Severus had said he'd been unconscious for days. By now, Sirius and his grandmother would be sick with worry over him. What, if anything, had Bane and Thistle told the herd about their part in his disappearing act?
His dark brows forked in displeasure at the thought of his former friends. He never wanted to see the two of them again.
But Sirius and his grandmother…he missed them terribly.
The front door opened and Harry sat up immediately, ready to flee if it was a two-legs. So far, they had done nothing to hurt him or Severus, but the mental image of one of their kind sucking the blood out of a unicorn would not fade so easily.
It was only Severus.
Severus. That was another subject entirely. Had the mysterious centaur wandered into his home forest, Harry knew he would have had nothing to do with him. The first impression he gave was of someone who was heartless, bitter, and very dangerous.
Harry's first impression of him was not far from the truth. However, Harry had not met Severus back home, as a mysterious stranger approaching his herd. Harry had been the stranger that approached him. Severus had protected him, healed him, and now he found himself thrust into this strange world of the wizards, with Severus as his only guide and companion. Because of that, Harry could not avoid him – didn't want to, in fact.
"How do you like your classroom?" He asked by way of greeting. Harry had discovered over the past several days that Severus rarely initiated conversation of any kind.
"It will suffice," Severus answered gruffly, coming to sit alongside him. Harry loved this. There were so few things in his new world that reminded him of home. Sitting in front of the large fire, feeling Severus's presence beside him, Harry could close his eyes and almost pretend he was home and completely safe. Somehow, Severus understood his need for this haven. Whenever Harry moved to the fireplace, Severus would join him. He rarely spoke, and it was even rarer that he would allow Harry to groom him, but he was there all the same. He would listen as Harry talked about whatever was on his mind, about his dreams, or even his endless questions about Hogwarts. He would stay until Harry talked himself to sleep, or until Harry felt like doing something else.
Harry thought it was awfully thoughtful of him, and it made him seem…a bit more gentle.
Harry was surprised, then, when Severus hesitantly touched his fingers to his hair. Flashing him a smile, Harry shifted about until they were in a position that Severus could groom the unmanageable mop with ease.
It felt heavenly. Soon, all of Harry's concerns drained away and his eyes grew heavy with contentment.
Severus cleared his throat.
Harry should have known that Severus was only trying to relax him before delivering bad news.
"The Malfoy boy remembered what really happened."
"What!" Harry exclaimed, sitting up abruptly. Severus's hands fell away from his hair with a resigned air about them. After a few seconds, he buried one in his own mane, obviously annoyed.
"The spell the little witch used was a very high level one. Although she performed it correctly, she lacked the training to do it effectively. It didn't hold, and the Malfoy boy reported a jumbled account to his father. Lucius Malfoy has decided to start an investigation. I don't need to tell you what will happen if they find you guilty."
"But…but…he killed a unicorn! He deserved a lot worse than death!" Harry protested angrily. Severus glared at him, obviously not pleased by his fit of pique.
"What have I told you about that temper? Control yourself!"
Harry managed to look sullen instead of irate, but that was the best he could do. Severus continued.
"Because of these accusations, doubt has been cast on the Headmaster's decision to hire me." Instantly, Harry felt properly remorseful. He'd never meant to drag Severus down with him.
"I'm sorry again, Severus," Harry began. Severus continued as if he hadn't heard.
"And the authorities have decided you will remain at Hogwarts until a decision has been reached. It is possible you will have to attend a trial."
Harry's face fell. It was a long time before he spoke.
"My family…they'll be worried about me. I planned to run away, but I just can't do this to them. I have to tell them what's going on."
Severus sighed heavily.
"I'm sure Professor Dumbledore can take care of that. In the meantime, you have a great deal of work to do."
"What do you mean?" Harry asked, clueless green eyes meeting empty black ones.
"Professor Dumbledore thinks, and I agree, that your shyness around wizards and witches will not do any good for your reputation. By remaining cloistered away in this cave, rumors might start that you are prejudice against two-legs."
"So? I don't care what the horrid two-legs say about me," Harry's tone was stubborn, but Severus saw that it hid his fear. He softened his tone.
"Unfortunately, for the next few months, you will have to care. If it comes to a trial, your testimony, if you are even allowed to give one, will not hold much water. In their eyes, you are an animal. If rumors begin that you are frightful of humans and intolerant of their company, I can assure you these rumors will reach the ears of your jury."
"So you're saying I have to be friendly to them."
"Yes. That's what I'm saying."
Still feeling stubborn, Harry crossed his arms a bit childishly and glared into the fire. Behind him, Severus sighed and gracefully stood.
"The Headmaster understands this will be difficult for you. I have explained that in most centaur herds, the tales of humans are used to frighten foals. Your fear of them, like mine used to be, was ingrained into you at a very young age. As you saw several nights ago, it is not entirely unjustified. Wizards, like anything else, can be dangerous. They can also be useful. To help you get over your fear the Headmaster thought it best…"
Before Severus could finish, there was a chime in the cave. Someone was at the door.
"They are early," Severus said by explanation before crossing to the door. Harry realized quickly who was most likely behind it. Two-legs.
He stood, not wanting to be lolling around defenseless when they came inside. His palms were sweaty, and his mind raced with the horrible memory of the two-legs he had killed.
He was relieved when Severus opened the door to reveal the three children from the previous night, sans the Malfoy brat.
Harry relaxed ever so slightly. At least it wasn't the intimidating old Headmaster or that monster woman from the hospital wing.
It was the bushy haired girl that gathered her courage first.
"Good evening, Master Snape. Er…the Headmaster said you needed our assistance?"
Humorously, the thing that put Harry most at ease was their size. It was rare he got to look down at someone. Besides, none of them had their magic sticks, so they didn't look overly threatening.
Cautiously, Harry left the safety of the fireplace and made his way nearer to them. Severus didn't smile, but he acknowledged the effort with a small nod of his head. He didn't reply to the girl. She wasn't paying attention to him anyway. Her knowledgeable eyes were fixed on him. She smiled, and Harry felt more of his fear leave him.
Her companions were equally unimpressive. One was a gangly red head, with freckles all over his cheeks. The other was a mousy boy, a little plump, and obviously very shy. The redhead had brought a box, and Harry looked at it uneasily. Noticing the line of his stare, the redhead rushed to explain.
"Oh, you don't have to worry about this! It's wizard chess. That's a game. Er…do centaurs play games?" he asked the bushy haired one, obviously wishing he'd thought to ask earlier. She shrugged delicately in response. Severus arched an eyebrow at him. He supposed that was his cue to speak up.
"We…don't really play games, but we do tell stories."
Severus looked pleased with him. Harry felt the older centaur's satisfaction wash over him like a warm wave. He liked making Severus pleased. It was definitely an addictive feeling to win his approval.
Severus ushered the children inside and shut the door behind them. He waved at the table before moving to the bookcase, selecting a book, and making himself comfortable by the fire. He was close enough to chaperone, but obviously was leaving Harry to fend for himself.
The girl and the red-head took the two chairs, and the mousy boy stood, looking around the cave in awe.
"I'm Hermione. This is Ron, and that's Neville," Hermione introduced in a brisk tone.
Rubbing a hoof a bit subconsciously against the floor, he moved to join them and replied.
"My name is Harry," he said gently.
Obviously getting over his fear, the red head set the box on the table and began to pull out the pieces.
"I can teach you how to play, if you'd like to learn," he offered with a nervous smile. Harry cast a glance to Severus before he nodded and came up to the table fully.
There was quiet as Ron set up the board. Suddenly, a loud croak echoed throughout the cave. Severus glanced up sharply, and Harry skittishly jumped back from the table.
"Sorry!" Neville said hastily. He scooped the speckled toad out of his robes. "That was my toad, Trevor." He placed the amphibian down on the table. Instantly, it hopped towards Harry and let out another loud croak. Harry laughed at his own jumpiness and resumed his spot by the table, tentatively reaching out to pet the enormous toad. The three students shared relieved smiles with one another. So far, so good.
The evening passed fast once the four of them got over their nerves. Harry decided he enjoyed Ron's company a great deal, because he was full of life and he reminded him of Sirius. Neville seemed to be Ron's counterbalance. He was much more reserved, but he was also very friendly. He knew a great deal about plants, and was curious to hear about all the kinds that lived in Harry's home forest. Hermione was obviously delighted to be in his company. She had nearly as many questions for him about centaurs as he had for her about Hogwarts. The conversation never lulled, and Harry was delighted when Ron told him he could keep the chess board and practice.
The three of them left when Severus announced it was time they return to their dorms. Harry was surprised to realize he didn't want them to go. Their time together seemed to sooth the part of him that longed for Thistle's company.
Once they were gone, Severus locked the door and extinguished the fire. Harry yawned hugely, stretching his arms into the air.
"That wasn't so bad," he admitted, a sleepy smile on his face. Harry couldn't read the look that flashed in Severus's eyes – perhaps it was longing? – but his reply was simple enough.
"There is nothing for you to fear at Hogwarts." The older centaur crossed to the bedroom, and Harry followed behind. They got comfortable, and Severus grumbled as he usually did about having to share. Though it was common in a herd, Severus had been alone for many years. Harry didn't take his complaints to heart. He had a sneaking suspicion Severus enjoyed having a bedmate again. He waited until he thought Severus was asleep, then curled up against his strong back.
His last thought before drifting off asleep was that he really didn't have anything to fear at Hogwarts…not as long as Severus was there.
A/N: From this point forth, this fic is lovingly dedicated to Strega. She drew me the most beautiful, wonderful, perfect piece of fanart for this story. I'm afraid I don't have a place I can link you to yet to see it, but I'm working on building a page for my writing. When it's done, you can see the pic there and fall in love with it just like I did. For all of you who are having trouble picturing how they look, this is it.