The Patronus

As soon as the rest of the students returned, John was bombarded by questions and requests to read the future. Somehow, they all knew what had been said by Professor Trelawney at Christmas dinner.

When Dean arrived back in the common room, it was to Ron and Harry giving Hermione the cold shoulder, and John barricaded in the dormitory.

'What is going on?' he said, bewildered.

'Harry got a Firebolt for Christmas and Hermione told McGonagall,' Ron explained moodily. 'She reckons Sirius Black sent it so she got McGonagall to confiscate it.'

'What? But he's the most wanted man in the country, he can't just walk into Quality Quidditch Supplies.'

'That's exactly what I said,' Ron said pointedly at Hermione's bent over back.

'Whatever, I'm going to find Cas.' He didn't look for long. Castiel and Sherlock were just outside the common room, mumbling to each other.

'Hey, what are you two whispering about?'

'Nothing,' they said.

'What happened to your head?' Dean asked, reaching out to touch a small, purple lump on his forehead.

Cas flinched away. 'This? Nothing. I walked into a door.' He pulled out his wand and quickly healed it, leaving no trace of the bump. 'Let's go inside.' Oblivious to Harry and Ron's issue with Hermione, Cas went and sat next to her to see what she was working on.

Sherlock continued on up to the dormitory.

'For the last time, I am not going to read any tea leaves – oh, it's you.' John was peeping through a crack in the curtains of his four-poster bed, and pulled them aside when he saw Sherlock. 'Sorry, Parvati and Lavender have been badgering me all day. Can you believe this rubbish? Trelawney barely knows what day of the week it is most of the time, but they practically worship her.'

Sherlock shrugged and avoided John's eyes.

'Oh, right, I forgot you believe it too,' John said. 'But why though?'

'I'm not meant to tell you.'

'Says who?'

'No one.'

'Sherlock, come on, you have to tell me what's going on.'

'I don't know anything.'

'I know you do. What about the centaurs?'

'What about them?'

'You just said they told you not to tell me.'

Sherlock squinted at him. 'That's not even close to what I said.'

'Do you think I'm messing around? Tell me what you know.'

'I told you, I don't know anything. If you'll excuse me, I have things to do.'

'No you don't.'

'Bye, John.' He strode out of the room and John angrily pulled the curtains closed again.

Lessons started again the next day, including a Divination class in which John flat-out refused to participate in, and Sherlock pointedly avoided him all day. He was absent from the common room that evening, though Castiel was there studying with them.

'What were you talking to Lupin about, Harry?' Ron asked, balling up a failed attempt at his homework and throwing it in the fire.

'Oh, he's giving me a lesson on Thursday and showing me how to get rid of Dementors,' Harry replied.

'Will you tell me what you have to do?' Castiel asked.

'Yeah, of course.'

Cas smiled, then pulled a large Encyclopaedia of Herbs out of his bag and buried himself behind it.

January faded into February with no change in the bitterly cold weather. McGonagall still had not returned Harry's Firebolt and the match against Ravenclaw was fast approaching.

John's nerves were frayed from having to hide in the dormitory for most of his free time, and Sherlock was steadfast in his avoidance.

Harry and Ron were still not talking to Hermione.

Harry explained to Castiel that, in order to conjure a Patronus, you must draw on an incredibly happy memory. Castiel then refused to attend the lessons, despite Dean's badgering.

It was a very strained few weeks all around until John finally cornered Sherlock one dreary Saturday. 'Tell me what's going on,' John demanded. 'Why are you avoiding me?'

Sherlock avoided his eyes. 'I can't tell you.'

'Why not? Who says?'

Sherlock hesitated. 'The centaurs, when we met them back in first year.'

John gaped. 'First year? You've been keeping this from me since first year? Fine. Let's go.' He strode away.

'John, wait,' Sherlock said, stumbling after him.

'No.'

'You can't just go up to the centaurs.'

'Why not? Apparently you do.'

Sherlock was unable to convince him of the danger they were about to face, and was helpless to stop him from marching right into the Forbidden Forest. 'Do you even know where you're going?'

'Nope. What are their names?' said John, ducking under a low branch.

'Bane, Firenze, Ronan,' Sherlock said, counting them off on his fingers, 'and Magorian seems to be their leader. Why?'

Without missing a step, John sucked in a deep breath and yelled, 'MAGORIAN!'

'Don't do that!' Sherlock hissed, eyes darting around the dark foliage.

'MAGORIAN, COME OUT!' John bellowed again, paying Sherlock no heed.

Suddenly there was a thundering of hooves and the centaurs appeared, crowding around them.

Magorian regarded them with pure fury until he saw John and faltered.

No one spoke until John's shock was overridden by his frustration. 'Why have you lot been filling my friend's head with fantasy?'

'How dare you speak to us in that manner?' Bane, the black-haired centaur fumed.

Magorian placated him with a hand. 'Bane, I believe the time has come,' he said solemnly. 'Look at him.'

A ripple of excitement ran through the crowd of centaurs.

'Perhaps you're right, Magorian,' Ban murmured. 'I do see a change in him.'

'Hello?' John shouted. 'I asked you a question!'

Magorian moved closer to John. 'We have indeed spoken to your friend, young one, though it is no fantasy.'

'Yeah, okay,' John scoffed. 'As if I'm a Seer.'

'Not just a Seer, but the Oracle.'

'That sounds made up. If it was true, why would you make Sherlock hide it from me?'

Magorian scuffed the ground with one of his hooves.

'Perhaps it would be best to start from the beginning,' another centaur, Ronan said, moving forward.

'I'm listening,' said John, folding his arms.

'Come, let us walk,' said Magorian, turning and leading them away from the gathered centaurs.

John and Sherlock trotted alongside him as he walked.

'Centuries ago, one of our greatest stargazers foretold the arrival of the most powerful Seer the world has ever seen. She declared that this would be the Oracle who would free us from our oppressors and restore us to our rightful, ancestral home,' Magorian explained.

'Why do you think it's me?' John asked 'Surely it's supposed to be a centaur.'

'We believed so until we sensed your power entering the grounds. That the Oracle might be a human had not even crossed our minds, until we called to it and you appeared before us.'

'What do you mean "appeared before us", I've never met you.'

'We have many powers at our disposal. Our magic allowed us to summon you to us in your sleep, without you waking.'

'Wait, you mean every time I went sleepwalking it was actually you lot putting a spell on me?'

'Yes.'

'Brilliant. Why would you do that when I'm not who you're looking for?'

Magorian twitched his tail. 'There is another reason we believe that you are the one.'

'Where are we going?' Sherlock piped up.

'You shall soon find out,' Magorian said cryptically 'It has always been said that along with the Oracle would come one destined to guide them. They would be there to interpret the multitude of visions the Oracle would experience. They would have incredible powers of logic and observation, and would be connected to the Oracle through a magical link between their minds.'

'What does that mean?' John frowned, stepping over a thick, knotted root.

The trees were becoming twisted and gnarled the further in they went. With thick trunks and branches reaching immeasurably high, they must truly be ancient.

'The Oracle and Observer are linked in this way, as a vision could strike at any moment,' Magorian continued, 'allowing them to communicate instantaneously no matter the distance between them. As your power and connection grow, you will be able to share thoughts and feelings on a whim, wherever you are.'

'That sounds…invasive.'

'We are certain that you are the Oracle because we have also discovered the Observer. You revealed him to us, in fact.'

'I did?'

'Think about it, young one. Who do you know to have unmatched logic and reasoning? Who do you feel the closest to?'

John's gaze slid onto Sherlock, whose eyes were flickering around uncomfortably.

Just then, the air was filled with a soft glow and they walked around a wide tree to find a large, flickering fire in a grassy clearing. The trees were still big enough to shade the clearing with their leaves, causing it to appear darker than it was.

The fire was masterfully constructed and large enough that it could have fit at least twenty people around it. It was surrounded by gemstones of all shapes, sizes and colours, and John was almost hypnotised by the dancing flames.

'Please sit,' said Magorian.

John and Sherlock did as they were told.

'This is our most sacred place. No human has ever laid eyes on the Starflame.'

'The Starflame?' said Sherlock. 'I've never heard of it.'

'It was first sparked by a falling star. Some say that it was this that first inspired centaurs to look skyward and we are stronger around it. Although only our best Diviners are able to truly interpret the signs given by the Starflame.'

'Fascinating,' Sherlock murmured.

Another centaur emerged from the shadows, but this one was different from the others they had seen. She was incredibly old, with flowing, slate-coloured hair.

'Elder Oseus,' said Magorian, bowing to her.

She acknowledged him with a flick of her tail and said, 'You may go, Magorian.'

He disappeared back into the trees and Oseus settled down beside John and Sherlock.

'Such a jumpy young foal,' she said good-naturedly, her voice gravely and weathered with age. 'Yet wise for all that.' She stoked the fire with a long stick. 'Our males can be a little rough around the edged, I'm afraid. Do be patient with them, though. They place a lot of stock by our traditions, and for good reason. Now, John. Why do you deny your powers?'

John shrugged and started into the fire. 'I'm nothing special,' he said.

'I think your friend would disagree.'

John looked at Sherlock, who turned slightly red.

'If it's true, why would you have him hide it from me?'

'We believed that you were too young and inexperienced to accept such a large responsibility. You were so small when you arrived in our Forest. Bane nearly stepped on you,' she chuckled. 'They came to me for guidance, and I admit that it was I that instructed them to keep it from you. For the time being. I suspect that you are still unprepared, but some things are beyond our control and that Trelawney creature is a force unto herself.'

'True,' said John.

'If you think about all the strange things that have happened these last few years, it makes sense, right?' Sherlock said quietly.

'I always just put that down to us managing to make friends with the one person that managed to make a personal enemy out of Voldemort.'

'Perhaps it would help to look back upon the time you've spent together. Just the two of you,' Oseus said, continuing to stoke the fire.

'I…'

'Accept it in your own time, by all means, little one,' she said. 'This is not something that should be forced in any way, but for your own sake, don't discount it altogether. Now, it is time for you to return to the castle.'

'Wait, I have a question,' Sherlock said. 'Magorian said that the Oracle is meant to lead the centaurs into a great battle, but why would John lead an army against his own people?'

'That is a fine question,' she said, eyes twinkling. 'Perhaps he will. You must keep your mind open. After all, you are both living proof that things do not always happen in the way we expect. Off you go, now, I'm sure you have much to discuss.'

The two of them go to their feet, then Sherlock bowed to the wisened centaur. 'Thank you, Elder Oseus,' he said, nudging John to do the same.

As they exited the clearing, John pulled out his wand and fiddled with it. 'Silver Lime,' he murmured.

'Particularly drawn to Seers,' Sherlock muttered back.

'Oh right.'

'I'm sorry I kept it from you.'

'I understand. Mostly. I don't know, I don't really believe it.'

'We'll see.'

Magorian and the rest of the herd led them back to the edge of the trees, where they found that it was already late afternoon.

'I hope we meet again soon, Oracle,' Magorian said, before fadin back into the Forest.

John was silent on their way back up to the common room. He was feeling quite fragile and small.

Castiel wsa the first to see him as they entered. 'How did it go? Did they tell you all about your power?' he asked.

'Wait,' John narrowed his eyes at his friends, all looking at him expectantly. 'Did you all know?'

Ron, Hermione and Castiel all looked away guiltily.

'Brilliant. Where's Harry?'

'He had a lesson with Professor Lupin today, but he should have been back by now,' said Hermione.

The portrait hole opened again and Harry came in with a huge grin on his face and the shiny Firebolt in his hands. Suddenly he was surrounded by people admiring the broom and asking to hold it. They dispersed after around ten minutes and Harry and Ron approached Hermione's table.

John sat down beside Castiel.

'How are you?' Castiel asked.

'I don't feel any different,' John shrugged, watching Ron go upstairs with the Firebolt. 'It can't be real, right? I'm not this amazing Seer, I'm not even that good at Divination.'

At that moment, a strangled yell echoed down the staircase and the common room fell silent. There were hurried footsteps and Ron came leaping into view, dragging a bedsheet with him. 'LOOK!' he bellowed, striding over to Hermione. 'LOOK!' He shook the sheets in her face.

'Ron, what-?'

'SCABBERS! LOOK! SCABBERS!'

Hermione leant away from Ron looking utterly bewildered.

John looked over at the sheet and there was a red mark on it that looked horribly like-

'BLOOD!' Ron yelled into the stunned silence. 'HE'S GONE! AND YOU KNOW WHAT WAS ON THE FLOOR?'

'N-no,' said Hermione in a trembling voice.

Ron threw something down onto Hermione's homework. It was several long, ginger cat hairs.

Welcome back everyone, good to see you again. Thanks to again Tacosaurus and Keysmash5955 for the reviews. I'm quite ahead on the actual writing of the chapters, I'm just trying to find the time to type it. See you all again soon!