A/N: This is what happens after a bug-eyed lunatic tries to take over… and fails.
Beta Love: fluffpanda, the terminally overworked
The Heart of the Herd
Aftermath
Months passed without drama, and for that, many of the residents of Hogwarts were undeniably happy. Stories of Trelawney were the talk of the Wizarding community for more months than any gossip before it. Speculations about whether the Seer bloodlines ended with Sybill's ancestors mixed with the highly watched trial of Sybill the broodmare in front of the Wizengamot.
Healers had descended upon Trelawney. Teams of specialist Aurors tried to determine if her change was Dark magic, despite Harry's team telling them it wasn't. The last remaining moonflower was taken from Trelawney's old room for analysis, but, much to the centaurs' relief, the moonflower "played dumb" and refused to do anything out of the ordinary. When samples of sap and pollen were taken, it was found completely inert. When they finally released the plant as an "exquisite flower with no out of the ordinary properties," Hermione and Severus squelched their opinions and kept them to themselves.
Their Transformation was deemed "a fluke crossing of magic mixed with the Divine, which none of us have tools of measuring." Magorian had lifted a brow at this, but was happy that no one would be trudging into the forests looking to steal moonflowers for either their healing properties or their potential to create Seers.
Once the moonflower was safe in Hermione's hands, it perked back up, sending happy whickers of greeting to the flowers in Hermione's mane. Once they were out of sight, the happy moonflower sent its tendrils into Hermione's mane and joined the others, no sign of the transformative anger that its brethren had wielded against Trelawney.
Trelawney, whether faking it or not, was deemed a horse. Showing none of the signs of sentience, the Wizengamot sentenced her to life as a horse, fitting her with a very special magic-suppression halter. It was precautionary, they said, in case the transformation was temporary. As it turned out, the only one who wanted to take care of Sybill was Rubeus Hagrid.
The half-giant tended and fed her until she looked less like a sack of bones, used some sort of strange toothpaste on her teeth to whiten them up, gave her a horse blanket to cover up her naked patches, and then teamed up with Aberforth in Hogsmeade to make the very first Public Wizarding Magical Farm.
Amongst the more magical animals that really were harmless, Trelawney worked by giving rides to young wizards and witches like Rose. She was attended to by a small herd of Aberforth's goats to keep her company, and it didn't take long before Sybill the horse was just a lazy old mare at the petting zoo. Thanks to Hagrid's loving care, Sybill was both fit and sound for real work, and Aberforth rented her out to Wizarding farmers who needed to plough their gardens. Sybill Trelawney's story passed into history as "the Witch Who Wanted."
There were some who believed Sybill did get exactly what she had deserved. Whether she was aware of her situation, however, remained to be seen.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Hermione was lying on her side, her chest heaving from the enormous amount of effort she had put herself through. Her eyes were half-lidded as she panted. Severus had her hand, and moonflowers were drooped across her back as though they had taken part of the effort of foaling with her.
Astra, who had made the journey specifically to be there for Hermione, nickered softly as two front legs appeared out the birth canal first, sill covered in the birth sac. The human head, connected to the miniature human torso poked out. Severus crooned to Hermione as Astra grabbed ahold to assist, gently helped ease the folded bundle of centaur foal out from the birth canal, pulling free the birthing sac so the foal did not fight for air. Once the front end was free and breathing. the rest came quite easily. Hermione gave a large heave, and out came the rest of the foal.
The shaky creature lay on the ground, wobbly and disoriented, but Astra wasted no time. She rubbed the foal vigorously, cleaning off the birthing fluids and the remains of the sac. A mare named Dandelion nickered softly as she helped clean, dry, and fasten a warm blanket coat over the new foal.
Hermione groaned softly, and Severus rubbed her back and shoulders, offering his mate a bowl of specially brewed tea to relax her after her ordeal. He petted her hair and mane, whispering words of comfort into her ears as he pressed his aquiline nose into her hair.
The foal, tiny in comparison to dam and sire, let out a tiny squeak of a yawn. Her pointed ears flicked, and she shook her bottlebrush tail. Her hair was as black as pitch, but her coat was deep honey-gold. She had a distinctive dorsal stripe like her dam, jet black legs, and pale human skin like her sire. Subtle, almost zebra-like stripes adorned the back of her legs, and her equine shoulder had a patch of pure white fur shaped liked the petal of a moonflower. Down her forehead, her skin was pigmented with a distinctive star, stripe, and snip. Her eyes were a dark brown, seemingly landing in between her dam and her sire's . She let out a tiny, miniature neigh as she attempted to stand, her wobbly legs both assisting and fighting against her at the same time.
And suddenly, the glen was alive with foals. All the herd younglings surrounded the new arrival, pressing their bodies against the newcomer and assisting her in gaining her legs. They whickered to her, pressing against her gently to both lend their aid as well as give her the touch of the herd.
Magorian arrived with a bowl of pigment. He nickered softly to the new foal, pressing his nose to hers with a gentle touch and snort of air. The little filly made a soft whinny, tail swishing back and forth excitedly. He used his thumb to draw a mark across her forehead in earthen pigment. "Your sire and your dam have named you Laelynn, which means 'flower of hope,' little one," Magorian said with a low nicker. May you grow strong in leg and mind until you step out from the shadow of your parents as your own creation. May you never know loneliness; may the herd forever bring your comfort, and may you one day bring comfort to those like yourself who are new unto the world."
Astra knelt down and painted a lighter pigment down Laelynn's back, mirroring her dorsal stripe. "You are the product of love, little Laelynn. Your sire and your dam are now true mates on a lifelong journey that includes you. May the stars ever watch over you. May the planets forever steer your course to safety, and may you ever have peace in your mind as Chiron intended."
Both Astra and Magorian smiled as the little filly took her first strong steps, and then bounded around the glen to test her legs. She shook her mane and bucked, kicking out her legs. Then, suddenly tired, she folded herself up against her dam and began to take her first meal.
Hermione, tired after her delivery, let out a content sigh, snuggling into Severus as he stroked her back. He stared at the tangle of legs that was their new daughter, the start of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips.
Then, in true centaur fashion, the herd settled in around the new family.
"You are now true mates under the stars and in the eyes of the herd," Magorian told Severus as he watched over the herd. "The planets have blessed your union with a foal. Do you feel any different?"
Severus continued to massage Hermione's back. "Grateful," he said calmly, his black eyes filled with emotion.
Magorian clapped him on the shoulder. "Then you are truly blessed." The elder centaur looked skyward. "I know humans like to exchange rings and stand on ceremony when it comes to being mated, but amongst the centaur birth is the most ritualised of times. Becoming mates is natural progression, whose only test is whether one's sire approves of his filly's suitor enough to allow them to live long enough to mate."
Firenze snorted nearby, his face twisted in amusement as he remembered his being chased across the moors by an angry centaur father. Severus' face twisted into something between amusement and horror.
"Since your circumstances are so rare, child," Astra said. "We have discussed amongst us and decided to bleed a little of your old human traditions with ours. She handed a wrapped bundle over to Magorian.
Magorian unfolded the bundle to expose two circlets. Each were crafted of what seemed like living tendrils and Goblin silver. "We have discussed with our allies, the goblins, and come up with a compromise. The circlet is created in the living tendrils of the sacred moonflower. Astra has prayed over and asked for volunteers in which to weave themselves around the silver. The silver is in tribute to the stars and moon, that they may forever light your way in darkness."
Severus swallowed hard, staring at the two matching circlets. They were beautiful. It was obvious that both the centaur and the goblins had put a lot of love into them—love, care, and consideration to the human tradition of needing some token of the bond between mates. There was also the unspoken respect both species had for the work Hermione had done for them. If it hadn't been for her, the centaur and goblins wouldn't have been allies.
Severus bowed his head reverently, allowing Magorian to place the circlet on his head. He felt the tendrils slither under his hair as the vines entwined with each other, gently pulling taut against his skin. He felt a warmth there, almost as if it was breathing against him.
Hermione, breathing slowly against him, lowered her head. Magorian gently placed the circlet on her head. It slid taut against her skin just as it had against his. As both circlets were in place, the moonflowers in their manes started to nicker softly, sending their tendrils over to join with the circlet. Severus felt them join up in a surge of warmth, and the small pollen horses pranced in the air around their heads and drifted away in the breeze. Whatever magic allowed the plant to decide it no longer needed dirt was a miracle in itself. They had learned that there was far more to the magical plants than they had expected, and somehow, they had been molded into the perfect host environment. The flowers had chosen Hermione and Severus, and as a reward for their service as a living host, they had given them a new life with each other. When Severus thought about it, it wasn't a bad trade at all.
Severus startled and looked behind him. The foals were weaving some sort of beaded tail ornament over the base of his tail and into Hermione's. They giggled and smiled at him. Every time his tail moved, the beads tinkled together like a windchime.
Firenze smiled at him. "How does it feel to be… how do the humans put it… married with… foal?"
Severus snorted. "A lot less hoops to jump through trying to get Shacklebolt to clear his schedule."
"Do you wish to have a human wedding, brother?" Firenze asked.
Severus looked down at the small foal nestled between Hermione's legs. Laelynn yawned toothlessly, her bottle-brush tail wagging back and forth. She snuggled up against Hermione as the other foals snuggled up close to her. Severus shook his head. "Everything is just fine as it is."
"Mmfmfgh mmfmfph mm ffhfhlph," Hermione mumbled into him.
Severus raised a brow at his mate.
Hermione looked up sleepily at Severus. "Tomorrow we go and register at the Ministry so we can share your name," she murmured into his chest. Her eyes drifted closed sleepily, and she slumped, utterly exhausted.
Severus let out his breath slowly, his eyes filled with emotion. His hand wove into her hair as he stroked it.
There was really only one thing he could say.
"Okay," he whispered, staring down at his mate and foal.
Astra and Magorian bumped shoulders as they watched the newest family unit settle.
"You owe me a jug of apple cider," Astra nickered to Magorian.
Magorian sighed and slumped his shoulders. "You always win predictions on the number and colours of the foals. I don't know why I even try."
"Sucker for punishment," Astra said with a wink.
"You're a cheater," Magorian accused. "You're a Seer."
"I utilise my assets," Astra said with a grin.
"Mares," Magorian said with a sniff, turning his head away.
Astra nudged the stallion with her elbow and whispered into his ear. "We can bet on how long it takes Oakleaf and Firenze to admit they are interested in each other."
Magorian's ears perked towards her, a grin spreading across his face.
-o-o-o-o-o-
"Mr Longbottom," Severus snapped at the pacing Herbology professor. "If you do not stop wearing a hole into the flagstones of Hogwarts, I will be forced to affix you to that seat over there by your rear."
Neville, who seemed to be conditioned to balk at Snape's orders, whatever they might be, sat down and crossed his legs as he sat on his hands.
The little foal that was clinging to Severus' legs neighed at Neville, giving a sharp snort and a toss of her head.
"I think you've just been told off by a foal," Minerva said with a chuckle.
Neville rubbed his temples. "I was hoping the lessons on how to terrorize me would at least wait a couple of years."
Minerva raised an eyebrow. "Impossible," she chuckled. "Have you met the parents?"
Neville groaned.
Meadowrun, Briarfoot, and Flint nickered invitingly to the youngest Hogwarts foal, and Laelynn ran to them, making happy sounds. They smiled and patted her, guiding her to help with the task at hand. Slowly, each of the placed a small planter with a moonflower next to the newly transferred Mr and Mrs Frank and Alice Longbottom. Poppy clucked her teeth as she made sure they were comfortable.
The elder Longbottoms were, thankfully, not having an episode on this particular afternoon, and they lay still in the beds instead of tearing out hair and trying to beat on the walls. Neville had expressed gratitude for that. Hogwarts patients really didn't need his parents causing a commotion and rattling them up.
Hermione had guessed that the flowers had to get to know the Longbottoms before they could give any sort of volunteer aide, and both Severus and she believed the possible "cure" would require the combination of sap, pollen, and Hermione and Severus' blood, which had to be given willingly to work. Anything else, they guessed, would have detrimental effects like they had on Trelawney. Both Professor Snapes had emphasized that there was a chance the flowers would not respond.
Unfortunately, the experiment had started out badly, as Alice Longbottom snatched up one of the curious moonflowers and tried to eat it. The distressed flower let out a pained whinny, sending centaur scrambling to assist. Neville managed to rescue the chewed on moonflower before his mother could do more damage, and the look of panicked horror on Neville's face told all. He soothed the flower petals with his hand, rubbing the delicate flowers with his fingers to unwrinkle the bite marks of his mother's teeth, whispering apologies to the flower the entire time. The victimised moonflower seemed to respond to the soothing, and the first step towards creating a relationship between the flowers and a non-centaur slowly began to form.
Neville, Hermione, Severus, and Firenze took turns keeping watch over Neville's parents and the flowers, keeping their senses tuned for any sign of the flowers responding to the Longbottoms in a positive manner. Between the classes and watching over Neville's parents, Neville began to have a greater appreciation for those that took care of his parents day after day at Saint Mungo's.
There were times when the couple were placid, but there were other times when Poppy had to run over and provide tranquilising spells so they wouldn't hurt each other or anyone else in their waking nightmare. Each time an episode started, if Neville was around, the ex Auror turned Herbologist looked as though his entire world was breaking. His goal had always been for his children to know their grandparents in a way he had not, and each time his parents tore at their hair and started to scream, his eyes would fill with pain. He confessed to Hermione one night as they shared the vigil that it wasn't about him anymore. He had long accepted that the parents he dreamed of as a child could never be. His childhood was over, but his new daughter and child on the way still had time. He wanted his children to know his parents, and he wanted his parents to know their grandchildren.
Laelynn kicked Neville in the kidneys with her rear hoof.
"Ow!" Neville exclaimed, "what was that for?"
The little black and honey coloured filly crossed her arms across her chest and snorted at him.
Laelynn, in true centaur fashion, had no verbal language, save that of the equine variety at her age. She obviously had something to say, however, for her glare was taken out of the Snape Family Manual. She snorted at him, tail flipping as she stomped her hoof.
Neville stared at her blankly.
Laelynn rolled her eyes in a spitting image of her father. She trotted over to where Alice Longbottom was staring off into space and bumped her head under the woman's arm and snuggled up next to her, nickering softly.
Alice's hand slowly went across the little filly's head and ears, soothing them as one would a cat, but something passed across her eyes at the contact—something sane. Her face went peaceful, her eyes both far away, but also at ease. Mrs Longbottom's head gently lay across the filly's back as her arms went around her torso.
The little filly stared at Neville as if to make a point, her dark eyes ever as intimidating as her parents'.
Neville, chastened, seemed to have realised the lesson the little filly was trying to give him. Slowly, awkwardly, he lay his head against his mother's lap as a child would a parent. Laelynn wiggled out from under Alice Longbottom and moved her towards Neville, nickering softly as the elder Longbottom stroked her son's hair.
As the little filly trotted back towards Hermione, who was discussing something in depth with Poppy Pomfrey, the moonflowers positioned around the room opened slightly, sending small, almost invisible strands of pollen into the air. A soft, whispering chain of nickers carried on the breeze.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-
The first definite sign of cooperation on the moonflower's part was when one of the flowers wove into each of the Longbottom's hair. They weren't bonded to them as they were with Hermione and Severus, but they released their pollen horses to prance around them. Another sign was that each of the volunteer flowers seemed to be "drooling" a steady trickle of sap against the Longbottom's head.
Hermione and Severus sprang into motion. Poppy drew their blood, and they made a distillation of healing factors from it. Poppy infused it into one of her healing balms and began to apply it every day. Meanwhile, Neville took his lessons from the Snape filly and embraced his parents as often as possible, attempting to bridge the chasm that had formed between them due to so many things that had been beyond their control.
The Hogwarts foals found a new purpose, thanks to Laelynn, and each took turns providing a comforting touch with Neville's parents when he was not there. Poppy commented she had never seen such studious students. Each of the foals took places with the Longbottoms and then chattered away as they did their homework. Laelynn joined the other foals as often as she could, taking turns between gluing herself to her dam's side and wanting to be social with the other foals. The Hogwarts foals happily socialised with her, teaching her both intentionally and not. Laelynn went around mimicking the mannerisms of all she saw, whether it was centaur or not. She followed Poppy around closely, latched onto Minerva when she passed by, and then dove back between her dam's legs when hunger and sleepiness outweighed her great curiosity. Her ability to charm and disarm managed to destroy the defences of all she aimed her miniature nicker at. No one was more disarmed than Argus Filch, who cracked the first smile anyone could remember seeing from him in decades.
Laelynn scooped up Mrs Norris and hugged the cranky old cat like a favourite toy. She would place Mrs Norris on her back and give her rides around the halls, and then, as Filch ran up to rescue his familiar, she would hug Argus… in front of witnesses.
Laelynn would whinny cheerfully, hugging Severus' legs as if daring someone to say anything.
No one did.
Then, one day, when Neville came in to relieve Hermione from her night vigil, he found all the foals curled up next to her as she slept. A stack of graded papers lay beside her, and a part of Neville realised he had unintentionally dragged the entire Hogwarts centaur population as well as people like Poppy and Minerva into helping with his parents.
A stab of panic filled him as he saw the moonflowers had left their vigil around his parents. They were covered in a fine coating of golden pollen, but the flowers themselves had inched their way into Hermione's mane and tail to join the others.. Had they given up on his parents? Neville's hands trembled. Suddenly Trelawney's desperation to acquire the plant's magical blessing became so much more understandable, and he hated himself for even thinking about forcing a magical plant into helping him. Despair warred with his inner measure of sense.
"How do we always end up here, Frank?" Alice's voice asked into the air, freezing Neville in place. "We always end up in a hospital bed."
Frank let out a low grunt. "One word? Dumbledore."
Alice let out a low sigh. "I feel like we just had the worst or best bender of our lives."
"Both," Frank moaned. "I hope mother isn't angry watching Neville while we're out like this."
"Again," Alice said, blowing her hair out of her face.
Frank chuckled. "Again." He reached out and held his wife's hand. "The war will be over soon, love. It will be a world in which our son will be safe."
"Safe," Alice answered. "I like the sound of that."
Neville winced as one black and honey filly stomped on his foot. "Ow!" He stared down at the filly who stared back at him with her lips pursed and her jaws set in Snape-like fashion. She took both arms and pushed him forward.
"Oh, Darling, we have company," Alice said, attempting to sit up in the bed. "Hi, I'm Alice. This is Frank. He looks familiar, Frank. Don't you agree?"
"You seem familiar, son," Frank said cheerfully, holding his wife's hand. "I fear the war has us a bit under the weather. Are you a part of the Order? So many new faces. Hard to keep track. Is the fighting still going on?"
Neville staggered forward, swallowing hard. "I'm Neville," he said carefully.
"Neville? Frank, he has our son's name," Alice said cheerfully. "We have a son. He's barely a year yet. He loves bubblegum wrappers. I have to watch him so carefully because he'll unwrap every one and plaster his crib with them. He doesn't even want the gum."
Frank laughed. "He'll get better, dear. Mum said when I was a young tike, I used to use treacle tarts as frisbees. I think what was most disturbing is that they worked."
Alice laughed, it was a genuine, warm laugh that filled Neville with lighthearted love. He had never heard such a sound from his mother before.
"How is the war?" Frank said with a serious expression."Dumbledore said it would be over soon. We just had to press on a little more… hang in there a little more."
Neville swallowed. Laelynn nudged him with her equine shoulder and nickered.
"Oh my goodness, a centaur child," Alice's eyes went wide. "Hello," she whispered, holding her hands out.
Laelynn smiled, nickering, happily trotting forward for a hug. Laelynn had never known danger, and she had never known a person she didn't like, and Neville saw the young filly work her magic on his parents as effectively as a spell.
"What's you name, beautiful child?" Alice asked, exchanging wondered looks with Frank.
Laelynn tilted her head, ears twitching. She whinnied.
"Her name's Laelynn," Neville said softly. "Laelynn Snape."
"Snape?" Alice tilted her head. "That can't be a common name."
She and Frank exchanged glances.
Frank shook his head. "It can't be who we are thinking, love," Frank said. "We know for a fact that the Snape we know doesn't...isn't..." Frank fidgeted, perhaps looking for the right words.
Laelynn whinnied loudly, snorting at Frank.
"No insult to you, little one," Frank apologised.
Neville slowly ushered the little filly back towards her herd, suddenly realising he was being watched intently by Hermione. The centaur witch missed nothing, and nickered for the foals to attend her as she led them out of the hospital wing. Hermione bowed her head to Neville as she left, pausing only a moment for her foal to suckle before she exited.
Neville took in a deep breath. "The war you remember has ended," Neville said slowly. "Some of the people you thought were fighting for you were not… fighting for you. There are things you need to to know, but there is something even more important."
"What could be more important than what we are fighting for, Mr—?"
"When you are fighting," Neville said after a moment. He shifted in discomfort. "Longbottom," Neville answered his father with a grim smile. "My name is Neville Longbottom.
Frank and Alice's jaw's dropped to the floor.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
"It's going to take them some time to adjust, Neville," Poppy said with an understanding smile. "Unlike so many other times, they will adjust and they will remember. It's quite a miracle."
Neville smiled awkwardly. "I never thought I'd see them so… happy. They don't remember anything since before they were attacked, and I am so grateful for that. Mother started crying when she realised she'd missed my birthdays—my life...growing up."
"How is Hannah doing, Neville? How's she taking it?" Poppy asked.
"She's beyond happy," Neville gushed. "She's been so supportive, even when it's taken me away from she and the baby. I felt so guilty, but…"
Poppy smiled. "Neville, you've never been able to resolve that situation with your parents. It's been hanging over you for as long as I've known you. But, now you can move on, build a life, and include them. Does your mum know, about the baby? Alicia?"
Neville shook his head. "Not yet. Mum has no idea we used part of her name to name the baby. She doesn't even know Hannah and I had a baby...yet. They just found out that their son has grown up and is married. I figured that was enough for now."
Poppy chuckled. "Grandparents are more resilient than you think, Neville, but everything in due time."
"Mum and Dad saw the goblin students and the centaur foals chatting in the courtyard when they were being escorted out and almost freaked out," Neville said. "Sirius and Remus are taking a few days to help them adjust. They are two of few left from back when…"
Poppy patted him on the shoulder. "It will be fine, Neville. You'll see."
Neville smiled. "Finally, I think I believe it."
-o-o-o-o-o-
Severus and Hermione walked side-by-side down the corridors of Hogwarts, enjoying the wider doorways that Hogwarts had most graciously provided. With Firenze and Oakleaf finally "courting," Severus and Hermione were only too happy to sic the foals upon them as they had once had foals sicced upon themselves. Astra and Magorian settled yet another bet with each other, and there was talk about whether the two herds could become one by the next year. In honour of the guessing contest, Hermione started an apple betting pool with the other mares on how long it would take Astra and Magorian to admit they fancied each other and if it would take as long as it took Firenze and Oakleaf to admit they were partial to each other.
Minerva hired in Oakleaf to teach Divination with Firenze, and unlike most centaurs, Oakleaf was well versed in human Divination. Even more strangely, Oakleaf made many predictions as befit a centaur with Seer's abilities, and none of them involved death, doom, or other such depressing news. The irony that Trelawney's old spot was taken by a centaur was not lost on anyone.
The centaur chambers were expanded with Oakleaf's arrival, and, much like Hermione and Severus', was soon condensed into one private chamber for the both of them. No foals were reported on the way, but Firenze blushed when Oakleaf very casually stated it "was not for lack of trying." It was Severus' turn to be smug when he looked at Firenze, deadpan, and rattled off a few "tips" to help "please his mate." Oakleaf seemed to approve of Severus, while Firenze had to eat a few pieces of humble pie for having once put Severus in a similar embarrassing conversation.
Laelynn grew like a weed, or, as Astra said, like the typical centaur filly. With the mini-herd at Hogwarts, she was never neglected, and with frequent visits to the main herd, the little filly was both spunky and ready to tackle the world… if the world would only slow down a little and let her catch up.
She ran circles around Hagrid, and seemed to have the mischief of two Weasley twins. Often she would trip the half-giant up by tying his ankles together and then dart between his legs and disappear up the path, neighing in pleasure. Severus never seemed to mind. Some even speculated as to whether he was encouraging the little filly to pick on Hagrid. No one had the gall to ask him, though.
The two professors Snape became well known across Europe amongst the centaur herds, not for their rebirth as centaur, but for their being able to heal the ails that plagued the centaur species. Wherever they walked, they seeded the sacred moonflowers, often picking up one or two new variants from their travels, then seeding new plants as they went from place to place. They lived and taught at Hogwarts, preferring to remain in the area where they had been when they found each other, staying near the Dark Forest Herd unless word came that their help was needed.
Mrs Weasley turned out to be an excellent foster granddam for the foals, and she would visit often with fresh apples from the orchard or bring apple tarts when she came. After finding the elder Weasley passed out in the middle of a pile of foals in the middle of their shared quarters, Firenze proclaimed Molly Weasley "foal approved."
One night, Hermione invited Harry and Ginny to come visit with the herd for the "supermoon," and Harry and Ginny fell asleep amongst the centaur under the stars as the elders taught the younglings the stars of their history and future. Perhaps it was a sign of some divine blessing, but all the fertile and mated mares that had been there that night had the curious scent of pregnancy about them within the week.
Hermione kept a vial of her memories of Harry's face when Severus asked him what he and Ginny were "naming their next foal." She filed it in Severus' old black sock drawer, since he wasn't using it anymore and no one would think of looking in a centaur's sock drawer for pensieve memories. Severus said she was disturbingly Slytherin when she put her mind to it.
Trelawney became the most popular ride at the Hogsmeade Magical Farm. Hogsmeade even had a Moonflower Festival every year to commemorate the peace between the centaur and humans.
Neville bred a special moonflower that looked almost identical to the actual sacred moonflower, only it was far less magically ornery and didn't insult the entire centaur race when one dug one up and carried it off. He bred them to come in a variety of colours to distinguish them from the sacred plant. Many believed his plant to be "better" due its sap being a highly effective skin tonic, but Neville never revealed the truth about the sacred horse moonflower. Hogsmeade was planted with them all over, and even in winter they seemed to bloom without regard.
Laelynn seemed to take after her parents in more ways than looks, for one morning, Severus and Hermione found that a few small "baby" moonflowers had moved into her mane and tail, rooting themselves into her as an anchor. They often nickered their approval at her when she did something nice, chomped on her ear when she did something displeasing, and acted like her traveling conscience when the herd wasn't around to do it for her. Neither herd or parents could complain that the plants seemed to be taking care of her.
Neville's parents settled down in a small cottage near Ottery St. Catchpole not so far from the Weasleys, Diggorys, Fawcetts, and the Lovegoods. Choosing a quiet life once their miraculous recovery spanned the news tabloids died down, they made a home for themselves, welcomed the peace they had only been able to dream of before their attack, and remained blissfully unaware of the pain of their torture. Augusta Longbottom seemed to take the news of her son and daughter-in-law's recovery with enthusiasm to spare. There was much screaming, tears, and disbelief. She, too, began to heal, and Neville seemed far better for it overall. His goal was done. His children would know their grandparents. Best of all, his parents would know his children and remember it the next day and the day after that.
As Hermione and Severus settled down in their private chambers, enjoying a bit of rare private time when the foals were all tackling Firenze and Oakleaf, they cuddled with each other in front of the cozy fire.
Severus pressed his lips to the curve of her neck and nickered softly.
Hermione crooned a soft reply, pulling his head down against herself as she closed her eyes.
"I am glad you are here with me, Severus," Hermione said, rubbing his scalp with her fingertips.
Severus snuffled her hair and kissed her temple. "I am glad to be here."
"Even though you have Neville to thank?" Hermione asked with amusement.
Severus let out a long-suffering sigh. "Perhaps, I am thankful we didn't end up hippogriffs or thestrals with Hagrid 'taking care of us'."
Hermione snorted, her ears twitching. The moonflowers in her mane echoed her snort, shaking their flowered heads. She snuggled into his body. "I think I would prefer you taking care of me," she mused.
Severus growled softly into her neck. "Is this an equal give and take relationship?"
Hermione crooned softly, tugging on his ears with her fingers. Her moonflowers nickered at him. "I'm a centaur, Severus. Of course, I'll share."
She tugged him by the collar and pulled his mouth to hers. "I just won't share all of you. Parts of you, I keep for myself."
Severus breathed a little heavy into her mouth, his hands pressed against her cheek. "I… I'm glad of it."
Quite some time later, when the dark of night was perhaps at its darkest and the embers of the fire were all that remained of a blazing warmth, Severus and Hermione lay together, sleeping soundly after they reaffirmed their bonds as mates. The far door gave a small creek as a chain of soft nickers filtered in.
Laelynn gave a soft whinny and trotted in brazenly, cuddling up to her dam's warm side and closing her eyes. The three other foals tentatively walked in, nickering nervously, then when sensing no admonishment, hustled up to snuggle against Hermione and Severus. They were asleep within minutes.
When Firenze and Oakleaf opened the door to peer in, curiosity itching at them when they lost their foal shadows, Firenze gave a soft chuckle and closed the door.
"Everything okay?" Oakleaf asked.
Firenze soothed his mate's mane and smiled. "One big happy family," he assured her. "Everything is as it should be." He placed his hands on his mate's sides, pressing his ear to the roundness of her abdomen.
"Soon, we shall have more foals than our herd has seen in a generation," Oakleaf said with a smile. "Truly Chiron has watched over our people."
Firenze shook his head."He watches over more than just the centaur, my love," Firenze said warmly. "If it were not for Trelawney, who once had the kindness of a dying moonflower bestow her a vision, the chain of events that gave us our brother and our sister would never have happened. Neville's parents would still be at St Mungo's, insane and uncured. My brother would still be wandering the halls of Hogwarts alone and in denial, longing for a love he felt he did not deserve. Hermione would be walking the shores of the Black Lake alone, convinced she had missed her chance at happiness, and that the one person she truly wished to be with could not love her the same."
Oakleaf smiled. "They should call you the Diviner, Firenze." she said. "Keeper of the Tangled Web. Not many centaur keep track of so many strands of Fate."
Firenze smiled. "Perhaps they were not the first centaur of this herd… blessed by a flower."
Oakleaf turned her head.
"When I was born, my coat was white," Firenze said. "As white as the fullness of the moon. I was sickly, weaker, clung to my dam like every day was my last day. She lay me in a bed of flowers, moonflowers, and prayed for Chiron to help. For the first time, I slept all night, nestled against my dam and the flowers. I woke, my coat covered in yellow pollen. It happened so often, the mares described me as a pollen foal."
Firenze looked upward to the charmed sky on the ceiling. "Then, one day, I didn't need to sleep in the flowers anymore. I could run. I could read the stars. I could see further than most. I could see forward instead of just the present and the past. My dam used to joke that I slept in the flowers so much my coat turned white, but actually it was the opposite. I slept in the embrace of the moonflowers so long that my coat turned golden. By the time my dam returned from traveling and rejoined Magorian's herd, I was already already as you see me."
Oakleaf smiled broadly. "You, too, have been blessed by Chiron."
Firenze smiled. "We have all been blessed by Him since the day we gained civility, my love," he said with a warmth that spread from him to her. "Sometimes, those like me can recognise when it is coming, though we know not how or exactly when it will happen."
"Tell me, Firenze," Oakleaf began, her hand pressed against his chest. "Did you know what the flowers would do?"
Firenze gave a knowing smile. "Nay, love. I only knew the flowers could bring them peace of mind and heart if they were ready."
Oakleaf chuckled. "From what I hear, there was some resistance."
Firenze grinned. "Sometimes what the heart knows, the head forgets. It all worked out in the end, did it not?"
Oakleaf nickered softly, nibbling on Firenze's neck. Firenze's eyes widened as other matters took priority over conversing.
-o-o-o-o-o-o-o-
In the adjoining room, Hermione and Severus snuggled close to each other, the small tugs of a smile on each of their lips. The flowers in their manes nickered to each other as though privy to an inside joke.
Hundreds of years later, when it was a common to see both goblins and centaurs filling the halls of Hogwarts, and it was not so abnormal to see either sitting (or standing) at the high table, stories would be told of the first centaur and goblins to grace the halls of Hogwarts. It was often a story of adventure as much as it was of love. It was story of souls finding common ground. It was a tale of redemption and the healing was a legacy they left for the generations that came after.
And sometimes, when one walked down the halls of Hogwarts, someone could hear the distant nickering of small voices as tiny pollen horses cantered down the hallway and into the wind, spiraled up the tower to the current Headmaster's office, and whinnied to a portrait of the first married Headmaster and Headmistress of Hogwarts. Dark black and honey brown eyes stared out of the portrait, their bodies surrounded in hundreds of delicate white flowers.
It was said, when the skies were clear, and the moon was full, children that sneaked into the Headmaster's Office would see the ceiling go transparent, exposing the stars, and one portrait amongst the many would tell stories of both forgiveness and Fate.
Sometimes, anything was possible with a small nudge in the right direction—perhaps the tiny nudge of a flower shaped like a horse.
Fin.
-o-o-o-o-o-
Beta Love: Sehanine, my chevalier of the Queen's English
A/N: Thanks to all who have supported this story and the rampaging plot bunny that refused to leave me alone. I hope you enjoyed this centaur-focused story.