Hermione Granger and the Centaur Boy

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Time really does heal wounds, and Hermione's came to be healed. Two years after the verdict, Hermione was feeling like herself again and working at Hogwarts. She was beginning her second year as the Muggle Studies Professor. She hadn't come straight to Hogwarts after losing Cyrus; she'd spent a year in France. When she returned, she found out about the open teaching position at Hogwarts, and she went out for it. She found she quite enjoyed teaching. It was odd being on the other end of things -— the one catching kids in the corridors, the one giving and taking away points to the houses, and the one sitting at the staff table with the other professors. However, even though she was now on the other side, it felt right to be back in a place so familiar.

But a part of her never let go of her hope of seeing Cyrus again; that's the reason she was running a little late on the first day of term. She had missed the sorting, which was always disappointing.

As she entered the Great Hall, she noticed she wasn't the only person missing from the staff table. She said hello to a few of the students as she made her way to her seat next to Headmistress McGonagall.

"Miss Granger, you have to stop wandering around looking for him," McGonagall whispered. "Centaurs stay away from Hogwarts. The forest they live in just happens to be close."

"I know," Hermione replied. "I can't help it. It's silly; he's probably learned to live on his own by now. I just wish I could see him one more time."

"Well, there's nothing wrong with wishing if you're sensible about it."

"You should have seen him. He was really the most amazing child."

"I'm sure he was," McGonagall replied. "Well, I can't promise you Cyrus, but I can assure you there will be at least one pleasant reunion for you this year."

"Is Harry—"

"No, not Mr. Potter. He's still in Rome."

"Oh," Hermione replied. The other name she wanted to ask about was on the tip of her tongue, but she wouldn't say it. She hoped he had forgiven her for being so cold the last time they spoke.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hermione noticed a lot of giggling and whispering amongst girls in her first class. While she was pulling out her notes, she caught part of a conversation at the front of her classroom.

"He's sooooooo cute," a girl near the front of the room said to the girl beside her.

"I can't wait for flying lessons," her friend added.

"Well right now I hope you can pay attention to my class," Hermione said.

"Sorry Professor," the girls said.

Hermione tried not to smile as she remembered the year they had Lockhart as a teacher. She hoped whomever the girls were talking about was a little more worthy of their gushing.

Maybe it was curiosity; maybe it was a sense she had deep inside. But for whatever reason, she came down to peek at the first years’ flying lesson. She saw the back of him first, but he had a build that was all too familiar. She noticed he'd let his beautiful red hair grow back. He turned, and she got a good look at him; he looked even better than when she saw him last, happier. Hermione watched the lesson at a distance; she didn't want to disturb the children. Ron caught sight of her midway through the lesson, and she wondered if he hated her at all. He smiled, proving he did not. She knew things were okay when he came over to greet her.

"So you're the new Lockhart," Hermione said teasingly.

"Don't compare me to him," Ron replied.

They stood looking at each other for a while, unsure of what to say next.

"I see you grew your hair back," Hermione finally said.

"Yeah."

Another silence.

"You look happier than when I saw you last," Ron said.

"I'm sorry about the way I ran out on you."

"I understand," Ron replied. "You were hurting."

"Why are you teaching, of all things, flying lessons?"

"The job was available."

"But what about 'Accidental Magical Reversal'? I thought you loved it."

"You know, it was a crazy job. I got called away at a moment’s notice."

"I thought that's what you liked," Hermione said, "the excitement. You used to have such stories."

"It was fun, but I'm looking forward to different things now."

They continued to talk about the little things as they walked along the familiar school corridors, forgetting there was ever anything wrong between them.

***

Hermione and Ron strolled outside as night fell on Hogwarts. They had met after the evening meal in the Great Hall and had been talking for hours. Even though they knew they weren't students any longer, they still felt like Filch should be coming out at any moment to threaten them. And being together really made it feel like the old days. The only thing that was missing was Harry, but they talked so much about him and the three of them that it made it feel like they were a trio again.

"I can't believe girls are whispering about you in hallways," Hermione said to him.

"Well, I'm no Harry Potter," Ron replied. "And I'm quite sure there's more than a few boys around here whispering about Professor Granger."

"I don't even want to think about that." Hermione laughed.

Suddenly they both saw a flash near Hagrid's hut.

"What the — " Ron began.

"Hagrid's not there," Hermione said. "I saw him inside."

They looked at each other and then ran toward the hut. It was possible a student was back there. They heard something making a run for it into the forbidden forest.

"You really think a student would run into the forbidden forest?" Hermione asked.

"We did it," Ron replied.

Both of them pulled out their wands, just in case, and headed cautiously after the sound. The further they got from Hogwarts the darker it seemed to be. Suddenly Ron saw Hermione stumble in front of him.

"Lumos," he said, shedding a bit of light on the area. Then he helped her up.

They could now both see what Hermione had fallen over.

"School books," Ron said. "So, it was a student."

"I don't think so," Hermione said, taking a closer look at the books. "These are a bit out of date."

"Not everyone can afford the latest editions Hermione," Ron said, sounding a little hurt.

"I know that," Hermione replied. "But these aren't even proper used books. Pages are missing from this one, and this one doesn't even have a cover." Hermione lit her own wand and examined the ground further. "These aren't human footprints."

"Hoof prints," Ron said looking at them closely.

"With the weight clearly on the front. These are centaur tracks."

"You don't think? But where would a centaur get a wand?"

Hermione looked away.

"You didn't. You didn't give Cyrus a wand! Hermione, you know better!"

"Don't yell at me, " Hermione spat back.

"I'm sorry, but you know—"

"The law, yes. I know I shouldn't have given Cyrus a wand. I didn't think any harm would come of it. I didn't think he could use it. It was just a keepsake, that's all."

"Should we keep looking?" Ron asked.

"No," Hermione said. "He's obviously teaching himself magic, so he needs the books. He'll be back, and we'll get another chance at it."

"Do you think we should take the books?"

"No, leave them for him to find."

~~~~~"~~~~~

The next day, Hermione was distracted. She found it hard to focus. Mary Bunton (who reminded her a little of herself) corrected her no less than three times. Of course, several girls assumed her sudden and unusual feeble mindedness was linked to the not-so-hidden relationship between herself and Professor Weasley. In one day they had become the gossip of the students. None of the students could have guessed the truth, that her mind was on a little, perhaps not so little now, centaur out there somewhere in the Forbidden Forest.

She never went to the Great Hall for the evening meal; that night she returned, alone, to Hagrid's hut. He was there, so she went in, sat with him, and told him what she and Ron has seen and found in the forest. She also told him about the wand she gifted to Cyrus.

"Shoulda never gave 'im them books," Hagrid muttered.

"You gave them to him?"

"Saw 'im once while I was out there lookin' for ... sumat for class. 'e looked real sad, said 'e missed readin'. So I gave 'im some old school books and a couple books me dad gave ter me."

"You gave him the books, I gave him the wand, and he learned magic." Hermione smiled even though she knew she shouldn't be happy about it.

"There are things yeh don't know 'ermione. Get yer wand back and then leave Cyrus to 'is dad."

"Listen, I know it's quite unusual, but he has magical talent. Perhaps he was meant to use it. Rules were bent for you, weren't they? You were half-giant. Why should Cyrus' case be any different if he has the ability?"

"It's jes' ... different."

"It's not so different. He deserves a chance to reach his full potential. And don't bother arguing, I know you don't agree."

Hermione left Hagrid's and started back toward the school. Then she suddenly stopped and turned toward Hagrid's again; this time she followed the path she and Ron had taken the night before. When she reached the place in the forest where they had left the books, she saw they were gone.

"You know it's dangerous," a voice began, causing her to jump. "You shouldn't go into the Forbidden Forest alone."

"Ron," Hermione said, turning toward him. "Of course I know that. I was just curious."

"What happened to the Hermione that always followed the rules?"

"I think she disappeared around the time she practiced potion making in a haunted girl's lavatory."

Ron smiled. "He actually came back for the books. He's definitely your son. I suppose we should look for fresh tracks if we're going to find him tonight."

They found his path easy to follow. He'd obviously gathered the books and rushed off. After walking for about 30 minutes, they heard a muttering that sounded a lot like a kid practicing magic words. They then saw what appeared to be a spark. It led them right to a clearing where they found a young centaur practicing with a wand. He looked a bit older, he was a little taller, and his coat was silvery-white, depending on how the moonlight hit it, but there was no doubt he was Cyrus. He was so different, yet he was still the same beautiful, little baby she'd always loved.

"Cyrus," Hermione called, not thinking he might be scared off.

She stepped into view, but he never turned around. He immediately started to run. Then suddenly, as if he knew better, he stopped, but he didn't turn to look at her.

"Mum?" he questioned simply.

"Cyrus, I missed you."

Cyrus turned and revealed he was crying. Hermione was crying, too. He galloped toward her, she ran toward him. Ron stepped into the clearing, but he stayed out of the way and let the reunion happen.

"Let me look at you," Hermione said as they stepped apart. His always-odd star-shaped birthmark was more defined than ever. His arms were strong. His face looked more like that of a young teenager than a boy, but he was only eight years old.

"I missed you," Hermione said.

"Me too, but what are you doing here?"

"I teach here. This is my second year."

"Really?" Cyrus said, sounding more boyish that he looked. "I can see you then?"

"You still want to?"

"Of course," he said excitedly, but then a sudden sadness swept over his face. "But ... I can't."

"Why?"

"If I had never come back here, I wouldn't have known the things I know ... about myself, about who I am. I know I shouldn't be practicing your wizard magic at all, but I enjoyed it, and there are so few things to enjoy anymore. But if anyone knew, if my dad found out I was anywhere near Hogwarts ... I just can't see you."

"Why not, your father wouldn't have to know."

"I'm not like other centaurs, Mum."

"I've always thought that," Hermione said. "I mean, I couldn't figure out what it was, but I knew you were special. And now we know you were meant to practice magic as much as anyone."

"I can't go to Hogwarts; it's never going to happen. I'm not human, I know that," Cyrus said. "IÂ’d better go home. My father will be looking for me soon."

"Can I at least send you letters? Using one of the school's owls?"

"I'd like that. I suppose we could manage it," Cyrus replied. "I am happy to see you, Mum. I never forgot you."

He suddenly looked over at Ron.

"Hi, Mr. Ron," he said with a smile.

"Hello, Cyrus."

Cyrus turned and ran off into the woods. His speed was incredible.

"He grew up so much," Hermione said.

"Kids do that, Hermione," Ron said. "How old do you think he is, in human years?"

"I don't know, 12, 13 maybe," Hermione said. "I still remember giving him a bottle for the first time. I guess he grew up well, didn't he? "

"Yeah, thanks to you."

"But I get the feeling there's something he's not saying. He knows something about himself that he won't share with me."