Harry Meets His Match

Chapter 2- The Forbidden Forest

“Miss Parker, Did you even DO the homework?” asked Mrs. Jenson, one morning during science. Surika looked up and shook her head. “No, Ma’am.” “And why, may I ask, not?” Surika kept her eye contact, but couldn’t prevent her cheeks from flushing.

“I can’t read, Ma’am.” Surika admitted. Her face flushed darker as the whole classroom erupted in a chorus of laughter. “Quiet!” Mrs. Jenson demanded. “Are you lying to me, Miss Parker?” she interrogated. Surika shook her head in response. “I am not” “Yes you are.” the teacher accused. Again, Surika shook her head. “I assure you Ma’am, that I am not.” she said firmly. She was getting irritated. Mrs. Jenson pursed her lips.

“Detention, Miss Parker. I would have expected your parents to have taught you more truthfully… And mare ladylike. Very disappointing.” That did it. Surika never allowed anyone to mock her family. Ever. She stood up in anger so fast that her chair went crashing to the floor loudly.

“My parents taught me fine! It’s your teaching that’s a disappointment!” she yelled. “Miss Parker! Sit down!” “I won’t! NO ONE mocks my family!” Surika clenched her fists tightly, aware that every eye in the room was on her. “Miss Parker, I said sit down! Your detention is now doubled!” Mrs. Jenson commanded. “Screw your detention! I WON’T show up!” she shouted, picking up her science book. “And you can take this piece of crap, and SHOVE IT!” With that, she slammed the book onto the floor and stormed out of the stunned classroom. She went into her room and locked herself in. She didn’t come out again until midnight.

Quietly, she opened the door and peered out. All quiet. Light footedly, she stepped out and threw a black cloak over herself, drawing up the hood. She was going to explore the forest tonight, and possibly find out what was on the other side. She didn’t care if she got caught. If they kicked her out, it wouldn’t matter to her.

With that in mind, she crept down the hall and down a flight of stairs to the classroom level. She glanced around for a moment. It was all dark, and no person in sight. Surika smirked triumphantly and strolled to the front doors. They were locked electronically inside and out. That wasn’t a problem. She dug into her pocket and pulled out a crumpled piece of paper, carrying the Institute’s security code. Grinning cockily, she punched in the code and heard the lock click open. Slowly, she pushed the door open and stepped out into the night. She crept quickly across the lawn to the stables and slipped inside.

As soon as he heard Surika’s familiar footsteps, the tiger, Moses, sprang to his feet and bound to her side. Surika smiled and scratched his ears. “Hey Buddy.” she crooned. Moses purred affectionately and licked her hand. “Come on. Let’s go have an adventure.” she whispered, and grinned as his eyes lit up at the word, “adventure.” She patted his head and turned to release Moonglow from her stall. As soon as the horse stepped out, Surika climbed up onto her back and rode her out into the night, Moses tagging right at her heels. She paused a moment at the edge of the forest and peered in.

“Well you two…This is it. We’re going to make Institute history.” She grinned a little and gripped Moonglow’s mane. “Let’s go!” With nothing but a gentle squeeze of her heels, she was of into the dark, misty forest. A great rush of adrenaline flowed through her veins as she was carried further into the forest. For about 15 minutes she rode, and then stopped. Looking around, she saw nothing but trees.

“Dangerous, my ass! There’s nothing here!” she said out loud, feeling rather disappointed. Suddenly, a soft rustle in the bushes told her that they weren’t alone. Surika tensed up as the sound drew nearer. She felt her nature powers surge down to her fingertips as she prepared herself for the worst. She watched the bush closely as a white horse stepped out. Surika smiled and relaxed as the gorgeous creature bent its head…

Surika did a double take. This was no ordinary horse. It had a… horn in the middle of its forehead. Surika’s breath caught in her chest as she stared at this magnificent creature. Slowly, she let go of Moonglow’s mane and slid off of her back. She had to be sure this was real, and not just a figment of her imagination.

Surika stepped lightly as she moved closer, the soft, damp dirt squeezing between the toes of her bare feet. The horse raised its elegant head to look at her. She paused a moment, and stared in awe at the single silver horn on its head. She held out her hand, palm upward, and slowly began to walk toward the creature. Timidly, the horse began to back away from her.

“Oh please don’t… I won’t hurt you… Don’t be afraid…” she crooned softly, stepping forward even more slowly. The horse stepped forward cautiously, stretched its powerful neck out, and sniffed her hand. She slowly brought her other hand up and stroked the sleek, soft coat of the horse, using feather-light touch. She could feel the tension in the horses’ muscles retreat as she gently caressed its neck, nose, then she felt her fingers stroking the unique silver horn. This was no illusion. This was real. A real, live… unicorn.

Surika stayed there for nearly an hour until the unicorn decided it had enough and trotted away. Surika re-mounted Moonglow and continued her exploration. She saw nothing else for almost 30 minutes when she came to a clear path. She was sure that human feet had made it. Big human feet. She decided she would follow to see where it led. She followed for a few minutes, and suddenly the trees ended and were replaced by an unmistakable lawn. Her eyes followed the short grass, and upward. She couldn’t believe what she saw.

It was a castle, and a very big one at that. In awed silence, she slid off of Moonglow’s back, and had to catch herself to keep from falling in her awe. It was huge! Slowly, her eyes took in the marvelous stone structure. Its towers seemed to touch the sky, and all its windows were dark. She had never seen a building so magnificent… Curiously, she took a few steps forward.