Hogwarts Reimagined

Content warning for: homophobic slur, panic attack.

The rest of the holiday ambled by peaceably. In their spare time, Ron started teaching Rhiannon to play wizarding chess and it started to feel like the school was making more work for them to do out of spite. A note came for Rhiannon and her friends around midday on New Years’ Eve, in Hagrid’s distinctly untidy handwriting.
Dumbledore wants you lot to help me out tonight feeding animals and all. Dress warm, I’ll get you all from the castle at eight. Hagrid.
So the cluster of Gryffindors waited nervously in the courtyard for Hagrid late in the evening, shivering in the cold and huddling together as if by some sort of herd instinct. When Hagrid arrived they clung to him for warmth, sharing belated Christmas wishes and chattering amongst themselves. Aside from Rhiannon, Hermione, Faye and Ron there were also the Weasley twins and a handful of Slytherins standing apart from them; namely Draco Malfoy and his friends Vincent Crabbe and Gregory Goyle, and Aaron Prentiss. On noticing the last, Rhiannon shifted closer to Hagrid who scowled at the boy in question.

“All right you lot, no more chat. Let’s head off.” he announced, shooing them off ahead out of the courtyard and down the hill to his cabin at the edge of the forest, leaving a deep track carved into the snow in their wake.

When they arrived, Hagrid handed out various sacks of what smelt like animal feed and separated them into groups. “Alright, Fred, you’ve helped out before. You mind Hermione, Faye and them three-” here he gestured to Crabbe, Goyle and Prentiss. “Don’t clown around, feed the critters around the house. Check on the mooncalves’ food, don’t let em out – they’re still frisky after t’ full moon. Don’t bother the bowtruckle in the roof, be polite to the fairies, and if you’ve got your hide gloves on ye, Fred, rub some chili powder on the salamander in the crate inside, it’s got the rot. Pinch the Niffler next to it and I’ll have ye back for the next term. Rhiannon, the rest of you, come with me.” he continued on, gesturing for the three Gryffindors and Malfoy to follow him. “We’ve some unicorns to check. Should be quick, feed the foals and that.” With that he picked up his oversized crossbow and clipped a quiver of bolts to his belt. At Ron’s querying glance, he grunted noncommittally. “Jus’ in case,” was all he’d say on the matter.

Rhiannon fell into step with Ron and George, Malfoy following begrudgingly a few paces behind them as they pushed their way through snow behind Hagrid, forcing a path into the outskirts of the forest. She clung tightly to Ron’s hand in the dark, but released it and gasped in wonder as Hagrid led them to a large clearing, ringed thickly by trees and lightly coated in snow. She would have missed it entirely had Hagrid not parted a thicket and led them through, but once inside she was enraptured by its’ inhabitants. Unicorns. She’d only ever seen pictures, and they weren’t at all delicate as some artists seemed to think. There were three adults in the clearing, two taller than the third, and all were sturdy and thick-coated in the midwinter chill, brilliant silver-white against the dull grey of the snow. That wasn’t to say they weren’t beautiful. To Rhiannon, the real thing looked, well, real – like the essence of a horse of the highlands, as if ordinary horses were only dilutions or pale reflections. Not that she had seen many more of them either, but there was something about the unicorns that captured the imagination.

Hagrid smiled, and handed Rhiannon a bucket. He passed one each to George and Ron too, and gave them all a shove. “No running, keep your voices low. Some think they only like lasses but that’s just plain nonsense, they just like quiet. Spread out, they’ll squabble otherwise. Malfoy, grab this, c’m’ere.” he explained for them, dragging Malfoy along with him to a low shelter structure in the centre of the clearing.

Hesitantly, Rhiannon approached the smaller of the three unicorns, head lowered shyly and her free arm tucked in to her side. She had read a little about unicorns and knew they were easily startled, and she didn’t want to unintentionally appear a threat. Carefully she set the bucket down and backed away a few paces, she didn’t want to crowd the creature by accident. With a snort, the unicorn ambled forward and dipped its’ shaggy head into the bucket, watchful eyes still on Rhiannon over the rim. It snorted again and flicked one tufted ear, as if giving Rhiannon permission and, wonderingly, she stepped forward to stroke the creature’s mane. Its coarse hair caught in her woollen half-mittens and she giggled, delighted and surprised, as the unicorn peacefully went on eating in spite of her touch as she brushed clumped snow from its’ shaggy form.

Hagrid’s voice, pitched low and rough with concern, disturbed the fascinated students from their charges. “One’s missing, th’ other little ‘un. He’s usually shy, I thought he might be in here with the foals... but somethin’s been takin’ em, he’s the second now. C’mon you lot, you can help me look. Keep your eyes peeled for hoofprints, caught hairs or blood – looks a bit like quicksilver; and pipe up if you see any.”

Apprehensively, Rhiannon patted the unicorn one last time and fell in beside Hagrid. She peered up at him anxiously. “Ww-will he be alright?” she asked, her voice feeling very weak in the heavy night air. Hagrid shook his head helplessly, adjusting the halter slung over his shoulder and gripping his crossbow more tightly as he did so. “No clue. Haven’t found th’ other one.” he replied gruffly. One of his big gloved hands squeezed Rhiannon’s bony shoulder briefly, and she managed a fragile smile. As far as detentions went, a night-time field trip with Hagrid wasn’t so bad.

The six of them – Hagrid, George, Ron and Rhiannon, Malfoy and Fang – made their way deeper into the forest, picking up the occasional sign as they went as there was far less snow beneath the thick trees. Hoofprints were most common, and Hagrid hefted his crossbow grimly. A rustle in the brittle undergrowth set them all on edge and Hagrid gestured for them all to huddle in behind him, as from the trees stepped – a horse? A man? To the waist, a light-skinned freckled man with red hair and intricate blue tattoos, but below was a horse’s powerful chestnut-haired body.

“Oh, it’s you, Ronan,” Hagrid said in relief. “How are yeh?” He bowed politely, and strode forward to shake the centaur – Ronan’s – hand.

“Good evening to you, Rubeus,” said Ronan. He had a melancholy sort of voice, belying his fierce appearance. “Would you have shot me? I thought better.”

Hagrid shook his head and lowered the crossbow. “Nah. My apologies. Can’t be too careful out here – unicorns been goin’ missin’.” His expression soured, and he visibly cast around for a new topic. “These ‘ere are students from the castle. This is Rhiannon Potter and a couple Weasleys, Ron and George. Oh an’, Draco Malfoy I guess. Kids, meet Ronan, he’s – what’s the word? A sort of teacher for the herd.”

Rhiannon, Ron and George all bowed politely, George with an elaborate flourish. Malfoy hung back, scowling, and Rhiannon was quietly glad he had nothing to say. “Students, hmm. Do you learn much, up at the school?” Ronan asked, leaning forward on a tall knotted staff that Rhiannon hadn’t noticed before. Rhi shared a glance with Ron and George and shrugged. “A-a, a bit – me ‘n Ron are still new,” Rhiannon replied timidly.

“A bit. Well, that’s better than nothing,” Ronan said with a doleful sigh. He tilted his head back and gazed up at the sky through a gap in the canopy. “Mars is bright tonight.”

Hagrid grimaced, and shook his head. “Yeah, t’is the season n’ all.” he said, sparing a quick glance at the sky. “Listen, I’m glad we’ve run into yeh, Ronan, we’re lookin’ for missin’ unicorns. I’m worried ‘e might be hurt – you seen anythin’?”

Ronan didn’t answer immediately, his attention still fixed on the heavens. Unblinking, he stared upwards, then sighed again. “Always the innocent are the first victims,” he said, bowing his head and crossing his free hand over his chest sorrowfully. “So it has been for ages past, so it is now.”

He and Hagrid shared a quiet moment, until Hagrid broke it. “Right, but have you seen anythin’, Ronan? Anythin’ unusual?”

Once again, Ronan took a while to answer. Even when his eyes were on them, the centaur seemed light years away. “The Forest hides many secrets, Rubeus, you know this.” he replied at last.

A movement in the trees behind Ronan had Hagrid raising his weapon again, only to lower it as a second centaur approached them through the trees, black-haired and wilder-looking where Ronan was wistful. “’lo, Bane. All right?” Hagrid asked, a little stiffer than he had been with Ronan.

“Good evening, Rubeus. We are well enough, I hope you are also?” Bane replied. Hagrid nodded. “Well enough. Look, I’ve jus’ been askin’ Ronan, you seen anythin’ odd in here lately? Only there’s a unicorn missin’ – would you know anythin’ about it?”

Bane shook his head, and took a position beside Ronan, staring up at the stars. “Mars is bright tonight,” he replied simply.

“So I’m told,” Hagrid grumbled. “Well, if either of ye’s do see anythin’, let me know wouldn’t you? We’ll be off now, then. Leave you to your stars.” He beckoned the students forward, and they headed further into the forest.

“Are there many centaurs in the forest, Hagrid?” Ron asked curiously. Hagrid grunted, pushing aside a fallen branch with his boot as they carried on. “Eh, a fair few. Herds’re typically about ten to fifty members, and the forest borders on the biggest centaur domain in Britain. They’re a decent lot, keep to ‘emselves mostly, but they’re good enough about turnin’ up if ever I want a word. They’re deep, mind. They know things... jus’ don’ let on much. Guess they think we should figure it out for ourselves.”

Rhiannon fell a few steps behind Hagrid, struggling to see her footing in the darkness, and when she looked up, she could see only Malfoy’s gleaming blond hair in the low light. A low whine came from somewhere beside her – Fang. Her breath hitched, and she turned in a frantic circle, one hand springing in and out as she fought back panic. Malfoy didn’t look any better, even the derisive curl of his lip as he witnessed Rhiannon’s panic had the air of something painted on thin glass.

“Ho-hh-hhhfffgrrr,” Rhiannon tried, giving up and wringing her hands as she tried to get her thoughts in order, frustrated and panicked in equal measure. She tried again, plotting her words out in advance. “H-how did we, did you see where they went?” Her senses flooded and flickered, the musty odour of leaf-litter and damp cold crowding her. Draco shrugged unhelpfully, his pale blue eyes wide with fear. Rhiannon rushed forward a few steps, trying desperately to see where the others had gone, and was stopped by Fang. She coughed and fell to her knees, hugging her arms close to herself. Someone – Malfoy – grabbed her shoulder roughly, and when she opened her mouth to protest he covered it with his hand and shook his head.

Satisfied she wouldn’t scream, Malfoy removed his hand from her mouth “Look, I’m not dying in a forest with Faggy Potter and a dumb mutt,” he hissed. “Get it together – look, over there-” he added, gesturing through a gap in the undergrowth.

Something brilliant white lay gleaming on the ground, illuminated by a stray moonbeam. They crept closer, Rhiannon’s hands flying up to cover her mouth as she recognised it. It was their missing unicorn, and he was dead. Rhi had never seen anything so pointlessly sad. The unicorn’s sturdy legs lay at strange angles where he had fallen against the roots of a tree, and his thick mane was spread out against the roots and dark leaf-litter. A terrible wound marked the animal’s side, and blood like mercury spilled out onto the ground.

Rhiannon took another step towards the fallen unicorn when an eerie slithering sound froze her in her tracks. A bush on the edge of the hollow quivered. Then, out of the shadows, a hooded figure came creeping across the ground like some stalking beast – human by its’ clothing, something terribly other by its’ movement. Malfoy grabbed Rhiannon’s arm and they stood, transfixed with horror. The cloaked figure reached the unicorn, and lowered its’ head over the wound in his side. A horrible slurping noise reached the two students, and Rhiannon realised dimly that it was drinking the unicorn’s blood.

“AAAAAAAAAAAAAARGH!”

Malfoy let out a terrible scream and bolted, as did Fang. The hooded being raised their head and looked right at Rhiannon, front stained with silver gore. Black and white sparks flickered in Rhiannon’s vision and she clutched at her scar as it surged with pain. She fell to her knees, and the blood-stained figure got to their feet and prowled towards Rhiannon, again with that slithering predatory gait.

The creature reached Rhiannon, and for a moment she saw bone-white hands grasping at her wrists. It was as if the pain from her scar set her nerves alight, scorched into her brain, and she pitched sideways unaware that she was screaming, desperate to escape somehow as her vision flickered and darkened. In her dulled state Rhiannon heard hooves behind them and she clawed at the ground, dragging herself backwards away as something jumped clean over her.

Rhiannon sobbed and hugged herself, wracked with pain, twitching and jerking involuntarily and fearful even in the sudden absence of the threat. The commotion stilled, and she waited anxiously in the silence as slowly she too fell still. Rhiannon felt the hoofbeats rather than heard them, as something else approached. “Are you alright, girl?” someone asked, their voice coming as if from a great distance. Rhiannon shook her head and curled up tighter. Leaves crunched, something very heavy drew nearer and Rhiannon squeaked and began to sob again as she was lifted into the air. Wiry hair and rough cloth pricked at her tearstained face, and she whimpered and turned away, trying to find some reprieve.

The unseen rescuer went stiff, and Rhiannon felt calloused fingertips run briefly across her still-throbbing scar even as they moved. “You are the Potter heir,” a low voice said. “I am Firenze, and this forest is not safe for you.” Dimly Rhiannon realised her rescuer had to be another centaur, and their accent was very different to Ronan and Bane’s – melodic and softer, and they pronounced their name as three rhythmic syllables of equal length.

The air around them grew lighter, and Rhiannon felt snowflakes fall on her upturned face. They had to be near the edge of the forest. More hoofbeats layered over Firenze’s, and Rhiannon gasped as the centaur slid to a halt.

“Firenze!” a strident voice thundered. “What are you doing! Have you no shame?” Rhiannon felt a low growl against her ear. “Do you not realise who this is, Bane?” Firenze snapped. “This is the Potter girl – the stars were right the first time after all. There is something in this Forest that does not belong, and -”

Bane, whose harsh voice Rhiannon now recognised from before, cut Firenze off. “Something? You’re carrying that something,” he interrupted, his tone derisive. “Remember, seer Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?”

Unlike Firenze themself, Bane pronounced the name as two syllables with emphasis on the first, and his tone became distrustful. Rhiannon felt her rescuer shake their head. “Those are the customs of your herd, Bane. I swore no such oath.” they replied calmly.

Rhiannon didn’t catch anything of the argument that ensued until a third voice chimed in, the melancholy tone instantly recognisable. “I’m sure Firenze thought that they acted for the best,” Ronan said, attempting a placating tone. The only response was a snort from Bane. “For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold – it is not our business to intervene, nor to chase around after human concerns like common mules!” Bane snapped.

A dry scrape of rock and frost sounded from somewhere beneath them, and Rhiannon felt the tremor in Firenze’s muscles as they held back the worst of their anger. She got the sense this was only the latest in a series of old arguments. “Did you not see that unicorn? And the other, two weeks past?” Firenze bellowed, and Rhiannon clutched at the centaur’s shoulders as he reared a little. “Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the stars not let you in on that? I set myself against the evil lurking in this Forest, Bane, with humans alongside me if I must – anything that would attack an eleven year-old girl is a threat we cannot ignore.”

With that, Firenze whirled around and galloped away, Rhiannon clinging to them as best she could as they left the forest behind. She didn’t understand what was going on. “W-wW-Why’s Bane so angry?” she asked when Firenze slowed back to a walk, slurring her words together a little as she struggled to find them. “Whas, w-hw- what was that thing, you saved me from, anyway?”

Rhiannon felt the centaur’s answer first as a rumble in their throat. “Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?” they asked by way of an answer. Rhiannon began to shake her head, then reconsidered the question. “R-Rhiannon, it’s Rhiannon, not... And yes. It can keep you alive as long as you have access to it, at a cost -”

Firenze nodded, she felt the movement as their muscles shifted. “Indeed. The blood of a unicorn will keep one alive, even if they are an inch from death, but at a terrible price. Whoever resorts to such will live but a half-life, cursed, from the moment it touches their lips. It is a monstrous thing to slay a unicorn, and those who do have destroyed something pure and defenceless for their own gain.” they explained, their melodic voice turning grim and flat. “Who would be that desperate?” Rhiannon asked, wondering aloud. “If you’d be cursed forever, death’s better isn’t it?”

“It is,” Firenze agreed tiredly, “unless all you need is to stay alive long enough to find something else, something that will bring you back to full strength and power – something that will mean you can never die. Perhaps something that should never have been made. Rhiannon Potter, do you know what is hidden in the school at this very moment?”

Rhiannon shook her head, her mind whirring. Fluffy had been guarding something, she knew that much, but no clue as to what. “Perhaps that is better... many of us spoke against bringing it to the castle. We knew what danger it would bring.” Firenze explained, their voice still grim and weary.

“Rhiannon! Rhi, are you alright?”

They were interrupted suddenly by Ron’s voice, cracking a little on the words. Firenze halted, and Rhiannon heard others nearby – Ron wouldn’t be out alone. “I-I’m ffffine,” Rhiannon managed. Certainly not the truth, but she wasn’t injured. “Can’t see. Hagrid?” she asked, hating the desperate way her voice trailed up as she searched for some sound of him. “Here, lass.” Hagrid replied, his rough voice instantly reassuring her. Rhiannon nodded to herself, taking a deep breath and scripting out her words. “Th-The unicorn. Dead. Malfoy ran. Ssome, something in there, it-” she trailed off, coughing and flinching at the memory of the pain. Hagrid swore, and Rhiannon yelped as again she was lifted into the air. This time she was placed on her own two feet and she felt around for someone familiar. “Rhi, here,” Ron murmured, and Rhiannon fumbled until she found his arm, which she then clung to tightly. “Alright, we’re done here now. I’m gonna go find that Malfoy kid and me damn dog, you lot go fetch the others from my house an’ head on up to the castle. George, no antics, look after Rhiannon or I’ll have yer hide. Go on, get,” Hagrid said, before stomping off through the snow into the treeline – at least, that’s what Rhiannon guessed by the amount of noise he made.

Guided by Ron, Rhiannon made her way back to Hagrid’s house, stumbling occasionally in the snow. She existed in a sort of half-daze, numb and shaking, barely even registering the presence of her other friends when they joined back up at the cabin. Her numbness only began to subside when they reached the castle, and, surrounded by her friends, made a slow and sodden path up to the common room. Hermione and Faye helped her into bed and she lay in the darkness for hours, endlessly turning over the facts of the night without putting anything new together, until eventually she gave in to exhaustion and fell asleep.