Return of Sebastian Sallow | 10 Yr After Hogwarts

Chapter 111: Kaleidoscopes*

April told me these celebrations can last long into the night. But I'm not sure what time it is. Or how long we have all been enjoying ourselves. Though no one appears to be slowing down or leaving the clearing beyond the natural ebb and flow of a gathering such as this, I get the distinct sense that this extraordinary wave I've been riding — which began to peak just after the binding ceremony was over — may begin its descent back to reality soon.

I never want this sensation to end. It reminds me of the feeling I got above the clouds on the observation deck at Mahoutokoro.

"Kai?" I ask dreamily, not directing my face towards him as the sight in front of me is much too enchanting. Anne is laughing and playing with a group of Centaurian younglings and all of them are playing games of tackle and chase with a certain gray fox and black jaguar — April and Thiago in their animagus forms. Though an undeniably sleek and muscular large cat, I would hardly call him imposing. For the moment, at least, he's behaving more like a house cat than a predator. Or, rather, he is simply behaving precisely as he does in his human form.

Thiago has indulged the younglings' pleas that he not shift back, initially having taken the form for Ominis' sake who, apparently, has been temporarily gifted the ability to see the colors and shapes of auras. It was a glorious revelation. The immensity of the joy I felt on his behalf was incredible and after aiding his peace with reiki magic, he and Thiago spent a large portion of the night identifying the auras of the colony. I've never seen him so curious, giddy and invested.

Not too long ago — or maybe a lifetime ago...who knows, as time has lost meaning — April adopted her fox form to take some of the burden of the younglings' attention from Thiago. But much to my delight, Anne has doted on my little fox as much as she has doted on the younglings. I can't help but feel Anne and April's bond of sisterhood beginning to germinate.

How can this dream be real?

"Yes, Sallow?" Kai responds, eventually.

I let my head fall back, releasing the too-much weight of it from my neck and resting it, instead, against Kai's side.

Kai. Centaur and future Elder. Who I resented to my core. The formerly goddamnable presence I wished was not a thorn in my side. I begin to laugh to myself as I guilelessly admit, "you know, when I first learned of you my mind tried to tell me your name was fit for a mooncalf."

He booms with laughter, and I along with him and the bouncing of his great ribs.

"That is what you wished to say?" His tone is kindly incredulous. "Some say the name means 'warrior' but, perhaps I would wish for your interpretation, Sallow. I am a terrible dancer and could benefit from some of the grace of a mooncalf."

We laugh again. What a world.

"No, no, no," I continue. "What I was going to ask is – would you have guessed this day would culminate in our being some kind of magically-bound-new-colony-brothers? And my leaning against your side, sitting in the grass together, watching a jaguar and fox cavorting around with your son and his friends?"

I was surprised to learn Kai is a little older than I'd thought – centaurs aging a bit more slowly than humankind. He's young by Centaurian standards and, in a parallel kind of way, in a similar stage of life as the rest of us with a few year's lead. And Rorik, he and Anja's firstborn, takes after him in almost every conceivable way.

"No!" Kai laughs heartily and my body is also jostled from the percussion of it. "I am as surprised as you are. I have known your good heart. I knew you would attend the weekend with us. I have known your peaceful magic. Well, it is that of peaceful...fury. I had no doubt your union with April might be special in some way because of your bond together. But no, I cannot tell you I ever foresaw the wonderful scenario before us, nor the colony we have become."