Harriet Potter 1

Firings and fate

To Harriet's chagrin, Snape insisted in continuing to teaching her occlumency rather than just spending their time together in more enjoyable ways.

He had just pointed his wand at her with a smirk when they heard a woman scream from outside the room.

"Harriet, did you see anything on your way down here?" Snape asked sharply.

Harriet shook her head and followed Snape up to the entrance hall, which was now filled with a large crowd.

Professor Trelawney had tears streaming down her face from beneath her magnified spectacles "You c-can't sack me. Hogwarts is my home!"

Umbridge utterred a high pitched giggle. "It was your home. But I have a letter here signed by the minister himself approving your dismissal."

A deep voice broke through the chaos. "You may have dismissed her Dolores, but you do not have the power to remove her from the castle."

"And what will you do when I appoint a new divination teacher who requires her lodgings?" Umbridge asked, her tone saccharine sweet.

"Fortunately" Dumbledore replied, "that won't be a problem "the new divination teacher I have appointed requires ground floor lodgings."

From the open front doors came the sound of hooves. Through the mist Harriet saw a striking face that she remembered from a memorable night in the forbidden forest.
It had been years ago, but there was no way Harriet could have forgotten that face. His stunningly blue eyes gleamed from beneath white blonde hair that stood out shockingly against his tan muscled torso joined to the body of a palomino horse.
He raised a muscled arm, rumpling his long locks. For a long moment he met Harriet's gaze.

Dumbledore cleared his throat "This is Firenze."

—————

In the bathroom before class, Pavarti had stood beside Harriet in front of the mirror, applying a liberal layer of lip gloss. "Ready for divination?" She'd asked with a suggestive curve to her smile "with Firenze?"

"He's gorgeous" Lavender had added as she emerged from a stall.

Harriet shrugged non-committally "I thought you liked Professor Trelawney?"

"Well we do" Pavarti replied hurriedly as she moved on to curling her eyelashes "Umbridge treated her terribly."

——

When Harriet entered the new divination classroom behind Ron, she sucked in a shocked breath. The room had been transformed to look exactly like a forest clearing.

Firenze stood tall in the centre of the space, a hoof shaped bruise marring his tan, muscled chest.
"Harriet Potter" Firenze said quietly, extending a hand to her, "the first time we met, I knew that we were fated to meet again. It seems that day has arrived at last."

Harriet took his hand in her own and nodded politely, feeling for some reason that he required a formal response. "I remember that night well."

His calm tones seemed to deepen as he replied "Indeed, it has been many moons since that memorable night when you rode me in the forest."

Harriet remembered wrapping her arms around his chest as he carried her to safety. Firenze had saved her life that night in the forest. "I am honoured to have had the privilege."

His intense blue stare seemed to bore into her, but Harriet did not look away.
"It was my pleasure to be of service" he said at last, releasing his grip on her hand.

Harriet could feel Pavarti and Lavender staring daggers at her from across the room.

Firenze directed the class to lay back on the floor and observe the starry sky above them, pointing out the planets and major stars.

By the end of the lesson the class was hushed and awed, and barely anyone spoke.

As Harriet made her way towards the door, Firenze stopped her with a palm on her back. She could feel his warmth through the back of her robes.
He spoke urgently in low, quick tones. "Harriet Potter, a test is coming and you must remain aware that not all is as it seems."

Harriet frowned "like a class test, or the OWLs?"

His full lips pursed at her question "it is of the utmost importance that you are careful."

"Okay, thanks Firenze." Harriet replied, unsure how to feel about his warning.
Did centaurs always have to be so vague?

Ron had waited outside the door and when Harriet joined him he whispered to her conspiratorially "What did Firenze want with you?"

Harriet glanced around to make sure noone was listening "He was warning me about a pop quiz, apparently it will be a tricky one."

Ron nodded "solid bloke that Firenze."