Silvia and the Rising Moon [EDITING]

Centaurs

They were running late the second night. Remus could hardly walk. It took the strength of the girl at his side to drag him to the Whomping Willow.
"You're going to be okay," Silvia said as she helped him down the stairs. "I know it's been a long day." Remus and his friends had received detentions for the day after what happened at the lake. "You just need to relax in there, okay? Get plenty of rest, got it? I'll be here bright and early tomorrow morning." She pushed a winter coat onto his shoulders. "Stay warm, too."
"I didn't..." He groaned, hunched over onto her.
She continued to drag him along. The Whomping Willow was in sight. "Immobulus," she called. The tree froze. "What is it, Remus? Is everything alright?"
"I didn't... I forgot to..."
She looked down at him. "Remus," she said with sudden concern. "Did you take your medicine tonight?"
A seizure overcame him suddenly. Silvia pulled, dragging him faster toward the whomping willow. "Please, Remus, don't do this now, c'mon just a little farther." She refused to look at him as it happened. They were fifteen feet from the tree. Silvia dragged with all her might until he broke free from her grasp. The creature that stood before her was no longer her brother, only a being that trapped him inside.
They looked at each other. Silvia continued to stare out of fear of what would happen if she turned away. She carefully took a step back, continuously keeping her gaze upon what had been her brother. A twig snapped under her foot. She winced and swore under her breath and the werewolf before her snorted. Finally, she spoke.
"Remus," she begged. "Please, it's me. Don't hurt me." She took another step back.
The beast snarled and began to advance. Silvia backed up, quicker this time, whimpering frantically as she moved. Suddenly, it charged, swiping her across the face as it approached. She yelped, reaching for the small cut on her nose. No blood was drawn, but her nose throbbed with pain and pulse. She cried out for help, realizing that she had been backed into a wall. There came a rustling from behind. The thing that was once Remus turned to look, only to be met by a hoof to the head. It stumbled away, whimpering and snarling, and hurried off into the woods. Now, Silvia cowered alone in the presence of a centaur who saved her life. He reached out to her and crouched down.
"Please, let me help you. Hop on my back," the centaur ordered.
"I'm fine... really. Thank you."
He touched her nose gingerly, inspecting the fresh traces of blood now staining his fingers. "You are bleeding." Quickly, the centaur lifted her up and, despite her squirming, placed her on his back. "Now, hold on tight. I know someone who can heal you."
"Yes," Silvia agreed. "Madame Pomfrey can fix me right up." She put her arms around his waist, expecting him to turn toward the castle. However, instead he ran straight toward the Forbidden Forest.
Her heart pounded as he ran. "This is the wrong way!" She demanded over his running hooves.
"This is the right way," the centaur argued. "No werewolves, and the brightest witch I've ever met."
"What the bloody hell are you on?" Silvia cried. "Witches and wizards aren't allowed in the Forbidden Forest. Take me back!"
"Please," he said, stopping in a grove. "She is here, she will help you." He placed her gently in the grass. One by one, other centaurs began to appear, moonlight flickered in their eyes as they watched her.
"Kynous," a female centaur asked sternly. "Why have you brought this student here?"
"She's injured," he explained nervously. "There was a werewolf-" the centaurs gasped and murmured amongst one another.
"A werewolf? In our forest?"
"Yes," Kynous continued. "And this girl, she was harmed."
"Was she bitten?" The female asked.
"No. Just scratched." He held up a blood stained finger. More gasps followed.
The female looked insulted. "I do not believe this. What right does Albus Dumbledore have for allowing a werewolf of all creatures onto Hogwarts grounds? Our territory is already being impeded on by the Maiden of Omnipotence. We do not need anything else."
"Wait," Silvia interrupted. "The Maiden of Omnipotence. She's here?"
"Yes," the female nodded. "We have all taken an oath of secrecy to not reveal her exact location."
"Where is Ezinma?" Kynous asked cautiously.
"I am here," a voice replied. Professor Kenra stepped past the crowd of centaurs. Her dark chocolate colored skin glistened in the light of the moon. "Miss Lupin," she said kindly.
"Professor Kenra?" Silvia asked carefully. "What are you doing here?"
"Well," Professor Kenra began. "When I took the position as Defense Against the Dark Arts teacher, I had ulterior motives."
"Like?"
"For starters, I feared for the safety of my children, Hermina and Thaddeus. It's horribly difficult to discover, as a mother, that the school that was once the safe haven of my childhood, is no longer safe. My daughter is best friends with Charlie O'Hara. She could have been attacked instead by that wench, Gainer."
Silvia blinked. "And the centaurs?"
"Ah, yes," Kenra continued gracefully. "The Ministry of Magic and the centaur community are currently at odds with one another. My intention is simply to ease relations, especially now with them having to share their territory with the Maiden."
"I see."
Kenra smiled. "Yes. It's been very successful. We live in a world that could benefit from some peace." She flicked her wand. Suddenly, Silvia's nose had healed.
"Thank you, Professor," she said softly.
"Not a problem, my dear. I believe it's time you get back to the castle. It's far too late to be wandering around outside. There's a werewolf on the loose." She winked and the two began to walk back to the castle. Silvia quickly thanked Kynous for saving her before
Once the two had walked out of the Forest, Professor Kenra asked Silvia, "so, did your brother accidentally skip a dose of wolfsbane?"
Silvia stiffened. "How did you know about that?"
Kenra let out a soft laugh. "Don't worry. Professor Dumbledore has alerted the entire staff on Remus's condition. He wants all teachers on guard in case an event like this were to occur."
"I'm sorry, Professor. He forgot his potion. He was serving detention."
"He was serving his friend's detention," Kenra corrected. "Your brother is a very loyal friend. Thaddeus really idolizes him."
"I know." Silvia grinned. "He's my potions partner. All we ever talk about is Remus."
"He idolizes you too, Silvia. You're smarter than you know."
She shook her head. "Please. I'm not smart. I just study a lot."
They stopped, now safely inside a Hogwarts corridor. "We are not born all knowing. We only learn from experience. With every page you read, you experience just a little bit more than you knew before. A simple wizard goes around spewing all he knows, under the belief that all he knows is all there is. A smart wizard goes around learning and discovering, expanding their horizons in ways that the simple wizard wouldn't dare. That's what sets you apart from your classmates." She helped Silvia onto a flight of moving stairs. "You have some of the highest scores in your class, dare I say, they're higher than Thaddeus's."
Silvia scoffed playfully. "Not higher than Sienna's, though."
Kenra laughed. "Well I suppose you're right about that. Don't fret, child. A strong friendship is always more important than higher scores."
"I understand that," Silvia laughed back. "I don't envy Sienna, just as Thaddeus doesn't envy myself."
Professor Kenra patted the girl gently on the shoulder as they approached the Fat Lady. "If I am not mistaken, I believe this is your Common Room."
The Fat Lady snored. Kenra extended her slender arm. "Lumos," she muttered, allowing a bright light to shine upon the Fat Lady's portrait.
The painting screeched and whimpered, covering her eyes. "What do you want?" She cried, arms out, protecting her face from the bright beam.
Kenra lowered her wand. "Please, grant access to this student."
"Password?"
She looked questioningly to Silvia. Silvia stepped forward. "Polydactyl," she said.
"She's mine. Come on in." The Fat Lady motioned her inside as the portrait opened.
"Thank you, Professor," she said as she stepped through.
Kendra's face flashed with sudden concern. "Wait," she called with uncharacteristic nervousness.
Silvia turned. "What's wrong, Professor?"
She fidgeted with her wand. "Well, you see, the Ministry isn't aware of my motives to ease tensions with the centaurs. Neither does the staff."
Silvia let her arms fall to her sides. "Oh."
"Yes," Kenra continued. "I was hoping that you could keep this a secret between you and me. The Ministry might not take to fondly to this project."
"Of course," Silvia said reassuringly. "You're secret is safe with me, Professor."
     "Excellent." Kenra grinned widely, as if a weight had been suddenly lifted from her chest. "Now, off to bed with you. Good night, Miss Lupin."
     "Good night, Professor Kenra."