New Beginnings

The Herd

'Are you sure I don't need to bring something?' Draco asked. 'Mother always said it was rude not to...'

Spartacus looked up from the pile of paperwork. Draco had finished cleaning the prep rooms and was helping with the last few files. Everyone else had gone home for the night.

'I'm sure,' Spartacus reassured Draco, again. 'Don't worry.'

Draco nodded, fiddling with the quill as he calculated the day's production levels. He was adept at completing the company's paperwork after his time under house-arrest. His mouth twisted in a sneer as Spartacus opened Cody's file. Shortly after the Thanksgiving Party Cody had been transferred to another pr-p room, at the other side of the building. 

'You all finished?'

Draco nodded, handing the stack of files to Spartacus. He stretched, twisting the kinks out of his back as Spartacus put everything away. He grabbed his coat and scarf, and followed Spartacus out into the garden.

The wind ruffled Spartacus' black hair, which fell in thick waves onto his shoulders. He led the way through the tunnel underneath the old willow tree. His hooves clopped softly into the packed earth.

After walking for a couple of miles in silence, the tunnel opened up. Draco recognised the cave from Thanksgiving. He remembered Hermione's fascination with the worn stone, grooves carved into it after centuries of use. 

Spartacus gestured for him to step into the circle. A bright light lit up the runes around them. Spartacus drew a gesture in the air with his hand and blue flames burst into life. Draco heard a familiar whooshing sound, and they began to spin. He staggered slightly as they landed with a jolt on the mountainside.

'This way.'

The path was dark, but Spartacus walked confidently through the trees. Draco stumbled over roots, hidden under the snow as he hurried to keep up. He was careful not to bump into Spartacus, his black horse-parts difficult to see in the shadows.

'Who goes there?'

'Just me,' Spartacus replied. 'I've brought a guest for dinner.'

A torch flickered in the hand of an elf. He was stood in the middle of the path, peering up at them both.

'Mister Draco!' A smile creased across the elf's face. 'Long time no see! How ya been?'

'Buddy? I'm sorry, I didn't recognise you for a second there!'

Buddy laughed and turned around, peeking back over his shoulder at them. He held his hand out in front of him, as though he was driving.

'How's that, recognise me now?'

'Yup, there you go, now I see it! How's it going?'

'Good, good. No complaints. How ya finding New York?'

'Right now? It's cold! We don't get much snow back home.'

'Well then,' Buddy said, 'you get on in and warm yourself by the fire.'

'Thanks Buddy,' Spartacus said, clapping the elf on the shoulder. 'Did you have dinner yet?'

'Yeah, Libby brought me some a while back. I wouldn't say no to a coffee though, if there's any going!'

'You got it. C'mon, Draco.'

Bidding Buddy farewell, they stepped out into a clearing. The campsite appeared before them, noise assaulting their ears after the quiet of the forest. Witches, wizards, and all different magical creatures were spread out around the campfires. A few tents were pitched nearby, and Draco could see hammocks swinging softly in the trees. A tarp was stretched between some poles, creating a roof over sleeping centaur foals. With a start, Draco realised the foals were snuggled up against a hippogriff.

Spartacus led Draco to the largest campfire. A red-haired centauress smiled and embraced Spartacus. Her human body was pale and freckly, her horse half was a strawberry roan.

'Draco, meet my mate, Libertas. Libby, this is my colleague, Draco.'

'It's a pleasure to meet you,' Draco smiled, shaking her hand.

'You too, I've heard a lot about you.'

Draco settled onto a log near the fire. Libby handed them bowls of stew, with thick slices of bread.

'Mmm, this is delicious,' Draco said. 'Thank you!'

Mike, a dwarf Draco recognised from work, ambled over and dished himself up a bowl of stew. He grunted at them and climbed into one of the hammocks. Libby heaped coffee grounds into an iron kettle. She filled it with water from a pitcher, and swung it over the fire.

They ate in comfortable silence. Draco watched the other members of the herd laze around the campsite. A flock of pixies flew overhead, settling high in the trees. A group of wizards sat by a small fire, magically cleaning the dishes the others brought them.

'Is that for Buddy?' A voice purred from behind him as the kettle whistled.

Draco jumped to his feet, knocking his empty bowl to the floor. He whirled around and found himself facing a sphinx. Her mouth stretched into a smile, her eyes glittering in the firelight.

'H-hello,' Draco stammered.

'Tiye, this is Draco. Draco, this is Tiye.'

'Another human for our pride, Spartacus? Where do you keep finding these strays?'

Tiye's dark hair was cropped short, framing her human head. Her eyes were pools of onyx in her golden face. Her lion's tail twitched as she scrutinised Draco.

'Stop trying to scare the boy,' Libby scolded. 'Make yourself useful and take Buddy his coffee.'

'Leave it, I'm taking over guard duty for him. I was just checking you hadn't forgotten.'

Tiye strutted away, swishing Draco with her tail. Draco collapsed back onto his log.

'Ignore her,' Libby advised. 'Tiye just takes some getting used to.'

'So, what do you think, Draco?' Spartacus asked. 'Still want to join our herd?'

'Yeah, I think I do, actually!'