Chapter 16

"Resolution"

Harry felt something in his chest tighten at the sight of Sirius and Thistle. Despite his excitement, Harry refrained from cantering forward and barreling into Sirius with a hug. As Harry became close enough to see their expressions, he was glad he hadn't rushed forward so childishly. Sirius had a harsh scowl on his face, and Thistle looked terrified to be in such unfamiliar woods, so near to the castle.

Finally, the four centaurs stood opposite each other. Meeting Sirius's eyes was too difficult, so Harry dropped his attention to the third member of Sirius's traveling party—a tiny foal. The slumbering toddler did not look well. His skin was deathly pale, and his unruly, dark hair rested against a sweaty forehead. Harry turned questioning eyes to Thistle, who frowned, and then she turned her head away revealing the tears sliding down her cheeks in the moonlight.

"You shouldn't have left like you did," Sirius finally stated. Harry swallowed thickly.

"I know," he replied, wondering if Sirius hated him now.

"And you're choice in...mate...is completely horrid," Sirius added frostily. At that, Harry squeezed Severus's hand a little tighter and glared at his former guardian.

"Don't drag him into this," Harry warned. The tension stretched to a breaking point and then Sirius stomped his back hoof in irritation, his tail swinging wildly from side to side.

"Why didn't you just talk to me? I would have listened! I may not have understood, I would have been angry, but I would never stop loving you. You're my colt, Harry. Don't you know how much you mean to me?"

Harry felt a little guilty, and he shrugged his shoulders helplessly.

"I just didn't belong with the herd anymore. I knew my place was somewhere else...and I've found it now," Harry replied levelly. Sirius snorted, tail still thrashing.

"Now I see where you get it from," Severus commented mildly, but the simple statement was all it took.

"Don't open your damned mouth, you traitor! It's bad enough you...with my colt...but to...to...damn it all, James was my best friend, and Lily was yours! Even if you didn't kill them with your own hands, it was your stubborn, selfish interference with the world of two-legs that caused their deaths! You wanted to know more than everyone else—fancied yourself to be some kind of Chiron reincarnate! Always so convinced you were better than everyone else with your stupid potions and your crazy ideas about two-legs!"

"Sirius, stop, please!" Harry begged, closing the gap between them and wrapping his arms around the taller centaur's midriff. "I'm finally happy here. I've found my place, and I've found someone like me, who loves me and understands me. Can't that be good enough for you?" Harry asked. In his arms, he felt Sirius sigh and then relax tensed muscles. Slowly, Sirius's arms wrapped around him.

"It's...good enough. Are you really happy here, Harry? Because say the word and I'll take you home. I don't care what everyone says..." Sirius replied. Harry pulled away from the hug, his green eyes sad.

"And what exactly is everyone saying?" Harry asked. Sirius shot Severus a dark look, and for just a moment, Harry thought he saw an ounce of compassion in it.

"Pretty much the same things they said about Severus, just before he was exiled."

"Then they aren't the sort of things that deserve repeating," Severus interjected sternly. For once, Sirius completely agreed with him. Harry's attention then shifted to Thistle, who had stood quietly nearby, the foal sleeping fitfully at her hooves.

"Thistle...how fare you?" Harry asked. His old friend didn't look good. She was thinner than he remembered, as if all her youth had been sucked away in a single year.

"I have many questions," she replied, but it was hollow, and her voice didn't even sound the same anymore.

"Who is this?" Harry asked.

"A foal who should not be sleeping on the hard ground. Come along. We'll finish this discussion in the cave," Severus said. Thistle looked both grateful and frightened. Sirius easily picked up the sleeping foal and cradled him in his strong arms. Much to both Sirius and Thistle's horror, Severus and Harry led them towards the castle.

It was growing late, so thankfully most of the children and staff were in bed. Thistle and Sirius moved through the castle like frightened rabbits, jumping at the smallest of sounds and clearly on edge. Harry remembered what that felt like, at the same time he realized how comfortable he'd grown to be in the castle. It felt like home, now.

Once inside their cave, Severus lit the fire and led Sirius into the bedroom, where the little foal was put on a proper bed. Harry and Thistle sat in front of the fire, where Sirius and Severus joined them.

"Is the foal yours, Thistle?" Harry asked.

"No...well, yes, I suppose...but..."

The tension was thick as a knife, and Sirius and Severus both felt like intruders.

"Come on, Black, I'll show you the castle," Severus said abruptly. Thistle looked relieved they were leaving, even if Sirius protested for show.

"Tell me what happened, Thistle," Harry said. His old friend wiped at fresh tears on her cheeks and began her story.

"It was right after you left. I spent a lot of time out in the woods, just thinking about things, wanting to escape all the nasty things being said in the herd about you...when I got into some trouble. He was a loner, from a distant herd, I think, but he was much stronger than me and I had wandered too far. Bane was furious when he found out. He got it in his head that I was lying...that it hadn't been a stranger who mated with me, but you. It didn't help when he was born so sickly and small, but it was only because I didn't hardly eat anything during the pregnancy, and I know it sounds awful, but I just wanted him to die. I wanted Bane, and the life I had imagined. I didn't ask for what happened to me, and it wasn't fair. When Sirius said he was coming to find you...Bane told me I could bring you the foal and if he didn't come back, we could be together. Everyone's convinced he's yours, even Sirius, I think..."

Harry knew his mouth was hanging open, and it was a struggle to regain his composure.

"You want me to...to...keep him?" Harry verified, unable to believe Thistle would be so unattached to her own foal, no matter the circumstances of his conception.

"Please don't think I'm a monster, Harry. Please. Every time I look at him I remember what happened. It was so horrible, Harry. I have nightmares, awful nightmares, and the foal hates me. He won't nurse from me, or from anyone, and he's killing himself. It's as if he already knows the herd doesn't want him. If he goes back with us, he'll only die. I know he's not yours—I know that—I'd give anything if he were...but please, Harry, if you have any fondness left for me..."

Harry swallowed thickly, trying not to let his hopes rise too high. He knew he should speak with Severus about it first, but he thought of the unwanted little foal being dragged back to a village that hated him and couldn't bear the thought.

"Of course he can stay. I'll love him like he's my own," Harry said quietly, knowing it was a vow he could easily keep. He remembered the foal he'd seen in the Mirror of Maybe, and how much it had pained him to realize he would most likely never have a foal of his own.

"I'm sorry, Harry, for everything. I never meant for any of it to turn out the way it has. I love you, even if I'm not very good at showing it," Thistle said. Harry gave her a forgiving smile.

"Everything is going to be fine, Thistle. You can have a clean start, and you've given me a very precious gift, even if you don't realize it yet. I know right now you may be very upset, but in time I think you might come to think on this decision with regret. Know that you can always come and spend time with him, or write him letters."

"I'll keep that in mind, Harry. You're really too good for the herd, you know? We didn't deserve you," she said, reaching for his hand.

"Forget about all that. How long will you and Sirius be staying?" Harry asked. Thistle immediately looked alarmed.

"Staying? Here with the two-legs? We won't be staying, Harry. We'll leave tonight, if I have any say in the matter. I know Sirius is eager to be away from this horrid place just as I am."

"It's really not so bad, Thistle. The world of the wizards can be frightening at first, but it's really very beautiful."

"You're confused, Harry. This place reeks of imbalance. I don't know how someone as powerful as you can even stand it—I can hardly breathe here. Don't you feel it? All their magic is so muffling—it's blocking out Reiki."

Harry shifted, slightly uncomfortable at Thistle's observation.

"Perhaps it is a bit repressive in the heart of the castle, but out in the forest it really isn't so bad. I've always been too sensitive to Reiki and my visions to begin with, so for me it's been kind of nice. I actually feel more like a normal centaur here than I ever did back home. I hardly ever dream here. Don't you remember how many mornings I woke up so sick from my prophecies that I couldn't eat? I was too weak to even get out of bed."

"You do look healthier. Better than just healthy, though...you're radiant. It's like there's a star inside you, and its light is shining out." Harry gave his friend a smile. He and Thistle may never have the same relationship they'd once had, but Harry was glad things were okay between them. He stood, offering his hand to Thistle.

"At least eat something before you and Sirius head back. The kitchens are always open," Harry said. With perfect timing, Sirius and Severus returned, bickering heatedly about something.

"The years haven't done you any favors! You're still a stuck-up, slimy, sniveling—"

"Sirius!" Harry protested, angry on behalf of his mate. Severus, however, was just as quick to lash back as he slammed the door.

"And you are still the pig-headed, cruel-spirited, brainless dolt you were when I left!"

"Severus!" Harry said, switching his glare to his mate. Thistle gently touched his arm, offering him a shaky smile.

"I think it would be best if we just got food along the way. Sirius, are you ready to go?" she asked. Sirius shot a glare at Severus, more agitated than Harry had ever seen him. When he crossed the room to give Harry a quick hug goodbye, it was almost as if he did it as an afterthought, as he was so focused on his malice for Severus.

"If you hurt him I'll rip you apart," Sirius threatened, clearly irritated that Severus matched him in height, if not in weight. He couldn't tower over him like he did with most of the others in the herd. Severus sneered, turning his hooked nose up at Sirius as if he was something unpleasant that had stuck to his hoof.

"I've shown him only kindness and safety—can you say the same?"

Harry thought of Fluffy, and of Voldemort, and Quirrel. Severus certainly had a loose definition of the word 'safety'. Wisely, Harry didn't comment. Sirius huffed, told Harry once more that he loved him, and then he and Thistle were gone from their cave.

"Wait a second...they forgot the foal," Severus said, obviously regaining some of his rationality. Harry just gave him a little smile.

"No they didn't," he replied innocently. Severus arched a brow.

"Explain yourself, colt," Severus demanded. Harry crossed to the bedroom and opened the door, peeking in on the baby.

"He's not wanted in the herd, and he's rejecting food. Thistle thinks if she takes him back he'll die. The father forced himself on her, and she can't stand to look at him. I told her I would raise him."

"Don't you think that's an awfully big decision to make without consulting your mate?" Severus asked, though it was obvious he wasn't truly annoyed. Harry just smiled at him radiantly from the bedroom doorway.

"He's perfect, don't you think?" Harry asked. "We're going to need to find a way to get him to eat, though, poor baby." Severus realized Harry was already in love with the idea of being a parent and would hear nothing negative about it. He moved to Harry's side and brusquely kissed Harry's temple.

"He's an incredibly lucky foal, to fall into your hands."

"And yours," Harry replied. "I think we'll make very good parents."

Happily, the two shared a loving kiss.

SSHP

News of the foal, who had been named Sorrel, eclipsed anything that might have been said about the mysterious retirement of Professor Lupin. Harry already attracted a great deal of attention, but with the awkward little foal latched onto his flank, he was followed by a constant refrain of "awww!" and "so cute!"

Far from being irritated, Harry had a father's pride and felt Sorrel was completely deserving of all the attention he got. Two days after the triumph over Voldemort, Harry sat with his friends on the bright grounds watching summer butterflies flit over the Hogwarts gardens. Sorrel, who'd vastly improved in health since coming to his new home, teetered and tottered after them, occasionally tripping on his long legs and tumbling comically into the grass. He was still unsteady on his feet, seemingly unable to get all four of them to move in the right direction at the same time, or if he was successful with that, found it too hard to balance his much heavier torso end. Most of the time, Harry would carry him from place to place draped over his back, where Sorrel loved to curl up and nap for as long as Harry would haul him around.

"So Harry...this may sound like a silly question, but, erm...how exactly did Sorrel come to be? I mean, did you give birth or—"

"Hermione! You swore to me you wouldn't ask!" Ron protested, earning a round of laughter from the four friends. Harry amusedly shook his head.

"He's adopted, Hermione. My old herd brought him to me."

"He really is adorable. Is he eating better?" Hermione asked.

"Yes, the house elves finally found something he couldn't resist."

"Do we even want to know?" Ron asked. Harry flashed an impish smile.

"Goat's milk. He's going through gallons of it." Ron simply shook his head.

"You will be here next year, won't you Harry?" Neville asked. Harry was distracted from answering by Sorrel, who came tumbling awkwardly into Harry's waiting arms. The little foal, who had yet to attempt a first word, promptly stuffed his thumb into his mouth and closed his eyes sleepily a few times. Harry nodded invitingly at his side, and his sleepy foal didn't protest the nap. He folded up his impossibly long legs under himself and draped his torso over Harry's back, snuggling into the warm, sun-kissed fur. Harry looked out over the grounds of Hogwarts, to the shadowy woods beyond, and smiled serenely.

"Yes. Hogwarts is home now."

Severus's voice broke the sleepy spell that had been cast over the four friends.

"I thought I'd find you lazing about in the sunshine. Come on, colt, it's time for lunch," Severus said. Harry nodded and stretched one last time before standing, trying not to disturb Sorrel too much. "I'll take him," Severus offered. With a bit of effort, Harry lifted Sorrel into his arms and then onto Severus's broad back. With a happy wave, Harry said goodbye to his friends and headed back towards his cave for lunch with his mate and foal. With a soft smile, Harry realized it would have been impossible to be any happier.

A/N: Well, that only took...three years. I was only writing a few letters per day, lol.