Stables! Gwen loved horses and had even taken riding lessons for a few years when she was younger. At least there was something familiar about this place. She stepped into the stable and instantly revoked her previous thought. This was not familiar. These were not normal horses. These horses had wings. Gwen stepped cautiously a little further noting a plaque that said "Henry" on it. She peered in at the strangest creature she had ever seen. It was like a giant bird mixed with a horse. Like, its front half had feathers and a beak and things, and it had giant wings, but the rest of it was a horse. She held back a gasp. It was gorgeous, and looked really powerful, but so strange!

She had brought apples down to the stables, but now she was unsure whether any of these horses like apples. Surely Henry couldn't eat them. She peered in each stable until she found one with the most beautiful horse she had ever seen. It was grey and it looked like a sculptor had worked for years on it. She stared at it for a second before taking an apple out of her pocket and offering it to the winged beauty. Just because it could fly didn't mean it wasn't like any other horse, right?

Sander entered the stables and sniffed the air. Some would call him crazy but he loved the smell of fresh hay and horses. He noticed a younger girl wandering the stables too, but decided to give her own space.

He walked passed each stall and patted the heads of each winged horse that stuck its head out to greet. "Hello you handsome creatures. I'm Sander and I'll be here to groom and clean up your stalls. Yes you can call me your horse servant." Sander introduced himself to the winged creatures. Even though they were merely creatures, he believed that they were smarter than everyone thought they were. It hadn't been proven yet that these magnificent creatures didn't understand the spoken language. Until such proof was provided, Sander would continue to belief that they did indeed understand him.


He just hoped the young Ravenclaw didn't think he was crazy talking to them like he was doing now. Sander continued moving along the stalls and was surprised to see a Hippogriff in one of them. Looking down at the golden name plate, he read the name "Henry".

"Well hello Henry.Sander bowed to the Hippogriff, even as he maintained eye contact with it. He didn't expect the Hippogriff to accept him just yet, but he still wanted to show this creature the respect it deserved.

Moving on down the stalls, Sander finally found what he was looking for. The Thestrals. The same winged creatures that had pulled his carriage up to the castle on the day he arrived at Hogwarts.

"Ah there you are? I just wanted to let you know that I haven't forgotten about you." Sander whispered to them. "I don't expect you get many visitors on account of the fact that not many people can see you. But since I can, I promise to take special care of you. I'll be right back."

Sander walked over to the supply cabinet and picked out a grooming brush and a towel. Then he walked back to the Thestral's stall, slowly opened its gated door so as not to scare the creature and then stuck out his hand for the Thestral to smell it.

When the Thestral didn't shy away from him and stood nobly as Sander approached it, Sander began making clicking sounds with his tongue as he started gently brushing the Thestral's hide. He started with its head, moving down its chest and forelegs and then up along its mane. Sander brushed with even strokes along its back and then down its rump and hind quarters. He took great care when he brushed its leathery wings, not wanting to accidentally hurt it for this creature's anatomy was more skeletal than flesh.

Once he had brushed off all the hay and dirt off the Thestral's hide, Sander took out the towel and began wiping down the creature until the Thestral's leathery hide gleamed in the light.

Sander stepped back and smiled. "There you go. All nice and handsome again. Let me do the same for your other friends and then I'll come back and clean your stall." Sander informed the Thestral before exiting the stall and securely shutting the gated door behind him.

The horse did accept the apple. Thank goodness because otherwise Gwen would have felt very awkward standing here while an older boy (he said he was the stable cleaner?) wandered around. She petted the horses head gently, listening to Sander talk to them. She tried to learn about them through his words, but didn't understand much of what he was saying. She offered another apple to the grey horse, running her other hand down his nose gently.

Sander stopped in front of a group of scary-looking horses. They were the ones that pulled the carriages that she had been frightened of that first day, and grateful she got to go in the boats instead. They were skeletal and black as night. She shuddered a little, not sure why, but these creatures gave her the creeps. "Some people can't see them?" She asked aloud in surprise. Magic continued to amaze and frighten the eleven year old. But the Sander was gone. Maybe she would have to ask someone else about the scary horses.

She turned back to the horse she was petting. "What's your name, huh?" she asked softly. "You're very pretty. You ought to have a pretty name." He looked at her expectantly and Gwen giggled. "You know, I only brought a few apples and I was hoping to share them with a few horses." She fished the last one out of her pocket. "Here you go you selfish creature," she said the words with a smile. She wasn't really begrudging the beautiful winged horse the third apple. "I have to go now. It's nearly lunch time. But I'll come back and visit sometime okay?" She seemed to wait for the horse to respond before gathering up her things.

Alex headed down to the stables to meet Sander. She had promised to help him care for the animals and she didn't want to be late. When she arrived at the stables she peered into each stall and gazed at the animals. After all this time, Alex still had a hard time getting used to the magical animals.

First Alex passed the winged horses that really were quite beautiful. Then she encountered Henry the Hippogriff who was special enough to have his name engraved on a plate in his stall. She continued walking to the area where she knew she'd likely find Sander. Sure enough, she spotted him just up ahead tending to the thestrals. Alex smiled as she got closer and could hear Sander softly talking to the thestrals. He was carefully brushing and wiping down the animals and they appeared to respond to his TLC.

She quietly walked up behind Sander and said, "I thought I might find you here.". "Need some help? What would you like me to do first boss?". Alex gave him a big smile as she waited for her instructions.

Sander was in the middle of wiping down the Thestral's withers when Alex crept up behind him and almost scared the heck out of him. In his surprise, he immediately straightened up and accidentally hit his head against the Thestral's outspread wing, which only caused him to bounce against it and then fall back on the hay strewn ground.

Gently crooning to the Thestral, Sander slowly stood up, so as not to startle the Thestral any more than he should, he turned to Alex and then began to laugh uncontrollably when he realized how comical he must have looked a minute ago.

"Please don't tell anyone you saw me do that or my next nickname will be Bouncing Horse Wing....or something even weirder than that. You totally surprised the heck out of you. Do you always walk so silently?" Sander wiped the tears from his eyes and as he grinned at Alex.

When Alex came up behind Sander and spoke to him, she clearly startled him because he jumped so suddenly that he hit his head on the thestral and fell backward. Alex was horrified. She hadn't meant to startle him, only to surprise him.

She quickly ran over to him with concern and said, " Oh my goodness Sander, are you OK?. She felt terrible for causing him to fall and hoped he hadn't injured himself. Then came the laughter which caused Alex to laugh with relief. "I am sooooo sorry", she said to Sander. "I came here to help you, not to give you a concussion. Are you really OK?

Alex laughed when Sander made the comment about a new nickname. She said,"Don't worry, your secret's safe with me." "Anyway, I think Two-Pack's here to stay. Oh and yes, I can be verrry quiet when I want to.". Becoming serious again, Alex said, "What would you like me to do?"

Sander brushed the hay and ....no he wasn't going to say it...off from his bottom and waved away Alex's apology. "Don't worry about it. It was my fault I'm really fine. I'm usually more observant about my surroundings, but I guess I was busy talking with this guy over here that I wasn't listening." he smiled at Alex as he patted the Thestral.

Then he rolled his eyes and laughed at her mention of her nickname for him. "I'll have you know that I count more than 2. If you want to have another look I'll be happy to oblige. You can even count them yourself." he grinned wickedly at her.

"I've been here for about a month and already I have two....not make that three...nicknames. Name Twin, Two Pack and Celery Stick. I think if a young Hufflepuff girl had her way it'd be four...Chicken Salad." he laughed just at the thought of that.

Okay down to business.

"So you can see this guy over here? Whom did you see die?...and if you don't want to tell me you don't have to. I'm only asking because if you can't see the Thestrals you can help brush down those winged horses you can see." Sander explained to Alex.

Alex was relived that Sander was fine. She would not have been able to forgive herself if he had been hurt because of her. Thankfully, all was well.

Alex laughed at Sander's reaction to his nickname. Two-Pack was the name Mika had given him on the Hogwarts Express. That was definitely one train ride she would never forget. And she could testify that the name was NOT accurate. She began to blush when Sander jokingly offered to flash his six pack and have her check it for accuracy. "Ah no, that's OK. That wouldn't be good. I mean, it would but.....i mean......no.". "Shut up Alex", she thought to herself.

Quickly changing the subject, she addressed Sander's question. "Yes, I can see the thestrals. I was with my Grandmother when she died. She was very sick and we knew it was only a matter of time". "I still miss her very much", Alex said sadly. "What about you? You obviously can see them."

Sander's hands were holding on to the bottom of his shirt. "You sure now? One last chance to change your mind." he grinned at her, with a twinkle in his eye.

He could tell that his teasing was getting to her because her face was turning red. Yep!...she was blushing.

Then her eyes turned said when she recounted how she was able to see Thestrals. He moved to stand next to her, made sure his hand was clean before placing it around her shoulders to comfort her.

"I'm sorry for bringing up that up. At least, she's in a better place now. Me? I saw a boy drown when he fell through thin ice on the lake. I tried to get to him as fast as I could, and I could see him struggling to grab hold of the ice but it kept breaking every time he touched it. Then I saw him sink and die." Sander recounted that eventful day and sighed.

Then he realized that he still had his arm around her. Not wanting to make it obvious, he slowly slipped his arm from her shoulders.

.....okay back to work.

"So take your pick. Which winged horse would you like to work with? have you worked with horses?" Sander asked Alex.

Sander was so bad, teasing Alex the way he did. And she had to go and get all flustered when he offered her a peek at his abs. Like she could ever forget the first time.

When she told him about her Grandmother, it made all of those memories come rushing back. Maybe Sander could see that in her face because before she knew it, he had his arm around her. She didn't know what to think. Clearly he was only trying to comfort her, but she wasn't sure she wanted him to stop. Why did life have to be so complicated?

Then Sander started to explain why he was able to see the thestrals. Alex's eyes grew wide with horror as he told her how he had seen a boy drown. " Oh Sander, that's horrible. To have to witness something like that, I can't even imagine...." Alex's heart ached for him. It had to be so hard. That was something that would stay with a person forever.

Alex was aware that Sander's arm was still around her and so she noticed when he carefully removed it. Then he was asking her a question. "What?", she said. "Oh, no I've never worked with horses before so this will be a first for me. I'll definitely need you to tell me what to do." "Which horse do you think would be best for a rookie like me?", Alex asked with a smile.

Sander shrugged his shoulders sadly. "I guess sometimes life can be cruel but I guess whatever doesn't kill you only makes you stronger..." Sander realized that he had just used the wrong analogy to describe how sometimes one must on no matter how memories try to pull you back....so he quickly changed the subject

"You haven't worked with horses before? Well then twin. You're in for a treat. Let me introduce you to these winged horses over here. This giant Palomino over here is an Abraxan. The Chestnut one over here is an Aethonan, and this grey one is a Granian, the fastest of all winged horses. Of course, Henry over there, he flies too only he's not a horse but a Hippogriff." Sander pointed to each winged horse breed.

"First thing you should try to introduce yourself to them. I usually let them smell my hand first, then I pat its muzzle and if they don't shy away or rear up on me, then I approach it from the side. I also usually croon to it and yes...this may sound crazy, but I talk to them too." Sander explained to Alex how he first got the winged horses to trust him.

"Would you like to give it a try? Oh yeah...try not to let them know that you're afraid of them because they will sense it." Sander added a caution.

Alex was not afraid of the horses, but she was rather in awe of them. They were so big and majestic looking. "OK, I'll give it a try," she said to Sander. First she approached the Abraxan and introduced herself as Sander suggested. Alex let the horse sniff her and stroked his muzzle. She spoke to him softly as she continued to pet him. "My you are a big one, aren't you? And so handsome too. My name is Alex and I'll be helping Sander here take care of you".. Alex was happy when the horse accepted her touch, so far so good.

Next she moved on to the Granian and repeated the process. Speaking to the horse she said, "Hi Speedy". "So you're the fast one. I like fast things. Fast is good high up not so much".

Then she approached the Aethonan who seemed to have a special sparkle in his eyes. It was as if he understood everything she had been saying. "I saved you for last because I think we are going to be very good friends. You are the spunky one, I can tell." Alex was surprised when the horse nuzzled her hand as she was stroking him.

She turned to Sander and said, "I think I'd like to start working with Red here. We seem to understand each other." Alex looked at the other horses and said, "Now don't be jealous, I like you all too." "Hopefully I'll get to work with you too.". This was going to be fun, probably messy, but fun. Alex liked the horses already and of course she enjoyed spending time with her best friend.

Sander stood aside to allow Alex to acquaint herself with the winged horses. He could tell that she had a way with animals and that was a good sign. He grinned when she said that she would work with the Aeothonan.

He walked over to the supplies cabinet and reached down to pick up a grooming brush but when he began to straighten up, he felt that he wasn't moving as fluidly as he used to. He frowned wondering whether he had pulled a muscle when he did his bouncing act with the Thestral. He placed his hands behind his back to help support his back as he straightened up. Shaking his head, he laughed to himself. He was definitely getting to be a clutz.

Sander walked over to Alex and handed the grooming brush to her, his fingers accidentally brushing against hers. "Here you go. You're all set. When you brush his hide make sure you stroke in one direction. Ever against the flow of his hair. They may get skittish when you start working on their back and behind because they always prefer to have eye contact. So make sure you pet them and continue to talk or croon to them, so that they know it's you who's touching them. All set?" Sander asked.

He knew he was giving way too much directions all at once but he also knew that Alex was a quick learner. She would have no problem grasping what he was telling her.

Alex continued talking to the horse. She liked him already. As she turned her head to speak to Sander, she noticed him grimace as he bent over to pick up a brush. He stood up slowly as if the movement was painful. Alex was afraid that he had really hurt himself when he had taken that spill and it was all her fault. "Are you OK?", she asked with real concern. Clearly he was trying to make light of the situation, but Alex was worried.

Sander came over to Alex and handed her the grooming brush. During the transfer, Sanders fingers grazed hers and Alex gave an involuntary gasp. She was embarrased at her reaction and hoped that Sander didn't notice. Then he gave her her instructions for brushing the horse and she set to work.

Alex turned her attention back to the horse and began to talk to him again. "OK Red, let's get to work. You are going to look so beautiful when I get finished with you." As Alex continued to talk to the horse about random things, she began to brush his hair making sure to do it just as she had been told. She brushed him from head to toe until his hide was glistening. Alex said, "There, you look beautiful, just like I promised. I knew I wouldn't have any trouble out of you." She continued to stroke his head and felt rather proud of the job she had done.

Alex called over to Sander. "How did I do boss?

Sander saw the look of concern on Alex's face when he felt some pain in his back. "I'm really okay, Alex. I've hurt myself a lot worse than this before. I know it was nothing I did here. I must have pulled a muscle when I was dueling with Tessa." Sander explained to her as he watched her begin grooming the Aethonan.

He had been right all along. She was definitely a natural with animals, even if she didn't believe it herself. He grinned at her when she finished grooming the beautiful chestnut and then laughed aloud when she asked how she did.

"Well matey, you did an excellent job. Oh wait, there's something on your nose," Sander told her as he walked over to join her.

Sander continued to say that he was OK, but Alex was still concerned about him. Then he complimented her on her grooming job. "Thanks Captain", she said. Alex thought she had done a pretty good job for a rookie if she did say so herself. This was a place she was going to look forward to visiting. She didn't know that she would enjoy the horses as much as she did.

As Sander came closer, he mentioned something on Alex's nose. She reached up to wipe at it and said, "Did I get it?. As Alex raised her hand, she was shocked to see how dry and wrinkled it appeared. It looked as though she had been washing dishes the muggle way, a lot.

Sander laughed when Alex reached up to 'clean' what he had seen. "Nope you didn't. Here let me help you." Sander offered reaching up with one hand. One glance at his hand and he almost forgot what he was going to do. The skin on his hand looked like a wrinkled prune. In fact, it was wrinkled. Was he using the wrong hand soap? Was it drying up his skin? Sander made a mental note to himself to find a better soap.

Putting that thought aside for the time being, Sander concentrated on the job at hand, "Yes unfortunately, it's still there." Sander pretended to look the so-called culprit on Alex's nose. Then as he moved his hand to clean it, he instead poked her nose with his finger.

Then he quickly stepped back from her laughing uncontrollably while apologizing at the same time. "I'm sorry...I'm sorry. I just couldn't resist doing that. You have such a cute nose." Sander told her as he backed out from the stall they were in.

Alex stared at Sander for a moment, unsure what to think. Then she started to laugh. "Are you kidding me? Was that a joke? Haha you are sooooo funny Mr. Strand". Sander was laughing so much that Alex thought he must have REALLY bumped his head when he he fell earlier.

"OK Mr. Giggles, what is my next assignment? Do I get to brush another horsie today or is there something else you have in mind for me?". Alex looked at Sander, waiting to find out his plans.

One look at Alex and Sander broke up laughing again. He nodded when Alex asked him whether he had just played a joke on her. He raised his hand motioning to her that he needed a minute to compose himself.

When he heard her call him, Mr. Giggles, he almost lost it again but he managed to get himself back under control. "I'm sorry Alex. I just couldn't resist the temptation to tease. But yes, you're right, we should get back to working on the animals."

Sander looked at the horses and then the horse dung on the stable ground. "I'll give you a choice. Continue brushing all the other horses or clean out the stables." Sander lifted up a spade and pointed at the dung mixed in between the hay on the ground.

Alex had never seen Sander like this. He couldn't stop laughing, kind of like Alex had been in Potions class. His laughter was contagious. Alex had to practically pinch herself to keep from laughing too. Then, Sander was finally able to control himself, with considerable effort it appeared.

Once he was composed, Sander offered Alex two options. "Well let's see...I have a choice?", she said. "I can keep brushing these beautiful animals or I can scoop the poo? Um......I'm going with the brushing." Alex thought that it wouldn't be fair for her to have the fun job all the time. She said,"I'll do the dirty work next time I come and you can have the glamour job.". "Fair enough?"

Sander chuckled when Alex picked the choice he had expected to. "I figured as much. But since this is your first time doing this, I agree. You should continue brushing the horses. Don't forget to brush their tails too....and be careful of any poo that might be stuck there...and oh yeah horses are also known to poo whenever they want to...so keep an eye for unexpected droppings," Sander teased Alex as he picked up the shovel and walked over to the Thestral's stall.

He began scooping up the horse dung and placed it in the wheelbarrow he had found sitting next to the supplies cupboard. He continued to chuckle to himself occasionally glancing over at Alex to see how she was doing. He wondered whether that little poop reminder was now making Alex regret choosing brushing over scooping.

Eeeewwww! Why did Sander have to be so graphic? Alex thought she had gotten off easy with brushing the horses. Then Sander had to add that little tip about tail poo and unexpected droppings, yuck. Alex knew that he was just teasing her, but still......

She decided that she would tend to Speedy next. Moving on to the Granian, Alex began to talk to him. "It's your turn now Speedy. You've been so patient." She rubbed his nose and said,"You are in for a real treat.". Alex took the brush and began brushing the horses back. She'd save the tail for last.

Alex heard Sander laughing to himself and wondered what could possibly be so funny. She watched him cleaning the stalls as she continued brushing the horse. Alex called over to him, "Hey Sander, whatcha thinking about?"

"I was just wondering whether you've had any poop encounters yet," Sander turned around to look at Alex, trying to sound serious but one look at her face, and he began to laugh.

"I'm sorry for teasing you like that. The horses are usually pretty clean, so you have nothing to worry about.....but just to be on the safe side, keep an eye on their rears," he reminded her before quickly turning around to hide a grin.

But then he knew it was time for him to be serious. She had agreed to come and help him, so the least he could do was make it easier for her.

"I tell you what, let me finishing mucking up their stalls, then we can clean their water troughs, then water and feed them. That's the easiest part of taking care of these horses." Sander suggested to Alex.

Alex laughed saying to Sander, " You are so bad". You give me a hard time and you enjoy it, go on admit it.. The truth was, he wouldn't be Sander if he wasn't teasing her about something. He kept her laughing, that was for sure.

When Sander suggested they feed and water the horses, Alex agreed. "I'm almost finished brusing Speedy. Why don't I take care of Big Boy and maybe I'll be finished by the time you clean the stalls. After that I can help you feed them."

Then Alex looked at Sander with all traces of laughter gone. She said, "Thank you Sander for bringing me here and allowing me to help you. I never thought I'd enjoy working with the horses as much as I have. And no, I have not encountered any poo yet.". Alex crossed her fingers and hoped that she hadn't jinxed herself.