Thanks Soph!
That's exactly what I'm like too!


Alicia stuck out her hand and watched as the Knight bus pulled up beside her. She ignored the conductor and stormed onto the bus.

“Hogwarts- Now” She ordered, practically throwing eleven sickles at Stan. There was a bang and they were rolling through the snowy village. She stormed off and towards the gates. Firenze? I need to talk to you… She thought, staring at the edge of the Forest. A white blonde head of hair appeared through the trees. She waved and the palomino Centaur trotted towards her.

“Alicia… What is this? You’re supposed to be returning tomorrow!” Firenze said as he opened the gates.

“I lost my temper and stormed out…” She muttered as they walked across the snowy lawns. As they reached the edge of the trees, she waved a hand and their prints in the snow vanished. Firenze raised an eyebrow.

“Why did you lose your temper, young one?” He asked in a soothing voice as they made their way through the trees. Alicia’s hair was now a jade colour.

“Sirius said something to Emily and it upset her so I started shouting at him… I said some things that were really mean but I don’t regret saying them…” She said as she stepped over a patch of nettles.

“So why are you here?” He said calmly, letting her pass into a clearing first. She waved her hand so that the snow vanished from a fallen tree.

“I think my temper got the better of me… like it used to when I was ten” She said, sitting down. Firenze folded his legs underneath him as he sat on the patch of clear grass Alicia had made for him. “Do you remember?”

“Of course I do… Your brother and sister were tormenting you and you Flooed yourself into the castle and ran in here to find me” He said, smiling a little. “Alicia, you haven’t changed much since I first met you when you were five and you spent your summers with Hagrid. The one change I can see clearly, is the one of Jamie Starlight,” Alicia looked away from his face, watching the sun dance off of the snow. “He has caused a great change in you with his presence… I sense there is something else bothering you?” He said as she glanced at him.

“You’re getting good at that…” She muttered before telling him about her vision. “So I know I’m going to die soon” She said quietly, staring at the glistening snow again.

“That is not your only choice, young one” Firenze said, putting a hand on her shoulder. Alicia’s jade hair turned black.

“I’m not joining him, Firenze!” She said angrily. “I’d rather die than join him- I’m not going to be forced into killing Muggles or hunting down my friends!”

“I was not talking about that choice- I was talking about the choice of the fight” Firenze said, taking Alicia’s hand in his. “You have seen it in the stars, young one, you know it is coming” She looked at him carefully.

“So have you…” She said quietly and he shook his head.

“You know I cannot tell you how it ends, Alicia” He said calmly. She sighed and returned to watching the snow.

“So, what now? Are you going to tell me to go back to Sirius’ or up to castle or to go home?” She sighed, looking over at him.

“None- that is up to you to decide. But I will allow for you to stay with the herd if you wish” He said and she laughed.

“Oh, that option! I’ve just missed Bane so much!” Firenze laughed with her. The sun vanished behind the tops of the trees and the moonlight lit their clearing, Alicia’s hair turned dark brown.

“What is it, young one?” Firenze said as she jumped to her feet. Then he heard the footsteps too. “That is your friends, searching for you” He stated as Jamie’s voice called her name.

“Hagrid let them into the castle grounds… Firenze, what do I do?” She seemed to be on the verge of tears. Emily’s voice called for her too.

“That is up to you, Alicia- you must choose what you want to do…” Draco’s voice sounded closer than the others. “But my opinion is that you go with them. You are safer with company-”

“I’m safer with you, Firenze! Here, in the Forest! I’m just putting them at risk by being round them!” She said, her voice slightly high. She heard Jamie’s and Emily’s voice call together, sounding just behind a couple of trees.

“You have been warned about your future choices, young one- I suggest you let that future come to you, do not fight it!” The three voices called again, sounding closer than ever. “We are here” Firenze called as tears ran down Alicia’s face. He stood and walked to her, hugging her tightly. “Remember that you are always welcome into the sanctuary of the Forest, Alicia”

“Ali!” Jamie said in relief as he burst through the trees, Emily and Draco right behind him. He ran towards her as Firenze stepped back. He wrapped his arms round her as she continued to cry.

“Remember what we have spoken about, my young one” Firenze said quietly. “And I shall be seeing you soon” He vanished into the trees and Alicia dropped back onto the tree trunk.

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