"Selena. That's what they call me."
The female centaur, Selena, seemed unlike others of her kind, lacking their typical reservations toward human wizards.
"..."
Selena... Selene... The moon, perhaps? From the Greek. Cassandra considered this thoughtfully, nodding slowly.
"My brother's prophetic gifts are... less developed than mine. However, he is the strongest warrior in our tribe," Selena continued. "He was pursuing a most dangerous quarry deep within the Forbidden Forest. He was nearly captured, but someone saved him."
Intrigued, Cassandra tilted her head. "Tom? Was that you?"
Tom, poised to say "I don't recall such an event," suddenly remembered petrifying a centaur during his pursuit of the remnant soul.
"Ah, yes. I believe there was such an unfortunate fellow."
"..."
Serena appeared unfazed by his bluntness, her demeanor remaining even and somewhat detached.
Cassandra, focused on the matter at hand, pressed on. "But why are you here?"
Serena gazed at the starlit sky. "The stars foretold that my desires could be fulfilled here, at this time. And, as always, they revealed the truth."
"You can foresee such things?" Cassandra's surprise was evident. "Can you predict what awaits Tom and me?"
"No." Serena shook her head, her gaze lingering on Tom as he walked ahead, a flicker of uncertainty in her eyes. "His future is veiled from me... I can see nothing."
"Then you..."
"My prophecies concern only myself." Understanding Cassandra's unspoken question, Serena went on. "The stars guided me here, promising the fulfillment of my wishes. I initially intended to guide you." Her eyes turned towards Cassandra. "Though I cannot perceive his path, yours is clear to me. I know the best course for you to follow."
"However," she admitted, "he disagrees. So, I must find an alternative."
"..."
Tom halted abruptly. "You wish to assist me?"
"Yes... that is correct." Serena readily agreed, seemingly unaware of the deeper complexities.
"Then perhaps you could grant me another favor." Tom realized that the centaur's abilities might prove useful. "Is it possible for humans to learn the methods of prophecy used by centaurs?"
Surprise flickered across Selena's face. "You wish to learn?"
"No." With a slight shake of his head, Tom gestured toward Cassandra. "I wish you to teach her."
It was clear to Tom that the young centaur possessed significant prophetic talent, perhaps even exceptionally so. Having her tutor his dim-witted apprentice in Divination might prove worthwhile.
After all, I can't teach Divination. Crystal balls, tea leaves, astrology... utterly useless. If I wished, I could simply see the future. Thus, he had no idea how to teach Divination.
And at Hogwarts, Trelawney's skills were invariably worse than Cassandra's. Consequently, his apprentice's talent was entirely self-taught. Tom had no desire to see it wasted.
"..."
Cassandra remained silent, her mind racing as she glanced back and forth between Tom and Selena. She understood Tom's reasoning and didn't object to learning from the centaur. Besides... perhaps this new teacher possesses some useful knowledge.
Cassandra eyed her new, cheap tutor, cataloging her "weapons". While Tom might not care, Cassandra was always eager to expand her repertoire.
"Very well."
Serena, ever decisive, sprang into action. "Meet me outside the Forbidden Forest every weekend evening."
Snapping out of her reverie, Cassandra replied, "Ah, alright!"
...
With her task assigned, Selena departed. Tom and Cassandra ventured deeper into the Forbidden Forest, reaching a secluded lake.
Though small, its shimmering white waters reflected the moonlight, creating an ethereal ambience. This was the primary watering hole for the unicorns of the Forbidden Forest.
"Look there." Tom pointed into the distance. "Tell me which one you desire."
Following his gaze, Cassandra saw a dozen unicorns resting on the opposite bank. Like Selena, their coats were a pristine, silvery-white. It seemed, whether real or imagined, that their fur glowed with an inner light.
"Hm? Are those golden ones?" Cassandra noticed several smaller, golden unicorns among the others. "And they don't have horns."
"Unicorns are golden until the age of two," Tom explained. "Their horns begin to grow around four, they reach adulthood around seven, and their coats only turn completely silvery-white in adulthood."
Cassandra had not taken Care of Magical Creatures. Tom had taught her much of what she knew about magical creatures.
"Have you chosen?" Tom prompted.
"Yes. I think a unicorn cub would be ideal."
As soon as the words left Cassandra's lips, Tom snapped his fingers.
With a sharp "crack," a golden unicorn cub materialized beside them. It stood about two feet tall and three feet long, radiating an irresistible cuteness.
The distant unicorns remained oblivious to the sudden arrival.
"Hiss?" The little unicorn looked around in confusion. Noticing Tom and Cassandra, it regarded them with curiosity and a hint of wariness.
But then, it happily hopped over and rubbed against Tom's leg.
Cassandra was astonished. She had no idea how Tom had managed it. Unicorns typically avoided adult humans, especially men.
"You're rubbing against the wrong one. The right target is over there." Tom gently nudged the little unicorn, who seemed to understand immediately, trotting back to Cassandra with playful enthusiasm.
Delighted, Cassandra knelt down to pet the creature. "It's a girl!"
Cassandra was in high spirits. "Tom, what should we call her?"
"..."
Tom's gaze turned strange. "Silly apprentice. I don't believe I taught you that, did I?"
"..."
Cassandra's face flushed crimson. "I didn't! I didn't touch it... I could tell!"
"Silly Tom!" Angrily, Cassandra scooped up the little unicorn in her arms. "Come on, we're not playing with him anymore."
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The story breathes beyond this page. More waits in the quiet, written and patient. Unlock it when you are ready — it will not rush you.