Chapter 782 - Slug Club Banquet Upshot Ⅱ (2/2)
Professor Dumbledore ceases to pull on his beard, before turning his gaze much more solemnly at them. ”The two of you shall be presented tomorrow to the staff and students during brunch,” he explained. ”I shall show the two of you to your personal quarters and your classrooms. Though I must admit, I am surprised to see you here this evening, Ronan. I thought you preferred to reside in the evening with your herd.”
”A strong winter storm will arrive later tonight and go on past this morning and well until the afternoon,” Ronan truthfully replied. ”The Shaman did not wish for shame to be brought to the herd. Therefore, I set out this evening and shall reside within the castle until the storm is past.”
”Wonderful, I am glad that I had the house elves prepare your quarters then,” Professor Dumbledore most cheerfully said, before leading past the winding staircase to a classroom nearby.
”The ceiling has been enchanted much like the Great Hall to reflect the sky,” Professor Dumbledore explained as he pointed at the classroom that currently reflected the night sky. The classroom itself is full of sitting cushions, and a cupboard full of crystals, and other items for Divination usage. There are many potted plants carefully placed by the house elves and donated from Professor Sprout's sheds to give the classroom more of a natural feeling.
”The classroom is pleasing, Professor Dumbledore,” Ronan said as he opened his eyes and turned to gaze at the white-haired, powerful, elderly wizard. ”You and the house elves have my gratitude.”
”I am glad, Ronan,” Professor Dumbledore beamed. ”I shall let the house elves; they will be most pleased with your words. Now let me show you to your personal quarters, they are just next door.”
Professor Dumbledore reached a hand into the pouch that hung on his belt. ”Normally, we don't have professor quarters on the first floor, but as a result, they must be magically locked,” he explained. ”The children are a bit too mischievous at times.”
With a loud click, Ronan's quarters fall open as Professor Dumbledore steps aside and allows Ronan to enter first. Ronan's eyes widen as the inside of the room is covered and shaped like a centaur tent. There are various cushions set out against the ground including a thick carpet and blankets. There is a high bookshelf along with a small hearth with a door at the end of the room.
”The house elves ensured that there is a bathing pool beyond the door large enough to accommodate someone of your girth, Ronan,” Professor Dumbledore said causing Ronan's hoofs to softly paw against the floor with p.l.e.a.s.u.r.e.
Centaurs were considered by wizards and witches to be barbaric even lecherous, but centaurs were fastidious about cleanliness nor were they lecherous for they were loyal for life to their mate. Centaurs regularly bathed in the rivers and large pools to keep clean even in the middle of winter for a smelly centaur was looked upon by other centaurs. It was a grave social faux pas.
”I am sincerely thankful, Professor Dumbledore,” Ronan said inclining his red head towards the elderly wizard. ”Please convey my gratitude to the house elves.”
A loud meow startles them all as Sybill flushes brightly from the doorway. ”I think, it's time that Miss Arlo is returned to me,” she quietly said pointing to the cat carrier in Ronan's arms.
”I had forgotten,” Ronan simply said, before trotting over and handing the cat carrier to the thin witch.
”It was a simple error,” Sybill said with a shake of her head as she accepted the heavy cat carrier. ”And it was you, who was doing me the favor, not I.”
Professor Dumbledore's eyes twinkle even brighter and says, ”Well, let us leave, Ronan to rest Professor Trelawney,” he paused to hand the golden key to the quarters over to Ronan.
”Let me show you to your quarters as Professor Trelawney as tomorrow will be a very long day. Until tomorrow, Ronan!” Professor Dumbledore said, before leading the way to the second floor.
Sybill moves to follow Professor Dumbledore, but not before pausing to glance back at the centaur, before fiercely blushing and rushing after Professor Dumbledore. Ronan's eyes follow the witch with a bit of confusion evident in his gaze. He did not know nor understand why, but he found the witch rather pretty like one of the mares from his herd. It was most strange, and it rather impossible idea to conceive!
Shaking his head, Ronan closes the door and sets his pack down. He would take a refreshing bath that would calm him down. Still, his mind would occasionally return to the thin witch with magnifying glasses. Most tales between centaurs and wizardkind ended in tragedy or horror especially those romantically inclined. Still, there were always the occasional tales that said otherwise and even myths are based on long ago forgotten tales.