Adult-FanFiction.org : Harry Potter

Zingaro	By : ccino49 Category: Harry Potter > Het - Male/Female Views: 3610 -:- Recommendations : 0 -:- Currently Reading : 0
Disclaimer: I do not own Harry Potter, nor any of the characters from the books or movies. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

Chapter List
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I own nothing from the Harry Potter universe. It all belongs to JK Rowling.

Zingaro

Chapter 28

How Riley came to be, no one ever discovered, but he existed and he was devoted to Paula. She had found him wandering the moors one autumn. He was alone and even though he was still a youngster, he already stood two hands higher then her own horse Bess. The hybrid followed them curiously for a week, coming closer each day. Paula would always set out a bucket of oats and one of fresh water each day as she did for Bess. Riley would always wait until Paula entered the wagon or left to find a stream for bathing before he would eat and drink. Eventually he made his way over to Bess and the two horses became friends. It was a further five weeks before Paula was allowed to stand close enough to read him.
The horse was surprised when she spoke to him, saying she understood but speaking in such a strange language. Stranger than that, he could understand her, he felt her empathy and understanding. From that day on he was one of them, he displayed his ability to send her images of what he could or had seen, much as a familiar would.
Paula would groom him daily with soapwart so that his muddy brown appearance soon revealed a glossy cream coat beneath. She gently washed the equally dirty horn on his head and polished it until the gold shone brightly. He proved to be something of a character, sneaking up on her and using his horn to gently prod her backside when she was bent over a steam washing clothes or filling a bucket.
Riley and Bess would stand together snorting as a soaked Paula waded from the stream, a frown on her face as she glared at the two of them.

�Bah. A right pair you two turned out to be. I know you are laughing at me. Beng�s, (devils) the both of you.� She would grumble. Still she loved them both and they watched over her just as she cared for them.
After several years when it became clear that Bess was struggling to pull the vurdon, Riley nudged her aside and took her place. The two creatures had bonded and Riley was as protective of Bess as he was of Paula. Eventually Paula was forced to leave Bess at a farm where elderly horses were put to pasture until their time came naturally. She was lame and only continued because it was expected of her.
Paula cried when she left Bess behind and Riley too was sad for a while.
�Look Riley, there�s my hearse. Soon you will meet Severus. He is gorgio, but a good man. Do not be too mean to him, please.�
Severus, for want of something to do and to take his mind off Paula, had pressed a few buttons and inadvertently switched on the stereo. After fleeing the car in shock, he calmed down enough to return and find the off switch. He found the volume knob and turned it way down before switching it on again. Then minutes later he�d found some music more to his taste. It was quite modern to him, motown the voice on the radio had called it, but nothing as horrendous as the noise that Paula seemed to prefer.
He was sat relaxing, his eyes closed as his fingers danced to the music when he heard a rumbling noise.

Sitting up and opening his eyes, he turned, stared, and faced forward again. After rubbing his eyes he opened the car door and looked out. �Merlin.� He breathed.
He stood beside the hearse, hardly able to believe what he was seeing. No horse should be that big, nor should it have a horn in the middle of its forehead. They were reserved for unicorns, and that beast was no unicorn.
�Hello Severus. See, we�re fine. Meet Riley.� She said, jumping down from the wagon and moving up to pet Riley.
Severus kept his distance however. �Paula, I am glad you are unhurt. I thought you said Riley was a horse?�
�He is, well kind of. I told you he was special.� She beamed at Severus, then Riley, then back at Severus. �Is he not beautiful?�
�He is magnificent. But what exactly is he?�
�He is part unicorn, part thestral. I have never heard of another like him. I think I found him, but he might have found me, anyway we have been together many years now.�

Paula released the harness and the shafts lowered gently to the ground. �Go say hello Riley, but no naughtiness.�

�What?� Severus asked, a look of horror on his face. �Paula it really is not necessary to .. Oh Gods.� He muttered as the great beast stepped up to him and peered down.
Severus leaned back on the bonnet of the vehicle, wishing the creature would back off enough so he could clamber back inside and close the door. Paula, make him go away.� He hissed, unable to tear his eyes from the animal.
Riley looked at him and blew a loud, wet raspberry right in Severus� face.
�Urgh� That was absolutely disgusting.� He said, as horse drool slid down his face. �Is he laughing at me?� He asked indignantly, taking his hanky and wiping his face as Paula pulled Riley away and scolded him.
�Riley that was not nice and you know it. Now make friends nicely or I wont give you any oats.�
Severus was sure the creature sighed before tuning back to him and � �He�s bowing to me. How incredible. Did you teach him to do that?�

�No one teaches Riley anything. He is his own master, extremely intelligent and very protective. He can be terribly fierce when angered, but mostly he is just the best. Aren�t you Riley?�
Riley nodded.
�He understands what you are saying?�

�Yes, and he communicates, much as a familiar would. But Riley is no familiar, it is part of his unicorn heritage.�
�I can see the unicorn part of him, but thestral?�
Riley snorted and spread his wings. They were enormouse and leathery, black as coal and he flapped them powerfully.
�Now I see the thestral part of him. My God�s, Hagrid is going to be green with envy when he sees him.�
�Now the introductions are over and you have seen I am still in one piece, it is time to get moving Severus. Things were a bit uncomfortable at the camp and I would like to put a bit of distance between them and us. You should head back now, Riley and I will see you in a couple of weeks. Maybe less, depending on how often we stop.�
Severus nodded in agreement, while in fact he did not want to leave her here all alone, even if she did have that great beast with her. �Maybe I should drive on for a bit and meet you somewhere, I could keep you company for a day or two.�
�Severus I have been travelling alone for sixteen years, I am quite capable of looking after myself. Besides, you would soon get bored I think. Go on back to your friends, enjoy the Mi duvvelungo divvus. Christmas day, and drink a toast to me and Riley.�
Severus still faltered, not wanting to let go just yet. �This is absurd.� he told himself. �Just get in the car and go you stupid man.� �Paula I � are you sure? I am happy to stay with you for a while longer.�

�I know, thank you Severus. We will be fine, go home.� She said softly. She moved to the drivers side door and held it open for him. As he came round to meet her, she leaned forward and kissed his cheek before placing a hand on his arm and urging him to get in.

TBC
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Zingaro