Hiss—
A wave of gasps erupted before the castle gates. The young wizards who had ducked into the Entrance Hall poured back out, staring blankly at the little foal, unable to tear their eyes away.
This Centaur named Poppy was much shorter than Magri beside her, only about as tall as Professor Dumbledore. She was practically just a little foal.
Her coat was a silky platinum white, while the evening light lent her mane a soft blush of pink. Combined with her two bright, large eyes and long black lashes, she was so adorable and beautiful that she looked like a creature stepped out of a fairy tale!
The young witches of Hogwarts all stared intensely at little Poppy, wishing they could rush over and scoop this horse, even prettier than a Unicorn, into their arms at once.
Even Pansy Parkinson stared at the little foal in a daze, unable to say a word.
But there were also those who were not interested in Poppy.
Draco, for instance.
Compared with this very eye-catching Centaur, he was more interested in the children Professor Lahansen had brought. He could sense a peculiar air about them.
"These people don't look like half-bloods—"
Nott scrutinized the children suspiciously.
"There can't be so many pure-blood descendants in Britain that we don't know about, so... they're all foreigners. Do you know them? Come to think of it, they're human, right?"
"I think so. They don't look like Veela either."
Draco spoke quietly as he looked at Professor Breen.
"But I don't know them. Perhaps Professor Breen invited them from other wizarding schools."
"Well, my task here is complete. I should be going."
Magri gave Amosta and Dumbledore a perfunctory nod, seeming unwilling to remain on wizard territory for even another second.
"Take good care of yourself,