"They prevent you from contacting Luna?" Harry asked. "Can't you be friends with wizards?"
"It's not that simple," Ference explained. "Luna... she's young, and this group is protective of her. Centaurs don't harm foals, and she..." Ference paused, thinking. "She gets along well with all centaurs except for Bane, especially the girls. They really like the dirigible plum earrings and cork necklaces."
Harry was surprised by Luna's broad social circle, finding a confidant in another group.
For some reason, he added, "She also makes flower crowns."
"Yeah, she learned some styles from the centaurs," Ference said. Harry widened his eyes, imagining Luna and centaur girls learning to make flower baskets. It didn't seem odd to him.
"He used to be one of the few we could interact with. We like people with simple minds who love nature. But now, it's difficult. You know, the elders in the tribe disapprove of him placing his brother in the Forbidden Forest." Ference said.
Harry recalled Hagrid's words; the Forbidden Forest wasn't for centaurs. It was an area designated by the Ministry of Magic for them. However, he kept his thoughts to himself.
They reached the edge of the Forbidden Forest, and Hagrid's hut was visible in the distance, emitting a thin wisp of smoke from the chimney.
"No problem. I've seen many young wizards accidentally entering the Forbidden Forest, although some weren't really 'accidents'," Ference said. Harry nodded and took a few steps away. "Oh, Potter," Ference called out, and Harry turned to look at the centaur.
"Bane doesn't want us to have any contact with wizards. He's part of the radical faction. But I believe maintaining some contact with wizards is necessary. In this tumultuous era, relying solely on centaur power is weak and unsustainable. I believe you are an important part of it." Ference said.
Harry's mood suddenly darkened.
"An important part?" he said in a low, hoarse voice. "I may not be of much help... you should talk to Professor Dumbledore."
"We don't trust him," Ference said softly.
Harry raised his eyebrows in surprise. Ference continued, "To be precise, we don't trust any adult wizards." Harry found it strange; he thought Professor Dumbledore had clashed with centaurs at some point.
But considering the centaur's criteria for friendship—simple-mindedness and a love for nature—Professor Dumbledore didn't seem to fit either.
Harry returned to the castle with a heavy heart. He didn't understand why Ference seemed to have unrealistic expectations of him. As the day was turning dark, he guessed the students should be enjoying their feast in the Great Hall. So, he entered the hall, ignoring the cheerful chatter around him and sitting discreetly at the edge of the Gryffindor table.
Next to him was a younger student he didn't know, but the student clearly recognized him. The young wizard whispered something and discreetly nudged his companion's ribs with his fingers.
Harry picked up a pie, stuffing it into his mouth haphazardly.
Several seats were empty at the professors' table. Dumbledore, Professor Snape, Sirius, and others were absent. The students didn't find it unusual; professors didn't always show up for dinner. They enthusiastically discussed finished wizarding exams, final exams, and even mentioned summer vacation.
But today was different.
As Harry thought about it while splitting the pie with a fork, he realized that Voldemort had quietly fallen. If people could see the future, they would surely be surprised at how calmly he spent this day.
He also thought about Ference's words—the tumultuous era. Could he witness it? Or was the 'important part' Ference mentioned actually the beginning of his death?
That would indeed be crucial. The magical world would be free from Voldemort's shadow, able to live in peace.
Harry glanced again; the four missing individuals were still absent. Lowering his head, he stealthily left the Great Hall—Ron and Hermione were eating noisily, glancing around. He needed to avoid them; he hadn't figured out how to face them yet.
Where did those absentees go? Harry wondered on his way back to the common room.
Were they having an exceptionally serious conversation somewhere he didn't know—perhaps in the headmaster's office or on a desolate mountaintop? Dumbledore solemnly informing Sirius about Harry being a Horcrux?
If someone had to inform him, he hoped it would be Sirius.
In the depths of Classroom 7. ɪꜰ ʏᴏᴜ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ᴛᴏ ʀᴇᴀᴅ ᴍᴏʀᴇ ᴄʜᴀᴘᴛᴇʀs, ᴘʟᴇᴀsᴇ ᴠɪsɪᴛ novel★fire.net
Felix handed Hufflepuff's cup to Dumbledore and gazed at the hovering serpent.
"... You stuck together over a dozen guardians?" Dumbledore asked in amazement. "How did you manage that?"
"It's indeed challenging. Achieving it truly requires a lot of time, but I took a shortcut," Felix said. "I found a commander for them, a spiritual leader."
"You mean Harry's..."
Dumbledore nodded slightly. "What about Krum?"
"I sent him to Sirius. He's bound by the magic of his kind, just lost a master. Currently, he's quite emotionally low. Sirius is consoling him."
Behind them stood the memories of several professors—young Felix, young Dumbledore, young McGonagall, and Flitwick and Newt Scamander, all with serious expressions, watching the emerald-green guardian in the air.
"Inside it... is a mysterious person? Goodness, this is too dangerous. You shouldn't have brought it to the school," a young McGonagall covered her chest and said, visibly shaken.
"For a certain purpose, we temporarily need it alive," Felix said. "Honestly, Minerva, you won't find a more suitable place than this: there's vast magical power flowing within the Hogwarts defense system, a massive amount of emotions gathered in Room 7, and most importantly... you all."
"But this isn't a prison, Albus, and we're not jailers. I hope you reconsider!" Professor McGonagall said vehemently. "Students come and go every day. What if something unexpected happens—"
"Then we'll temporarily close this area and not open it to the public," Dumbledore said solemnly.
"It's better not to, sir," Felix interjected. "I need it to gather enough emotions. It's a crucial step in suppressing Voldemort's will and forcing him into dormancy. I can create a temporary passage to a nearby room to keep them separated."
"In a few days, the school will be on vacation. Think optimistically; we might solve the problem during the holidays."
You can access more chapters from HERE by joining my community. You'll gain exclusive early access to the COMPLETE NOVEL.
As a member of my community, here is what you'll get: