The distant rhythm of hoofbeats broke the stillness of the forest, growing steadily louder until several centaurs emerged from between the ancient trees, their imposing forms soon standing before Ryze and Hagrid.
Each of them bore the powerful physique characteristic of their kind—broad human torsos seamlessly joined with the muscular bodies of horses. At their forefront stood a centaur with a reddish-brown coat, complemented by a thick red beard and matching hair. The moment he recognized Hagrid, he lowered the bow he had been holding, his posture easing slightly.
Behind him stood another centaur, his body as dark as night, gripping a long spear. His full beard framed a stern expression, and as his eyes fell upon Hagrid, he let out a faint, dismissive snort.
Hagrid visibly relaxed upon seeing them.
They were familiar faces.
"Ronan, Bane—good afternoon," Hagrid greeted, stepping forward with a broad, friendly smile. "It's been a while. How's your tribe been doing lately?"
Without hesitation, he reached out and clasped Ronan's hand in greeting.
"And if food's running short for the foals this winter, just let me know. I'll see what I can do."
Before Ronan could respond, Bane cut in sharply from behind.
"The centaur tribe does not require charity from outsiders," he declared coldly. "We follow the laws of nature. That alone is sufficient to sustain us."
Hagrid waved a hand dismissively, clearly used to such responses. "Alright, alright—I was only asking. I know how you lot are."
Letting out a sigh, he quickly shifted the topic.
"But speaking of your tribe," he continued, gesturing toward the surrounding forest, "don't you think the traps you've set up are a bit excessive this year? I understand tightening defenses during winter, but look at this poor creature."
He carefully revealed the injured Demiguise he had been carrying.
"It poses no threat to your tribe, yet it still got caught and hurt by your traps."
Bane's gaze dropped to the creature, but his expression remained utterly devoid of sympathy.
"The traps are necessary," he replied flatly. "There is a shadow drawing closer. Since summer, we have sensed a growing gloom over Hogwarts. Those shadows may enter the forest at any time. These precautions ensure our tribe remains untouched."
His tone hardened further.
"As for creatures that wander into danger—such is their destiny."
Hagrid's expression darkened. With a sharp motion, he pulled back his coat, his voice rising with indignation.
"This is just a harmless little creature! I'm the gamekeeper of Hogwarts—whatever you call its destiny, I'm not about to let it die here!"
Standing slightly behind Hagrid, Ryze observed the exchange in silence, though he couldn't help the faint twitch at the corner of his eye.
Hagrid had warned him that centaurs were difficult to deal with, yet he himself became just as stubborn—if not more so—whenever magical creatures were involved.
Fortunately, Ronan stepped in before the tension escalated further.
"That's enough, Hagrid," he said calmly, raising a hand to interrupt. "We came here seeking that injured Demiguise as well. Since you've already found it, we will leave it in your care."
Hagrid shot Bane one last glare before turning away. "Fine by me."
He gestured to Ryze. "Come on—let's head back."
As Hagrid spoke, both Ronan and Bane shifted their attention past him, their gazes settling on Ryze.
The moment their eyes fell on him, Ryze felt an unmistakable sensation.
It wasn't the ordinary feeling of being watched.
It was deeper—something intangible, as though unseen threads of fate itself were probing him, attempting to unravel something hidden beneath the surface.
Instinctively, Ryze followed that sensation and lifted his gaze, meeting Bane's eyes directly.
For a brief moment, the air seemed to tighten.
Then, as if responding to the tension, Ailey emerged from Ryze's chest, her small form appearing on his shoulder. Her presence carried a subtle but distinct displeasure as she stared at Bane.
At the sight of her, Bane instinctively stepped back.
The reaction was brief, almost imperceptible—but unmistakable.
He quickly regained his composure, yet his eyes remained fixed on Ailey, filled with a rare intensity, as though he were witnessing something beyond comprehension.
"Bane," Ronan said, frowning slightly, "we made a pact with Dumbledore. We do not harm the foals."
"I had no intention of harming him," Bane replied, though his gaze did not waver. "But you see it as well, don't you? This foal carries something… something even we cannot perceive."
His voice lowered.
"He may be the source of chaos in the future. We must remain vigilant."
Hearing this, the gentleness on Ronan's face faded slightly.
Meanwhile, Hagrid immediately stepped in front of Ryze, placing himself firmly between the boy and the centaurs.
"Bane, what exactly are you implying?" he demanded, his tone edged with anger.
Behind him, Ryze frowned.
What had the centaurs seen?
What changes in the future had they sensed—changes connected to him?
Ronan turned his attention back to Hagrid, his expression composed once more.
"My apologies," he said. "Allow me to speak with Bane for a moment. But rest assured—under the witness of the stars, we swore to Dumbledore that we would not harm the foals. That vow will not be broken."
The two centaurs stepped aside, speaking in low voices.
After a brief exchange, Ronan returned.
"Young foal," he said, his tone gentler now, "please forgive Bane's bluntness. His concerns stem only from his duty to our tribe's future."
His gaze lifted toward the canopy, as though he could see beyond it to the sky above.
"Last year, the heavens changed," he continued. "The stars—once clear and certain—became obscured, as though shrouded in an impenetrable fog. The future, once readable, has become uncertain."
"We have studied the stars countless times since then, yet we have found no answer."
He lowered himself slightly, bringing himself closer to Ryze's eye level.
"Do not take Bane's words too heavily. He spoke as he did because he sensed something around you—a mist that prevents us from seeing clearly."
His eyes briefly flicked to Ailey.
"And because of the presence of that pure, almost primal magical creature at your side."
Ronan paused, then continued thoughtfully.
"However, I—and many among our kind—do not believe that a single individual can alter the course of the world so profoundly. For thousands of years, such a being has never appeared."
He straightened slightly before speaking again.
"That said, you possess something rare—a natural talent for divination."
There was no envy in his tone, only quiet acknowledgment.
"It is a gift from the heavens. But such a gift should not be squandered on trivial matters—on personal gain, or the petty concerns of life and death."
His voice deepened with quiet conviction.
"True divination seeks to understand the laws that govern the world itself. That is the path our kind has followed for generations."
Ronan studied Ryze for a moment.
"You may not fully understand this now," he admitted. "But if, in the future, you wish to explore this path—then you will be welcome among us."
There was no pressure in the invitation, only sincerity.
After a brief pause, Ronan rose to his full height once more.
"Hagrid, you should leave now," he said. "If you remain, the weather will only worsen."
Without waiting for a reply, he turned.
Bane lingered for a moment longer, his gaze lingering on Ryze—sharp, probing, and filled with unspoken caution—before finally turning as well.
Together, they disappeared into the forest, their forms quickly swallowed by the shadows between the trees.
Only when they were completely gone did Hagrid let out a breath.
He turned back to Ryze, his expression softening.
"Don't pay too much attention to what they said," he muttered. "That's just how they are—always going on about Mars, Mercury, and whatever else they see in the stars."
He snorted lightly.
"They talk about not caring for life and death, but I've yet to see any of them prove it."
Shaking his head, he motioned for Ryze to follow.
"Come on—we should head back. I've got a pot of beef stew waiting. Should be just about perfect by now."
With that, the two of them began their journey out of the forest, leaving behind the lingering weight of the centaurs' words—and the quiet unease they had stirred.
For more chapters
patreon.com/Liamlivingstone