A/N JK owns Harry Potter and I write for no monies. Part II of a Trilogy.
Chapter 7 Centaurs
Firenze motioned them further into the dark and gloomy forest. "Bane talked to the Aracmatulas and as long as the Herd stayed a good distance away from them, then they would ignore them and promised if one centaur strayed, the unlucky one would be a meal."
"I'll have to talk to them." Hermione murmured.
Firenze turned to face her. "They are not all intelligent. Only those of direct descendent of Aragog have intelligence and can speak. They are dangerous and undependable."
Hermione noticed the worry in Firenze's eyes. "I need to do it for the Order Firenze. They joined Voldemort last time."
Firenze snorted and moved them deeper into the forest.
Two hours of walking and Firinze stopped at the edge of a clearing. "Bane is expecting you and do not move from this spot. They have been tracking us for an hour."
Donovan stood next to Hermione, pulling his wand out. Hermione noticed it and whispered for him to put it back into his robes. "I've a history with them and if we go in with wands they will be unwilling to listen."
Firenze heard the witch and snorted softly, entering the clearing with his head held down.
"Bane, I've brought the unworthy ones as you agreed. I implore my Herd to listen to them."
Banes snapped out. "They can come for it has been fortold for two centuries."
Hermione grabbed Donovan's hand and led him into the clearing and looked to the entire Herd. "I am Hermione…"
Banes cut her off. "You are here Hermione Granger nee Snape. We remember your deception in the past with the toad- like pink one. Yet the stars demand that we listen to you. Why would we want to make an agreement with your Ministry? We know who we are and need no recognition from your pitiful Ministry."
Hermione smiled. "Bane, Head of the Heard of the Forbidden forest, you ask a valid question. I don't want you to join the Ministry and accept the rights they want to give."
An old centaur with a grey mane approached. "I told you Bane that Mars has chosen well."
Bane snorted. "Deceptive words witch! I should send you away now yet Mars demands I listen." Moving close to her and looked into her eyes.
"Banes, I do not wish for you to align yourself to the Ministry. You know who is in control of it. I want you to offer a chance to listen so I can report it back and I want you to align your Herd to the Order."
"Deception!" Banes snorted out. "Deceit!"
Hermione caught his yellow eyes to hers. "You don't think I know why the Minister gave me the job? He did it to gain a Magical contract with you so he could call you to his forces when it all comes down to the fight of Light and Dark!" Hermione snarled out.
"I've studied the stars Bane just like your Seers." Hermione continued. "If you do not make an offering, the Dark Lord bonded with the Master of Dark will hunt your Herd out and kill all with a single stroke. Venus whispers to placate while Mars is enraged for they know your danger. Listen to Venus." Hermione spoke strongly and did not avert her gaze from Banes.
Banes held her gaze for long moments and snorted before trotting to his Seers. "Is what she says true?"
"You know as well as I that truthful words spill forth from the witch." The Head Seer replied.
Hermione stood with Donovan and Firenze while Bane and his Seers fell into a heated discussion.
"You think that Venus is this witch? We know that they are unworthy animals." Banes insisted hoping to sway his Seers."
"Mars speaks for Venus. One never knows how the stars reveal themselves. If the stars deem the witch worthy, perhaps we should listen. One must not stray what the stars whisper."
Banes sighed. "A delaying tactic and we pray that Mars acts before the Dark obliterates the light of the stars that guide us."
He trotted to Hermione. "Draw up your offer of rights and send it to Firenze. I will not speak after I call Council of the Herds and we decide."
"Don't feel like you have to act immediately Banes. Remember what I ask." Hermione murmured. "Let's go Donovan."
The herd watched the witch and wizard melt into the forest and a loud clap reverberated throughout the forest.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Donovan arrived at Diagon Alley and guided her a secluded booth in Leaky Cauldron for drinks, calling to barman Old Tom for two orders of Firewhiskey.
They remained silent until he barman served the Firewhiskey, smiling toothily to them before moving back to the bar.
Donovan held his glass up. "To the agreement!" He murmured being purposely vague in case spies for Minister Binns hung about.
Hermione revealed a small smile and sipped her drink. "It went better than expected thanks to Firenze. I don't think Banes would have entertained us at all if not for him."
Donovan finished his drink and put it down. "How did you know of that particular Centaur prophecy Hermione? Despite the habit of being spoken of in the present, that one has been around for about two hundred years."
"Erin told me of it when I told her my plans. Seems in her long life she did have contact with the Seers of the Centaurs and meticulously put to memory all that they told her. She remembered the grey manned Centaur that gave it to her along with a year. This year Donovan."
Donovan whistled low. "That does not brook well Hermione."
"It confirms what we already know Donovan. In the very near future a battle pitting Light against Dark is going to happen and we need all the help we can get."
Donovan stood up. "I'm the spy watching you Hermione. I'll tell my Head that you managed to get Bane to call a Council to discuss as soon as you iron out the offered rights. I'll see you at home later."
Hermione nodded and remained at the booth deep in thought.
HGSSHGSS
Severus sat in the living room of their cottage eyes closed as the Bond revealed what Hermione experienced today. She put forth plans within plans, which the Centaurs never liked and the very reason they distrusted the Wizarding world. Still Banes was receptive, that in itself unusual. The Centaurs knew more than they let on.
Still it was a win of a sort.
Along with that he had Harry set Slightly up with his handler, sure that the short pock faced wizard would be pleased and ferment his loyalty.
She had not been here in a week and went to prepare for her arrival.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Slightly stood at the address in the affluent neighbourhood dressed as demanded in high end robes. He wondered who his handler would be, immediately worried as the person that lived in this house was rich and hoped he was not a distraction to the boredom of the wealthy.
Knocking on the door he stood waiting and felt a hand grab the scruff of his neck and pulled him inside, hearing the door slam behind him.
A disappointed sultry voice sounded out in the dark hall. "Luv, how could you be evil? I was told I would be the handler for a spy most trusted in Voldemort's camp."
Slightly allowed his eyes to adjust to the darkened hall they stood in and recognized his witch. "Julia, there is much I need to discuss and do not judge me harshly. Snape has a way of ferreting things out of you along with an Unbreakable Vow. He caught me in a compromising situation telling me he would go after those I love.
Julia pouted. "I'm not sure Luv. He told me to be careful with you."
Slightly took her hand. "I am not Jonathan and I would never, ever harm you. My real name is Slightly and I've been an assassin for most of my life. Little did I know that Mundungus set me up with you, not thinking you would report back as in the old days. After I left you I went about my personal business unrelated to the Dark Lord and was caught, hence the aforementioned threat and intrusion into my mind and he found you. The person I realized I love. Right then despite the Unbreakable Vow demanded by Harry Potter I did it for you. I love you Julia."
Julia pulled him to her. "Oh Slightly I love you. I love you in your true body. Since I am your handler shall we go over protocol?"
Slightly reacted when her lips touched his neck. "Oh Julia you can handle me any way you want." He moaned out.
He allowed her to lead him up the stairs, understanding Snape's words that he would be pleased of his handler.
HGSSHGSSHGSS
Hermione arrived at the cottage an stepped inside glad to be home after a week spent at Hogwarts. During her stay she kept in her quarters seeing only Firenze and her ex-professors. All apologized at how she was treated in the past and pleased she was cleared.
She breathed in the familiar scents of her home, not realizing how much she missed it and him, detecting a strong smell of sandalwood close to her.
"Cheecky wizard." She murmured. "You can reveal yourself now."