A/N: Thanks everyone for the follows, favorites and reviews! Merry Christmas to all of you!


Chapter 7

"Granger…" he said warningly, casting her a glance. Fortunately, she took the hint. With their wands out, they waited nervously…

The leaves rustled and they had the distinct impression they were being watched. Finally, the leaves parted and their guide appeared. He hadn't come alone though. A young woman with a toddler in her arms stood next to the old man. He was obviously getting on in years but had his back straight and could probably still hold his own in a fight.

"Draco Malfoy?" he asked. When Draco nodded, he continued. "I'm Aldo da Pedra. My daughter Adelina and her daughter Cassandra." Mother and child smiled uneasily. Hermione smiled back.

"This is Hermione Granger," Draco said. "She will be conducting the negotiations…"

"If it comes to that…" Aldo said, his eyes narrowing. "They've been quite difficult these past few weeks. Getting wilder and more violent than ever before. More impatient as well…" He sighed. "It is why I had my daughter and her child coming over from the city of Manaus… Frankly, without them I wouldn't feel safe…"

"They still do not harm children, you see…" Adelina said. "So far, they've kept their honor about that…"

"Though not about much else…." Her father said darkly. "I'm afraid conditions have worsened since my last report to the Brazilian Ministry…"

Hermione and Draco had read that particular report. If matters had worsened… that meant things had become very bad indeed.

"What about the other side, though?" Hermione ventured to ask. "They are being persecuted…"

"That's right… They are victims too." The man shook his head. "I haven't found a solution…and am not convinced there is one either… Perhaps a fresh pair of eyes…" he said, "though I shouldn't expect too much if I were you…"

"We have time," Draco replied confidently. Never show your fear. If he'd learnt anything over the years, it was that.


It was a bit of a walk to their hide-out but once they were there it was a lot more comfortable than Hermione had expected it to be. "Magic.." Adelina had smiled at her surprise and she had grinned stupidly in return.

Draco and Aldo discussed the various positions and possible solutions as Hermione assisted the daughter in the kitchen. "I'm a vegetarian," she said, a bit apologetically, "I hope it doesn't cause any trouble…"

"Don't worry about it," she said. "Father practically is as well. He believes you should only eat what you have killed yourself…"

"Do…" Hermione hesitated to ask. "The centaurs… Are they also wanted for their…" she hardly dare say it, "for their flesh?"

"Oh yes," she replied. "Their fur, their flesh… Killing a centaur… It's something of a sport to some. A badge of honor."

Hermione shuddered. "I can hardly imagine it… They are such magnificent creatures. I know they can be difficult to communicate with… yet…"

"Most… most people…" Adelina said, "most did not wish them harm… But then, when their lands were captured they became vile… They killed and took hostage…" She sighed. "After their revolt, they were driven deeper into the forest, and public opinion about them changed. The hunters, who had been frowned upon before, now became heroes…. And centaur meat has become a delicacy these past few years… even though it had been illegal for centuries…"

"It's hard to see a solution. Things being as they are…" Hermione understood. Adelina nodded. It was nigh impossible…


Draco was far from optimistic himself but he liked a challenge. The centaurs were proud: that much he had in common with them… As for their demands, he would have to wait and see. Unreasonable negotiators could be pushed, be made to see the light as it were. There were certain tricks and Draco knew them all.

Aldo told him about a hiding place. A small secluded paddock were foals were born and found shelter. In contrast to animals, centaurs tended to be more weak-heartened when guarding their young. Perhaps meeting some of them there could help negotiations. It sounded good to Draco and Aldo and he spent the rest of the evening preparing a plan.

The following morning they left the hide-out as the sun was rising. It would be a long walk. "Anything better than broomsticks," Hermione said optimistically as Draco told her about the journey.

"I'd definitely prefer flying but this way they can pick up our scent and will feel confident. Flying in would only give the wrong message…"

"It would feel more like an attack," Hermione gathered. Draco nodded. Everything was tricky when it came to centaurs, every bloody little move.

"I feel like that time when…" he began, when something caught his eye. "Wands out!" he yelled.

All four of them took out their wands as Hermione casted a protective shield around them.

A pitch black centaur stallion approached them, two mares right behind him, one snow white, the other auburn. Their gaze was threatening and Hermione shivered involuntary.

"I don't recall inviting you," the proud stallion said, "any of you…" He stared them down. Cassandra began to cry softly as Adelina tried to comfort her.

"You're lucky to be carrying one so young," he continued, "although I gather that was your intent."

Hermione nodded as Draco said a firm: "No."

The centaur stallion laughed in derision. "The duplicity of humans once more confirmed. I take it you are the negotiators?"

"Yes," Hermione took charge this time around. "I'm sorry that we had to resort to this. We cannot negotiate a truce if we don't have a guarantee of safety. Having a child with us was the next best thing."

"I'm done trusting humans! Guarantee of safety"?" he snorted. "They are eating us!" He motioned to the two mares behind him. "We're done negotiating. The next time we meet not even the child will save you. You will be taken, imprisoned…or worse."

"That went well…" Draco muttered as he watched the three centaurs leaving. "We'll have to signal the Ministry for further instructions. Usually we don't give in to threats but," he addressed Aldo and Adelina, "we can hardly put you at even further risk. Not after everything you've done for us already."