Chapter Sixteen

The Constellation of Centaurs

Sagittari opened the door and immediately shot Jennifer a stern look before letting Jennifer and Severus inside.

"So, now you arrive, not until the afternoon of the Solstice," the centaur said in annoyance. "Why didn't you come see me after your fainting spell in Myrkinbrek?"

"How do you know about that?" Severus asked. "Oh, I suppose Lupin told you before he left for the States."

"No, I found out about it the way the rest of the school did... in the morning paper," he said, walking over to the table and handing her the back page. Jennifer groaned when she saw the gossip column. Couldn't she do anything without someone reporting it?

"It wasn't anything to do with the pregnancy, Sagittari, honest, I'm fine. I'm sure Remus just told them that to get them off my back," Jennifer said. "Shouldn't we be going? It's getting late, and I really don't want to talk about it."

"Very well, but I don't think you should keep secrets from your doctor," he said, taking off his robes and tossing them aside before following them out the door. "You've both studied the star charts, I trust?"

"I have, and Jennifer has a list of the important events to look at on the way," Severus said. Jennifer scrambled for the notes, nearly having forgotten about them.

"Well, we still have some time, so we'll take it slow so you can go over them," Sagittari said, glancing quickly up at the skies for a moment. It was a clear afternoon, and should make for a clear reading that night. Nodding to himself, Sagittari led to two of them into the Dark Forest.

Jennifer couldn't help but notice a difference in how the forest felt. It was even more menacing than the last time she'd been in there. The trees themselves seemed to be regarding them with pure dislike as they passed, and Jennifer couldn't shake the feeling that they were being closely watched. She glanced up at Severus, but if he noticed anything, it didn't show on his face. Rather, he fell into step behind the centaur with disinterest in his surroundings, his feet barely making a sound as they walked through the snow. Reluctantly, Jennifer turned back to her notes before she noticed something missing, gazing at Severus thoughtfully.

"Severus, I don't see any notes on my current star chart. Is there another sheet somewhere?" Jennifer asked. Sagittari glanced back at them then at Severus before facing forward again.

"No, I had planned to talk to you about that," Severus said calmly. "I just didn't want to alarm you. I know you tend to take these things too seriously at times…"

"All right, Severus, out with it, what do they show?" Jennifer asked suspiciously.

"Well, if I read them correctly, they seem to indicate that you will suffer from a great loss of someone close to you," Severus answered quietly. "But I wouldn't hold much stock in all that if I were you. After all, what are stars but a lot of hot gas that have nothing to do with anything."

"You're just saying that so I won't start to worry," Jennifer frowned at him. "You know as well as I do that there are still many forces out there that we don't understand, and saying we don't believe in them is about as silly as not believing in magic."

"Yes, well, I have every intention of controlling my own destiny… except perhaps for a little nudge every now and again from a rather strong-willed wife," he added, getting a warm smile from Jennifer.

Jennifer heard hoof beats and music before they had even passed the cabin, and as they reached the edge of the glen, she couldn't help but be amazed at how many of them there were. Before then, she had only met several of the male elders as they patrolled the forest, but here women and foals were also gathered, comfortably settled in swiftly constructed branch hutches with small campfires. On the other side of the glen, a great bonfire was being constructed by the younger males in the constellation, while some of the elders stood nearby as if supervising the process.

"Let's stop by the camp before we head to the meeting. There is someone I'd like to try and speak with," Sagittari said.

As the three of them stepped into the glen, several centaur foals who were playing a game with silver circlets and rods suddenly stopped to watch them until a few of the braver ones came over.

"Hello, there," said a filly with braided wheaten hair as they approached. "Are you all right? What happened to your legs? And what are you wearing?"

"Step back Franci, I think they're wizards," an older foal said. "You know we're not allowed to speak to wizards."

"Do you think I should get my bow?" asked a dark haired foal, looking at them suspiciously.

"It's all right, children," Sagittari said with a smile. "Is Star Peregrine in the camp?"

"Yes, of course, by the matron's fire," the older foal said. "Are you from another constellation?"

"No," Sagittari said, walking forward. "She'll be expecting me, I think. Follow me, Professors."

"I didn't know there were so many centaurs in the forest," Jennifer said.

"That is as it should be," Sagittari explained softly. "We centaurs are an isolated folk. Others normally only see our guards and scouts while the rest of the constellation is hidden. Four times a year they meet in the glen, and no meeting is more important than tonight, the longest night of the year, and therefore the most revealing of nights in the heavens. It should be a very good event tonight. The skies will be quite clear."

Sagittari led them past several of the smaller campfires and over to a much more carefully laid one with rocks painted and etched with differing symbols encircling it. One of the older centaurs standing beside the fire, a mare with long grey hair that matched her grey coat, suddenly broke off her conversation with several other centaur mares and looked over at them.

"So, the stars tell true as ever," she said, taking a few steps away from the fire. "The eldest son has returned." She was very solemn in her words, but Jennifer couldn't miss how glad his mother was to see him, nor did Sagittari miss it either.

"These are my friends and comrades, Peregrine. Professor Snape and Professor Craw."

"I remember Severus Snape well, he has been here before," Peregrine said, nodding to him before looking at Jennifer. "Well met, Jennifer Craw. Every foal in our constellation has heard of you and the respect you have earned among Keki's Unicorn herd. You have come in an opportune year, for I believe the skies will shine tonight."

"And what of Ronan? Do the stars still cloud before his eyes when he looks for me me?" Sagittari said quietly. "Or does he look at all?"

"He has not told me his thoughts on the stars since your return," Peregrine said cautiously. "Perhaps this is something you should ask him tonight."

"Perhaps I should see him now, so that I can be sure I will be allowed to stay to hear the counsel of our elders," Sagittari suggested.

"The stars have spoken of your return. He cannot dispute that," she said simply.

"He disputed them quite fervently enough when they told of my leaving," he said in return.

"It was not your leaving that was the problem, but the casting off of your responsibilities to do so," Peregrine said sternly. "When you cast aside your destiny, you cast aside the living legacy of our people. Why else do you think we now debate if we should still vow ourselves to the lost cause of saving this forest from the evils that now plague us? Your selfish act affects the entire constellation, and it is your responsibility to either make it right or live to watch us be destroyed," she said.

There was no anger in her voice nor threat of any kind, but there was a deep sadness in her eyes that Jennifer couldn't even begin to fathom.

Whatever it was that Sagittari had done to be cast out was much more than just his decision to become a wizard, Jennifer realized. Rather, it must have been something that happened along with it, something that even now Sagittari was not willing to do. As the matron stepped away and went inside a nearby hutch, Jennifer found herself studying Sagittari carefully, hoping for more insight. His thoughts, however, had already turned to the Constellation itself.

"It'll be sunset soon. We should probably head over," Severus suggested quietly.

"Yes, so we should," Sagittari agreed. "Come, walk beside me. There should be no doubt that I come with you as emissaries from Hogwarts, and not for any other reason."

"Like for what other reasons?" Jennifer asked, falling into step beside Severus and the centaur.

"Coming back to the constellation, for one," Sagittari said. "I am what I've always wanted to be, a wizard, and I'm quite content with that."

"Yes, but are you happy with just that?" Jennifer pried. Sagittari smiled at her knowingly.

"All right, Truth Seeker, that is quite enough. Spare your friends and save it for the Elders," he chided her. Severus gave her a sideways glance but didn't say anything, and Jennifer gave up for the moment.

All of the older male centaurs had begun to gather as the sun began to descend, some of them regarding the three strangers with suspicion as they approached, but none of them challenging their right to be there. As they entered the circle, Jennifer heard someone calling their names and looked up to see Firenze trotting towards them.

"It is well that you have come. The stars foretold of the Messenger bringing outsiders to the constellation," Firenze said. "Come, we are about to start. Stand with me. I've no quarrel with wizards," the centaur said, leading them over to his place in the circle. As they approached, Franz nodded to them, although he wasn't altogether pleased that they were there.

Soon the circle was nearly complete with only one spot remaining open, and it was that spot which Ronan stepped into, a rope of silvery circlets around his waist, signifying to all there that he was the Chief Elder and Stargazer. His eyes had quickly turned to the three and he frowned slightly, turning to look at the elder beside them.

"Franz? These wizards are hardly your family, and yet they stand with you. Is it your will to speak for their presence in this our most sacred of nights?" Ronan asked.

"It is the will of my son to support the wizards, Ronan. And it is my will to support my son's decision, as any father should," Franz said bluntly. Several of the centaurs around the circle stirred, especially Sagittari and Firenze, who were regarding Franz with open surprise.

"Would that I had a son, I might agree," Ronan said coldly. "But now is not yet the time to discuss such things." He removed one of the circlets, stepping back so that everyone could see the sun setting behind the mountains to the west. "Witness the falling of the sun on this longest night!" he said, holding out the circlet. Beams of light, escaping from the sun as it continued its descent, suddenly streaked through the circlet, its energy focusing through it like a magnifying glass and bursting through the other end, igniting the bonfire in a sudden burst of red firelight. "May the light of the sun guard our grounds as we hold each other's counsel over the night. For as the way of things, the sun will grow and nights will shorten once more. But for now, we shall conclave and celebrate with our families, even as our fates are held in the balance by the evils that plague us."

Even with the notes that Severus had given her, Jennifer had a hard time keeping up with the details of the ritual that followed. First, the newest members of the constellation that were allowed to join the circle were welcomed with a reading of their charts, followed by the reading of those who had passed on. Births were announced, along with what signs their mates would be, and Jennifer became fascinated with how organized the entire society was. Everyone had a place, everyone a duty, and none of them made a move without first considering that which the heavens had mapped for them, using it as a guide to calculate each move. It was no wonder to her now that Severus got on well with them with his keen sense of order. It also explained why Sagittari, and even Firenze to a smaller extent, had so much trouble following the strict codes that governed their lives. The fire was burning down by the time Ronan turned his attention to the three of them again, his brown eyes subdued only by the dimming light.

"Now is the time for those of us seeking to counsel or to give counsel to come forward and be heard. Let us bring forth then the outsiders, our former allies the wizards, so that they may finish their business and be allowed to join the festivities in the camp proper," Ronan said. His formal politeness was more show than actual hospitality, for Jennifer and the others instantly understood that they were not welcome to hear the business of the rest of the meeting. It was Severus who stepped forward.

"I recognize Severus Snape, born under the Scorpion the night the Dragon wept," Ronan said solemnly. Severus, who had spoken to them for Dumbledore before, had become quite adept at their way of speech, taking a step up and nodding slightly to Ronan.

"The stars show signs of descent among your people, as well as a great change in the times ahead. This night should not be of mere counsel for your people, but of decision," Severus said. "Darkness falls not only on this forest, but on others as well. It would be wise for us to join forces once more, so that we can end the great wrong still continuing long after the death of the Darkened Aries. Isn't it time that the evil he caused be put to rest forever? You may say that you believe that this problem lies with us alone, for he was one of our kind, but this is not so. For it was you who turned your backs when his presence first returned to this forest. We were not even aware he had yet returned," Severus said, gazing around at each one. "It has been the duty of this constellation to protect this forest, and yet now you consider abandoning that duty; to spite an ally that you believe did an injustice when they worked along side you to protect this land. It is not your way to break such traditions any more than it is our way to leave things to their own design. In this, the stars reveal that our paths cross, and it is our opinion that this meeting signifies that such a change will be in all of our favors, but only if we put aside our differences and meet on common ground."

"Well spoken… for a wizard," Ronan admitted grudgingly. "Who wishes to speak regarding this counsel?"

"I hear his counsel," Firenze said loudly. Ronan smiled thinly.

"Of that we had no doubt," Ronan said. "But who does not hear it?"

"I do not hear it," said a very large built centaur with black hair and coat.

"I recognize Rigel, of Taurus passing the Hidden Moon," Ronan said. "What counsel do you give that differs from the outsider?"

"The wizards have strayed from their intended path as written in the stars," Rigel said. "We do the same by following them. We have already strayed too far because of the choice of one of our own," he said, looking pointedly at Sagittari. "It is true that we live to serve this forest, but are we to be held responsible for those that caused the evil? It was the wizards who first brought the evil to our lands, at a time when we first began to serve. It was they who allowed the Darkened Aries to rise, and they who caused the destruction that unleashed the darkness onto the forest and us. It is my counsel that we treat these wizards with the same skepticism as we treat the invasion of that they caused. They are to be guarded against, and should not be acknowledged in our presence at all." It took Jennifer a moment to realize by the Darkened Aries they meant Voldemort, sorting out the rest of the speech in her mind.

"And who hears this counsel?" Ronan inquired, and the majority of them acknowledged that they heard it. Only Franz and his family remained quiet, and Jennifer found herself sighing softly. It was hard enough to understand what they were saying, let alone understand how that was good counsel. Don't centaurs have any heart at all? No, she knew better than that, she thought, gazing up at Sagittari's stony expression and Firenze's disapproving one. No, this was… fear, perhaps, and resentment, but there was something else as well… suddenly she heard a voice behind her, a strong woman's voice, along with the sound of hoof beats. It was Star Peregrine, Jennifer realized, who pushed her way passed them and entered to the circle as a disapproving rumble began to sound off around the Constellation.

"I have heard enough!" Peregrine said, stomping her front hooves in apparent anger. "I wish to be recognized."

"Star Peregrine, what is this?" Ronan said, looking at his mate with open surprise and anger. "You cannot be recognized. It is not your job to hold counsel with the stallions but yours to hold counsel of our history with our young!"

"If Keki's Rider can hold counsel with the Constellation, so can I," she said defiantly.

"We pay common courtesy and honor the customs of outsiders to include witches in their meetings, but their way is not our way, and you should be holding your own counsel. The stars have not granted you a place here tonight," Ronan said.

"Have they not?" Peregrine asked. "For I too am an outsider when it comes to seeking and giving counsel, and I have as much of a right if not more so to speak than they. Will anyone not listen?"

"I will listen to the Star's counsel," Franz said, and for once the majority followed him, leaving Ronan to frown at him in disapproval.

"Very well, I will not go against the constellation in this. I recognize Peregrine daughter of Leo and Virgo, Star of our people."

"The logic of our good Rigel's counsel is faulty, good stallions. For one must remember in our own history why it was that we protect this forest in the first place. Who did ask this of us, which we have all pledged our lives to carry out, but the wizards themselves? Did they not respect our wishes to handle it in the way that we choose? Did we not take this responsibility willingly? It is not our way to turn our backs on the vows of our people, except when the stars and our hearts dictate a different path," she said, glancing over at Sagittari. "I say also, it is time that we reconcile our differences, and accept the choices that others made in good faith. I ask for counsel concerning the recognition of Sagittari of Sagittarius, destined to answer our highest call."

"A call that he chose to forsake when he left our people to become one of them!" Ronan said angrily. "No counsel on this matter will be taken. We speak now of our duty with the forest and of the wizards, and nothing more."

"Then I wish to hear the counsel of Keki's Rider, daughter of Leo with the rising of Mars, for they say she speaks but truth and I would hear the truth of wizards," Peregrine said. "I yield my recognition to Jennifer Craw Snape," she said, pointing over at her. Jennifer was only too aware of all the eyes on her, responding to Severus' gentle nudge by stepping forward, gazing around at the centaurs nervously until she saw Peregrine's encouraging nod.

"I'm afraid I'm not well versed in the formal speech of centaurs," Jennifer said slowly. "So I ask that you bear with me as I have to say this in my own words. First off, I want to say, I feel responsible for a large part of the rift that's happened between our peoples, since I was one of those in the Tomb at the time of its collapse. It is an event I see with clarity every day of my life, and no Pensieve could hold the effect it has had on me. But even as I acknowledge that I was partly responsible for that event, I must also acknowledge that it was something I had to do and would do again. Voldemort had to be destroyed, and although the place and way it happened was unfortunate, it does not change the fact it had to be done.

"You curse us for the evils that are on you now and wish to turn your backs upon it, but what do you think it would have been like if we had turned our backs on Voldemort? Do you think that the forest would be in any less danger now? He hated this forest and everything in it, and he tried more than once to have it destroyed. Had we not acted, he probably would have succeeded, and not only would we have lost our own lives, but it would also threaten your lives, and the herd, and all other denizens who depend on this wood. He would also have access, I think, to whatever it is you are protecting, for I believe you must be protecting something of great importance besides just the forest, and I see even now as I look at you that my guess is correct.

"And it was protecting this thing that you believe that Sagittari turned his back on when he sought his path?" Jennifer asked looking at Ronan, who regarded her silently. "His choice to be a wizard was even marked in the stars, but no one wanted to see it," Jennifer nodded, looking around again. "Isn't it high time you put that matter behind you? It isn't your job to interpret anyone else's path, it's theirs alone. Our only choice is how we choose to recognize someone else's path. And if you think this is something I can't understand," Jennifer said, looking directly at Rigel's face, "My father is an outcast of my people and is seen as a criminal for his choice to kill any who once supported Voldemort. I may not agree with what he did, but he is still family, and I love him, even when we quarrel, and no choice either of us made could ever change that.

"Is it not one of the duties of your people to preserve your families, the same as it is ours? From how I've seen Sagittari treated tonight, I doubt it. A leader should show compassion and mercy to his people, and if he can't even show mercy to his own son, what sort of example do you think that sends to the rest of the constellation on how they might be treated, if they do not agree with his counsel?"

"Are you implying that they would vote with me solely because they wish not to go against me and may not be following their own reasoning?" Ronan asked, walking over to her and standing over her with a frown.

"Perhaps not entirely," Jennifer said quickly. "But can't you see it's likely that it could be a factor when it is you who picks and chooses who can be recognized, and can favor to hear one side of an argument over another?"

"She may not speak with our tongue, but she does speak with wisdom, Ronan," Peregrine said. "I hear her counsel, and I believe she is right in that this evil might have been worse had they not done what they did. I think they are sincere in wanting to help us. That they are willing to sacrifice much in order to do so can be plainly seen in the stars themselves, and I do not believe we should turn away assistance when it is readily offered.

"You spurned our son for the sake of our duties, Ronan, and yet we debate whether or not to continue following our greatest duty… protecting this forest. The stars look down upon us, as if waiting to see our next move, our choice will be recognized in the heavens; for good or ill, I know not. But I would that we acknowledge our family and return to our duties, rather than spiral away from everything we had once held dear to our hearts," Peregrine said resolutely.

Ronan looked at his wife long and hard. Nothing could be heard but the crackling of the dying fire and the laughter of children from the camp on the other side of the glen.

"My wife has very strong opinions and gives strong counsel," Ronan grunted. "Beware of matching your sons with Leos, my friends, for as we can see they have wills of their own," he said, getting a chuckle from around the circle. Even Severus smirked slightly, earning a dirty look from Jennifer. "Very well, who listens to the counsel of the daughters of Leo? And pray, answer with your own counsel with no fear of my own. I will listen only to the truth tonight."

One by one, beginning with Franz and Firenze, the centaurs around the circle acknowledged that they heard, with only Rigel and Ronan not answering in kind. At last, reluctantly, Rigel also gave in, leaving Ronan to regard his wife and the wizards with a calculating look.

"Very well, it is the will of the Constellation to follow their counsel, and retain our duty as guardians of the forest, as well as reinstate our alliance with the wizards… for the time being," he added. "Provided that they in turn respect our own laws pertaining to the protection of the forest."

"The stars shine with clarity, Stargazer Ronan. We thank you for the Constellation's judgment," Severus nodded.

"Then it is time for you to join the others. And you as well, Star, for you neglect your own duties," Ronan said sternly.

"Then I shall have the three wizards join me for the festivities," Peregrine said reverently, raising one of her fore knees in respect.

"No, Sagittari of Sagittarius may stay," Ronan said gruffly. "For I wish to give counsel to him after the Constellation."

"As you wish, Stargazer," Peregrine said with a smile, gesturing for Severus and Jennifer to follow.

"So I guess that means it went well?" Jennifer asked Severus quietly.

"I never doubted it," Severus said expressionlessly. "It was written in the stars, after all." Jennifer shook his head at him as the two of them joined the camp and were soon surrounded by curious young centaurs.