Disclaimer: The wonderful J.K Rowling owns all things HP related, well cept the plot, Makai and Julius. Cuz, I needed more Centaurs. LoL

Thankies to ~ Jenni: OMIGOSH! I'm not sure how long it would have taken to get this chapter out if you hadn't given me that swift kick in the arse! Thanks for the disagreement too! *wink*Firenze*wink* WaNdA: I'm glad you like the death of Creevy! It just needed to be done and thanks!, Hestia: Glad you like the direction it's going! Yes, Creevy..ugh. Nesaia: Thanks!, ImagirlRon: Getting addicted eh? Don't think I've ever made anyone addicted before! And I'll try to update more often. Think tha's everybody

Centaurs

It didn't take Ron long to realize where they were headed. The Forbidden Forest. The group slowed down as they entered the forest, Draco now in the lead. They came to the edge of a small clearing where they stopped and stood in the shadows.

"Why are we stopping?! What if they're coming?!" Ron asked, voice squeaking as he looked behind him.

"Sshh Ron!" Harry said, peering across the clearing and into the shadows on the other side.

As the group watched, something started moving in the shadows. Ron unconsciously stepped back as a Centaur stepped out into the clearing. Fred sighed and said, "Firenze you startled us."

"Hello, Fred, Severus, Draco, Harry. And young Ronald, how wonderful to see you safe and sound." Firenze said, nodding to each of them as he spoke their names.

Snape stepped forward and drawled slowly, "What are you sensing Firenze? I know you're getting something. I can see it on your face."

He didn't reply but turned his face to the sky as he so often did when humans wanted to know something from him. "Venus is cloudy tonight." He said cryptically, knowing that one of them would get what he was saying.

He glanced at Ron and was amused to see the redhead looking at him like he'd just spoken Latin. He looked up again then at Draco pointedly. "Venus is cloudy tonight."

Everyone looked around as the uncomfortable silence continued to permeate the still air of the forest. Finally Draco said, "Ah. Firenze, we have to get Ron to the safe house. But how? He can't apperate and it'll take us forever to get to the other side of the forest on foot."

Firenze looked at Harry then bent his front legs down. "Dear Ronald, I'll take you where you need to go."

Ron took a step forward then looked over to Fred. He took a deep breath when Fred nodded toward Firenze. He walked over and gently climbed on Firenze's back.

Firenze trotted around the clearing quickly then headed over to where he had first emerged from the shadows. He called out and to Ron's amazement four more Centaurs came strolling out into the clearing.

Amazement and disgust filled one Centaur's face as he saw Ron on Firenze's back. "Firenze! Have you no limitations to what you will do?" he asked.

"Bane," Snape said, twisting his lips up in a small smile.

"Severus." Bane said, turning away from Ron and Firenze.

"Bane we need your help. We need to get to the other side of the forest and quickly. We've wasted too much time already standing here like fools in the dark."

"How can I help you?" he asked eyeing the mismatched group, before his eyes stopped on Harry. "Mr. Potter. Still alive I see."

Fred stepped forward and said, "Bane, can you give us a lift to the other side of the forest? Please!"

The other Centaurs, Ronan, Makai, and Julius stepped forward and kneeled before the group. "We will help you."

After several more minutes of ranting and complaining about being ridden like a horse or worse a mule, he agreed to help them also.

When everyone was situated and fairly comfortable, except the Centaurs of course, they started their quick trip to the other side of the forest. Everyone was quiet because they were each lost in their own thoughts.

They were brought out of those thoughts when they abruptly came to a stop. They had arrived. Everyone clambered off and Ron stood rubbing his behind. Fred smiled when he saw Ron and just knew he was going to comment.

"Bloody hell Firenze... cant you do something about that? Get it padded or something?" Ron paused and rubbed a bit more. "My bloody arse feels like.. well lets just say its sore."

Fred and Harry died laughing and Fred imitated Ron by walking out with his butt stuck out. He continued his imitation until he came face to face with Ron who didn't look the least bit amused.

"Hey Ron? Doesn't Uranus look bright tonight or is it just me?!"

"Shut up Fred. S'not funny."

"Oh yea it is!" Their small disagreement was brought to an end by Snape thanking the Centaurs.

Draco turned to Ron and Fred. "We'd better go. We need to get inside and get the barriers up. It'll be light soon."

"Yeah, yeah. We're on our way." Fred said, grabbing Ron round the neck and said, "So, where have you been?"

A/N: Hope everyone liked it! Sorry it's taken me so long, but I've just been in one of those "I don't wanna write!" moods. I'll honestly for real try and update sooner from now on. But ya know what helps? REVIEWS!!! ~alive