AGGGHHH! I messed up the last chapters – I had originally wrote that they were gone 3 years to the past, and decided that was way too long, and changed it to 1 year. I missed one of the references, and I'll change it soon.
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Chapter 28
Clip Clop
Harry was sitting in the trunk, working on a table set up next to their potion's station. He had finished smoothing and sanding 24 yew shafts, and was currently transfiguring silver and gold coins into sharp and well-balanced arrow heads. His intention was to make two dozen arrows, like he had learned to make under the centaurs, which would be an appropriate gift to start discussions with Magorian, Ronan and Bane. Seeing how angry the centaurs were during his fifth year, Harry knew it would take careful negotiations and special attention to rituals and customs to even start to repair the damage done.
On the table was an assortment of brightly colored gut strings for attaching the fletching. The dyes used on these were both magical and symbolic to the man-horse race. There was also a good selection of feathers, from Hedwig (snowy owls have exceptionally silent flight), thestrals and Luna's animagus form. But one bird was missing - it would be the finishing touch to have an arrow with golden arrowhead and phoenix fletching.
Once the arrowheads were formed, hardened with magical fire, and charmed for accuracy in flight, Harry set them aside. He turned his chair around to face the 'telly' and looked at Dumbledore with thoughtful eyes. Fawkes, sitting behind the ancient's left shoulder, was looking miserable on his perch. The magical bird kept looking at Dumbledore longingly, drooping with tangible depression that the wizard was either ignoring or unaware of.
"Oh Fawkes" Harry spoke quietly, but with sincere sorrow, "I wish I could help you. Are you bound to that man? He is totally ignoring all the help you are trying to give him."
The words were no sooner spoken, when Fawkes threw his head up with a triumphant trill and disappeared, leaving his perch a smoldering slag of melted metal and burnt wooden ash. Dumbledore spun around in his chair in shock and anger, gaping at the remains of his phoenix's perch.
"Fawkes! Where did you go? Come here this instant!" Dumbledore was sputtering and shouting. Harry and his friends all walked over to watch the spectacle. "That is enough, you stupid bird! I've had enough of your pouting and telling me what to do!" With that, the headmaster picked up a bowl of lemon drops from his desk and threw them with childish spite at the smoldering wreckage that was once a bird's perch.
As the young witches and wizards stood staring at Dumbledore's tantrum, the trunk was filled with the magical strains of phoenix song. Harry had the pleasure of hearing it several times now, but for Hermione, Neville and Luna, this was the first time they heard the amazing sound. They felt their hearts gladden, like salt had been added to the flavor of their souls. Fawkes appeared with a short burst of flame and landed on Harry's shoulder. He stroked the bird with wonder, feeling the warmth of his feet, and devouring the scarlet of his plumage with his eyes.
"Did you hear me, Fawkes?" Harry asked the bird with telepathy, feeling he was probably able to understand him. Fawkes looked him in the eyes, blinked slowly, and answered in a likewise manner.
"Albus Dumbledore has refused my guidance for the last time, Harry Potter. I choose to keep your company now."
All four could hear the phoenix and nodded in shocked agreement.
"Thank you, Fawkes. Help me to always pay attention to your advice." Harry told him reverently.
"Use these on your gift to the centaurs, Harry." The phoenix reached his head around and pulled a primary wing feather from each of his wings, and dropped them in Harry's hand.
"Thank you, Fawkes. This is a most precious addition to the gift."
Luna conjured a new perch for Fawkes, asking his advice on how he wanted it and where. With a trill of approval, the phoenix flew on to it while Harry took the feathers and started to fletch the precious magical arrows. Luna was amused to see Fawkes insisted on the perch being placed where he could watch the telly easily.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
The new founders were sitting around lunch the next day. Winky had taken quite a shine to Fawkes, who seemed to adore the attention she gave him. A bowl of fresh exotic greens and fruits was attached to his perch, and she was taking careful note of what Fawkes was telling her about his likes and dislikes. Fairies were still flying around the phoenix in greeting, which didn't seem to bother the bird in the least. They quickly learned that this phoenix enjoyed recognition and appreciation. He wasn't vain, but had spent many decades being taken for granted.
There was a serious discussion going on about the final battle. Lady Hogwarts had made it clear they would choose the time and place.
"That's easy" Harry said around a mouthful of BLT. "I can contact Ol' Tom anytime I want through our link. I can manipulate his thoughts, if necessary, to put him in enough of a temper that he will come and meet me, no matter what. But I do feel there are other things we want to do first."
Neville nodded in agreement. "Yah – we want to make sure we have a large army ready to take care of whatever dark army he's gathered at this point. I'm going to talk with the gnomes tomorrow – see if they will spy on Riddle Manor for us and let us know what manner of demons he's got working for him."
"Excellent idea, Nev" Hermione replied. "I'm planning on taking some time with the merfolk. I don't know if Riddle has water demons working for him, but I want them ready to defend themselves, and see if they will offer assistance from the lake."
"I'll visit Hagrid and see what is going on with the giants" Luna added. "But please don't underestimate Tom – he is one of the most powerful wizards in the world."
Harry leaned back in his chair. "Why don't we visit the centaurs as a group? They are impressed with unity and group dynamics. I think four founder's heirs; in full regalia bearing gifts will make for better communications. Let me run down customs of the centaurs with you guys first."
O0o0o0o0o0o
The group popped to the edge of the Forbidden Forest, barely out of sight of the castle and Hagrid's Hut. Hogwarts and the house-elves had promised to keep Dumbledore busy so he wouldn't get any sense of students on the grounds.
It was a serious foursome, all wearing their best dragonhide armor (Harry had replaced the twins' vest with a more serious looking one) under open cloak with their Hogwart's weapons proudly displayed. Godric's diadem was resting on Harry's head, keeping his untidy hair back from his eyes, jagged scar showing like a badge of honor, Fawkes sitting on his shoulder. He was carrying the gift arrows resting on a dragonhide quiver in a ceremonial bundle, and strength and pride shone in all their eyes.
With Harry in the lead, they entered the forest. It wasn't long before they found themselves surrounded by angry and fierce looking centaurs, fists clenched and bows drawn. "Humans!" the largest of the herd hissed. "Why do you dare enter our wood? How is it you have Albus Dumbledore's phoenix with you?"
Harry approached the huge being, meeting his eyes calmly, standing tall. "Magorian" Harry addressed the leader of the herd, speaking in the centaur tongue, "I bring a gift to the leader of the herd, that you might hear our words and consider them." He held out the precious arrows and quiver to the roan bodied centaur.
The centaurs gathered around the gift Harry had placed in Magorian's arms, inspecting the arrows carefully. The leader gave Harry a sharp, decidedly unfriendly look. "Where did you get these from, human? They are made by our kind, but are not our work."
Harry answered calmly in their language "I crafted them myself, Magorian. I learned from your forefathers, through the Founders."
The centaurs looked at each other, stamping their hooves in nervousness. Magorian eyed him darkly. "Why does the phoenix of Dumbledore sit upon your shoulder?"
Fawkes trilled sharply. "I am not a possession, but my own being. Albus Dumbledore has lost the backing of Hogwarts. The Founders themselves have named these four as their heirs and the new Headmasters. I opt to follow The Chosen One."
The centaurs, still stomping, eyed the shield and swords of the founders the humans carried with familiar grace. "What is it you want, humans?" Bane asked them, distrust dripping from his voice.
"To speak with you. I wish to open communication with the centaur race again, and heal wounds caused by the human race." Harry had switched back to English so he wouldn't have to translate telepathically for his friends. He didn't want the centaurs to get any indication of underhandedness.
Magorian nodded at Harry and Fawkes. "Your gift is accepted. Follow us." The centaurs turned and clopped down the trail, not looking back.
Harry felt the phoenix's hot feet squeeze his shoulder in encouragement. "Fawkes, why is it that I never knew you could speak until you left Dumbledore?" He asked him telepathically. "And how is it you can speak with the centaurs?"
"Harry Potter, you never spoke to me before yesterday. I can understand most languages, but the beak is not made for communication. Lips are much better for that. Hence I do not talk to people until I know they can speak back. Very few can. You knew I was intelligent ever since we first met. The centaurs mind-speak like many other citizens of the magical world."
Harry pondered a moment before asking his next question. "Did Dumbledore speak with you like we do?"
"He had the ability but never tried. He never saw me as much more than a very smart, very useful pet." There was deep longing and sorrow in the bird's voice.
"How long have you been with him, Fawkes?" Harry asked kindly. He could feel the depth of emotion in back of the phoenix's words, and it broke his heart.
"I came to him during the war of the 40s, when the light was faltering. I gave Albus the gift of enhancing his strength and courage to defeat Grindelwald. When a phoenix bonds with someone, they do not leave easily. Our hearts are loyal and we are very patient."
The young wizard frowned as he stepped over a tree root, pointing it out to his companions. "Fawkes, could you tell me, when did he go bad?"
Sorrow radiated off the bird. Harry hoped the centaurs couldn't feel it, as it had nothing to do with them. "I think it was when he started using the philosopher's stone. It never affected Nicolas that way, but something about it wasn't compatible with Albus. Or perhaps it was Albus' motives for extending his life that turned him – I'm not sure. Nicolas created the stone because he had so many great inventions he was working on and didn't want to stop his work. Nicolas has done so much for the magical world that he will never get recognition for. He was a great wizard. Albus wanted to extend his life to protect the magical world, and have time to share his experience with the next generation. It slowly changed into an attitude that nobody could do what he did, so he had to stay and be the hero."
"It must have been so painful for you to watch, Fawkes." Harry sympathized. "I don't know how you handle being immortal. I don't know why people want it."
"You are wise, young Harry. Phoenix were created to be immortal – it is a burden at times, but it is what we are. People are not meant to live forever – except for a very few individuals, unnaturally long lives will only warp and destroy."
The centaurs ahead of the group broke through the thick trees into a clearing, the wizards and witches close behind. Harry looked around in astonishment – in the large clearing was a town of centaurs, far different from his experience in the founder's time. There were no buildings, as such, but shelters built by training trees and saplings and vines to grow into natural shelters from the elements. The only furniture was tables and occasional beds, though most centaurs slept standing up. Possessions seemed to be few – they could see cooking equipment, occasional weapons, and a few toys for the children. There was a community library by the look of one shelter. For the most part the centaurs seemed to be free from the bonds of ownership.
Hermione was enraptured with the babies. Children galloped through the clearing, kicking up their heels throughout the village. Everywhere they turned, centaur adults were watching the humans with varying expressions of curiosity or hostility. The young centaurs stopped their games and stood staring at them, sizing the wizards up.
Magorian stopped at a large wooden platform in the center of the village. "We understand humans can not stand for hours like our people, so feel free to sit on this platform. It will keep you level with us as we stand." He clapped his hands and a young horse maid cantered forward with a large tray of wooden cups and jugs of beverage.
"My daughter, Alfreida" Magorian introduced the pretty girl who handed around the cups and filled them with what appeared to be water. Harry and his friends nodded in greeting – bowing was unacceptable to centaurs, who were incapable of bending at the waist to that degree, and saw it as a sign of submissive weakness.
The group settled on the platform, using bundles of sweet smelling leaves various centaurs brought over for them for cushions. There must have been fifty centaurs standing near, ready to join the discussion. Magorian leapt gracefully onto the platform next to Harry and spoke to the group in English.
"Fellow centaurs, these four humans come with my protection to tell us of the events that are happening in their world. They come to tell us of events that have happened in the past. They wish to repair the damage done in our relationship with humankind. I have agreed to hear them out, and ask you to do the same. As this was foretold by the position of Jupiter and its moons, we need to hear and to ponder."
The group assembled around the platform stomped their hooves in agreement, some less enthusiastically than others.
Harry stood up and addressed the crowd. "Noble centaurs, herd of Magorian, thank you for your patience and wisdom. No where can one find beings with the depth of the centaur, the knowledge of years. My name is Harry Potter. The wizards know me as Lord Harry Potter-Black, the Goblins have named me Furybolt. The magical world has given me the title of The Chosen One."
The centaurs grew silent. Neither a hoof nor voice was heard.
He continued with his speech. "There are two important issues to discuss with you. First is the relationship of wizard and centaur, which has been badly wounded over the years, festering in recent time. I wish to hear from you what can be done to restore what once was in the time of the Founders. The second issue is the current war in the magical world. Although the centaur is not involved at the moment, I feel it is necessary to let you hear of current events and how it will affect your people. Which do you wish me to speak of first?"
An elderly female centaur with dappled flanks stepped forward. "I wish to hear who your friends are, and how you all carry weapons of the Founders. Centaurs have always respected the Founders – we need to know you have not stolen these treasures." Her expression was stern and a touch hostile.
"The Founders brought us back to their time, to teach us the ways of magic not being taught currently at Hogwarts. These weapons are their gifts for the coming battle. That is where I learned the ways of the centaur." Harry spoke solemnly. He gestured to his friends who stood up and introduced themselves, as he sat down.
"I am Hermione Granger, heir of Slytherin. I have been trained as ambassador to the Merpeople." Hermione spoke clearly to the crowd. Neville and Luna introduced themselves in like fashion, as ambassadors to gnomes and ambassador to the fairies. The three then sat down.
The centaurs spoke among themselves for a bit, debating whether to hear about the war or the rift between centaur and human first. As they were speaking in their own tongue, Harry was the only one who could understand them, but didn't bother to translate much as they seemed to guardedly trust the foursome and not be talking about anything else. After a good discussion, the majority agreed to hear current events first.
Harry stood again. "As you know, the stars told of the coming of the present evil in the land. The one who calls himself Voldemort, Tom Riddle, has started the second war. For a time the battle was going badly, with many wizards and muggles slaughtered without warning or provocation. Riddle has backed off some, due to losing many of his Death Eaters who are imprisoned where he cannot break them free. But rumor says he has started to recruit the demons to use as his forces."
The centaurs gasped and whispered among themselves.
"What does this have to do with us, human?" Bane spoke up. Always aggressive and mistrusting of men, pure hate and arrogance shown on the centaur's face.
"Riddle hates all things non-wizard" Harry spoke calmly, looking Bane in the eyes unflinchingly. "Although he will approach all magical beings for help in his fight, he has no respect for any who are not pure blood wizard. That is ironic, as he is a half-blood himself. He has made his plans clear to his close followers that once he wins the war and is in full control, he will slowly destroy everything that isn't wizard. That includes the giants, the Merpeople, the fairy, the elf, the gnome and yourselves."
"How do you know his plans?" Magorian asked skeptically.
"We are connected through my scar. The stars have told you some of this. I can hear his thoughts when I choose, but he has no access to mine anymore. The Goblins and elves helped me perfect the link." Harry watched the centaurs look at his forehead with nervousness, muttering among them selves.
"So" Bane sneered at Harry, "you are asking us to choose sides?"
"Time is asking you to choose sides, Bane" Harry stated. "War is at the edge of your meadow. Soon the day will come when the battle arrives, and you will have no time to debate and search the stars for an answer. You must decide soon. I will not ask you to follow me – I am not your leader. I have been foretold by destiny to take down Riddle, and I will do that soon. What I ask you is to not aid Riddle when he sends delegates to whisper sweet promises in your ears. That would be scattering your forest paths with sharp stones. The mighty centaur of the wood are their own masters, and warriors of fame. Your help against Riddle and his demons would be invaluable to the preservation of the magical world."
Bane shot Harry a look of pure hate, but the others in the crowd pondered his words thoughtfully. Luna looked around the clearing and mused "Harry, I think you need to check for Dumbledore's influence." He nodded in agreement and subtly rubbed his Potter ring.
To his amazement almost every bow the centaurs carried had one spell or another on them. Many were charmed for loyalty to Dumbledore, many others hexed for distrust of anyone other than the headmaster. At this rate Harry was fighting a losing battle.
The Chosen One spoke up again. "I wish to show you something that might work against me in your eyes. There is more to this story that I will tell in a moment, but first, with your permission, I'd like to perform the Goblin spell to reveal any enchanted objects in the vicinity."
Bane snarled at Magorian "How do we know that is what he is casting? He could be attacking." Magorian frowned deeply, eyeing Harry and his friends.
"This spell will simply cause enchanted objects to glow with colors that can be interpreted. If you wish, I can bring Goblinkind to do so if you prefer. You may have your bows drawn and aimed at me – I know your hearts are true and you will not fire without reason." Harry felt Hermione fill with emotions of worry toward him, but he sent her soothing feelings in return.
Magorian cleared his throat. "Go ahead. We will not draw bow unless you pull your swords or wands."
Harry waved his fingers in Goblin spell casting around the clearing. The bows and quivers started to show their red and blue auras for everyone to see. The gift arrows glowed gold, and various objects around the camp had different color auras, but the tainted weapons shown the brightest.
"What are the meanings of these curses?" The elderly centaur spat angrily. "Who has done this to us?" The crowd started shouting and shaking fists at the sky and the four on the platform.
Fawkes broke into song. His trills lifted to the tops of the trees, swelling in the air and in everyone's hearts. Anger and distrust was instantly muted, and after many deep breaths the crowd settled down. "Thanks, Fawkes" Harry said softly and sincerely.
Magorian said "please interpret for us." His arms were folded over his chest, but he kept glancing at the blue glowing bow slung at his side.
"The blue is an enchantment of loyalty." Harry took a breath, knowing the centaurs might not believe or like what he was about to say. "Albus Dumbledore cast that so people in its vicinity would feel trust and devotion to himself. The red is a hex to enforce distrust and even hatred of any human other than Albus Dumbledore. I can remove these curses if you wish, and you should feel an immediate effect."
"Hmmm" Magorian pondered. "Not just yet." The powerful centaur took a silver horn hanging from his human hip and blew a loud, shrill note that seemed to travel to the ends of the world, slowly dying in the far distance. On the platform next to Harry two figures appeared – King Flailhide and Griphook.
The Goblin King lightly jumped from the platform and walked confidently up to the leader of the centaurs. "Magorian, my friend. Meet my comrade Griphook. How may I be of service?" Harry and his friends immediately knelt and moved their hair for submissive be-headings, but were motioned to stand again.
Griphook walked up to Harry, with a polite nod at Hermione, Neville and Luan, and clapped his hands on Harry's shoulders. "How does it go, my son?" he asked softly.
"It's going ok, Father. You can see the auras I revealed. Dumbledore has been messing with these guys too, and we are trying to repair relations between wizard and centaur." Harry watched the crowd expectantly, hoping the Goblin king would smooth everything out.
"Flailhide, I need your assistance" Magorian greeted him. Griphook was examining the bow's auras with interest from where he stood. "Harry Potter and his companions have been allowed to speak with us. What they are saying is disturbing, if not unexpected. Would you kindly look at these enchantments and tell me what they say?"
"Furybolt is fully trained in the Goblin way, and has our complete trust. He is, after all, Griphooks son." The monarch looked at the centaurs with amusement, knowing full well they wanted a non-human opinion.
The centaurs stomped and muttered again, but with less hostility. Ronan said to the crowd "the Goblins have not adopted one not of their race in centuries. This is something to ponder, if it is true."
Griphook eyed Ronan with a less than pleasant smile. "Furybolt is my son. He has trained three years, enchanted time, under me, and gained my trust and respect. He returned the sacred Dragon's Ear to the Goblins, and gained the king's trust and respect. We feel he is the Chosen One of prophecy. He is my son by choice."
"The Dragon's Ear was missing?" Magorian spoke with evident surprise. "When did this happen? How did Furybolt return it?"
Harry was pleased to hear Magorian refer to him by his Goblin name – that indicated a change in attitude. The centaurs might not like wizards, and had many reasons not to, but they got along with Goblins just fine.
"It was stolen by Mr. Albus Dumbledore. Furybolt learned earlier this year of some of the foul dealings his headmaster has been doing, and was able to recognize The Dragon's Ear as a Goblin object, and returned it to us." The king had a blaze of pride and fierceness in his eye – the loss of the Dragon Ear was not something the Goblins would forget or forgive easily.
Griphook examined an offered bow of each color and addressed the crowd of centaurs. "Mr. Dumbledore did this – it has his scent. The blue is to enforce loyalty to him, and the red is to create feelings of hostility toward humans, and, hum," Griphook was waving his graceful fingers like crazy over the red-glowing bow. "It appears you are being, ah, persuaded to cut relations with one of your own?"
At this the centaurs howled, pawed the ground and shouted with rage. Harry shook his head sadly, speaking with his three companions. "It is rare that a centaur will disown one of its herd. The expulsion of Firenze was not the norm for the centaur world. The fact a human wizard would cause a shameful act like that will not go down well."
When the herd finally calmed down some, Magorian spoke. "Please, Griphook, will you and your son remove these curses from our bows? I will call Firenze to join us." He clapped his hands and ordered some horse maids to bring food for all, drew his silver horn again, and blew a long note on it. Harry and Griphook gladly got to work on removing the curses.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o
Albus Dumbledore was furious. Again. His blood pressure must have been off the charts this week. Everything was getting worse and worse.
Potter has disappeared. Potter was refusing his orders. The Minister of Magic was replaced without his consent. Fawkes, his beloved pet, was gone – evidently for good. And now Hogwarts was refusing to speak to him.
He should have noticed his powers waning. When did it start? He could easily recall now that Hogwarts was speaking to him less and less. Thirty years ago, give or take, when he became headmaster, Hogwarts was like a maiden in the bloom of a new relationship. They chatted constantly and seemed to gain energy from each other. Now she barely spoke a word to him – only the barest of communications, and only on matters critical to the running of the school.
If he didn't know better, he would say she was angry at him. Angry at he? He was Albus Percival Wulfric Brian Dumbledore, Order of Merlin, First Class, Grand Sorcerer, Supreme Mugwump and Chief Warlock of the Wizengamot! How dare a stupid castle, or a stupid bird, or a stupid wizard council tell him what to do! Didn't they realize the world owed him? Didn't they understand nobody was old enough to see the big picture as he was? He shook his head in disbelief.
This was the icing on the caldron cake. Hogwarts had him imprisoned in his own office. The stairs refused to turn, and everyone knows you can't apparate inside Hogwarts grounds.
Albus had heard the long note of the centaur's horn calling their own, and he assumed they were calling Firenze. For what purpose, he did not know. It was probably to either execute the palomino divinations teacher, or to restore him back to the herd. Execution most likely, as he had woven one of his cleverer spells on Magorian's bow to keep the herd bickering. A united herd is a dangerous herd – he had done the correct thing.
The ancient rolled his eyes as he paced the floor angrily. How dare those stupid mules get all shirty about Firenze giving his boy a ride. He thought it made a smashing image, when the Golden Boy came trotting through the forest on centaur-back – that was why he planted the command in the centaur's mind. It had an added bonus – he had needed a new divination teacher. People were beginning to openly mock Slyvia.
Now WHEN was Hogwarts going to let him out of his office?
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
At last Firenze came trotting uncertainly into the village, hope and a touch of fear in his eyes. In short time Magorian calmed him and invited him to lunch with the group. Long discussions followed after the meal, where the centaurs agreed to break relations with Dumbledore, but welcome back Firenze into the herd. Magorian agreed to keep open communications with humans, as long as the new Founders were the spokespeople. He also promised not to attack any students found in the woods, as children should be free from the anger of politics.
When the discussions were finally at an end, the sun was starting touch the horizon and the forest was growing dark. Harry and his friends were given a friendly escort back to the edge of the forest, where Griphook and he said their goodbyes.
Magorian looked at Harry shrewdly. "Nobody likes to be controlled or manipulated against their will – not centaur, not goblin, not human. It was your clear love and respect for your father and the kind conversation you had with Fawkes on the way here that gained our trust. Perhaps the time is indeed coming when all magical creatures can live as equals. The stars are hard to read."
Harry smiled at Magorian. "Griphook is the best thing that has ever happened to me. He has taught me much, and taught me well. Once Riddle is defeated, I am going to confront Albus Dumbledore with his dealings, and then the wizard government. Too long have the wizards treated centaur, goblin, elf and gnome as animals, not beings. This must end."
Magorian looked at Harry sharply. "Do you plan to take over the Ministry?"
"No – not at all." Harry shook his head. "Leadership needs mature and experienced beings. My task from destiny is to defeat Riddle, and with my companions take over the leadership of Hogwarts. These tasks were given to me, foretold by prophecy and the stars. I will not walk beyond my appointed path. I don't know what the far future brings, but leadership is currently far from my heart."
"Here we are, Furybolt of the goblins. May our paths cross again soon." With that, Magorian and his companions turned and trotted back into the forest. Not before Bane shot Harry a menacing, dark look over his shoulder. Harry and his friends popped back to the trunk.
O0o0o0o0o0o0o0o
It was late morning of the day after the silver horn sounded from the forest. Hogwarts had finally released the stairs, much to Albus Dumbledore's relief. Firenze was gone from the castle, so he thought he might take a stroll into the forest with Hagrid in a bit to talk with Magorian.
The birds sang sweetly, for the heat had not taken over the day yet. Dumbledore had thrown the casement windows in the office wide open to welcome the cool morning air and listen for more activity from the wood.
The headmaster sat down on his desk to organize some piles of parchment, when a 'ffffffffttt' was heard and a arrow shot through his open window, vibrating with the impact where it stuck deeply into his desk, not one foot from his hooked nose.
Furious, Dumbledore rocked the shaft back and forth until he could dislodge it from his desk. It was certainly centaur in origin, and the black color and red wrappings on the fletching gave an unmistakable message.
If Albus Dumbledore set foot in the Forbidden Forest, his life was at forfeit. The centaurs did not welcome him anymore. He rubbed his arm in a daze. This week really stunk.
I'm not sure if Thestrals have feathers or bat-wings – I can't find a reference in the books. So for the sake of my story, they have feathers. If I'm wrong, I'm not changing it – chalk it up to 'alternate universe' - the great plot-hole escape hatch!
I need an inspiration!
As I've mentioned, I wrote this story completely before I started posting it. But I've been going back and correcting mistakes and tweaking it in as I post. Now the big mistake coming up – the final battle is soon, and one character I never dealt with is dear Umbridge! And I HATE her! Don't we all? I'd like to give her a nice gory send off – either before, during or after the final confrontation with Moldyshorts. Do you, my kind reviewers (and not so kind – I'll take 'em all) have any good juicy suggestions on how you'd like to see the toad squashed?