Chapter 30

"I mislike this idea very much," Volan spat at the pair standing in front of him. "The beasts inhabiting the castle are capable of gleaning information, and learning things they wish to learn of. You would have us robbed of our ancestral home, or put in mortal peril when they learn of our herd's help to you. We have provided you safety and access to thing you came here for. Do not repay us contribution ch a vile way," He said, every word acid dripping off his tongue. The air around them was charged, heavy with the tense energy the argument had brought on. It was very early in the morning, and lazy sun beams were weaving their way through the unyielding ancient trees that made up the space around them. On any other day, Hermione would have found this early morning atmosphere to be serene and refreshing, but today it was clouded with confrontation and anxiety. Draco hadn't wanted to tell the Centaurs anything, warning Hermione that the herd would be hostile about their plan, but she had wanted transparency with them. You couldn't strengthen ally relationships through deceit, after all.

"I am pretty accomplished at Occlumency, having practiced with Professor Slughorn extensively," She argued, which, while not strictly true, was not exactly a lie either. She had practiced potions with Slughorn extensively during her sixth year, and she had read a detailed article he had published on the mechanics and mastery of Occlumency during a time in her life when she had set out to master both Legilmency and Occlumency. She had been weak at Legilmency, which was a sore spot for her still. But Occlumency had come to her so naturally and quickly, it had made up for her dejectedness at the former.

"And what is Occlumency?" Volan demanded, raising his chin arrogantly.

"It is the practice of shielding one's mind from magic intrusion by powerful wizards called Ligilems," Firenze answered for her, stepping into the tense space between Hermione and Volan.

"We don't need your permission," Draco spoke, who had been silent during the whole interaction up until that point. Hermione felt his anger palpitating off of him, and this worried her. They needed to come to an agreement, not an impasse.

Cerpheus now stepped forward, and gave a long gaze to Draco. "You are not in a place of authority here. You are our guest, and should be respectful of our herd. You put us in danger-do not take that lightly." He warned.

Hermione placed her hand in front of Draco, eager to get him to stop talking, as he was only making the situation worse.

"We have no other options. We can't stay here in the forest, we need to set things in motion. We have no where to return to, there is no where safe for us. The longer we wait the worse things could get. For your herd as well. Draco and I can use Occulimency to defend our mind and secrets from them. But we have to start today." She had been afraid her voice would shake, but the words came out clear and steady. For that, she was grateful.

"Volan, she is speaking truly. I am not afraid of going to battle with the wizards. Let them come, in the Forest we have the upper hand. The world will burn if nothing is done to stop them. We are as idle as moss, when we should be as hasty as the summer finch." Bremelle spoke passionately, as some centaurs behind her nodded in agreement. The herd looked as torn as Hermione felt, but she couldn't afford to be indecisive now.

"Granger," Draco hissed quietly in her ear, causing the hair on the back of her neck to stand up- an effect she wasn't expecting, and didn't want to welcome. Right now, however, was the wrong time to dissect and digest such things, so she pushed it out of her mind and ignored the sudden heat across her cheeks. "This is a waste of time. Let's just go." He whispered in her ear.

"No," Hermione hissed back, as low of she could. "We need to do the right thing. They saved us, and we owe them," She felt like this was the right thing to do, to convince the herd that this was right, and to get their approval to do so. If the Herd didn't approve, they would still go through with it, but that didn't sit well with her. Enough enemies had been formed, enough divides had been created. In a newer, better world, love and kindness would have to reign. She wanted to be apart of that change. So she would be.

"And what if they kill you both on sight, without bothering with an explanation?" Forex asked, from behind Volan and Cerpheus, his voice not un-kind.

"Than we die. But at least we die trying to make a difference instead of hiding," Hermione answered truthfully. Somehow she did not feel that they would kill her right away, or Draco. The Death Eaters would want to wait for Voldemort first, and he would want answers. Besides, her life was so mixed up and desperate these days, she didn't even view death as failing anymore.

"They won't kill us right away," Draco spoke, voice even, almost lazy. "They want Mad-eye Moody badly. They will do anything to get a lead on his whereabouts."

"The one with the magical eye," Firenze answered the puzzled looks of the centaurs around him. Some nodded in apprehension.

Volan made eye contact with several Centaurs, and everyone was quiet for a long minute.

Finally, Volan turned to adress Hermione and Draco.

"We will take you as close to the edge of the Forest as we can. Should any come looking for us, for answers, we will cast you out and turn away from you forever. We are not enemies you would wish to have," He said darkly. Hermione felt herself shudder.