AN: Big thanks to Phoenixsptears322 for all the support in to which you can all thanks for this chapter. It might be weird but its setting you up. It will all come together.

~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~Ron's Story~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Ron had flown easily to Hagrid's cabin searching for any clues of his friends from the night before. He found the slight impressions of footprints leading into the woods and followed them. He had only traveled about twenty or so yards into the forest before they disappeared into the new mud brought by the nights rain. He searched and searched becoming frantic but there was no other clues as to their whereabouts. He landed in one of the last footprints, his only connection to his friends. He stared at it wishing for all he was worth for some help but got frustrated and kicked the dirt creating a tiny dust storm. This got him even more angrier until he noticed something; the dirt smelled like peaches, the same way Hermione had smelled ever since first year! But how could he?

By God(s)! I have heightened senses, it must be another effect of the pixie curse! Oh thank you Malfoy!

He flew in the direction of the scents never losing his path until he reached the field. He peered out from the trees to make sure nothing was there. Ron flew around the field searching for where the scent of his friends was greatest. He found the place strongest of all but didn't like what he saw. Hundreds of hooves surrounded a circular piece of ground. He flew up to the center of the circle, the last place Hermione had been by the scent. Nothing was there not even grass, as if it had been burned away. He looked closer and found what he had been dreading, blood. Drops of it littered the ground and it looked like something or someone had been dragged away. Ron had seen enough. Fearing the worst, he darted out of the field and flew frantically back to Hogwarts, to alert the headmaster of his friends capture.


~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Harry's Story~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~@~~~~~~~


The morning sun had already begun to cast its shadows on the centaur camp. Harry had been in the same position on his cot for what seemed like hours. He was brought out of thought when Bella walked in

She spoke in a hurried whisper, "Harry you must get up quickly. I have spoken to my father and he has agreed to let you see the patriarch. I know you are weak but the clan has gone to graze and we must go now."

Harry sat up slowly, trying to keep his weight on his good arm. " I'm coming " he winced at the pain brought to him as he stood up. "Okay lead the way."

Bella exited the tent and waved for him to follow. " Stay close to me." Harry nodded taking in the sight around him. The ground was worn with deep imprints of hooves and the smell reminded him of a wet Crooshanks. They were on the edge of a camp of about twenty or so tents. The tents were colorful but looked as if they had been well used. He could hear a small group of laughing foals off in the distance with their mothers yelling at them to get out of the mud. The scene wouldn't have been so bad if he wasn't a prisoner.

Bella had come to the largest tent in the middle of the camp. She took him to the flap and paused. " Harry, you must be on your best behavior for the patriarch. He is the greatest and wisest of our clan and he will decide your fate." She straightened his collar and attempted to comb down some of his thick raven hair to no avail. She stood back . " Just be yourself, be true, that's all, everything will be fine. Now go on he's waiting" Harry made a weak attempt at a smile and ducked into the tent.

He was a little taken aback once his eyes had focused. At the other end of the tent surrounded by dozens of burning candles was a man in a meditating position on the floor. Panic flashed at the thought of Voldermort. Then, it subsided. He had long blonde hair with gray streaks and dark gray eyes. His face was set with deep wrinkles those only brought with long years of sorrow, but of what Harry could not tell. His voice reminded Harry's of Dumbledore; holding many secrets but spoken only in truth.

" Come closer to me."

Harry moved forward.

" Do speak boy. You are not daft."

He said the first thing that came to his mind.

"You' a...you're a man."

The patriarch grinned. " Do they not teach you anything at Hogwarts? Look at the ears boy." He turned his head to the side to reveal curved, pointed ear. " I am an elf. Salogel Feragon son of Lhranduit last elf of Mirkwood. I believe you are the infamous Harry Potter?"

" You know me?"

"Yes, of course. Tell me how did you get here?"

"We were in the woods...I was trying to protect Hermione, trying to make them believe we didn't mean to trespass. Then McGorian yelled and Bane dragged me off...and...and" Harry glanced down at his arm." Salogel followed his view and understood. Anger flashed across his silver eyes but passed as sudden as it came.

"The warriors do no not have your companions."

Harry face set in horror. "You don't mean that they...that they..."

"No, Hermione and Draco were not touched by the males they are far from here, at Hogwarts."


Harry nodded, relived. There was a long silence between the two before Salogel took a deep breath and spoke again, setting his gaze on the boy.

"For many years I have foreseen your coming. When or how I was never sure of. I wish it could have been under better conditions. But what has been done I can not change. Their history is riddled with the betrayal of humans. Stories told from generation to generation of the human's lies and deceits. They want nothing more than to return to the ways thing were in the time before man yet they are a dieing culture themselves . Do not judge them on this alone for they can be a great allies in time of need. They are brave and loyal to few, but if you are of the few, you are in their grace for life."

Harry looked confused.

"All will be explained soon but now is not the time. You must stay here."

This time Harry spoke up.

" Please, let me go back to Hogwarts I..."

"No, Hogwarts is no longer safe. It is the midst of a great battle one of which you are not prepared."

"But please I must..."

" You will return but not now. Just have faith all will be well soon."

Harry remained silent. Miserable on the inside.

"Would you please retrieve Bella?"

Harry stood and walked to the flap. She was standing just outside.

"He wants to see you." She nodded and followed him in.

" Ahh, Bella would you be so kind as to retrieve your father and the council."

Bella bowed and exited the tent. A few minutes later she returned a great number of hooves following behind her. Salogel stood up and met them at the door. The noisy crowd of older males, grunting at this unexpected meeting, went silent as Salogel appeared.

He stood up straight no longer leaning on the long curved walking stick. "Friends" His voice echoed over the crowd, stronger than before, demanding respect. "I have met with this Harry Potter and find him worthy. A time has come for you to put aside your differences and treat him as your brother for your destiny is intertwined with his."

This brought a great deal of grumbling, especially from the older males.

Together you must stand to defeat the pending darkness. Human and Centaur. I ask nothing more of you to treat him as your own, while he is here. That is all.

The crowd dispersed with a lot of angry and skeptic faces. Salogel turned to Harry.

"We shall meet again tomorrow." his voice back to the soft rasp it was before.

Harry nodded and followed Bella. Over his shoulder he glimpsed Salogel return inside. He turned back around to face a grim reality, walking back to his own lonely tent. Back to his single cot. Back to a restless sleep of his friends in a place not to far from here.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

AN: Perhaps Salogel knows more than he lets on or maybe he is just a weird old coot. How is Dumbledore feeling with the new memories suddenly appearing from his youth of a blonde boy and dark-eyed girl? How will Ron deal without his friends? Will Harry try to escape? Do you want a Hermione/Draco next or a Ron/Harry? REVIEW!