Sorry for the delay in posting chapters for this story. Life seems to be getting in my way lately. I promise I am still working on it, and am very close to completing it. Thanks for all the feedback. I truly appreciate it. Hope folks enjoy this little update. Another one should be up very soon.

Bane and the other Centaurs had led the headmaster deep into the thick of the forest. Not even a hint of sunlight could be seen through the treetops stretching over them as they moved onward. Finally they stopped at what appeared to be a meeting area, with a tall wooden podium just beside a quiet stream. Several other Centaurs and magical creatures were already surrounding the platform as Bane led Dumbledore up to it, stopping him just as he reached the left side of it.

"You will answer to the forest for your actions, wizard." Bane spat the last word out like it was poison as he stepped past Albus to stand at the podium.

"I will gladly answer any questions you have. It was not my intent to harm the forest in any way."

Several voices shouted out in disagreement with the wizard but Albus paid them no mind as he stood calmly waiting for his trial to begin.

"Why did you allow the one called Hagrid to bring the Star into the forest?" Bane jumped right into his questions as everyone began to take their places surrounding Dumbledore.

"I wished to keep it safe from those in my world who might wish to use it for their own purposes."

Bane growled in displeasure. "That is of no concern to us. The forest is not a place for wizards and humans to desecrate in order to keep their own world safe."

"Why ask him a question if you don't want the answer?" A voice called out from behind the group causing Bane and Dumbledore to turn, a look of confusion on both their faces.

"Jack Corrigan you have been a friend to our people, but you are not welcome to intervene in this matter."

Jack smirked as he shook his head. "I have every right to be here. Albus only allowed Hagrid to come into the forest with the Star of the Sorcerer because I asked him to keep it safe."

In a flash several Centaurs herded around Jack, forcing him to move towards the podium.

"How could you do such a thing?"

Sighing Jack hung his head. "Simple. I wanted to return the Star to where I found it."

Several shocked voices filled the forest air, as the Centaurs and magical creatures gathered for the trial took in what Jack was telling them.

"You expect us to believe that such an evil was already in the forest without our knowledge?"

"Believe what you want, Bane, but I have no reason to lie to you. I haven't done so in the past, and I'm not doing it now. I found the Star deep in the forest several months ago. I took it then for my own reasons, but now I'm bringing it back."

Before any of them could say more Jack reached into his robes, bringing out a small necklace. Several nearby gasped in shock once they caught sight of the object in the wizard's hand.

"How dare you bring that here!" Bane and two other Centaurs pounced on Jack but the wizard was quick to step away, to their surprise not even moving for his wand.

"Please hear me out!" He shouted as Bane's front hooves connected with his chest sending him crashing to the ground.

Dumbledore took that moment to step in between the Centaurs and Jack, raising his wand in the air. "Your people have always trusted Corrigan in the past. Give him this chance."

Disgusted Bane growled as he stepped closer to Albus. "You raise your wand to us?"

"No Bane. I give my wand to you as a sign of peace. Allow him to speak, and you are free to do with both of us as you see fit." Albus handed his wand up to Bane, the Centaur blinking in surprise as he took the small piece of wood from the wizard.

> > > >

Daniel and the rest of SG-1 had followed Snape back into the castle, to be met soon after by McGonagall and several of the other teachers including Hagrid.

"What on Earth is going on, Severus?" Minerva asked as she along with everyone else crowded into Snape's office.

"The Centaurs wished to speak with the headmaster."

Hagrid shook his head, his frustration obvious. "They led him away like a prisoner, they did, and burned me home.

This time Moody stepped up to speak the anger clear in his voice. "What did they want?"

"It's not for me to discuss. Dumbledore assured me all would be well. We need only return to our students and he will be back once he's finished."

McGonagall crossed her arms over her chest, not satisfied with her colleague's response. "Rubbish! There's more going on here than that."

Snape glared at the head of Gryffindor house, trying his best to look irreproachable, but failing dismally as the older woman shook her head at him.

"You're quite right, Minerva, but if you wish to know more than you'll have to speak to Dumbledore himself when h returns."

In a huff she and the other teachers turned to leave, brushing past the silent members of SG-1 waiting patiently by the door.

"What aren't you saying, Severus?" Daniel crossed his arms over his chest as he approached Snape's desk.

"Daniel, I really have no idea what's going on." Severus reached into his robes, pulling out the necklace that Dumbledore had given him. "Albus gave me this before the Centaurs took him."

He held it out to Daniel who curiously snatched it up. The star-like design seemed familiar as he ran the chair through his fingers, studying the piece of jewelry as though it were a precious artifact.

"This looks like that Star of the Sorcerer we'd been looking for."

Carter and Teal'c stepped closer to inspect the tiny trinket, and Snape stood from his seat glaring at the younger man in confusion. He hadn't really looked at the necklace when Dumbledore gave it to him, but on closer inspection the wizard gasped realizing that Daniel was right.

"Well, bugger me. I do believe you're right." Snape gently took the Star from Daniel, letting it rest in his palm. "It's missing a piece though."

> > > >

Once Jack had explained himself the Centaurs slowly moved away to deliberate on the fate of the two wizards leaving them to wait near the podium while one of the young Centaurs brought the two of them some water. As they waited for Bane and the others to return, Albus fiddled with the hairs of his long beard, all the while humming a tune that Jack found familiar, but couldn't quite place.

"Must you do that?" Jack growled as he brought his hand to his head, the frustration clear on his face.

"Do you disapprove of my tune? I can choose another if you like."

Rolling his eyes Jack shook his head. "No I don't want another tune. Could you please stop the humming all together?"

The older wizard smiled softly. "But it does so calm me, Jack. You should try it sometime."

"I will never understand you, Albus. In all the years I've known you; you have made no sense to me."

"Well, it was never my intention to make sense to you."

Jack stifled a laugh as he shook his head once more. "Snarky bastard aren't you?"

Dumbledore smirked in reply as he twirled his beard in his fingers. "I do believe I could say the same about you, Corrigan."

tbc...