CHAPTER 14
Neither Harry Potter nor any of the characters associated with him belong to me. They are JK Rowlings. I'm not in this for the money, just for fun!
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Forbidden Forest; Outside Hogwarts:
Rebecca and Firenze silently approached the castle that was apparently a school. It was even larger and more impressive close up, but Rebecca was in too much of a contemplative state to notice.
"Rebecca!"
She looked over, and saw Harry Potter racing over toward them. With him, she noticed, were his friends Ron Weasley and Hermione Granger. They obviously must have heard about the attack on the safehouse.
'I have to tell them,' she thought, deciding shakily. 'At least then they can try and save that Umbridge woman. They can just put me back in another safehouse, and…'
And you'll spend the rest of your life running from the Centaurs, never having a day of peace. You'll never see your family again, never see Antonio, and you'll have to give up your job probably, which you've worked so hard…
'Shut up!'
And you heard Firenze. His kind hated Umbridge, so chances are if they find out who she is, they'll probably kill her. And even if the Ministry does save her, she'll be put back in her cell for the rest of her life. So what's the difference between letting her rot in that Azkaban place, and letting her rot in the forest? Does she really deserve anything less? The woman murdered at least two people, probably more, and tried to incite war…
"Just shut up!" she hissed at herself in a low tone.
"Pardon, Rebecca?" Firenze looked at her quizzically.
"Huh?" she blinked awake. "Oh, nothing, sorry. Just thinking out loud."
"Are you alright?!" said Hermione, as they all hurried over, looking anxiously at them both.
"What happened?" said Harry.
'Tell him,' she said to herself. 'Tell him now and be done with it.'
But it'll never be done. It'll go on and on for the rest of your days, and the whole country, not only you, will suffer because of it. How long will it be until ordinary people like you find out about the Centaurs, wizards and everything else? Not long considering how often they show themselves. There'll be a panic, a scandal, and when war comes along, all that will be left of Great Britain will be ruin and chaos.
"My herd found out where Rebecca was hiding and attacked the safehouse," reported Firenze.
"Yes, we know that bit, Firenze," said Ron, a little snidely she thought. "We mean what happened after that? By the way, where's Imogen?"
Imogen…Rebecca had almost forgotten about her. A young girl, not even a fully trained Auror, and yet willing to risk her life to protect hers.
'And she did…because of Umbridge.'
Firenze had kept silent, looking questioningly at Rebecca, apparently waiting for her to answer Harry, along with everyone else.
She looked up into Harry's concerned face, a face that looked far older than its years, withered and hardened by whatever had happened to him during that wizards' war, and now even more so by events with the Centaurs.
'This must be so hard for him,' thought Rebecca, 'to go through such a hard ordeal, and then to go through another one so soon after. What will he look like after this new war ends…assuming it ever does?'
The thought of the war once again sent shivers through her.
'So many people will suffer. The Centaurs won't be too fussy with who they hurt, and they don't really care who sees them. I'm amazed they've kept up with those illusion spells of theirs for so long. But eventually, though, they'll quit bothering with them, and then everyone will see them, and then…'
"What happened, Rebecca?" asked Harry again, concerned. Everyone, including he and Firenze, was staring at her, waiting for her answer.
Rebecca felt like she was on the Stand in a courtroom, with everyone waiting for her plea. She bit her lip until she could taste blood, and wanted to cry.
Then, with a strength she didn't know she possessed, she shakily but determinedly raised her head to look them all in the eye, and spoke. "Imogen managed to get me away from the safehouse. She used a spell that got us out of there, and then…I think I must have lost consciousness, because the next thing I knew I was here in the Forest. After I had come to, the Centaurs arrived and chased after me. I ran, lost them, and eventually bumped into Firenze who said he had come looking for me. That's all I know."
Harry looked over to Firenze in question, clearly wishing to know more.
"As I told you before I left London, my friend," he said in a clear and patient tone, "I learned from my brother Ronan what my herd were planning, that they intended to storm the safehouse and abduct Rebecca from there. Their informant, who obviously must have been Dolores Umbridge, when she first met them, had apparently arranged multiple Portkeys around the city, to transport them back home once they had Rebecca. I was able to locate one of the Portkeys and use it to return home, after which I tracked Rebecca down through the Forest."
"What about the rest of the Centaurs?" asked Ron curiously.
"You have nothing more to fear from them. My herd have now withdrawn from their hunt for Miss Rebecca."
"Huh?" the three of them looked at him in shock.
"How the devil did that happen?" asked Ron, his eyes wide with surprise.
Rebecca held her breath, as everyone kept their eyes centred on Firenze, but he did not even pause as he returned his own gaze at them, calm and composed.
"I have found a way to satisfy the honour of my herd, and the oath that my leader Magorian made, without turning over Rebecca to them," he replied.
"Oh, what?" asked Harry.
"I am sorry, Harry Potter," said Firenze with a tone of seeming regret, "but that isn't something that Centaur tradition and law will allow me to discuss with an outsider…not even a friend."
Harry frowned. "Firenze, I don't want to dishonour you or your culture, but as an Auror I can't just take your word that your people have suddenly stopped for no good reason. Considering how determined they were to track Rebecca down, why on earth should they suddenly stop?"
Firenze shook his head. "As I said, I can discuss no more with you the terms of agreement between me and my herd. I can only submit to you the facts… Your wizards saw members of my herd here in the forest, determined to locate and abduct Rebecca. As you can see, my herd are no longer here, yet Rebecca obviously is, safe and sound. You will also find that most if not all of them have already left London city."
That seemed to make most of them pause, but Harry still did not look convinced. He gave Firenze a hard look.
"Firenze…I'm wracking my brain trying to figure out whatever it is you could have given your herd, besides Rebecca herself, which would make them want to give up their hunt. Nothing I know or learned of your race suggests to me they would ever do such a thing…except…possibly…" His eyes seemed to widen slightly, as though in fear. "Firenze, did your herd take someone else, instead of Rebecca, to be their Breeder?!"
Rebecca felt her lungs deflate, as everyone's gazes looked at the Centaur in shock. She knew he would never lie to a direct question.
But Firenze merely continued to meet them with his look of calmness. "I can promise you, my friends," he answered, "that if you were to check, you will find there is no one missing that my herd could have possibly taken. Just check to see if anyone has recently disappeared."
Ron and Hermione seemed unsure, while Harry just continued looking at Firenze with thin eyes. It was clear he was having trouble completely buying the Centaur's story, but their past with Firenze warred his suspicion. Firenze was well known for his honesty. That had never been in doubt. Plus, if what he said was true, if the Centaurs had quit their hunt for Rebecca, then their trouble with the herd was indeed finally over.
"Ron," said Harry, looking to his friend. "Go contact the Ministry. Ask them to investigate any disappearances that may have occurred during the time when the Centaurs attacked Miss Leicester's safehouse."
"Um, sure, Harry," said Ron, as he hurriedly left.
"Err, I don't want to sound rude or accusing, Firenze," added Hermione hesitantly, "but let's just say for a second that you did take someone else to give to your herd instead of Rebecca. Couldn't you have just taken someone ages ago, and hidden them until tonight?"
If Firenze was insulted then he didn't show it. "That is a possibility," he admitted. "However, I have been with Rebecca during most of her time in the Wizarding Community. The only time when I could have possibly taken anyone was today when my herd attacked, as I was out investigating Centaur sightings, as you know."
"What about Vanessa Darnell?" asked Harry suspiciously. "She has yet to be found, and we have reason to believe she may have been working with Dolores Umbridge when she was still alive."
"Again, I did not have the time to capture her," Firenze replied efficiently. "And even if I had done, the woman would not have been someone whom my herd would have desired as a Breeder. Rebecca is a strong, young woman, with plenty of fertile years for her to produce foals. From what I saw of the Darnell woman, her years of child bearing were close to ending, if they hadn't already done so. My herd would never take someone like that."
Harry frowned, but had to accept Firenze's logic, as it made too much sense.
"What about Imogen?" Hermione suddenly asked. "She hasn't been seen since the safehouse attack."
Firenze half-cocked his head for a moment, as though considering. "That I have no answer to," he revealed. "I have not seen her at all today, nor since I have been home in the Forest. And Rebecca just said that she last saw her before she lost consciousness. Therefore I can only assume that either she must have fled, or the spell she cast somehow separated her from Rebecca and sent her elsewhere. All I can say is that my herd definitely did not have Imogen Griffin with them."
'That was certainly true,' Rebecca thought. Firenze seemed to be doing a good job of telling them what he wanted without doing any actual lying, but at the same time not telling them the complete truth.
Harry licked his lips thoughtfully. "You've always been honest to us, Firenze. I owe you a lot for what you did during the war, so I will give you the benefit of the doubt, and have the Aurors begin a search for Imogen. But if we don't find her…well, we'll cross that bridge when we come to it."
Firenze nodded, but made no reply.
"Perhaps we should call it a night?" said Hermione, and moved over to Rebecca. "Rebecca's had a rough day, and we're here at Hogwarts, which is meant to be the safest place there is. Why don't we spend the night here?"
Harry gave her a sly look. "Meant to be the safest place is the operative word there, Hermione. When were we ever actually safe?"
Hermione retuned his grin, but then looked sombrely to Rebecca. "All kidding aside, Hogwarts is the safest. We can stay here for now."
"Agreed," said Harry. "Rebecca can stay here until we've ascertained the Centaur situation and everything. Hogwarts' magical defences have really beefed up in the last two years. Even Voldemort would have a hard time trying to break in."
Hermione nodded, and then looked to her. "Come on, Rebecca. Let's see if Headmistress McGonagall can get us a hot chocolate."
"Could you guys give me and Firenze a few more minutes alone please?" she asked, keeping her eyes on the lone Centaur.
Harry and Hermione looked at them curiously for a moment, but then just nodded and let them be, walking toward the castle.
Firenze shifted his weight from hoof to hoof, looking at Rebecca and her downcast face. "There was no other choice, Rebecca," he told her. "You know what would happen if you did otherwise."
Rebecca said nothing at first, but just kept her eyes looking down, and when she did speak, she said nothing about her lie.
"Firenze," she said, "you've saved my life…more than once. More than a few times actually. I owe you more than I can repay."
"You would do the same for me, my Rebecca."
She swallowed. "What will happen now?"
He shrugged. "It won't be long before Harry Potter and his friends learn that my herd have indeed vacated the human city, thereby averting the current crisis. Beyond that, once the public have been assured, things will gradually return to normal, and life will go on once more."
"And Imogen?" She looked at him with sad eyes.
He sighed. "Dolores Umbridge was probably not too fussy with what she did with Imogen Griffin's body. No doubt it will turn up eventually. We will see what happens after that."
Rebecca finally looked up at him. She had wanted to say so much more to him, to discuss their earlier problems with their past feelings for one another, but now…now all she could think of was that she had just hand-delivered a woman to the Centaur herd that even now, as she thought about it, were…
She shuddered.
"What is it?" he asked.
She didn't answer that, but merely looked at him. "Thank you for saving me, Firenze," she said politely. "I just…I wish it hadn't happened in the way it did."
"We play the hand we're dealt, Rebecca. Nobody can defy the weave of the Fates, not even we Centaurs."
She hushed herself for a few minutes, and then asked, "I am sorry that I didn't tell you about Antonio, Firenze."
"You have apologised many times already," he replied, holding up his hand to her. "There is no need for another."
She slowly nodded, but still looked at him. "It…it would have been nice," she said hesitantly. "If things had been different, or we had met again a couple of years ago, then maybe… Possibly things could have worked out differently for us."
He gave her one of his gentle looks, which had helped her so much during her incarceration in the Centaur Herding Ground years ago. "My people do not dwell on the could-be's and what-if's, my Rebecca. We look to the now. But, for what it's worth, I would have gladly welcomed a chance to mate with you as one."
To mate with you as one was basically a Centaur's way of describing marriage, but Rebecca still blushed brightly. "As I would with you," she replied, her face still red.
Firenze then took a few steps forward until he was right in front of her, and gently touched her chin, lifting her face to look at him. Rebecca first thought he was going to kiss her, but instead all he did was look at her with those strikingly blue eyes of his.
"Antonio is a very lucky human to have you as a mate," he said finally. "I hope he understands that."
"It is I who am the lucky one," she replied honestly, not breaking eye contact with him.
Firenze smiled, and then gently steered her towards Hogwarts, guiding her to the castle with his arm around her, not as a lover but as a friend.
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Three Weeks Later:
Rebecca ended up staying the next three weeks at Hogwarts, since, as Hermione had said, it was the safest place there was. She was safer there than anywhere else, or at least anywhere she had been to up until then.
Imogen Griffin had been found. Harry had sent Aurors round to her parent's house to begin the search there, but all they found were the two corpses of what had once been Imogen's parents. No one knew the full details, but apparently her parents had simply starved to death. There were no locks on the doors, or at least none that they couldn't have opened easily enough, so no one knew what had happened. The case was still under investigation, but with no new evidence it remained just one of many unsolved mysteries in the Ministry's case-file.
Imogen had eventually been found, dead. The Aurors had used every type of spell and trick they could think of to locate her, and had eventually discovered her remains in the furnace of a warehouse just outside of London. It was widely believed that the spell she had used to transport her and Rebecca away from the Centaurs had accidentally sent her to the furnace where she had burned to death. She was after all a young witch, and the skills needed to make a Portkey or to Apparate were beyond her level. The idea was incredible, but possible, and in time everyone seemed to accept it.
Vanessa Darnell had yet to be found, but Harry never suspected for one moment that Firenze had given her to his herd in-exchange for Rebecca, for, as he had explained, she wasn't what the Centaurs would want in a Breeder. She was a middle-aged woman, beyond the age of childbearing, and basically out of shape. Hardly the qualities one would want in a Breeder, especially when compared to Rebecca, a strong, healthy and all around beautiful young woman. The Centaurs would never agree to an exchange like that.
In the end, it was decided that the woman had simply gone on the run after Umbridge had been killed. Where she was now was anyone's guess, but the Ministry was confidant that some day she would turn up, and when she did they would be there to catch her. Needless to say, she never did.
When Harry had told Rebecca all this, she had kept strangely silent, not even daring to look him in the face. She still didn't know for sure whether he had believed her and Firenze's story or not, but if he didn't then he never showed it. She suspected that, like everyone, he was just so immensely relieved that the Centaur crisis had now been sorted, and with Dolores Umbridge dead, everything was now at peace.
As such, Rebecca had now been given the okay to return home. She had called her parents, telling them that her trip was finished and she would be joining them that day. She would meet them at the train station, as Harry had arranged passage for her on a wizard's train called the Hogwarts' Express. This was something Rebecca thought weird, as what would wizards need with a train if they flew brooms, Apparated and Floo to wherever they wanted to go?
But Harry had told her that the Express was a wonderful way to travel, and since it stopped at King's Station, it was ideal for her to meet her parents. Plus, she suspected he wanted her to take the train since it was one of the wizarding world's more pleasant means of travel, and he probably thought it might make up for at least some of the trouble she had had with his world so far.
Either way, she was going home so she chose not to knock it.
The giant Hagrid had visited her while she was staying at the castle, as he lived in a hut on the grounds. He was every bit as jolly as she remembered, albeit a bit slow, and, she considered, with a serious need to upgrade his wardrobe. To this day she still couldn't believe how much stuff he managed to get into the pockets of his coat. He had helped her with her luggage, carrying her bags down to the station, although she didn't have much since most of her things were still at her parent's house.
She had, however, bought a lot of interesting items down at the village of Hogsmeade, where Hermione and Ron had taken her to a few times. She had been absolutely fascinated with all the wizards' stores, from Zonko's Joke Shop and Honeyduke's sweet store, to Madam Puddifoot's Tea Shop and The Three Broomsticks Inn. There had been just so many places to see that she was almost sorry she was leaving.
Hagrid carried all her bags in his one giant hand, cheerfully handing them to the conductor, nearly flattening him in the process. Apparently, the Hogwarts' Express was used specifically by the children to travel to and from the school, and since they had all gone home for the summer holidays, she would be all alone on the train. She didn't mind that too much, as she was more excited about seeing her family again. She had already written them to let them know to expect her. They still believed she had simply been on a trip around Britain.
Harry and Ron had both offered to Obliviate their memories in case she had trouble trying to convince them her story, but she had politely but firmly refused. The thought of someone messing with another person's memories was still too creepy for her, even if it did prove useful sometimes. Though there was a part of her that wished she could take out some of her memories right now, particularly of the last few weeks.
"Sorry to see you go, Miss Leicester!" Hagrid boomed heartily. "I hope you enjoy the trip! Many say the train-ride here is one of the best parts of coming to Hogwarts!"
He then leaned forward, bending his head to whisper to her, though even in a whisper his voice was still as loud as a foghorn.
"Sorry that Buckbeak couldn't carry you back this time, but technically he ain't alive no more. And even if he were, he's off flying."
Rebecca nodded, saying it was okay, but couldn't help frowning in confusion. 'Ain't alive no more?'
It looked like Hagrid was about to say more, but then he stopped and looked behind her.
She didn't need to look to know who it was, as she had heard the clip-clopping of his hooves on the pavement ground.
"Hello, Firenze," she said warmly, as Hagrid politely excused himself, and walked off to talk to the conductor again.
"I wanted to come wish you farewell," he replied, coming over to her. "I'm afraid I have no gift to give you, as I understand this is the custom with human goodbyes."
She waved him off. "Only sometimes. And besides, you've already given me so much, it is I who should really give you something."
"You already have. It's only a pity that we can't see each other again after today."
Rebecca stiffened, but knew he spoke the truth, as honestly she had no desire to ever come near the magical community again. Yes, the last few weeks had been spectacular, and the world of wizards was truly a remarkable place, but with everything she had been through, and what she did in the Forbidden Forest, she would much sooner forget it.
Firenze sighed. "It would have been nice, if the two of us…"
"Another time, another place, Firenze. Like you yourself said, we can't dwell on what-ifs and could-bes."
He nodded slowly, and Rebecca stayed silent for a moment, but didn't tear her gaze from him.
"Firenze…" she hesitated. "With…will she ever…"
"Don't," he told her, holding up a finger. "We have already discussed it. I will do all I can to help her if possible, but if not…" He remained quiet.
Rebecca shuddered. She knew there had been no choice, and considering all that the woman had done she probably deserved all that would happen and worse, but still…
Dolores Umbridge was gone, believed by everyone to be dead, save for her and Firenze. No one would ever miss her, and she would never reveal her true identity for fear of the Centaurs killing her in retaliation for her original grievance with them years ago. Firenze had promised he would do all he could to save her, if he could, but it would not be easy. As a Breeder, his herd would be most careful with her, not taking anything to chance that could risk her escape.
It was far more likely she would spend the rest of her life with his herd, but at least she would not know the four walls of a cell, and have the freedom of being outside.
Rebecca knew that was small comfort, but it was all she had.
She looked up at him with watery eyes. "Will I ever see you again?"
He didn't return her gaze, and merely sighed. "You've asked me that once before, my Rebecca, years ago. I can only repeat what I said then, that nothing in life is certain. We may meet again, and then again we may not. Only time will tell."
She slowly nodded, but deep down she felt that this time there was more certainty than there had been before. With Umbridge taking her place in the herd, Rebecca had no desire to return here, knowing what she did. And after all the trouble with the Centaurs, it was doubtful Firenze would risk going out to the human city again, not that he ever seemed to want to in the first place. Therefore the chances of their paths crossing again were far slimmer than they had been last time.
In her heart, she believed that now was indeed their final goodbye.
"I wish…" she stuttered slightly. "I wish things could have worked out differently, Firenze. But it was grand seeing you again, in spite of everything."
"And I you," he replied.
"What will you do now?"
He shrugged. "Continue with what I was doing before, as a teacher at Hogwarts School. I have long since grown accustomed to teaching the young, and find it to be a most rewarding experience, even if the foals I teach are not Centaurs. I am comfortable here, and believe I will spend the rest of my life teaching."
He smiled at her. "And you, obviously, will return to your home in the country you call Italy, where your Intended awaits you."
She smiled back, nodding. "Yeah, Antonio's been waiting anxiously for me. He was a little mad that I left home and went touring Britain before telling my family that he and I were engaged, but I just made up a story about being too nervous to tell them…which I still need to do actually."
He cocked an eye-ridge at her. "That should be an interesting conversation."
She gave a short snort of laughter. "You don't know the half of it."
They both chuckled for a little after that, followed by an awkward silence, with Rebecca idly twiddling her thumbs, and Firenze shifting the weight on his hooves.
"I will miss you, Firenze," she said finally. "More than anyone I have ever met, or ever will."
"As I will miss you," said Firenze in a sombre voice.
She then stepped up to him, standing on tiptoe, and kissed him. He stiffened for a moment in surprise, but then seemingly relaxed, as he returned the kiss, his long arms enveloping her in a firm embrace. They remained this way for a while, paying no attention to their surroundings. If anyone was taking notice of them, then they didn't speak.
When they finally ended the kiss, Rebecca pulled back with a slight sob, as she looked up tearfully at him, saying, "Goodbye, Firenze," and then turned to board the train.
"Goodbye, my Rebecca!" Firenze called out to her. "Be safe…and happy!"
Rebecca paused for a moment, looking back at him one more time, and gave him a small wave before climbing up into the train, the whistle already blowing, signalling its departure.
As the Hogwarts' Express pulled away from the station, she looked out the window, watching as Firenze's still form grew smaller with the distance. She raised her hand to touch the glass, as though she were trying to touch him again.
"Goodbye, my friend," she whispered faintly, and smiled.
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Time heals all wounds, so they say, and in Rebecca and the Wizarding Community's case it was certainly true.
In the days that followed Rebecca's final journey within the world of wizards, when the Hogwarts' Express brought her to her family waiting at King's Cross Station, she finally told them of her impending marriage to Antonio De Santis.
Needless to say, her parents freaked when she told them, particularly since she had supposedly been travelling all over Britain instead of telling them that she was getting married. Her mother at first thought she had avoided telling them because her fiancé was a gangster, or worse, a supporter of the Labour party. When she finally got it through to her that he wasn't, her mother then got hysterical, thinking they no longer had a close mother/daughter relationship. It had taken hours of convincing before both her parents finally calmed down.
She had then spent a further few days in London with them, making plans and contacting all her old friends, informing them of the wedding, and naturally making endless calls to Antonio. After that she then booked the first flight back to Italy, where her fiancé was waiting for her at the airport.
Their wedding was three months later, and was quite possibly one of the largest weddings that Rebecca had ever been to. Antonio came from a very large family, and every one of Rebecca's family and old friends had come to see her walk down the aisle, and experience a traditional Italian wedding. Chloe's husband had ended up accidentally catching the bouquet, only for his wife to snatch it up and throw it back into the hordes of single ladies, shouting out, "He's already taken!".
Exactly one year later, Rebecca and Antonio had a baby son whom Rebecca insisted upon naming Firenze. Although the name was neither English nor Italian, Antonio agreed, as she told him that it was in honour of someone who had saved her life. Beyond that she said nothing else, for although she dearly loved her husband, she was never sure if it would be safe to tell him the whole truth…assuming he even believed it.
Harry Potter had assured her that no Auror would ever come to her house, to Obliviate her memories, but despite his assurance she preferred not to take any chances, and so decided to keep quiet and live out her safe and normal, happy life with her husband, their son, and several years later their two daughters whom she named Imogen and Hermione, and a second son named Harry.
She still went to England every once in a while, to visit her parents and Chloe, but never stayed any longer than she had to. With all the trouble she had had there, she preferred not to take the risk. Besides, her work, home and family were in Italy now, so aside from her parents and Chloe she had little reason for returning there. And they preferred to come visit her anyway.
As for Firenze, he remained where he was, at Hogwarts School as one of its teachers of Divination. Occasionally, he would leave to spend some time with his herd in the Forbidden Forest, but for some reason his visits with them had become less frequent than they had once been. When asked about it, all he would say was that he had little in common with his herd anymore.
The missing witch, Vanessa Darnell, was never found, but most paid her little mind, as hardly anyone missed her. As Firenze had surmised, the Ministry all believed that she had run off when Umbridge had been killed, and was now in hiding. The Ministry was keeping an eye out for her, of course, but had no real interest in pursuing a manhunt. If she showed up, they would catch her, but at the time they were more concerned with starting the renovation of their society.
The rest of the Wizarding Community had, thankfully, flourished and prospered. With Voldemort gone, and the Centaur Crisis finally sorted, the wizards and witches of Britain had focused all of their time and energy into rebuilding their community. It was long and hard work, but over time they were able to gradually make their world strong and beautiful once again.
One of the first things the Ministry of Magic had done was remove the old statue-fountain from the Atrium. After all the recent trouble, no one could deny the truth that Centaurs definitely did not look up to wizard-kind in adoration, like the statue implied. As well as being imprecise, people saw it as hypocritical and downright insulting. Hence it was removed, and replaced with something new.
Many artists and sculptors came forth with hundreds of various designs for the new fountain, and after numerous discussions and headaches, it was finally decided the new statue would be that of everyone who had given their lives during the war, including Albus Dumbledore, Severus Snape, Remus Lupin, and even a few of the Centaurs who had died in the battle. The Ministry had first wanted to do a statue of Harry Potter, but he had firmly refused, saying the statue should be dedicated to all the fallen heroes.
Harry and his friends, Ron and Hermione, had carried on being some of the Ministry's most important and celebrated Aurors. Within a few years, Hermione and Ron were married, as were Harry and Ginny. They were more interested in finding Vanessa than a lot of the Ministry, as well as finding answers to a lot of other unanswered questions, like why the Centaurs had suddenly stopped their hunt of Rebecca. But in the end, like the rest of the community, they were so busy with rebuilding their world, relieved at the peaceful outcome of the crisis, and the fact that no one save Vanessa, who the Centaurs would never want, was missing, that over time they pushed it to the back of their minds and gradually forgot about it.
There were times, though, when occasionally those doubts would worm their way back into their heads, particularly with Harry.
Over the course of the next ten years, Harry and Ron had hunted down and jailed many former Death Eaters and other such offenders, and for his efforts Harry was named the youngest Head of the Auror Office in all its known history. Shortly after, he was asked to make occasional visits to Hogwarts, to give talks to the students on Defence Against the Dark Arts. The first time he visited there was during his godson, Teddy Lupin', first year.
Teddy Lupin was the son of two of Harry's dearest friends, and friends of his late father, Remus Lupin and Nymphadora Tonks, who had both died at the Battle of Hogwarts. Harry had been named Teddy's godfather upon their deaths, and since then had taken his role very seriously. He often visited Teddy at his home, where he lived with his grandmother, and had promised to visit him at Hogwarts when he went to go speak there. But while he had been there, he had spotted something most peculiar, which was several Centaurs near the outskirts of the Forest.
Curious, he had mentioned them to Professor McGonagall and Firenze, as he couldn't recall a time when he had seen so many Centaurs near the school, save for during the Great Battle. And nearly all of the Centaurs he had seen had been in couples, consisting of one adult Centaur and one foal, which he had never seen before. He was almost certain he had even seen Bane among them, too, walking alongside a young foal that had his colouring.
Professor McGonagall told him that the Centaurs often came close to Hogwarts now, while giving their young ones lessons in living in the Forest, such as tracking and hunting…etc. They never stayed long, and told Hagrid that they wanted no interference from him or anyone at the school, but they brought their foals there to show the humans to them, just so they could better understand them. (It wasn't much, but at least they weren't telling their foals to stay clear of them, and that they were nothing but dishonourable creatures, anymore.)
Harry had silently mused over that, as that sounded exactly like the Centaurs he remembered, but there was something that bothered him. When he looked over at Firenze, who had remained quiet during that conversation, he had asked him…
"Firenze? Forgive me, but just ten years ago you told me that the number of Breeders in your herd was direly low, and the rate of foals born was even fewer. Now, ten years later, your herd has seemed to sprout an entire litter of foals. How is that possible?"
Firenze lifted his head to look down on him, his blue eyes showing no discomfort or such, and replied, "One of my herd's Breeders has turned out to be quite fertile, even by human standards. The Breeder has already produced six foals during this last decade, and still has many years of child bearing left." He smiled slightly. "Even more greatly; several of this Breeder's foals have turned out to be Breeders as well, which means my herd now has more than enough to continue into the next generation and beyond."
Harry raised his eyebrows at him. "Really? That's interesting."
"Indeed. My herd once thought they were facing extinction, and now we range higher than the average number, with plenty of Breeders to secure our survival. As a result, the Breeder I spoke of is quite revered in my herd. No one has produced as many foals, and many who thought they might never have foals, now all have hope because of this one…despite its temper and often vulgar attitude."
Firenze paused then, as though he had said too much, but Harry asked nothing about that. He knew from personal experience that a lot of Centaurs were often wild, with sometimes vicious tempers, and just assumed this Breeder was one of those few.
'Must be a relation to Bane or Magorian,' he thought, and then added out loud, "Which Breeder is this? Do I know him?"
Firenze frowned. "Harry Potter, you know I cannot reveal details of my herd to outsiders, even you, especially concerning our Breeders. They are the most important members of our herd, and the most protected. They rarely leave the Herding Ground except when needed in battle, which, according to the stars, will not be coming anytime soon now."
Harry had nodded in understanding. "Of course. I was only curious. I just find it a little odd, you know, that your herd has produced so many foals all of a sudden. The question was merely an observation."
Firenze had looked hard at him, his expression blank. "Of course. And in answer to your observation, as I said, one of our Breeders was apparently born with a fertile womb. It is a rare but welcome phenomena, especially during the dire time of my herd all those years ago."
"Was this Breeder the reason why your herd called off the hunt for…well, you know who?"
If Firenze minded him speaking of Rebecca then he didn't show it. He knew she was safe and happy, and that was all he needed to know. "If you must know, yes," he had answered. "The Breeder lives in the Herding Ground, like all others. My herd consider this one to be the most important out of all our Breeders, considering all the foals it has borne, and all the ones it has yet to, and thus is never out of their sight even for an instant."
"And was he a new Breeder?" he had then asked with a most interested glance.
"Err, Harry?" McGonagall had said, looking hesitantly at Firenze's expression. Although he often talked with a blank expression, she had known the Centaur long enough to know when he was hiding his emotions, and at that moment she swore he seemed a little on edge.
"And what exactly do you mean by that, Harry Potter?" Firenze had asked politely.
"Oh, nothing. I just thought that since none of your Breeders at the time were lucky to produce much foals, I thought maybe you had gotten someone else. You know, fresh blood, like maybe from another herd or somewhere?"
Firenze didn't answer at first, hesitating for only a split second. "I cannot reveal anymore without betraying my herd's confidence, but I will say that the Breeder I speak of is no stranger to my herd. That is all."
Harry had stared at him for a moment or two, before nodding and thanking him. After that he had quietly excused himself, saying that he needed to go prepare for his lecture, and then made his way over to Hagrid's hut near the edge of the Forbidden Forest.
Something just didn't add up! How had the Centaurs suddenly gone from near extinction to over population within just a decade?
He had decided to ask Hagrid what his thoughts were, but the lovable giant had been, quite frankly, useless. The Centaurs rarely talked to him, save for Firenze, and he had basically repeated what Firenze had said, that it was possible in all species for one member to be born with an over-fertile womb, not just humans.
Harry had chatted with him a few minutes longer, but Hagrid had no real worthwhile information, and everything he said more or less confirmed Firenze's words.
He had been just about to admit defeat and leave, when Harry had noticed a lone Centaur foal rummaging among the trees in the Forest. It had been hard to spot at first, as it was of a dark colour that blended well with the shadows, and he would never have been able to notice it if it hadn't moved.
"Hey! Wait a minute, kid!" he had called out, rushing over to the foal, but taking care not to run too fast for fear of scaring it.
The foal had stopped and looked at him curiously, showing no fear in his eyes.
Harry had just reached him when… "Hi," he had said, and then stopped, as a huge dark shadow came in front of him, and Harry found himself looking up into Bane's face, looking as fearsome and scary as he remembered.
"Harry Potter," Bane had said in his intimidating voice. "What reason have you for being here so far from your school? And what business, prithee tell, do you have with my son?"
He gulped slightly. "Sorry. It's just I haven't met a Centaur foal before, and I was curious. I mean no harm."
"Well, now you have seen him. NOW GO!" Bane had shouted at him, and turned to leave.
"Wait!" Harry pursued. "Bane, you know me. You fought alongside me at the Battle of Hogwarts. Together with your help, we defeated Voldemort. Surely you know you have nothing to fear from me?"
Bane swung around, glaring at him. "Centaurs do NOT fear anything!"
"My apologies," he had said hastily. "What I meant was, surely you know you have no cause for worry from me? I would never do anything to harm your…son, did you say?"
Bane had then smiled, the first genuine smile Harry thought he had ever seen on the Centaur. "Yes, my son Nandor. Named so for his adventurous and daring spirit, much like his brother, my first son Faryn, who now runs with our ancestors." He had beckoned his son forward, resting his huge hand on his shoulder.
"An appropriate name. I only wish to ask a few questions."
Bane had continued to glare down on him, but didn't take his hand off his son. He was obviously highly protective of him, which Harry could understand, him being a father himself.
"Centaurs are not here at your race's beck and call, human! We do not have to answer anything!"
"I mean no disrespect. I just…" Harry had paused then, as he stared intently at Nandor's face, particularly his eyes.
"What you desire to know is no concern of ours! Your name may be known to my kind, Harry Potter, and the story of your deeds and sacrifice are truly grand. But that does not make you one of us, nor does it make us your mules! Leave me and my son be, and trouble us no longer."
"But if you could just…"
"I SAID LEAVE US!" Bane had boomed right down at him, almost making Harry stumble onto his backside. With that, Bane had once more swung around, taking his son gently but firmly by his shoulder, and leading him far away from Harry and Hogwarts.
Harry watched them go, musing for a few minutes. When he had been looking at Nandor's face, he had noticed that his eyes were a deep blue colour. They were not like Firenze's eyes, and even if they were; Firenze was no Breeder, but he recognised them nonetheless.
They were the exact same eyes as Rebecca Leicester's.
But the moment he thought that he disregarded it instantly. There was no way that foal could be in any way related to Rebecca, as she had never been taken by the Centaurs. He had been there when Firenze had brought her back, and she had had no Polyjuice Potion in her to change her form, not that the Centaurs would have known how to make such potion anyway, and even if they did, it just wasn't their style.
Shaking his head, Harry had begun to feel that his job as an Auror was starting to take its toll on him. He seemed to be seeing conspiracies everywhere. Hagrid and Firenze had both told him that fertile females, even Centaurs, were not unheard of, even if they were rare. And having one such Breeder in their herd would certainly have been enough to convince the Centaurs to abandon their pursuit of Rebecca, as they would definitely prefer one of their own kind to a mere human, which would explain everything. He knew for a fact that Rebecca was safe and sound with her family in Italy, as he occasionally checked up on her, just to be sure.
There was peace around the country, Voldemort was gone, his Death Eaters were all caught and incarcerated, the Centaurs were happy and obviously prospering, Rebecca was safe, and no one was missing except for that Vanessa woman who no one had seen in years, and she was no one that the Centaurs would want in a Breeder, nor anyone to fear.
Finally admitting his own over-cautiousness, and his possible need for a holiday, he abandoned his quest for information on this Centaur Breeder, and returned to Hogwarts to check in on Teddy, begin his lecture, and then leave for home where Ginny and his kids were awaiting him.
Happy and content, he headed back to Hogwarts.
Epilogue To Follow…
(Warning: Will contain mature content)