Chapter 265 The Recognition Of The Centaurs

In the office, Sirius told Evan how they managed to enter the centaur colony in the Forbidden Forest and how they gained their recognition.

"As Remus was a werewolf, I started learning how to be an Animagus with James and Peter. It wasn't as easy as it was for you; it took us exactly three years to achieve it," Sirius told Evan. "In our fifth year, we mastered the transformation. Since then, before the full moon, the three of us would go to the Shrieking Shack in our Animagus forms with Remus transformed into a werewolf."

"Do werewolves not attack animals?"

"Werewolves are only dangerous to humans and do not harm other animals," Sirius recalled with a smile. "Initially, the four of us stayed in the Shrieking Shack, but there was nothing there. It was too dull. As we could transform, we soon ventured out, roaming the school grounds, the castle, the depths of the Forbidden Forest, and Hogsmeade at night. At that time, we were very thrilled, planning our adventures for each month and then following through."

With Sirius's description, a scene unfolded in Evan's mind.

In the dead of night, four animals ventured through the ancient and mysterious Hogwarts to unveil the school's unknown secrets.

From the multitude of secret passages marked on the Marauder's Map, it was evident that Sirius had been to many places at that time, almost all around Hogwarts.

"In the second half of the fifth year, I recall it was around May; we rescued a centaur during one of our escapades. While he was hunting, he was injured by a violent Graphorn and left badly hurt. We drove off the Graphorn. After thanking us, he invited the four of us to the centaur colony deep in the Forbidden Forest."

Although Sirius downplayed the incident, Evan knew how remarkable it must have been.

Centaurs had always held little regard for wizards. They didn't allow humans to roam the Forbidden Forest and would never permit them to visit their colonies.

However, centaurs had an extra soft spot for human children. Moreover, the centaur Sirius had rescued must have been particularly injured, giving them the chance to escort him back to his colony.

Due to Evan's long-term study of potions, he was very familiar with the Graphorn.

Graphorn horn powder is used in many potions and is an essential material.

But it is exceedingly expensive due to the difficulty in harvesting it.

It was clear to Evan how challenging it would be to defeat a violent Graphorn.

After all, the Graphorn is a massive magical beast, humpbacked, with grayish-purple skin tougher than that of dragons. It has two very long, sharp horns and walks on large feet with four toes.

In the past, wizards often saw Mountain Trolls riding Graphorns in an attempt to tame them. However, this was futile, as the Graphorn was extremely aggressive, leading to trolls often covered in scars from wounds inflicted by Graphorns.

The poor centaur rescued by Sirius must have been severely injured. It was better to invite Sirius and his friends to the centaur colony than to ask them to leave. Otherwise, the centaur would likely have perished on the way.

"It's a sizable colony, and the houses within are unlike the ordinary ones," Sirius said, crossing his arms and continuing. "In the colony's center, there's a magnificent temple built of cyan stones. It looks very ancient, covered in green ivy, truly spectacular."

"Temple?" Evan repeated softly.

Undoubtedly, what Gryffindor left behind was in that temple.

Unable to explain why, Evan remembered the prophecy of Professor Trelawney: In the dark temple full of taboos, the magic of the Dark Lord would mark the chosen one, who would assist in his return and regain unimaginable power.

The dark temple full of taboos, could it be the one in the Centaurs' colony?

Suddenly, Evan had an ominous premonition, as if something significant was about to happen.

"In gratitude for saving the Centaur, they decided to reward us," Sirius didn't notice anything unusual about Evan and continued, "After some discussions, they informed us that there was an object left by Gryffindor himself in their colony. According to the agreement of their ancestors and Gryffindor, we could enter the temple and attempt to retrieve the object..."

"Wait a minute, Sirius!" Evan hurriedly interrupted. "You haven't mentioned how to earn the Centaurs' recognition?"

"It seems to be related to astrology," Sirius scratched his head and said somewhat embarrassed, "I'm not sure what was happening, to be honest. I recall a couple of very elderly Centaurs gazing at the stars for a long time and then stating that the four of us were somehow connected to a shared destiny and qualified to be acknowledged by them."

Astrology, signs, destiny?!

The Centaurs' acknowledgment was too vague!

Nevertheless, Evan tilted his head and pondered. Everything seemed to align with the Centaurs' methods.

For a long time, they had persistently observed the orbit of planets to decipher the elusive destiny and future.

Evan wasn't sure if they could truly see destiny, but when it came to astrology and divination, the Centaurs apparently abided by their own distinctive theoretical system.

According to Sirius, Evan didn't need to do anything to gain Centaurs' approval. He just had to go to the Centaurs' colony and ask them to gaze at the stars in the night sky to ascertain the final outcome.

It sounded absurd, but that was the reality of it.

Evan suddenly recalled the night he was hunting Peter Pettigrew, the Centaur Firenze he encountered in the Forbidden Forest, and what he said about the signs Mars presented and individuals chosen by destiny...

At that time, he didn't comprehend it, but upon reflection, what Firenze said echoed Sirius's experience.

Did that mean Evan had already been acknowledged by the Centaurs?

Evan carefully recalled what Firenze had told him back then. He remembered Firenze saying that the planets would give a clear signal to those chosen by destiny. The Centaurs' elders would make a clear request and ask him to do something for them.

At that moment, Sirius saved a Centaur, and the planet indicated they were linked to this supposed destiny, so they could enter the temple.

The burning question was, what would the Centaurs have Evan do?

They deliberated with Sirius for a while and didn't arrive at a clear answer.

"In summary, one must try to know," Sirius concluded, "After the Quidditch match tomorrow, I can take you to the Centaurs' colony. We can also bring Harry, Ron, and Hermione. Let the three see and witness for themselves."