Chapter 176: Firenze de Centauros

"About what I just said, catching that evil dark wizard..." Although he knew it was unlikely, Ivan was still willing to try again.

"We will not help humans and we must not violate God's will." This time, Bane didn't look up at Mars in the sky. He answered Ivan's question precisely and with a little warning in his serious voice. "Like two years ago, the trajectory of Mars has already shown its precursors, and the things that are destined to happen must not be changed."

"Although there are some changes, the outcome is the same." Ronan added, in his sad voice, "Mars tonight is brighter than ever, indicating that the most terrible of all disasters is coming."

"But..." Ivan wasn't sure if they were referring to Voldemort's upcoming reappearance. According to Professor Trelawney's prediction, after this rising, Voldemort will be stronger and more terrible than ever.

He didn't know who Voldemort's chosen man was, but if these centaurs could help him catch Peter Pettigrew, he might be able to stop Voldemort's return.

"There's no but. I know what you're thinking, but the war between the wizards has nothing to do with us. The Centaurs are interested in astrological divination; we have no obligation to help humans." Bane replied firmly. "We can't change what is going to happen at all, we have taken an oath!"

Ivan also wanted to say more, and ask about the Gryffindor Treasure Key, but from the depths of the Forbidden Forest suddenly appeared a glow of red and white light, accompanied by waves of heat, illuminating the dark forest completely like the midday sun.

"What's going on?" Ronan stomped unsteadily on the ground with his hooves. "There seems to be a fire; that direction is..."

"That's Acromantula territory; something must have happened!" Bane took the bow and arrow from his back.

The two no longer looked at Ivan; they turned and ran quickly. In the blink of an eye, they disappeared into the depths of the forest, leaving only the sound of their hooves echoing in the open space.

Ivan hurriedly ran over. He knew he was burning Aragog's den. He had to hurry, and he didn't have much time left. He did not follow the direction in which Ronan and Bane went, but ran in another direction. He knew he would run into Peter Pettigrew and himself if he went that way.

He ran forward for a few minutes and entered Acromantula territory.

The ground was clearly sloping downward, and the surrounding trees began to wilt, showing a sickly gray, with spider webs and white cocoons appearing from time to time.

Ivan was deep in concentration, and he clenched his wand in his hand as he moved.

Hearing Aragog's call, the Acromantulas scattered throughout the Forbidden Forest gathered in the center of the hollow, and their numbers were increasing.

Click, click, click, click, click....

Just as Ivan was on alert, three millstone-sized spiders descended from the surrounding trees.

They waved their sharp pincers, making a terrifying clicking sound.

Ivan quickly dodged to the right, rolling on the ground.

The tip of his wand emitted a red light, striking the spider in front of him. Then he spun quickly, and suddenly stopped. He was surprised to see that the two Acromantulas behind him had bent over. They were completely penetrated and pinned to the ground.

The two spiders were still struggling and emitting piercing sounds.

Ivan looked up in surprise and saw a centaur standing on higher ground, not Ronan or Bane; this one looked younger; he had white-blond hair and a palomino body.

"Are you all right?" said the centaur, and pulled Ivan to his feet.

"Yes, thank you, my name is Ivan Mason, from Hogwarts!" Ivan stroked the dust on his body, and then was drawn to the centaur's eyes.

He had incredibly blue eyes, like pale sapphires.

"I heard Hagrid talking about you, Ivan!" The centaur said quietly, "My name is Firenze!"

Ivan was surprised: it turned out to be him!

Like most of the centaurs in the Forbidden Forest, Firenze was also in awe of fate, and was always searching for truth and knowledge in the skies. He was very wise and mentally strong.

But compared to the other centaurs who disliked and refused to work with wizards, Firenze was not so repelled by men, and was not reluctant to lend a hand. This caused him to lose status, as his actions were considered inappropriate by the likes of Bane and Ronan, who believed that centaurs should not go beyond being mere observers.

Ivan still remembered that in Harry's fifth year, Firenze even accepted Dumbledore's invitation to replace the expelled Professor Trelawney and become Professor of Divination. He accepted the position and was banished by his own tribe, who called him a captive slave to humans.

"Although I don't know why you are here, but for a young wizard of your age, the Forbidden Forest is not safe tonight." Firenze looked at Ivan. "These Acromantulas are going crazy. They're more aggressive than usual, I have to send you back..."

"No, I can't leave, I have to catch Peter Pettigrew." said Ivan.

"Peter Pettigrew?!" Firenze repeated slowly.

"Yes, he's an evil dark wizard, he's..." said Ivan.

Ivan hadn't finished his words yet, and he heard Firenze say, "I know him, Peter Pettigrew, he and James Potter, Sirius Black and Remus Lupin had come to our tribe a few times twenty years ago. I was still a colt. Every time they came to me, they brought me magical things, food and very interesting stories about you humans."

Firenze seemed lost in memory, and Ivan looked at him in surprise. As it turned out, that's how things were: No wonder then that Firenze had such good feelings for humans. Now it seems very likely that he had been influenced by the Marauders when he was young.

"The relationship between the four of us was very good at that time, because our ancestors had an agreement with the founders of the castle. They were recognized by the centaurs and came to the tribe for final tests to decide if any of them were qualified to get that thing." Firenze said weakly, "But they all failed. It was clear they were not the ones chosen by fate."

"That thing?!" Ivan was stunned and his heart suddenly jumped. Firenze was referring to the Secret Treasure Key of Gryffindor. He couldn't help but ask, "What is that thing?"

"I don't know." Firenze shook his head and said slowly. "No one knows its specific form. For over a thousand years, respecting the ancient agreement, it has been stored in the temple in the middle of the tribe. Every night, it emits the same light as the stars, Only those who will be allowed to obtain it might actually come to know what it is!"