The Cowardly Lion (Book 1)

16: Of Centaurs and Lord Voldemort

"Are you all right?" the centaur asked, and Draco noticed he seemed to be talking only to Harry.

"Yes," panted Harry, leaning into Draco. "Thank you - what was that thing?"

The centaur's eyes were blue, Draco noticed, as he leaned in closer to Harry, peering at Harry's face. He seemed to be studying the black-haired boy.

"You are the Potter boy," the centaur finally said, pulling back from Harry. "You had better get back to Hagrid. The forest is not safe at this time - especially for you. Can you ride? It will be quicker this way. My name," he added, almost as an afterthought, "is Firenze."

"Yes, sure, but what about Draco?" Harry asked, as Firenze lowered himself so Harry could clamber onto his back. Firenze looked at the blond-haired boy as though he'd just noticed he was there, and sighed. "Very well," he said, and Draco hurried onto Firenze's back.

"Firenze!" bellowed the black centaur, glaring at Firenze. "What are you doing? You have a human on your back! Have you no shame? Are you a common mule?"

"Do you realize who this is, Bane?" snapped Firenze, and the boys realized that Bane must be the black centaur's name. "This is the Potter boy. The quicker he leaves this forest, the better."

"What have you been telling him?" demanded Bane. "Remember, Firenze, we are sworn not to set ourselves against the heavens. Have we not read what is to come in the movements of the planets?"

Ronan appeared, and pawed the ground nervously. "I'm sure Firenze thought he was acting for the best," he said, his voice still as gloomy as ever.

"For the best! What is that to do with us? Centaurs are concerned with what has been foretold! It is not our business to run around like donkeys after stray humans in our forest!" Bane kicked his back legs in anger, but Firenze reared, just as angry. Harry grabbed Firenze's shoulders, and Draco grabbed Harry's, as they struggled to stay on top of the centaur.

"Do you not see that unicorn?" Firenze shouted at Bane. "Do you not understand why it was killed? Or have the planets not let you in on that secret? I set myself against what is lurking in this forest, Bane, yes, with humans alongside me if I must."

With that said, Firenze whirled around, and with the boys clinging to him desperately he plunged off into the trees, leaving Ronan and Bane behind.

"Why was Bane so angry?" questioned Harry, once they had galloped for a bit. "What was that thing you saved us from, anyway?"

Firenze slowed to a walk, warning Harry and Draco to keep their heads bowed in case of low-hanging branches, but did not respond to Harry's question. Finally, he took a deep breath, and said, "Harry Potter, do you know what unicorn blood is used for?"

"It can keep the drinker alive," Draco replied; Firenze did not look surprised that he had answered, rather than Harry. "Even if you are only an inch away from death, it can keep you alive, but it's at a terrible cost. My - my father, and my godfather, told me about it."

"You are the Malfoy boy, are you not?" Firenze asked. Draco nodded, and Firenze dipped his head.

"You have answered correctly. It is a monstrous thing, to slay a unicorn. Only one who has nothing to lose, and everything to gain, would commit such a crime. As the Malfoy boy said, Harry Potter, it will keep you alive even if you are an inch from death, but at a terrible cost. You have slain something pure and defenseless to save yourself, and you will have but a half-life, a cursed life, from the moment the blood touches your lips."

Harry stared at the back of Firenze's head.

"But who would be that desperate?" he wondered. "If you're going to be cursed forever, death's better, isn't it?"