The Centaur's Shrine

Chapter 30 - The battle for the children

Hogsmeade, The Three Broomsticks,

Helen was finishing her soup, sitting at a table near the fireplace, and listening to the low voiced stories a pair of wizards were telling each other. They talked in slow deliberate phrases, between puffs of smoke from their long pipes, and draughts from tankers of ale.

It could be two hundred years ago in a typical country village. Except that it's probably real stories, and not legends.

The old fashioned community of Hogsmeade fascinated her. She had been using her newfound liberty to visit magical places. The previous Sunday, Severus had taken her on a tour around northern England. It had been thoroughly enjoyable for both of them. In a rare show of candor, he had told her that he would never have imagined himself playing tourist, but that it was actually very pleasant. They had returned via the inn at a rather late hour, and he had suggested to her that she try the food there one evening. She had proposed making it a date for the next day, but he had showed embarrassed reticence, and replied that he couldn't guarantee his presence anytime soon. The school took a lot of his time during the week, especially with the Headmaster's absence. Helen had sensed that he still wanted to keep a measure of distance between them, and she hadn't insisted.

"Everything all right?" asked Rosmerta, interrupting her reverie.

Helen looked up and saw the smiling face of the innkeeper. A cheerful young witch whom she had barely talked to, except to exchange pleasantries or to pass commands.

"Oh yes, everything's fine. The soup is very good," she replied automatically. She had been so intent on the stories, and in her musing, that she had forgotten to eat.

Rosmerta grinned and nodded toward the two talking wizards, bending her head to whisper to her.

"They've been repeating the same old yarns for years. Usually they go home by now, but since you were listening so attentively, they're probably going to give you the full repertoire. Your soup must be getting cold. Do you want me to warm it up for you?"

"Er, yes please thank you."

The witch took out her wand and discretely waved it over the plate. Helen noticed that she had positioned herself in such a way that none of the other customers could see her doing it. She gave Helen a wink and started to turn away.

"Thanks ..." began Helen. Rosmerta saw the hesitation on her face and stopped. "Would you like to join me?" added Helen. "If you have the time that is."

"Sure. I've got a couple of things to clean up, but it will only take a few minutes. It will be with pleasure."

Ten minutes later, the two wizards had left, and Helen had finished her meal. She was the last customer in the place. Rosmerta came back with a bottle and two glasses. They talked pleasantly. Helen asked her about living in the village, and what most of the inhabitant were doing. The other woman told her that it was a fairly simple existence.

"If you want action, you should try the London scene, or the other big cities. There's a sizeable community in Edinburgh."

"Yes. I was there yesterday with Severus. He showed me the hidden port where the Merpeoples fishermen live."

Rosmerta looked at her pointedly. She'd been very curious about the relationship between the Hogwarts professor and this woman.

"It's funny. We don't get many Muggles around here, and I know you're not a Squid." She smiled to show that it didn't mean anything to her. "And it was hard enough imagining professor Snape in love with anybody but a full blooded witch."

"He's not in love with me," said Helen sharply. Her relaxed demeanor disappeared immediately.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Seeing the two of you together the other week, I thought ... Please forgive me."

Helen stayed silent a moment. When she spoke, her voice was controlled.

"We are very good friends. That's all," she said, her face neutral.

Rosmerta considered her carefully. Working in a bar, she had witnessed enough heartbreaks to recognize the signs, and she found the Muggle woman nice enough to want to empathize with her. There was evidently a problem there, and in her experience, there was one proven way to address it. Without asking, she filled both their glasses again.

"You can talk to me about it if you want," she said softly.

Helen started to shake her head, but when she saw the sympathy on the innkeeper's face, she stopped. They were about the same age, and both women. In truth she really wanted to speak with someone about her thwarted feelings, but there was no one among her friends who could understand. She took a swallow of drink and shrugged.

"I suppose it's an old story." She smacked her lips and took another sip. It was good stuff. She was rather partial to whiskey herself, but this was something else. Plenty of alcohol and sugar. A hint of berries. Definitively homemade. "It could be worse too, so I'm not complaining."

"But it hurts, right?" said Rosmerta.

Helen finished her glass in one shot. The excessive swallow burned her throat, but the buzz in her head made up for it.

"Yeah. Its hurts." She winced as she recalled the memory of that dreadful evening. She held out her glass for more. Rosmerta obliged. "It hurts bad." She finished the phrase with a choke.

Her companion didn't say anything, except for a few appropriate words of encouragement, and Helen gradually told her the whole story. Not with all the details, but enough to make the other woman understand, and to make herself feel better for the talking. Rosmerta was surprised at the description of professor Snape. The cold and silent wizard was shown as someone with real human emotions, although certainly not simple ones.

Helen was really feeling the drink now, but she was still holding it fairly well.

"I keep telling myself that I should move on." She shrugged. "You know, look for someone else, but when I see him, I know he's the right one." She sighed. "I'd give a lot to know what he really feels. Sometimes when he looks at me, I almost think ... Aw, the hell with it!"

She threw the empty glass across the table. It fell on the floor and rolled against the fireplace. Helen brought her hand to her mouth to keep herself from crying. Rosmerta watched with silent compassion. She knew better than to offer advice at that stage. This was not a time for analysis, but for letting out the pain.

Helen straightened up and realized what she had done. She mumbled excuses, but Rosmerta recovered the glass with a practiced Accio and replaced it on the table. All of her glassware was strengthened with unbreakable charms.

"No harm done," she said. "Do you want some more?" Helen shook her head, and closed her eyes at the vertigo.

"Thanks. I think I've had enough. I'd better go now."

She grimaced at the prospect of getting back to her flat. Floo travel was disorientating enough at the best of time. She didn't relish the prospect of trying it drunk. Rosmerta thought the same thing.

"I got a couple of rooms," she said. "None are taken right now. Why don't you stay here for the night?"

Helen looked back with tired eyes. Certainly she could afford it. She nodded carefully.

"Yeah, not a bad idea."

She stood up, not quite steady on her feet. Rosmerta helped her. The drink didn't affect her at all. She indicated the way to the bedrooms. There was a stairway, and they made their way together with Helen holding on to her arm.

"The door on the right. Yes that one." The innkeeper was thinking that at least it didn't look as if she was going to be sick or anything. Helen took a tentative step into the room, then suddenly remembering something, she turned around and thrust out her hand with that unique mix of seriousness and dignity which inebriated people have.

"Thank you!"

Rosmerta took the hand and grinned.

"Will you manage all right?" she asked.

Helen nodded firmly and stumbled toward the bed. There wasn't any bathroom. Only a small sink with a pitcher of water and some towels in one corner. Rosmerta stayed only long enough to be sure that she would be fine, and then she closed the door and left.

- - -

Forbidden Forest,

They walked for a long time, following the Unicorn in the forest. The Sight showed them the trail, which twisted and turned around trees and other obstacles. Flitz managed to keep track of distance and direction, but the humans were completely lost after the first few minutes. It was hard going too. At first, the sense of wonder was enough to keep them going, but it had been a long day and they were very tired now, especially Silena who was ready to drop.

We will stop soon.

The Unicorn's thought startled them. It was truly incredible to have someone speak inside your mind like that. The trail was wider here, and it sloped a little. They were climbing a low hill. Alicia and Richard each took one of Silena's hands and helped the younger girl up the climb. She was too exhausted even to protest.

There was less vegetation here, and so it was darker. They walked a little more, and then they saw an opening in a rock face. It was a cave entrance. Laurell went in and they followed. The walls glowed softly, but it was more because of natural phosphorescence than from Sight. Here and there, quartz-like crystals where embedded in the rock face. The air was also warmer than outside. Richard extended his hand, and he sensed that the heat came from the crystals. There were more and more of them as they moved inside, and soon the temperature was quite comfortable. They finally arrived into an enclosed space with a soft mossy floor. A small stream of water flowed along one of the side. Several shrubby trees were planted. Yellow and red fruits could be seen hanging from the branches. Laurell stopped and kneeled on the ground.

You can rest now. Eat and drink if you want, and then sleep.

The children were too tired to eat. Silena fell asleep immediately, followed by Alicia. Richard and Flitz drank some water. A minute later they were all sleeping soundly.

They slept, and they dreamed. It was a strange dream. In it, there were Unicorns, Centaurs and humans. All living together in a place which looked to be near the sea, or at least a great lake. The water was blue and very still. It was a primitive life. The Centaurs hunted wild beasts. The humans cultivated fields. They shared the food between themselves, but most of the time they just lived their lives. The Unicorns didn't seem to do anything but move around.

It was a picture of peaceful bucolic co-existence, but some things were strange. The lighting was odd. The air was filled with a very faint luminous fog, which was concentrated around all living creatures. It was very dense around Unicorns, and only barely visible around the humans, or the youngest of Centaurs. Somehow, they knew that the fog was not normally visible to them. They only saw it in the dream because of something that Laurell was doing. He was showing them his vision. They could hear his thoughts, like a guide commenting a film.

This was the beginning.

The dream changed, and now it showed a small group of Centaurs facing several Unicorns. One of the Centaurs was a young foal, about Flitz's age. The Unicorns formed a circle with him in the middle, and then the fog concentrated and rays of lights darted from the ground. They saw the Ritual, and in the dream they understood what was happening to the young Centaur. He was being awakened to sentient adulthood. Afterwards, they could see the increased concentration of fog around him.

Other things were showed. Centaurs looking at the heavens, seeing fascinating signs, and sometimes visions, and trying to interpret them. They saw humans working wood and leather with archaic tools. The place was actually an island, in the middle of a great blue sea. Somehow they understood that something was wrong. It was too simple. The Centaurs acted like well trained pets, showing none of the intelligence that they normally had. A few human shamans did magic, but only clumsily. They had no wands, and they barely had the knowledge to make primitive potions. The luminous fog was denser around them than for the other humans, but not that much.

One Centaur had a vision in one of their star gazing session. Of a young human with an aura as bright as a Unicorn. Centaurs came next to him, and their own auras brightened. The vision was difficult to understand.

They saw a human woman giving birth to a baby in the middle of a great round space. The ground was made of pale stone, and the air was bright with golden light, intensifying as the moment approached. When the baby was born, a distinct aura of fog was visible around him, brighter than any human or Centaur. The child grew up, and he was shown spending a lot of time with the Centaurs. He became an apprentice shaman and his aura became ever brighter. One day, a group of Centaur went to see him and gave him a horn taken from a Unicorn who had fallen from a cliff and died. The human took it and began to do magic with it, using it like a makeshift wand. They could see how it directed the light of his aura like a hose, and it changed the luminous fog around him as well. There was no one to teach him but the Centaurs, and all they did was show him the changes, but he was learning slowly how to use this new power. Silena and the Parkers saw him make the same mistakes as the other first years, and they could see that he was becoming like a wizard.

He was the first one of your kind.

The wizard returned regularly to the place of his birth. His magic was much more powerful there. One day he got the Centaurs and the Unicorns to do their ritual there. Placing the Unicorns around the rim. The lights and images were spectacular, and when it was finished, three of the Unicorns were dead, but the young Centaur's aura was much brighter. The other Centaurs were alarmed, but the surviving Unicorns didn't seem distressed. They left their dead comrades and went away as if nothing serious had happened. The wizard looked at the dead bodies for a long time. The luminous fog was brighter and rising rapidly around them. At the next initiation, all that remained of the Unicorn were their skulls, complete with horn, which had been disposed at the ends of a triangle. One living Unicorn stood with the foal. This time no one died, and the aura of the young Centaur was much brighter.

They discovered a great secret. Some of us had to die, but we accepted it.

The dream accelerated and showed them more wizards and Centaurs being initiated near the circle of stone. The Centaurs moved with more dignity, they were clearly intelligent creatures now. The wizards kept together and the other humans seemed to worship them. A temple was built around the Circle, with a great city surrounding the place. There was a port and ships could be seen coming and going. Time passed and the prosperity of the city grew. From afar, the temple looked like three enormous Unicorn heads looking inwards, their horns almost touching. The wizards became ever more powerful. They walked proudly and did spectacular magic with their horn wands. The rest of the humans treated them like gods. The Centaurs were still regularly initiated, some stayed with the wizards and studied magic, compiling volumes of secret lore. Some of the Centaurs preferred to live away from the city. Unicorns were free to come and go, as unconcerned as ever. They were treated as sacred animals, even by the wizard-kings.

The dream showed other circles elsewhere, with lesser temples and cities built around them. One wizard discovered the use of stone pillars for traveling between circles. They watched as a network of gateways was built. The pillars were consecrated with Unicorn bones and blood. Wizards would use them to travel to distant lands. Years pasted and a great civilization was developing, absorbing the other human communities, sometimes peacefully, sometimes by conquest. None could stand against them.

They grew too ambitious. They used the magic until it destroyed them.

One day something terrible happened. The temple exploded in a tremendous eruption. The city was destroyed and most of the island blown away. All that was visible at first was a gigantic cloud of smoke and dust, and falling debris littering the surface of the sea. A few survivors floated away in makeshift rafts and tree logs, some of them were clutching burned relics and books, and then there were those who had been away from the catastrophe. The blast was transmitted to the other Circles, but with lesser damage.

The first Shrine was gone, but the others remained.

The dream showed new communities of Centaurs and Unicorns regrouping around the remaining Circles. There were still a few wizards, but now they stayed hidden. New human civilizations developed, but they feared magic. Anyone, human or other, showing signs of supernatural power was hunted and sometime killed, and the people kept away from the area around the circles. Science and technology transformed the world, and magical creatures were gradually isolated in concealed areas. They had lost their world, and because of this they resented the humans.

Wizards and witches were usually solitary. They would experiment, create relics and write books, which they would then hide, and which others would seek out. Sometimes a wizard would rediscover a Circle, and understand its power. He would use it, but usually only for himself and then only for special purposes. At the end of his life, he would hide it even more, and he would try to destroy any books mentioning these secrets.

That was the case with Merlin and Camelot. That period was a brief moment of peace in the magical world, more wizards were recognized, and a few communities rebuilt. It didn't last. When Merlin disappeared, there came a time of even greater trouble. The castle's emplacement was removed from the memory of men and Centaurs. The Circle where Hogwarts would eventually be built was still used, but only by the Centaurs. Terrible conflicts were waged with the humans for the control of the area. Flitz and his friends whimpered in their sleep as they were shown mutual massacres and atrocities. After years of mayhem, no man or wizard would dare enter what had become the Forbidden Forest. In addition, Dark Wizards would regularly bring war and devastation in the rest of the world as well. Thankfully, none of them ever found a Circle.

The one you call Merlin was not the last one, after him came those who created your school.

The story of Hogwarts and the Founders followed. The children watched in awe as the four wizards and witches meet one day with a Unicorn in the Forest. Without being told, they knew that the creature was Laurell himself. They talked and he led them to the ruins of Camelot. Eventually the treaty with the Centaurs was brokered, with other powerful wizards of the time as witnesses and signatories. Then the Founders constructed the castle over the cave, while the Centaurs began to use Camelot for their Rituals.

That was the past. Most of this story has been forgotten. I have shown you this so that you can understand, and help the humans and the Centaurs live together again. I will now show you the present.

The following scenes showed Electra and the rest of the Brotherhood working their machinations. In the dream, she was shown as a fascinating creature. Her aura was brighter than most wizards, and they could sense her ruthlessness and ambition. Combined with her unearthly beauty, the result was truly frightening. Laurell showed them the desecration rituals at Camelot, the manipulations against Hermione and of Ron, and finally the alteration of the treaty, with the evil witch leading them. They didn't understand everything, but the general meaning was clear. A group of Wizards had taken over the Centaur's Shrine. They saw the failure of the Ritual for Galmet's foal, and then the fate of Bane's expedition to the ruins. Flitz wailed when he saw his father attacked, and it was even worse when Lyman was killed by the Golems.

The Centaurs are going to attack the human children. They fear that the Shrine has been taken from them. They have forgotten that there is another one, the one your friends have found.

Laurell woke them up. Flitz was sobbing with abandon. Silena rushed to hug and console him. Alicia did the same and Richard felt the tears run down his face. He turned toward the Unicorn who was watching them serenely.

"That was awful! Why did they do that? What do they want?" he demanded.

They want what most humans want. Power over the world. They will fail, but many will suffer and die.

Alicia had been stroking Flitz's mane. Silena had her arms around his chest. She was telling him that it was terrible about Lyman, but that his father had only suffered a small wound, and that it would be all right.

"I lost my parents, but I still have my brother, and I have my friends," she said. "Bad things happen, but with friends, the hurt can go away."

"We're your friends," added Alicia. "And we will find a way." She turned toward Laurell. "What can be done to stop this woman?"

I do not know. I have told you the truth so that you can do something.

Richard was puzzled. It was difficult to understand how the Unicorn could be both so knowledgeable and yet so passive.

It is not in our nature to decide freely. Humans decide, and sometimes we sense that it is time to contact one of them, and assist them.

"Why us?" asked Richard to Laurell "I mean, we'll do all we can of course, but why don't you tell the Headmaster yourself?"

Because it is your fate, and because you are young ones. The old ones respect us, but their minds are closed. They cannot communicate with us. You will find a way and I will help you.

The children looked at each other. Flitz had stopped crying, but he was evidently letting his friends speak. Like the Unicorn, he sensed that this was a human problem, and they were the only ones who could solve this.

"We've got to get word to Harry and the others," said Richard firmly. "They'll know what to do."

"What about the teachers?" asked Silena.

They knew that the Headmaster had returned, but no one had seen him yet, and there had been all those stories about the strange role he had been playing.

"I don't know," Richard was thinking like a Slytherin, and therefore naturally wary of sharing secrets. Harry and Hermione didn't trust the teachers. They had made up with their friends, but he hadn't seen any change concerning the rest of the staff. "Let them decide what to tell the adults. The Centaurs could use the Circle at Hogwarts, but I'm not sure that everybody would agree to share it. We'll play it safe."

"And what about that other place?" said Alicia. "That horrible woman is going to return there and take over the Circle. We've got to stop her before it's too late."

I can take you there.

"How can we get to the Shrine?" asked Richard visibly frightened. "Those demons will attack us!"

Flitz would be attacked, but not me, and not humans. But it must be done soon. When the woman returns, then even humans will be kept out.

"All right", said Richard, making his decision. "We'll have to split. Flitz can't go to the Shrine, so he'll be the one going back to Hogwarts."

"I'll go with him," said Silena. She looked at the young Centaur. "Can I ride on your back?"

Flitz hesitated. He had heard stories about how humans used horses, and how humiliating it would be for a Centaur to be treated thus. He had accepted the words of his people, and even though he didn't see what the problem really was, it still felt somehow improper.

There is no shame in what she proposes.

"All right," said Flitz. "I can take you because you are small, and because you are my friend."

"Good," said Richard. "Silena, you ask to see Harry or Draco and no one else. Alicia and I will go to Shrine with Laurell. I only hope that we'll get there in time."

We will.

"Can you see the future?" asked Alicia. There had been some indication of that, but she remembered Hermione's opinion of seers.

Yes. I could see more. But I will not.

"Why?" inquired Richard.

Because then the future would be inevitable.

They wanted to ask more questions, but Laurell told them that time was of the essence. He told them to eat before leaving. They tried the fruits, which were delicious, and drank from the stream. When they were sated and refreshed, they came out of the cave and it was time to separate.

"Tell the others where we are," said Richard. "We'll be waiting for them over there."

They took leave of each other, and then they were off, each toward a different destination. Alicia and Richard riding on the Unicorn's back, and Silena on Flitz's. Dawn was rising and the two mounts galloped quickly through the Forest. Four children and a Unicorn, rushing to save the world.

- - -

Hogsmeade,

Rosmerta laid the laden platter on the floor and knocked on the door. A sleepy grunt answered her.

"Breakfast ready," she said. "Can I come in?"

"Er, yes."

Helen pushed away the sheet which was covering her and rubbed her eyes. The door opened and she sat up straighter in the bed. She had slept well in the big old-fashioned bed, and the drink didn't leave that much of a hangover. Watching the innkeeper maneuver the big tray, she made room for it next to her. She saw that there were two cups.

"Business is scarce this morning," said Rosmerta. "I thought that I'd join you, unless you'd rather be alone."

"No." She smiled her thanks. "I'll be glad for the company, and I certainly appreciated it last night."

"It comes with the service," said Rosmerta with a shrug. "Two Galleons a night, including consoling and breakfast."

"Cheap at the price."

- - -

Hogwarts,

The Centaurs were tired by the long march and the sleepless night, but they were more determined than ever. They had returned to the camp and made their report. A major council of war had been organized. Bane had explained his plan. Capture the wizards' children to force them to give them back access to the Shrine. The Herd was horrified, but none had come up with a better idea, so in the end they had agreed. It would be easy enough. There were always some of them playing in the woods near the village, and they could also count on a Hogwarts class doing field work. The Centaurs didn't know much about wizard society, but Bane figured that school children might be considered more important that those of the villagers, and so they would go for them first.

That day, it was the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years who were having Care of Magical Creature class in the first morning period. None of them detected the Centaurs watching them from behind the tree line. Bane gave the signal and a heavy spear with a large padded tip was thrown with force. It struck professor McMurphy in the back of her head, knocking her out instantly. Two groups of hard faced Centaurs then rushed out of the forest, holding out big nets and gathering the surprised children in them. It was shameful work, but the whole Herd had agreed that it should be done. They would all share the blame.

Some children got away, but that was to be expected, and not really important. The rest were fettered using Devil's Snare. Not too tightly to risk hurting them, but enough so that they could not escape. Their wands were collected and given to Bane. The group returned quickly inside the Forest. Some students cried, others made feeble attempts to resist, but it was pointless, and most were too terrified to do more than obey.

- - -

Hogsmeade,

Firenze forced himself to do his part. Mercifully, he had been given the easier assignment of going after the village. His leg was hurting, but he welcomed the pain, it helped him not to think about what the Herd was doing to those he had once accepted to teach. He was also sick with grief about Lyman, and terribly worried about Flitz. No one knew where he was. All that, in addition to the fatigue, made him wonder if he wasn't living some kind of elaborate nightmare from which he would finally wake up.

Capturing the village children was even easier than the students, but getting away proved more difficult. One witch witnessed the kidnapping and sounded the alarm. She was stunned with another padded spear, but a group of wizards heard her screams. They were old men, and not very powerful, but they fought desperately. One Centaur was blasted by a Stupefy spell. His magic resistance allowed him to recover quickly, but not before other villagers could pelt him with stones, and hex him with clumsy cutting spells. Firenze watched on helplessly as other Centaurs used their bows against them. In the end their troop managed to get away with some children, but one wizard lay in pool of blood, another was screaming and holding his transpierced leg, and the wounded Centaur had to be half carried away.

Helen had just finished dressing up, when she heard the commotion. She came down just in time to watch Rosmerta receive the injured wizards. They were stretched out on the long tables. Upon learning of what had happened, Helen told the innkeeper to call the school, and make sure the other children were safe. Soon afterwards, Madam Pomfrey jumped out of the fireplace.

"Where are the wounded?" she asked. "Oh my!"

She began to care for the two wizards. The arrow in the leg was a minor wound, but the other one was more serious.

"He'll live, but I better get him to the school infirmary right away. Someone help me please. What new folly is this? Centaurs attacking the students, and now the villagers."

"What do you mean an attack on the students?" asked Helen, suddenly anxious. "What happened? Are Alicia or Richard-" Madam Pomfrey shook her head.

"Not them. It was the Hufflepuff and Ravenclaw first years."

Helen volunteered to help the healer carry the injured wizard, both in a sincere desire to help, but also to check on her children. No one objected. They floo'ed to the infirmary. The wounded was placed in a bed, and Helen assisted in undressing him and applying some first aid. She was getting ready to leave when Severus came in with his potion kit. He was surprised at seeing her. She explained about the circumstances and saw him frown immediately.

"Severus, what is it? Richard is all right isn't he?" The potion master looked insecure.

"I suppose so, but I have not seen him this morning, nor Silena or Alicia." He saw her blanch and tried to reassure her. "But that does not mean anything. They might have gotten breakfast earlier than usual. It happened before."

"Could we check please?" she asked. "Normally I wouldn't presume to ask you, but seeing what happened..."

"Certainly. That is already being done. All the students are been assembled in the hall. I suggest we go and see them."

Helen followed him anxiously, an uncomfortable feeling of tightness in her chest. They entered the great hall which was filled with teachers and students. There was considerable noise while the prefects were checking the presence of each student and transmitting the tallies to McGonagall. Helen looked around anxiously for Richard or Alicia, but they were nowhere to be seen. Her eyes fell on Hermione who was interrogating a young girl. She raised her head and they looked at each other. Helen knew from the grimace on her face that what she feared was indeed so. Harry was coming in at a run, holding a large piece of yellowed folded paper in his hand. He went to one of the professors and they moved apart from the others to examine it. Hermione caught Ginny's arm and gestured toward Helen. She nodded soberly and took over the questioning. Hermione and Helen walked quickly toward each other.

- - -

Forbidden Forest,

In the end, they captured five village children in addition to the students. All were taken to the Centaur's camp and locked into a large hut. The camp was well protected by the animal and plant friends of the Centaurs. The trees overhead were tall with thick branches and foliage. The vegetation around them was very dense, limiting access through a maze of easily defended paths. An army of wizard could attack them, but they would be detected long before coming near the camp. The Centaurs were prepared to fight to the last, and to take the children with them.

All this was explained to one of the older students, a Ravenclaw named Daphne Reinder. She was to take back a message to the wizard authorities: Give us back the Shrine, or you will never find your foals alive. The terrified girl was escorted back to the Forest's edge and set free. As soon as she could, she ran toward the main gates.

- - -

Ministry of magic,

Trevor Themis was puzzled. The last Wizengamot meeting had gone perfectly well, and he had been looking forward to further enjoyment of Electra's presence. She had to be happy with the way things were progressing, and when she was happy ... well it got very stimulating.

So he had passed the afternoon in anticipation of another electrifying evening with her. He told himself that he wasn't in love. He didn't like the word, and the implication of dependence and puerile weakness it carried. Great wizards didn't fall in love, and he planned on becoming great one day, a power to be reckoned with. Besides, Electra was clearly not the kind of woman who would tolerate such bondage. No, they were allies, well more properly vassal and lord, and they shared an intimate relationship. That was a more comfortable way of putting it. At six P.M, he realized that he hadn't seen Shrummer of the entire afternoon. His secretary kept repeating that he was not available. Trevor had gone home with irrational feelings of being abandoned. He had spent the rest of the evening waiting for a sign from Electra, but there had been none, and the day had ended in painful frustration.

If truth needed to be told, Trevor was completely infatuated with the woman. His rationalization allowed him to believe he still had a measure of control, but in reality he was as distracted as a starry eyed teenager, and nothing more than putty in her hand.

That morning, he had returned to the Ministry feeling edgy and impatient. The lesser officials he worked with became quickly aware of it. The most insignificant mishap drew snappish remarks of discontent, and the authors of minor mistakes were reprimanded as if they had committed serious misdemeanors. His personal staff reacted in the best tradition of such organizations. Walk as softly as possible, bury all the bad news, and above all, do not disturb the Boss unless absolutely necessary.

Of course incoming floo calls, and urgent messages had to be passed on. A trembling secretary gathered her courage before knocking on his door and announcing that a woman named Electra was urgently seeking a (gasp) unscheduled appointment. She fully expected to have her head bitten off, but instead of this, her superior's face lit up. He immediately thanked her, and could she please put the caller through. A few seconds later, Trevor was seeing Electra's lovely face in the floo terminal. He greeted her enthusiastically and she laughed at his expression.

"Missed me?" she asked mischievously.

"Of course!" He checked himself. "Well, yesterday I'd hoped ..."

"Yesterday I had to do something very important and very tiring," she explained. "It lasted until late evening, and then I went home and slept until a few minutes ago."

Trevor was immensely relieved. She hadn't forgotten him, and she was calling him as soon as she could. She was wonderful, and he was a fool to have doubted her. Electra watched his face with amusement. She could read him like a book, but he was cute, and it made her feel good to play with him. She told herself that she deserved a treat before finishing the business at Camelot. Another thought occurred to her, and she wondered if she should bring him further into the Brotherhood. He was young, but some of council members like Thelas were more hindrance than assets. It wouldn't hurt to add more loyal troops. She made her decision.

"Busy this morning?" she asked with a wicked grin.

Trevor read the promise on her face and felt his blood quicken. It was dereliction of duty pure and simple, but no one would dare make a remark if he was absent for a couple of hours. He was the confident of the new Minister after all.

"Nothing that can't wait," he answered, matching her grin.

"Good. I'll be waiting for you, and afterward I'll take you to a special place. A very special place."

- - -

Hogwarts,

"Eighteen students are missing," said Hermione. "That includes thirteen of those who had class outside this morning, two third years, and ..." She swallowed and forced herself to look at the other woman. "... Alicia, Richard and Silena." Helen gasped and Hermione continued quickly. "We're checking if they are not somewhere in the castle." She threw a quick look at Harry who was giving instruction to one of the Ravenclaw prefect. He caught her eyes and shook his head, his jaws grimly set.

"But," Helen was beginning to show signs of panic. "If they are not in the school, then where can they be?"

Hermione didn't say anything. There were several possibilities, most of them unpleasant.

Harry, and the professor he had been talking to, went to speak with Severus. Shortly afterwards, the three of them joined Helen and Hermione. The man was introduced as Remus Lupin, Harry's guardian.

"Two of the missing students have been accounted for. As for your children, it seems that they had befriended a young Centaur," said Severus, throwing a sour look at Remus who looked extremely ill at ease. "And that they often went out to meet together." He sighed. "Apparently they had such a meeting last night, and they didn't come back."

"No ..." said Helen.

"The Centaurs have never harmed children before," said Harry, both in defense of Remus' responsibility and to lessen her anxiety.

"Perhaps," replied Severus. "But that has certainly changed." He looked at her with a mixture of sympathy and guilt. "I am afraid that they have probably been captured as well, but I assure you that we will do everything in our power to get them back."

They were interrupted by a commotion at the Hall's entrance. A very young girl rushed in. Her uniform was soiled with dirt and torn in places. Her face was streaked with tears and she wailed.

"They took my wand. They took the others and my wand. They said they would kill them ..."

Dumbledore immediately moved to intercept her. He and professor Flitwick took her aside. Snape joined them, and they were seen trying to calm the child and talk with her. After a moment, she went away with professor Flitwick, and the Headmaster walked to the teacher's table. He asked for silence, and when the noise had finally abated, he spoke to announce what they knew.

"Something extremely serious has happened," he said gravely. "The Centaurs are apparently convinced that wizards have taken something of great value from them. It is not clear what that is, but they believe that its lack threatens their existence. They have captured the missing students, and other children from Hogsmeade, and they will only release them when their property will have been returned."

Cries of surprise and outrage sounded from the assistance. Questions were asked and confusion reigned once more until the professor could restore silence.

"Please, please. Miss Reinder has been released to bring us this ultimatum. From her description, we know that your comrades are unarmed, although they are certainly very frightened. I will look into this matter personally, and I urge all of you to stay inside the castle while I do that. The Centaurs cannot get inside, and I have already contacted the Ministry of Magic to provide exceptional security for the village. For now, I ask all students to return to your common rooms."

He signaled to Harry and his friends that they should stay. When the hall was deserted, the Headmaster invited them, as well as Severus, McGonagall, and Remus, to join him in a side room. Helen was wondering what to do, but she was asked to go with them. Severus whispered urgently to Slavius Tramyl, his assistant potion teacher, before going inside.

"I am happy to see you again, Mrs. Parker," said Dumbledore kindly. "It is unfortunate that it has to be in such circumstances."

"Will you be able to get them back?" she said anxiously. "Is there anything I can do?"

"Let me explain a few things first," said Dumbledore soothingly. "I am not sure that I should tell you all this, but you are there, and you are certainly involved. First of all, Miss Reinder, the young girl that the Centaurs released, did not see your children, nor Silena, among those captured. And from what I understand, the three of then have probably gone into the Forest last night."

"You mean that they've spend all night outside alone? But isn't that Forest a very dangerous place?" Helen was beginning to panic and Draco blanched. She suddenly turned toward Severus and exclaimed. "You told me that you would look after her! How could you let that happen?"

Severus' face showed a flurry of mixed emotion. Pain, guilt and something else which the others had never seen there. He stepped forward and took her arms gently.

"Helen, please I ..." He didn't finish but the anguish and compassion on his face was enough to make her desist. She looked back with imploring eyes and laid her head against him. Harry and Hermione watched in fascination as the potion master awkwardly wrapped his arms around her.

Dumbledore continued soothingly.

"Mrs. Parker. There is no cause for despair. If they stayed with their Centaur friend, then they were probably quite safe." He was being more confident than he should. There was no telling what could have happened, but this was a time for positive thinking. "In any case we will search for them independently, and that is something in which you can be of help to us."

"What is it? What can I do?" She jerked up her head to look at him. The old wizard's calming words were giving her back some hope. She willed herself to stay in control.

"I have been told that your daughter has recently received a transfusion from yourself." Helen nodded and he continued. "Excellent. This will make it possible to use your blood for a homing potion. We will only need a few drops, and the effect will not last long, but it can be repeated several times and it should enable us to locate her, and most probably your son and Miss Malfoy as well."

"We'll go with her," said Draco immediately, the others murmured their confirmations. Dumbledore shook his head.

"I suggest not. We need to act quickly, and I fear leaving the school undefended for any length of time. This may have nothing to do with our other troubles, but I do not want to take any chances." He caught Severus' eye and the other man confirmed the need for precaution.

"The Headmaster is right," he said. "This development has all the signs of a diversion. Remember that the Circle is possibly the target of our enemies. The six of you should stay here to defend it. Professor Dumbledore is the only one who can negotiate with the Centaurs. I will go with Helen to find her children and Silena."

"Let me go with you," said Remus. He locked eyes with Severus. "Please," he added

Severus considered the offer. The werewolf probably wanted to make up for his implicit encouragement in the three youths' imprudence. He would have done better to think about the risks before, but Severus could understand his position, and he certainly could be of help in the Forest.

"All right."

The Six were uneasy, and not a little frustrated, at the distribution of roles, but they had to admit that the Headmaster and professor Snape's arguments were sound. Someone knocked and Severus went to open the door. Tramyl handed him his portable brewing kit. The professor thanked him and rejoined them. Dumbledore explained the homing potion. A drop of blood would have to be taken from Helen and added at the last moment.

Seeing the black carrying case made Helen think of their experiments at the Imperial College. It seemed a long time away. Severus took out the necessary ingredients and set up the small cauldron. She admired once more his precise little gestures and the quick movements. He was working to get her daughter back, and she was grateful. At one moment their eyes locked and she forced a timid smile.

"Just like old times, isn't it?" she said softly.

He nodded. A tender expression flashed across his features for a brief instant, and then he returned to his work. The two of them didn't seem aware of the rest of the world. Harry and Hermione looked away in embarrassment, but Luna smiled. Dumbledore didn't interrupt his instructions, but inwardly, he too was happy to see the interaction between the two. The relationship appeared complicated, but the old wizard didn't really believe in simplicity.

The potion was prepared. Dumbledore explained that it had to brew for a few minutes.

"When it turns bluish," he said, "That is the signal to add the blood. Mrs. Parker, please?"

Helen's finger was pricked by a needle and three drops of blood added. The Headmaster then indicated the spell incantation to use.

"Pointillino!" said Severus, waving his wand over the cauldron. The blood coalesced into a long red arrow. Everyone immediately looked in that direction. Hermione tried to orient herself from the room they were in. The direction given was roughly to the east, straight toward the deep Forest.

"The size of the arrow is an indication of distance," explained the Headmaster. "In this case it looks like several kilometers. You will need to repeat this procedure until you are in the general area."

They would ride on brooms. The blood had to be fresh, so Helen had to accompany then. She would have insisted in any case. Severus did not really know what to think of it. It could be dangerous, and she was a Muggle, and therefore defenseless. Dumbledore created a portkey for them to get back.

At least we'll have an escape route if things go bad.

"I will now go to talk with the Centaurs," said Dumbledore. "You three should leave immediately. May the spirit of Merlin assist us."

The battle for the children Ch30 - 14