A phantom chain, encased in golden flames, detached from Amonasta's tip and plunged swiftly into Horn's rigid brain. In a trance-like state, Horn seemed to hear a crisp "Click," like a solid lock clicking into place.
"It's a matter of great importance, and I had no choice but to do this..."
Amonasta's wand slowly descended, speaking in a voice filled with regret,
"I have sealed your recent memories. As long as you do not disclose this memory to others, no issues will arise."
If you mention it, what will happen? Amonasta Brea didn't spell it out, but Horn couldn't have missed the implication; the most likely outcome would be death. Anger and sorrow were futile. After a moment of silence, Horn slowly nodded, indicating that he understood.
"That's good - ..."
Amonasta let out a sigh of relief, gazing outside at the inky blackness of the night that felt suffocatingly oppressive. The swaying branches under the howling wind added a touch of eerie color to this freezing night.
"That's good, then. Regarding the centaurs' acceptance of the Druids to reside in the Forbidden Forest, that is also a matter of great significance, especially in the long term. It may pose a risk to Hogwarts."
Horn remained silent, his face etched with an air of helplessness. No matter what absolute decision Amonasta Brea made, the centaurs had no option but to comply, for this person was not Albus Dumbledore. He wouldn't.
"So, I can't make decisions on my own. I need to call Dumbledore over and hear his opinion. After all, he is the headmaster of Hogwarts."
Horn stared at Amonasta, his eyes wide with surprise. He had thought that Amonasta Brea had decided to clear the Druids out of the Forbidden Forest.
A faint silvery light shot out from the tip of the wand, piercing the boundless blackness of the night. This allowed Amonasta to breathe a sigh of relief; his patronus was still functioning normally, and no damage had occurred.
The centaurs in the tribe, though they followed Horn's command and returned to their rooms individually, could not relax. Amonasta could sense that behind each closed door, anxious gazes were peering through the cracks.
"By the way, how did those Druids from the Secret Realm come to the Forbidden Forest?"
Amonasta suddenly turned to ask as he stood at the door, blowing cold wind:
"I mean, hundreds of people enter the Forbidden Forest without being detected by a single person. This is not an easy feat?"
"They used a teleportation device," Horn's voice was heavy and seemed out of sorts, "It's an ancient method of instant travel, much like the wizard's Patronus charm or Portkey."
Bang!
A blazing fire dissipated the dark like a bottomless abyss, and Dumbledore, in a violet silk robe, emerged from the flames of Fawkes. His bright blue eyes swept around the room, nodded to Amonasta, and smiled at the elder centaurs in the hall.
"Good evening, Horn. Oh, my, you look much older. How long has it been since we last saw each other? Fifty years?"
"Not that long, Professor Dumbledore –"
With Dumbledore's arrival, Horn looked more confident. Finally, he straightened his back and stomped the floor with his hoof.
"You've forgotten, during the witch's heyday, when we couldn't even mention his name, you came to me, hoping that the centaurs could join the ranks against him."
"Ah, I see –"
Dumbledore said with a happy tone,
"It was an honest conversation. You told me that the centaurs would never get involved in the war between wizards. If Voldemort came to you, you could use your own powers against him. Fortunately, Harry Potter foiled Voldemort's plan, and the situation didn't deteriorate to that extent –"
Horn's lips twitched, sensing the sarcasm in Dumbledore's words.
"--I was just coming down for some chocolate milk when I sensed the magical changes in the centaurs' camp. I was hesitating whether to come over when I received your message."
Dumbledore looked at Amonasta and noticed that although he appeared no different from usual, there was a deep weight on his eyes.
"What's wrong, Amonasta? What happened?"
"That is to say –" Amonasta turned and walked into the sanctuary, coming before Dumbledore.
"There is some information that I believe you need to be aware of, Headmaster. Our Dark Magic Defense teacher, I mean, Venta Cliona, and our neighbors have made a deal. The centaurs found a place in the Forbidden Forest, where the werewolf tribe of Grebber occupied previously, to establish a secret realm. Miss Cliona has turned it into a new home for the Druids' congregation."
Even Dumbledore, who had seen countless storms and upheavals in his life, was so shocked by the news Amonasta had given that he was speechless for several seconds.
"So shocking, Horn –"
Dumbledore, having digested the implications of the events behind the news, looked at Horn and said, "I always thought that centaurs were reluctant to interact with all humans. So, you were just not comfortable communicating with me?"
"This is not the same thing, Dumbledore!"
Horn looked at Amonasta and angrily said.
"What is your attitude, Headmaster Dumbledore?"
Amonasta asked.
"About those Druids who have moved into the forest, should they be expelled after a while, or should they be ignored?"
Regardless, it would be inappropriate to immediately expel the Druids from the Forbidden Forest, either from a humanitarian perspective or from Amonasta's own plan. They wanted Cliona to continue her subterfuge at Hogwarts.
"Can you take me to see them?"
Dumbledore obviously understood the risks of keeping the Druids in the Forbidden Forest. These people were Cliona's pawns, so might they cause trouble in the magical world following Voldemort's return or bring about unnecessary trouble?
"If you insist, Professor Dumbledore," the centaur moved towards the door, "I'll have Ferraz bring the key over. We must –"
"There's no need for all that trouble."
Amonasta glanced at the phoenix hovering above the beam, and the intelligent Phoenix immediately took flight, a splash of colorful light enveloping the few people in the sanctuary. A chirp, and there was no one left in the hall.
"Oh, I think I see –"
Moments later, Dumbledore, Amonasta, and the centaur elder Horn appeared in the deep forest. The three of them landed on the ground. After landing, Dumbledore's piercing blue eyes quickly locked onto the space under the collapsed beam. He lifted the hem of his robe and leaped nimbly over a few vines to reach the beam.
The Phoenix landed on Dumbledore's shoulder, tilting its head and blinking its ruby-colored eyes. Suddenly, it flapped its wings and scattered a cascade of radiance forward. Like an aurora, the splendid light woven in the air formed a circular doorway, revealing the sights within the secret realm.
Dumbledore did not step through the doorway into the secret realm but stood outside it, his expression grave, quietly observing the landscape within. He watched the vast oak tree that was home to treehouses on its branches, watched as the practicing Druids were drawing life energy from the void, and watched as children laughed and played through the fairy-tale forest.
"Oh –"
Amonasta and Horn did not speak. They waited in silence for Dumbledore to make a decision. After about ten minutes, Dumbledore suddenly looked at Amonasta and, with a friendly smile, said:
"I believe they are safe –"
Horn let out a big sigh of relief immediately, and Amonasta's reaction to Dumbledore's response was not particularly unexpected. He remained silent for a moment.
Does that mean allowing them to live in the Forbidden Forest?"
"I think there's nothing wrong with it, Amonasta –"
Dumbledore pondered for a moment.
"Look at those children, Amonasta, oh, I think they might become Hogwarts students one day!"
(End of chapter)
