The centaur tribe's primal worship of the elements seemed to focus primarily on fire and earth. The new decorations and symbols scattered throughout their camp confirmed this observation.
As for water and air elements… Harry had only seen totems related to these in Triton's tent.
"The elements say… we may seek your guidance," Triton said softly, his eyes fixed on Harry. "You are the forerunner, the guide, and… the prophet."
An unsettling feeling gnawed at Harry, but his rational mind kept reminding him that everything had changed.
"You are deeply favored and trusted by the elements, Harry Potter," Firenze said, bending his front knee in a respectful bow. "In our conversations, the elements repeatedly mentioned you—they are willing to share their power with us, a magic unlike anything we've known."
"But we must prove our worth," Triton added. "The elements seek to grow stronger, and they need allies. You, too, need allies, child of the Potter line."
"The Elemental Awakening," Harry nodded. "It seems they've told you everything."
"The stars have grown chaotic," Firenze said, lowering his head. "Prophecies have become obscure. Not only is it difficult to discern a clear vision, but even interpreting them is nearly impossible—everything feels foreign."
"The elements have shared much with us," Firenze continued, his tone heavy with melancholy. "The words you spoke when teaching those young colts, the future of the Elemental Awakening… we are like another group of apprentices you've never met. Forgive us for taking your knowledge, Mr. Potter."
"No need for that," Harry shook his head. "The spread of the shamanic path is a good thing. If the elements have passed on my words, then you should know the Elemental Awakening isn't something I can achieve alone."
"Even so, the changes you've brought have helped us immensely," Triton said loudly. "For the first time in decades, our tribe has driven back those spiders, repelling their expansion into our territory."
"Spiders?" Harry raised an eyebrow.
"Acromantulas," Firenze said, turning his head. "Do you know of these magical creatures?"
"I do. Highly intelligent, capable of human speech, and they can grow to the size of elephants," Harry recalled from his books, adding silently to himself, And Ron's worst nightmare.
Then it hit him—what Acromantulas in the Forbidden Forest truly meant.
These spiders originated from the rainforests of Southeast Asia, meaning they had no business being in Britain. Classified as XXXXX by the Ministry of Magic, Acromantulas were highly dangerous, their venom both valuable and deadly. Since Triton had used the term "territory" with a sense of pride, claiming the centaurs had beaten back the Acromantulas for the first time, it implied these spiders had become a dominant force in the forest.
For most magical creatures in the Forbidden Forest, this was far from good news. Acromantulas were carnivorous, favoring large prey, which made centaurs ideal targets.
They were also prolific breeders, laying over a hundred eggs at a time, with hatching taking only six to eight weeks. Despite their high intelligence, they were ferocious and untamable.
Given the centaurs' physical structure, Harry was certain they weren't well-suited to handle swarms of smaller spiders rushing them en masse. As the saying goes, enough ants can kill an elephant.
"It was the elements that aided us," Firenze said with a joyful smile. "The fire element ignited those loathsome spiders, forcing them to retreat—a great victory."
"Congratulations," Harry said sincerely. "May I ask how many shamans you have now?"
"If by shamans you mean centaurs who can commune with and borrow the elements' power, then including Firenze and me, there are only seven," Triton said candidly. "That's why we were eventually driven back by the Acromantulas."
"Understandable," Harry nodded. "Given their habits, letting Acromantulas expand their colony in the Forbidden Forest is a terrible idea. Some bold students always venture in there… I'll inform Professor Dumbledore about this."
Even with protective ritual magic, allowing untamable, ferocious creatures like Acromantulas to live near the castle was incredibly dangerous. As a Hogwarts professor, Harry felt responsible for the students' safety.
"In the past, we would guide colts who strayed too close to Acromantula territory out of the forest," Triton said, shaking his head. "But now…"
The centaur tribe had relocated far from Hogwarts.
"I understand," Harry recalled their last encounter. "But since the centaurs have a pact with Hogwarts not to harm young wizards, do the Acromantulas have a similar agreement, as part of the Forbidden Forest?"
"They do not!" Triton's face twisted with anger. "They're outsiders! Invaders! Over fifty years ago, they appeared in the forest, and many centaurs have died under their venomous fangs!"
As fellow inhabitants of the Forbidden Forest, every centaur tribe harbored a deep blood feud with the Acromantulas.
"Maybe a student's pet," Harry sighed. "Released into the forest or escaped."
"Perhaps," Triton shook his head. "So, child of the Potter line, envoy of the elements—why have you come here today?"
"I come with good intentions," Harry said earnestly. "I noticed centaur tracks near the altar, and I know you now have your own shaman priests."
"We mean no threat," Firenze said softly. "We are part of the Forbidden Forest and Hogwarts. Centaurs will not harm young colts."
"Of course, I know that," Harry nodded. "Just as you've learned much about me, the elements have told me plenty about you along the way. I have no intention of meddling in your tribe's affairs."
"As long as you do not stray from the shamanic path, twist the elements' will, or abuse their power, we will be… allies."
At the word "allies," Harry took a deep breath. He could hardly believe he was saying this to creatures so akin to centaurs.
"…Of course," Triton said solemnly, meeting Harry's gaze. "Centaurs should contribute to the Elemental Awakening, as we've promised the elements."
"That's perfect," Harry smiled suddenly. "As allies working together, if you don't mind, I'd like to take on a few centaur apprentices. That way, you won't need to rely on the elements relaying my teachings."
"I'm also willing to share the recipe for the Spiritbond Potion, so you can have more shaman priests. You know what that is, right?"
"Yes, the potion that allows ordinary centaurs to become shamans," Triton said, stunned. "But—why?"
Harry's offer was almost too generous to believe.
"Don't get too excited. There's a condition," Harry shook his head. "My first apprentices are ready to attempt communing with a second element, but before they do, they must undergo a trial."
"A trial?" Triton asked.
Hearing there was a condition, the old centaur seemed to relax.
"They're too green. Their student status keeps them from understanding many things," Harry said, shaking his head. "I'll have them cross the Forbidden Forest on their own strength to reach your tribe. Along the way, they'll learn much."
"Cross the Forbidden Forest?" Triton's brows furrowed. "That's too dangerous. Dumbledore won't agree."
"I'll convince Dumbledore, but first, I need to convince you," Harry said candidly. "I noticed you've built a fire elemental altar on the cliffs?"
"Yes, the Sacred Flame," Triton confirmed. "It's where the great fire element first revealed itself, our tribe's new holy ground."
"Exactly what I need," Harry said with a smile. "When my apprentices arrive, weary from crossing the forest, they'll drink the Flame Spiritbond Potion before the Sacred Flame. Those who've gained insight will form a connection with the fire element."
"Bane won't be pleased," Firenze interjected. "Nor will a few others. They don't want wizards near our new tribal grounds… not even young colts."
"Just a few," Harry tilted his head, looking at Triton. "What's your opinion?"
Triton didn't answer immediately, lost in thought.
"Centaurs can't hide in the Forbidden Forest forever," Harry said calmly. "Especially now that you wield elemental power. When the Elemental Awakening comes, the Ministry will notice you."
"…Wizards… forbid other races from using wands," Triton said after a long pause. "Even goblins were stripped of that right, banned from certain magics."
"I agree," Triton exhaled wearily. "Centaurs… the Elemental Awakening… yes, we need more…"
"Thank you," Harry stood. "The trial begins tonight, though they'll likely reach you in the early hours."
"I'll prepare," Triton nodded.
Guided by Firenze, Harry left the centaur tribe, with their warriors watching silently—no one challenged him.
By four in the afternoon, Harry was back at the castle, sitting in Dumbledore's office.
"…So, you want to lead your apprentices through the Forbidden Forest to the centaur tribe?" Dumbledore asked, adjusting his glasses, his expression complex.
"To be precise, they'll go alone. I won't appear unless they face mortal danger," Harry clarified.
"At night?"
"Tomorrow's Saturday. They can sleep in."
"That's not the point, Harry," Dumbledore said, exasperated. "A trial—I never thought I'd hear such an ancient… tradition in this age."
"It's necessary," Harry said seriously. "If they're to master a new power, they must prove they have the character to wield it."
"During this trial, they'll come to understand the fire element's significance and its nature. That's crucial."
"…If Minerva finds out, she'll think I've gone madder than ever," Dumbledore chuckled self-deprecatingly. "Because I realize I have no reason to stop you."
"So, your answer is?" Harry asked.
"You're a full professor now, Harry," Dumbledore said, glancing at the parchment on his desk without looking up. "As long as you know what you're doing."
That was agreement.
Time dragged as they waited, but as the sky darkened, Harry's apprentices gathered eagerly by the shamanic altar.
"I trust you've all eaten well?" Harry asked, scanning them. "I'll warn you, this trial will be physically demanding."
"Of course, Mentor! I ate two huge pieces of bread!" Katie Bell said eagerly. "Per your instructions, I even napped this afternoon to stay sharp."
Her words sparked a chorus of agreement. After a day of anticipation, everyone was itching to begin the trial—a word that sounded thrilling, formal, and solemn.
"Good," Harry said, walking among his apprentices, occasionally patting a shoulder or squeezing an arm.
He was pleased. Thanks to his teachings, even non-shaman students at Hogwarts knew shamans needed strong bodies. After Harry's special demonstrations, his apprentices had made a habit of jogging around the Black Lake each morning.
While they hadn't built warrior-like physiques, compared to other Hogwarts students, they were robust—part of why Harry believed they could handle this trial.
Otherwise, sending a bunch of kids who'd tire after two steps to cross the Forbidden Forest would be absurd.
"Since you're ready, let's begin," Harry said, glancing at the sky. "From the moment I say start, you have thirty minutes to search this area and craft a torch. Everyone needs one."
"After that, you'll carry your torch into the Forbidden Forest and follow the route to the centaur tribe." Harry gestured to his side.
The earth churned, forming a stone figure as tall as an adult, which growled in response to Harry.
"Dotty will guide you to keep you from wandering into dangerous places," Harry said sternly. "But I warn you: unless you face life-threatening danger or irreversible injuries like losing a limb, don't expect help from Dotty."
His tone was grave.
"If anyone receives Dotty's aid, their trial is over. I'll escort them out of the forest another way. Understood?"
No one answered. The apprentices stared, mouths agape, stunned.
"C-can I ask, Mentor?" Hermione quavered, raising her hand. "Where's the centaur tribe? Is it far from the castle?"
"Quite far," Harry said, thinking. "You know what happened last time, Hermione. The centaurs have moved deeper into the forest."
Water droplets coalesced in the air, forming a detailed, elegant map beside his right hand.
"You're roughly here," Harry pointed at the castle's location on the map. "You'll head out from here, follow the main river's path, and meet the centaurs here. Don't worry—I've arranged it with them. They won't harm you."
Gulp.
As Harry traced a long line across the map, Neville's swallow was audible steps away.
No doubt, he was terrified.
"…Merlin's socks," Roger Davies groaned. "That's nearly half the Forbidden Forest—at night! I never thought I'd see the day!"
Though it wasn't fully dark, a glance at the forest showed a shadowy expanse, hiding who-knew-what.
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