"Put some herbs on first, Hagrid."Firenze crushed the herbs in his hands, giving a portion to Hagrid. He then rubbed the juice seeping from the mashed leaves onto his own front leg.
"Thanks, but what are you doing here?"
Hagrid didn't refuse Firenze's kindness. In fact, he looked far worse than the centaur — his entire body was covered in wounds, as though he'd just endured countless tortures. Not even his face had a patch of uninjured skin.
He had a wand, sure, but don't expect him to know much magic — certainly not the spells they only taught to third-years and beyond.
The Shield Charm?Never even heard of it!
"The planet Mars is unusually bright tonight," Firenze said solemnly.
That only made Hagrid's head hurt.
He never liked talking with centaurs. Partly because of their strange pride and isolationism, but mostly because they were always so mysterious and cryptic.
Probably just an occupational hazard for fortune-tellers.
Truth be told, Firenze and Ronan were already among the few centaurs capable of sensible conversation — but even so, Hagrid never quite understood what they were on about.
Luckily, Firenze didn't keep up the riddles for long.
"We heard something from the unicorn herd," he said quietly. "Someone tried to harm them. But Bane refused to cooperate with you humans, so only Ronan and I came."
"I see. Looks like we're after the same target," said Hagrid. "Right then — if you're feeling better, let's go after that bloke! Ronan might be in danger on his own."
"Wait — you go ahead," Firenze said, shaking his head. "That unicorn... it's still alive."
Unlike the original story, this unicorn hadn't yet died. Because Malfoy and Neville had delayed a bit, Hagrid arrived in time — Quirrell had only managed to drink part of its blood.
"I completely forgot!" Hagrid slapped his forehead. "I'll help Ronan — you stay here!"
And with that, despite his own injuries, he stumbled off again into the dark.
Firenze picked up the remaining herbs and went to the unicorn's side, tending its wounds.
Harry, Ron, and Hermione pushed through the undergrowth — and saw a dark figure kneeling beside a pure-white creature. The beautiful animal could only be the wounded unicorn.
The two Houndours stopped beside them, their eyes sharp and alert toward the unfamiliar figure, putting the trio instantly on guard.
Hagrid was nowhere in sight, but the area bore clear signs of battle — broken branches everywhere, and charred earth.
"Stay away from it!"
With no Hagrid around and only a strange creature before him, Harry instinctively assumed this was the dark wizard Malfoy had mentioned.
Though... Malfoy hadn't said anything about him having four legs!
Harry silently cursed the coward — not only had he run off, he hadn't even left behind any useful information.
"Wait, Harry — that's a centaur!" Hermione shouted, stopping him just in time.
Firenze stood, towering over them.
"Normally, we do not appreciate being called 'that', little girl," he corrected mildly.
He wasn't truly offended — but if Bane had heard, things might've gone differently.
"Sorry—" Hermione began, flustered.
Firenze turned to Harry then, and Harry was immediately struck by the centaur's eyes — an astonishing blue, pure and flawless, yet carrying a faint sorrow.
"You are the child of the Potter family?" Firenze asked. He recognized him instantly. The centaur prophecies had once spoken of this boy — one who would shape the future of the wizarding world.
Though now, that influence seemed to be fading fast.
"Hagrid is fighting the dark wizard ahead — Ronan is with him. You must return to the school. The forest is not safe at night."
"But we have to help him!" Harry protested.
The Houndours didn't care whether Firenze was friend or foe — if their Trainer gave an order, they'd fight without hesitation.
Firenze hesitated. He didn't know what to do.
Among centaurs, foals were to be protected — that belief extended even to young humans. Even Bane, who despised mankind, would never harm a child.
But now, seeing these small Pokémon radiating such fierce power, Firenze relented.
The centaurs had foretold both Harry Potter and the coming of Pokémon — though their prophecies were vague and imprecise.
Still, both prophecies now stood before his very eyes.
The prophesied savior walking side by side with Pokémon... perhaps fate itself was changing.
"Very well," Firenze said at last. "But if danger appears, I'll take you away at once. Get on my back."
Harry didn't yet realize the significance of that offer — he was simply grateful for the help.
Ron chose not to squeeze in with Harry and Hermione.
"I'll ride behind on my Nimbus. No need to worry about being spotted now."
Two "horses" dashed through the Forbidden Forest, their steps sure and swift. Even at high speed, they easily avoided the trees. Moss-slick ground and fallen trunks posed no obstacle.
"Firenze, follow the owl above us!" Harry called.
With his help, they were moving far faster than before.
"There! I see them!"
A flash of bright magic illuminated the distant woods.
They could make out three figures — one of them huge, unmistakably Hagrid.
"Quick! Help Hagrid! Attack that dark wizard!"
Harry didn't have time to give precise commands, but the Houndours understood immediately. Ron's Inferno followed close behind — they'd been together so long that even it responded to Harry's tone.
Both Pokémon leapt forward, unleashing twin jets of flame at Quirrell midair.
Quirrell didn't dodge — yet the fire stopped before reaching him, diverted as if it struck an invisible wall, splitting and flowing to either side.
"Ha! More meddling brats!" Quirrell snarled furiously.
His eyes blazed with hatred as he glared past Hagrid's broad back — straight at Harry, who was now riding on Firenze.
A sharp, searing pain tore through Harry's scar, nearly knocking him off.
Hermione caught him quickly. "Harry, are you okay?"
"I'm fine," Harry said through gritted teeth, clutching his forehead. The scar burned like fire.
It wasn't the first time he'd felt that pain.
The last time... had been on his very first day at school — when he'd looked Snape in the eye.
That could only mean one thing.
The truth was clear now — there was only one answer.
The dark wizard... was Snape!
(End of Chapter)