Full Moon Camp

The school returned to normal quickly after a few weeks without any attacks. People started to put the threat in the back of their minds. Quidditch was progressing well, too. The Nifflers were the favourites to win, but the Hippogriffs were winning in the loser's bracket after getting beaten by the Thestrals.

January slowly came to an end, and Hermione was finally released from the hospital wing. That day, when she arrived at the study group, there was a loud bang, and confetti fell from the ceiling. We jumped out from our hiding places and shouted, "Surprise!" We had organized a welcome-back party in classrooms 1-15 for Hermione.

All the study group members were there, including Grant, Tim, Susan, Hannah, Neville, Seamus, Dean, Parvati, Padma, Lavender, Ron, Harry, and myself. We had music, snack food, and even a cake. It was a fun time, but Hermione was a bit upset that we didn't do any studying. She quickly got over it when she saw that we had done this for her because we missed her.

One February morning, Professor Snape approached me at breakfast. "Mister Carter, the headmaster, would like a word," he said cryptically and gestured to the professor's table. 

I got up and followed him back to the professor's table. "you wanted to speak to me, headmaster?" I stood in front of Dumbledore and asked politely.

"yes, mister Carter, I was asked to pass on a most unusual request" Dumbledore stroked his beard. "An old friend of mine has invited you to take part in a celebration tonight."

I blinked at him, not sure what to say. "Could you explain more, please, headmaster?" I asked,

"The centaur Ronan has invited you on behalf of the centaur colony to participate in their New Year celebration." Dumbledore explained, "which is most unusual. Not many humans get the chance to go to the colony and I've never heard of one being invited." he looked at me with those knowing eyes. 

"can I accept?" I asked. "Because the dark forest is forbidden to students, and I'm sure this will be after curfew." 

"you want to go?" Professor Snape said, who was still standing behind me.

"Well, yes, I've met Ronan before, I'm sure. Last year in the forbidden forest while I was doing the detention you set." I said to him. "Actually, now that I remember it, he called me a name that I hadn't known about till recently." 

"hmm?" Dumbledore said, listening, "A name, what name?" Dumbledore asked

"Minstrel. He called me Minstrel, which until recently I thought was just what they called their musicians." I said softly because some of the other professors were ears-dropping.

"And does this have a different meaning now?" snape asked.

"yes, a thousand years ago, there was another type of wizard and witch; they used songs and music to do magic. They were called minstrels. As you all know, I happen to be able to use this type of magic as well." I said, looking at Professor Flitwick, who was almost falling out of his chair because of how much he was leaning in.

"hmm, that is curious." dumbledor stroked his beard and got a distant look like he was thinking of something.

"So, can I go?" I asked after a minute of silence.

"I think yes, one of the professors will escort you to the edge of the forest after dinner." dumbledor thought again. "No, it should be me, seeing as they set the request through me." he corrected himself.

That night, I waited in the great hall after dinner. "come along, Mister Carter," Dumbledore said as he collected me and led me out of the hall. "this will be interesting."

We walked out of the castle and across the grounds to the edge of the dark forest. Hagrid was standing there looking out into the forest. "problems, hagrid," Dumbledore asked.

"Just thought I heard centaurs. They don't come this close to the castle," Hagrid said.

"oh, that would be Ronan," Dumbledore said, "Come out, Ronan," Dumbledore called out into the forest.

The full moon made the shadows of the forest deep. Slow clopping came from the woods, and Ronan slowly stepped into the light. "greetings, Dumbledore, hagrid, minstrel," he said in his deep voice. "I'm glad you accepted our invitation." 

"I'm honoured to be invited," I said with a small bow to the centaur.

"what's going on, headmaster?" Hagrid asked Dumbledore.

"This young student has been invited to attend the New Year celebration of the centaurs," Dumbledore said to Hagrid.

"What, he's going alone into the forest?" Hagrid asked, shocked.

"he will not be alone. He will have the protection of the colony; no harm will come to the minstrel" Ronan pulled an arrow from his quiver and gave it to Dumbledore. "You have my arrow as my word." 

Dumbledore accepted the arrow with both hands. "Very well, I trust my student's protection in the hands of the Colony", Dumbledore accepted Ronan's words.

"Come, young minstrel, you will ride with me. The colony is far, and time passes quickly," Ronan said to me. He offered me his hand to pull me onto his back. He slowly turned to the forest. "Hold on to me, young minstrel" Then he galloped into the dark forest.

Dark shapes of trees and bushes rushed past; at one point, Ronan Skidded to a stop, sharply turned and ran in a different direction. "Sorry, we're going to have to take a long way around," he said past the rushing wind.

He leapt off streams and dashed past the sleeping beast. Soon, several other centaurs joined in our run towards the colony; I saw we travelled for around twenty minutes till we came to a large clearing near a small creek. 

Leather and hide tents lined the edge of the clearing; they were in the style of large yurts. Centaurs stood at around 7 feet high, so these tents were massive. Around a hundred tents lined the large clearing. The only permanent structure was a large dias, which was surrounded by a collum of stone, and a large pool of water sat in the middle. 

A large bonfire raged in the middle of the camp, and drums and panflute music drifted from the party that was happening in the camp. "good, the ceremonies haven't started", Ronan said, looking into the revelry. "welcome, young minstrel to the full moon camp" he said.