Chapter 122: "Forest Alliances"

After his encounter with his younger brother Charles, Harry was relieved to leave the castle's commotion behind and enter the serene, shadowy embrace of the Forbidden Forest.

The antics of his brother didn't bother him too much.

Charles was just behaving like the young kid he was, but that didn't mean Harry was ready to deal with him on any level. Rather than engage in pointless arguments, Harry chose to simply ignore him. He decided he'd only pay attention to Charles once he was mature enough to hold a meaningful conversation.

Once inside the forest, Harry quickly donned what he specially labeled his "Gryffindor disguise." With his disguise in place, he moved stealthily towards the area known to be inhabited by the acromantula colony.

However only a few minutes into his walk, his path was unexpectedly blocked—not by spiders, but by a group of centaurs. Some faces were familiar, like Bane and Dorran, while others were new to him.

Harry couldn't help but joke when he encountered the centaurs waiting for him. "All this to welcome me back? You shouldn't have. I didn't think you'd miss me that much," he said with a light laugh.

He was genuinely surprised by their presence; the previous year, the centaurs had largely ignored him and his presence in the forest.

"Don't think too highly of yourself, human. We're here on urgent business, not for pleasantries," Bane retorted sharply, his tone as prickly as ever.

Harry remained calm and responded with a smile, "Understood, but I'm honored by this reception. Maybe this can start a new chapter in our relationship."

Dorran, the leader of the group, tried to smooth things over. "Bane, can you control your temper? This human is not our enemy."

"Please, call me Arthur. I prefer it to 'human,'" Harry requested, hoping to really build closer relations with the centaurs.

He chose the name 'Arthur' because it resonated with the nobility and bravery of the legendary King Arthur, a figure of great importance in the wizarding world. Harry had tried to learn more about the real King Arthur and Merlin but found only myths and legends, no concrete historical texts that could tell him about the true events of that era.

Dorran stepped forward. "I'm Dorran, the leader of this tribe. We've come to seek your help, Knight Arthur, in protecting the forest and its creatures. Firenze here will explain more about our situation."

Harry shifted his attention to Firenze, the centaur who would eventually become a professor of Divination at Hogwarts.

Firenze greeted him with a formal tone, "Good evening, Knight. We are in need of your assistance to safeguard this forest. The stars have revealed to me that a grave danger looms over us this year. A dangerous wizard plans to hunt the unicorn herd living in our forest, and we centaurs lack the strength to protect them adequately from such a powerful foe."

Harry, feigning ignorance, responded, "A dangerous wizard? Who might that be? Have you considered taking this issue to Dumbledore? And is this wizard hunting unicorns for their blood?"

Though Harry knew the answers, he enjoyed playing the part of the uninformed, partly to lighten the mood and partly to practice his acting. Anticipating future situations where he might need to disguise his true knowledge, he saw these interactions as perfect opportunities to refine his skills.

Dorran's voice carried a hint of urgency as he spoke, "The stars have revealed that a dark presence is returning, intent on using the blood of unicorns to achieve cursed immortality. We've informed Dumbledore, but he's preoccupied with safeguarding the students from this same threat. Unfortunately, he can't extend his protection to the forest."

Harry raised an eyebrow, "So, Voldemort is making a comeback, huh? But would he really risk using unicorn blood, knowing the curse that comes with it? Unless, of course, he has a plan to counteract that curse."

Firenze nodded gravely, "Indeed, he is returning. Drinking unicorn blood is a desperate act, done only to sustain life long enough to find a more permanent solution — a solution that restores full strength and grants eternal life."

Harry mused aloud, "So Dumbledore has the Philosopher's Stone hidden at Hogwarts, huh? I'm surprised the Flamels agreed to lend him such a powerful object."

Firenze looked at Harry with a mixture of respect and curiosity, "Your understanding is keen, human. The stars were correct in their prophecy. You possess the insight and ability needed to assist us in our plight."

Harry expressed his concerns, "I genuinely want to help protect the unicorns, but you must understand my limitations. I have classes and other responsibilities. It's not feasible for me to patrol the forest constantly."

Dorran nodded, understanding Harry's predicament. "Knight Arthur, we appreciate your honesty. Fortunately, we don't need your assistance in patrolling the forest. The centaurs are prepared to handle that task. We'll confront the wizard and do our utmost to safeguard the unicorns. However, we could use your expertise in a different area."

Firenze elaborated on their request, "According to the celestial signs, you possess notable healing abilities, and that's where we need your help. While we centaurs will combat the dark forces, we can't guarantee that there won't be casualties. When injured unicorns are found, your skills in healing will be invaluable. The threat we face is focused on their blood, not direct conflict, so your role would not involve fighting."

Harry felt relieved and capable in this role. "If it's a matter of healing the wounded, then yes, I'm able to assist. Healing is something I can manage alongside my other commitments."

Over the holidays, Harry had advanced significantly in his healing techniques, thanks largely to his time spent with Cordelia and Emma, who had provided him with practical experience and guidance.

Harry was taken aback by the centaurs' remarkable skills in divination. They seemed to know not just future events but also details about Harry's personal abilities, like his skill in healing magic—a fact not widely known among others. It appeared the centaurs might even be aware of his true identity but chose to play along, possibly to maintain his goodwill.

Their ability to foresee the future and understand deep secrets was impressive, especially compared to Professor Trelawney's sporadic and often vague prophecies. Harry found himself seriously considering the idea of helping Firenze join Hogwarts as a divination teacher. Such a move could greatly benefit the students, but he was aware of the delicate relationship between humans and centaurs. Any effort to integrate Firenze into the school would have to be handled with sensitivity to avoid stirring historical tensions.

With these thoughts in mind, Harry reached into his pocket and pulled out a specially crafted coin. "Press the center of this coin when you need my help," he explained to Dorran, handing him the coin. "If I'm free, I'll come as quickly as I can."

This coin, designed similarly to the ones canon Hermione had created for the Dumbledore's Army, allowed for discreet communication. Harry had originally made one for Susan to ensure he could be alerted if she ever found herself in danger. The coin he gave to Dorran was an extra, meant for emergency use.

Dorran caught the coin and examined it briefly. "Thank you for helping the forest, Knight Arthur," he said with a nod of appreciation. 

Before departing, Harry asked "Before I leave, I wanted to check on the acromantula colony. Have they been causing any more trouble lately?"

Dorran responded with a reassuring tone, "Your efforts last year significantly weakened them. They're still recovering from those setbacks. Additionally, they seem to sense the tension in the air and have been unusually quiet this year. You shouldn't have any problems with them for now."

"That's excellent to hear!" Harry exclaimed. "I certainly didn't want to juggle both these problems at once. That's all I needed to know for today. I have other matters to attend to, but don't hesitate to use the coin if you need my help."

Dorran nodded in agreement, "Yes, Knight Arthur. On behalf of all the unicorns, we're truly grateful for your willingness to assist us."

"It's no trouble at all. This wizard threatens us all, and disrupting his plans is a priority for me," Harry assured him. "Farewell, everyone. And Bane," Harry added with a light tone, trying to ease the tension, "try to relax a little, will you?"

Bane bristled slightly at the comment. "Who are you to tell me what to do, human? Don't assume that because you're helping, I'll start treating you kindly."

Harry, with a half-smile, replied, "I wouldn't dream of it, Bane. Good night."

With his visit to the Forbidden Forest concluded Harry turned his steps back toward Hogwarts Castle. There were pressing tasks waiting for him, especially with the new responsibility he had just accepted.

Although Harry was good at healing magic for wizards, he recognized that healing unicorns would be a different challenge altogether.

Unicorns were magical creatures with unique needs, and he wasn't fully prepared for that. Determined to acquire the necessary knowledge, Harry planned to visit the Room of Requirement next. He needed to find books and scrolls about magical creature healthcare, particularly those focused on unicorns.

As he walked back, Harry reflected on the positive outcomes of his forest encounter. Helping the unicorns and potentially strengthening his ties with the centaurs felt rewarding. It was an unexpected benefit of Voldemort's return. In a way, he was grateful for the opportunity Voldemort had unwittingly provided, giving him a chance to build good relations with another magical community.