"This unicorn…"
The centaur looked at Lurue beneath Lewis with visible surprise.
"She's unharmed now?"
"I'm fine now, Mr. Centaur. Lewis saved me," Lurue replied.
But to the centaur, her words were nothing more than soft whinnies.
Still, he seemed to understand the general meaning and turned to Lewis.
"So, you're the one who saved her, little foal?"
"Little foal? Me?"
Lewis felt a bit speechless at the title, but he nodded anyway.
"Yes, sir. I encountered a cloaked attacker while exploring the forest and intervened…"
He briefly explained what had happened.
Although Hagrid was called the Keeper of Keys and Grounds, he wasn't the sole authority over the Forbidden Forest.
The centaur tribe was also one of its guardians, something every Hogwarts headmaster knew.
Lewis always treated such allies with courtesy.
"Lurue… you named her?"
The centaur studied both the unicorn and Lewis carefully before nodding.
"She recognizes and favors you deeply. An ordinary male wizard would never be allowed to ride her."
Lewis smiled. "I'm grateful for that trust."
The centaur seemed pleased.
"You truly are different, little foal. It seems I've found the right one."
He bowed slightly.
"My name is Firenze. I was guided here by the stars. They showed that something crucial to our fate lies here."
So this was Firenze.
Lewis immediately recognized him.
A handsome centaur, known among his kind for being friendly toward wizards.
In the future, he would even teach Divination at Hogwarts, though it would cost him his place among his people.
In short—someone trustworthy.
"Fate… you mean Harry Potter?" Lewis asked, puzzled. "He should already be leaving the forest with Hagrid."
"No."
Firenze shook his head.
"That foal has his own destiny. But the destiny tied to the centaurs stands before me."
"…You mean me?"
Lewis blinked in surprise.
When had he become entangled in centaur fate?
At that moment, more hoofbeats echoed in the distance.
Two more centaurs burst from the trees, breathing heavily.
"Firenze, what are you doing here?" one of them demanded.
"Shouldn't you be searching for that dangerous wizard and protecting the remaining unicorn?"
"The calamity has passed. Hope has been preserved."
Firenze spoke in a dreamy tone.
"The stars have shifted. I have found the one foretold."
Only then did the newcomers notice Lewis and Lurue.
"…A human foal riding a unicorn."
The speaker lowered his voice noticeably, though his tone still carried dissatisfaction.
"So this is your chosen one?"
"Look more closely, Bane," Firenze said calmly. "Lurue has been saved. Fate has changed. Our path grows clearer. This is the one who shaped that change."
As the two centaurs examined him, Lewis nodded politely.
"Greetings. I'm Lewis Green, from Ravenclaw."
"I am Ronan," the other centaur said, stepping forward with a melancholy tone.
"To earn a unicorn's favor—especially Lurue's—you must be a kind and trustworthy wizard."
Lewis couldn't help but think—
having a unicorn as proof of character was incredibly effective.
Ride one around, and nine out of ten forest creatures would immediately trust you.
Saving Lurue had definitely been the right decision.
Ronan sighed softly. "Though… you look younger than my own foal."
"Ronan, how can you accept Firenze's words so easily?"
Bane stamped the ground angrily.
"We are centaurs! We must not defy the will of the stars—even if the unicorn's fate has changed!"
"You need to observe the heavens again!" Ronan argued. "Mars still burns bright, but Jupiter now outshines it!"
"Yes, Bane," Firenze added firmly. "Anger clouds your sight. I have seen hope for our people. The fate of the centaurs—and this forest—will change!"
Then he turned back to Lewis.
"Forgive my boldness, Lewis. I am certain you are the one destined to change our fate. I invite you to visit the centaur tribe."
As he spoke, Firenze bent his front legs in a gesture of respect.
Ronan was visibly startled.
Bane, on the other hand, was furious.
"Kneeling to a human? Firenze, you disgrace our kind! I will report this to the chief—you'll answer for it!"
With that, he stormed off.
Clearly, the centaurs were divided.
And Bane represented a more radical, isolationist faction.
Silence lingered after his departure.
Then Ronan turned to Lewis.
"You've heard Firenze's invitation. It is also mine. What do you say?"
Lewis gently stroked Lurue's ear. "What about you? Will you come with me?"
"…Hey, don't touch there—it tickles."
Lurue snorted softly, then answered naturally, "Of course I'll go. Wherever you go, I'll follow. At least until I see you safely out of the forest."
The two centaurs watched with interest as Lewis conversed with her in her own language.
With her agreement, Lewis felt reassured.
At this point, Lurue was practically his badge of honor—and his protection.
With her by his side, the centaurs wouldn't harm him.
In that case… why not see their tribe?
"Very well," Lewis said, looking up at them.
"I'd be honored to visit your tribe—so long as you don't report my whereabouts to Headmaster Dumbledore."
"Rest assured, little foal," Firenze replied warmly. "Our agreement with Hogwarts is limited to guarding the forest. Your laws do not bind us."
"Then follow us."
And so, with Lewis riding Lurue,
they set off together toward the centaur tribe.
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