POSTY TIME!

“Who was expecting a giant?” Jamie said, shaking his head. Alicia laughed quietly.

“Hagrid’s right when he say’s that he’s only tiny- I’ve seen the other giants in Hagrid’s head” She said skipping ahead. There was a loud thumping noise coming from in front of them. “HAGRID!” Alicia shouted, darting forward. Hagrid loaded his crossbow and held it ready. Jamie stepped next to Alicia while Emily gripped Draco’s arm tightly.

“I thought we told you, Hagrid, that you are no longer welcome here?” A voice said through the green half- light. Alicia’s hair was a dark green. A Centaur stepped over a clump of nettles. “Alicia” He said, bowing his head towards her.

“Magorian” She said, returning the head bow. Her voice was sharper than his.

“So,” Another voice sounded nearby and Alicia’s hair turned black. Jamie grabbed her arms to hold her back. “We agreed, I think, what we would do if this human ever showed his face in the Forest again?” Bane said, looking at Magorian. Alicia was trying to free herself from Jamie.

“This human now, am I?” Hagrid said testily, glancing down at the six teenagers. Emily and Draco were now helping Jamie restrain Alicia, whose red eyes were on Bane. “Jus’ fer stoppin’ all of yeh commtin’ murder?”

“You ought not to have meddled, Hagrid, our ways are not yours” Magorian said calmly, his dark eyes watching Alicia. “Nor are our laws- Firenze betrayed and dishonoured us, even you, young one” He added, nodding towards Alicia, who broke free.

“And how have you come to that decision, Magorian? He is closer to protect me! He’s not trying to kill my family!” She yelled, glaring at Bane. A Centaur rested a hand on her shoulder.

“Your temper, young one” He said and Alicia breathed deeply.

“Sorry Ronan...” She said, glaring at Bane again.

“Firenze has entered into servitude to humans” A grey Centaur said in a steely voice. Hagrid’s eyes fell on him as Alicia made a furious noise.

“SERVITUDE!” She screamed. Jamie stepped forwards to stand in front of her. “He’s just helping Dumbledore out! He’s also closer to look out for me! Have you not read the signs? Have the stars not let you in on their secret?” She snapped, pointing towards the sky as she stepped around Jamie. Emily, Draco and Ronan pulled her back again.

“Do not speak to us like that, child!” A black Centaur said in a high voice, stepping through the trees. She stood next Bane, her arms folded across her chest.

“Jasmine... It’s nice to see you again” Alicia said sarcastically, her lip curling slightly at the name.

“Firenze is peddling our knowledge and secrets among humans, there can be no return from such disgrace!” Bane said angrily. Alicia went to launch herself at the Centaur. Jasmine reared and stepped in front of him as Hagrid lifted Alicia off the ground.

“If yeh say so,” Hagrid said, shrugging as he past the struggling girl to Ronan. “But personally I think yeh’re makin’ a big mistake-”

“As are you, human, coming back into our Forest when we warned you-” Bane said but Alicia cut him off.

“Our Forest? Our Forest?” She said, fighting against Ronan’s grip. “It’s everyone’s Forest, you old mule!”

“It’s not up ter yeh who comes an’ goes in here-” Hagrid said angrily.

“No more is it up to you, Hagrid” Magorian said smoothly, killing off the argument he had been watching. Ronan let Alicia back onto the ground and Jamie took her hand firmly. Emily saw the female Centaur’s eyes focus on Jamie. “I shall let you pass today, Hagrid, because you are accompanied by your young-”

“They’re not his!” Bane said loudly, pointing down at Harry, Hermione, Emily and Draco, who all edged towards Alicia. “Students, Magorian, from up at the school! They have probably already profited from the traitor Firenze’s teachings!”

“OI! That’s my dad you’re calling traitor you sour old mule!” Alicia yelled, stepping forwards again and pointing at Bane. Jasmine’s eyes narrowed, still on Jamie. “And you can cut that out, you nag!” She yelled, glaring at Jasmine. “Don’t even think about attacking him!” Emily hugged Jamie’s arm tightly while Ronan pulled him back slightly.

“Then you are traitor too! If you still protect him!” Bane shouted, rearing on his hind legs. Alicia stepped forwards again, stepping slightly to the left so that she was in front of Jamie.

“She should choose- stay a member of this herd or be banished like her father-” Jasmine said as she continued to watch Jamie, who was pinned to Ronan’s side.

“Just because you and Bane lost your son! You’re both so far up your own- !”

“Enough, Alicia” Magorian said loudly. “Jasmine, Bane- Alicia is as much a member of this herd as you are”

“Can you please stop staring at my mate!” Alicia shouted suddenly, her voice and glare murderous as she looked at Jasmine.

“Jasmine, Alicia’s mate is welcome here too- Just like we welcomed you when Bane found you” Ronan said, his hand on Alicia’s shoulder.

“Jamie” Alicia whispered and Ronan nodded once.

“Jamie is a part of this herd through Alicia- Just like you are through Bane” Ronan continued. Jasmine threw a dark look at Alicia before turning and leaving the circle.

“The slaughter of foals is a terrible crime- we do not touch the innocent, Bane” Magorian said, changing the subject. “Today you pass, Hagrid. Henceforth, stay away from this place”

“I won’ be kept outta the Fores’ by a bunch o’ old mules like yeh!” Hagrid said loudly, his crossbow raised in front of him again. Alicia crossed her arms defiantly, making Ronan pull her and Jamie out the way. Emily, Draco, Hermione and Harry moved with them.

“Hagrid,” Hermione said, speaking in a high- pitched, terrified voice as her eyes watched Bane paw the ground. “Let’s go, please let’s go!”

Hagrid stepped forwards, away from the Centaurs, his eyes still on Magorian. Alicia was being dragged along by Harry, Jamie and Draco. Ronan turned and vanished into the trees.

“We know what you are keeping in the Forest, Hagrid!” Magorian called as Bane took off with the other Centaurs. “And our tolerance is warning!” Hagrid looked like he was going to turn back.

“You leave Grawp alone!” Alicia shouted as Emily and Hermione both tried to push Hagrid along. “He’s not hurting you! He’s got as much right as you have to be here!”

“Calm down, you two” Hagrid said, continuing to walk on through the trees. “Ruddy old mules, though, eh?” Alicia shot him a scornful look. “Oh, come off it Alicia! You nearly started a ruddy war back there with Jasmine!”

“Wouldn’t be the first time, would it?” She said as her hair became scarlet again.

“Hagrid,” Emily said as they panted along behind him. “If the Centaurs don’t want humans in the Forest, it doesn’t look like we’ll be able-”

“Ah, you heard them, they wouldn’t hurt foals-” Hagrid said but Alicia spoke over him.

“He means kids...” She said, sighing and shaking her head.

“Anyway, we can’ let ourselves be pushed aroun’ by that lot” Hagrid said dismissively. “And if you’ve got Alicia with yeh, yeh fine... They seem ter’ve accepted Jamie too...”

“Nice try...” Draco murmured, taking Emily’s hand as he face fell. Alicia started laughing.

“I know what’ll cheer you all up...” Alicia said, suddenly smiling widely as she watched the school head back up towards the castle.

“Oh yeah? What’s that?” Jamie said sarcastically, kicking a small stone.

“GRYFFINDOR WON!”

TTAAGG!!