Lorisa, on behalf of the Centaur tribe, extended an invitation for Chen Yu and Harry to visit the Centaur tribe.
Normally, upon hearing such news, Harry would have accepted with great joy.
But seeing Hagrid in a comatose state, Harry only felt an overwhelming sadness.
Even the good news of visiting the Centaur tribe couldn't diminish his inner sorrow.
Harry's brow was deeply furrowed, tears welled in his eyes, and his gaze involuntarily revealed worry and sadness.
Although Hagrid was reckless, crude, boisterous, and tight-lipped, he was indeed the person at Hogwarts who cared for Harry the most.
Even though Harry knew Hagrid's injuries weren't fatal, and he was only unconscious due to excessive blood loss, seeing the comatose Hagrid, Harry still prayed for his swift awakening, reminiscing about the good times he shared with Hagrid.
Lorisa saw Harry's pitiful expression, patted his little head, and gently comforted him, "It's been this way for hundreds of years; the innocent always get hurt before war arrives."
"War?"
Harry, hearing Lorisa's words, was confused amidst his sadness.
Someone was poaching in the Forbidden Forest, causing Hagrid's injury, so how could it be related to war?
"Mars is the messenger of war; its brightness foretells the coming of conflict. Evil individuals covet Unicorn blood, leading to the death of innocent Unicorns."
Lorisa looked up at the stars, her voice somewhat ethereal.
"Harry, do you know what Unicorn blood is used for?"
Harry, hearing Lorisa's question, shook his head, "Not really. I only know that in Potion Class, some Potion Class require Unicorn horns and the hair from their tails."
Chen Yu, however, knew the answer but couldn't reveal the source of his information, and besides, detailed knowledge could only be found in the Restricted Section of the Library.
He glanced at the treetops, picked up the flying broom that had fallen to the ground, held it in his hand, and vaguely added, "I once read some books, and some of them hinted that using Unicorn blood is a very evil act."
"That's right, using Unicorn blood is indeed a very evil thing. Attacking a Unicorn to obtain its blood is brutal, but draining its fresh blood to kill it can maximize the acquisition of evil power."
At this, Lorisa shivered, her hooves restlessly pacing a few steps, as if she had recalled something terrifying.
"Only the most evil and cruel people would commit such a grave sin. They seek to evade the natural laws of death, to prolong lives that should have already ended..."
Lorisa paused, composed herself, and organized her thoughts before continuing.
"As long as there's a breath left, Unicorn blood can save your life, but the moment its blood touches your lips, you will possess a half-dead, cursed life."
"This choice, worse than death, is only made by those desperately in need of prolonging their lives, a crazy act."
Harry looked at the tall Lorisa and voiced his confusion, "Then who would accept such a cursed life? If it were me, rather than clinging to such a miserable existence, I'd rather just die."
"That's because you haven't yet felt the threat of death. In the Centaurs' records, there have actually been many Dark Wizards throughout history who resisted death and resorted to any means to prolong their lives."
"Those who have lost their power, who are filled with obsession, who are unwilling to die, those top Wizards who haven't seen through life and death, they are unwilling to give up their power and authority, clinging to life, attempting to use Unicorn blood to prolong their pathetic existence."
Firenze, who had finally finished applying the herbs to Hagrid's entire back, wiped the sweat from his brow, stood up, and continued Lorisa's words, "The world is never short of ambitious people. They attempt to use Unicorn blood to prolong their lives so they can hold on until they can drink something else, something that can restore all their spirit and power, and even grant them immortality."
"This thing is hidden in Hogwarts School, guarded by the greatest Wizard of this century. Do you know what it is?"
"It's the Philosopher's Stone! The Philosopher's Stone can make people immortal!" Harry's mind wasn't dull; he understood immediately, but at this moment, an ominous premonition filled his heart. "But I don't understand, who needs the Philosopher's Stone to prolong their life?"
"Then you tell me, who suddenly ceased to be at the height of their power, disappearing from people's sight, and who silently waited for many years, longing for a comeback? And who desperately clings to life, always hiding in the shadows, waiting for the opportune moment?"
Harry was completely stunned by Firenze's words, recalling what Hagrid had said when they first met.
At the time, Hagrid suspected Lord Voldemort hadn't died but had lost his power, clinging to life in an unknown place.
His face suddenly turned pale, his breathing became rapid, and he gazed at Firenze in disbelief, his eyes revealing surprise and incredulity.
This shock seemed to freeze time; Harry felt the sounds and sights around him become blurry.
His heart pounded, Firenze's words echoed in his mind, and his thoughts were a chaotic mess.
Various fragmented images began to surface in his mind.
There were women's screams, men's curses, and a green light that filled his entire mind.
He now knew what that green light represented: it was an incredibly evil spell, and his parents had perished under such a light.
Harry felt an intense headache; he fell to his knees with a thud, taking a minute or two to recover.
Firenze's hint made Harry think of the owner of the green light.
Harry stood up again and said in a low, hoarse voice, "Are you saying it's... Lord Voldemort?"
"That's what you guessed, it has nothing to do with me." Firenze stated his position, then continued to look at the sky and said, "The moonlight is dim, Mars is bright. Our ancestors once swore an oath to nature, an oath that granted Centaurs the ability to glimpse destiny, but also bound them, requiring Centaurs to obey prophecies."
"We often look up at the sky, observing the changes in the stars and destiny, because we must do so, and humans always think we care about nothing else besides the stars and the moon."
"The constraint of the oath prevents us from interfering with destiny, and ancestral teachings keep us in a neutral state. Centaurs are close to nature, and human destruction of the forest has repeatedly shrunk Centaur habitats. Many of our kin do not like dealing with humans, and some even lean towards disliking them. Wizards are the same; in the eyes of Centaurs, Muggles and Wizards are no different."
"But you are an exception, Harry. The great deeds you have done will always be appreciated and remembered by the Centaurs."
Finally, Firenze stopped gazing at the stars, lowered his head, and said to Harry and Chen Yu, "There have been times when guiding stars of destiny have been misunderstood, and Centaurs have made such mistakes. I hope this is also the case this time. Good luck, Harry Potter, and Wizard Chen Yu."
After speaking, he waved to Lorisa, signaling her to follow, "Come on, Lorisa, we still need to find that poor Unicorn and hold a funeral for it."
Then he glanced at the silver-grey tabby cat that had appeared on the tree at some unknown time, and led Lorisa into the depths of the dense forest.
When the two Centaurs disappeared into the dense forest, the tabby cat, which had been feigning sleep while on alert in the tree, jumped down.
Upon landing, she transformed into a tall witch.
Professor McGonagall first knelt down to check Hagrid's condition, and seeing Hagrid's pale face, a flash of anger crossed her eyes.
"Can one of you explain what happened earlier?"
Harry and Chen Yu briefly recounted what had just happened.
But they concealed their use of Muggle weapons.
Professor McGonagall stood up and sternly told Chen Yu and Harry, "Harry, Chen Yu, I know you two are very close to Hagrid, but in such a situation, you both acted too impulsively. You should have notified the professors immediately, instead of violating school rules and entering the Forbidden Forest on your own. If it were according to normal rules, I would deduct fifty points from each of you and give you a month of detention as punishment!"
Impulsive?
If not impulsive, would it still be Gryffindor?
Chen Yu rolled his eyes at his professor deep down.