The tribe's time has come...

[Valunce]

Valunce hadn't dared near Hogwarts for some time now, rumour had been rife that the humans were even more against other races than ever before, he knew nothing of human politics, but he guessed they were alike to the herd's own difficulties and rivalries between the elders and youngsters alike. Thankfully he was in his middle years and managed to steer clear of many disputes, his good common sense and helpful nature meaning few had any major quarrel with him; except for his father.

Relations between them had barely altered at all, for good or evil nothing had occured particularly untoward or of major significance between them. The two were more than content to believe the other didn't exist, even Valunce was a stubborn mule as were many centaurs.

The stars had taken much of his time, they had shown him many an occurence and he realised that time was marching on, the possible doom some centaurs had predicted was nigh, perhaps would occur within months now, but forsight was a difficult art to master nobody could be certain of the star's predictions; the wisest and greyest centaurs refused to hasten a guess and even the youngest weren't foolish enough to believe their vague guestimations could be correct.

Valcunce for oje had taken careful note of the stars, seeking their advice most ardently, upon many an issue, but one that aroused his curiosity the most was curiously the fate of Hogwarts. For a centaur he had taken an avid interest in the school, appearing perhaps once a month upon the boundaries of the forest to espy the various goings on around the grounds. To very little avail he rarely learnt anything at all, humans were such a diverse and interesting race so utterly different to centaurs.

Now Valunce crept through the voliage, as easily as a tall striking centaur could, thankfully the all consuming darkness protected his identity, one would see only a large unweildly form upon the brink of the forest itself, rarely he ventured quite so close to the school, only once having really gone much further. He had believed that day would be such a turnaround, alack his life had remained very much the same for many a month.

Peering out at the surrounding countryside so differing to the dark, damp and close forest, Valunce's sharp and striking eyes sought any movement, and it they did, shrinking back into the forest seeing a figure move some distance away, his first instinct was to turn tail and run, but another of curiousity overpowered it, perhaps he could converse with this being? Who knew? Only time would tell as he waited patiently watching every in miniscule detail every movement the being made, at least striving to.

[Max Hennerdale]

Maxi had come out of the castle for a bit of fresh air. The crowds were becoming more apparent now and more people were taking notice of him. Everytime he tried to get some peace, someone else seemed to be there. He had walked around the ground for about an hour but every corner and turn he took there was always someone else wanting to know about 'The Lad From Durmstrang'. People had heard so many different things about him, the funniest one was that he was evil. Maxi wouldnt hurt a fly. And he hated them things.

He had met one person in Hogwarts that Maxi could honestly say was nice, and that was Ashton. The rest had just been passing people. People being nosey or the professors. Maxi hadnt written to any of his friends from Durmstrang yet, but he knew the system there. They were now having Mid-Term exams and practising quidditch, both which they took very seriously so he didnt bother.

Maxi hadnt even been paying much attention to where he was going. His feet seemed to have a mind of their own while his mind wandered elsewhere. Another thing he didnt get, was the house rivalry. He wasnt used to it, he didnt see the point in it and he didnt like it. What was the point in everyone arguing. What seperated them all was just an animal. Sure, different ideals but they were all people. Maxi hated it.

Before Maxi knew where he was, he was in the forest. Looking through the darkness he realised this was a perfect place to get away, alas he didnt know anything about the tales of the forest, but Maxi would be here even if he did. Things like ghost stories never fazed him. He was tougher than that though he didnt look it. Sure he was quiet, and shy, but when his temper flared he wasnt a gentle guy.

Maxi didnt know where he was in the forest. He walked around for a bit trying to make head or tail of his whereabouts, but nothing was coming to him. Great he thought. He turned around, in the distance he could see an outline of...something. What is that...? he thought, straining his eyes in the darkness. The only thing he could clearly make out was its horse like form. Maxi stood there, just looking at it.

[Valunce]

Curiously gazing at the approaching human boy Valunce wondered why he showed no fear, most humans seemed terrified of the Forbidden Forest as they had so quaintly named it, little did they know the centaur's own name for it, and if his father had anything to do with it, none ever would; he was so stubborn, father and son so often clashed.

The human seemed to stride purposefully forwards coming directly towards him, shuffling his feet Valunce pawed the ground nervously, something about this young boy unnerved him, such a steely gaze he believed uncommon among the 'lesser races' as Father called them.

Valunce made a choice then, perhaps one he would later live to regret, but he would always wonder what it would be like to converse with humans, would they really be so utterly different as elders claimed they were? For once he doubted their words, deciding upon his course of action he sprang foward into a shaft of pale moonlight, which illuminated his features, a sturdy broad shouldered centaur he stood tall, dwarfing any human he had ever come across, and standing nigh upon a head taller than his family. Long scraggly locks fell past his broad muscled shoulders. His scraggly hair morphed with his sleeker horse form and he was known as rather handsome amongst his fellow centaurs, to humans he seemed quite daunting and formidable, quite opposite to his real personality.

"Be not afraid human," he ordered in his song-like voice "I mean you no harm," He gestured for the youngling to approach beckoning him forwards with an expression he deemed to be encouraging a grimace with the very slgihtest upturn of the mouth in smile. Centaurs of his herd rarely showed much emotion of joy or excitement prefering slower and more methodical ways of life.

"Valunce my herd calls me? Pray tell me what does your loving herd call you?" He knew not how to act before a human feeling suddenly rather more suited to conversing with his fellow centaurs he pawed the earth in his unease.

[Max Hennerdale]

Maxi still couldnt see what it was that was outlined just a little way ahead of him. Still straining his eyes to the distance he tried to figure out exactly what it was. Alas no luck. He had no clue what was stood just metres in front of him.

He found his legs slowly moving towards the... whatever it was. Maxi hadnt even registered that they were movin until now. Though he felt no fear for the looming forest around him, he felt nerved about what it was he was heading towards. Maxi's curiosity always got the better of him, no matter what he tried to do. Often he had tried to ignore those nagging little things in his head that told him, dont do it.

The moonlight was reflecting of Maxi's blonde hair. Making it look a rather dodgy shade of silver. Still walking he noted to himself. He had no idea what this place, nor whatever was stood infront of him had in store for the young boy. Though he guessed he'd soon figure it out.

Before Maxi knew what was going on, the thing leaped out infront of him, into the moonlight. "Yaagh!!!" Maxi gave a cry of shock and stumbled back a few paces. He hadnt expected that. Though he should by now have learnt to expect the unexpected. Maxi took in the appearance. Horse like body, human torso. Very very very large. Muscly too. Centaur. "Oh... boy" Maxi mumbled to himself. Maybe this was not a good thing.

The centaur spoke to him, in a way Maxi could only describe as soft and beautiful. His nerves calmed, he couldnt help it. The creature, sorry Centaur, seemed so gentle. "Well thats definatly one worry to subside" Maxi said, knowing now he wouldnt be hurt. Maxi watched as the Centaur attemped a smile. That was a smile right? He wasnt sure. Valunce. So at least the Centaur had a name. Though an unusual one. "My Herd?" Maxi repeated. "I guess if i had one they'd call me Maxi" He walked towards Valunce slowly, feeling nervous. He felt tiny compared to the Centaur. What a day this was turning out to be.

[Valunce]

Looming over the human Valunce peered down taking in the details of his silvery hair, was that a trick of the moon or his own imagination decieving him? It seemed he had scared the boy by bounding out from the shadows perhaps he had better smooth over roguth downtrodden ground he had made.
"I apologise for startling you small one."

The boy delivered his name dutifully causing Valunce's brow to crease as he struggled over the foreign word, "Maaxee," He said in an elongated fashion tasting the strange word. "You humans always have strange names," he stated as if apologising for the way he had uttered the name.

"You have a herd young one, those in your castle are your family." He pronounced the words softly, his voice was light quite differing to many centaurs who spoke in deep rumbles; especially the elders.

Valunce kept his eyes fixed upon the boy barely blinking but continued in light dulcet tones "You venture without fear here, in this forboding forest;why? Know you not it's dangers?" He didn't mean to scare the boy, but he knew that few humans would venture voluntarily into his abode.

[Max Hennerdale]

It was quite daunting to have a centaur loom over you like that, Maxi all of a sudden felt a lot smaller than what he actually was. Maxi took a tiny step back so he wasnt being loomed over. He felt constricted. "Im not small!" Maxi pouted "Im actually quite tall... for a lad of my age anyway" He said, though he did get why the centaur had called him small. To Valunce, Maxi was small.

Maxi gave a laugh at the way Valunce pronounced his name, holding up a hand in a truly gay fashion he said, "No no no! Max..i" He tried to say "Max.. then... e.. Maxi" Maxi thought about this, why was he bothering? "Max, if its easier fo you" He couldnt help but raise an eyebrow though, he had never considered his name strange, well the shortened version of his name, "Maxi is short for Maxiwell, Maxi makes it sound more normal..." His full name, Maxiwell Devon Leigh Hennerdale, now that was strange. Though of course he wasnt telling Valunce that.

"I wouldnt consider the people in the castle as my family" Which he wouldnt. He knew one maybe two people in that place. And with the house rivalry. Some bloody family. Even his family didnt feel like his family. Maxi was Maxi's herd. He was all he needed. Nobody else.

"Oh.." Maxi uttered quietly. His brow furrowing. He hadnt thought about it, but the forest neither scared nor intimidated him. "I dunno, i guess i just dont find it creepy like most do... Dangers?" Maxi questioned. Maxi knew nothing about the forest, so how would he?

[Valunce]

The relations between the two of them were far from easy, Valunce knew he was making many blunders and probably cauing much offense with his comments, but he was a centaur and he could think of know way to act differently; stay true to yourself, that was always the best way.

Standing stock still Valunce ceased pacing feeling slightly more at ease with the genial way the human spoke, though he seemed quite indignant that he wasn't small.
"To me you seem small little one." He said apologetically not realising his blunder.

Chuckling in a deep brass voice Valunce's features broke into something of a smile as the human tried in vain to teach him his name, there wasn't much of a chance that he'd ever master it.
Valunce's brow furrowed as he tried again to pronounce the foreign word "M-hax," it sounded somewhat similar to the boy's speech.
"No matter, your ways are foreign to me, much like mine are to you."

Moving off to gaze out towards the castle he added
"One cannot choose your family, whether you like it that or not." He said philosophically thinking of his own herd; especially his father, he would never wish hurt upon him but a nuisance he undoubtedly was.

The imposing centaur looked down upon the boy with sorrowful eyes thinking of the many dire situations he had heard of in this very forest. "Perhaps it is better you don't know, ignorance is bliss the elders do say. Yet darkness is ever encroaching this place, I advise you do not return, the elders forsee troubled times ahead."

Abruptly he asked "What brings you here? Do you seek solitude?" This human confused him, perhaps he would receive some answers if he posed the correct questions.

[Max Hennerdale]

Maxi began shifting weight from his left leg to his right, and back again as an awkward silence fell over him and the centaur. Maxi thought about leaving and running but something stopped him. He was curious about the centaur and it seemed like it wasnt going to hurt him so what would be the point in running away when there was still much he coiuld learn?

"Yeah well i guess i would to you" Maxi spoke, realising valunce was much bigger than himself so it was only obvious that Maxi would seem a little on the, well, short side. Maxi smiled at him though in hope that Valunce would realise he didnt take it offensivly.

Maxi listened as valunce tried to speak his name and gave a laugh when he still couldnt do it, "Well that was close enough for now, i guess you can work on that so if we ever see each other again you could be able to speak it properly, it doesnt bother me much though" Maxi looked away, they were complete strangers with completly different backgrounds, almost like foreigners. Though he felt comfertable, almost safe here.

Maxi puffed, he did not like the fact that Valunce had just said something his father always told him, "Doesnt mean you have to state that they are your family rather than aquaintences" Maxi said in a small voice. His father, was his father by blood. But his mothers husband, Steven, was indeed his dad.

"I tend not to listen to advice, call it human ignorance if you like" Maxi shrugged and supposed it would be better to be straight up and front, "Ghost stories neither bother nor scare me" Maxi thought about it and knew he was being foolish, and knew the centaur would know more than he did, though Max wasnt that bothered.

"What i seek, a forest could never hand to me" He said and wondered where it came to, "Though i guess it would have been nice to be alone for a bit, but i guess the companys not bad, just needed time away from that lot" he gave a nod in the general direction of the castle.

[Valunce]

The human had an incredibly strange way about him, seemingly at ease and worried at the same time. Valunce had yet to figure out his true character; perhaps humans really were so completely different, already he could tell they had little in common and silence would prevail easily between them. He knew not how to act before him so erred towards the way of caution and almost suspicion, but he would patiently await to seek the truth in his demeanour and character.

Shaking his head as awareness of their differences, especially the apparent bravado and arrogance quite uncommon in centaurs, to him leastways. "I believe for ill we will meet again, humans never listen to caution," he murmered half to himself perhaps what the elders taught was more truthful than he had hoped

Valunce hear what I speak, humans rarely listen, they lack patience and other such centaur qualities, cease your interest in them, nothing beneficial can come from your abnormal curiousity. Elder Patriar had so often cautioned Valunce in such a manner, he heeded those words now and other such pearls of wisdom which he had laid down.

"Indeed humans appear ignorant to us, your ways are... so very different, to seek a common interest would nigh be folly it had often been said." Such wise words Valunce had learnt to guide him upon the right pathway, but he could choose his own route yet not the destination; would he fraternise with the enemy as his father would undoubtedly call it? Only time would tell.

"One should always heed advice, though faults there may be, we should always listen to our elders." Valunce spoke in a typical centaurian fashion, delivering short speechs containing sound advice which he didn't really mean to divulge, it was just his way.

"Ghost stories? What stories are there of ghosts?" He asked incredulously a frown appearing across his brow. "I speak not of ghosts, there are far worse creatures and spirits within the world than ghosts, they are beings who wish to remain upon this world for a purpose one cannot know usually. I speak not to alarm you, but truly you must grow more cautious, or else it will be your undoing." Clapping a large hand upon the human's scrawny shoulder, he decreed "yet you have a hidden strength little one, as do we all."

What puzzled Valunce perhaps the most was the boy's dislike for his tribe, of course there were frictions in his tribe, with major and minor disagreements daily, yet when the time came they stood shoulder to shoulder against adversity, they knew what strength lay in numbers and unity, centaurs had been decimated when they stood alone. Such thoughts clouded Valunce's mind, he was learning afresh many lessons with this human and the knowledge of his love for his own kind was growing. Though the interest in the humans was being perked also.

"What is the problem with that lot?" He asked feeling the words strange upon his tongue, they used such differing expressions.
"How do they treat you?" He asked sympathetically believing this boy could likely be an outcast, yet perhaps he was coming to a conclusion to rashly, patience he would have to employ to learn more.

[Max Hennerdale]

Maxi stood there, rocking backwards and forwards on his feet, his wand perched in his studded belt, his hands clasped behind his back. He felt comfy in the Centaurs prescence and felt a strange kind of gentleness emitting from the creature. "Yes well i guess its more our curious side... which can lead to trouble... and perhaps danger... maybe even death" Maxi shrugged "well i guess curiosity did kill that cat then"

"Well duh" Maxi laughed as he rolled his eyes, "Humans mainly fear the unknown, and you my four legged friend, are what would class as unknown, that which leads to ignorance, well you know what they say, ignorance is bliss... Or is it bliss is ignorance.. Hmmm.. Whatever. Me? I fear.. I guess fear itself"

"Yeah but older people are boring" Maxi huffed. Though he knew the words in which he spoke were probably more wise than Maxi could ever hope to even understand.

"Oh... No no no no no" He laughed waving his hands, "I wasnt speaking literally of ghosts. When we say ghost stories we mean 'scary things that havnt been proved'. Though i know i should be more cautious but my curious nature tends to void it" he said with a shrug on his shoulder, before feeling the centaurs hand upon his, blushing slightly at his compliment "Oh phooey. Ive about as much hidden strength as a haystack" he laughed.

"Oh well" He began "They know im not originally from here. I came in from Durmstrang and obviously theres a lot of speculation about that school. That they teach the dark arts, well yeah thats true, ive been studying it for some time and it is fascinating. Though ive heard rumours about myself, one im a prince. Fat chance of that, two im the next dark wizard. Im about as dark a wizard as i am a cat" He shrugged, "And the Slytherins? We'll theyre just all monkeys who need their wands shoving where sun dont shine mate"