CHAPTER FIFTEEN
“Mars is bright tonight,” he said simply.
“We’ve heard,” said Hagrid grumpily. “Well, if either of you do
see anythin’, let me know, won’t yeh? We’ll be off, then.”
Harry and Hermione followed him out of the clearing, staring
over their shoulders at Ronan and Bane until the trees blocked
their view.
“Never,” said Hagrid irritably, “try an’ get a straight answer out
of a centaur. Ruddy stargazers. Not interested in anythin’ closer’n
the moon.”
“Are there many of them in here?” asked Hermione.
“Oh, a fair few. . . . Keep themselves to themselves mostly, but
they’re good enough about turnin’ up if ever I want a word. They’re
deep, mind, centaurs . . . they know things . . . jus’ don’ let on
much.”
“D’you think that was a centaur we heard earlier?” said Harry.
“Did that sound like hooves to you? Nah, if yeh ask me, that was
what’s bin killin’ the unicorns — never heard anythin’ like it be-
fore.”
They walked on through the dense, dark trees. Harry kept look-
ing nervously over his shoulder. He had the nasty feeling they were
being watched. He was very glad they had Hagrid and his crossbow
with them. They had just passed a bend in the path when Her-
mione grabbed Hagrid’s arm.
“Hagrid! Look! Red sparks, the others are in trouble!”
“You two wait here!” Hagrid shouted. “Stay on the path, I’ll
come back for yeh!”
They heard him crashing away through the undergrowth and
stood looking at each other, very scared, until they couldn’t hear
anything but the rustling of leaves around them.
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