Fight and Flight

Hermione leads both Harry and Professor Umbridge into the Forbidden Forest, still promising Umbridge the special “weapon” that has been prepared. Professor Umbridge continues to threaten both Harry and Hermione with her wand pointed at both of their backs.

Harry has no idea where Hermione is taking them, but he knows that she is leading them in the opposite direction of Grawp, which surprises Harry. After a while, the three of them hear a voice demanding to know who they are and what they are doing there. It is quite a large company of Centaurs lead by Bane, who is often particularly abrasive towards humans in the Forbidden Forest.

Professor Umbridge almost immediately insults the Centaurs by calling them “half-breeds,” hinting that the Centaurs don’t really have as much intelligence as humans do, and insinuating that the Centaurs’ main purpose is to attack her.

Professor Umbridge’s insults go too far and the group of Centaurs lunges at her. Umbridge’s attempts to escape and fight back are foiled as all she can do is scream and try to stun the group of Centaurs, which doesn’t work. The fight ends with Bane running off with Professor Umbridge.

The Centaurs then discuss what should be done with the “foals” named Harry and Hermione. Before anything can be done, Grawp shows up looking for Hermione; he simply wants to know what happened to Hagrid. When the Centaurs attack Grawp, this gives Harry and Hermione their chance to make their escape.

As Harry and Hermione exit the forest, Harry’s hurting scar alerts him that Sirius is still in trouble. Harry and Hermione meet up with Neville, Ginny, Luna, and Ron. The Inquisitorial Squad of Slytherin students were unable to hold the four as they stood there, captives after helping Harry create a diversion to use the fire in Professor Umbridge’s office. After escaping the Inquisitorial Squad, the four of them insist on going with Harry to the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic.

The only issue is transportation. No one is quite sure how to get there. Luna makes a good suggestion to make use of the Thestrals. Enticed by the smell of Grawp’s blood, which is all over Harry and Hermione from the Centaur attack, a group of Thestrals arrives and the friends plan to travel to the Department of Mysteries in the Ministry of Magic.