Dinner conversation

The rumors were flying by dinner time. Harry sat at the Gryffindor table with Ron and Hermione as normal, a fourth year girl sat by Hermione.

"Did you hear about Beth Martin?"

"Who?" Harry feigned ignorance.

"A third year Hufflepuff. She was attacked at the edge of the forbidden forest. I heard her parents were coming to take her home, she's traumatized. Dumbledore did warn us to stay away from the forest."

"What does the forest matter? It could have happened anywhere." Ron asked.

"Renee White said she saw a centaur moving through the trees right before she found Beth."

"So?"

"Seriously Ron," Hermione began, "have you not done any of the recommended reading? Centaurs normally have no respect for humans, as a result they see no problem in.....assualting women and often do."

Ron looked like he was about to ask anouther question, but realization dawned, he reddened and focused on the food before him.

Harry was elated, it sounded like they didnt even suspect a student, he was in the clear.