Contribute to the wizarding world?
Fromid and the old Centaur exchanged glances, each seeing confusion in the other's eyes.
For a long time, the Druids had been accustomed to migrating between primeval forests and remote towns across Europe. Whenever one place became unlivable, they simply moved somewhere else. Their arrival in the Forbidden Forest this time was merely a short-term stay to them. It had never occurred to them that occupying land belonging to the wizarding world meant they ought to "pay rent."
"Mr. Breen—"
After a long silence, old Horn said stiffly,
"We Centaurs belong to the wizarding world, though we are regarded as heretics by wizards. Yet no wizard has ever demanded that Centaurs contribute anything to the wizarding world."
"That's different, Horn—"
Amosta ran his fingers around the rim of his cup and spoke calmly.
"You have been integrated with wizards for a thousand years. You are already part of the wizarding world, part of 'magic' itself. Therefore, it is only natural for wizards to protect you."
"With all due respect, Mr. Breen, the Centaurs have never seen any protection from wizards."
Horn said in a low voice.
"Wizards have enacted laws against smuggling and poaching. Isn't that a form of protection for Centaurs?"
Amosta's smiling words left Horn speechless.
"Without wizarding laws to deter them, Horn, the poachers appearing near your tribe would come in droves, rather than merely a few stray cats sneaking in from time to time."
After leaving Horn with nothing more to say, Amosta turned to the silent Fromid.
"The Centaurs' example is an excellent lesson for you. For a thousand years, you have relied on your own strength to fight The Vatican. The price you have paid has been a life of constant displacement for your people, with terrible casualties, and—"