Bane

Bane

Age: Unknown

Distinguishing Characteristics: A centaur, Bane has the body and legs of a horse and the head, arms, and torso of a man. Bane's body and mane are both black, and he is described as looking rather wild when compared to other centaurs.

Heritage: Centaur

Family: Bane is one member of the herd of centaurs that lives in the Forbidden Forest outside of Hogwarts. The herd also includes centaurs Ronan and Magorian

First Mention: Philosopher's Stone/Sorcerer's Stone, Chapter 15.

General: Bane is one of the centaurs that Harry Potter met on his first visit to the Forbidden Forest. Bane is a bit wilder and more aggressive than some of the other centaurs. He is not overly fond of humans and wants the centaurs to remain separated from both Muggle and wizard life. A stargazer, Bane has the ability to foresee coming events. Rather than interfere, however, he prefers to stand aside and allow future events to proceed unchallenged. He openly criticizes other centaurs who do not take this same view; those centaurs who attempt to help humans (SS, p. 257).

Bane rebukes the centaur Firenze for allowing Harry to ride on his back, calling Firenze a "common mule" (SS, p. 257). Four years later, it is likely that Bane was one of the centaurs who violently attacked Firenze for agreeing to teach Divination at Hogwarts (OOTP, p. 686-7). That same year, Bane threatened Hagrid, Hermione, and Harry when they entered the Forbidden Forest, saying the forest was off-limits to humans (OOTP, p. 698-9). Later, Bane lead the group of centaurs that carried Dolores Umbridge off after she insulted the herd and attempted to ensnare Magorian (OOTP, p. 753-6).

At the end of Harry's sixth year, a group of centaurs made an appearance at Dumbledore's funereal to pay their respects (HBP, p. 644-6). It is unknown whether or not Bane was a member of this group.