Centaurs and choice

[Gregory Lynn]

No: HPFGUIDX 112504

I am listening to Sorcerer's Stone at the moment, and in the bit in
the forest where Firenze chases off voldie, Bane says "We are sworn
not to set ourselves against the Heavens."

This strikes me as very intriguing considering the "choice" theme that
pervades the books.

Are *all* centaurs sworn not to set themselves against the heavens or
are Firenze, Bane, and Ronin part of some subset of centaurs that have
sworn this oath.  There doesn't seem to be any canon to support the
notion that they are part of a subset.

On the other hand, if all centaurs are required to swear this oath,
what happens to those who don't?  I would suggest that they are
probably executed the way Firenze would have been if Hagrid hadn't
interfered.

This, needless to say, is very anti-choice and one of the major themes
of the books is that we are what we decide to be.

How do you think this will play out?

Obviously Firenze has made his choice and to that extent it has
already played out but what about the rest of them?  Will the centaurs
do something that helps Voldemort because they have chosen not to
interfere?  If so will it be a willful aiding of Voldemort or an act
of remaining neutral?

Just something to ponder.

-- 
Gregory Lynn