Ronan

Ronan is a centaur who lives with his herd in the Forbidden Forest on the grounds of Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry. He is characterized by his philosophical and melancholic nature, often speaking in cryptic pronouncements based on his observations of the stars and planets. Though typically adhering to the centaurs' code of non-interference in human affairs, Ronan ultimately joins the fight against Lord Voldemort during the Battle of Hogwarts, demonstrating his underlying sense of justice.

Ronan is first encountered by Harry Potter during a detention in the Forbidden Forest in 1992. Alongside Bane, another centaur, Ronan meets Harry, Hermione Granger, and Draco Malfoy. When Hagrid asks if he has seen anything unusual, Ronan responds cryptically, “Mars is bright tonight,” a statement reflecting the centaur belief that the movements of planets foretell future events. He is described as having a sad, deep voice and appears less openly hostile towards the humans than Bane, though he agrees with Bane that centaurs are not to meddle with what is foretold. In 1996, Ronan is part of the centaur herd, led by Magorian, that confronts Dolores Umbridge when Harry and Hermione lure her into the Forbidden Forest. The centaurs, insulted by Umbridge's arrogance and prejudice, become enraged and carry her away into the deeper parts of the forest. During the Battle of Hogwarts on 2 May 1998, the centaur herd initially refuses to take a side, much to Hagrid's dismay. However, after witnessing the cruelty of the Death Eaters and the courage of the defenders of Hogwarts, the centaurs change their minds. Ronan, alongside Magorian, is one of the first to charge out of the forest, firing arrows and joining the battle against Voldemort's army.

Ronan is described as having red hair and a beard, the upper body of a man, and the lower body of a bay horse. His personality is somber, philosophical, and fatalistic. He is deeply invested in the centaur art of Divination and interprets the world through the lens of the cosmos. Compared to the more aggressive Bane, Ronan is calmer and more contemplative, though he shares the deep-seated centaur pride and suspicion of wizards. His decision to fight in the Battle of Hogwarts reveals a noble character who will ultimately defend the innocent when a great evil threatens the world.

• Divination: Like all centaurs, Ronan is skilled in reading the future from the movement of stars and planets. His pronouncements, such as “Mars is bright tonight,” are direct references to his astrological findings.
• Archery: As a centaur, Ronan is presumed to be a proficient archer, the traditional weapon of his kind. The centaurs use their bow and arrows to great effect during the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Physical Prowess: Possessing the body of a horse, Ronan has immense speed, stamina, and physical strength, using his powerful hooves as weapons in close combat.

As a creature of the forest, Ronan does not appear to have personal belongings in the human sense. However, like other members of his herd, he would possess a bow and arrow for hunting and defense.

• Bane: Ronan is frequently seen with Bane. While they share the same fundamental centaur beliefs, Ronan is less confrontational and more melancholic in his demeanor.
• Magorian: Ronan appears to be a respected member of the herd led by Magorian and follows his lead during the confrontation with Umbridge and the charge into the Battle of Hogwarts.
• Firenze: While not documented directly, Ronan would have shared his herd's initial disdain for Firenze after the latter accepted a teaching post at Hogwarts, an act the herd considered a betrayal and subservience to humans.
• Rubeus Hagrid: Ronan maintains a civil but distant relationship with Hagrid, who is one of the few humans the Forbidden Forest centaurs tolerate.
• Harry Potter: Ronan's interactions with Harry are few and defined by his cryptic nature. He shows no personal animosity towards Harry but views him through the detached, observational lens of a centaur.

The name Ronan is of Irish origin (Rónán), meaning “little seal.” While the name's meaning does not have an obvious connection to the character, Saint Ronan was an Irish saint associated with stories of conflict against a powerful sorceress, which could be seen as a faint parallel to the centaurs' tense relationship with the world of witches and wizards.

In the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone, Ronan appears during the Forbidden Forest scene. Unlike his book description of having red hair and a beard, the film depicts him with dark hair and a more bestial facial structure. He is voiced by Alex Crockford (film).