Astor and Firenze trained alone in the forest for several months. Firenze would watch and observe as Astor made dashes and faints with the Basilisk Tooth spear, making comments when needed. Occasionally, the two would fight for more realistic practice, Firenze with a wooden scabbard and Astor with a wooden spear (in imitation of his real one). Although Firenze was reluctant to make this a usual part of the training, wary that Astor would get too used to handling overhead blows. They also ran in the woods to improve Astor's physique, though the centaur could far out-stride Astor and would often end up several miles ahead. They also hunted the large arachnids that had escaped from the depths of Hogwarts when Astor had escaped the catacombs. The spiders were still afraid of Astor and his blackened spear, though some very large ones would try to defend themselves. When not in use, the spear was always fastened to Astor's back with a  sash of red fabric stripped from the Centaur's shawl.