Chapter 69 The Thestrals

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The train journey had been remarkably peaceful. At noon, they shared Mrs. Weasley's pumpkin pies and meat pasties, along with cauldron cakes from the trolley.

By the time Hermione finally shifted her attention from house-elves to Lockhart's "Wandering with Werewolves," twilight was approaching.

Commotion and crackling sounds erupted from the corridor as Fred and George set off dozens of modified Filibuster fireworks. The fireworks transformed into buzzing colored spheres that zoomed everywhere, startling several Muggle-born first years while Percy struggled to maintain order.

Outside the station, about a hundred carriages awaited them. The four friends climbed into one, with Harry and Ron looking around in amazement.

"So second years take carriages to the castle? But where are the horses?" Ron asked.

"Must be magic. This is Hogwarts, after all," Harry said.

"No! They're pulled by magical creatures called Thestrals - we just can't see them. Haven't any of you read 'Hogwarts: A History'?" Hermione explained.

"That's what we've got you for," Ron shrugged, turning to look at the front of the carriage but seeing nothing.

"What do Thestrals look like? Are they invisible?" Harry asked curiously.

"They're black, very dark, and skeletal. They have two hairless, bat-like wings on their backs - like a cross between a bat and a horse," Orli described, gazing toward the front of the carriage.

"You can see them? How?" Ron asked, puzzled.

"Only those who have witnessed death can see Thestrals," Hermione said softly, reaching over to squeeze Orli's hand. Orli turned and gave her a gentle smile.

A girl with white-blonde hair passed by their carriage, glancing up at Orli.

"How wonderful, you can see them too. Everyone says I'm making things up," said Luna. Orli recognized her immediately, but before she could respond, Luna had disappeared among the first-years.

Moments later, the long line of carriages began rolling along the path to the castle, splashing through puddles along the way.

"Remember our Sorting ceremony?" Ron mumbled, looking toward the Black Lake. "Wonder if Ginny will be in Gryffindor."

"I think all Weasleys end up in Gryffindor. Ginny probably won't be an exception," Hermione said.

"Fred told her first-years have to jump from the highest tower to catch a broomstick... Ah!"

Before Orli could finish, a violent jolt sent her head crashing into the carriage roof. The entire carriage began shaking violently, throwing all four of them about. It wasn't until Harry was flung against the window that he cried out in horror:

"We're rising! We're in the air!"

Orli grabbed the window frame and looked out, her face instantly draining of color. The Thestral pulling their carriage had somehow been spooked and was now flapping its wings, soaring higher and higher toward the Forbidden Forest. They were getting further from the ground, the carriage procession below shrinking to mere dots.

"Hermione! What do we do?! We're going to die!" Ron clutched the seat handles in terror.

"Thestral! I know you can understand me! Stop and return to the ground!" Orli shouted desperately outside the carriage, knowing Thestrals were intelligent creatures. But for some reason, this one seemed to have gone berserk, flying erratically and completely ignoring commands.

"Harry! Where's your broomstick?" Hermione called out.

"In the luggage rack behind the carriage!" Harry yelled back.

"Oh! The Summoning Charm! I haven't learned that yet - it's advanced magic..." Hermione pounded the seat in frustration.

"Would the Levitation Charm work?" Ron asked desperately.

"We don't have enough magical power to keep ourselves floating in mid-air!" Hermione shouted back.

"Then what do you suggest we do?!" Ron was nearly hysterical.