"This damn place is getting colder and colder."
Inside the crudely built temporary stable, Hagrid, wrapped in a mink coat, fed the Thestrals while speaking to Alice, who had just come over to help. "The little fellows are having trouble adapting to the low temperatures here."
"Actually, you could suggest to Headmistress McGonagall that the Thestrals return to Hogwarts first, then come back for us after the Triwizard Tournament ends," Alice suggested as she looked at the listless Thestrals, worn down by confinement.
"I considered that too, but I gave up after talking with Olympe earlier. He seemed to think that..." Hagrid muttered as he divided the remaining fresh meat in the wooden bucket among the Thestrals and spread a thick layer of dried hay across the floor.
As long as they had enough food and a warm stable, getting through the harsh winter would not be too difficult. The only problem was that they could not roam freely, which was rather torturous for Thestrals that were rarely restrained.
Alice naturally understood Hagrid's little scheme. His greater reason for not returning to Hogwarts early was that he wanted to stay and be Madame Maxime's dance partner at the Christmas Ball. So she did not continue the subject. After gently stroking a Thestral's bony head with her wool-gloved hand, she replenished the blue flames in the stove that kept the stable warm.
Durmstrang's winter grew ever colder. Even Beauxbatons' sturdy flying horses had begun to fall ill. Fortunately, Hagrid was skilled at caring for magical creatures, and Albert had improved the Warming Charm. Otherwise, they might have lost some over the winter.
"I suspect he's having an affair with Madame Maxime!"
As Alice replenished the fire in the Beauxbatons stable, a familiar voice suddenly sounded behind her.
"What is it?"
Alice