Flying Over the City (Please Subscribe)

"Because you might not have noticed, but you and Hermione are covered in blood."

Ginny said calmly,

"and we know Hagrid uses raw meat to attract Thestrals. That's probably why those two appeared in the first place..."

At that moment, Harry felt his robe being gently tugged. Looking down, he saw that the nearest Thestral was licking his sleeve, which had been soaked damp with Grawp's blood.

"Brilliant," he said, suddenly struck by a good idea. "Ron and I can ride these two and leave first. Hermione can stay behind with the three of you—she can attract more Thestrals—"

"I don't want to stay behind!" Hermione said anxiously.

"I don't think that'll be necessary," Luna said with a smile. "Look, more Thestrals are coming. You two really do smell strong."

Harry turned and saw at least six or seven Thestrals carefully making their way through the woods. Their huge, leathery wings were folded tightly against their bodies, and their eyes glimmered faintly in the darkness.

...He had no excuse now.

"All right," he said grumpily. "Pick one and get on."

Harry thrust one hand into the mane of the nearest Thestral and gripped it tightly. With one foot on a nearby stump, he clumsily climbed onto its soft, sleek back.

Though it did not resist, it twisted its head around, bared its sharp teeth, and eagerly tried to keep licking his robe.

Harry found that placing his knees beneath the joints of its wings made him sit more securely, then looked around at the others.

Neville was bent over, practically sprawled across another Thestral's back, struggling to swing one short leg over to the other side.

Luna was already seated sideways, straightening her robes as though she rode Thestrals every day.

But Ron, Hermione, and Ginny were still standing motionless