Thestral Carriage

After the sumptuous dinner ended, everyone returned to their respective common lounges.

As Kyle was leaving the Great Hall, someone suddenly called out to him.

"Looks like I've arrived just in time."

Professor Dumbledore stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, and upon seeing Kyle, led him directly to a side aisle.

"Do you remember the letter you asked me to deliver a few days ago?"

He said, "I received a reply from Nicolas at noon today. He asked me to send you over during the holidays."

"So, you want to borrow Fawkes? If it's you, it shouldn't refuse."

Whether it was just his imagination or not, Kyle vaguely smelled a sour odor.

He shook his head and asked:

"... Are there any other methods?"

If possible, Kyle didn't want to be carried by the phoenix, even though it was the fastest way, it was too barbaric... He couldn't quite accept it.

Professor Dumbledore thought for a moment, "Of course, it will just be a little slower."

"It's alright," Kyle quickly said. "I'm not in a hurry."

"Oh well..."

The two talked for a while longer, and after a few minutes, Kyle returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room.

Because tomorrow is the holiday, the students were all very excited, sitting there loudly discussing their plans for the next two weeks.

Kyle didn't participate in their discussion and went straight back to his dorm.

The next day, Kyle got up as usual. The dormitory was empty. He packed his things and pushed open the dormitory door.

The common room was empty except for Kanna, who was sitting in a chair near the fireplace, doing her homework.

Upon hearing the noise, she casually raised her head and said:

"Hello, Winsty ...wait, Kyle?"

Kanna was somewhat surprised, and immediately jumped up from her chair, grabbing Kyle and trying to run outside.

"Hurry, hurry... I hope the train hasn't left yet," she said anxiously. "Honestly, why are you only waking up now? I should have gone to wake you up earlier."

"Don't worry, it's alright."

Kyle grabbed her arm and explained, "The train left ten minutes ago, and I have other plans, so I don't need to take the train."

"Other arrangements?" Kanna looked at him questioningly. "You've also decided to stay at school?"

"No." Kyle shook his head. "It's just that I don't have to take the train. Remember Professor Dumbledore came to see me yesterday? It was about this."

Hearing him say that, Kanna breathed a sigh of relief and turned back to her previous seat.

"Why are you alone? Where's Cedric?" Kyle asked.

"She went out," Kanna said. "She left very early this morning, and didn't say where she went."

Are you all alone here?

"No, there's also Winsty, a fifth-grade student."

Kyle nodded and went to the kitchen to get some food.

Around 10 a. m., Cedric still hadn't returned. Then, a brown owl flew in through the window and tossed a note to Kyle.

"I have to go." Kyle glanced at the contents of the document, stood up, and said.

Have a wonderful holiday and Merry Christmas!

"Merry Chrismas!"

Instead of heading to Hogsmeade Station after leaving the common room, Kyle turned onto a side road near the platform and went to the place where they used to take the carriage when school started.

This is a very remote place, and almost no one comes here normally, but today is an exception.

"Kyle, over here!"

Hagrid seemed to have been waiting there, and waved to Kyle as soon as he saw Kyle.

A horse-drawn carriage was parked next to him.

Unlike the carriage we rode in at the start of the school year, this one had three Thestral at the front.

"The principal told me you might need this."

Hagrid patted the Thestral's withered wings and said with a chuckle, "Are you getting ready to go home?"

"If you ask me, your choice is fantastic. Forget the Hogwarts Express, the Thestral carriage are the best mode of transport."

"But remember to take good care of them when you get home. I've already put food in the truck bed for these little guys; enough to last them two weeks."

"Thank you, Hagrid." Kyle stepped forward and smiled. "But I didn't borrow the Thestral just to avoid taking the train... and Professor Dumbledore wouldn't agree to such a request."

"The place I need to go is a bit remote; neither trains nor Knight Bus can reach it, so I have to resort to this more ancient mode of transportation."

"Oh, I see. No wonder..."

Hagrid didn't ask Kyle where he was going, but simply asked, "Have you ever ridden this kind of transportation before?"

"No." Kyle shook his head.

He didn't know if Newt had any Thestral in his trunk, maybe... but he had never seen one, let alone ridden in Thestral carriage.

After all, it was only in the last two years that he was able to see this Fantastic Beasts.

After Kyle got into the carriage, Hagrid handed him the reins.

"Relax, they are smart, and the carriage is safe enough. All you have to do is trust them."

As Kyle grasped the reins, the middle Thestral turned and glanced at him, letting out a short cry as if asking when they would depart.

"Anytime," Kyle said. "You know the location, right?"

The Thestral nodded and suddenly spread its wings.

The fallen leaves on the ground were blown about in all directions. After the carriage sped forward for a distance, it suddenly took off and flew into the sky.

Kyle poked his head out of the carriage. Hagrid was standing there waving his arms, and Kyle waved back.

The carriage was moving very fast, and Hagrid's figure grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared completely after turning a corner.

The carriage weaved through the clouds, soaring over mountains, villages, and then bustling towns and cities...

But no matter where they went, the people below did not notice anything unusual.

Kyle noticed that several hidden Ancient Runes inside the carriage glowed slightly; if he wasn't mistaken, they should represent the meaning of "concealment."

Two hours later, Kyle also saw the Hogwarts Express.

From his current position, the train looked as small as a toy. The Thestral quickly caught up from the back to the front and left it far behind.

No wonder Hagrid looked down on the Hogwarts Express so much; in terms of speed alone, the Thestral carriage are far superior.

And the comfort level is incomparable.

Despite the high speed, as if they were flying, Kyle inside the carriage felt no turbulence whatsoever.

It felt like sitting in a castle Great Hall.

Kyle didn't look outside again after the train had disappeared from sight.

The main issue is that further ahead, the cloud cover starts to thicken.

He had only opened the door a crack, and large gusts of cold, damp air were hitting his face, which was quite uncomfortable.