The afternoon flew by. Will enjoyed talking with the scholars, perhaps because he was half a scholar himself. Everyone was pleased with the exchange, which ended on a gracious note when Will joined the Rune Association.
Over the next few days, Will found time to escort Peter out of Hogwarts. Otherwise, he steadily worked on developing the Werewolf Venom Curse and observing the Thestrals' magic structures.
The Thestrals lived in the Forbidden Forest, where Hagrid was responsible for taming and raising them. Though they roamed freely most of the time, building a good relationship with them was no easy feat. Hagrid was one of the few Wizards who could approach them directly. It seemed hardly anyone became a Hogwarts professor without being exceptional.
Even Lockhart had a masterful Memory Charm.
Every morning, Will woke up and got straight to work on the Werewolf Venom Curse, tested the Time-Turner, observed the Thestrals, and gained experience in every subject along the way. He stayed busy for more than twenty-four hours a day. Amid that packed routine, the Hogwarts term began.
On the afternoon school started, Will gave himself a short break and went straight to Hogsmeade Station to meet his friends.
Sylvia wore a silver-and-green scarf around her neck. She and Will shared a gentle hug, then waited together for the others. George, Fred, Michael, Seamus, and Luna came over to stand beside Will, while Malfoy and Pansy went their own way.
Neville got off the train with Hannah, drawing a round of teasing from the High Tower members. His face turned bright red.
"Hic—hic—" Luna had been hiccupping the whole way.
"What's wrong with Luna?" Neville scratched his head and raised his Wand. "Accio Trevor!"
A toad flew in from the distance, skimming over the heads of a group of young