A low, raspy cry came from the bushes, mingled with the eerie scrape of bone against bone.
A gaunt, black Thestral had been waiting there for some time. Its cry seemed to urge them on.
It stepped silently between the branches and rubbed its long neck affectionately against Jerry's palm.
"Easy!" Jerry patted the Thestral's back, swung neatly into the saddle, and held out an arm to Hermione. "Come on, Hermione. Don't be afraid! I may not fly a broomstick as well as a Quidditch player, but I won't let you fall!"
The moment Hermione's fingertips touched his palm, he pulled her securely onto the Thestral's broad back. She studied the creature's black wings, then noticed something odd. "Isn't this one much bigger and stronger than the Thestrals that pulled the carriages at the start of term?"
"Of course." Jerry looked pleased with himself as he adjusted the reins. "I picked this fine steed myself from the Thestral herd in the Forbidden Forest."
Jerry had originally wanted to ride a Unicorn. After all, what was a Thestral compared to a Unicorn? Those pure white, holy creatures were clearly better suited as mounts for a hero of justice like him.
But those damned Unicorns had flatly refused to let him ride them. Jerry had been so furious he'd shaved them bald!
Once Jerry became Hogwarts Headmaster, every creature in the Forbidden Forest would answer for it. Living there rent-free, with food and shelter provided? That wouldn't do!
Did they think maintaining the Forbidden Forest cost Hogwarts nothing? Didn't Hagrid, the groundskeeper, need paying? Once Jerry became headmaster, they could try withholding his rent. He'd drag them to the Black Lake and bleed them one by one!
The night wind swept through Hermione's curls. She suddenly gripped Jerry's sleeve. "Can't only people