After what had happened on the train, everyone looked awful.
The Dementors' intrusion seemed to have left them looking as though someone had forcibly stuffed several lumps of foul-smelling sludge into their mouths. Su Er could guarantee that a fair number of them would write home first thing after reaching school.
Fudge was going to be bombarded with Howlers again. Poor, poor man.
The train was much warmer than outside, but everyone still crowded off it, preferring to face the cold wind on the platform rather than stay on the Hogwarts Express, which had left them with such unpleasant memories.
The weather on this first day of September was unusually bitter, and torrential rain hammered loudly against the station's little roof.
"First years, this way." Hagrid was once again welcoming the new students this year. They would make the traditional crossing of the lake.
Su Er heard Hagrid greet them, but the crowd pushing them in the opposite direction only gave him time to wave at Hagrid. He had no idea whether the big man had seen him.
At the far end of the other side of the platform, the Thestrals stood in the rain, lightly stamping in the mud and occasionally shaking the water off their heads.
But very few wizards seemed able to see them.
"Hi, Tenebrus." Su Er recognized the Thestral at the front, harnessed to a carriage. It was Hagrid's favorite and easy to identify by the small mark on its forehead. According to Hagrid, Tenebrus had gotten it fighting other creatures in the Forbidden Forest when it was young.
Tenebrus whinnied. It seemed to remember the young wizard, Su Er, and lowered its head to nuzzle his shoulder in greeting.
"You can see the creatures pulling the carriages?" Hermione asked from behind him.
"Yes." Su