Morris did not know what had happened.
But one thing was certain: he seemed to be very popular with the Thestrals.
After he stroked the lead Thestral's neck, all the Thestrals crowded affectionately around him, circling him and even squeezing Hagrid aside.
"This... this is really unusual." Hagrid barely maintained a smile, but however you looked at it, it was forced. "They seem to really like you. They've never shown anyone this much enthusiasm, not even me."
Surrounded by Thestrals, Morris was somewhat at a loss.
He could clearly feel the joy and affection radiating from these mysterious creatures, like relatives reunited after a long separation.
No, not like relatives.
It was more as though they regarded him as a leader.
But why was that?
What was there about him that attracted these creatures?
Morris tried climbing onto a Thestral's back-quite clearly, the Thestral welcomed this impolite behavior and gave a delighted cry.
"Hagrid, could you tell me about these animals? Sorry for the trouble." He guided the Thestral over to Hagrid and asked, "I don't know anything about them."
"Sure," Hagrid answered unenthusiastically. "Thestrals are very special magical creatures. Only people who've witnessed death firsthand can see them. Because of that, a lot of wizards think they bring bad luck, but they're actually very gentle. I think you've already seen that for yourself."
Morris nodded thoughtfully, his fingers unconsciously stroking the Thestral's back.
Only people who had witnessed death firsthand could see Thestrals.
In other words, Thestrals were creatures with a profound connection to "death."
That might be why the Thestrals felt close to him.
In a sense, they were the same kind.
Though he was only a half-baked one, he was still a necromancer, after all, and had had some intimate contact with "death."
The two undead creatures he had personally awakened, for instance.
"Thestrals have an excellent sense of direction," Hagrid continued. "The carriages at Hogwarts are pulled by Thestrals. They can find their way in any weather and never get lost."
As though to prove Hagrid's words, the Thestral beneath Morris suddenly spread its enormous, batlike wings and flapped them twice, prompting the surrounding Thestrals to follow suit.
For a moment, the clearing filled with the sound of beating wings.
Watching this, Hagrid said sourly, "They never let me ride them."
"Maybe it's because they can't carry you." Morris climbed down from the Thestral.
Hagrid looked down at his enormous body, then at the skeletal Thestrals, and his expression softened a little.
That... actually makes quite a bit of sense.
He clapped his hands and pulled himself together. "Right, time to get down to business. Morris, do you remember which Thestral took you flying yesterday?"
Morris looked around the herd of Thestrals.
"Hmm..." He rubbed his chin and said awkwardly, "That might be a little difficult, because they all look exactly alike."
"How can they?" Hagrid's eyes widened in surprise. "Every single one is different!"
Morris spread his hands helplessly.
To him, these black creatures all looked much the same.
Besides, there were dozens of Thestrals here.
Picking out the one he had seen last night from so many Thestrals really was asking a bit much of him.
"Then what am I supposed to tell Professor McGonagall?" Hagrid scratched his head in distress.
"Just make up some excuse," Morris said casually, treating Hagrid as no outsider at all. "Actually, yesterday was entirely an accident. That Thestral was just fooling around with me. It wasn't a big deal."
"I suppose that's all I can do." Hagrid sighed.
His main concern was actually that the Thestrals might hurt a student.
If something really happened, there would be serious trouble-he had already learned that lesson once, a long time ago.
But judging by how the Thestrals were behaving toward Morris now-
Just look! These normally shy creatures practically wanted to roll around and beg for affection in front of Morris. Where was there any sign of wanting to hurt him?
But!
He could not accept it!
These little fellows normally only let him get close to them!
The more Hagrid thought about it, the angrier he became.
"Can we go back now?" Morris asked, noticing that Hagrid's expression was looking increasingly wrong.
"Let's go." Hagrid waved a hand.
Morris nodded and announced to the herd of Thestrals, "Now, dismissed!"
Something astonishing happened.
The Thestrals understood Morris's command, backing away in unison and swiftly disappearing into the shadows of the Forbidden Forest.
The entire clearing emptied in an instant, leaving only a few drifting leaves.
Hagrid stared at the scene, dumbfounded.
That's not right. I'm their keeper. Why are the Thestrals listening to Morris?
Morris was somewhat surprised as well.
He had only said it casually, never expecting the Thestrals to obey so readily, or even understand precisely what he meant.
He turned to the stunned Hagrid and said, "Let's go, Hagrid. It's almost lunchtime."
Only then did Hagrid come to his senses and lead Morris out of the clearing.
All along the way, he kept asking Morris how he had made the Thestrals so obedient.
Morris did not want to hide anything, but he was just as bewildered, so naturally, he could not explain it.
Perhaps this was talent.
When they reached a fork in the path, Hagrid suddenly stopped.
"What is it?" Morris asked warily.
"Something's coming," Hagrid answered briefly, shielding Morris behind him as he stared intently back the way they had come.
Just as Morris registered this, something suddenly came whistling out of the dense woods.
"Hiss-!"
With a sharp whistle through the air, a spear grazed Hagrid's leather coat and buried itself in the dirt beside Morris's feet.
"Who's there?!"
Hagrid roared, immediately spreading his arms to shield Morris completely behind him.
Morris looked down at the spear. Its wooden shaft had been polished quite smooth, and its tip was buried entirely in the earth. Whoever had wielded it clearly possessed tremendous strength.
Most likely not a wizard.
Hagrid seemed to realize something and shouted in the direction the spear had come from, "It's me, Hagrid!"
Rustling came from the trees, and a tall figure slowly emerged.
It was a creature with the upper body of a human and the lower body of a horse. Its body and hair were both darkish, and it radiated a wild air.
"Bane?" Hagrid let out a breath of relief. "Why did you attack us?"
The centaur named Bane ignored Hagrid, fixing his gaze firmly behind him instead.
"Hagrid!" His voice rang out like thunder. "Tell me, what is behind you?"