Thestrals

On the way back, everyone was very happy.

William was in high spirits after securing several big deals; Neville beat up Malfoy, though he mostly sat on Harry and even got bitten by a rat, but he was still very happy.

However, Neville's joy was short-lived, Hermione told him that the rats carried a series of viruses such as Hanta.

Neville was pale and repeatedly checked his ankle for rat bites.

William reassured him, "It's alright, Neville. That rat was domesticated; otherwise, Percy and Ron would have gotten sick long ago."

"But it still has to move around, and if it runs into a female mouse, it might get bitten!" Hermione retorted loudly.

"I happen to know several examples like this, all written in the Encyclopædia Britannica. One of them was a boy who was only eleven years old and kept a pet mouse..."

Hermione, with her remarkable memory, accurately repeated several examples, making Neville's face grow even paler.

But there was no wound on his ankle. He hurriedly showed the two of them the small, red, swollen bump on his right hand.

"Was this bitten by that rat?"

"Neville, the rat only bit your ankle." William rolled his eyes.

"Perhaps it's been moved?" Hermione said seriously. "William, we can't rule out that possibility!"

I happen to know several such examples, one of whom was a boy who was only eleven years old...

William tapped her on the head; this girl just happened to know far too many things.

"But I feel the wound starting to become red, swollen, and itchy; my hand is very uncomfortable," Neville said listlessly.

William looked down at the small red bag carefully, then pushed up glasses that weren't actually on his face.

"Neville, based on my many years of clinical experience, this is just a small mosquito bite."

Hermione pressed her fluffy head against her again, and hesitated, "It seems so..."

Neville's heart sank.

But Hermione stared wide-eyed and said seriously, "But mosquitoes can also transmit many viruses, such as yellow fever."

I happen to know several such examples, one of which was a boy..."

Neville's heart sank, and he plunged straight into the abyss.

William and Hermione comforted him for several minutes before Neville could barely believe he would be alright.

To comfort him, William even took out a bottle of water, pretending it was Potions, and rubbed it on him.

Neville was finally completely relieved.

Hermione was very happy. After today's events, she realized that she was really not bad. It was just that some of the people around her were so capable that they made her seem less capable.

William did not correct Hermione's habit of showing off her knowledge; everyone has their own personality, and there is no need to force them to change.

Instead of trying to please others, focus on being the best version of yourself.

As for whether Hermione will grow up...

William was confident that it would happen, after all, there was the kind Professor Snape, who would help Hermione grow up quickly.

This will be a great experience.

Well... of course, that refers to Professor Snape.

Walking down the street, Hermione asked curiously, "William, how do we sort into houses?"

Neville also turned his gaze to William, a question that concerned every young wizard.

William shrugged and chuckled, "I won't tell you. You can't know everything before school starts; it's an annual tradition."

"Okay, I think I'm ready," Hermione said confidently.

She had already memorized so many spells, and no matter how the exam went, she believed she would get a good score.

"Which college do you want to go to?" William asked, looking at the two of them.

"I want to go to Gryffindor, but I feel like I can only go to Hufflepuff," Neville said insecurely.

"That's typical prejudice. There's nothing wrong with Hufflepuff," William said seriously. "It doesn't matter which house you're in. In fact, Cedric was a Hufflepuff student."

He was the best student in his year, so I don't agree with the notion that any particular college is the best.

"Is that so?" William's words cheered Neville up a bit.

"And you, Hermione?" William asked, "Which house do you want to go to?"

"I don't know. I hope I can be assigned to Ravenclaw, where there are many students who love learning."

"Of course, Gryffindor would be good too. I heard that Headmaster Dumbledore graduated from there..." Hermione said uncertainly.

"Oh, by the way, there's a surprise at this dinner party," William said with a smile.

What surprise?

"Secret."

The train sped along, and as darkness fell, they finally arrived at their final destination.

Everyone crowded off the train and walked forward along the platform.

A lamp swayed above the students' heads as Hagrid shouted, "Freshmen! Freshmen, come this way!"

Hi William, I received your gift, I love it! See you at the dinner party later.

"Have you seen Harry? Harry, come this way, how are you?"

The first-year wizards followed Hagrid to one side, while the other students took a different path.

At the end of the streetlights, at least a hundred horse-drawn carriages were waiting.

Each vehicle was pulled by a creature with no flesh on its body; black fur clung tightly to its skeleton, and every bone was clearly visible.

Their heads resembled those of dragons, with white, pupil-less eyes that stared unblinkingly ahead. Wings—large, black, and sturdy—grew from the bulge between their shoulder bones.

These animals stood motionless and silent in the deepening darkness, appearing strange and ominous.

"Merlin! It's Thestral!" William rubbed his hands together excitedly; it was the first time he had ever seen such a rare Magical Creatures.

Using it to pull carts... that's too extravagant.

It feels like putting a BMW 7 Series engine on a tractor—what a waste!

William stared at the Thestral with curiosity, even reaching for his wand to try and poke it.

"You can actually see them?" Cedric asked in astonishment.

"Oh, of course, let me think..." William wasn't quite sure whether it was because he witnessed Tywin's death in the time loop or the Goblin's death in Gringotts.

Since only those who have witnessed death can see Thestral, they are considered Grim creatures, much like crows gathering around an aura of death.

The group climbed into the dark carriage, which then started moving on its own, bumping and stumbling along the way. There was a faint smell of mustiness and straw inside.

Well, it's not even good enough for a tractor; at best, it's a pedal tricycle.

Once inside the carriage, Cedric stopped talking to Cho and embraced William warmly.

"William, could you... well... you know what I mean?"

William reached out to shield himself, trying to get Cedric, that greasy man, away.

Qiu also looked at Cedric with a strange expression.

"No, Thestral Tail Feather are a very special kind of staff core. Could you help me get a bundle of them?"

William glanced at the Thestral's emaciated body. The creature had hardly any flesh on its body, relying mainly on its fur for warmth, and Cedric actually wanted him to pluck a... bundle?

You think it's cabbage?

Why don't you go yourself?

"I can't see. If I could see, why would I need your help?"

At that moment, the Thestral pulling the carriage suddenly stopped.

It blinked its white eyes timidly, turning its head to watch the secret conversation, as if it could understand every word the two said.

That's really awkward.

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