It Won't Take Too Much Time

"Come on up."

Yvonne spoke to Parvati and Lavender, thinking how precocious young wizards were these days, thinking about forming a couple when they were only twelve or thirteen.

After the two of them climbed up and sat down, the carriage, which had been stagnant for a long time, finally started moving slowly. It seemed that they had reached the standard to start the carriage…

The Thestrals pulled the carriage at a moderate speed, and the carriage creaked as it moved, making Ivan, who was sitting in it, uncomfortable, but tolerable.

Parvati and Lavender, who were sitting in the carriage, curiously asked about thestrals.

Ivan had no choice but to explain the habits and properties of thestrals.

"You mean only those who have seen death can see it? Then how do we know that thestrals you speak of exist?" Parvati wondered.

Hermione could not see the Thestrals either, but she was not suspicious of Ivan's claims, other than the fact that she had not read enough books to have seen the creature's description.

"Thestrals can't see it, but they should be able to touch it…" Ivan said after a moment.

The bold Lavender suddenly stood up and leaned out of the carriage towards the front reins, and her palm soon found a long, whip-like object, presumably a tail.

"My God, there really is a Thestrals!" exclaimed Lavender.

Parvati was also curious and copied Lavender in reaching out to touch it.

Seeing the bold actions of the two young witches, Ivan quickly intervened.

"Thestrals are dangerous creatures. Don't touch them now. They can fly. What if you anger them and they take the carriage and throw us into the air?"

Parvati quickly withdrew her hand, but there was still a hint of a smile on her lips, and it was clear that she had felt it…

"Is it that dangerous? Do they bite?" Lavender asked.

Ivan nodded without hesitation, and explained how thestrals were attracted to raw meat and blood. He also described how thestrals looked and described them as terrifying.

Although Ivan knew that the school's Thestrals were domesticated, docile and generally non-aggressive,

However, Parvati and Lavender couldn't see thestrals at all, and they were only children, so what if they got addicted and touched thestrals somewhere they shouldn't?

Thestrals, however docile, were, in essence, classified as dangerous by the Ministry of Magic, and while it was fine to simply confirm their existence, it was best not to lose your guard.

After Ivan's threats, Parvati and Lavender gave up on the idea of touching thestrals.

Ivan, however, did not see Hermione sitting next to him and wanted to touch the Thestrals as well, but she quietly withdrew her hand and looked at him resentfully.

The carriage moved smoothly along the path, following the long line of carriages, the four of them sitting in the carriage and chatting, Ivan listening to the gossip of the others, Hermione worried about the safety of Harry and Ron, so she casually agreed.

Half an hour later, the carriage slowed to a halt beside the stone steps leading to the oak doors.

It was night by the time they arrived at the castle. There was no moon in the sky, and the light from the stars was dim. They had no choice but to follow the street lamps and the crowd…

"Ivan, what is it?" Hermione had only taken a few steps when she realised that Ivan was not following her, and was still standing by the car, stroking something.

This reminded Hermione of the Thestrals that Ivan had mentioned…

Ivan pulled his hand away, suddenly intrigued by the fact that the Thestrals seemed to be quite good creatures, and wondered what abilities they would gain by infusing their blood.

Gaining a body that ordinary people could not see?

Yvonne was deep in thought when she heard Hermione's question and turned to face her with a smile.

"Hermione, didn't you want to confirm the existence of thestrals?"

"But you said thestrals were dangerous, magical creatures that were best left alone?" Hermione asked hesitantly, somewhat tempted.

"That's generally true, but the Thestrals here are very well-bred, and there's no danger if we're careful. I lied to them just now…" Ivan explained.

Ivan also looked at Parvati and Lavender in the distance.

When the two young Gryffindor witches indicated that Yvonne and Hermione were not following them, Parvati tried to turn around and ask what was going on, but Lavender tactfully dragged her away…

Hermione hesitated, remembering that Harry and Ron were still in danger.

"It'll only take a few seconds, it won't take too much time…" Ivan went on, estimating that Harry and Ron were now battling the Whomping Willow.

After all, the magical car was quite fast, arriving almost at the same time as the train. It must have landed while they were in the carriage.

It would be too late for them to inform the professors…

Hermione let go of her reservations and hurried over, her eyes filled with curiosity and excitement as she remembered Ivan's terrifying description of her.

She worried about getting bitten.

Ivan smiled and placed his palm on Hermione's hand, guiding her to the left, where he had touched the wing of the Thestrals.

Realizing that her hand was being grabbed by Ivan, the little witch's cheeks turned red. She pretended not to care, but her eyes darted around.

When most of the students had gone, and the remaining students were not looking in their direction, Hermione breathed a sigh of relief.

Hermione's eyes widened at the touch on her palm.

Rough, cold …

There seemed to be nothing in front of her, but she felt something thin and leathery wrapped around her bones.

Hermione experienced this magical sensation,

Suddenly, they both felt something licking their hands, and the backs of their hands were tingling.

Hermione was shocked at first, but she soon realised that it was the Thestrals tongue, and guessed that they were trying to show them kindness.

It seems this creature is not as fearsome as Ivan made it out to be, Hermione mused.

Ivan pulled his hand away and stared around at the empty space. "Well, that's enough touching. Let's go."

"Why, it's been so long! Harry and Ron are still in the car." Realizing this, Hermione's face fell, and she grabbed Ivan by the arm and pulled him toward the castle…