Chapter 102: Malfoy's Star

When Tom and his friends arrived at the platform, they overheard the buzzing discussions among the young wizards. Several young wizards insisted that they had seen a car flying in the sky. However, many others dismissed the idea, as in their understanding, Muggle cars couldn't fly, and even if wizarding families had flying cars, who would dare to take them out?

As night fell, a chill enveloped the platform. The young wizards, following the crowd, gradually streamed toward the station exit, fervently debating the "flying car." Tom noticed that Neville was nervously walking past them, tiptoeing and looking around.

"Neville, are you looking for someone?" Hermione, always a kind-hearted person, asked instinctively, hoping to help.

"Harry and Ron are missing. I've been looking for them on the train, but I didn't see them," Neville said quickly.

"Lovely, if you bought a copy of the 'Prophet,' you'd understand everything," a greasy, lazy voice sounded behind them. Without turning around, they knew it was Draco Malfoy.

Malfoy waved the just-delivered evening paper, laughing brightly. He even began reading aloud from the paper, "The Ford Anglia can fly, much to the astonishment of Muggles. Two Muggles in London are certain they saw an old car flying over the post office... At noon in Norfolk, Mrs. Hetty Bayliss was hanging out her washing when... Mr. Angus Fleet, of Peebles, reported to the police... A total of six or seven Muggles, not including those who saw and didn't report it."

"Merlin's beard! Even if you end up in Azkaban for flying a car, at least use a decent one! I remember his dad, Arthur, working in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office. He caused such a stir during the summer—resulting in the biggest search, and the main culprit turned out to be Arthur himself!"

Malfoy and the students around him burst into laughter.

"I'll definitely write to my dad, and then... Oh, the Ministry won't have Arthur in the Misuse of Muggle Artifacts Office anymore. Maybe they should introduce a subsidy policy, so some pure-blood families won't starve to death at home." Malfoy, full of joy, felt that this line of thought was quite feasible.

"How can you conclude that it's the Weasleys' car?" Hermione retorted angrily, though she sounded less confident than she hoped.

"Use your brain, Granger!" Malfoy tapped his own forehead, about to say more, but Tom interrupted.

"Say one more word, and I'll publish an educational article about Queen Elizabeth I in the 'Prophet.' I believe wizards would be very interested in why Queen Elizabeth never married for life."

Malfoy was instantly silenced. Several pure-blooded wizards who were familiar with ancient secrets around him showed thoughtful expressions, but most people still looked bewildered.

Malfoy sulkily disappeared.

Tom, Hermione, and Neville continued along with the crowd. Peggy, looking somewhat unwilling to follow Hagrid by boat, nonetheless left with him. Tom, Hermione, and Neville walked down a muddy path flanked by hundreds of horseless carriages.

"Are these carriages magical creations?" Hermione stared at the carriages with empty fronts, curious. It was her first time seeing carriages without horses.

Tom glanced at Hermione and Neville. Judging by their reactions, Tom figured Hermione didn't see the Thestrals pulling the carriages, but Neville probably did. This surprised him.

"These carriages are pulled by magical creatures," Tom explained to dispel the confusion, "These creatures are called Thestrals, you can think of them as being invisible."

"Only those who have witnessed and understood death can see them," Tom looked at the emaciated Thestrals between the shafts.

Ordinary people not seeing Thestrals was normal. Even though Harry witnessed his mother's murder at birth and killed Quirrell in first year, he only started seeing Thestrals after witnessing Cedric's death in the Triwizard Tournament. Witnessing death wasn't the only requirement; there had to be a certain level of understanding and connection with death. Harry only started seeing Thestrals after the traumatic events in the Triwizard Tournament.

Tom could see Thestrals:

Thestrals looked rather "ominous." Their bodies had no flesh; black fur stuck directly to their skeletons, making their bones clearly visible, causing involuntary goosebumps.

Thestrals' heads somewhat resembled a dragon's, and Tom could see their milky white eyes without pupils. At this moment, the Thestrals between the shafts were staring fixedly at the trio.

One Thestral even extended its wings between the shafts, growing a pair of bat-like wings between its shoulder blades.

This appearance explained why, for centuries, they had been considered an ominous symbol. Their terrifying appearance and the requirement that one had to witness death to see them contributed to their reputation.

"If you're willing, you can try touching them. Hogwarts' Thestrals won't harm students." Tom approached the three Thestrals, placing his hand on the back of one, helping it groom its back.

Hermione, emboldened, also touched one, but she touched its ribcage. The Thestral turned its head, licking Hermione's hand with its rough tongue, bringing a sandpaper-like exfoliating sensation, causing Hermione to shiver.

Neville also imitated, finding a Thestral to touch.

They spent some time petting Thestrals before boarding the carriages to Hogwarts.

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(End of this chapter)