The Thestral landed lightly beside Morris, like walking on water, without making a sound or attracting anyone's attention.
It walked alongside Morris's boat, coming so close that Morris could clearly see its smooth skin.
"Hello?" Morris greeted tentatively, though he wasn't sure if the creature could understand human speech.
The Thestral's pure white pupils gazed quietly at Morris, as if they could pierce through appearances and look directly into the depths of his soul.
For some reason, Morris could clearly feel the sense of closeness this mysterious creature was conveying to him.
Coincidentally, he also felt an inexplicable fondness for this strange creature.
He tentatively reached out his hand, wanting to stroke the Thestral's head.
Instead of dodging, the Thestral leaned its forehead closer.
Morris felt as if he were touching a warm, skin-covered skull—this was a living animal, not an Undead Creature like Canned Food or Fireworks.
Just as he was immersed in this wonderful sensation, the Thestral suddenly leaned forward and gave him a gentle nudge with its head, lifting him from the small boat and tossing him steadily onto its back.
"!"
Morris instinctively grabbed the protrusion on the Thestral's neck, but he didn't cry out in alarm.
He knew the creature before him bore no ill will; perhaps this was just its unique way of expressing friendliness.
Then, the Thestral spread its massive bat-like wings and took off with him.
The night wind brushed against his cheeks. Looking down at the receding boat below, he couldn't help but sneeze.
Hmm, a bit cold.
Despite the lack of any safety measures, the Thestral's flight was exceptionally steady.
It seemed to have slowed down on purpose so that Morris could adjust to the feeling of being high in the air.
Before he knew it, they had reached a very high altitude.
The Black Lake below was like an ink-colored mirror, reflecting the stars across the sky, while the small boats carrying the first-years looked like a string of glowing pearls moving slowly across the water.
It was truly... an intoxicating sight.
Morris couldn't help but spread his arms and let out a shout; the Thestral beneath him was caught up in his mood and let out a soft neigh in response.
"Now then, dear, take me for a tour," Morris said loudly, leaning over to the Thestral. "But you'd better get me back within ten minutes."
...Meanwhile, the upper-year students were heading to the Castle in carriages pulled by Thestrals.
Inside one of the carriages, the Weasley Twins and Lee Jordan were chatting leisurely.
"Have you noticed," Lee Jordan said, looking around the empty carriage, "why no one else wants to share a carriage with us?"
Fred leaned lazily against the seat, tossing a Fizzing Whizbee. "Maybe it's because George broke two Dungbombs in the carriage last year."
George immediately retorted, "Wasn't that you?"
"Was it?" Fred paused.
Lee Jordan sighed silently.
He recalled the incident from last year known as the "Carriage of Death."
These two really are... maybe he should find some other people to be friends with?
He looked out the window listlessly; Hogwarts Castle was already in sight through the night.
"Speaking of which," he asked casually, "what do you think of Morris Black?"
"Interesting kid," Fred said without hesitation. "I bet he'll end up in Gryffindor."
"Agreed," George nodded.
Lee Jordan took on a thoughtful expression.
He thought of that strange black cat again.
Just then, he heard a very faint "thump-thump" sound, as if someone were tapping on the window.
He looked toward the sound and saw a scene he could never have imagined.
"Mor... Morris!!?"
Hearing Lee Jordan's exclamation, the Weasley Twins immediately crowded by the window.
Morris's face appeared right outside the window.
"!!!!"
The three of them scrambled to roll down the carriage window.
They saw Morris floating in the air as if he were riding something, flying easily alongside them and even giving them a wave.
Lee Jordan rubbed his eyes.
In that instant, Morris's figure vanished, as if what they had just seen was merely an illusion.
"Am I seeing things?" Lee Jordan blinked in disbelief. "Was there just someone... floating outside the window?"
Fred and George looked at each other, equally shocked.
"If that was an illusion," George said slowly, "then the three of us just had the exact same illusion at the same time."
Fred rested his chin on his hand. "Let's ask Morris later. This guy really isn't simple."
...Perhaps because he had been having too much fun, it was already a bit late by the time the Thestral carried Morris back to the Black Lake. All the boats were already moored at the shore, and the first-years were nowhere to be seen.
Fortunately, Morris eventually found the crowd—Hagrid was leading them up the stone steps toward the Castle.
It seemed his brief disappearance hadn't been noticed.
To avoid drawing attention, he had the Thestral land him directly at the very top of the steps.
Morris slid nimbly off the Thestral's back and patted its neck in thanks.
The Thestral nuzzled him affectionately before spreading its wings and silently blending into the night.
Morris straightened his robes and looked around, finding himself standing on the outskirts of Hogwarts Castle, in an area that looked like a courtyard.
Since the students hadn't arrived yet, the place was exceptionally empty and quiet.
He just needed to wait for the group to pass by and naturally blend in, he thought.
However, just then, a voice that sounded somewhat familiar to Morris rang out.
"Mr. Black, I don't think I can pretend I didn't see what just happened."
Morris started and turned toward the source of the voice.
Professor McGonagall was standing in a nearby corridor, her square glasses glinting in the moonlight.
She approached quickly, dressed in emerald-green robes, her hands folded across her chest and her usual stern expression on her face.
"Good evening, Professor McGonagall," Morris greeted with a smile. "It really is quite cold tonight."
He pulled the collar of his robes tighter as he spoke, acting as if nothing were out of the ordinary.
"Don't change the subject, Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall said, frowning. "You arrived on a Thestral, didn't you? I really didn't expect Hagrid to fail in keeping those creatures under control."
So they were called Thestrals.
Morris nodded and explained breezily, "It's a friendly little fellow. It took the initiative to invite me for a ride, and I really didn't have the heart to refuse such a kind offer."
A friendly little fellow?
Professor McGonagall's expression darkened slightly. "Mr. Black, please do not do that again. It is dangerous. While Thestrals are gentle, high-altitude flight for an inexperienced first-year..."
Before she could finish, Hagrid's booming voice came from the distance, and the footsteps of the first-years grew closer.
Professor McGonagall composed herself and said in a low voice, "I will deal with this matter separately. Now, follow me.
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