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This was the first time he had ever seen such a magical creature.
Chapter 21 The Night Stroller's Joke
The Thestral landed gracefully beside Maurice, as if walking on water, without making a sound or attracting anyone's attention.
It walked alongside Maurice's ship, so close that Maurice could clearly see its smooth skin.
"Hello?" Morris greeted tentatively, though he wasn't sure if the creature could understand human language.
Thestral's pure white pupils gazed silently at Maurice, as if they could penetrate appearances and look into the depths of his soul.
For some reason, Morris could clearly feel the affection that the mysterious creature in front of him was conveying.
Coincidentally, he also felt a strange fondness for this strange creature.
He tentatively reached out, wanting to stroke Thestral's head.
The Styx did not dodge; instead, it brought its forehead closer.
Morris felt as if he were touching a warm, skinned skull—a living animal, not some undead creature like canned food or fireworks.
Just as he was immersed in this wonderful sensation, Thestral suddenly leaned forward and gently nudged him with its head, lifting him up from the small boat and steadily throwing him onto its back.
"!"
Morris instinctively grabbed the protrusion on Thestral's neck, but did not scream.
He knew that the creature in front of him meant him no harm; perhaps this was just its unique way of expressing friendliness.
Immediately afterwards, Thestral spread its huge bat-like wings and carried him into the air.
A night breeze brushed against his cheeks. He looked down at the small boat gradually disappearing into the distance and couldn't help but sneeze.
Hmm, it's a bit cold.
Despite having no protective measures, the Thestrals flew with unusual smoothness.
It seemed to have deliberately slowed down to allow Morris to adjust to the feeling of being high up.
Unbeknownst to them, they had already reached a very high place.
The black lake below is like an inky mirror, reflecting the starry sky, while the small boats carrying newborn babies look like a string of shining pearls, moving slowly on the lake's surface.
It was truly... a breathtaking sight.
Morris involuntarily opened his arms and shouted, and the Thestral beneath him was also infected by his emotions, letting out a soft hiss in response.
"Then, my dear, show me around," Maurice said loudly to Thestral, leaning down. "But you'd better get me back in ten minutes."
...
Meanwhile, the older students were traveling to the castle in carriages pulled by Thestrals.
Inside a carriage, the Weasley twins and Lee Jordan were chatting leisurely.
"Have you noticed," Lee Jordan looked around the empty carriage, "why no one else wants to ride in the same carriage as us?"
Fred leaned back lazily in his seat, tossing a honeydew candy to him. "It's probably because George broke two dung balls in the carriage last year."
George immediately retorted, "Didn't you do that?"
"Really?" Fred was taken aback.
Lee Jordan sighed silently.
He recalled the incident from last year known as the "death carriage" incident.
These two are really something... Shouldn't he find some other people to be his friends?
He looked out the window listlessly; Hogwarts Castle was already close at hand in the night.
"Speaking of which," he asked casually, "what do you think of Maurice Black?"
"An interesting kid," Fred said without hesitation. "I bet he'll come to Gryffindor."
"Agreed," George nodded in agreement.
Lee Jordan wore a thoughtful expression.
He thought of that strange black cat again.
Just then, he heard a very faint "thump-thump" sound, as if someone was knocking on the window.
He looked in the direction of the sound and saw a scene he could never have imagined.
"Mo...Maurice!?"
Upon hearing Lee Jordan's exclamation, the Weasley twins immediately rushed to the window.
Morris's face suddenly appeared outside the window.
"!!!!"
The three of them hurriedly rolled down the car windows.
They saw Morris floating in the air as if riding something, flying alongside them with ease, and waving at them.
Lee Jordan rubbed his eyes.
In that instant, Morris vanished, as if what had just happened was merely their illusion.
"Am I seeing things?" Lee Jordan blinked incredulously. "Was someone... floating outside the window just now?"
Fred and George exchanged bewildered glances, both equally shocked.
"If that was an illusion," George said slowly, "then the three of us were having the same illusion at the same time."
Fred rested his chin on his hand. "Let's ask Morris later. That guy is really something else."
...
Perhaps because they had enjoyed themselves too much, it was quite late when Thestrals returned to Black Lake carrying Maurice. All the ships were already moored at the shore, and the new students were nowhere to be seen.
Fortunately, Maurice eventually found the crowd—Hagrid was leading them up the stone steps to the castle.
It seems that his brief disappearance has gone unnoticed.
To avoid attracting attention, he had Thestrals carry him directly to the very top of the steps.
Morris slid lightly off Thestral's back and patted its neck in thanks.
The Thestral nuzzled him affectionately, then spread its wings and silently disappeared into the night.
Morris straightened his robes, looked around, and found himself standing on the outskirts of Hogwarts Castle, in front of an area resembling a courtyard.
The place was unusually empty and quiet because the students had not yet arrived.
He thought he could simply blend in naturally when the procession passed by.
However, at that moment, a voice that sounded somewhat familiar to Maurice rang out.
"Mr. Black, I don't think I can pretend I didn't see what just happened."
Morris paused, then turned to look in the direction from which the sound came.
Professor McGonagall was standing in the corridor not far away, her square glasses gleaming in the moonlight.
She strode closer, wearing a long emerald green robe, her hands clasped in front of her chest, with her usual serious expression.
"Good evening, Professor McGonagall," Morris greeted with a smile. "It's a bit chilly tonight."
He adjusted the collar of his robe as he spoke, appearing nonchalant.
"Don't interrupt, Mr. Black," Professor McGonagall said, frowning. "You came on a Thestral, didn't you? I never expected Hagrid to have failed to manage those animals."
It was originally called a Night Steed.
Morris nodded and explained in a lighthearted tone, "It's a very friendly little creature. It invited me to come up and sit down, and I couldn't refuse its kindness."
An enthusiastic little guy?
Professor McGonagall's expression darkened slightly. "Mr. Black, please don't do that anymore. It's dangerous. Thestrals may be docile, but high-altitude flight is still too much for inexperienced first-year students..."
Before he could finish speaking, Hagrid's loud voice came from afar, and the footsteps of the freshmen grew closer and closer.
Professor McGonagall composed herself and said in a low voice, "I will handle this matter separately. Now, come with me."
Chapter 22 Are you an idiot?
Professor McGonagall led Maurice through several heavy doors to an empty room in front of the Great Hall.
She said, "We'll wait here; the other freshmen will arrive soon."
Morris looked around curiously. Two suits of armor beside him were moving their shoulders, their joints making a clicking sound.
"Professor, are we going to have the Sorting Ceremony later?" he asked casually.
"Yes," Professor McGonagall replied succinctly.
"So how do we choose a college that suits us?"
You'll find out soon enough.
"How's Gryffindor? I've heard it's a good house."
"Gryffindor is indeed very good." Professor McGonagall said, a hint of pride barely perceptible in her voice, as she adjusted her glasses. "But every house has its unique strengths."
"Really?" Maurice noticed Professor McGonagall's movement and suddenly thought of a question. "By the way… you're wearing glasses. Can wizards become nearsighted?"
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