Chapter 399: Snape’s Gift
Kyle finally returned to Hogwarts in the afternoon. The thestral-drawn carriage didn't return to its original starting point but instead landed near Hagrid's hut.
"I was just wondering when you'd be back," Hagrid said, giving one of the thestrals an affectionate pat on the wing. "So, how was the ride?"
"It could easily replace the train as the school's main way to travel at the start and end of term," Kyle said with a grin.
"The governors'll never go for it," Hagrid replied, shaking his head regretfully. "Keeping the thestrals is no small expense—far more costly than the train."
"You're right," Kyle nodded. The thestrals couldn't be beaten for speed or comfort, but the Hogwarts Express was more affordable and capable of transporting all the students in one go. He'd only been joking about replacing it.
Before heading back to the castle, Kyle handed Hagrid a small, sealed vial of dragon's blood as payment for the thestral ride. Despite the sealed bottle, the thestrals' sharp noses caught the scent immediately, and they grew restless. Hagrid tried to calm them, but his efforts only partially worked as the three thestrals clustered around him. Meanwhile, Kyle had already slipped away toward the castle.
Inside the Hufflepuff common room, Kyle found only one person, Winsty, who was furiously catching up on her homework.
"Long time no see, Winsty," Kyle greeted her.
Winsty looked up, surprised. "Wait... Did the train get back already?"
"Oh, no, I didn't come by train," Kyle replied. "Where are Kanna and Cedric?"
"Kanna's in the library," she said, looking back down at her work. "I don't know about Cedric—he went out early this morning, probably with some of the Gryffindors."