Chapter 394: Night Mare Carriage
Chapter 394: Night Mare Carriage
After the sumptuous dinner, everyone returned to their respective Common Rooms.
As Kyle was leaving the Great Hall, he was suddenly stopped.
"Seems like I came just in time."
Professor Dumbledore stood at the entrance of the Great Hall, and upon seeing Kyle, he took him directly to a nearby corridor.
"Do you remember the letter you asked me to help deliver a few days ago?"
He explained, "I received a reply from Nicolas today, and he asked me to take you to him during the holiday."
"So, you want to borrow the Phoenix? If it's you, it probably won't refuse."
Kyle shook his head, unsure if it was just his imagination, but he faintly smelled a sour odor.
"Are there any other options?" he asked.
If possible, Kyle didn't want to be carried by the Phoenix, even though it was the fastest way, it was too barbaric... he couldn't accept it.
Professor Dumbledore thought for a moment, "Of course, it'll just be a bit slower."
"It's fine," Kyle quickly replied, "I'm not in a hurry."
"Alright then..."
The two continued talking for a while, and after a few minutes, Kyle returned to the Hufflepuff Common Room.
Since tomorrow was the start of the holiday, the students were all excited, sitting there discussing their plans for the next two weeks.
Kyle didn't join their discussion but went straight back to the dormitory.
...
The next day, Kyle woke up as usual, but the dormitory was already empty. He packed his things and opened the dormitory door.
The Common Room was empty except for Conna, who was sitting in a chair near the fireplace, working on her homework.
Hearing the noise, she casually looked up and said, "Hello, Winstia... wait, Kyle?"
Conna was surprised and quickly jumped up from her chair, pulling Kyle to run outside.
"Quick, hurry... hopefully the train hasn't left yet." She said anxiously, "Really, why are you just waking up now? I should've gone to wake you up."
"Don't worry, it's fine."
Kyle grabbed her arm and explained, "The train left about ten minutes ago, and I have other arrangements, so I don't need to take the train."
"Other arrangements?" Conna looked at him puzzled, "Are you staying at school too?"
"No," Kyle shook his head, "I just don't need to take the train. Remember when Professor Dumbledore came to find me yesterday? It was about this."
Hearing this, Conna finally relaxed and turned back to her previous seat.
"Why are you alone? Where's Cedric?" Kyle asked.
"He went out," Conna said, "He left early in the morning and didn't say where he was going."
"Are you the only one here?"
"No, there's also Winstia, a fifth-year student."
Kyle nodded and went to the kitchen to get some food.
It wasn't until around 10 a.m. that Cedric still hadn't returned, and a brown owl flew in through the window, dropping a note for Kyle.
"I have to go now." Kyle looked at the note and stood up, saying, "Have a nice holiday and a Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!"
Kyle, who had left the Common Room, didn't go to Hogsmeade Station but turned at a fork in the road near the platform, arriving at the place where they had taken the carriage during the start of school.
This was a rather secluded place, and usually, no one would come here, but today was an exception.
"Kyle, over here!"
Hagrid seemed to have been waiting here and waved at Kyle upon seeing him.
Next to him, a carriage was parked, pulled by three Night Mares, a stark contrast to the ones used at the beginning of the term.
"The Headmaster told me you might need this," Hagrid said, patting one of the Night Mares' scrawny wings. "Are you heading home?"
"I wouldn't say no to the Hogwarts Express, but these Night Mares are the best mode of transportation," Kyle replied with a smile.
"Remember to take good care of them when you get home. I've put their food in the carriage; it should last them two weeks."
"Thank you, Hagrid," Kyle said, stepping forward with a smile. "But I'm not borrowing the Night Mares just to avoid the train... and Professor Dumbledore wouldn't approve of such a request."
"I'm going to a hidden place that neither the train nor the Knight Bus can reach. I have to use this ancient mode of transportation."
"Oh, I see..." Hagrid didn't ask where Kyle was going, but instead asked, "Have you ever ridden in this before?"
"No," Kyle shook his head.
He didn't know if Newt's trunk contained Night Mares, but he had never seen one, let alone ridden in a Night Mare carriage.
After all, it was only in the past two years that he had the opportunity to see these magical creatures.
Once Kyle was in the carriage, Hagrid handed him the reins.
"Relax, they're smart, and the carriage is safe. All you need to do is trust them."
As Kyle grasped the reins, the middle Night Mare turned its head to look at him and let out a short whinny, as if asking when they would depart.
"Anytime," Kyle said. "You know where to go, right?"
The Night Mare nodded and spread its wings wide.
Leaves on the ground were blown about as the carriage surged forward and then suddenly took flight, soaring into the sky.
Kyle leaned out of the carriage, and Hagrid waved his arms. Kyle waved back.
The carriage sped through the clouds, flying over mountains, villages, bustling towns, and cities...
But no matter where they went, the people below didn't notice anything unusual.
Kyle noticed that several hidden magical runes in the carriage glowed faintly. If he wasn't mistaken, they seemed to signify 'invisibility.'
Two hours later, Kyle spotted the Hogwarts Express.
From his current position, the train looked like a toy. The Night Mares quickly caught up with the train and then left it far behind.
No wonder Hagrid had looked down on the Hogwarts Express; in terms of speed, the Night Mare carriage was far superior.
And in terms of comfort, there was no comparison.
Despite the high speed, the carriage ride was smooth, and Kyle didn't feel any bumps.
It felt as if he were sitting in the castle's Great Hall.
After the train disappeared from sight, Kyle stopped looking outside.
The clouds ahead were getting thicker.
Earlier, when he had opened the window slightly, cold and damp air had rushed in, making him feel uncomfortable.
...
(End of Chapter)
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