https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-395-The-Thundering-Moonstruck-Beast/12538687/
Chapter 394: Nightsteed Carriage
Chapter 394: Nightsteed Carriage
After the sumptuous dinner came to an end, the students returned to their respective common rooms.
As Kyle was exiting the Great Hall, someone called out to him.
"Looks like I'm just in time," said Professor Dumbledore, who was standing by the exit. He led Kyle to the side corridor and asked, "Remember the letter you asked me to deliver a few days ago?"
"I received a reply from Nicolas at noon today. He asked me to bring you to him during the holidays."
"So, you want to borrow Fawkes? If it's you, he probably won't refuse."
Kyle wondered if he was imagining things, but he thought he detected a hint of sourness in the professor's tone.
Shaking his head, Kyle asked, "...Are there any other options?"
If possible, Kyle would prefer not to be flown by a phoenix. While it was the fastest method, it was also quite barbaric, and he wasn't sure he could handle it.
Professor Dumbledore pondered for a moment. "Of course, but it will be slower."
"That's fine," Kyle quickly replied. "I'm not in a hurry."
"In that case..."
The two chatted for a while longer, and it was probably several minutes later that Kyle returned to the Hufflepuff common room.
With the holidays starting the next day, the students were all excitedly discussing their plans for the coming two weeks.
However, Kyle did not join in their conversation and instead headed straight to his dormitory.
...
The next day, Kyle woke up at his usual time, and as he stepped out of his dormitory, he found the common room empty except for Connor, who was seated near the fireplace, working on some homework.
Hearing the door, she casually looked up and said, "Hello, Winston... Wait, Kyle?"
Surprised, Connor quickly jumped up from her chair and grabbed Kyle's hand, intending to rush out.
"Quick, quick... I hope we haven't missed the train," she said anxiously. "Really, why are you just waking up now? I should've come to get you."
"Don't worry, it's fine," Kyle reassured her, holding her arm to stop her rush. "The train left ten minutes ago, and I have other arrangements anyway. I won't be taking the train."
"Other arrangements?" Connor looked at him quizzically. "Have you decided to stay at school too?"
"No," Kyle shook his head. "I just won't be taking the train. Remember Professor Dumbledore talking to me yesterday? It was about this."
Hearing this, Connor finally relaxed and returned to her previous seat.
"So, it's just you here? Where's Cedric?" Kyle asked.
"He went out," Connor replied. "He left early in the morning and didn't say where he was going."
"Are you the only one left here?"
"No, there's also Winston, a fifth-year student."
Kyle nodded and went to the kitchen to get some food.
It was almost ten in the morning, and Cedric still hadn't returned. A brown owl flew in through the window and dropped a note for Kyle.
"I have to leave now," Kyle said after reading the note. "Have a nice holiday, and Merry Christmas!"
"Merry Christmas!"
As Kyle left the common room, he did not head towards Hogsmeade Station but instead turned down a side path near the platform, leading to the spot where they had boarded the carriages at the start of the term.
It was a rather secluded area, usually devoid of any visitors, but today was an exception.
Parked next to him was a carriage, drawn by three majestic Nightsteeds. Unlike the carriages from the start of term, this one had an additional Nightsteed in front.
"The Headmaster told me you might need this," Hagrid said, patting the skinny wing of one of the Nightsteeds. With a beaming smile, he added, "Are you heading home? I must say, your choice of transportation is fantastic! Forget the Hogwarts Express, a Nightsteed carriage is the way to travel."
"Thanks, Hagrid," Kyle replied as he approached. "But I'm not borrowing the Nightsteeds just to avoid the train... Besides, Professor Dumbledore wouldn't agree to such a request. The place I'm going to is rather secluded, inaccessible by either train or Knight Bus, so I had to opt for this more ancient mode of transportation."
"Oh, I see," Hagrid said, nodding. "That explains it... Well, have you ridden in one of these before?"
Kyle shook his head. "No, I haven't."
He wasn't sure if Newt had Nightsteeds in his case, perhaps he did... But Kyle had never seen one, let alone ridden in a Nightsteed carriage. It was only in the last couple of years that he had even been able to see these magical creatures.
As Kyle climbed into the carriage, Hagrid handed him the reins. "Just relax, they're smart creatures, and the carriage is perfectly safe. All you need to do is trust them."
The middle Nightsteed turned its head to glance at Kyle as he took the reins, letting out a short whinny as if inquiring when they would depart.
"Anytime," Kyle said. "You know the location, right?"
The Nightsteed nodded, then spread its wings wide.
The fallen leaves on the ground were blown about as the carriage surged forward, then it lifted off the ground and soared into the sky.
Kyle poked his head out of the carriage and saw Hagrid standing there, waving 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 seemed oblivious to their presence.
Kyle noticed several hidden runes within the carriage glowing faintly, and he guessed that they represented the concept of "concealment."
Two hours later, Kyle spotted the Hogwarts Express below.
From his vantage point, the train looked like a tiny toy. The Nightsteeds quickly caught up to the back of the train and overtook it, leaving it far behind.
No wonder Hagrid had looked down on the Hogwarts Express; the Nightsteed carriage was clearly superior in terms of speed. And comfort too, for that matter.
Despite their rapid pace and the fact that they were flying, Kyle didn't feel the slightest bump inside the carriage. It felt as smooth as sitting in the Great Hall of the castle.
After the train disappeared from view, Kyle stopped looking out.
Up ahead, the clouds were starting to thicken, and the occasional gaps let in cold, damp air that hit his face like little blobs of discomfort.
...
(End of Chapter)
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