https://novelcool.info/chapter/Chapter-63-Family-Death-Eaters-Wizard-Purity-Party/13684781/
Chapter 64: Carriage, Night Kneazle
“Follow me, students!” A deep, rumbling voice echoed through the darkness.
Hagrid stood like a mountain in his thick fur coat, lantern in hand, waiting on the pitch-black platform. To those unfamiliar with his gentle nature, he looked every bit the wild creature—imposing and intimidating. The chatter among the students instantly died down, and they fell into step behind him, moving forward along the platform.
Before them, a wide clearing stretched out, dotted with numerous black carriages. Their frames were lined with dim, yellow lamps, and some swayed slightly as if breathing. One by one, the students climbed aboard. Wade and his friends walked together, when suddenly a cheerful voice called out:
“Hey, Wade! Guys, this one’s empty!”
They looked up to see Hermione, Padma, Padma’s sister, and Neville already seated in a carriage. It was Padma who spoke, gesturing to a spare one beside them, its interior scattered with straw.
One by one, they climbed in. Michael waved first. “Hey there! How was your holiday?”
“Fantastic—except for one person who wouldn’t stop reading the Book of Friends,” Hermione replied. “I was hoping we could discuss things on it—especially during our Study Session for the Disarming Charm—”
“Oh, Hermione, wait!” Padma groaned, holding up a hand. “We’re not even back at school yet! Let’s save it for tomorrow, okay?”
Even a Ravenclaw like her found Hermione’s academic intensity a little unnerving.
“Library, tomorrow afternoon?” Wade suggested. “I’ve got a few new books to borrow.”
Hermione sighed in resignation and sat back. Padma’s sister exhaled quietly—relieved.
Even without anyone pushing her, the pressure of being surrounded by people who spoke fluent magic theory while she couldn’t follow a single word was suffocating. It felt like she was trapped inside an invisible glass dome.
Just as the conversation continued, Neville bolted from the carriage in panic, clutching his toad, Lefu, and squeezed into Wade’s carriage.
“Hey, Neville! We’re already packed in here!” Michael protested.
“Please, just let me stay—there’s only girls over there…” Neville whispered, his voice trembling. He shoved Michael into the corner without hesitation, refusing to budge.
Michael glared, pressed against the wall. “What’s so bad about being around girls? You’re sitting next to Hogwarts’ most beautiful girl—and she’s a twin!”
From across the way came a chorus of light laughter—clear, bright, and unmistakably amused.
Neville ducked his head, blushing. “They’re always laughing… It’s so awkward. I just can’t stay there…”
Michael shook his head, exasperated. “Neville, you’re hopeless!”
Without waiting, he leapt down and sprinted to the girls’ carriage. A moment later, he was back inside, laughing and chatting with Padma.
Neville let out a long breath, eyes wide with admiration.
Wade and the others couldn’t help it—they burst into laughter. Neville grinned sheepishly, scratching his head.
The carriage swayed gently forward. The road was uneven, and the ride was bumpy. The air inside carried a musty smell, and beneath them lay a thick layer of straw.
Liam groaned. “I’ve been meaning to ask since last time—why is there no cushion on this thing?”
They’d ridden these same carriages during Christmas Return Home, but back then, they’d been grouped with their own Houses, never getting a chance to ride together.
Theo mused, “Probably tradition. Not that the school can’t afford it.”
Anyone who’d seen Hogwarts’ dining halls—where feasts were piled high with food—would know the school wasn’t short on funds.
“Board and lodging, no tuition… what more could we ask?” Wade said, waving his wand at the straw pile. With a flick, the dry, yellowed straw transformed into a thick, plush cushion.
The others patted it in awe. “Man… Transfiguration is so hard.”
Wade had helped them all with Charms, but Transfiguration required more than skill—it demanded belief and imagination. He couldn’t just pour those into their minds.
“Do Muggle schools charge?” Theo asked curiously.
“Yeah,” Wade replied, thinking back to his own primary school. “Public Elementary Schools are basically free—just a small fee for supplies. But private schools? At least ten thousand pounds a year.”
“Ten thousand pounds?” Theo blinked. “That’s… how much?”
“About two thousand Galleons,” Wade said.
Theo’s eyes widened. “That’s expensive. Muggles really are rich!”
Even as a pure-blood, Theo knew his family couldn’t afford that kind of tuition—only someone like Malfoy could.
“Most Muggle students go to public schools,” Wade added.
“Speaking of which,” Liam said, peering out the window, “these carriages are amazing—automatically driven. Is this an Alchemical Artifact?”
Neville suddenly lifted his head, lips parting as if to speak—then closed them again, hesitating.
“No…” Michael leaned forward. “I think… there’s a horse pulling it. Invisible one.”
The others fell silent, straining to listen.
Then, faint but unmistakable—soft, rhythmic breaths, the snort of a large animal, the flutter of wings slicing through the air.
“An invisible horse?” Liam frowned. “I think I’ve read about something like this… in a book…”
“It’s a Night Kneazle,” Wade said simply.
“Right!” Liam slapped his hand. “Yes! The Night Kneazle—legend says only those who’ve witnessed death can see them. That’s why we can’t.”
“So they’re not invisible,” Theo mused, piecing it together. “They’re just… unseen by those who haven’t faced death.”
“Exactly,” Wade nodded, watching ahead.
Before them, a skeletal black horse advanced, its eyes white and pupilless, its face twisted like a demonic dragon’s. Yet it moved with gentle grace, pulling the carriage forward. Its massive bat-like wings folded softly against its body.
Perhaps Liam’s voice had startled it. The creature lifted its head slightly, nostrils flaring. It quickened its pace, just a little.
The wheels creaked and groaned as the carriage finally stopped at the stone steps of the castle.
Wade stepped down.
The night air bit cold. His breath fogged in the air like mist.
He turned back—and locked eyes with the Night Kneazle.
A strange sensation washed over him.
No wonder ancient people believed seeing a Night Kneazle meant death was near. They thought the creature brought ill fortune to those who beheld it.
“Come on, Wade!” Liam slapped his back, shivering. “It’s freezing!”
Students trudged through the snow, stepping onto the stone stairs, eager to enter the castle. At the corner of the Great Hall, Filch stood fuming, glaring at the muddy footprints left behind.
Inside, the Great Hall blazed with light. House-elves had laid out a lavish feast. Dumbledore sat at the staff table, smiling warmly at the new arrivals.
(End of Chapter)
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