Heart of Stone: HPHM Year 6

To Grandmother's House

"I've never been in the forbidden forest before," Alanza whispered to Sarah, underneath the invisibility cloak. "Well, never without Professor Kettleburn or Hagrid, at least."

The two young witches slipped through the trees just before dusk, late enough that they were unlikely to be caught by those wandering the grounds, but before, according to Barnaby, his gran placed magic around her house to dissuade intruders.

"Well, I'm glad you could come," said Sarah, lifting the cloak up so as not to catch it on the roots and twigs of the forest floor. "Sneaking into the forest is part of the Hogwarts experience."

Alanza had volunteered at once to join them on their mission to Barnaby's manor house. Sarah asked about the sudden change of heart--she'd always insisted on staying out of the Circle's business--and she'd explained she felt guilty about not giving up her necklace and wanted to help find a replacement. The whole thing made Sarah suspicious, but she decided it was best to keep Alanza close. Perhaps, she'd finally learn whether or not she could be trusted.

They had to delve well into the darkest parts of the forest to find the clearing the thestrals habited. Barnaby was already there, tossing dead rats in the air to be snatched by the creatures' sharp beaks.

"Ready?" Sarah asked him.

Barnaby wore an expression Sarah had often seen on exam days.

"Uh, the thestrals are," he said, cleaning his hands by wiping them down his robes.

Sarah understood his nervousness. Lee Manor was not a happy place for him. His favorite thing about Hogwarts was perhaps being away from his stifling home and his cruel grandmother, but now he was returning three months earlier than he'd planned.

"You'll take Pluto." He'd rounded up a group of three thestrals, standing at attention behind him, hoping for more rats. Pluto, the thestral Sarah had adopted in the reserve, stood at the left. "I'll take Lucky, and Alanza, you can have Stella."

"Where?" Alanza asked.

Sarah shook as a shiver ran down her spine. She always forgot that most people couldn't see the thestrals. The strange beasts could only be seen by those who had seen someone die. People like her, Merula, and Ben. And, she supposed, Rakepick. Barnaby couldn't see the thestrals either, but he'd become an expert at handling them despite this. Alanza was a natural with magical creatures as well, so it didn't take long for them to familiarize her with her mount before they were ready to depart.

"How long will we be riding?" Alanza asked, after Barnaby helped her onto Stella's back. She winced as she settled in; thestrals were thin, bony creatures, and it wasn't exactly comfortable to be atop one.

"Not long," said Barnaby. "Lee Manor isn't very far, and thestrals are really fast. Just hold on here." He moved her hands down the thestral's neck to rest near the shoulders. "And you'll be fine."

Sarah and Barnaby mounted their own thestrals, and Barnaby led the charge. The three equines took a running start, their enormous bat-like wings flapping at their sides, before with a graceful leap, they were airborne.

Sarah squeezed her legs around Pluto's body, amazed that such a large creature could travel so quickly. They rose high into the air, and she soon began to shiver. Though they were in the middle of Spring, the evening air above the clouds chilled her to the bone.

The three flew in a triangle formation, Barnaby in the lead. Alanza kept her head down, pressed against Stella's neck. Sarah imagined it was a comfort to touch something solid when you appeared to be soaring midair unsupported. She couldn't imagine how strange it must be for those who couldn't see thestrals to ride them.