Kit's PotterClub Competition Entries

Task #1 - Thestrals

I gave my parents and sisters one last hug before I stumbled onto the Hogwarts express. My fourth time getting on, and I was still clumsy.

"C'mon, Kit!" my little brother moaned, "Hurry up!" I groaned at his impatience, pulling myself and my luggage up the stairs as he dashed past me to find his friends.

I rolled my eyes as I managed to finally get on. I walked slowly through the corridor, a pit of dread forming in my stomach. I had to sit beside people.

As an introvert, I was never really comfortable with human interaction, nor was I good at it. If it were entirely up to me, I would just sit in a compartment by myself. I trudged along, looking for anyone who might be able to tolerate me.

"What's up, Kit?" I smiled, sighing with relief. My best friend, Abigail, had saved a seat for me.

"Hey Abby," I replied, sliding in beside her. The seat opposite us was already taken by two students. Figures, I thought, she's so good at making friends.

My black cat had finally gotten onto the train, and meowed loudly to state her presence. She looked up at me with her golden-yellow eyes, and I smiled.

"Hey Ninja," I laughed, picking her up and plopping in her in my lap. Abigail gave her a pat, and we waited for the Hogwarts Express to start moving.

**************

"Kit, wake up! We're here." I moaned, opening my eyes and wincing as I felt the pins and needles in the arm I had slept upon. My face was imprinted with the lines of the window, and Ninja was sleeping soundly on my lap. I blinked a few times, adjusting my glasses and peering out at the grand castle that was our destination.

I yawned, "I can't wait to get back to Care of Magical Creatures." Just thinking of the animals I would be caring for made me smile. I packed up my books and got ready to get off the train.

"I wonder if I can see thestrals now," I thought aloud.

My friend was confused for a moment, but then nodded, "I heard they pull the carriages."

You see, over the summer, I had spent my weekends working at a muggle veterinary clinic. I saw many things, but one of those things had been the death of a dog they were trying to save. I was disappointed, but I understood death and the life that followed.

Abigail her friends and I all got off, and the first thing I did was gush at the first years.

"Tiny people!" I squealed, "They're so cute!" We headed off towards the carriages, and there they were.

The thestrals.

They were beautiful; skeletal winged horses that were so gentle and docile despite misunderstandings. I had been unable to see them before, but now, they were right in front of me. I reached out and stroked one before getting onto the carriage it pulled.

This is going to be a good year, I thought.