Chapter 93 - Another Shock
From the trees surrounding the clearing came another herd of creatures. Unlike the unicorns, these creatures were not considered symbols of purity or good fortune.
The adults present here, which means the Professors, Hagrid and the centaurs could see them. Most of the children could not even see them. Among the children present, only Harry could see them.
And surprisingly, Harry could as well.
The dark coloured creatures slowly stepped out of the shadows. Their bodies looked thin and skeletal. Black skin stretched tightly over their bones. Large leathery wings rested on their backs. Their pale eyes reflected the moonlight.
Harry stared at them in wonder, "What are those?" he asked.
Hermione looked confused, "What are what?"
"Those horse things with wings. Can't you see them?"
Hermione frowned, "No, Harry. I don't see anything."
"But they're right there."
Draco looked in the same direction, "I don't see anything either."
Neville shook his head, "Me neither."
Harry pointed to those around, "Then why is everyone staring at them?"
That made all the children look around.
True enough, everyone else were staring at that direction. The children finally realized Harry was not imagining things. Something really was there.
Hagrid finally recovered from his shock.
"They're Thestrals," he explained.
The children immediately looked toward him.
"Thestrals?" Hermione asked.
Hagrid nodded.
"Aye. They're winged horse-like creatures. Most people can't see them."
"Why?" Neville asked nervously.
"Because only people who've seen death can see a Thestral."
But then Draco opened his mouth.
"But why can Potter see-"
He stopped halfway through the sentence as understanding appeared on his face.
"Oh."
For once, Draco looked uncomfortable.
Hermione and Neville frowned at him. They knew exactly what he had almost said.
Everyone understood immediately why Harry could see them.
Harry lowered his eyes. The memory of his parents was something nobody needed to explain.
Draco quickly looked away. Then another question entered his mind.
"Wait."
Everyone looked at him.
"Why can Arthur see them?"
That question immediately drew every eye toward me. Even the professors looked interested and curious.
Even the centaurs seemed interested in me.
Before anyone could ask more questions, the Thestrals were nearing the center of the clearing where the Patronus was present.
Harry nervously asked Hermione.
"They're walking right toward them. Are they going to fight the unicorns?"
Hagrid immediately shook his head.
"No, no. Many people say they're bad omens, but Thestrals aren't evil. They are gentle animals and don't usually fight, let alone with creatures like Unicorns."
"But they look scary and you said they are like connected to death," Harry replied.
"Don't judge anyone by their looks. People say lots of things for what they do not understand," Hagrid answered. "They're good creatures. Smart creatures too."
As everyone watched, something even stranger happened.
The unicorns immediately moved aside as the Thestrals neared them. There was no signs of communication like any sound or even gesture, yet they all shifted together.
The Thestrals calmly entered the empty space and within seconds a new formation appeared.
The Patronus and the healed unicorn remained in the center. One half of the circle consisted of shining silver-white unicorns. The other half consisted of dark skeletal Thestrals.
Yet neither side showed any hostility to another.
Instead, the Thestrals lowered their heads too, just like the unicorns had done earlier.
Hagrid's jaw dropped.
Professor Flitwick adjusted his glasses.
"My goodness, this is unprecedented."
Professor McGonagall simply stared in awe.
Dumbledore's eyes shone brightly with curiosity.
Finally Professor Snape broke the silence.
"Well then, Mr. Dursley. Can you explain what exactly is happening here?"
I turned toward him and shook my head.
"No, Professor."
Snape raised an eyebrow.
"No?"
"No," I repeated honestly. "I don't understand any of this."
Several people looked surprised by my answer.
I pointed toward the Patronus.
"I casted the Patronus to stop the shadow creature. After forming, it attacked and then healed on its own."
Snape stared at me for several seconds before he slowly nodded.
Professor Dumbledore smiled softly.
"Fascinating."
Everyone looked toward him.
The old Headmaster stepped forward but his eyes remained fixed on the Patronus. His smile widened.
"Even after all these years," he said quietly, "magic continues to surprise us."
"The world remains far larger than our understanding. And I find that rather wonderful."
Professor Flitwick enthusiastically nodded.
"Indeed! "I have never heard of a Patronus healing injuries."
He practically bounced on his feet.
"Nor have I," Professor McGonagall admitted.
The centaurs exchanged quiet looks among themselves. Even they seemed unable to explain it.
Meanwhile, the Patronus remained standing peacefully between the unicorns and the Thestrals. It looked almost regal, like a king receiving his subjects.
"Actually..."
Then Harry suddenly spoke. Everyone turned toward him. He was staring very carefully at the Patronus.
"What is it, Harry?" Dumbledore asked.
Harry pointed toward the glowing creature.
"Doesn't it look like a combination of both of them?"
"Both of what?" Hermione asked.
"The unicorns and the Thestrals."
The clearing fell silent again as everyone looked at the Patronus.
Hagrid's eyes widened first.
"Good heavens."
Professor McGonagall blinked, while Dumbledore's smile slowly disappeared, replaced by deep thought.
Harry was right.
The Patronus had the horn of a unicorn. Its body resembled a magnificent horse. Yet its size was larger than a normal unicorn.
And most importantly, great wings rested upon its back. Wings which were very similar to those of a Thestral.
Professor Flitwick slowly nodded.
"Indeed."
His voice was filled with wonder.
"It truly does appear as though someone combined the defining features of both a unicorn and a Thestral."
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End of Chapter 93 - Another Shock