In the compartment, Fred and George were going completely mad.
Of course, the reason for their frustration wasn't because this matter would have serious consequences, but because when Ron and Harry decided to drive to school, they hadn't brought them along for the adventure.
As for Hermione, she was utterly speechless at their recklessness.
Luna, however, remained perfectly calm, sitting by the window and watching Fred and George's outburst. She seemed to find it all thoroughly entertaining.
"They probably encountered some trouble and couldn't board the train," Dudley speculated reasonably.
"But they could have sent an owl with a message to the school. Why would they choose such a dangerous method to get to Hogwarts? Don't these two have any sense at all?" Hermione said, her expression growing increasingly troubled.
"With those two's combined brain power, they probably genuinely didn't think of using an owl to send a message," Dudley said with a resigned shrug.
"What do we do now?" Hermione asked helplessly.
"They're not in any immediate danger for the moment. Let's discuss it when we reach school," Dudley said, rubbing his forehead with concern.
He couldn't fathom what these two had encountered that made them suddenly decide to drive a flying car to school.
You had to understand, if this matter was exposed publicly, it would be a devastating blow to Mr. Weasley's career and might even cost him his job at the Ministry.
Fred and George seemed to realise this serious problem as well, and their expressions grew considerably more worried.
But at this point, it was completely impossible to stop their younger brother and Harry.
Throughout the remaining journey, everyone was anxious. Dudley would periodically sense the outside situation, confirming that Harry remained not far from their location, closely following behind the train.
In the evening, the Hogwarts Express finally stopped at Hogsmeade Station.
After Dudley and the others disembarked, they could see Hagrid from quite a distance, holding a lantern aloft and waving to signal the first-year students to follow him.
"Hey, Dudley, Hermione, welcome back to Hogwarts," Hagrid greeted them warmly upon spotting the group.
"How come I don't see those two lads, Harry and Ron?" Hagrid searched among the students but didn't spot the missing pair.
"They... had some urgent matters to attend to," Dudley said diplomatically.
"What happened exactly?" Hagrid immediately asked with obvious concern.
"We'll discuss it another time," Dudley said hurriedly.
Hagrid frowned but didn't press the matter further. He had first-year students to guide.
"See you at Hogwarts," Luna said goodbye to Dudley and the others, then skipped away cheerfully, following Hagrid out of the station.
"She's... rather odd," Hermione observed, watching Luna's retreat.
"She's indeed a very fascinating person," Dudley commented thoughtfully.
"Don't you think she's... well, how should I put it, eccentric? Sorry, I'm not trying to speak ill of her, just expressing my honest impression," Hermione said carefully.
"I understand what you mean perfectly. But she really is intriguing, isn't she?" Dudley replied.
Hermione frowned. She felt Dudley had somehow been influenced by that peculiar girl.
"What about Harry and Ron? Can you still detect their location?" Hermione asked in lowered tones.
"They should already be at Hogwarts by now, travelling faster than us," Dudley confirmed.
"That's reassuring," Hermione breathed a sigh of relief, and the two followed the main group of students toward the castle.
Now they were second-year students. They didn't need to cross the Black Lake by boat anymore and could take carriages directly into Hogwarts grounds.
After traversing a muddy road, Dudley and Hermione arrived at the area where the carriages were stationed.
Looking across the clearing, quite a few carriages had already departed, slowly progressing toward the illuminated castle.
These carriages appeared to be pulled by invisible forces. Whenever students climbed aboard and closed the doors, they would automatically begin moving.
"What are those creatures?" Dudley suddenly stopped, looking at the carriages with a deeply puzzled expression.
"What?" Hermione followed Dudley's gaze and saw only carriages parked in the clearing.
"Is there something wrong with the carriages?" Hermione asked with growing confusion.
"There's nothing wrong with the carriages themselves, but what are those things pulling them?"
In Dudley's vision, some eerie black animals stood between the shafts of each carriage.
They had no flesh whatsoever, with black hide stretched tightly over their skeletal frames, every bone clearly visible. Their heads resembled dragon skulls, with white, pupilless eyes staring unblinkingly ahead. From the ridge where the shoulder bones met, wings sprouted: large, black, leathery wings that looked like they belonged to gigantic bats.
These creatures stood motionless, quietly positioned in the increasingly thick darkness, appearing both strange and ominous.
Dudley blinked and activated his spiritual vision.
He immediately discovered that these animals were magical creatures with powerful supernatural energy contained within their bodies.
"What's wrong, Dudley?" Hermione asked, seeing Dudley standing perfectly still, staring fixedly at the carriages as if there really were something terrible there. She felt a wave of unease wash over her.
"Can't you see them?" Dudley asked with genuine surprise.
"See what exactly?" Hermione's anxiety increased dramatically at Dudley's words.
"The animals pulling the carriages. Some very eerie, skeletal black creatures... Wait, I think I know what they are." Similar images surfaced in Dudley's memory. He had encountered this type of animal in a book.
Thestrals.
"Dudley, what are you talking about? What animals pulling carriages? There's nothing pulling them. They're enchanted and move by themselves," Hermione said fearfully. She was nearly scared to tears by Dudley's behaviour.
"Only those who have witnessed death can see them," Dudley murmured softly to himself.
"You genuinely can't see them?" Dudley suddenly turned to look directly at Hermione.
"Ah!" Hermione was startled by Dudley's sudden movement, gripping his arm tightly for support.
"They're Thestrals, very powerful magical creatures. Only those who have witnessed death can see them," Dudley explained.
"Logically speaking, you should be able to see them as well."
Back in the Forbidden Forest, Dudley had personally ended Quirrell's life, and this had been witnessed by Hermione and the others.
Therefore, Hermione should also be able to see Thestrals clearly.
But judging by Hermione's current reaction, she genuinely couldn't see these eerie creatures.
"What do you mean?" Hermione became increasingly confused by his explanation.
"Didn't you see how Quirrell died?" Dudley asked directly.
"Quirrell..." Hermione's face paled considerably as she instinctively looked at Dudley with new understanding.
"You... didn't you... kill him?" Hermione asked quietly.
At this moment, Hermione seemed to recall the terrifying intensity in Dudley's eyes during that confrontation.
Dudley studied Hermione's expression for a long moment.
"Let's go. We'll miss the carriages if we don't hurry," Dudley finally said, choosing not to pursue the matter further and pulling Hermione toward the waiting transportation.
When climbing aboard, Hermione carefully examined the front of their carriage. It was completely dark there, and she indeed saw absolutely nothing pulling them forward.