Ancient Wizards Return to Hogwarts...

Chapter 136 The idea of ​​driverless cars has been shattered.

Trace...

Rice narrowed his eyes.

The method the Ministry of Magic uses to monitor underage wizards is likely some kind of long-lasting magic that can be effective for several years, but it is more likely to be a contract-based magic.

However, regardless of the type of magic, a caster is required, whether the caster is human or not.

Rice patted Astoria on the shoulder, telling her not to panic, that she would definitely get into the academy she wanted.

"Really?" A smile appeared on Astoria's pale face. "Then I'll definitely go to Slytherin."

"Why not consider Gryffindor? There's lots of fun stuff there!" A male voice suddenly rang out behind them.

The group turned around and saw two identical red-haired boys grinning at them.

"Fred, stop teasing the child. Little Astoria won't go to any other house—why don't you send your sister Ginny to Slytherin? I'll give her all my notes from last year!"

Upon hearing Rice's words, the smiles on Fred and George's faces froze.

Put yourself in Ginny's shoes, what if she went to Slytherin... No, just thinking about it is terrifying!

So they immediately changed the subject.

"Remember the bet at the end of last semester? You just called me Fred, didn't you? I'm giving you another chance. Are you sure you want to stick to your choice?" Fred winked at Rice.

However, for Rice, the difference in magic between the two was obvious, so he was not swayed by Fred's words at all.

"Damn it." Fred sighed after realizing he hadn't fooled Rice.

"You're in luck. If there's anything you need us to bring back from Hogsmeade, just tell us." George put his arm around Fred's neck and pulled the guy who was blocking the aisle away.

"Two strange Weasleys."

This is Astoria's assessment of Fred and George.

"They just like playing pranks, they're not bad people." Rice offered a slight excuse for Fred and George, then went to the platform with Daphne and the others.

From then on, Astoria parted ways with them and was led by Hagrid to cross the Black Lake by boat. Rice and the other second-year "veterans" followed the flow of people to a grove of trees.

Hundreds of carriages were parked in the woods. To the average person, the shafts of these carriages appeared empty, but they weren't actually unattended; they were occupied by a creature called a Thestral.

Only those who have witnessed and understood death can see them.

"So these carriages are enchanted? They can move on their own without horses?" Hermione looked at the empty carriage shafts, her curiosity about magic ignited.

Is this some kind of automatic navigation curse? If only I could cast such a spell on my own car…

Hermione even conceived the idea of ​​self-driving cars.

"Wrong answer. Just reach out and touch it here." Rice ruthlessly interrupted Hermione's reverie, pointing her to a spot and gesturing for her to touch it.

He could see it clearly: when Hermione spoke, the Thestrals pulling the carriage all turned around and stared at her with their pupil-less white eyes.

Thestrals are incredibly intelligent creatures, capable of understanding human speech.

Hermione did as she was told, carefully reaching out her hand towards where Rice was pointing. She touched something hard, which felt like bone, but seemed to be covered by a layer of skin.

"There really is something!" Hermione exclaimed.

"Huh? What does it look like? Can I touch it?" Daphne, who was standing to the side, also became very interested in the creature called Thestral that Rice had mentioned.

When Daphne asked this question, Rice realized that she couldn't see the Thestrals either.

Perhaps Daphne didn't see Quirrell die, or perhaps when she saw Quirrell, he was no longer a living person.

"Of course, come this way..." Rice patiently guided Daphne, placing her hand on Thestral's back.

The Thestrals gave the witches the impression of being emaciated, as if there were no other tissues between their bones and fur.

"Ouch!"

Perhaps the Thestral had tickled her, for it raised its tail and lashed it across the girl's hand, causing her to let out a startled cry.

Even after being given a small warning, Hermione showed no sign of stopping. This was a magical creature she had never seen before, and she was determined to pet it properly, as she might not have the chance again.

"Alright, we should get in the carriage now. There's a herd of Thestrals living in the Forbidden Forest, and Hagrid takes good care of them. You can go find Hagrid another day and have him take you to see the Thestrals." Rice looked around and, seeing that most of the other carriages had already set off, urged them on.

Daphne nodded. She not only wanted Hagrid to take her to see the Thestrals, but she also wanted to see her own Nightmare.

During the summer vacation, she was not at Hogwarts, and Nightmare was being fostered by Hagrid. Daphne felt she should go see it, lest it become estranged from her after not seeing her for so long.

She boarded the carriage first, followed closely by a reluctant Hermione, with Rice trailing behind. Just as he was about to close the carriage door, he heard a shout.

"Please, please wait a minute—" He poked his head out and saw Neville running towards them, panting, holding the toad Raef in his hands.

"I was looking for Leif just now, which took up some time. Whew... thankfully you're still here." He climbed onto the carriage and took a few deep breaths.

Rice smiled and shook his head: It seems that working for Rupert all summer hasn't helped Neville get rid of his forgetfulness.

"How was your holiday?" After Neville got into the carriage, which creaked and groaned as it drove away, Rice and Neville, who was sitting next to him, exchanged pleasantries.

Neville nodded: "Sister Rupert took good care of me, and later even taught me how to make desserts. I wonder if there's a place to cook in the castle? If so, I can try making some."

That's wonderful!

As the group chatted and laughed, the carriage entered the gates of Hogwarts School.

Since they had all moved up to their second year, they headed straight for the Great Hall. At the entrance, they saw Snape talking to Professor McGonagall.

"Potter...Weasley..."

"Severus, I still need to preside over the Sorting Ceremony. Go and inform Professor Dumbledore first."

As the four approached, the two had just finished speaking. Professor McGonagall hurriedly walked away, while Snape headed into the Great Hall.

"It seems like Harry and Ron have gotten into some trouble again?" Daphne began to imagine the rest based on the snippets of conversation she had overheard.

Sigrún has taught at the Iceland University of the Arts as a part-time lecturer since and was Dean of the Department of Fine Art from -. In – she held a research position at Reykjavík Art Museum focusing on the role of women in Icelandic art. She studied fine art at the Icelandic College of Arts and Crafts and at Pratt Institute, New York, and holds BA and MA degrees in art history and philosophy from the University of Iceland. Sigrún lives and works in Iceland.

Update delivered, second update coming later!

(End of this chapter)