Ron changed into his robes which he mumbled were,"old and had belonged to his brother Bill".

He also expressed doubt about his self-worth. His brothers all had achieved great things at Hogwarts and he didn't believe he would measure up, and that even if he did it wouldn't matter because they had done it first. Ah, but grades in a school aren't everything...

I told him, " Everyone doubts themselves at times,but you can be far greater than anyone believes. Your greatest enemy will always be the part of yourself that says you can't do it. Trust me that someday it will be your son that hopes to measure up to you".

"Thanks, you're one heck of a friend Ben," Ron muttered while nudging my shoulder with his arm in a friendly manner. The truth is that I lack true empathy but I've learned over the centuries how humans behave and interact with each another. There is no doubt in my mind that I have the most impeccable manners. I understand what must be said and done and the etiquette required to do so. With that knowledge, I pass for being human. Although, Sometimes I slip up and say something out of place. Nobody's perfect...

Ron sighed," Well, I guess I'm as ready as I will ever be".

"That's the spirit," I cheered giving him an encouraging tap on the shoulder of my own. I will make a brave and confident man out of you yet! I thought.

As we headed off the red train campartment onto the small platform I heard a giant hairy man slur," Firs' years! Follow me!"

"I need to do something Ron. Don't worry, I'll catch up! Just save a seat on your boat for me," I said before casting my invisibility charm and running off.

Ron was unnerved by my sudden disappearance, but I had to move quickly. I sprinted about a hundred yards through the woods over to where the Thestrals pulled the wagons for the second year's.

Cedric had mentioned the horse-less carriages that brought him to Hogwarts and the drivers that steered the vehicle. There was only one creature that was invisible to most humans and needed reins to steer them.

"Hello friend," I whispered to the nearest Thestral. It cooed with a sound that mortals might find eerie.

Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.

Thestrals are winged black horses with Raven-like faces and very little muscle mass with very thin skin. As such, their bodies appear to be skeletal at first glance. They're something of a magical mix between a magical horse and a raven with an extremely high death affinity. Even I am unsure of how they came fully into being but the wizarding world played a huge role in it. Horses are herbivores whileThestrals are carnivores, and yet they are friendly like most horses. I know some history behind their breeding but my knowledge is limited mostly to the death-oriented side. Their appearance is largely due to the fact that a part of them exists only within the realm of death, so they are half here and half...not. As a result, their tail hair is truly magical being mostly in the realm of death! This enables it to conduct magical energy almost perfectly however most wizards and witches struggle to utilize it.

Even those who have seen death and accepted it can barely perceive their tail hair. To fuse it into a piece of wood properly is even harder, but I have my methods.

"Excuse me friend, but could I trouble you to borrow a tail hair?" I asked the friendly creature.

"Of course old one," The beast responded respectfully plucking one of its longest hairs.

"Thank you, I would like to talk longer but right now I have to go," I explained petting the creature's head.

"No worries, I will see you next year," The Thestral nodded at my robes showing an understanding of how the school worked.

I placed the hair safely in the bottom of my inner robe pocket that was made to conceal our wands, I waved at the Thestral as I ran back towards the boats.

I ran as fast as I could but I was still late to arrive. Hagrid and my boat with Ron and Hermione in it had been waiting on me.

"Are you sure he didn't get on another boat?" demanded Hermione.

"Yes, quite sure. He said he needed to do something." Ron shrugged.

"I'm here," I answered removing my invisibility.

"Where were you?!" Hermione shrieked.

"I wanted to see the horseless carriage and now I have," I answered truthfully.

"The what?" Hermione question.

"Ur not supposed ta'know bout them yet," the giant man frowned, "They second-yeer stuff".

I stare back at him with my eyes widened. I think humans call these " puppy eyes". It may have be extra effective due to my younger age.

"Uh, we best be off now then. We're running late," the giant coughed uncomfortably realizing how young the child he was about to scold is. The hairy man seemed like the gentle sort of giant.

Using my power I saw that his name is Hagrid. Something seems... off about him. He is happy around children and yet also sad. I also noticed he smells a little of alcohol too. Perhaps the years after Harry's death have caused problems at Hogwarts. Maybe he had known him or his parents. Whatever the cause I'm sure time would help. I doubt I will spend much time with him in the future but I don't know everything.