MAGIANIMA // Hermione Granger

Diffindo. Diffindo. Diffindo.

Each of them had their own Thestral and those that could see them, quickly found themselves seated, leaving those unaware standing around awkwardly, their gazes shifting across the floating bodies of those already situated and comfortable. Atlas needed no prompting and let herself fall to the forest floor once more, back aching from the action as she forced one foot forward and eventually fell into a strong stride over to the two Weasleys and Hermione. Their quiet conversation stopped and three sheepish faces peered at her, expressions sort of lost as they glanced around once more as if to accentuate their helplessness.

Atlas helped Ron first, finding him the second largest one to carry his gangly form and helping him to climb upon his new steed, directing his knees and hands within a wiry mane, these demonstrations she continued when helping Ginny, her chosen Thestral a little smaller and significantly thinner as she hoisted the girl up by her waist and held her there, waiting for the girl to straddle the creatures back. She let go when she did and turned to Hermione, watching as the girl kept her eyes transfixed upon the depths of the forest, back where they had just come from not ten minutes ago.

Hesitantly, Atlas reached out and took the girl's hand. Hermione did not speak, did not stir and let Atlas gently drag her over to her own Thestral, listening and nodding when Atlas relayed to her the instructions she had given Ron and Ginny. The girl found her footing quickly and very smoothly slipped into place on the back of her steed, calm and collected upon its back and yet, despite that, Atlas lingered a moment, carding her fingers through the Thestrals mane.

"Are you truly okay?" She murmured, peering into pearlescent, boundless eyes.

"I'm okay, Atty," Hermione confirmed, the smile in her voice genuine and Atlas nodded, swallowing as she turned.

"Be safe, they take off rather quickly," Atlas informed before walking back to her own chosen Thestral and mounting it once more, giving the beast a few placating strokes before looking over at Harry, gaze set. There was a moment in which Harry leant down to whisper something to his mount and there were several moments that passed by soon after.

That was until, with a sweeping movement that Atlas had learnt to anticipate, the Thestral she rode extended its wings and rocketed upwards through the sky, the resistance of the air pushing Atlas back slightly so that the burn she had ached.

Once they settled in the sky, however, a sort of peace settled over her and she hugged her body to the Thestrals neck, watching as everything passed beneath her in a flash. Riding a Thestral was a quick endeavour, faster than any broom but not so fast it rivalled the Knight Bus, it settled somewhere in between and Atlas knew they'd be in London in a matter of moments, the Scottish landscape slowly morphing through darkening skies and thick fluffy clouds.

She just hoped they would not be too late.

It was strange, the sensations she felt within her, they felt somehow distant from her body, the panic, the fear, the need to reach her father should cloud her, should spur her on faster but there was a certain detachment she felt that scared her. It was as if she was not fully comprehending the situation. As if her body -- her heart did not quite believe what was happening. But it was. Harry was sure of it, she was...partially sure of it. No. She was sure. Kreature can't lie, not about Sirius anyway. Her father was in danger.

Her father was in danger and yet she felt not a lick of pure and true urgency as she sat in the clouds, her warm body growing cold against the bitter night air.

Atlas did not know how long they'd sat in the sky only that, with a sudden lurch in her gut, they had arrived at their destination, ears popping painfully as the air pressure settled and they found themselves slowly descending upon London. The lights below basked them all in golden artificial light, Atlas blinking owlishly as they reflected within her dark eyes and she looked around, finding that these streets of London looked particularly voidal.