The Lost One: Harry Potter x Fem!reader

24

Harry wound his hand tightly into the mane of the nearest Thestral, placed a foot on a stump nearby and scrambled clumsily on to the horse's silken back. It did not object, but twisted its head around, fangs bared, and attempted to continue its eager licking of his robes.

He found there was a way of lodging his knees behind the wing joints that made him feel more secure, then looked around at the others. Neville had heaved himself over the back of the next Thestral and was now attempting to swing one short leg over the creature's back. Luna and Elana were already in place, sitting side-saddle and adjusting their robes as though they did this every day. Y/n, Ron, Hermione and Ginny, however, were still standing motionless on the spot, open-mouthed and staring.

'What?' he said.

'How're we supposed to get on?' said Ron faintly. 'When we can't see the things?'

'Oh, it's easy,' said Luna, sliding obligingly from her Thestral and marching over to him, Hermione and Ginny. 'Come here ...'

She pulled them over to the other Thestrals standing around and one by one managed to help them on to the back of their mount. All three looked extremely nervous as she wound their hands into their horse's mane and told them to grip tightly before she got back on to her own steed.

'This is mad,' Ron murmured, moving his free hand gingerly up and down his horse's neck. 'Mad ... if I could just see it –'

'You'd better hope it stays invisible,' said Harry darkly.

'I'm nervous,' Y/n, the usually up for anything type of girl, was now sitting frightened, looking down at the – for her – invisible horse.

Harry tugged at his horses manes and started walking towards her. 'It's all gonna be fine,' he told her, placing a calming hand on her thigh.

'I can't do this,' Y/n said, shaking her head.
'Not when I can't see the thing I'm gonna be flying.'

Harry pondered what to do for a moment. 'You can always sit behind me,' he told her, his cheeks now turning a crimson colour.

Y/n thought about it. 'Yeah, that's better I suppose.'

Harry nodded, getting off his horse and guiding Y/n off hers. 'Okay, I'm gonna get you up.'

'Okay,' Y/n whispered and squealed as Harry lifted her up by her waist.

'Swing your leg over it,' Y/n obliged and began to adjust herself on the horse.

Next, Harry took a seat, 'We all ready, then?'

They all nodded and he saw six pairs of knees tighten beneath their robes. 'OK ...'

He looked down at the back of his Thestral's glossy black head and swallowed.

'Hold on tight,' Harry said Y/n who immediately wrapped her arms around his waist.  'Ministry of Magic, visitors' entrance, London, then,' he said uncertainly. 'Er ... if you know ... where to go ...'

For a moment Harry's Thestral did nothing at all; then, with a sweeping movement that nearly unseated him, the wings on either side extended; the horse crouched slowly, then rocketed upwards so fast and so steeply that Harry had to clench his arms and legs tightly around the horse to avoid sliding backwards over its bony rump; Y/n squealed and held on tighter to him, if possible.

He closed his eyes and pressed his face down into the horse's silky mane as they burst through the topmost branches of the trees and soared out into a blood-red sunset.

'Look at the sky, Harry, look at the sky,' Y/n said, terrified.

'Never knew you were such a wuss,' Harry smirked, turning his head towards the girl. 'I'm not a wuss,' she responded in defensively.