Luro smiled, watching as her friend's brother and his teammates zoomed around on their broomsticks, playing for her house.

"Go, Hufflepuff, go!" she laughed, cupping her hands over her mouth as Tobias sprayed another set of sparks in the air.

"And as Chez ("That's my brother!" screamed Gloria) sends a bludger straight into Uiop - ow, that's gotta hurt! - Boister is left free to throw the quaffle - Wait, not yet, Bush's stolen it from her! Bush races down the other end of the pitch - Ooh! It looks like the Hufflepuff seeker has spotted the snitch! Look at 'im go! And Bush has left the quaffle to Lee, who - Oh never mind! Howell has taken it and is carrying it towards the Slytherin goal!"

And so it went. Richard gave the occasional wave (which was rather friendly of him, according to the Gryffindor above them, who they learned was named Anthony), and Tobias sent sparks into the air every time Hufflepuff scored without fail.

All was going just fine until Luro saw something above the pitch.

"Hey, do you guys see that?" she asked, turning to her friends and pointing in the air, "Look, it's a dark thing, right over there."

"I don't see anything," Gloria said, squinting, then punched her arm softly, "Keep your head in the game!"

Luro sighed, turning to Tobias, "Do you see it?"

"No, but - Hey look, there's Greg! He's in the Slytherin stands? Bloody heck, what's he doing there?"

Luro frowned at her friends' disinterest, proceeding to stare at the 'dark thing' watching as it grew steadily larger. She squinted to make out a shape, and then widened her eyes, realizing what it was.

It was Skully.

He was flying above the quidditch pitch, looking scared and hurt. He threw his wings about, obviously tired.

Luro watched in horror as he staggered over the game, then above her head, and she turned to see him go straight into

"The forbidden forest!"

"The what?" Gloria asked, turning her head.

"I - I have to go." She got up, pushing through the crowds and quickly staggered over to the exits. Tobias called after her.

"Where are you going?!"

She shook her head, continuing to push through the students (who weren't too grateful when she accidentally spilled someone's drink, with a rushed sorry); she hurried down the stairs and started running down the field.

Tobias turned to Gloria, "Where is she going?"

Gloria turned around, noticing that her friend had left, "I don't know. She said something about the - oh no." Gloria got up, Tobias following her.

"And Hufflepuff is back in the game with another ten points!"

Gloria looked back with a frown, "My brother..."

"You stay," Tobias told her, "Support your brother. I can handle Luro." Gloria nodded gratefully, and Tobias raced off to knock some sense into Luro.

*****************

The student tapped Hagrid's arm, which took an effort because she had to reach up to reach it.

"Mr. Hagrid, look, there's something- something in the sky!"

Hagrid looked up, squinting his eyes, "Good eye, Natalia, that thar looks ter be a thestral!"

"It looks hurt! What's it doing out in the daytime? I thought thestrals were nocturnal." Natalia tilted her head in confusion.

"I dunno," Hagrid said, scratching his beard, "But we're about ter find out! Look, it's goin' inter the forbidden forest!"

"Can - is it okay if?" Natalia struggled to find her words.

"O'course! Just as long as yeh don' tell McGonagall, if yeh don' mind. Let's go!"

The giant man started off towards the forest, and Natalia picked up her wand, following closely behind him.