The Great Hall of Hogwarts is as bright and lively as ever.
The surrounding walls were decorated with fire bats, and the huge pumpkins planted by Hagrid were carved into lanterns, big enough to accommodate three or four little wizards sitting inside. Dumbledore even specially invited a skeleton dance troupe to cheer for Halloween.
.
The air is filled with the delicious aroma of steak, grilled fish, and soft bread freshly baked from the oven.
The lights are decorated, the candlelight shines, and the golden plates on the table look quite festive.
However, the warm magic torches, delicious dishes, the clinking of cups and saucers and the hard-working performance of the skeleton dance troupe still cannot cover up the increasingly weird and weird atmosphere in the hall, a depressing silence and confusion.
Both the school staff and the students attending the dinner seemed a little uneasy.
Hogwarts' annual Halloween party has been going on for more than half an hour.
However, the Gryffindor House table was still empty.
During such festive moments, these golden-red lion cubs are always the noisiest and most excited in the auditorium.
When their presence disappeared from the auditorium, it was as if someone had opened a hole in the door of the auditorium, and the cold wind and silence rushed in crazily. The ghosts who used to appear in the auditorium on Halloween also did not show up, which made the dinner deserted again.
A few points.
"Is this really okay, Dumbledore?"
Snape said, his dark eyes shining in the candlelight.
"I think this is a pretty bad group violation that may be followed by others. Maybe we should ask those gentlemen and ladies to go back to where they should be, and preferably give them a little warning and punishment."
"Honestly, Severus," Professor McGonagall snapped, "I have absolutely no idea what's wrong with Gryffindor students celebrating the resident ghost of their own house. The anniversary of Sir Nicholas's death is
Today, do you want us to force the students to leave Nick’s death anniversary party in front of hundreds of ghost guests?!”
"Death anniversary party? I think the things the ghosts provide at the party are probably not suitable for living people."
Umbridge said softly with a smile, a hint of sarcasm appeared on her fat face.
"This is a provocation. They are trying to be unique and deviate from the rules. Professor Dumbledore, we should stop this behavior immediately. This will most likely have a bad impact on other little guys in the auditorium."
"Sir Nicholas submitted an application for organizing a death anniversary party a few years ago, and I personally approved it."
Dumbledore said softly, looking helplessly at the empty Gryffindor table.
"As for the issue of food for the dinner, the Hogwarts kitchen is the co-organizer of Nick's 500th death anniversary party. Miss Kaslana provided the ingredients and dishes for the dinner a week ago, and all of this was submitted to the school board for approval.
Due to emotions and reasons, we can't question or blame the students, Nick... This is just a choice between two venues."
"What I mean is, Headmaster. It has nothing to do with the gathering of ghosts. Students need to apply in advance for large-scale gatherings. I carefully studied the new rules you revised last year and the Gryffindor students obviously ignored this."
Umbridge's ugly smile became more obvious, she said.
"If you think that the dinner below is today's branch meeting, then there must be a professor there to maintain order. It is quite dangerous to allow so many students to be alone away from the professor's sight for a long time. Obviously, among us
No one received the application in advance. So I personally think that in this case, it is very helpful to bring order to the chaos..."
Since several group incidents occurred in Hogwarts last school year, the school rules have been updated.
Large-scale private dinner parties and private group activities (including but not limited to multi-person duels and simulation matches) are strictly prohibited. Multi-person sports and gatherings of more than fifty people must be conducted under the supervision of at least one official faculty member.
"Ahem. Oh, sorry."
At this moment, a slightly tired and gentle voice sounded.
Remus Lupine looked sick and stood up slowly, embarrassed.
"Actually, Weasley told me before, but I happened to be in poor health at the time and was distracted so I didn't hear clearly. I had to rush over. Although it wasn't an official class, it's still too bad as a professor to be late."
"Cough, cough, don't worry, I'll go down and take a look. You continue..."
Umbridge looked very angry. Snape also looked unhappy.
"I don't think this is a mature approach, Professor Lupin."
Umbridge snorted coldly, looked at the man with a smile, and threatened softly.
"I hope you can pay attention to your identity. As a formal professor, you should restrain students' mistakes instead of making up for their stupid mistakes. Of course, if this is really your work error, then I
It will be noted in the observation report submitted to the ministry. Can you sign it for me to confirm it then?"
"No problem. Also, a little reminder that teachers are different from officials."
Lupine explained patiently, spread his hands helplessly and said with a smile.
"As professors, isn't it our duty more often than not to help students find and fill in their gaps?"
"you"
Umbridge raised her eyebrows and her eyes bulged outward.
Such a half-human, half-animal guy actually dared to make her look bad in public again and again.
"Excuse me," Professor Lupine smiled gently, "I have to go down quickly to maintain order. Oh, by the way, Professor Black, do you mind coming to help? The ghost party is quite rare and it tests the ability to control the scene.
of."
"I'm so happy to say that, Weasley seemed to have mentioned it to me, but I accidentally forgot it."
Sirius Black laughed, threw the chicken drumstick in his hand, and wiped the oil on the tablecloth.
"Professor Umbridge, when you ask Lupine to sign, remember to make a copy of the form and give it to me. I am very familiar with the processing procedures at the Ministry of Magic. If there are salary deductions, fines, etc., they will be deducted from my salary first.
alright."
"It seems that Professor Black does not realize the seriousness of violating the rules."
Umbridge narrowed her eyes and said sweetly.
"I'm very sorry," Sirius shrugged nonchalantly, "Since I was imprisoned in Azkaban for ten years, I have thought about it quite thoroughly and clearly. Professor Umbridge, you are really in awe of me.
Rules, or are they just used as a tool to demonstrate power? This is Hogwarts, and there are only two types of people who study rules: bad students, and...heh."
His eyes lingered on Snape's face for a moment, and he raised his eyebrows provocatively.
There was an awkward silence.
"let's go."
Lupine pulled Sirius helplessly.
Since the summer vacation, the relationship between Sirius and Snape has become subtle.
Compared with the previous confrontation like enemies, after becoming colleagues, their hostility and confrontation were almost all enhanced by their usual cynicism. Lu Ping was always worried that these two guys would draw their wands and fight in the auditorium.
As for the source of all changes...
Remus Lupine was thinking silently as he walked towards the underground classroom downstairs.
At first, Lupine thought it was about Harry Potter's education.
But as the semester began, it became clearer to him that he had close contact with a certain little witch. Especially after learning many details from Dumbledore and others, Lupine showed an extremely rare flinch.
There is no doubt that Professor Dumbledore was not entirely telling the truth.
If every half-blood Veela was this difficult to deal with, then the world would already belong to half-blood Veela.
For a moment, Lupine even suspected that Professor Dumbledore was not carrying out some plan to develop a Dark Lord.
Fortunately, based on the information obtained so far, this little witch is still understandable.
The chef of the Hogwarts kitchen, a once-in-a-century magic genius, a stronger hybrid... Even though she has the privilege of passing four colleges, she is only a special student after all. What if she leaves this castle?
Neither.
Lupine still plans to try his best to fulfill Dumbledore's expectations and do his best to guide and watch over Miss Caslana.
…
at the same time.
In the Death Anniversary Party Hall, next to the small table belonging to Elena and the others.
Nearly headless Nick floated in from the "crowd".
Different from his previous composure, this gentleman sighed sadly as many times tonight as he had in the previous hundreds of years combined. He began to regret why he didn't postpone the death anniversary party a year or two earlier.
“Isn’t the arrangement of ghost dishes great?”
"Oh, great." Nick smiled bitterly.
"The response so far is quite good," Elena straightened her back with pride, "I dare say that this is definitely a milestone in the history of the ghost world. Everyone will remember this day. I said I would never let you
Disappointed!"
"Yes, yes... the Wailing Widow came all the way from Kent and almost fought with the Bloody Barrow over a piece of cheese the size of a palm. If it weren't for the fact that the ghost couldn't pull out a wand to duel, I guess
Tonight's Death Anniversary Party can be temporarily changed to the First Ghost Duel Competition..."
The almost headless Nick sighed and his eyes fell on Myrtle who was talking to Hermione next to him.
In his impression, it was rare to see Moaning Myrtle so cheerful.
Just like Peeves, who maintains order with childish and determined reasons, even if his original intention is to play tricks and cause trouble, under his playful assessment games, there is no bad situation.
.
The ability to transform reality into reality gives Peeves the possibility of "destroying" food at any time.
On the other hand, no outside ghost can pass through the walls of the Hogwarts kitchen, and the thousands of house elves waiting there are not easy to mess with. The "law of obedience" for house elves does not include obeying ghosts.
.
"Miss Kaslana, it's almost time for me to speak and I've thought about it."
Nick looked away, nodded towards Elena, and took the initiative to walk aside.
As the former "Earl Isaacs", Nick would not dwell on this choice for too long. From the moment his identity was revealed, he completely fell into the trap carefully woven by this little witch.
.
The most terrifying and sad thing is that the sharpest weapon was given by him personally.
"Mr. Nick and I are talking about something, don't worry about me, you can just go and play..."
Elena stood up and whispered to the few little wings around her.
In fact, she didn't need to worry at all, as all the little witches were listening to Myrtle's gossip with great interest.
As the youngest, curious, and gossipy female ghost in the entire Hogwarts Castle, Moaning Myrtle may not have a legendary life experience, but she is definitely the best narrator when it comes to all kinds of gossip, scandals, and bloody events.
"What's your answer?"
Elena, who was rarely ignored for once, curled her lips and walked to Nick.
While whispering, she took out her wand and pointed around deftly.
Invisible magic ripples enveloped the location where they were standing, and even ghosts could not easily enter. Under Grindelwald's teachings, she learned how to attach soul flames to magic protection, which was a very effective trick.
"If Nico Flamel, Paracelsus, and Dumbledore are all here, then I will join."
The almost headless Nick was silent for a few seconds and asked softly with some curiosity.
"But I don't understand one thing. There are so many excellent, knowledgeable, and top wizards working with you to promote changes. Why do you still want me to join in? In terms of experience and opinions, more people are not better. This is me.
experience of."
"The reason is simple, because you are different from them. They are wizards and scholars with powerful magic, that's all."
Elena shrugged her shoulders, raised her finger naturally, and said with a smile.
"And you..."
Unexpectedly, at this moment, the band suddenly stopped playing.
They and everyone in the underground classroom fell silent and looked around excitedly, when a hunting horn blew.
"Oh, that's bad." Nick, who was almost headless, said painfully.
Twelve ghost horses suddenly ran out from the walls of the underground classroom, each with a headless rider on it.
All those attending the party applauded enthusiastically;
Elena also clapped her hands, but when she saw Nick's face, she quickly stopped knowingly.
Twelve ghost horses ran to the center of the dance floor, stopped suddenly, stood upright on their hind legs, then kicked up their hind hooves and sprinted forward. The horse at the front was a big ghost with a bearded head tucked under his arm.
Blowing the horn.
He jumped off the horse and raised his head high in the air so that he could look at everyone from above (everyone laughed); while he strode towards the almost headless Nick, he carelessly moved the
His head was pushed into his neck.
"Nick!" he yelled, "how are you? Is your head still hanging there?"