Chapter 293: A Tale Unveiled
Chapter 293: A Tale Unveiled
The Vanishing Cabinet was brought by Dumbledore, which didn't surprise Kyle much, but the timing of over fifty years ago was intriguing.
It was common knowledge that Professor Dumbledore earned the Order of Merlin, First Class, in 1945 by defeating Grindelwald, and that same year, Grindelwald was imprisoned in Nurmengard.
Dumbledore had discarded the Vanishing Cabinet back then... Hmm, there's a story behind this.
Of course, when it came to gossip about the headmaster, Kyle didn't dare say much.
After all, Harry's mouth was as loose as Hagrid's. If he let something slip one day, it would be a big deal.
"So, according to you, this cabinet was already broken before?" Kyle asked.
"Yes, Peeves used to hide in this cabinet to avoid Filch for a while," Nick explained. "If it was functional, Peeves would have appeared in places long ago."
"I see..."
Kyle nodded, as he had indeed found several cracks inside the Vanishing Cabinet, and those marks were old, not something that could have been caused by a recent fall.
"What do you plan to do with this broken Vanishing Cabinet?"
"Just leave it here," said Nearly Headless Nick nonchalantly. "This classroom is unused, and Peeves will probably bring it with him later."
Kyle nodded thoughtfully.
They then left the classroom, and Harry noticed that Nearly Headless Nick was still holding the transparent reply letter in his hand.
Perhaps it was to repay him for the recent "life-saving" favor...
"Regarding the Headless Hunt, I wish I could do something for you."
"No need," Nick casually put the letter back into his coat. "I've decided to form my own hunt team. One day, they'll regret rejecting me."
At this, Harry's mind once again flashed with the bizarre image of Nick shaking his head.
He quickly slapped his face, forcing himself to forget those "dirty thoughts," and then chuckled awkwardly, "Well... I wish you success."
"Thank you, but I have one request."
"What...?" Harry asked.
"Although this request may be a bit excessive... but could you attend my Deathday Party?"
Nearly Headless Nick asked expectantly, "It's on the eve of Halloween. I'll announce the formation of my own hunt team in front of all my friends. If you could come, I'd be honored."
"I'll be there," Harry readily agreed. "Can I bring others along?"
"If you mean Mr. Weasley and Miss Granger... of course, they're the most welcome."
He turned to Kyle.
"Sorry, Sir Nearly Headless Nick."
Kyle regretfully said, "Although I'd love to witness the birth of a great hunt team, I've already promised Cedric to watch the Skeleton Dance Troupe's performance, so..."
"Oh, of course..." Nearly Headless Nick smiled, "I mean, if you've already made a promise to others, you must keep your word. It's my fault for asking too late."
But did Dumbledore really invite the Skeleton Dance Troupe?"
"Professor McGonagall mentioned it a few days ago, so it should be fine," Kyle said.
"Oh... why this year of all years!"
Nearly Headless Nick tugged at his hat, "I've been a fan of theirs for over two hundred years... and I heard from the Howling Baron that they've recently choreographed new dance moves, which are amazing.
Why this year of all years!"
Nearly Headless Nick spun in mid-air, "What if I invite the Skeleton Dance Troupe to my Deathday Party after their performance? Do you think they'd agree?"
"Probably... I guess," Kyle said uncertainly.
Although skeletons and ghosts are essentially the same, they are still two different species... it's hard to say if the skeletons would be interested in the ghostly customs.
"I hope they agree."
"Nearly Headless Nick gazed longingly out the window, dreaming aloud, "The Skeleton Dance Troupe and Harry Potter, all attending my Remembrance Night Gala... That would be simply marvelous!"
...
After leaving that corridor, they soon reached a staircase.
Kyle and Harry were heading back to their respective Common Rooms, while Nick was off to find Peeves... And so, they parted ways.
...
By the time Kyle returned to the Common Room, it was almost curfew time.
However, as is the Hufflepuff tradition, several students were still diligently working on their assignments.
Kyle found Cedric and Conna near the window.
"The Remembrance Night Gala?" Cedric exclaimed with relief, "It's good you didn't agree to go. I bet that kind of event wouldn't be suitable for the living."
"Have you been to one?" Conna asked.
"No," Cedric shook his head, "But when I went to the kitchen earlier, I saw a House-Elf carrying some freshly made food outside.
They said it was for the Ghostly Ball, and it needed to be left there for a long time until it completely rotted or grew moldy."
"The House-Elves probably wouldn't allow that kind of thing in the kitchen," Conna whispered.
She had been to the kitchen numerous times, and it was always spotless with the freshest food.
"Exactly," Cedric shrugged, "So they took it outside."
"Imagine having to face a pile of moldy, rotten food during the Halloween feast. That's not an enjoyable experience at all."
"So I declined," Kyle said, "But Potter seemed really interested."
"Harry Potter..." Cedric clicked his tongue, "No wonder he defeated the Dark Lord. He's different from us; normal people wouldn't want to attend a ghostly ball.
Should we remind him?"
"It's no use," Kyle said, "Potter already agreed. He didn't even hesitate for a second."
"Then there's nothing we can do..."
Outside, the heavy rain continued to pour, and the night was as dark as ink. But inside, the room was bright and cheerful.
While the others were busy with their assignments or playing Wizard Chess, Kyle shared his extraordinary experience near the library with Cedric and Conna.
This quickly made them forget all about the ghosts.
"You suddenly became smarter just by passing the library?" Cedric exclaimed in disbelief, his mouth wide open as if he could fit an entire potato in it.
"How is that possible?"
Cedric had walked past the library entrance countless times, and if it were true, why hadn't he experienced it even once?
Conna was also skeptical.
Professor Snape had never mentioned anything like this to her.
Moreover, if one could become smarter just by walking past the library, why bother with classes? Everyone could just line up there every day.
"I find it hard to believe too," Kyle whispered, "But it really happened. I'm not lying to you."
"Maybe you're just exhausted and had a hallucination," Cedric still struggled to believe it.
"Or perhaps you suddenly understood something you didn't grasp before."
Conna glanced at Kyle and said thoughtfully, "I've been in a similar situation. I couldn't brew the perfect Elixir of Life, but one day, when I picked up the cauldron, I suddenly realized where I went wrong, and then I successfully brewed the perfect Elixir."
She felt that Kyle might have experienced something similar to what she did.
"Maybe..." Kyle felt less confident after their comments.
He decided to try passing by the library entrance again in the coming days. If it still didn't work... then there was nothing more he could do.
(End of Chapter)
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