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Chapter 548: Helena and Nearly Headless Nick
Chapter 548: Helena and Nearly Headless Nick
The next day was a weekend, and early in the morning, Lawton left Hogwarts with a letter in hand.
Regardless, Kyle definitely did not want to be involved in anything related to the Most Charming Smile award, and he hoped that Rita Skeeter would get the message and drop the idea.
After taking care of that matter, Kyle finished the bread on his plate and prepared to head to the library to borrow a couple of books to pass the time.
However, just as he reached the staircase, a ghost glided through the wall and appeared before him.
"I've been waiting for you..."
Helena stared at Kyle. "It's the weekend now. Perhaps you can make good on your promise."
Kyle tapped his head. No wonder he had felt like he had forgotten something. It finally came back to him.
"My apologies. I should have come to you sooner, Gray... I mean, Miss Ravenclaw."
Kyle spoke, but the title felt odd to him.
Even Helena herself felt it was a bit strange. After a moment of silence, she said, "Just call me Helena.
"Follow me. I think we need to find a quiet place."
Helena glided through the wall again and entered an empty classroom next to the staircase.
Kyle followed her inside.
"Now, let me think about where to start..." He pondered for a moment before continuing, "About fifty years ago, there was a Hogwarts student named Tom Riddle... He obtained the Lost Diadem of Ravenclaw, which had been missing for several centuries."
After saying this, Kyle quietly observed Helena, awaiting her reaction.
"Tom Riddle..."
Helena whispered, "I know... It was I who told him the location of the diadem... And it wasn't truly lost. I had stolen it and hidden it within a hollow tree in the Albanian Forest."
She closed her eyes and continued, "I don't know why I told him... That student named Riddle, he... He was very good at winning people over... He seemed to be understanding and empathetic... Just like you."
Kyle couldn't help but twitch his lips at the last part, thinking that Helena could have left that last bit out.
Unfortunately, Helena was unaware of Kyle's thoughts.
"I've noticed that you're also well-liked within the castle. Every ghost, including the mischievous Peeves, seems to hold you in high regard."
"Well... We're all friends, and I get along well with them," Kyle said, awkwardly changing the subject. "Where was I... Oh, right.
"After Tom Riddle obtained the diadem, he turned it into a Horcrux..."
Hearing this, Helena abruptly lifted her head.
"A Horcrux... The most evil form of dark magic... How dare he desecrate the Diadem of Ravenclaw in such a way..."
This was the first time Kyle had seen a ghost display such anger, her translucent body trembling in midair...
"Calm down, Miss Helena. The issue has been resolved," Kyle quickly assured her. "Do you remember the person I spoke to the other day? He was Nicolas Flamel, the greatest alchemist in the wizarding world, and the matter of Horcruxes is no challenge for him."
Hearing this, Helena finally calmed down.
Kyle then briefly recounted how he had discovered the Horcrux diadem in the Room of Requirement and sent it to Nicolas Flamel.
Throughout his narration, Helena listened quietly without interrupting or asking any questions.
It was only after Kyle finished and waited for a while that she seemed to snap back to reality and asked again:
"I heard from Sir Nicholas of Hufflepuff that... you've seen my mother." Her voice was soft and trembling. "When was it, and how was she..."
"I can only tell you that it happened during my third year, but I'm not sure about the time on the other side. I know that the four founders were all present."
"I would be happy to..." Kyle said, "but Lady Helena, that's nearly impossible."
The last time he had met the Four Founders was also due to Salazar Slytherin's involvement.
Even though Nicolette had fixed the Time-Turner, it wasn't the original one anymore.
Going back a hundred years might be possible, but a thousand years... that was most likely out of the question.
And even if it were possible, Kyle wouldn't take the risk. He didn't want to court death just yet.
"Perhaps," Helena said, lost in thought. "Thank you for helping me fix my mistake... Thank you..."
With that, she glided through the wall and left the classroom.
Kyle was about to head to the library when he turned and noticed a half-head poking out from the back wall.
"Sir Nicholas? What are you doing here?"
Nearly Headless Nick was startled and hastily withdrew his head, only to pop back in a second later.
"I just happened to be passing by and overheard..."
It was clear that Nearly Headless Nick wanted to explain himself, but he soon gave up.
"Oh... young Kyle..." he said cautiously, "I know Lady Grey is charming, but she's not right for you. There are plenty of other young ladies in the castle more suited for you... I mean, you should consider them as well."
"I think you've misunderstood something," Kyle said, understanding the ghost's implication and feeling a bit speechless.
This guy, Nearly Headless Nick, must be thinking that he was on a date with Helena... Putting aside the fact that Helena was over a thousand years old, she was a ghost!
Dating a ghost—had Nearly Headless Nick knocked his head so hard that he'd knocked his brains out as well?
"We were just discussing serious matters concerning Lady Helena Ravenclaw," Kyle clarified. "And it was you who told me that I would meet the Four Founders in my third year."
"Oh... that's right..." Nearly Headless Nick stammered, "but you should be able to understand, right? For us ghosts, these little bits of fun are all we have to look forward to."
Kyle shrugged noncommittally.
Nearly Headless Nick continued, "And I mainly wanted to remind you that Bloody Baron is Lady Grey's obsessive suitor. He was just outside with me a moment ago.
"But it looks like that's no longer necessary."
He poked his head out the wall, "Hey, Baron, did you hear that? They're..." He trailed off. "That's odd, where's Baron?"
Kyle wasn't planning to continue this nonsensical conversation with the eccentric ghost, so he opened the door and stepped out of the classroom.
"Oh, wait, I have something else to say," Nearly Headless Nick called out from behind.
He caught up to Kyle and said, "Actually, I lied earlier. I didn't just happen to pass by. I came here specifically to find you."
"You're looking for me?" Kyle asked, "What's the matter?"
"The Headmaster is looking for you," Nearly Headless Nick said.
"I bumped into Albus on the eighth floor while I was practicing my head-spinning. He asked me to relay a message to you. If you have the time, please go to his office as soon as possible. Oh, and today's password is 'Acid Pops'."
"Oh, alright," Kyle nodded. "Thank you."
"You're welcome, I'm happy to help," Nearly Headless Nick replied.
...
(End of Chapter)
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