I, Hogwarts Second Week

Chapter 175 The Penultimate Day of Christmas—The Lament of the Castle Ghosts

"What are you looking at?" Hannah was wearing a white nightgown and a brown cloak.

There were strange patterns embroidered on it.

It is said that it is a kind of prayer totem of wizards in South America.

Can bring good luck to the wearer.

"The Marauder's Map." The yellowed parchment was placed on Owen's lap.

It was marked with many names.

Hannah saw Owen and her name right away.

"How amazing!" Her eyes widened. "Is this a map of the castle? Will everyone who enters the castle have their names marked on it?"

"Yeah - everyone."

"Really? Strange!" She suddenly seemed to have discovered something. His brown eyes revealed a hint of confusion, "Why didn't I see the Fat Monk's name on the map?"

"I also want to know what his name is!"

"Fat monk?" Owen was stunned. He lowered his head and looked at the map. Sure enough, after searching around, the names of all the ghosts in the castle did not appear on the map.

"The magic of this name will only work on living people? No - it should work on souls! The souls of Animagus will also be marked."

"But, Fat Monk and the others?" Hannah asked doubtfully. Isn't the ghost the soul of the wizard?

"The ghosts in the school are not the wizards who were alive." Owen's eyes lit up, and he immediately explained to Hannah: "The wizards have no connection with the current ghosts. They are just the nostalgia of the wizard in the past, a memory, and a love that cannot be let go. A life-long pain of regret. Most of them have never had complete memories of the past. Hundreds and thousands of years in Hogwarts have been spent in a blink of an eye. They cannot feel anything that happens in the outside world. Even what they know The identity of the wizard represented may be false."

"Only in this way can they continue to exist." Owen looked at Hannah and said thoughtfully: "They are like a natural phenomenon, like the castle's black lake and the forbidden forest."

"Souls also age. If they are really the souls of wizards, then it is hard to believe that a person can stay in the castle for more than a thousand years or even longer, unable to do anything or feel anything. It would be strange for such a soul not to go crazy. Woolen cloth!"

As he spoke, Owen suddenly felt a chill in his back.

An idea suddenly occurred to him.

If that group of noisy and fiery Deathwives is like the legend, the soul dies and only the body lives, then when they enter the castle, the Marauder's Map shouldn't be marked on it!

Gubrai Fairy Fire.

He doesn't seem to know this magic!

If they met in the castle, he would be able to block them at most, but he would not be able to kill them.

——Looking at Owen who was deep in thought, Hannah on the side did not speak any more. She just sat quietly and looked at him.

Let time pass by.

After a while, the boy came back to his senses. He smiled and said, "Let yourself go back to sleep."

And he disappeared into the oak barrel heading to the dormitory.

the next day.

It's bright.

This is the penultimate day before Christmas.

Hogwarts has also begun to enter into holiday celebrations. Lights and small Christmas tree decorations were hung throughout the auditorium and hallways.

The old year is coming to an end.

Even the ghosts in the castle are celebrating this day.

"Owen~Owen!"

"Come here you go!"

In the auditorium, Owen had just sat down on his front feet.

Suddenly, two hurried figures rushed in front of him.

Before he could react, the two men lifted him up one on the left and the other on the right, and then hurried out.

He was like a little chicken, held in the middle by the twins.

"What are you doing?" Owen struggled for a while, but George and Fred ignored him and continued to trot along with him.

"You'll find out later!"

Gemini rarely spoke in their glib tone, but in a serious tone, as if something bad had happened and was uneasy.

Hearing the sound, Owen simply stopped struggling.

His gaze spread from the walls on both sides to the ceiling.

The pale fluorescence illuminated the castle's stone walls eerily.

The ceiling is very high, so high that the top is almost invisible, and their front is a luxurious marble staircase.

Leading to spiral staircase.

There are many intricate escalators that lead to various places in the main part of the castle.

At this time, the long and narrow staircase was crowded with many little wizards. They all raised their heads and looked at the ceiling quietly. The scene was silent and eerie.

"That's Peeves?"

Owen, in particular, isn't so sure.

After getting closer and seeing its wide face, big mouth, round eyes and strange clothes, he was sure that it was indeed Peeves.

Owen has never paid much attention to this unique 'poltergeist' in Hogwarts.

Except for the first half of the first year, it provoked him several times. After being severely punished by him, it could only be the soul created by the subconscious study pressure of the little wizard at Hogwarts for thousands of years. If you see him, you will take a detour!

Yes, there is pressure to study.

Although it sounds ridiculous - Peeves' identity as a poltergeist is indeed generally recognized by theorists.

He is not a ghost, but a psychic energy rather than a mark left by the deceased.

So it has some abilities that ghosts don't have.

For example, Peeves is actually physical and can pick up objects in the world.

This is why several toilets in schools exploded on Halloween!

Because that guy blocked the toilet with a feces ball.

Just like when the little wizard collapses, Obscurus will be born!

The little wizard, who has been oppressed for a long time and suppressed by the burden of study, has a common desire for thousands of years and finally gave birth to Peeves!

That is - causing trouble for Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry!

Or make it easier to understand! I get up every day to go to school. As soon as I open my eyes, my first thought is whether a tough guy will fall from the sky and blow up the school!

This simple idea gradually converged into an entity under the influence of magic.

This is Peeves.

"What's going on?" Owen turned to look at the twins, only to find that their faces were also full of doubts.

After a moment, Fred began to explain: "No one knows what happened. It was very sudden."

"Yes!" George continued: "It chased the little wizard as usual, only this time, he bumped into Ron."

"I didn't do anything! I swear!"

Ron, who was standing on the spiral staircase on the second floor, heard the sound and immediately lowered his head and shouted loudly: "I just tried to cast the Patronus Charm to drive it away. We have done this before, and this is not the first time. "

Owen, whose feet touched the ground again, did not doubt Ron. As he said, it was not the first time that Peeves was expelled. This year, after most of the young wizards mastered the Patronus Charm, Peeves' Something happened.

The vengeful little wizard vows to return all the humiliation he has suffered to Peeves.

And Peeves, who was led inwardly by the little wizard, finally ushered in a big explosion!

This is why the toilets at Hogwarts exploded.

"But everyone has seen it!" At this time, a young Slytherin wizard suddenly opened his mouth and said: "How many eyes are there in the portrait on the wall!"

"He's right." A tough voice came from a portrait, which was a full-length portrait of a knight, the famous Sir Cadogan in history.

Sir Cadogan was a member of the Knights of the Round Table.

Meet Merlin.

However, because this guy really liked to brag, Muggles all agreed that how could a person caressing like this be a member of the great Knights of the Round Table? So he was eliminated from that legendary story.

However, in the magical world, everyone still knows about his past deeds.

Jazz rode his fat gray horse and said: "It is indeed the little wizard who released a translucent canine creature and hit Peeves' body, and it became like this."

"Yo! Not bad, Ron, you can release the physical guardian angel." Owen raised his eyebrows, slightly raised the corners of his mouth, and said in a raised tone.

"Ahem! Fortunately, I can only see what kind of creature it is!" Ron stood on the stairs with his hands on his hips! He looked proud, but his tone was pretending to be calm.

It’s just that the smile on that face can’t be concealed!

"Hmph! Weasley, you killed the school ghost, you executioner with blood on your hands!"

At this time, a wizard with light blond hair and gray eyes squeezed out of the Slytherin crowd, with contempt and anger on his face.

Then he belittled the whole Gryffindor and said: "Gryffindor people like to protect criminals. No wonder the professors can't find the murderer Black! Ron Weasley, you should Sent to Azkaban like him."

"What the hell are you yelling at! Malfoy, you deserve another beating, don't you?"

Not to be outdone, Ron directly responded: "I don't know how many people your family has killed secretly. If I kill dark wizards like yours, I might even win a Merlin Medal!"

"Damn it Weasley, what did you say!" Malfoy was particularly angry today.

In other words, he was always angry.

The cooperation between Owen and Lucius cannot allow Malfoy to wear the same pants with him or Harry.

This child, who had been spoiled by his mother since he was a child, became obsessed with Owen after discovering that his father paid more attention to Owen than himself.

Especially since Lucius has been sending letters recently to warn him not to cause trouble with Owen or Harry recently.

However, Draco had no intention of complying with these letters. Instead, he was completely angered by this somewhat condescending letter.

"You're just a coward! Come out and challenge me if you dare!" Ron continued to yell. He hadn't beaten Malfoy in more than half a year, and his hands were already itchy!

"Damn it!" A furious Draco pulled out his wand and was about to step forward to fight with Ron!

On the side, Owen, who was about to watch the show, had already taken out melon seeds and peanuts from his pocket.

Malfoy - is he in his rebellious phase?

It’s been quiet for a few months, is it going to start again?

but

let's hit! let's hit!

There hasn't been a fight in the castle for a long time, it's so boring! ! !

Just when Owen was about to watch the Gonghuo.

In the distance, another person suddenly appeared.

It's Harry.

He pushed Ron away and directed a red curse at Malfoy!

"Sirius is not a murderer!" he yelled, his face turning red.

After learning the truth, Harry's concern for Sirius increased exponentially.

Harry, who was already thinking about the wonderful tomorrow with his doggy godfather, would not allow anyone to tarnish his godfather's reputation.

"Armor protection!"

The Academy War has been going on for so long, and Malfoy has naturally grown in strength. In addition, he has been guarding against Ron. Although Harry's attack was very sudden, he still defended quickly.

The gray-blue armor resisted the curse.

"What? So angry." He said with his trademark mocking tone and arrogant tone: "Sure enough, you Gryffindors are hiding that Black, right! Ha! I want to tell my dad, no - I You have to write to the Ministry of Magic, ask the school board to expel you, and Dumbledore who is covering you up."

Maybe it was the months of repression that made him a little hysterical, but he actually spoke out what was in his heart.

"Wow! What a big ambition!" Owen stared at the noisy crowd with interest.

The twins behind him couldn't bear it for a long time.

The kid opposite said Gryffindor to the left and Gryffindor to the right!

Are you really bullying them?

"He's just looking for a beating!"

"I think so too!"

After saying that, the two of them rushed forward.

As for the Slytherins beside Malfoy, what else could they do when they saw this!

Of course it was a fight!

Irving finally reduced the hatred of the college, and it repeated itself in an instant, and the scene got out of hand in the next second.

Evil curses and defense spells against dark arts flew together, and everyone's face was filled with anger.

However chaotic this small riot may be.

Owen on the side was keeping to himself, and no one dared to provoke him.

And he took out his wand and cast the levitation spell on Peeves floating in the air.

ε=(ο｀*)))Alas!

It was obviously Peeves who was injured, but no one cared about its life or death now.

At this time, the spirit looked very much like those who were petrified.

Its face was as pale as white paper, and the funny clothes it was wearing had lost their color, and the entire portrait had changed from a color photo to a black and white photo.

What's even more worrying is that it seems to have become more transparent.

This may be due to the fluorescent effect of the surrounding magic, which is too bright. It gives the illusion that the transparent ghost has become lighter.

However, due to his extraordinary ability to perceive magic, Owen knew that this was not an illusion, and the fish floating in the air as if dried in the sun was indeed disappearing. But it disappears very slowly.

"Damn it! Turn off the lights!!!"

The flickering spell prevented Owen from observing the true appearance of Peeves' illusory body.

Light pollution is too serious.

Then he suddenly raised his head and roared!

In an instant, the little wizards around him stopped subconsciously. The others were also confused and turned to look at him with a hint of awe.

"If you want to be beaten, go to the auditorium!" he growled.

Then the vision returned to Peeves.

"Hiss~~~"

Suddenly, something strange caught his attention.

Peeves also has two cavities in his neck.

It was like being sucked by a vampire!

"this"

It is a spiritual body, so there is no blood to suck.

unless! ! !

For a moment, Owen's pupils shrank, and a rather bad premonition arose in his heart!

"What are you doing here?"

Next to the marble staircase in the foyer is Professor McGonagall's office. Her office is the closest to the spiral staircase.

At this time, Professor McGonagall was on the terrace on the second floor of the town, looking seriously at the little wizards gathered at the stairs.

This was because the students were getting angry because they were fighting again. When Professor McGonagall was angry, suddenly the one floating in the air caught her attention.

"What's wrong with it?"

"What did you do?"

Owen rolled his eyes, condemning Professor Mewmew's suspicion!

"Professor, it may be dying. And"

Before he finished speaking, Malfoy in the crowd took the opportunity to say loudly: "Professor, it was Ron who killed Peeves. Everyone saw it."

"Ron?" Professor McGonagall nodded, a suffocating serious look behind her square glasses.

Ron quickly retorted: "No, Professor, you know, I have expelled it so many times. If I really had the ability to kill it, I mean maybe, it might have died long ago."

"The lock tongue seals the throat."

Without even raising his wand, Owen waved his hand and cast a 'shut up' spell at Malfoy.

Damn it - interrupt your dad.

The dog thing is indeed floating!

The rebellious period has come!

"I think something has probably sneaked into the castle, Professor!" His eyes had never been so serious.

"What?" Professor McGonagall, who was wearing a dark green robe, frowned slightly, then opened her right hand, and saw the floating soul slowly flying towards her.

Amazing magic skills. Owen said secretly in his heart. Professor McGonagall seems to have become stronger?

Peeves slowly floated over and stopped in front of her. Professor McGonagall frowned slightly, a little disbelieving, because as Owen said, she also felt that this ghost that might have existed since the founding of the school was disappearing.

Then she glanced at Owen and Malfoy and said: "Five points from Hufflepuff. Stop casting spells on your classmates, Mr. Sanchez!"

"Okay professor, no problem professor!" Owen ignored the five points deducted.

Anyway, he will look for opportunities to deduct ten points from each of the other three houses.

Guaranteed Hufflepuff is far ahead of the house points.

"You can look at Peeves' neck!"

"Um?"

Professor McGonagall had his instructions and looked sideways, and sure enough she saw the tooth hole in Peeves' neck!

"This-" She was shocked!

Then, as if he realized something, his expression returned to normal.

"Mr. Sanchez, and - Mr. Ron Weasley, Harry, you come with me!"

After that, the professor controlled Peeves' floating body and walked upstairs. It looks like the destination should be the principal's office.

Harry, who didn't know what was going on, and Ron, who was confused, reluctantly followed.

Owen's expression was serious. Not saying anything.

The little wizards on both sides all dispersed, and soon the professor led them to the end of the spiral staircase.

In front of a gleaming oak door.

"Owen Sanchez!"

"What's wrong?" Professor McGonagall suddenly called him, and Owen subconsciously agreed.

"No, I'm not calling you." Professor McGonagall said pretending to be serious. Behind her, the griffin-shaped brass door knocker slowly turned, and soon a staircase appeared in front of the three of them.

"."

Damn it, the password is my name! ! !

It’s so funny! Principal Dumbledore!

Harry and Ron on both sides wanted to laugh, but under Owen's death gaze, they could only hold it in until their faces turned red.

Inside the office.

The old principal was holding a souvenir and reading it carefully.

And not only him, but the portraits of the former male and female principals on the wall also focused on the letter.

It wasn't until Owen and the others walked in that they withdrew their gaze and closed their eyes tightly one by one, pretending to be asleep.

Hearing this, the old principal gently put down the letter in his hand. Behind his half-moon eyes were a pair of wise and tired eyes.

"What happened? Minerva!"

"Look at this!" Professor McGonagall waved her right hand, and the Peeves floating behind her slowly floated in front of Dumbledore.

"this--"

Dumbledore saw the hole in Peeves' neck at a glance.

"Professor! I didn't do it, I just drove him away!" Seeing this, Ron said in a panic. He didn't want to be expelled from the study because of this incident.

"I know it wasn't you Mr. Weasley," Dumbledore said calmly.

"The little wizard doesn't have such ability yet."

"Oh - really? That's great!" Ron patted his chest carelessly, looking frightened.

"Professor, what's wrong with it?" Owen frowned and glanced at Ron with disdain.

You can't hear the good words, the principal is obviously mocking you!

"Its soul energy was sucked away."

"Soul energy? Being sucked away?" Owen rolled his eyes, "Just like a dementor sucking a wizard's soul?"

"Although there are differences, it's probably not much different." The principal's brows wrinkled slightly, and like Owen, something unknown sprouted in his heart.

"But those are spirits! Even if the wizard can dispel them, it would be unbelievable to extract their soul energy." Owen's tone was obviously too high.

In his two lifetimes, he has never heard that there is magic or something that can extract soul energy in this world.

"No, this is not unbelievable. There are such creatures all around you." Professor Dumbledore said calmly.

His eyes slightly glanced out the window.

In the dark clouds, there are beating black spots.

Hidden are the creatures that little wizards hate most this year.

"You mean, dementors?" Owen understood, and immediately laughed at that terrifying dark creature.

Yes, in the known magical world, the only thing that can directly absorb the soul of a wizard is the dementor.

Of course, alchemy can also be used, but it requires long-term preparation and cannot be done by chanting a magic spell.

————Well, let’s talk about reciting a magic spell, a magic spell that acts on the soul.

The Killing Curse definitely counts as one.

"No! It's not Dementors." Dumbledore's eyes were cold, "They are not interested in ghosts."

The professor's tone gradually became serious.

"It seems that someone deceased has sneaked into our castle!"

"deceased???"

"Professor McGonagall." Ignoring Owen's doubts, he turned to look at Professor McGonagall, "Ask all the little wizards to go to the auditorium. The professors are going to thoroughly investigate the entire castle!"