Chapter 307: The Third Attack

Hagrid rarely asked them for help, so the group didn't hesitate to agree. Thankfully, the Beast Repelling Charm was a straightforward spell. Though the work was extensive, with the six of them pitching in, they managed to complete it by evening. They even received heartfelt thanks from Hagrid.

Cedric and Kyle were gifted a handful of large Fwooper feathers, perfect for quills. Kanna and Cho each received a small pouch for hair accessories or coins; though a bit rough in craftsmanship, the Unicorn hair woven into them made up for it. Fred and George were the only ones to leave empty-handed. Kneazles weren't easy to find, and Hagrid assured them that if they returned after Christmas, they would be able to meet a pair. Whether the Kneazles trusted them enough to come home would depend on the twins' own charm and skill, as these clever creatures had a knack for escaping when they didn't take to someone.

"I wish Christmas were tomorrow," Fred said wistfully as they walked back to the castle.

"What if the Kneazles don't like us?" George said, casting a nervous glance at Cho and Kanna. "Maybe we should have asked for a little pouch, too. Ginny would've loved it."

"Why didn't you mention that earlier?" Fred retorted, raising an eyebrow.

"It just crossed my mind…"

Laughing and chatting, the group continued back to the castle. With some time left before dinner, they decided to visit the Room of Requirement on the eighth floor. Since Kyle had told them about this magical room, it had become their favorite spot to relax.

But as they reached the third floor, a piercing voice echoed from a nearby corridor.

"Do it, do it, do it! It's happening again! No one is safe, human or ghost! Run for your lives!"

The shrill voice cut through the air, stopping them in their tracks. Exchanging looks, they immediately ran toward the commotion. In a shadowed corridor, they saw Peeves, cackling and shouting, his eyes gleaming with mischief. Beside him were two ghosts in a strange, grim state.

Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron floated horizontally, only inches above the ground. They looked blackened and smoky, as if covered in soot. Nearly Headless Nick's head hung at an odd angle, his expression frozen in horror.

In the center of it all stood Harry, looking panic-stricken. More students gathered, but none dared approach the ghosts—or Harry. Instead, they crowded on either side of the corridor, watching him with mixed expressions.

"I… didn't…" Harry's voice was barely a whisper, his face pale. He wanted to explain, but his words faltered, leaving him helpless.

Suddenly, someone broke the silence.

"Harry, did you see who did this to them?"

Harry, clinging to the chance to explain, stammered, "No, I didn't. They were like this when I got here. Then Peeves came, and he…"

"Don't lie—you did it!" Ernie Macmillan, a Hufflepuff, forced his way through the crowd. "Kyle, don't let him fool you! He's a Parseltongue. At the Duelling Club, he controlled a snake that tried to attack Justin Finch-Fletchley. And Justin just told me he was headed here to pick up a book he left in the Transfiguration classroom."

Ernie's eyes narrowed at Harry. "You must've overheard us talking, didn't you? Too bad I lent him my own book, so you'll have no excuse!"

Behind Ernie, a boy with curly hair, clearly frightened, clung to Kyle's side as if it offered some protection.

"I'm not lying!" Harry protested. "I was in the library all afternoon. I didn't hear you—how could I have known?"

"Caught red-handed…" Ernie started, but he was cut off.

"That's enough, Macmillan!" Professor McGonagall's voice rang out as she stepped through the crowd. Professor Flitwick and Professor Sinistra were right behind her, and the three teachers approached the ghosts to inspect their unusual condition.

Peeves, meanwhile, continued to hover above, looking delighted by the scene. Ever since he had spotted the Bloody Baron in his current state, he hadn't stopped grinning—and he was even humming a little song he'd made up about the incident.

"Oh, Potter, you nuisance, look what you've done.

You've made a ghost, and you think it's fun…"

"Stop it, Peeves!" Professor McGonagall shouted, her voice sharp.

Peeves stuck out his tongue at Harry, then floated over to Kyle with a mischievous grin. "Oh, Kyle, you little rascal, better watch your back, or you might just join them! But, oh, wouldn't you make a lovely ghost…"

"Peeves!" McGonagall snapped again, and with a laugh, Peeves zipped away down the corridor.

The professors began dispersing the crowd, and Professor McGonagall conjured a large fan, handing it to Kyle. "Help me get Nearly Headless Nick and the Bloody Baron to the Hospital Wing," she instructed.

Kyle nodded, using the fan to guide the two floating ghosts down the stairs like balloons.

Meanwhile, Professor McGonagall beckoned to Harry. "Follow me, Potter," she ordered.

"Professor!" Harry began, desperation in his voice, "I swear I didn't—"

"I have no time for this, Potter. Dumbledore wants to see you," McGonagall cut him off briskly. Her voice and footsteps soon faded down the hall.

Kyle continued fanning the two ghosts through the foyer and toward the Hospital Wing. They drew a fair bit of attention; students they passed along the way stared in fascination and horror at the floating figures.

"Kyle, what are you doing… Oh, if it isn't the Gryffindor ghost!" came a familiar voice in the courtyard. Lockhart had spotted them and was eyeing Nearly Headless Nick curiously. "What's this, then? Have they taken to wearing new attire?"

"It's another attack, Professor," Kyle replied, not breaking stride. "Like the last two."

"Of course, I recognized it immediately," Lockhart said, grinning widely. "No doubt some sort of Curse is at play. I've seen such things before in an ancient vampire's castle—ghosts cursed to float like balloons if they offended the vampire. But with my masterful persuasion, the vampire lifted the Curse, and I happen to remember the incantation…"

"That's wonderful," Kyle replied politely, continuing toward the Hospital Wing. "You're welcome to come along. Professor McGonagall asked me to bring them there."

"Oh, I'd love to assist, of course, but first, I must dash off a reply to my adoring fan," Lockhart said with a dazzling smile. "Just let Madam Pomfrey know I'll be along shortly to handle this matter."

…

When Kyle reached the Hospital Wing, Madam Pomfrey took one look at the two cursed ghosts and sighed. She instructed Kyle to fan them into a corner and secure them behind a curtain. "As long as there's no draft, they should stay put," she said wearily.

Just as Kyle was about to leave, he mentioned, "Professor Lockhart might be stopping by soon."

"What does he want?" Madam Pomfrey asked, frowning.

"He says he can help solve the ghost problem."

"Help?" Madam Pomfrey let out a short, exasperated laugh. "He couldn't tell a dandelion from a clover, that storyteller, that… that…" She trailed off, suddenly remembering Kyle was still there and composed herself. "Oh, never mind. Thank you, Kyle; you can go now."