Chapter 54: Stealing the Ghost

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The Slytherins had mixed reactions when they learned Jane Yu had lost them 50 points for burning the Sorting Hat.

Some privately grumbled about their diminished chances for the House Cup but dared not speak up due to her fearsome reputation as the heir.

However, most snakes actually approved of and praised her actions.

"That old hat's been playing favorites for ages," Daphne remarked disdainfully while filing her nails, sitting among her fellow snakes.

As the "heir's" only roommate, she held particular sway in guiding Slytherin opinion in Jane's favor:

"Just think about the songs it sings during sorting each year. Whether it's talking about Gryffindor, Ravenclaw, or Hufflepuff, it's always praising their bravery and righteousness, or their loyalty and wisdom. But when it comes to us, we're just cunning and sneaky."

Many snakes nodded in agreement. A timid first-year spoke up:

"There are Ravenclaws in our year who can't answer questions in class, and some Gryffindors are even afraid of flobberworms! How can they be called wise and brave? Is the Sorting Hat really always right?"

Prefect Gemma, passing by, overheard and added:

"Those are just stereotypes. Look at Yu Jane—everything she does shows extraordinary courage. I dare say her bravery, courage, and spirit surpass all Gryffindors!"

"Yet she's also powerful, wise, and ambitious—a true Slytherin through and through!"

Daphne's face flushed with excitement as she tossed aside her nail file, waving her hands in the air:

"Who else would dare burn a thousand-year-old hat? Who else would be brave enough to express their dissatisfaction with the hat's bias?"

"We've all been too afraid to speak up for Slytherin because it was a founder's artifact! No one dared to stand up against this prejudice!"

The snakes broke into applause, paying tribute to Jane's fearless spirit.

One pureblood snake stood up and declared loudly:

"I've already written to my parents to tell Dumbledore he can't expel Jane Yu!"

"Whether she's the heir or not, she's a champion speaking up for Slytherin! She won't harm us!"

"Perhaps one person's power is insignificant, but if everyone contributes, the headmaster will have to think twice!"

This immediately resonated with other snakes, who agreed enthusiastically. Many pulled out quills and parchment on the spot, beginning to write letters demanding Jane stay at school.

...

The events in the common room hadn't yet reached Jane's ears.

Taking advantage of the dark night, she and the Fat Friar secretly slipped into the hospital wing.

The ghost and student conspired to steal Nearly Headless Nick away to Moaning Myrtle's bathroom.

The chubby Hufflepuff ghost explained to Jane that air currents could affect ghosts, suggesting he could pull Nick while she cast a Hurricane Charm behind them to propel them to the bathroom.

Unfortunately, the Hurricane Charm proved too powerful for the confined space of the hospital wing.

Jane had to conjure a fan instead, vigorously waving it to herd the two ghosts to the bathroom like sheep.

Moaning Myrtle was already waiting for them there.

"How annoying," she complained, bouncing up and down in the toilet, angrily splashing toilet water at the two ghosts. "This is a girls' bathroom. If Jane weren't facing expulsion, I'd chase you all out."

Jane and the Fat Friar examined Nick's condition, finding him still completely black with dark vapors swirling around his spectral form—a disturbing sight showing no signs of improvement.

"Let's brew the potion first," she said quietly.

She needed to restore Nick quickly, as she might be expelled before the Mandrakes matured.

Even if the Mandrakes did mature, without her incense, their Restorative Draught wouldn't affect ghosts—they couldn't interact with physical substances.

She didn't want this kind-hearted ghost to remain petrified forever.

So she had to try alternatives, like using the unicorn horn freely given to her in first year.

The horn was said to have powerful detoxifying properties and could enhance potion effects.

Perhaps combined with young Mandrakes, it could achieve the potency of mature ones.

She silently apologized to Professor Sprout for stealing the herbs from the greenhouse.

"Merlin's beard—" the Fat Friar exclaimed, "Even in my day, these were rare—child, this is invaluable, priceless!"

Jane was willing to use such precious ingredients to un-petrify a ghost!

The Fat Friar wiped his eyes, being particularly susceptible to emotional moments:

"What touching friendship—"

As smoke rose, sandalwood fragrance spread through the bathroom, and the potion gradually turned spectral silver.

The Fat Friar resisted the urge to meditate on the spot and took the vial, pouring it into Nearly Headless Nick's mouth.

It proved that with sufficiently powerful ingredients, even the weakest potion could be effective.

—The Restorative Draught worked, and better than expected!

The blackness on Nick's form gradually turned pearly white, the smoke slowly dissipating. He moved his arm, adjusted his head back onto his neck, and opened his eyes to find the Fat Friar before him.

But the terror hadn't completely left his face:

"Where's Jane? Quick, I must find her!"

"She's right here, Nick!" the Fat Friar jubilantly told him.

Nick excitedly flew up and tried to hug Jane, but unfortunately passed through her body, leaving a cold sensation:

"I saw it, I saw what the monster looks like!"

"Its head was as big as the underground pipes, with huge yellow eyes, and its mouth was full of fangs!"

"So what was it?" Jane inquired.

Nick faltered, having never seen such a creature:

"I don't know... I only saw its head, just for a moment before I lost consciousness."

"But it looked something like a snake."

At these words, Moaning Myrtle, who had been hiding in the toilet, suddenly shot out of the stall with a shriek.