The Pacifist Necromancer of Hogwarts

Anthony searched carefully, but did not see Hagrid's friends. He shrugged: I don't know, maybe they're not hungry.

Hagrid was still mumbling, but Anthony was already looking at the roast beef and fried potatoes in front of him. If Dumbledore didn't announce the start of Halloween dinner within ten minutes, he couldn't guarantee that his fork would suddenly sprout wings and fly over.

Lockhart, who was wearing a pumpkin-like orange wizarding robe, arrived belatedly and was surprised to find that only the seat between Filch and Professor Trelawney was empty.

It's hard to say who felt more uncomfortable: Filch's stern face; Mrs. Norris's gray tail that occasionally brushed Lockhart's plate; Lockhart's dazzling wizard robes and sparkling smile The mystery of Professor Trelawney was greatly reduced.

Professor Trelawney responded with a jingling bracelet and a gently swaying tassel on her cloak, and a prophecy along with Professor Lockhart, looking far away at his cup, warning himself in an ethereal and trembling voice. Something ominous was seen in his tea cup.

Why, dear Sybil, Lockhart said kindly, you are very funny. I don't want you to think I'm showing off, but I do know how to deal with omens... and of course there are some dangers. , you can find the details in my Traveling with the Vampire. However, I can't use them today because - there are no tea leaves in the teacup, Sybil. He pushed his cup aside , shown to Professor Trelawney, Pumpkin Juice.

Professor Trelawney said ethereally: In the eyes of those who are truly prophetic, everything is just tea leaves. Mark my words.

Just then, Dumbledore stood up. The students looked at him expectantly, and Anthony could clearly see several over-eager students chewing furtively and slowly, trying to show respect while swallowing the contents of their cheeks.

As you all know, this is Halloween's dinner. Dumbledore said loudly. To show respect to the party, I propose: Eat!

He sat down and took the lead in forking a piece of barbecue onto his plate.

The sound of chatter and the scraping of clothes suddenly filled the auditorium. Hundreds of metal knives and forks clashed with china plates, crystal jugs of pumpkin juice, milk and hot chocolate were passed around, and sausages and roast beef were swept away. The spider-shaped biscuits climbed up the smooth bowl wall again and again and slid down again and again.

Anthony heard a Hufflepuff student sitting near the staff table say very loudly: Justin, didn't you say that Dumbledore had booked a skeleton dance troupe?

Another Hufflepuff looked around the Great Hall, his eyes resting on the lamb chops in front of them: Maybe we need to eat them first...

Evil. The student sitting opposite them made a sound of disgust and pushed the lamb chops on his plate further away. I don't want to know which part of the Skeleton Dancer I am eating.

Really, Albus? Professor Sprout asked, You have booked a skeleton dance troupe?

Dumbledore was cutting his fritters. He looked up. Ah, I wish I did.

Anthony caught Professor McGonagall's hidden gaze. He shook his head slightly.

Professor McGonagall lowered her head in relief and continued to deal with her lamb chops.

Would you like to try pumpkin pie, Henry? Professor Bubbaji asked.

Of course, thank you, Caredi.

…

As the night gets darker, there seem to be more and more bats flying around the jack-o'-lanterns. They flitted past each grinning pumpkin hole, casting a fleeting dark shadow on the ground. The lights were shining, and people were leaving the table one after another, having had enough tea and food.

Because she could neither catch the flying bats nor pounce on the spider biscuits on the table, Mrs. Norris left the show gloomily. Not long after, Filch gloomily said that he was going to find her and put a small amount in his pocket. Take the spider biscuits and leave.

Hagrid went back to his cabin. Snape wanted to go to the herb field with Professor Sprout, it seemed because some very precious herbs were about to mature.

Anthony ate the last donut, stood up, and while discussing the magical theory books recommended by Dumbledore with Professor Flitwick, he slowly left the hall behind Professor McGonagall.

Professors Lockhart and Trelawney remained on the staff bench. Their colleagues just politely wished them good appetite and left without hesitation.

But, Professor Anthony, Professor Flitwick squeaked, that's a book from the sixteenth century! If you want to know the latest developments, I would suggest you subscribe to the monthly Magical Theory Newsletter. There are many brilliant minds. Scholars will publish their research results on it...

At this moment, they suddenly heard a chaotic sound coming from downstairs. Someone is shouting.

Professor McGonagall immediately changed direction, quickened her pace, and her face became tense again. Anthony and Professor Flitwick followed (Professor Flitwick had to trot all the way).

The closer they got, the more they could hear sounds echoing through the ancient brick walls. Professor McGonagall separated the students who were crowded excitedly on the stairs, so Anthony and Professor Flitwick also saw six people among the students watching.

Harry stood lower, holding his wand in one hand and holding Ron's arm tightly with the other. Ron was breathing heavily, his eyes were red, and he stared at Malfoy across from him. His other arm was in the hands of Hermione next to him. Despite holding Ron back, Hermione glared at Malfoy, Crabbe and Goyle like an angry lioness.

Malfoy's robes were as wrinkled as Ron's, and he looked down at the three of them with a sarcastic smile on his pale face. His smile disappeared when he noticed Professor McGonagall standing behind him.

I want an explanation, Professor McGonagall said coldly. Her lips were pursed tightly, anger burning in her eyes.

It's Malfoy, Professor McGonagall! Ron shouted.

Malfoy immediately said: Potter and Weasley attacked me!

Hermione shouted angrily, That's because of what you said!

You deserve it! Ron shouted.

Quiet! said Professor McGonagall. Granger, you do the talking.

…

Hermione took a deep breath and began her narrative. Through her narration and the interruptions of the other three people - Crabbe and Goyle didn't say much - and the additions from the students on both sides of the stairs, Anthony gradually understood what had happened.

Nearly Headless Nick invites Harry, Ron and Hermione to his 500th anniversary party. Although Nick learned from Lockhart's Lock Your Heart Club how to host an event popular with ghosts, he apparently failed to notice how few living people showed up at the event.

Therefore, the three students all felt that the death anniversary party was too spooky, and regretfully decided to leave midway. (To be honest, I think the rotten food, the blaring music and the freezing temperatures...are better than Malfoy. Ron added darkly.)

Nick, who sincerely listened to Lockhart's theory of sincerity and enthusiasm, tried to retain his guest with the greatest enthusiasm that the cold ghost could burst out, and chased him out through the wall.

If some ghosts hadn't suddenly decided to perform a real headless performance for everyone while the host of the banquet was leaving, maybe Nick would have floated all the way to Gryffindor Tower.

However, because of Nick's perseverance, when he left melancholy through the wall, many Slytherin students who had returned to the cellar saw this scene.

Malfoy said Harry was showing off his reputation as the savior again... Hermione said, biting her lip and stopping hesitantly.

Professor McGonagall asked: And?

Then Harry told him to go away, Hermione said.

I was just wondering why Potter was underground, Professor, Malfoy said without missing a beat, but they tried to threaten me, telling me that if I asked more questions, they would make me eat slugs.

That's after you asked Harry if he was no longer satisfied with Colin and Ginny's pursuit! Ron said bitterly.

Anyway, gentlemen, Professor McGonagall looked down at them sternly, and she glanced at Hermione, and Miss... this is no reason for you to fight on the stairs. I think I need to deduct ten points.

Hermione made a strangled sound.

Ten points each, Professor McGonagall added, I'm disappointed, Miss Granger. I thought you would be more reasonable.

Hermione's face turned pale, and Harry and Ron finally stopped staring at Malfoy and turned to look at her apologetically. Malfoy had a proud smile on his face, as if thirty points had been added to Slytherin's hourglass instead of losing thirty points.

But, Professor McGonagall! A Hufflepuff standing nearby finally plucked up the courage, This is entirely Malfoy's responsibility! He said very vicious things to Harry!

What is it? Professor McGonagall asked.

Harry looked away, obviously rather accepting the punishment than repeating Malfoy's words. Ron stood further forward, Hermione pursed her lips and looked at Harry worriedly, and neither of them spoke. Malfoy's smile widened.

But Professor Freevey kept pulling another Hufflepuff student to whisper. He asked a few questions, and the senior lowered his head and said something. Professor Freevey's eyes widened angrily and he kept saying: Too bad, this is too bad!

What, Filius? asked Professor McGonagall.

Professor Freevey motioned to Professor McGonagall and Anthony to lean down: Mr. Malfoy asked Mr. Potter why he thought of attending Nick's death anniversary dinner if it wasn't for the limelight - He shook his head and repeated in an angry voice, He asked Mr. Potter if it was a way to celebrate... James and Lily's death anniversary.

Professor McGonagall gasped angrily, and Anthony couldn't help but say: Oh my God!

Malfoy said loudly: Professor, I need to go to the school hospital first!

Mr. Malfoy— Professor McGonagall piped up.

Weasley's dirty rat bit me! Malfoy said immediately, holding up his bloody index finger.

Ron exclaimed at the same time: By the way, Scabbers! Where did Scabbers go?

It was kicked downstairs by Crabbe. The student next to him told him, whether it was out of kindness or gloating, If you move fast enough, you might be able to pull out its tail from the snake's mouth.

Another student said kindly: Don't listen to his nonsense, Snape only feeds those snakes' newborn, hairless little mice.

Ron said desperately: But Scabbers doesn't have any hair either! He's bald!

I was bitten, Professor. Malfoy said. Who knows what that rat was carrying... (Maybe it will make you bald too. A Hufflepuff standing next to Anthony muttered. .) I'll definitely need to get Madam Pomfrey to check it out for me - well, I think I'm feeling a little dizzy already.

You can go to the school hospital, Professor McGonagall said sternly, but before that, I think Slytherin needs another twenty points.

Now the Slytherin next to him began to look at Malfoy with unkind eyes. Malfoy still looked like he wanted to argue, but Professor McGonagall had already turned to Harry: Come on up, Mr. Potter. I think there are a lot of chips left - I'll ask the kitchen to send you some pumpkin juice.

Anthony was surprised to find that there were tears in her eyes.

Malfoy snorted coldly, avoided the eyes of the Slytherin student next to him, and turned away. Under the flickering candlelight, his face seemed paler than usual.

No, I'm going to find Scabbers. Ron said.

Before he finished speaking, everyone heard a sharp and piercing meow coming from downstairs. Ron's face suddenly turned extremely ugly.

Mrs. Loris? he asked awkwardly.

Anthony also began to worry about Ron's pets. The snake may have been made up by the students, but Mrs. Norris is indeed a cat.

Then Filch's voice: What is it, dear? A mouse? That's nice—

The students on the stairs started talking a lot. Some said that Mrs. Norris never caught students' pets, while others said that the cat might secretly eat pets in unknown places (I remember that it wanted to hunt owls!).

Ron's lips were already trembling. Not Banban, not Banban. He whispered.

Filch! Professor McGonagall shouted.

Filch's bulging eyes soon appeared at the top of the stairs: Are you looking for me, Professor McGonagall? He looked at the students next to him maliciously, as if he wanted to see which ungrateful beast was about to undergo a confinement. .

Yes, we are looking for you. Professor Flitwick said loudly, Did Mrs. Norris catch a mouse just now? He was hopping on tiptoes, trying to see Filch over the student's shoulders. Cat in arms.

What? Filch asked confused.

Mouse, Mr. Filch. Anthony explained, his eyes falling on a huge, gray thing that Filch held in his right hand by its tail. Mr. Weasley is looking for his pet.

Filch hesitated for a moment, as if he was considering whether to complain about why students kept such dirty things, or to argue that his cat never eats pets. But his face twitched a few times, and finally he faced the three professors and handed the gray guy out with some annoyance: Well, if any student thinks this is his pet! I guess someone will leave the muddy footprints tomorrow. Use it as a pet! Desecrate the castle, run around—

Hermione carefully took the mouse's tail from him. Its body was covered with cat saliva, stained with blood, and motionless.

Ron, Harry whispered sympathetically, I think that's Scabbers.

Ron let out a wail. Harry silently put his hand on his shoulder to express his condolences. The students next to them started talking louder. Filch's face turned red and white.

Filch, we need to talk about Mrs. Norris. Professor McGonagall said seriously, We will never tolerate her killing students' pets.

Professor Flitwick nodded in agreement. Filch's eyes flickered between Professor McGonagall, Professor Flitwick and Anthony, and he hugged Mrs. Norris tighter in his arms.

Wait, you two, it's alive! Hermione suddenly exclaimed with joy, It's alive, Ron!

I lay down to take a rest last night, but fell asleep directly...