Several "Education Investigators" stood before the Oak Door, gazing up at Hogwarts Castle, and could not help exclaiming, "How magnificent!"
They followed Vizet and Luna into the entrance hall, and were immediately drawn in by the sight before them, unable to resist looking all around.
Torches blazed fiercely, and the towering stone walls looked even more mysterious in the leaping light and shadow.
Rows of gleaming armor stood silently on either side, while the figures in the Magical Portraits all turned their heads, curiously sizing up this group of strangers.
"They really move... It's incredible!" the occult expert Samuel Drake murmured in amazement, unable to stop herself from taking a few steps forward for a closer look.
Before she had gone far, she received Peeves's "welcome."
Peeves wore a bright dress robe and a polka-dot hat with bells hanging from it.
He grinned so broadly the corners of his mouth nearly reached his ear, planted his hands on his hips, and wagged his head, making the bells on his hat ring out in a crisp series of chimes.
"Ohoho! What nerve! A few little Muggles actually barging into Hogwarts! Did you forget where you're supposed to go home and find your father? Let me take you home! Hahaha!"
As he spoke, he reached into his pocket, pulled out several Chalk Stubs, and was about to hurl them at Samuel Drake.
Hermione and the others were just about to enter the Great Hall when Peeves's crude laughter caught their attention.
"Peeves!" Hermione's brow knitted tightly again. "I almost forgot about him!"
Harry shook his head with a wry smile. "So that's why Vizet said we didn't need to do anything special..."
"If you insist on hiding something..." Ron chimed in, "Peeves will definitely serve up every secret like he's introducing