Nearly Headless Nick

While practicing with the Jade Piece, Sean also acquired some real leaves. However, after practicing with the real leaves, he finally understood why Dumbledore suggested he use the Jade Piece first— Sean had swallowed two leaves while eating and choked on leaves five times while sleeping...

Moreover, the raw, astringent taste of those leaves was already making him feel unwell, but the Mandrake leaves were a hundred times worse—they even smelled like dragon dung... unimaginable...

Seeing that he had stopped making a sound and his face showed a troubled expression, Hermione turned a page of her book and casually said, "The difficulty of the Animagus is beyond your imagination. Why don't you wait two years before trying again?"

The girl had been trying to persuade Sean to give up his Animagus training. In her opinion, although Sean was excellent, he was only a second-year student after all—such dangerous magic should be left until the sixth or seventh year. Besides, Sean was aiming for illegal Animagus.

Sean smiled but didn't answer. He knew Hermione was worried about him, but he wouldn't give up practicing Animagus. Before the Prophecy came true and his Bloodline Awakening, he wouldn't abandon any way to improve himself.

When the two came out of the Room of Requirement, they ran into Hagrid was walking from the other end of the corridor.

"Sean, Hermione, good evening," Hagrid greeted them, covered in chicken feathers. "What are you doing here?"

"Oh, I'm lost. The stairs in the castle, you know." Hermione blinked.

"That makes sense," Hagrid nodded, then looked at Sean. "Sean, thank you for what happened that day."

Sean shook his head, indicating that there was no need to be so polite. "I wasn't much of a help. Is Fang alright now?"

"It's fine now, your Essence of Dittany works great."

The three of them walked together down to the lower levels of the castle. During their conversation, Sean learned that Hagrid had almost no recollection of what happened that day. He had gone into the Forbidden Forest to spread medicine to drive away the Fire Crabs, and after a period of dizziness, he knew nothing more.

Hagrid came to the castle looking for Dumbledore, but Dumbledore didn't seem to be at the school, and Hagrid's visit was fruitless.

As they walked down the stairs to the third floor, they heard voices coming from ahead.

"These are turbulent times, Nick, you should understand." A voice came, Sean recognized it as the voice of the Hufflepuff ghost Fat Friar.

"What a terrible thing to do! None of the Melancholy Nun are coming, and the Wailing Widow said she can't make it either—and then I was turned down by the Headless Hunt. It's just...it's just awful..." The voice that answered was full of regret.

Eavesdropping is obviously not a good thing, Sean and his group deliberately made their footsteps louder. At the other end of the corridor, two milky-white figures looked over.

It was the Fat Friar and Nearly Headless Nick.

"Good evening, you two." Hagrid was clearly familiar with the two Hogwarts ghosts, and he greeted them loudly.

"Oh, Hagrid, it's so good to see you." Nearly Headless Nick, looked preoccupied.

Sean and Hermione greeted each other, while Hagrid was already chatting with the other person.

"You look troubled, Nick?"

"It's nothing, a trivial matter," Nearly Headless Nick, waved his hand elegantly, his tone nonchalant, but he looked dejected. "It's just that I was rejected by the Headless Hunt for the 138th time... I don't really want to join."

The Headless Hunt are a popular group among the ghosts. They only accept hunters whose heads and bodies are completely separated. Obviously, Nearly Headless Nick, does not meet the requirements—as can be seen from his nickname.

Beside him, the Fat Friar cheerfully said, "Nick, perhaps you could consider forming a headhunting team?"

"Don't be silly," Nick said irritably, flicking a large stack of transparent letters in his other hand. "That would prevent us from freely performing things like balancing hockey balls on our heads and juggling horseback heads—a major reason why the Headless Hunt are so popular!"

He grumbled on and on for a while, then looked at Hagrid with anticipation.

"Oh... Hagrid, I have a question... Aren't you getting a little tired of always attending the school's Halloween Eve party?"

"Don't hint at it, Nick," Hagrid said, directly calling him out. "But I'm sorry, I'll be busy with something around Halloween."

Nearly Headless Nick, chuckled dryly, "Yes, yes, you have to take charge of the preparations at the school."

"Is something the matter?" Before Sean could stop Hermione, the girl asked curiously.

"Good question, Hermione!" Nick's eyes lit up. "I'm hosting a party for Halloween Eve to mark my 500th birthday. May I invite you? Of course, Sean, you're welcome too, and all your friends are welcome to come!"

"Oh, that sounds interesting." Hermione looked very interested.

Sean sighed inwardly. Deathday Party were hardly a good place to go. Wouldn't it be better to attend a warm and lively Halloween party?

Nick and Hermione exchanged a few words and happily agreed to attend the Deathday Party.

After they parted, Hagrid said, "Oh, I can't say this in front of Nick, but Hermione, I must warn you— the Deathday Party is no pleasant place. I went to one once and it was awful."

"Is it that bad? I just think the ghosts' party must be really interesting. Not many living people have ever been to one, so it must be quite magical..." Hermione said nervously, seeing Hagrid's expression.

"Wonderful, but also terrible," Hagrid concluded.

"Oh, I was wondering if I agreed a little too hastily," Hermione muttered as she passed a giant pumpkin on Halloween Eve.

"I was trying to stop you," Sean said, shrugging beside her.

They were walking through the brightly lit Great Hall toward the underground classrooms.

Inside the crowded Great Hall, students were chatting excitedly amidst Halloween decorations. It was said that Dumbledore had booked a Skeleton Dance Troupe to entertain them.

"Honestly, it was me who agreed, Sean. You can stay here and attend the banquet," Hermione said.

"It's okay, I'm curious too. We can go over and say hello or something, so at least there will still be dessert in the Great Hall when we come back," Sean said with a smile.

"You're so kind, Sean."

They passed through the Great Hall and headed towards the party venue. Candles were also lit in the underground passage, but these were dark and emitted a bluish glow as they burned, casting an eerie light on everyone who passed by.