New Teaching Assistant

Outside the Shrieking Shack, Hogsmeade Village.

Two short boys cautiously made their way over from the path outside the village.

The sun was already gradually sinking, and its dim yellow light filtered through the gaps between the tall trees by the roadside, lending this famous wizarding haunted house a trace of eerie color.

Judging by their uniforms, the two boys were third-year Gryffindors. Clearly, they were only allowed into Hogsmeade on weekends, and the brave yet reckless little lions had set their sights on the Shrieking Shack.

"Is this the Shrieking Shack..." One of them, a tall, thin boy, stood by the road and squinted at the dilapidated house beneath the setting sun.

The other boy looked more timid. He instinctively hid behind the nearest bush, his eyes filled with curiosity and fear. "I heard this is the most haunted place in all of England."

"We're wizards—" The tall, thin boy shot his companion a dissatisfied look. "Aren't ghosts just spirits? Spirits can't hurt you anyway—"

"But..." The timid boy looked troubled.

Seeing how terrified his companion was, the tall, thin boy gave a light snort before climbing over the railing set up outside the Shrieking Shack.

"Hey, come back—the professors said we aren't allowed to climb over barriers."

"You're way too timid. We're Gryffindors. Besides, what's so scary about ghosts? If there were dozens of Dark Wizards living here, then I'd have a reason to be careful—what are you standing there for? Come over here."

The tall boy glanced at his companion in annoyance, only to see him frozen in place, unwilling to move.

"Marcelino... Marcelino!" The timid boy's mouth fell open. Trembling, he pointed behind the boy named Marcelino, terror overflowing from his eyes.

Marcelino frowned. "Lal, get a grip—this is just a haunted house from a story."