Peeves and the Golden Gryphon

Moriarty strode toward the corridor from which that faint, elusive gaze seemed to come.

Hermione and the younger girls followed closely behind him.

Who could possibly see Brother Moriarty?

Hermione could not think of anyone like that.

That made the gaze in the corridor all the more mysterious.

But when Moriarty reached the corridor, he found it completely empty.

Instead, a shadow darted past at the end of the corridor and vanished.

It lasted only an instant, but that was enough for Moriarty to see what it looked like.

"Was that... Peeves?"

Moriarty stared at the end of the corridor in surprise, as though Peeves were standing there watching him.

"Peeves?"

Hermione and the younger girls were astonished. That ghost who caused trouble every now and then had actually noticed Brother Moriarty?

No!

Hermione suddenly remembered something and said to Moriarty, "Peeves seems to have stopped causing trouble for a long time. When did that start? It became very elusive."

Moriarty nodded slightly, a gleam flashing in his eyes. "It was probably when Larpo revealed his identity—the younger Little Snakes of Slytherin reported it to me. Sometimes even Bloody Baron couldn't find Peeves."

"Mm-hmm, that's right."

"Let's go first. We can talk about Peeves after we get back."

As Moriarty spoke, he headed toward the Great Hall. It would always be inconvenient to fight while bringing the younger girls along, so he had to settle them somewhere safe.

Moriarty also resolved to find Peeves. That fellow seemed to be hiding an enormous secret.

Elsewhere.

Facing the giant hand of darkness, Ulrika drifted like a spring breeze, evading its attacks.

But the giant hand of darkness slammed down toward Hogwarts Castle!

"Gamp!" Ulrika shouted furiously. "You studied at Hogwarts too. Are you going to destroy it now?"

"This minister's goal can