Even though Vincent had been listed as the British Ministry of Magic's most wanted criminal, Hogwarts Castle still recognized his status as a School Board Member.
Therefore, the unequal treaty Peeves had signed with him remained valid as well.
"Esteemed School Board Member," Peeves said with a broad grin, his eyes narrowed into slits as he leaned forward slightly, as if ready to grovel at any moment. "Next time, if you need anything, just give the word. I'll appear before you immediately."
Being dragged from the dungeons all the way to the top of the girls' dormitory tower by a massive stone hand that burst through walls was an especially unpleasant experience. Every time he was dragged through walls and floors, he recalled those miserable days and nights he had spent trapped last year.
Peeves was neither a traditional ghost nor an ordinary spirit. He was a prankish entity formed from the manifestation of chaotic energy, a poltergeist capable of touching physical objects and interfering with matter.
If not for those damned School Board Member privileges, how could he have been forced to sign that even more damned unequal treaty?
Vincent neither agreed to nor rejected Peeves's request.
He wore an approachable smile, but in Peeves's eyes, it was not friendly in the slightest. Instead, it resembled the scales of a venomous snake, gleaming with menace and terror.
"Really?" His smile suddenly took on a strange edge. "Will you truly appear before me immediately?"
Peeves nodded vigorously. "Of course! So long as it's an order from School Board Member Wayne, I'll do everything in my power to carry it out!"
Vincent's smile vanished. "Why were you in the Slytherin common room just now?"
"Well..." Peeves's large eyes darted around. "Well... I was actually preparing a gift."
He floated up and