The Ghosts' Party Is Boring / Malfoy's Death Wish Is Poorly Timed

Incidentally, Hermione was so angry when she learned that Harry had rushed to give Luna Lovegood a 'gift' that she didn't speak to Harry for two days.

It was only after Harry pleaded with her and even brought up Hagrid as a witness that the girl reluctantly believed him; Harry simply wanted to examine Luna Lovegood's eyes.

During the same period, Harry, along with his devoted follower Colin Creevey, visited many of the school's teachers and uncovered even more juicy details about Lockhart's school days.

For example, Professor Flitwick told Harry that Lockhart had boasted that he would create the Sorcerer's Stone before graduation and that he would definitely become Minister for Magic; moreover, he had strongly encouraged the headmaster to start a school newspaper, just so that his name would be widely known.

Madam Hooch also had a lot of complaints about Lockhart. She told Harry that Lockhart had boasted that he would lead the Britain Quidditch team to the Quidditch World Cup, but he had never been selected for the Ravenclaw team.

After learning he couldn't become famous through Quidditch, he actually had his name carved into the Quidditch Pitch in 20-foot-long letters... Of course, he did receive a lot of attention, and unsurprisingly, a week of confinement.

Surprisingly, it was Dumbledore himself who provided the definitive evidence for Harry!

After learning that Harry had been secretly investigating Lockhart, Dumbledore provided him with two irrefutable pieces of evidence.

In his book "Wandering with Werewolves," Lockhart boasts about how he defeated the Werewolf that ravaged Wagga Wagga in Australia, but in reality, it was the achievement of an old Armenia wizard.

In "Break with a Banshee," he claims to have banished the ghost from the Wanren region of Ireland, but the truth is that the ghost was driven away by a witch with a hairy chin.

Lockhart used his friendly appearance to trick them into telling him their story, then cast Memory Charm on them, conveniently replacing them with himself as the protagonist.

"I happen to know about both of these things. If Harry needs further evidence, I think I can ask a few old friends I haven't seen in a long time to investigate in the relevant places."

This was a promise Dumbledore made to Harry. He didn't think Harry was trying to kill Lockhart; on the contrary, he saw it as an act of upholding justice.

Imagine if Harry hadn't done this; wouldn't those poor, nameless heroes, whose honors were stolen by Lockhart, have continued to suffer unjust treatment while losing their memories?

There's a saying that goes something like this: justice may be delayed, but it will never be absent, right?

The work of gathering evidence has been progressing quite smoothly, but Harry has no intention of turning against Lockhart right now.

He needs to wait, until Lockhart gradually reveals more of his incompetent nature in his daily teaching.

In his previous life, Harry had witnessed the crazy enthusiasm of some young girls who were obsessed with their idols and would risk their lives to protect them. He didn't want to cause any trouble when he wasn't prepared and strain his relationship with Hermione.

In short, everything is peaceful and calm at Hogwarts at the moment, and nothing major has happened.

Until one day before Halloween, Harry caught a glimpse of Peeves sulking alone in a private classroom.

"What's wrong with you? You don't seem very energetic." After all, he's his little brother, so Harry naturally had to check on him.

"Is that Lord Granger?" Peeves brightened upon seeing Harry, but then it sombered again. "Nearly Headless Nick... he doesn't believe I'm a ghost, so he forbids me from attending his 500th Deathday Party, and he even said he'd have Bloody Baron block the door that day..."

Peeves kept throwing chalk into the trash can, clearly still resentful about it.

"Is that so?" Harry raised an eyebrow in confusion. Sir Nearly Headless Nick, the Ghost of Gryffindor, was always a humble and kind man. He shouldn't be so hostile to Peeves because of his status.

"A lot of ghosts will be going to Nick's Deathday Party, and I want to join in the fun too~" Peeves grumbled unhappily.

"I'll go ask for you, just wait for my reply~"

Harry thought about it for a moment and decided to act as Peeves's go-between and ask Nick about the situation.

Chapter 129 The Ghost Party is Boring

Nick, the ghost of Gryffindor Nearly Headless Nick, has a kind personality and a full name that's easy to pad out with words.

When Harry found him near the Gryffindor Tower, the Ghost Sir was gazing sadly out the window at the heavy rain, muttering something regretfully.

"Hello, Nearly Headless Nick."

"Mr. Granger? It's such an honor to meet you here!"

Upon hearing Harry's greeting, Nick turned and tipped his hat. He was wearing a very fashionable top hat and dressed extremely elegantly, looking every bit the aristocrat he had been in life.

"I heard you're having Deathday Party for Halloween, so I came to offer my congratulations." Harry bowed politely. "Also, if possible, I would like to ask you to make an exception and invite Peeves to attend."

"So you came for Peeves." Nearly Headless Nick shook his wobbly head, a look of realization crossing his face.

He had been wondering why Harry had come to him; if it was because of Peeves, then it made sense.

Harry's personality was well-known at school, especially his protectiveness of his own, which was common knowledge.

"But Mr. Granger, the Halloween Deathday Party is too important to me, and I really can't let Peeves attend," Nearly Headless Nick said with a mournful face. "The Headless Hunt sent me a reply saying they only accept hunters whose heads are separated from their bodies, and someone like me, who is only half an inch away, can't join under any circumstances. I had to plead with them to come to my Deathday Party, hoping the other guests would put in a good word for me. If Peeves causes trouble at the party, then I'll really have no hope left!"

"I see."

Upon hearing Nick's explanation, Harry immediately understood his concerns.

It's not entirely Nick's fault for rejecting Peeves; it's just that this guy used to act too eccentrically and always liked to cause trouble, which led to everyone publicly boycotting him.

He is still not allowed to attend the school's opening banquet, which shows how closely everyone is guarding against him.

"Besides... Peeves isn't really a ghost. He's fundamentally different from us," Nick continued, still troubled. "Only wizards can become ghosts after death. In the instant of death, we chose to stay where we are instead of moving on, which is why we exist in our current form. But Peeves is different. He's a poltergeist born along with the entire Hogwarts community. He has no past life, and he can't even be considered human..."

"I know all that you're saying, but Peeves really wants to attend your death anniversary. How about this, I'll vouch for him, he absolutely won't cause any trouble at the party, so could you make an exception and invite him?" Harry pleaded earnestly.

"Well... since you've put it that way, I'll agree." Nick's attitude seemed to have softened, but he also made his own request, "However, Mr. Granger, could you come to the party with us? I'd like you to make sure Peeves doesn't cause any trouble. Also... if there are living people attending my Deathday Party, the Headless Horsemen might think I'm very avant-garde. You could also tell Captain Patrick that I'm really scary~"

"Alright, thank you for your invitation, I accept!" Harry nodded with a smile.

Harry thought the ghosts' party would be more interesting than going to the Halloween feast and seeing the pumpkins that Hagrid had secretly grown with the Engorgement Charm.

"Really? That's wonderful!" Nick laughed excitedly, but at the same time, he put on a pleading expression. "Mr. Granger, you're also from Ravenclaw House, could you perhaps invite Lady Grey on my behalf...?"

"Nearly Headless Nick, it's not gentlemanly to push your luck." Harry politely shook his head in refusal. "Lady Grey is unlikely to attend such occasions, especially since you've invited Bloody Baron from Slytherin."

Lady Grey is the ghost of Ravenclaw, a rather noble and graceful woman.

There seems to be some history between her and Bloody Baron, and they rarely appear together at Hogwarts.

"That's true... Then I look forward to your visit. Uh... if possible, I would also like to invite Miss Granger..."

"I will tell her," Harry nodded in agreement.

Nick seems to really need supporters, so Harry doesn't mind lending a hand; Hermione would probably be interested too.

Just as Harry had predicted, Hermione also felt that attending the Deathday Party might be more interesting than the Halloween Feast.

"If there are real ghosts, who would go to the banquet to see fake ones?" Hermione said this on Halloween, as she rushed to the dungeon where the Deathday Party was being held.

She was also very curious about the anniversary of the ghost's death, and seemed quite excited throughout the journey.

However, when the party actually started, Hermione and Harry both regretted it.

Nearly Headless Nick's party was incredibly boring.

Hundreds of translucent ghosts floated around in the open space that resembled a dance floor. The sound of a saw cutting bones was deafening, and the eerie blue candlelight was terrifying. In short, everything seemed out of place with the living.

If that were all, Harry could barely accept it. But Nearly Headless Nick didn't seem to have arranged any special programs for the party. He just kept talking about his cause of death, such as how he was hacked forty-four times and his head was still attached to his neck.

All that was left was to keep urging these ghostly friends and relatives to say good things about him to the Headless Horsemen.

"Oh my god... I kind of regret coming here~" Harry shook his head helplessly and took off his robe and draped it over Hermione's shoulders.

I think so too.

Hermione also moved closer to Harry; there were too many ghosts in the room, making it very cold, and huddling together for warmth would be more comfortable.

Despite the harsh environment, the two did not choose to leave immediately.

Having been entrusted with a task, they were obliged to fulfill it. They should at least wait for that captain to arrive so they could tell him that Nearly Headless Nick was quite frightening.

"Mr. Granger, Miss Granger, I was really wrong this time~" Peeves also had a long face. He thought the party would be fun, which is why he came, but he didn't expect the actual result to be so disappointing.

Furthermore, Harry wouldn't allow him to cause trouble at the party, which was a huge ordeal for the naturally hyperactive Peeves.

"Huh, there are two humans here?"

Suddenly, a sharp voice drifted over, and Hermione's expression changed drastically.

"Let's go! It's Myrtle, and I don't want to talk to her at all!"

Myrtle is a notoriously troublesome ghost, but before Hermione could even lead Harry away, she had already latched onto them.

"Hey, isn't this the famous Harry Granger from all over the school?"

A short, plump female ghost drifted over. Despite her melancholy face, she kept giving Harry flirtatious glances, and even her thick glasses couldn't hide her obviously lustful gaze.

She suddenly stepped between Harry and Hermione, and with a flirtatious look, leaned close to Harry: "You're so interested in ghosts, I wonder if you'd be interested in me too?"

Harry raised an eyebrow almost imperceptibly at the sight; he hadn't expected to be flirted with by a female ghost.

Chapter 130 Malfoy's reckless actions were ill-timed.

To be fair, Harry was indeed somewhat interested in Myrtle.

But Harry's interest wasn't due to Myrtle's appearance; he was curious why Myrtle, a wizarding apprentice who tragically died before graduating, could become a ghost.

Does that mean that the only requirement to become a ghost is to possess magical powers and, as Nearly Headless Nick said, make a choice to stay or leave at the moment of death?

From this perspective, ghosts are indeed a very peculiar life form.

However, it was clear that Myrtle, who was on the offensive, didn't want Harry to conduct his academic research in peace.

"Myrtle, we are all Nearly Headless Nick's guests, please show some respect."

Harry subtly took a step back. Myrtle was considered one of the most notorious ghosts at Hogwarts, not only because she was always wailing in the abandoned girls' washroom on the third floor, but also because she frequently took advantage of the boys. Therefore, Harry didn't want to be taken advantage of by her.

"Have some self-respect... Is that the kind of person you are?" Myrtle approached Harry with a playful laugh, showing no intention of backing down. "I saw it all that day in the Black Lake. You were dancing in the water with those Black Lake Merpeople, having so much fun!"

She pretended to be a young girl with a body, desperately wanting to lean into Harry's arms, her shoulders shaking as she seemed to be rubbing against him with great enthusiasm.

"Myrtle, stop talking nonsense! Now, get as far away as you can and don't bother Harry again!!"

Myrtle's actions naturally enraged Hermione. The studious girl, who had just been unwilling to speak to her, angrily rebuked her, pressing her back tightly against Harry's chest, not wanting to leave even the slightest gap for the ghost in front of her.

"Exactly!" Mischief, who had been Peeves all night, finally found some amusement. Pointing at Myrtle's nose, he cursed viciously, "You've looked just as ugly as you've been fifty years ago! Fat woman, crybaby, pimple-covered face..."

"You've gone too far, you Peeves!"

"Anyway, you'd better stay away! Lord Granger is Miss Granger's lover, how could you possibly lay a finger on him?" Hearing Harry's cold snort, Peeves involuntarily shuddered, but still finished off the attack with a wicked grin.

"You little Peeves, stop talking nonsense!" *2

Peeves's words successfully provoked both Ha and He to explode in anger, and Myrtle immediately went all out and started wailing.

Fortunately, the farce came and went quickly. The twelve ghostly horses that emerged from the wall galloped to the center of the arena, Headless Hunt finally arrived.

To be fair, although Harry promised to help Nick plead his case, Nearly Headless Nick and these Ghost Riders are worlds apart.

Patrick, the leader of the Headless Horsemen, is a burly and cheerful ghost. His act of leaping off his horse with his head tucked in immediately attracted the attention of all the ghosts, stealing the spotlight right in front of Nick.

"Oh, is this a living person?" Patrick threw his head right at Harry's feet. "You guys actually come to a party like this?"

"We were threatened by Nearly Headless Nick," Harry said, looking frightened. "You know, he's really scary."

"Yes, Nearly Headless Nick is terrifying," Hermione quickly chimed in.

"Haha! Alright, I know he's the one who made you say that." But Patrick had already seen through everything.

There's nothing we can do about that.

Harry and Hermione gave an awkward laugh, silently apologizing to Nick, and then immediately took their leave.

Their mission was accomplished. As for whether the Headless Hunt were willing to include Nick in their group, that was beyond the control of Ha and He.

"Nearly Headless Nick, I don't think you really need to force yourself into a circle that doesn't respect you."

However, before leaving, Harry did give Nick a little pointer.

"Well... Mr. Granger, Miss Granger, thank you both for coming today."

Looking at the headless horsemen who had completely stolen his guests, Nearly Headless Nick's face showed a hint of sadness, as if he also felt that Harry's words did make some sense.

However, Harry had no time to worry about Nick at the moment, because he was currently searching for something tensely in the basement corridor!

"Tear... kill!"

The same sound appeared again, and it was even clearer than before!

"Murder... it's time!"

"Oh no!" Sensing something was wrong, Harry dashed out of the corridor and ran uphill following the sound.

Something must have happened!

Harry didn't believe that the chilling, terrifying voice that threatened to kill was just empty talk.