In the wizarding world, many witches and wizards enjoy hosting all kinds of balls, especially the old pure-blood families, who typically hold two or three each year. Events like birthday balls and Yule Balls have become routine, though the main focus of most of these gatherings has never truly been on dancing.
This time was no exception. The music in the office played continuously, yet only a few people were actually dancing. Most guests completed a couple of perfunctory turns before settling into conversation, wine glasses in hand.
It had to be said—Professor Slughorn still had an impressive network of connections and had invited quite a few well-known figures. Among them were the famous author Eldred Worple and the vampire Sanguini, both of whom Kyle had met before. There were also professional Quidditch players, including Brewerhold, the current Chaser for the Montrose Magpies, and a reporter from The Daily Prophet—not Rita Skeeter, but another wizard.
According to Slughorn's introduction, this particular journalist had conducted most of the interviews with the Department of Magical Law Enforcement's directors and higher-ups.
Kyle also spotted the owner of Honeydukes. It was hardly surprising—there was a signed photo of him in Slughorn's office, and with the school being so close to Hogsmeade, there was no reason not to invite him.
Even so, Slughorn seemed to think the gathering wasn't lively enough. According to him, Halloween was just a casual get-together—the real highlight would be Christmas. He made sure to tell Kyle and Kanna they absolutely couldn't miss it.
They, however, did not share his enthusiasm.
Finding an excuse to slip away, the two of them made their way toward the drinks table, which was one of the less crowded spots in the room.
Kyle, however, had no intention of drinking anything. Ever since learning that someone at school had purchased a Love Potion, he was being especially cautious about consuming anything from an unknown source.
"Kyle, I didn't expect to see you here too."
A few minutes later, Harry appeared, finally having managed to escape from Worple. He looked exhausted—he must have endured quite a bit of chatter—grabbing a glass of Butterbeer and downing it in one go.
Kyle observed him for a moment, but to his disappointment, it was just an ordinary Butterbeer.
"How does it feel?" he asked.
"What…" Harry didn't immediately catch on, assuming Kyle was asking about the ball. He shook his head at once. "Terrible. I can't believe Hermione insists on coming to these every time."
"Maybe she's just used to it," Kyle said, following his lead. "Why didn't you make up some excuse and skip it?"
Like many others, Harry had been coming up with reasons to avoid Slughorn's gatherings—things like Quidditch practice. As team captain, he could schedule training sessions whenever he wanted, and he had managed to dodge quite a few of these events that way.
"I'm here with Ron. He really wanted to see the dance," Harry explained.
"You can invite boys to the ball?" Kyle asked, raising an eyebrow.
"Well," Harry nodded, "I figured I'd give it a try, but Professor Slughorn didn't seem to mind."
"Oh, by the way, have you seen Ron? I've been looking for him."
"No," Kyle replied. "Try the other side of the room."
"Alright," Harry said, gripping his Butterbeer mug as he headed off across the dance floor.
For a while afterward, Kyle ran into Professor Sybill Trelawney—who was drunk.
As a Hogwarts professor and a descendant of the famous seer Cassandra Trelawney, she had a certain level of notoriety. Slughorn had likely mentioned that free sherry was being served at the ball, which would have been enough to lure her in.
Then there was Luna, engaged in an animated discussion with Neville about whether Rufus Scrimgeour was actually a hidden vampire and plotting some secret scheme to manipulate the Aurors. According to her theory, he intended to use the Gum Disease Curse to take down the Ministry from within.
Neville looked shocked. Kyle, on the other hand, couldn't stop himself from laughing—so hard, in fact, that he nearly inhaled his mead through his nose.
"Gum Disease Curse—now that's an invention worth developing. Way more useful than Langlock," Kyle remarked with a laugh.
As for the theory about Scrimgeour being a Vampire? Utter nonsense. If he were a Vampire, the massive Sneakoscope in the Auror office would have been blaring nonstop. The fact that no one in the Ministry had complained about him causing disturbances proved his identity beyond a doubt.
Still, some of Mr. Lovegood's ideas were undeniably entertaining. He had a knack for coming up with theories no one else could dream of. If you ignored logic and treated it as a source of amusement, The Quibbler wasn't half bad. Kyle even thought about buying a copy—something to leaf through when boredom struck.
After Luna and Neville left, the party began to drag again, devolving into monotony. It wasn't until ten minutes before curfew that Kyle figured things would finally wrap up. But then Peeves burst into the room like a whirlwind of chaos.
He soared across the ceiling, clutching water balloons brimming with liquid, and unleashed an indiscriminate assault on the unsuspecting students below. The room erupted into chaos as water rained down like a monsoon. Screams filled the air as everyone scrambled to avoid the onslaught, diving for cover amidst the pandemonium.
"Haha! I knew something was missing," Kyle said with a grin. "Now it feels right. How could a place this lively exist without Peeves?"
Casually, he flicked a water balloon aside, sending it hurtling in another direction.
"But Professor Slughorn is still here. Doesn't Peeves care about him?"
"He only fears the four Heads of House. The other professors, he'll cut a bit of slack," Kyle replied with a shrug. "But Peeves probably isn't in the best mood tonight."
"Remember what the Fat Friar said at dinner?" he continued. "Apparently, Peeves was sulking because he didn't get that Fortified Pumpkin statue he wanted. He's been upstairs wrecking suits of armor all evening. I guess this is his way of venting."
Flicking another water balloon away with ease, Kyle turned to Kanna and gestured toward the door. "We should probably leave now. Most people haven't reacted yet, but once they do, the doorway's going to be a mob scene."
The two slipped out into the hallway as the muffled chaos continued behind them. Kanna lifted her arm to sniff at her sleeve, frowning. "I was going to mention this earlier—do you smell that? Like, acid or something?"
"It's vinegar," Kyle whispered, smirking slightly. Actually, I was the one who told Peeves that adding a splash of vinegar would make the balloons more… impactful.
Kanna shot him a disgusted look.
"Don't give me that face," Kyle said with a shrug. "It was ages ago. I needed a favor—wanted Peeves to track down a ghost for me. That was his payment, in kind. And hey, it's not like it was going to waste. All that vinegar gets spilled by first-years knocking on barrels… seemed practical to me."
"Anyone hit by one of those balloons is going to hate you for this," Kanna retorted flatly.
"You could always blame Filch," Kyle suggested with a grin. "He helped Umbridge kick out so many students last year—it'd be poetic justice."
They strolled toward the stairs, leaving the commotion behind. Loud chatter and incantations echoed faintly through the hall, signaling that the other students were finally trying to drive Peeves away. But by the time they got organized, Peeves was long gone, having emptied his entire arsenal of balloons before disappearing without a trace.
When Kyle and Kanna arrived at the foyer on the first floor, they unexpectedly ran into Peeves.
"It's you, Kyle boy! Didn't realize you were here," Peeves greeted cheerfully. But then, as if remembering something, he immediately turned to flee. "Oops, they're coming after us…"
"Wait," Kyle called out urgently. "It's been so long. How did things go with what I asked you to do?"
Peeves' translucent figure froze mid-motion. After a moment, he turned back, somewhat stiffly. For once, his mischievous grin faded as he replied, "Well, you told me to find the grim-faced witch who never smiles. I don't think she's left Hogwarts."
"Impossible," Kyle said firmly, shaking his head. "Madam Grey never leaves Hogwarts."
"But she's not in the castle," Peeves insisted. "Even the Bloody Baron's been looking for her, and he didn't find a thing. She must have run off."
Kyle wasn't overly disappointed by the answer. He had half-expected it anyway. "If we can't find her, so be it," he said, waving dismissively as he turned to head toward the common room.
"Hey, Kyle, I'm not ignoring you!" Peeves blurted, misinterpreting Kyle's reaction. Seeing him about to walk away, Peeves hastily added, "I've been looking for her—really! Oh, wait, I think she's been kidnapped by the Bloody Baron and is being held in a room without a door on the second floor."
Kyle froze mid-step and turned back to Peeves. "A room without a door on the second floor?"
If Peeves had said the eighth floor, Kyle would've assumed it was the Room of Requirement. But the second floor? Was there a similar room there?
"Yes!" Peeves said with renewed excitement, his face lighting up. "Nobody knows this castle better than me. There's a place at Hogwarts—very mysterious—where all the students' treasures from centuries past are hidden. But no one knows where it is."
Kyle was already certain Peeves had mistaken the Room of Requirement for something else. The mention of the second floor was likely just Peeves' usual confusion.
Just then, Kanna, who had been quietly observing, asked, "But Peeves, didn't you say earlier that the Bloody Baron was also looking for the Grey Lady?"
At the mention of the Bloody Baron, Peeves visibly shuddered but stubbornly stuck to his story. "It's all an act! He's just trying to confuse everyone."
Peeves straightened up, trying to appear serious. "Half an hour ago, I saw a Slytherin brat standing in front of a Store Cupboard on the second floor, mumbling something about 'it's gone, I can't find it.' I'm guessing the Bloody Baron told him to check the place, only to discover the non-smiling Grey Lady had already escaped."
Peeves nodded firmly. "Well, that must be it."
Whether Kyle believed it or not, he found himself buying into the story anyway. After all, the Bloody Baron had a motive—every ghost in the castle knew it was he who had killed the Grey Lady of Ravenclaw. What if he suddenly decided to reenact the scene? The thought was unsettling.
Peeves appeared unusually serious, and the more Kyle dwelled on it, the more plausible it seemed. But even so, he couldn't fully accept Peeves' words.
The Grey Lady had vanished along with Ravenclaw's Diadem, and a fragment of Rowena Ravenclaw's memories was said to be stored in that artifact. What could the Bloody Baron possibly do—send them all back in time? And besides, it wasn't as if a ghost could be trapped in the Store Cupboard; ghosts could pass through walls with ease. The idea seemed absurd.
Still, another question surfaced in Kyle's mind.
"Wait, Peeves, you said you saw a Slytherin on the second floor just now. Who was it?"
"Let me think..." Peeves stroked his chin theatrically. "I remember him arguing with Potter in the corridor. I was hoping for a fight, but, alas, McGonagall showed up. Oh, that's right—Potter called him Malfoy at the time." Peeves grinned mischievously. "I'm telling you, that Malfoy must have been acting on the Bloody Baron's orders…"
Peeves rambled on, but Kyle wasn't listening anymore.
Why had Malfoy suddenly been on the second floor? Was he looking for something? Or was there something hidden there that he wanted? Kyle frowned, trying to make sense of it.
The Store Cupboard, though? It was full of junk—broken tables and chairs, old brooms that were no longer usable. Nothing of value. What could Malfoy possibly want with any of that?
Kyle mulled over the thought, frustrated by the nagging feeling that he was forgetting something important. It just wouldn't come to him.
No wonder Dumbledore kept a Pensieve in his office, Kyle reflected. With everything he'd seen and heard over the years, he must have needed it to sift through his memories and make sense of them all.
"Kyle, what's wrong? They're coming!" Kanna's voice snapped him out of his thoughts, accompanied by the distant sound of shouting and arguing.
Kyle turned and realized that Peeves had vanished. Meanwhile, Professor Slughorn came barreling down the stairs, leading a group of professors and students.
Slughorn was in a state—his magnificent violet robe stretched tight around his considerable frame, as though it might burst apart at any moment. Whether it was from running or from overeating at dinner was anyone's guess.
"Kyle, Kanna... have you seen Peeves? Someone said he was heading toward the foyer!" Slughorn asked angrily. "That wretched creature—he's ruined my ball!"
Kyle quickly pointed in a random direction. "He ran that way," he said, not having the slightest idea where Peeves had gone.
"What, back upstairs?" Slughorn groaned, his legs trembling as he glanced toward the library on the second floor, where Kyle's hand was pointing. Ghosts could fly, but he couldn't. And after running up and down the stairs several times already, he was completely out of breath.
"Children…" he gasped, addressing the students behind him. "I'll leave Peeves to you. Please, help me—catch him, no matter what."
Slughorn's tone shifted slightly as he added, "Whoever brings Peeves to me will be rewarded with a vial of Felix Felicis."
At the mention of the coveted luck potion, the students' eyes lit up, practically glowing with determination. They didn't need to be told twice. With cries of enthusiasm, they charged upstairs in pursuit of the poltergeist.
They had already been looking for Peeves after he splashed them with vinegar, but now there was an added incentive. Felix Felicis wasn't something to pass up, and they weren't going to let the opportunity slip away.
In an instant, the group disappeared up the staircase again.
Slughorn leaned heavily against the railing, gasping for air as he muttered, "If only Armando had listened to me and gotten rid of Peeves when I suggested it. That ghost is nothing but trouble, and everyone in the castle is constantly complaining about him."
"Yes, and they still are," Kyle replied, his tone dry.
Slughorn straightened up slightly, glancing at Kyle. "Aren't you going to give it a try, my boy? I think you have a good chance of catching that little troublemaker and earning my reward."
With that, Slughorn pulled out a small corked bottle from his pocket. The golden liquid inside shimmered alluringly—Felix Felicis.
Kyle couldn't help but glance at the potion, tempted for a moment, but then shook his head. "Sorry, Professor. As much as I'd like to, I think I may have had a bit too much at the ball. I'm feeling drowsy and could really use a good night's sleep."
Slughorn raised an eyebrow, tapping his temple. "Ah, yes, now that you mention it, I do recall seeing you spending a fair bit of time near the drinks table. Listen, Kyle, even though you're of age, you should remember to pace yourself. And if I may suggest, mead is an excellent alternative—far more pleasant, in my opinion."
Kyle forced a polite smile. "I'll keep that in mind, Professor." After exchanging a few more courteous words, Kyle made his excuses and left with Kanna.
As they walked back to the Hufflepuff common room, Kyle's mind was far from the conversation with Slughorn. Instead, he was preoccupied with Malfoy and his strange behavior near the Room of Requirement. Malfoy hadn't been wandering aimlessly; he had a goal. But what was it?
When they entered the common room, Ryan, a fellow Hufflepuff, looked up from his homework and immediately called out, "Kyle, thank goodness you're back. I think you have a copy of Vanishing and Transfiguration. Can I borrow it?"
"Sure," Kyle replied absentmindedly. "It's in your dormitory cabinet, go look for it…"
He trailed off suddenly, his head snapping up. "Wait."
Cabinet. Vanishing Cabinet.
His thoughts raced. He finally remembered—back in his third year, Nearly Headless Nick had once tricked Peeves into dropping a cabinet right above Filch's office in order to help Harry, who had been caught by Filch. That cabinet had been a Vanishing Cabinet. Nearly Headless Nick had even mentioned at the time that the Vanishing Cabinet had been kept in the Store Cupboard on the second floor.
Filch had known it was a Vanishing Cabinet and had intended to use the incident to get rid of Peeves, citing damage to school property as the reason. Of course, Dumbledore had refused—getting rid of Peeves was impossible, no matter how much trouble he caused.
The entire matter had eventually been forgotten, dismissed as just another one of Peeves' antics. The damaged Vanishing Cabinet had been cleaned up by the House-elves not long after.
At least, that's what everyone thought had happened.
The truth was, Kyle had gotten to the cabinet first. Before the House-elves arrived, he had taken the Vanishing Cabinet himself. What they had disposed of was nothing more than a regular cabinet enchanted with a Disillusionment Charm to make it look like the original.
And no one—absolutely no one—knew about it.
…
Kyle's heart began to race. Could it be that Malfoy was searching for the Vanishing Cabinet? If so, how had he found out about it? The cabinet had been hidden in the Store Cupboard on the second floor, but Malfoy wouldn't have had any reason to go there back when he was younger. And if he hadn't been there before, then how did he know about it now?
Or... was he looking for something else entirely?
Kyle sank into an armchair, his mind racing. Noticing the change in his mood, Kanna didn't say a word. She simply sat down beside him in silence.