Night fell over Hogwarts's Owlery.
Penelope looked at the envelope in her hand and sighed helplessly again. The letter contained comforting words, very touching words, but they were useless for her current situation.
Ever since that day when she obtained intelligence about her mother, she'd been trying to find relevant information.
She'd spent six years at Hogwarts. She knew quite a few former upperclassmen, some of whom had been to Norway.
But she'd inquired with all the alumni who'd been to Norway, yet not one had replied with useful information.
Actually, it wasn't completely nothing. Many upperclassmen had described to her that Norway's Sea of Wraiths was an extremely terrifying place. Prisoners locked inside had never come out, and no one could discover information about that place.
But such intelligence, besides making her feel worse, served no purpose.
"Thank you for your trouble." Penelope stroked the pale white owl's head beside her and pulled out a small snack from the box at her chest. After pondering a while, she realized she might have no one left to ask for help.
Wait until Christmas. I'll go see Norway myself.
Determination flashed in her eyes as Penelope let out a soft breath.
But just then, a voice sounded behind her.
"Penny?"
She turned around. Percy had somehow appeared at the doorway, looking at her with concern.
"You seem rather unhappy lately."
Penelope looked at Percy's somewhat worried eyes and instinctively averted her gaze. After a while, she spoke softly.
"...It's nothing, Percy."
Then she raised her head again, showing a smile no different from usual.
"Let's go back. I just felt a bit stuffy and came to breathe some fresh air."
However, with Professor Kahn's hint, even Percy could see the slight dejection mixed in Penelope's smile.
He moved closer and put his arm around the girl's shoulders. Percy pondered briefly before speaking softly.
"You want to go to Norway, don't you?"
Penelope looked up in surprise. Her eyes gradually misted over.
Percy saw Penelope's expression and breathed a slight sigh of relief.
It seems my analysis was correct.
After receiving Professor Kahn's hint, he had thought for a long time and asked many people before roughly understanding why Penelope was so sad.
Long ago, he'd known Penelope had been searching for someone. Only after six years of searching, she still hadn't found them.
He'd asked many people Penelope knew, and they'd given the same response.
But Penelope had become like this after that day's basilisk incident. When he found Penelope that day, she'd already been mentally exhausted, having experienced a battle.
Such a problem could only stem from that day's battle.
And he vaguely remembered Ron and the others mentioning that day's battle involved Harry.
So he sought out Harry and learned from him about the Sea of Wraiths and the name Penelope had been desperately pursuing.
As a child who grew up in a magical family, he'd naturally heard of the Sea of Wraiths' infamous reputation. When he was young, his father often mixed it with Azkaban to frighten Fred and George.
Unfortunately, his two brothers had never feared those two names since childhood.
But their lack of fear didn't mean those places weren't terrifying.
Azkaban was terrifying because it was the Dementors' lair. Creatures that could suck away all positive emotions made anyone's hair stand on end at the mere mention of them.
But the Sea of Wraiths' danger was completely different from Azkaban.
An ocean condensed from all of Norway's vengeful spirits throughout history. Just this one description was enough to encompass that place's terror.
However, if just going to inquire about news, it wouldn't be so dangerous.
Percy slowly spoke. "If you want, wait one more month. After Christmas, I'll accompany you."
Emotion flashed in Penelope's eyes, but after pondering briefly, she still shook her head.
"No, it's too dangerous. Besides, at Christmas, you should stay with your family."
She didn't care whether she returned to that home without much warmth, but Percy was different. The Weasley family members were all wonderful. She couldn't take Percy away on this reunion holiday.
"Just being home on Christmas Day is enough. The holiday is over a month long. After the celebration, I'll accompany you." Percy's face showed a smile. "Besides, even not being home for Christmas isn't such a big deal. Bill hasn't returned for over two years, and Charlie might not come back this year either. Mom will understand us."
"If it's after Christmas..." Penelope's expression became somewhat hesitant. She really did want Percy to accompany her, but where she was going was truly very dangerous.
But just as she hesitated for a moment, planning to refuse again, Percy had already made the decision.
"Then it's settled. After Christmas, we'll depart. I remember you always applied to stay at school every Christmas. If you want, you can spend Christmas at my house too!"
A blush appeared on Penelope's face. That earlier worry was temporarily pushed to the back of her mind.
No one spoke again. Their hands had somehow clasped together.
Two pairs of eyes slowly met. Two faces gradually drew closer. The temperature gradually rose. The atmosphere gradually warmed.
But just then, the sound of flapping wings suddenly rang out. An owl flew between them, rushing toward Hogwarts' grounds.
Interrupted like this, the previous atmosphere vanished completely. Penelope turned her head away with a flushed face, while Percy looked at the departing owl, frowning slightly.
He recognized that owl. It was the pet Bill bought himself after getting his first salary at Gringotts.
It's coming to Hogwarts—was it sending them a letter?
But if Bill wanted to write them, he should send them directly to the Owlery. Hogwarts students couldn't receive mail in the common rooms. Usually, they waited until breakfast when owls delivered mail uniformly.
But they were right now in the Owlery, yet that owl flew toward the grounds without looking back.
There seemed to be Professor Kahn's room in that direction?
Percy looked at the owl's departing direction and had a vague guess.
He remembered Bill mentioning many times that both he and Charlie had very good relationships with Professor Kahn. Perhaps Bill encountered some interesting magical creature and wanted to share it with the professor?
Percy shook his head and set the owl matter aside. He looked at Penelope again, his tone carrying some anticipation.
"Well? What's your answer?"
Penelope's cheeks flushed. She remained silent for a long time before giving an almost imperceptible nod.
"Mm!"