176- Deathday Party and the Bloody Baron

176- Deathday Party and the Bloody Baron

"Too foolish," Rhys shook his head. "It's as if he didn't even consider the staff and students of Hogwarts as people. A simple spell was all it took to end his life."

"What was that just now?" Daphne asked curiously.

Rhys explained to Daphne the monk's method of infiltration.

Daphne and Astoria both covered their mouths in shock. Using rainfall to infiltrate Hogwarts? Such a method was unheard of and nearly impossible to defend against!

"It's not a big problem because this kind of 'entry method' requires a special tool to work, and they probably don't have a second one," Rhys replied.

'Even if they had a second one, they likely wouldn't be able to find someone capable of using it,' Rhys added in his mind.

While Rhys severed the Secret Order's attempt to extend their reach into Hogwarts, Harry was busy finding a way to escape Filch's office and managed to return to the hallway. There, he encountered Gryffindor's house ghost, Nearly Headless Nick.

Harry struck up a conversation with him.

"This year's Halloween will mark the 500th anniversary of my death," Nick said, sounding quite proud.

"I'm hosting a party in a rather spacious dungeon classroom. Friends from all across the Seven Seas will be attending. If you could join us, I'd be most honored. Mr. Weasley and any other living guests are always the most welcome. But I dare say you'd rather attend the school's feast, wouldn't you?"

"Oh no, I'll come," Harry accepted Nick's invitation.

Harry's conversation with Nick caught Rhys' attention.

Noticing that Rhys was observing the Gryffindor ghost, Daphne took the initiative to explain the ghost's story and how he got his nickname.

"He's the ghost of Gryffindor House. Unlike the Bloody Baron of our house, Nearly Headless Nick is quite an outgoing figure. His real name is Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington. He studied in Gryffindor during his lifetime and, after graduating, became a court wizard. However, due to a magical mishap, Sir Nicholas was sentenced to execution. The executioner's axe was incredibly dull—it took forty-five blows, and even then, his head wasn't completely severed from his neck," Daphne said softly.

Rhys frowned.

Clearly, this wasn't a story that would please most wizards.

"And that is the importance of the Statute of Secrecy," Rhys remarked after a moment of silence, drawing this conclusion.

He was deeply curious about the Baron's inner journey. To this day, Rhys could hardly believe that the Baron had killed Ravenclaw's daughter.

Hearing that Rhys wanted to attend his deathday party, Nick was momentarily stunned.

Then, a delighted expression spread across his face, so much so that his nearly-detached head wobbled precariously.

"Absolutely! It would be my greatest honor! The two young ladies, as lovely as white roses, are equally welcome."

"Of course."

"Delighted to join!"

Daphne and Astoria chimed in eagerly.

Seeing Rhys take the initiative to attend the party, both sisters were quick to accept Nick's invitation as well. The unique nature of an event hosted exclusively by ghosts had sparked their intense curiosity.

As for the school's Halloween feast, that was an annual affair. A ghost's deathday party, however, was a far rarer occasion—there was no telling when the next one might occur. By then, they themselves might already be ghosts.

"Fantastic!" Nearly Headless Nick was ecstatic at having casually recruited three more living attendees for his party.

However, before leaving, he sheepishly made a small request: he asked Rhys and the sisters to affirm, in front of Sir Patrick, the head of the Headless Hunt, that Nick was an exceptionally impressive and fearsome ghost.

Perhaps, for ghosts, inspiring fear in the living was a matter of great pride.

This was no issue at all, and Rhys readily agreed.

Before long, Halloween arrived.

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