Harry Potter and the Dovahkiin

A Nearly Headless Victory

Inside the party, Ben quickly figured out why the Headless Hunt never took Nick seriously. For starters, his full name was . Talk about trying too hard and still falling short.

The room was packed with ghosts of all shapes and misfortunes. Some looked drowned, still dripping wet; others had nooses dangling from their necks. A few had arrows sticking out of them, one was charred from angering a dragon, and another had a head caved in—courtesy of a troll. Some were downright terrifying, while others just looked... well, pitiful.

And then there was Peeves, the only splash of colour in a sea of grey, zipping about in

A few ghosts wheezed with laughter as Sir Patrick's body groped blindly for his head.

The severed head glared as his hands blindly groped about for it. "A boy stickin' his nose where it doesn't belong," he muttered. At last, he snatched up his head, dusted it off, and shoved it back onto his shoulders. "I'll have my horse back in no time."

Ben hummed. "Oh, brilliant! And while you're fetching steed, how about finding one for Sir Nicholas too? Wouldn't want to leave him out , would we?" He gave the ghostly dagger an idle spin.

Sir Patrick stiffened, eyeing the blade before scoffing. "Ridiculous."

Nick, however, merely sighed. "It's quite alright, Ben," he said, with the air of someone who had made peace with disappointment. "I rather think I've wasted enough centuries on this, it's rather to join the Hunt if I'm not truly welcome."

Then, smoothing down his ruff, he turned back to the gathered ghosts. "Now, if I might have your attention, I should like to begin my speech."

He floated up onto the stage, clearing his throat. "My late lamented lords, ladies, and gentlemen, it is my great sorrow…"

Ben, however, barely had time to listen before Hermione rounded on him.

"So is why you wanted to come?" she whispered furiously. "Where did you that dagger? it actually hurt ghosts? —"

"Bloody hell, Hermione," Ron muttered through chattering teeth, "can we save the interrogation for later? I can't my ears."

"Let's get out of here," said Harry. With that, the three of them slipped away unnoticed, Ben following close behind, leaving Nearly Headless Nick to his speech and Sir Patrick still brushing ectoplasm off his robes.

-End of Chapter-

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