𝐈𝐍 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐒𝐇𝐀𝐃𝐎𝐖 𝐎𝐅 𝐇𝐄𝐑 || 𝐒𝐞𝐛𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐒𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰

Chapter Eleven: The Headless Hunt!

Chapter Eleven

The next day Matty had received an OWL from Natty telling her to meet her in Lower Hogsfield, to which she met her there only a bit later. They spoke about what happened in The Three Broomsticks with Rookwood and Harlow and Natty expressed her desire to be able to fight back against men like them.

Of course, Matty inquired why Officer Singer hadn't done anything but really didn't receive a clear answer. She had a feeling Natty would ask her for her help to gather information about it—which she'd be happy to do.

The entire situation with Rookwood and Harlow was very strange. Even if they were working with Ranrok—why did he want Matty so bad? She knew she had found that map and it was important but how did he know anything about that?

After that, she came in contact with a few of Rookwood's goons who were thwarting a woman named Nora Tredwell and Matty was quick to come to her defense. Nora Tredwell was some kind of explorer who was trying to find out the answer to these "Merlin trials" which Matty was glad to help with.

On the way back to school, feeling a bit exhausted, Matty got an OWL from Nellie about Sir Nicholas. For a moment Matty thought it was going to be about her sneaking out past Sir Nicholas, but it turns out he just wanted to speak to her in Central Hall.

When Matty reached Central Hall, she saw Sir Nicholas and made her way over to him. "You wanted to see me, Sir?" She asked him.

"Yes. Sir Nicholas de Mimsy-Porpington, at your service." Sir Nicholas said, giving a small bow. "I know about the book you found and its missing pages. I may be able to help. Follow me if you will. It's not too far."

Matty furrowed her brows. How did word about anything she did get out so easily?

"Wait. How do you know about the book? And that it's missing pages?" She asked him as they walked—erm, well she walked, and he floated down the hall.

"Word gets around amongst the ghosts. You were spotted in the Restricted Section with Mr. Sallow." Sir Nicholas said, making Matty's cheeks heat up. Did everybody know about that? "Don't worry, your secret is safe with me."

They started nearing the moving stairs and Matty was getting increasingly more confused. "This may be a leap, but I believe I may know who ended up with those pages." Sir Nicholas said. "I'd be happy to take you to him—if you'd be so kind as to perform a small favor for me along the way."

Matty raised an eyebrow. "Hmm. A small favor in exchange for getting those pages?" It didn't seem too bad of an exchange.

They turned towards the staircase that would lead them to the kitchens and the Hufflepuff Common room and Matty started getting confused. "Yes. It's nothing. I'd be grateful if you could simply go into the kitchen and procure a little rotten roast beef." Sir Nicholas said.

Immediately, that caught Matty off guard. "I beg your pardon?" She asked, still finding it extremely odd. "Roast beef? Rotten roast beef?"

Her stomach almost flipped at the mere thought of it. "Yes! That is correct! Rotten Roast beef." Sir Nicholas said, with almost a bit of excitement in his voice. Matty supposed since he was a ghost, well, it didn't really matter. "If one floats through it just right, one can almost taste it."

Matty let out a disgusted noise. Who would want to smell such a wretched thing? But she needed those papers. "Erm, well. I suppose I can do that. But why me?"

"It's simple, my young friend. My ghostly form cannot carry it." Sir Nicholas said. Matty soon realized he had been leading her down into the kitchen for this very reason. "Now, if you'd be so kind as to collect the roast beef, I shall explain everything else in due course. Just tickle the pear and head on in."