KEEP IT, LOSE IT (HOGWARTS LEGACY FANFICTION)

Chapter Twenty-Two

The trio slowly rose from the floor, dusting off their robes and adjusting their appearances after the rough landing. As they turned to face the ghost, Richard Jackdaw hovered above them, a calm smile on his face.

"Was it really necessary to toss us around like that?" Sebastian asked, a hint of irritation in his voice as he smoothed out his shirt.

Richard chuckled, an amused glint in his eyes. "Ah, my apologies. I suppose I could have been a bit gentler, but where's the fun in that? Besides, if you're looking to hide something, the Owlery is the perfect spot—plenty of nooks and crannies, and no one would ever think to look up here."

As Richard spoke, Mary reached up to smooth down her hair, which had become a tangled mess from the whirlwind. With a quick flick of her wand, she restored it to its usual neat state, her face now fully visible.

The moment Richard's eyes met hers, he froze, his expression shifting from amused to something more intense. His ghostly form seemed to shimmer as he stared at her, surprise and something else flickering in his gaze. 

"You... you remind me of someone," he said softly, his voice laced with an almost nostalgic tone.

Mary raised an eyebrow, curious. "Who do I remind you of?"

Richard floated closer, his eyes never leaving hers. 

"A girl I once knew. No, more than that—a girl I loved. The resemblance is uncanny. The same eyes, the same spirit..." His voice trailed off, a wistful smile playing on his lips. . "It's funny, really. I thought I'd moved past it, but seeing you here... it's as if fate has a peculiar sense of humor."

Sebastian's eyes narrowed slightly at Richard's words, a subtle tension tightening in his jaw.

 "Fate can be funny that way," he said, his tone cool as he stepped a little closer to Mary, his presence protective.

Mary felt a mixture of confusion and pity for the ghost. She was curious to know more, but she didn't want to press him and stir up old wounds. Meanwhile, Sebastian's jaw clenched slightly, a flicker of jealousy crossing his face.

Ominis, sensing the need to steer the conversation, spoke up. "Well, was all of this just for Ollivander's wand?"

Mary quickly nodded in agreement, trying to shift the focus. "That's right. Mr. Ollivander wants his family's wand back."

Richard chuckled, shaking his head. "Goodness, I'd nearly forgotten about that wand. I assure you, I don't have it on me."

Sebastian, Mary, and Ominis all blinked in surprise at this admission. "Forgotten?" they spoked in unison.

Richard's expression became slightly more serious, though he maintained his light tone. "I'm certain I dropped it the moment I was beheaded in that cave. Oh, it was sheer folly to follow that map..." He sighed, the memory clearly bringing back a touch of frustration.

At the mention of a map, all three students perked up. "Map?" they asked in unison, though Sebastian's interest was the most intense.

"Ridiculous, really," Richard explained, shrugging as if it were all a grand joke. "Found it in some yellowed old pages Peeves had pilfered. Thought I could impress a girl—well, that girl—but that's a story for another day." He glanced at Mary again, his smile returning, though this time with a bit more warmth.

Ominis raised an eyebrow, processing the tale. "So, let me get this straight, you stole a wand and then followed a map on some pages that you took from peeves, and follow that map to your doom?"

"Odd to hear it all reduced to an absurdity, but yes. Why are you so interested in an old wand?"

Mary shook her head. "We're not, but Ollivander is. What we're really after are those pages. Are they in the same place as the wand?"

Richard nodded slowly. "Indeed. Say, there's an idea. Why don't you meet me at the edge of the Forbidden Forest? I'd be happy to show you where to find them."

Ominis stiffened at the suggestion, his frown deepening. The ghost of a decapitated student leading us to where he likely died? Sounds like a terrible idea, He thought

But before he could protest, Mary had already agreed, her curiosity outweighing any reservations. "We'll be there."

Sebastian, who would typically have jumped at the chance for an adventure, stood with a scowl, a subtle irritation simmering beneath his usual enthusiasm.