𝐞𝐧𝐜𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐝

- 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗵𝗱𝗮𝘆 𝗽𝗮𝗿𝘁𝘆 -

October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and into the castle. Madam Pomfrey, the matron, was kept busy by a sudden spate of colds among the staff and students. Her Pepperup Potion worked instantly, though it left the drinker smoking at the ears for several hours afterwards. Ginny Weasley, who had been looking peaky, was bullied into taking some by Percy. The steam pouring from under her vivid hair gave the impression that her whole head was on fire.

Raindrops the size of bullets thundered on the castle windows for days on end; the lake rose, the flowerbeds turned into muddy streams and Hagrid's pumpkins swelled to the size of garden sheds. Oliver Wood's enthusiasm for regular training sessions, however, was not dampened, which was why Lucia was to be found, late one stormy Saturday afternoon a few days before Halloween, returning to Gryffindor Tower, drenched to the skin and splattered with mud.

Even aside from the rain and wind it hadn't been a happy practice session. Fred and George, who had been spying on the Slytherin team, had seen for themselves the speed of those new Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones. They reported that the Slytherin team were no more than seven greenish blurs, shooting through the air like jump jets.

As Lucia squelched along the deserted corridor she came across somebody who looked just as preoccupied as she was. Nearly Headless Nick, the ghost of Gryffindor Tower, was staring morosely out of a window, muttering under his breath, ".... don't fulfil their requirements.... half an inch, if that...."

"Hello, Nick", said Lucia.

"Hello, Hello", said Nearly Headless Nick, starting and looking around. He wore a dashing, plumed hat on his long curly hair, and a tunic with a ruff, which concealed the fact that his neck was almost completely severed. He was pale as smoke, and Lucia could see right through him to the dark sky and torrential rain outside.

"You look troubled, young Riddle", said Nick, folding a transparent letter as he spoke and tucking it inside his doublet.

"So do you", said Lucia.

"Ah", Nearly Headless Nick waved an elegant hand, "a matter of no importance.... thought I'd apply, but apparently I 'don't fulfil requirements'."

In spite of his airy tone, there was a look of great bitterness on his face.

"But you would think, wouldn't you?" he erupted suddenly, pulling the letter back out of his pocket. "that getting hit forty five times in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt?"

"Oh — yes", said Lucia, who was obviously supposed to agree.

"I mean, nobody wishes more than I do that it had all been quick and clean, and my head had come off properly. I mean, it would have saved me a great deal of pain and ridicule. However..." Nearly Headless Nick shook his letter open and read furiously.

"We can only accept huntsmen whose heads have parted company with their bodies. You will appreciate that it would be impossible otherwise for members to participate in hunt activities such as Horseback Head Juggling and Head Polo. It is with the greatest regret, therefore, that I must inform you that you do not fulfil our requirements. With very best wishes, Sir Patrick Delaney Podmore".

Fuming, Nearly Headless Nick stuffed the letter away.

"Half an inch of skin and sinew holding my neck on, Lucia! Most people would think that's good and beheaded, but oh no, it's not enough for Sir Properly Decapitated Podmore".

Nearly Headless Nick took several deep breaths and then said, in a far calmer tone, "So — what's bothering you? Anything I can do?"

"No", said Lucia. "Not unless you know where we can get seven free Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones for our match against Sly —"