adored, harry potter

chocolate frog card

━ FIVE.

     year one, 1992

     The figure of Peeves swished overhead, his multicoloured form darting through the corridor with a playful energy that set him apart from the other castle ghosts. Peeves possessed a strange, vibrant hue, unlike the silvery bodies of the other ghosts, a constant reminder he wasn't a proper ghost or, well, a ghost at all. He cackled, blowing a raspberry and making a rude gesture as he muttered something about "stuck-up Peverell" before disappearing through the wall with a mocking laugh.

Moments later, a second-year Ravenclaw girl rounded the corner, her arms piled high with books and parchment. She hadn't taken more than a few steps when Peeves reappeared, bouncing from the stone wall before her. "BOO!" he shrieked, sending her books flying in every direction. She let out a startled yelp, nearly toppling over as Peeves roared with laughter, clutching his sides.

The girl crouched quickly, scrambling to collect her scattered belongings. Before Peeves could launch into another round of taunts, Kallias, standing a few steps away with his friends, exchanged a knowing glance with them. They'd been Peeves's targets minutes earlier, and now it seemed he had shifted his attention. Theodore gave a subtle shrug while Pansy smirked, clearly entertained by the poltergeist's antics.

"That's enough, Peeves."

Peeves paused mid-cackle, flipping upside down as he regarded Kallias with exaggerated mockery. "Enough? Enough?! Oh, Mr. Stuck-up thinks he can boss ol' Peeves around!" He swooped lower, pointing a spectral finger at Kallias. "Come to save the day, have you? Or just showing off for your adoring fans?"

Kallias remained unfazed, his expression unreadable. "If you're so bored, why not bother someone who might find you amusing?" His tone was cool, almost bored.

Peeves hovered in place, his manic grin faltering barely before he released a theatrical sigh. "Boring, boring, boring," he muttered, throwing his hands up in mock despair. "Fine! Peeves knows when he's not wanted!" He gave one final raspberry before spinning dramatically and vanishing through the ceiling.

     The corridor grew quiet once more, save for the soft rustle of parchment as the girl crouched to gather her belongings. She glanced up, still wide-eyed, only to see Kallias kneeling, his movements calm as he picked up her books. She blinked as though she couldn't quite believe what she was seeing.

"Th-thank you," she stammered, her voice hardly above a whisper.

Kallias handed her the last of her books without a word, offering a small smile. He rose smoothly to his feet, his movements composed and effortless. His gaze flicked down the corridor, scanning for any sign of Peeves, ensuring the poltergeist wouldn't return.

"Be more careful next time," he said softly, his tone measured.

The girl nodded quickly, her face still flushed. She clutched her books tightly to her chest, her grip almost protective, as though they might scatter again if she relaxed. "I will," she whispered. Her eyes lingered on him for a second longer, filled with gratefulness and awe, before she hurried off. Kallias watched her go, behind him slow clapping broke the silence.

"Well, wasn't that just noble," Pansy drawled, stepping forward with her arms crossed and a smirk. "Saving a poor, helpless Ravenclaw from the big, bad poltergeist."

"I'm surprised you even bothered," Blaise added with a smirk. "I thought you'd let Peeves have his fun."

Kallias turned, arching an eyebrow. "She was in the way," he said. "And Peeves was getting tedious."