Grim Grinning Ghosts

Chapter 3: Flitwick, Longbottom, Malfoy

Minerva McGonagall was very, very tired. Being the Transfiguration Professor, the Deputy Headmistress, and the Griffindore Head of House, Minerva McGonagall felt exhausted. She was currently sorting out the Hogwarts Acceptance Letter replies, reading the letters and giving each teacher a muggleborn or muggle raised half blood to guide the new student into the Wizarding World. As her quill scratched names down, she turned to look at the even larger stack of parchment that was the rest of her duties. Sighing, McGonagall stopped writing and started to plan her overtime hours.

It was during this that she had an idea. Filius had finished his planning for the year's curriculum, he could help her sort all this out! Immediately going to her drawer, she took out some more parchment and penned a message to her coworker.

To Filius,

I was wondering if you could be so kind as to assist me in my duties as Deputy Headmistress, as I still have the school budget to look over and I haven't even started on the new muggleborn students' visitations. Could you be so kind as to go on them in my place? It would relieve me a great deal of my work and I would gratefully appreciate it.

Sincerely,
Minerva

This immediately was flung into the now dark blue flames of the fireplace, and Minerva waited for what she hoped was a positive reply. It was only a minute later when the flames suddenly turned a deep scarlet and a new piece of parchment flew out. With the agile reflexes that only a cat in animagus could have, the haggard Professor snapped up Flitwick's reply with high hopes. Unfolding the origami crane that the man was so fond of making with his notes, she read:

To Minerva,

Of course, of course! I would be more than happy to! You know, that was my job before you came around, so I believe it would be rather fun to do it again! Who knows, I might even be able to pick out one of mine this time, since you always seem to convince them that your House is the best! Send the list over when you are ready!

Take Care,
Filius

To this McGonagall breathed out a sigh of relief. Flicking her wand at the pile of letters, Minerva giddily watched as all that paperwork flew into the blue flames, out of sight and out of mind. However, the Professor didn't realize that Magic put all the names of the student who were raised muggle, including Harry James Potter. So when Flitwick went out to speak with each integrating student, he didn't realize that the Boy Who Lived was going to be one of them.

---___----

Harrison really had to give it to the Wizarding World, they were really fast at replies. He and Harold were in their 'living' disguise, and lo and behold, there was a man at the cafe at exactly 1:00, dressed decently in normal, muggle wear. And yet heads still turned as he passed. Why? Because this man was incredibly short, and had a slight spring in his step as he searched for someone in the cafe. Harrison decided to let the man know of his presence. He coughed slightly into his fist, still petting James as he dozed in the undead boy's lap. The man turned around at the noise and stopped the small child sitting in the corner. After taking a few steps closer, the man took in the child's appearance before turning giddy. He all but skipped up to the boy and the child, never forgetting his manners, offered the happy short man a seat.

"Ah, Hello Mr. Potter!" said the man with a smile, and Harrison, being a ghost, could sense close up that he was not entirely...human.

"...Hello." He replied quietly, "Excuse me Sir, but I do not believe we are at a fair stance. You know my name, but I do not believe I know yours." Inwardly, Harold marveled at the way their consciousnesses mixed together, and yet Harrison was still able to speak in his articulate manner, albeit not like his usual speed-of-light way.