Percy Potter

Chapter Fifteen

I walked with Harry, visible again, to the great hall. It was dinner time and Harry's little stomach was starving. I smirked at him and he glared playfully at me. Just as we entered the hall, Nearly Headless Nick flew past us, and then stopped in his tracks. I looked at him with hard eyes. "Nick." The ghost cringed and turned around. "Yes?" I glared at him. "Do you know who I am?" Nick's eyes darted around and I saw more ghosts looking at us, along with a lot of the people in the room. I called out in Greek, "All ghosts, come with me. Don't try to leave or I will catch you." I'll be a second Harry, why don't you go to the table and grab me a seat? Alright, but don't hurt them, they are good ghosts. My resolve softened a bit. Ok, Hazza. I grabbed Nick and started to walk out, dragging him behind me. He whimpered as the hall gasped in unison, but I ignored both. I walked down corridor after corridor until I made it to seventh. I walked back and forth three times thinking, 'I need a place where I can judge these souls, and make them unable to flee.' I heard a small whisper of 'Yes my lord,' and then a door started appearing. I walked inside and finally released Nick. Inside was a judge's elevated desk and open space for the ghosts to float. As I took my seat in the judge's chair, I asked Nick to count the ghosts to see when we had every one. He nodded with a terrified look on his face and I sat down, watching as all of the ghosts filed in. After ten minutes pass, the final ghosts close the door. I look towards Nick and he nods his head, still looking terrified. I clear my throat, and every head whips to look at me. "I assume you all know why you are here?" I speak, low and cold, but everyone can hear me. I wait a moment before driving on. "Then you know that I am the Champion of Olympus. It is my duty to carry out the work of the gods, and this includes Hades's work." Every ghost shuddered at Hades's name. "Get yourselves in a line, and I will pass judgment on whether or not you will be able to stay." Several ghosts' spirits (see what I did there) rose at the possibility of staying, and a small smile splayed on my lips. "Please get into a line and we shall proceed." All of the ghosts quickly flew into a line, but they pushed Nick into the first spot. I smirked a bit at this, but soon my face became neutral. "Please approach and plead your case." Nick floated forward and took a deep breath. "I am Nearly Headless Nick, Champion, and I wish to stay because I am the ghostly mascot for Gryffindor. I love to help the courageous and brave souls that enter my house, and talking with the paintings and other ghosts in the castle is pleasant." As I started thinking, a brilliant idea popped into my head. I nodded to myself and stood up. "Nick, I have just thought of something very important," I directed my voice to everybody present. "Who is the eldest ghost here?" All of the ghosts started to speak to one another except for one, she glided forward quietly, but I picked her out right away. I held up my hand to silence all of the chattering, as the lady gracefully stopped in front of me. "And what is your name miss?" She looked me in the eye and I could clearly see determination, sadness, and intelligence in them. "I am Helena Ravenclaw, daughter to the founder Rowena Ravenclaw. I am among the first ghosts to be placed here, to forever wander these halls." I nodded. "Ms. Ravenclaw, would you allow me to look into your mind, from the moment of your death, until now?" Helena nodded stoically, but I could tell she was scared, if only slightly. "Do not worry Ms. Ravenclaw, this will not hurt." I practiced my wind powers and made them levitate me to in front of Helena. I gently placed my hand on her forehead and closed my eyes as she squeezed hers tight. It was silent in the room, ever ghost watching, as I delved into the mind of a ghost. I quickly, but carefully, sorted through the memories until I came upon the moment before she died. I jumped in, and it was as if the whole world was on fast forward, but I still got the gist of each moment. I saw Helena die at the hands of the Baron, now known as the Bloody Baron, and then both of their souls traveling in the sky towards Hogwarts at the speed of light. Her soul slowly solidified so she could be seen, but partially so she could not be touched by normal people. Her soul used some of the magic in the energy of the castle to sate her soul and make her happy. By then, about a decade or so of years had flown by. She finally floated out of her hiding spot to see her old home. Over the many centuries, ghosts appeared in the same fashion, floating out of random walls and such, whenever. I watched all the way until I say Harry trying to interrogate her on where the diadem was. Then skimming over the battle, I came to the part where she floated up to an intimidating man with sad sea green eyes, which I realized was me. I then gently slipped from her memory and out of her mind. Once I exited, I had the winds float me back up to the judge's chair and I sat there thinking for a bit. They brought  no harm to the school, and were a great source of entertainment and knowledge. They also seemed to give Uncle Hades less paperwork, which I'm sure he'd love to know, though some of the souls are not very good ones to have around children. Harry's last words echoed in my mind, undoubtably him using the bond, and I smirked slightly. I made my decision and stood up from my chair. All was still silent in the room, but they became even more still when I stood. I cleared my throat and gave then a small, sad smile. "I have approved of your stay here." Once I said 'approved', my words were drowned out by cheering and applause. I sighed and held up both hands for silence. Once I knew I hold be heard again, I dropped the bomb. "But, I am not Lord Hades. I will talk to him later tonight, and if he approves as well, which I believe he will, all of you may continue with your undead lives. Dismissed." All of the ghosts visibly sighed in relief and started flowing out of the doors. I smirked to myself and returned to the great hall to have dinner with my Hazza.

Happy New Year everybody! Way to make it through the year! Now we just need to finish the other half of the school year and say the same thing! ;)