Coming Back

Chapter Fourteen

As the leaves started to fall outside soon enough it became fall. October arrived, spreading a damp chill over the grounds and then to the castle. Which only made it colder in the dungeons.

It was raining profusely this week, which made me only want to take strolls around the castle's corridors more. I had caught up to Harry as we strode around.

A few days before Halloween, both of us drenched to the skin and splattered with mud made our ways back to our common rooms. Harry had been practicing for Quidditch so he looked a little bit more soaked than me.

As we came across the Corredor to his room, Nearly Headless Nick, The Gryffindor Ghost, was sitting out of the window, muttering under his breath, "...don't fulfill their requirements... half an inch, if that.."

"Hello, Nick," Harry said as I looked to the Ghost. He was nothing like the bloody Barron or Peeves for that. But Peeves was a poltergeist.

"Hello, hello," he said, steering and looking around.

"You look troubled, Young Potters," said Nick.

"As do you," I said as he nodded.

"Ah, a matter of no importance... It's not as though I really wanted to join... Thought I'd apply, but apparently I 'don't fulfill requirements--"

"But you would think, that getting hit 45 times in the neck with a blunt axe would qualify you to join the Headless Hunt?"

"Well yes," I said.

"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--"

"We can only except Huntsman's heads have parted with their bodies. You will appreciate that it would be impossible otherwise for members to participate in hunt activities such as Juggling and Head Polo. It is with the greatest regret, therefore, that I must inform you that you do not fulfill our requirements. With very best wishes--- Sir--- Patrick--- Delaney-Podmore." He read off the piece of paper he was holding as I shook my head.

"That's so wrong," I sighed.

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

"I'm sorry, Nick," I muttered, "you deserve to be on that."

He took a few breaths and then said in a calmer tone, "so-- what's bothering you two? Anything I can do?"

"No," Harry sighed. "Not unless you know where we can get seven free Nimbus Two Thousand and Ones for our match against Slytherin--"

"Harry it's not that bad," I sighed, "it's Malfoy you're against. I've seen him fly. I promise you, as much as it pains me to say it, you guys have a better chance than we do."

"Miss Potter you're not on the team?" Nick asked.

"I am, I-I'm just-just not Seeker," I sighed, "Malfoy made sure that had to happen."

Nick grinned and chuckled lightly.

"But there is something you two could do for me," said Nick excitedly. "Harry- Nova-- would I be asking too much-- but no, you wouldn't want--"