Barnaby Lee x Reader - Year 5

The House Ghosts

Lana met Penny in the Artefact Room. She was already there with her cauldron and the ingredients, sat on the floor.

"Thanks again for helping me gather all these ingredients, Lana." Penny smiled as Lana walked in the room.

"No worries, hun. Are you finally gonna tell me what you're making?" Lana asked.

"Draught of Peace. It's specifically made to relieve anxiety." Penny said, "They say Madam Pomfrey administers a lot of it to students worried over their exams. It might be the only thing to stop me from going mad until we work out a way to save Beatrice."

"Aw, I understand, Pen. Let's brew it then..." Lana smiled.

Penny sat on the floor, brewing the potion, while Lana sat on a box next to her, reading through a book on the Draught of Peace. It took a little over an hour, but Penny did it.

"We did it! We brewed a perfect batch of the Draught of Peace!" Penny cheered.

"Are you sure you wanna drink this, hun?" Lana asked cautiously.

"I'm honestly not sure now that it's in my hands..." she replied, looking at the vial in her hand, "I want to be able to sleep and think straight instead of constantly agonising over Beatrice...but if I didn't brew it properly, it could be dangerous. Besides, maybe I should be feeling this way..."

Penny sighed and looked at Lana. "Should I drink it, Lana?"

"I don't think you should. I know you're worried, but you're string enough to deal with it in your own, and with the help of your friends." Lana smiled.

"You've been dealing with your missing brother for years without using potions to cope, Lana. I've always admired your bravery." Penny smiled, "Thank you again for all of your help. I can't I,shine what my life would be like without you." she finished.

Lana smiled and pulled Penny into a hug. They separated and Penny spoke again.

"We need to save our siblings, Lana. I think I know someone who can help..."

"Who?!" Lana exclaimed.

"Someone you've never met before. Someone who's devoted his life, and his afterlife, to helping people..." Penny told her.

Penny and Lana went to the Great Hall and sat down. The Great Hall was filled with pumpkins and spooky decorations, seeing as it was almost Halloween.

On the way to their table, Lana saw Barnaby at the Slytherin table, reading a book. Ismelda was sat opposite him and she was talking to him, but he wasn't responding with much interest. Lana's heart sank when she saw him, and she remembered how he acted a few hours previously.

When the girls sat down, Lana looked behind her at Barnaby, and he was still absorbed in his book. Lana left it for the time being, but made a note to talk to him after her chat with Penny.

"I can't believe you've never met the Hufflepuff ghost, the Fat Friar..." Penny said.

"I mean, this castle is massive, and there are so many brilliant things to se. I doubt I'll ever get to see everything." Lana chuckled.

"You should spend more time exploring! I'll join you for a walk anytime you like!" Penny replied, "Hopefully, he knows something that can help is find the next vault, and save our siblings. He talks to everyone from the teachers to the other house ghosts, so he always knows what's happening at Hogwarts."

Just then, the Fat Friar floated over to the two girls with a big smile on his face.

"Ah, Penny Haywood! One of my favourite Hufflepuffs!" he chuckled, "I trust you've been helping your classmates be as kind, joyful, and generous as yourself."