Albus still remembered the first time he met Jasmine 'Jazz' Evans. Though she was a housewife, she was formidable and extremely sharp witted. She immediately pegged him as a manipulator but at least he meant well. After all, all master strategist have to be able to manipulate the people around him, be they allies or enemies. She had written him after he rejected Petunia Evans' letter inquiring him to let her attend Hogwarts, believing that perhaps she have magic but maybe she just needed something to 'awake' it. She thanked him for being honest and direct though not unkind.

She then psychoanalyzed him simply from his handwriting.

She even knew he was gay and suspected that he was in love with the previous Dark Lord.

Albus had never felt more exposed in his life. That was when he knew that Jazz Evans wasn't someone he wanted against him. He had even asked her about Voldemort and she immediately recognized the Dark Lord as a psychopath. From his childhood 'trophies' that he won from torturing his fellow orphans in the orphanage to his silver tongued charisma that won him so many blind followers to the strings of murders that seemed random but wasn't, she easily knew that Voldemort was not an easy enemy to face as only his fear of being known and stripped off of his masks that stopped him from confronting Albus directly.

Perhaps news about her reached Voldemort and he feared her as he feared Albus, thus making her a target of his ire especially since she was a Muggle and should be powerless. Beneath him. Yet her ability to strip off masks caused him to be wary of her. Nothing is more fearsome to liar than the truth, and Jazz Evans have a way to bring out the truth even from the dead.

Still, he did not expect for Jazz to ask him about necromancy. At first he thought that she wanted to summon her daughter but then she was looking at Harry. She did mentioned that she have problem reaching someone. Someone powerful that can keep Harry safe and not be cowed by magic, even if the caster was Voldemort himself.

He watched as she introduced Lily and James to Harry, allowing them a moment of reprieve as Harry sat before their graves, whispering soft words to them, greeting and asking why they have to go. He let out his grief about Petunia Dursley, finally opening up about the horror of growing up there with no one to hit him for venting. Albus listened as Harry shared horrifying stories and he wondered if Harry would have grown into an uncontrollable Obscurus before he could even attend Hogwarts.

Nothing was sadder than an Obscurus after all.

Jazz joined him, "I need to contact someone from the other side. I don't know if your ghosts can reach him. The ghosts I knew and grew up with and the ghosts that Lily explained to me are too different. For one, your ghosts are more shade than proper ghosts. I am also unsure if your people have ever even met a real ghost,"

Albus frowned, "What is a real ghost to you?"

Jazz watched as Harry grew more animated at telling the story about a spider in his cot that he befriended, hoping that they weren't black widows, and explained, "Ghost I knew are solid. Capable of eating and are more than just silvery shades that could not interact with the world. They are capable of harming others and can grow more powerful the more they feed their obsessions. Obsession is another thing that your ghosts lacked. At least, in the manner that I knew. The ghosts I knew are also capable of anything that ghosts are able to do. Flying. Disappearing. Teleportation. Phasing through solid objects. Possession. Shape shifting. Vocal projection and I don't mean singing. I mean the ability to howl or screech so loud they can level a town,"

Albus could not imagine such a ghost, "I have never met such a ghost. Even our school's poltergeist can only do so much like holding objects or moving them without touching. But I have never heard of something like shape shifting or screaming loud enough to topple a building. Break a glass or the window? Perhaps. If they try hard enough. But vocal projection the way you told me? My dear, if the Unspeakables ever heard of such a spirit,"

Jazz nodded, "I know. But they are what I grew up with. My brother...my brother died and came back as one of them. But he came back neither dead nor alive. And I know he cannot die. Not again," She looked at Albus's wide eyes, "Yes, Albus. Apparently my little brother figure out the one thing Voldemort wanted; immortality,"

Albus paled, "Mrs Evans,"

Jazz shook her head, "Don't worry. The secret to that...is my brother's to keep. And believe me when I say that his was a chance when the stars aligned. And my brother...he is the one that I need your help to reach. He lives in a realm that only the dead can reach. Or those who never part of life," She looked at him, "I needed him, Professor. I know. I can read between the words of your letter. He will come back, won't he? That is why you want him protected,"

Albus stared at her and sigh, "Mrs Evans...had I not trust myself to love, you are an easy woman to love," He chuckled at her deadpanned look, "Jokes aside, I'm afraid so," He looked at her, "You wish to reach this brother of yours and ask him to uphold the blood ward on Harry when you..."

Jazz nodded, "I'll trust no one else to keep Harry safe. I know...Danny will do anything to keep my baby safe. I am also sure that he will not be swayed by Voldemort's silver tongue. Not when he knew that Lily died because of him. Knowing my baby brother, that alone will made Voldemort his enemy. And Danny is a powerful and dangerous enemy to have. Especially when he decided to not hold back. However, bless his kindness," She looked at the Headmaster, "I know, even if he changed in these past years, his kindness is the only thing that will not ever change with him. He is a protector through and through,"

Albus hummed, "I see..."

Jazz added, "You don't have to be wary of him. Remember when I say that ghosts grew powerful by feeding their obsession? Well, Albus, what does it mean when ghost is obsessed with protecting?"

Albus's eyes widened, "You mean...?" He covered his mouth as her nod, "Merlin. Voldemort did indeed made a dangerous enemy," The more danger Voldemort posed, the more powerful this ghost of Jazz's brother will be.

Harry interrupted them when he tugged on Jazz's pants, "Nanna...tired..."

Jazz smiled sweetly at him, "Of course," She picked him, "Oh! You're too light! I need to stuff you like a Thanksgiving turkey!"

Harry hid a shy smile into her shoulder. Albus watched their interaction and knew that he will have to protect Jazz while he figured out a way to keep her safe until this powerful brother of hers can be found to take over Harry's protection. It saddened him that Petunia's fear turned into hatred towards her nephew who also relied on her for protection. But at least his grandmother was still around. Though her illness was not something anyone can do anything about.

There have been witches and wizards that tried to cure cancer with magic. Even Nicolas Flamel tried! But the only thing that can kill cancer was to kill the body. After all, cancer was simply new cells that should replace the dead cell in their body that had gone out of control. Cancer, in the end, was still part of the body's own system. Just like lupus where their own immunity attack their body. Both cannot be healed, only killed. Which in the end would kill the host themselves.

Jazz was too old to continue with the kind of treatment that could kill the cancer cells. She could only rely on the natural immunity already inside her to kill the cancer cells from growing larger.

Upon returning to Hogwarts, Albus asked the portraits, "Headmasters and Headmistresses of old, I would like to counsel for your wisdom,"

They mumbled as they stopped pretending to sleep, or actually woke up from sleep, to answer him, "How can we help the great and wise Albus Dumbledore?"

Albus ignored Phineas' snark, "Have any one of you ever heard of the Ghost King?"

Jazz insisted that he used the title to better find a result. She also suggested seeking answers from the dead than the living. But he will try with the portraits first. Unfortunately, no one knew. No one but Salazar Slytherin who answered, "There was mentioned of the Ghost King. He is not someone you would want to summon, Dumbledore. The beast was a tyrant and conqueror. The last he was here, war erupted and many kingdoms fell. There was nothing humans could do to stop him. Not unless they sacrificed themselves,"

Rowena Ravenclaw asked, "Why do you seek such a terror, Dumbledore?"

Albus shook his head, "No. I am not seeking the previous King,"

Jazz had mentioned that her brother won the Duel of Kings against the previous Ghost King. A feat that no one had believed possible. Had he lose, he would have been enslaved by the tyrant that even ghosts feared. And with him, the rest of their world will follow. And the King wasn't even at his prime, having been recently awoken from a forced eternal slumber as the Ghost King cannot be executed. Even so, he was extremely powerful and her brother almost died despite using technologies that enhanced his already powerful abilities just to weaken him enough to deal the final blow that pushed him back into his prison to be sealed. Neither he nor she knew what that entailed for him then.

Helga Hufflepuff gasped, "Someone actually won the Duel of Kings against Pariah Dark?!"

Godric Gryffindor, "A feat worthy of a hero the likes of Cu Chulainn,"

A Headmaster from a younger generation, though older than Albus's, asked, "Who is Pariah Dark and what is this Ghost King? A kind of Dark Lord or something?"

Salazar sneered, "Dark Lord? Dark Lords would grovel and begged to serve the Ghost King! At least, Pariah Dark would entertain them should he wished. Most of the time, he just killed them for having the guts to even summon him like some servant. No. Do not mistake the Ghost King for some simple upstart of a Dark Lord,"

Godric nodded, "He was also known as the Erlking or Lord of the Wild Hunt when he was last on this side of world. Samhain was actually started to try and entertain him enough that he would deign to grant them mercy. Why, the Spirit of Halloween serves him as his personal Knight!"

As the Founders started sharing what little lore they knew about the Ghost King, Albus was actually impressed that Jazz's little brother managed to win against such a frightening figure. But he cleared his throat to gather their attention. When that was ignored, he cast a gunshot noise from 'his' wand.

Ah. Blessed silence.

He finally recalled the reason why he avoided seeking the old Headmasters and Headmistresses counsel. They get overexcited and completely forget about him. The portraits looked at him for interrupting a ghost story that was actually worthy of being called a ghost story. Albus cleared his throat, "Great Founders, it seems that you know much about this Ghost King. I wish to contact him. Do you know of that summoning spell that you mentioned?"

Salazar shouted, "Are you daft?! I know you're old but I did not think you're suicidal! Just because a new King have been crowned does not mean he or she is friendly!"

And the most paranoid Founder in Hogwarts berated and lectured the 'young' Headmaster for the rest of the night, much to Albus's chagrin and a few of the other's amusement. Oh, he could just imagine Aberforth's expression should he ever learned this.

"Are you even listening to me, you whippersnapper?!!"

Albus's brows raised, "Dear Merlin, haven't been called that in ages,"

Fortunately, Salazar can be ignored when Albus moved. Well, Godric actually finally have had enough of his lecturing and used his sword on Salazar's shiny dome to knock him to lalaland. Albus hoped that he won't be there when Salazar came back around because the argument would be something of a migraine. Honestly, one would think that Salazar Slytherin was a quiet man but in reality he seemed to like the sound of his voice and could go on forever when left alone. He was actually the first of the Founders to keep up with the changes in the English language just so he could lecture any students or staff stupid enough to interact with his portrait or wake him up from his 'sleep'.

But back to the matter at hand...

He found a ghost. Finally! Honestly, where do they all go when not haunting the hall? It seemed like finding them when they were reenacting the last time the husband cheated on the wife despite that being like 200 years ago was easier than when he actively sought them out.

He cleared his throat, "Excuse me, Friar. I require some ghostly aid,"

The Fat Friar of Hufflepuff smiled at him, "Hello, Headmaster. How are you? And what aid do you need from this humble me?"

Albus asked, "Well...I would like to ask you if you know how to reach someone in the Infinite Realm?"

That was what Jazz told him. He tried with the Ghost King and it seemed that saying the title alone was enough to send sensible ghosts running. The title was like Voldemort's tabooed name to ghosts as the name was to wizards and witches. So the next would be to ask about the Infinite Realm. A place where ghosts apparently came from.

The Friar blinked before gliding close and whispered, "How did you know about that?"

Albus felt hope and asked, "Well, a friend of mine is trying to reach someone on that side. He goes by Phantom?"

Again, something Jazz told him. She wasn't sure if her brother still used that moniker after he was disowned with disgrace by their ghost hunting family. But apparently he was famous when he used that moniker.

The Friar stared at the Headmaster, face suspiciously closed, "Why do you seek him?"

Albus decided to test the water, "His sister is looking for him. She goes by Jazz,"

That was another thing Jazz told him. Use the name she insisted he call her by just to make the message clear. If this was really the boy, or man, she was looking for, then...

Friar hummed, "Albus...you are dealing with forces the world is not ready to face. The last time these forces revealed themselves, dark and terrible things happened. Magic was nothing but a remnant of their passing," He then thought about it, "I shall visit His Majesty and ask. If he is willing and you are honest, he will not bring harm to you," He smiled softly, "He was gentle boy when he used that name. He wasn't that boy anymore. He grew and with it, his humanity lessened,"

Albus did not know what to think of what the Friar warned him off. He could only hope, because hope was the only thing he can rely on when making decisions without all the answers, that he wasn't making a terrible mistake. He knew better than to mess with things like necromancy. It was the darkest of dark arts. It was why he decided to ask around among the dead instead of seeking out books on the art.

He did not seem to need to worry about such news travelling. Matters like the Ghost King seemed to be taboo for even ghosts to talk about. But with the Friar's warning regarding this Phantom...

Jazz smiled when he came calling a few weeks later, "I suspected it. His obsession was messed with when our parents rejected him and chased him out of his own lair. His home. You do not mess with a ghost's lair or obsession. They changed when you did. I can only pray that he remained kind..."

She had a troubled look in her eyes and Albus could only wonder at it. He looked around the simple cabin near Hogwarts that he had prepared for her to use. A house elf checked on her and made sure that she have everything she needed. Pepper, her name, fretted over the young Harry as the boy tried to help the elf cleaned. He wiped everything that his tiny arms can reach. When they figured that there was no stopping him, Pepper decided to mentor him on how to best do things and to make sure he didn't hurt himself.

It was sweet but saddening to watch.

Albus looked at him, "How do you want to do this?"

She hummed, "Do you have a place well known for being haunted? It can certainly add the vibe. I'm not sure he will agree with this cabin,"

Albus thought about it, "There is the Shrieking Shack,"

And that was how Albus found himself, Minerva McGonagall, and Filius Flitwick inside the Shrieking Shack with a plan to fix the place up. Minerva do not know what he was up to and Filius just wanted something other than grading papers to do.

Albus smiled, "I assure you, dear friends, that it is for a good cause!"

Filius pulled out his wand, "Well, I am always up for challenge, Albus!"

Minerva drew in deep breathes and sighed, "Fine. But you are doing your own paperwork for the next month, Headmaster!"

It seemed that she have had enough being the one to deal with his work as the Headmaster while he was busy dealing with Harry and Jazz's matter as well as finding the ingredients to summon the Ghost King. Fortunately, Severus Snape, his Potion Master, could hardly care what he wanted to do with the potion ingredients as long as he pay for them. They weren't cheap and some was paid by his own pocket money. But Pomona Sprout, his Herbology Mistress, was a little curious by the strange plant choices he picked from the green houses. Fortunately, it was all very random.

Who knew creating ectoplasm through potion would use so much ingredients?

He won't have been able to do this without the help of the Bloody Baron who was a Potion Master himself. It took him an embarrassingly a few amount of tries before it was deemed 'good enough' for a King.

Although Aurora Sinistra, his Astronomy Mistress, wanted to know why he wanted to know when Saturn shines brightest as the star was nothing by trouble when it glowed. Albus simply evaded her questioning by claiming some nonsense he read in a Muggle astrology journal. She was not amused by his shenanigans and warned him to not drink with Sybill Trelawney, his Divination Professor. Not that Albus ever did but it kept her off of his trail anyway so he just smiled and nod at her. But he kept getting the stink eye from her since.

The trio fixed the Shrieking Shack until it was deemed livable, to which Minerva glared at him. Wondering what he was up to this time since the last time she and Filius worked on the place, it was to house a student afflicted with the werewolf curse every full moon. However, Albus returned that night and cast every protection spell he could on the fixed home before returning the next day with Jazz and Harry.

He gestured, "Well, the place is as ready as can be. All the necessary things are already inside. You find that a room on the first floor have been fitted for your and Harry's use," He took in consideration of her ailing health, to which Jazz smiled in thanks. He then added, "The time for the summoning draws close. I will visit you this Halloween,"

Fortunately, as if by fate's design, Saturn shines brightest on Halloween, which was great as he was trying to summon someone from the other side of the Veil. Now, he needed to make some sort of excuse to escape the Halloween Party in Hogwarts when Saturn shines brightest. The time slot wasn't big so he needed to be quick. Fortunately, the answer was easy; abuse a Time Turner.

He somehow managed to acquire one from the Department of Mystery and decided to use it for that night. This way, no one would question his absent at the Halloween Party while he can prepare things at the Shrieking Shack with Jazz. He entered the house to see Jazz already drawing a circle with a chalk in her hand. Harry helped made sure it was a clear line by drawing in on the faded parts.

Albus greeted them, "Happy Halloween! And I have just the things. Do you want some candy, Harry?"

Harry stared sadly at the treats before shaking his head, "I had too much. Nanna say no more. She mad,"

Albus winced for him, "Oh dear. Oh well! There is still tomorrow! Now," He set the bag of treats aside and looked at the circle, "Allow me to hasten the process,"

A wave of his wand and the memorized runes etched itself in their appropriate places. Candles made from all natural beeswax with dragon blood mixed it stood on all five corners, the flames green. Albus placed the iron bowl full of ectoplasm, in the middle of the circle. Black rose wreathes was thrown into the bowl as Albus handed Jazz a small silver blade, precisely custom made for rituals. Well, he nicked it from Severus's table but the man won't miss it until morning with how sloshed he gets every Halloween anyway. Albus picked Harry, "Alright. Don't disturb Nanna, okay?"

Harry obediently nodded.

A few moments of tall green candle flames and a pillar of glowing ectoplasm later, "Jazz...it's really you,"