'ghost'

𝐇𝐀𝐑𝐑𝐘 𝐂𝐇𝐄𝐄𝐑𝐅𝐔𝐋𝐋𝐘 𝐋𝐄𝐀𝐃 𝐕𝐀𝐋𝐄𝐑𝐈𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐑𝐎𝐔𝐆𝐇 𝐇𝐎𝐆𝐒𝐌𝐄𝐀𝐃𝐄.

Harry cheerfully led her through the snow-covered streets of Hogsmeade, his boots crunching on the frozen ground. He pointed at the colorful shops and stalls that lined the road, his eyes sparkling with excitement. 

"Apparently there's another Ollivander's wand shop here," he told her, his voice full of enthusiasm. 

He ran his fingers through his jet black hair, which contrasted sharply with his pale skin and the white snowflakes that landed on his head. He wore a red and black checkered jacket over a sweatshirt, and a pair of trousers that looked too thin for the cold weather. He seemed oblivious to the chill in the air, as if he was warmed by his own happiness.

Muttering to herself angrily, she entered that crooked little shop. It was extremely dusty and a guy who was about eighteen grinned at her. She examined the shelves, taking note of the millions of wandboxes on the shelves.

The guy had pale-blonde hair which matched the tone of his face. His grey eyes sparkled with mischief. He stuck out his hand.

"Malfoy. Sanguis Malfoy. You can call me San."

Valerie took note of the last name Malfoy. "I'm sorry, I thought this was Ollivanders?"

"Oh, it is! I'm his apprentice. Um, let's see, you seem like an Aspen person..." he rummaged through a shelf and brought out a wandbox. "Try it out!" he beamed.

Valerie took the wand. She tried the wand movement that she saw Gina do when they needed the light for unexpected, unorganised, story-telling sessions.

"Lumos," she whispered.

Instead of lighting up, it knocked down a shelf at the back. San chuckled.

"No worries!" he said, when seeing her disappointed face. "There's always a wand for a wizard...I mean witch," he finished hastily.

It didn't really seem like there was a wand for Valerie. San seemed very confused as he took out different wands. Then he snapped his fingers.

"Hazel! Yes, that would do."

He handed her another wand. Valerie felt a warmth in her fingers as she waved the wand, in the same movement she tried for all of them.

Lumos, she said in her head.

The wand produced a light. San clapped happily.

"Hazel woods are for sensitive emotions. Be careful if you lose your temper, bad things might happen when you use your wand during that."

Valerie nodded and twirled the wand through her fingers.

❖

Harry was indeed waiting for her at the Three Broomsticks. He looked very disgruntled and greeted Valerie, expressing disinterest in her wand as she showed him.

Valerie felt rather hurt but she pushed it down. Why should he care?

The ghost was waiting for them at the back table. She smiled at them.

"Ah! You're here! Follow me to my office."

Harry and Valerie exchanged a look of confusion and curiosity as they followed the ghost to her office. 

The ghost was a pale woman with long silver hair and a blue dress that floated around her like a mist. She had a soft voice that sounded like a whisper, but also a sharp edge that hinted at her intelligence and cunning. 

She led them to a dark alley behind the Three Broomsticks, where a rickety wooden door opened to reveal a small and cluttered room. The office smelled like mold and dust, and was filled with old books, papers, bottles, and other strange objects. The only light came from a flickering candle on a desk that looked like it was about to collapse. 

The ghost gestured for them to sit on two chairs that were covered in cobwebs, while she reached for a notebook that was hidden under a pile of newspapers. The notebook next to it was leather-bound and had a lock on it. Valerie wondered what secrets it contained. 

Harry tugged on her sleeve when the ghost turned her back to them, looking for a quill in her pocket.

"Forget about this, let's go!" he whispered harshly in her ear. He looked nervous and scared, as if he sensed something was wrong

"Forget about this, let's go!" he whispered harshly.

"No. You go if you want, I'm staying here."

Harry sighed but he too waited.

When the ghost finally found the notebook, she asked them what their problems were.

Valerie cleared her throat. "Uh...basically, we both argue a lot."

"Ah...anything else?"

"What's that?" Valerie pointed at another notebook on the desk.

The ghost took a quick look. "It's Ada's diary. She gave this to me the day before she died."

Interesting. It was almost like Ada knew she would die the next day. Valerie opted for her best smile.

"Would you mind if I have a look?" Valerie asked sweetly.

The ghost's expression hardened. "No, I'm afraid. It's personal."

"Please? I'll take very good care of it." Valerie tried, putting all of her energy into pleading.

The ghost thoughtfully nodded. "Maybe...but anyway, let's continue with our meeting."

"Um...I'm a Leo?"Harry tried. The ghost's expression suddenly morphed into fury and then it changed back to her normal expression.

"One moment, please." She scribbled something in the book.

Valerie kicked Harry's leg. "Distract her." she whispered very quietly.

"I'm going to the washroom." Valerie announced. The ghost nodded absent-mindedly. She turned and went out of the alley, and after fifteen attempts, cast the disillusionment charm and entered the alley once again.

Valerie snuck behind the ghost as she listened to what they were talking about.

The ghost asked standard questions. How long they had been together, how did he ask her out and Valerie was about to take the diary when–

"Yes...did you visit Lilac Derrens?"

Valerie froze as she saw the ghost's wicked smile. She had heard the resentment in her voice when she mentioned Lilac Derrens. She desperately tried to signal Harry to deny it, but he was clueless.

"Yes, we did!" he said cheerfully, unaware of the danger.

The ghost's face twisted with rage. She pulled out a knife and stroked it lovingly. "I've been waiting for this moment..." she hissed as she turned around.

"Hello, Valerie." the ghost greeted her. Valerie didn't hesitate. She ran for her life.

Valerie sprinted towards the exit of the alley, dragging Harry along. But a brick wall materialized in front of them, blocking their way. They spun around.

The ghost held Valerie's wand in her hand. "Nice wand you have here."

"Blue sparks!" Valerie shouted to Harry. Harry quickly cast a spell at the ghost. It had no effect.

"Being dead has its perks...like being immune to death," the ghost smirked as she launched a stunning spell.

"Why are you doing this?" Valerie yelled as she dodged another spell and threw a barrel to block a curse aimed at Harry.

"I've always been in Lilac's shadow! We were best friends...until she started a rival business based on zodiac signs! You'd think...after I died, I'd finally be free of her!" The ghost fired another spell.

"Harry! Blast the wall!" Valerie said, annoyed by his slowness.

"Oh, right!" He shot a few spells and the brick wall crumbled. They both ran out of the alley, followed by the ghost.

Gina suddenly appeared next to them. She whistled. "Nice killer you've got there." The ghost threw the knife.

The townspeople gathered around them, and someone cast a spell that trapped the ghost.

The man looked at them. "Are you okay?"

Valerie smiled. "San!"

Harry looked puzzled. "You know each other?"

"We've met," Valerie replied. Valerie looked at herself and saw the holes in the jacket. She had used it to protect herself from the ghost's attacks.

 "I'm sorry, Harry. Your jacket is ruined."

 Harry smiled.  "You kept it all this time!"

 Valerie felt her face heat up. "It was cold!" she said defensively.

The ghost screamed. "I am Alexa Derrens! I am the real one! Lilac was just a copy! She should have died, not me!"

Valerie whispered to herself, noticing the last name Derrens. She held the diary close to her chest as she stood up and saw Gina.

Gina was bleeding from her arm, where the ghost's knife had pierced her. Gina laughed weakly. "Gina!" Valerie ran to her side. Then, Professor McGonagall appeared next to them and gasped.

She took Gina in her arms and disappeared with a pop. A moment later, she was back. She looked at Valerie and Harry with a stern expression.

"You have a lot of explaining to do."

madi speaks!

enjoy cute harry + val moments bc they'll be gone soon...also hi new coverrr what do we think??

graphic gallery will be posted soon!

who do you think murdered ada? (so far)