Seeing that message, Theodore's eyes lit up.
Right—who understood souls better than the Underworld authorities?
How many ghosts did wizards see in a lifetime?
Probably fewer than an Underworld Judge handled in a single day.
This was a professional.
At that moment, the Bloody Baron recognized Theodore.
"Oh. It's you—the powerful little wizard."
"Very well. The Headmaster says you may do as you wish."
"I won't interfere."
He turned to leave.
Theodore stopped him.
"Baron, may we talk?"
The Bloody Baron turned coldly.
"I don't converse."
"If you're hoping to pry Hogwarts secrets from me, abandon that thought."
He passed through the wall and left.
New system messages appeared:
You attempt to converse with the Underworld Judge and are coldly rejected.
His warning stems from fear of tribulation entanglement.
Your favorability has decreased.
Theodore froze.
Just asking to talk… and favorability dropped?
Annoying.
Normally, he wouldn't care.
But right now—
Only the Bloody Baron, judged as an Underworld authority, seemed capable of solving the Horcrux problem.
Then a realization struck.
The Bloody Baron reminded him of someone.
Severus Snape.
Cold. Unapproachable—unless Lily was involved.
And the Bloody Baron?
He'd been obsessed with Helena Ravenclaw for a thousand years.
A worse case than Snape, honestly.
Theodore's mind cleared.
He had just mastered the Eight-Nine Mystical Art.
One of its greatest abilities was limitless transformation—gods, humans, spirits, even ghosts.
Perfect, flaw-free transformations.
He might not fool mythic beings—
But fooling the Bloody Baron?
Child's play.
A smile crept onto Theodore's face.
Helena Ravenclaw's image surfaced in his mind.
Origin Sea power flowed.
"Transform."
A strange sensation washed over him.
His body turned translucent, pale, icy.
He had become the Grey Lady.
Perfectly.
He couldn't help but marvel.
"So this is the Eight-Nine Mystical Art…"
"Compared to this, Animagus forms and Polyjuice Potion are jokes."
"They can't even imitate ghosts."
"And my transformation is absolute."
He tested the form, then smiled faintly.
Lifting his skirts, pale legs stepping lightly, tearful eyes glistening—
He followed the Bloody Baron.
The Baron drifted silently through the castle.
For a thousand years, since killing Helena and himself, he had borne his blood-soaked form as eternal penance.
Then—
He felt a presence behind him.
A sensation that shook his soul.
A voice rang out—soft as silver bells.
"Baron… don't turn around. It's me."
His body froze.
A thousand years—
He had never dared face Helena.
And yet—
She had come to him?
"Helena…"
"Why… why are you here?"
"I am a sinner. I don't deserve to see you."
The voice paused.
Then spoke gently.
"A wizard named Theodore spoke to me."
"He said… after a thousand years, this pain is torture for us both."
"He wanted to speak with you—but you didn't give him the chance."
The Bloody Baron's soul shook violently.
What have I done…
After a long silence, he spoke hoarsely.
"I will apologize to him."
"Helena… please forgive me."
Inside, Theodore sneered.
Tch. Simp.
So cold before—
Try being cold now.
Do you even understand the value of the Eight-Nine Mystical Art?!
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